We’ll now drop down another level in the Mets farm system, and take a look at the team’s high Single-A affiliate, the St. Lucie Mets. We’ll begin this look at the St. Lucie Mets with two right-handed ptichers – Steven Clyne and Nick Carr, the No. 13 and 14 prospects in the system, according to Baseball America.
Clyne, a third round pick in the 2007 draft out of Clemson, had a very impressive beginning to his professional career last summer in Brooklyn, finishing with a 2.05 ERA in 20 appearances with the Cyclones. With a mid-90s fastball, hard sinker and a slider, Clyne has the tools to become a big league setup man, and could potentially move through the Mets system quickly if he has a strong 2008.
Carr, on the other hand, is a starter who had a respectable year with Brooklyn last year (5-2, 3.80 ERA). Carr has a mid-90s, fastball, a hard slider and a decent changeup, and the Mets are hoping he can build on his short season success in ’07 at a full season level in 2008.
There are also two positions players to crack the B.A. top 30 on ST. Lucie’s roster – Lucas Duda (No. 29), a 1B/OF prospect, and Ruben Tejada (No. 18), an 18-year-old shortstop from Panama.
Duda has a nice season in Brooklyn in his pro debut last season (.299, four HR and 32 RBI), and also had 20 doubles – the same total as he had in his three years at Southern Cal. At 22, he still has some time to develop power, but Duda needs to prove last season wasn’t a fluke with St. Lucie this year.
Tejada, on the other hand, is still a kid, and had a tremendous opening season in pro ball. Despite being 17 years old, Tejada hit .324 with three HR, 41 RBI and 18 SB in 241 at-bats between the Venezuelan Summer League and the Gulf Coast League last year. With a year of pro ball under his belt at the plate, combined with above-average range and arm strength in the field, Tejada is a player to watch this season.
Much like the Yankees’ high Single-A team in Tampa, the biggest reason fans will pay attention to the St. Lucie Mets this season is when players such as Moises Alou, Pedro Martinez and others rehab their injuries there. However, players like Clyne, Carr, Duda and Tejada will give Met fans a glimpse at some potential players for the big club down the road, as well.
