Interview With Mets Prospect Hub

So I just had the opportunity to interview Tejesh of Mets Prospect Hub. Unlike the other interviews I've done, this one was done live (Instant Messaging). I met Tejesh on the mets.com forum, and since then I've stayed in contact with him through Aim. Take it for what it's worth, but he probably knows more about mets prospects then any other of these sites on the internet.

Q.Lets start with the Johan Santana trade.. Who were you most sad to see go?
A. I know you're high on Mulvey.. I've said before i think he could have the best career of Pelfrey/Humber/Mulvey, but I'd say Deolis Guerra, plus fastball, plus change, 18 years old. Screams future ace to me.

Q.Moving from one trade to another- have you gotten over the Lastings Milledge trade yet?
A. No, and I really don't think I will. I've always been one of Milledge's biggest supporters, throughout all that high five stuff, etc...and the trade, to me, was basically throwing him away. I think we'll come to regret that trade pretty quickly.

Q.So I guess you’re not on the Ryan Church bandwagon?
A. lol, no.

Q. So now moving onto players who are still in the system.. Fernando Martinez is the Mets top prospect, and one of the best prospects around baseball.. What kind of career do you think he'll have?
A. It's hard to tell, since prior to this spring, all I had were scouting reports. Seeing him play (even a little) helped. I will say that I love the way he stays in on lefties. His swing, to me, doesn't look like the type which could generate much power, but he is just 19 years old, so power should come. Would anyone be disappointed with a David Wright esque lefty hitter? I see that type of career, high average, good eye, good power.

Q.Now the "other" prospects in the system. None of them seem to be too hyped, but seeing how the other hyped prospects (Milledge,Pelfrey,Gomez) turned out, doesn't seem like a bad thing.
A. Well, most of the "other" prospects are in the extreme lower levels, and/or 18 years old. I think, mainly because of their performance this spring, Jon Niese and Bobby Parnell will be getting extreme hype this season.

But, in my eyes, the system is under-estimated by experts, as it seems everything Mets is. And the hype about Milledge, Pelfrey, Gomez wasn't generated by the Mets, it was BA and other baseball publications.

Q.You just mentioned Jon Niese.. Tell us why we shouldn't get caught up in his 2007 numbers.
A.Well for one thing he was working on control through the season-which negatively impacted his numbers. Also, because he had one horrific month (May), where he allowed a .974 OPS, every other month was .700 or lower. I think the fact he walked only 2.10 per 9 in 2007, vs 4.50 in 2006, speaks volumes about the step forward he took in 07. I'd look for a big breakout from Niese in 2008.

PS: He pitched to a sub 3 era over his last 11 or 12 starts.

Q.We got to see a little of him this spring, what type of pitcher do you see him turning into?
A. At his peak? Andy Pettite, Barry Zito. Not overpowering with his fastball, pretty devastating curve, good change.

Q.2007 Draft.. Success?
A.It depends on your definition of success. Was I pleased? Absolutely not, and anyone who reads my blog knows it. Do I think the Mets got what they wanted? Yes. So from their point of view, it was a success. From mine, not so much.

I would've been much happier if we'd signed Brandon Efferson and Nick Abshire.. Looking ahead to 2008, the Mets have said they're abandoning the slotting system (but we heard that before 2007, so we'll see) - and we have picks 18, 22 and 33. And talent does fall, so I would hope the Mets wait and see, and if a talent or two like a Gerrit Cole or Tim Melville were to fall, for example, I'd hope we jump all over them.

Q. The Mets converted Brant Rustich to a starting pitcher.. Good idea? or will he fall flat on his face?
A. I don't like it. His stuff (plus fastball, plus slider, and the makings of a plus change) would play ridiculously well for one inning. He's got future closer written all over him.

Do I think he'll fall flat on his face? No. He's got, as I said, tremendous stuff, and the drive to succeed. I think he'll do well, but the Mets will need a reliever late, and he'll be the one who gets called up, and that'll end that, because once he's up, he won't go back down.

Q.Mike Carp was one of the top prospects in the system after the 2006 season. Injuries and an inability to hit lefties have taken a major hit to his value.. Still have faith in him?
A. Absolutely, as evidenced by his topping the list of corner infielders on our System Audit in February. I do think he's got to show at least a sign of having a clue versus LHP if he's going to force his way into the Mets plans for 1b post Delgado. I would hope we sign Mark Teixeira, but you never know with prospective FAs (everyone had Carlos Zambrano in our 2008 rotation, that worked out well). I think, at worst, Carp can be a Mike Jacobs type, who mashes righties and would need a platoon partner for lefties. To that end, I expect Carp/Evans to put up insane platoon numbers in Binghamton this season.

A key to Carp's 06 breakout was his ability to use the whole field, instead of being an all or nothing type. We'll see if he can get back to that approach in 2008, but we expect good things from Carp this season.

Q.What about my personal favorite prospect, Lucas Duda?
A. He's good. So far, he's shown an ability to hit lefties, something Carp, and Daniel Murphy (a 3b prospect) has not. Duda hit .342/.405/.605/1.010 with 7 2b and 1 HR in 38 ABs vs LHP, and .296/.401/.436/.837 with 12 2b, 2 3b and 3 HR in 179 ABs vs RHP in Brooklyn. We'll have to see if that continues at the higher levels, and he should be opening in St. Lucie, which is another pitcher's park (as is Keyspan). So we should get a good read on him sometime in June or July.

Q. He's got some big shoes to fill in St. Lucie after the seasons Carp and Evans have put up respectably in the last two seasons.
A. Yeah, he does. I think the key for him, as it was for Carp, is how he hits lefties. Duda's also shown a good ability to draw walks, with a 98 IsoD in college, and a 99 IsoD in Brooklyn.

Q. Alright I'll get you out of here on this.. Which prospect that we haven't spoken about will make some major noise this season?
A. Uhhh...I'll go with Nathan Vineyard for pitching, and Ruben Tejada for hitting.

~Just want to thank Tejesh for taking the time out for this in-depth view at the Mets minor league system. Tejesh will be back in Mid-May for another interview, giving us an update of what's going on throughout the minors. Don't forget to visit Mets Prospect Hub everyday during the season for Tejesh's minor league reports.