Jan 06 2009
Mets Minor League Report: Niese and Martinez
Here is an overview on some of the stats of Jon Niese and Fernando Martinez. You will see why Niese deserves a shot and Martinez doesn’t!
Jonathan Niese - SP
Combined totals AA and AAA in 2008:
11 - 8 3.13 ERA 58 BB and 144 SO (2.5 SO/BB ratio) 164 IP over 29 starts
What even more impressive is he was 5-1 with a 3.40 ERA in 7 starts at AAA (included in stats above)
Niese made 3 starts at the MLB leave in 2008, and was dominant in 1 start versus the Braves, going 8 strong IP, with 7 K’s and 0 ER.
Even though I think it would be smart to let him start the season at AAA and call him up after the all star break, this says to me that he definitely earned the potental to be talked about for the 5th spot in the rotation in 2009.
Fernando Martinez
Now on to Fernando Martinez. He is the much talked about minor league OF prospect that the Mets pretty much refuse to trade for anyone. At the beginning of last season, the talk was he would be the opening day left fielder for the Mets in 2009. Well, after an injury plagued under performed season at AA last year, that simply won’t happen.
Last season in 86 games at AA, Martinez hit .287 with a combined 31 extra base hits. He had 19 doubles, 4 triples and 8 HRs. He also had 43 RBI, 48 runs and 6 SB.
This guy is suppose to be a star, but his stats don’t tell that story. He honestly hasn’t done anything exceptional. He doesn’t appear to be a speed threat, or a high average guy, and he hasn’t really shown big time power numbers either. Granted, he is only 20 years old (19 during all of last season), but I don’t see him being ready for MLB until at least 2010. Expect him to spend at least all of next season in AAA.
