Mets Winning Now & Later

Traditionally, the New York Mets have been a franchise that tried to build a winner primarily through free agency. They would sign big-name players and often receive mediocre production in return.

The Mets' squad that easily won the NL East in 2006 was built not only through free agency and trades, but also with superior talent developed from within. Third-baseman David Wright and shortstop Jose Reyes were two of the game's better players in 2006, and should be all-stars for years to come. But, the Mets are not content with those two studs. A host of top-notch young players are already in the big leagues or very close, including pitchers Phil Humber and Mike Pelfrey. The Mets have prospered with their first-round draft picks in recent years, where they have signed Humber, Pelfrey, outfielder Lastings Milledge and pitcher Aaron Heilman. They also signed super southpaw Scott Kazmir in the draft's first round, only to deal him to Tampa Bay for Victor Zambrano - one of the worst trades in recent memory.

Further down on the farm, the Mets have a few very young but intriguing prospects which could ensure the team's competitiveness for many years. In 2005, GM Omar Minaya spent over $2 million on a couple of Latin-American players that were both 16 years old. Let's take a look at those two players:

Fernando Martinez, OF, Age 18
Martinez is a left-handed power hitter who demonstrates all five tools needed for future stardom. Hailing from the Dominican Republic, the youngster impressed onlookers in the lower levels of the Mets' farm system.
Spending most of 2006 between Low-A Hagerstown and High-A St. Lucie, Martinez hit .333 at Hagerstown. There, he showed a wide range of skills, collecting 21 extra base-hits in 192 at bats, including 5 home runs and 7 steals.
At St. Lucie, he struggled somewhat, hitting only .193 in 119 at bats with 24 strikeouts. He also hit 5 homers in the High-A league. When you consider that his peers were 3-4 years older, it's no wonder that prospect watchers are projecting him as one of the best-looking players in years to come.
After a slow start in Double-A Binghamton this year, the outfielder is hitting .293 in 20 games with a homer and three steals. That's a very impressive performance for an 18 year old.

Deolis Guerra, RHP, Age 18
Just having celebrated his 18th birthday, the 6' 5" Venezuelan pitcher has turned heads already in St. Lucie with a 3.60 ERA and a WHIP under one in 2007. Guerra hit 96 MPH on the radar gun this spring, up from the low-90s previously. That has caused some to put him in the Top 10 pitching prospects in all of baseball. He is still growing into his large frame, and needs to continue to develop coordination and consistency with his pitches.
In 2006, Guerra dominated in Low-A Hagerstown, posting a 2.20 ERA, and only surrendering 59 hits in 81 innings.