Mets Prospect Report

[Blue Jeans]

Fernando Martinez

Signed by the Mets for a $1.4 Million signing bonus out of the Dominican Republic as a 16 year old in December of 2004, Fernando Martinez came to the U.S. with huge expectations and pressure placed on him. Martinez, a future franchise outfielder, who just turned 18 this month, had a nice, if not spectacular season this past year between Low-A Hagerstown and High-A St. Lucie. As young a player as there was in either the South Atlantic or Florida State League, Martinez combined to hit .279 with 10 homeruns and 39 rbi's in 76 games in a season that was slowed by a thumb injury at the midway point. Martinez dominated the Sally League batting .333 over 45 games at Hagerstown. Things got tougher in the Florida State League as his average dipped to .193 in 30 games, however he was able to equal the home run total he had at Hagerstown in 15 less games. Look for Martinez, who will play all of 2007 as an 18 year old, to begin and most likely play the entire season at St. Lucie. Also expect Martinez, who is currently batting under .200 in the Arizona Fall League, to make some spring training appearances with the Mets this March. Without a doubt, Martinez could easily be one of the Top 10 prospects in baseball this time next year.

 

 

Fernando Martinez, OF: You can imagine Mets scouts in the Dominican salivating watching this highly-touted prospect named “Jesus” spray line drives from gap to gap. After dropping Jesus in favor of Fernando and signing to a $1.4 million contract in 2005, the 18-year-old (10/10/88) tore up Low-A Hagerstown before he was awarded a late-season promotion to High-A St. Lucie. His production slowed after the promotion, but he put up .279/.336/.457 combined vitals.

 

#37. Fernando Martinez (18) Outfield -- New York Mets

AFL(Fall Ball) 22 Games .253 2HR 7RBI

St. Lucie (High-A) 30 Games .193 5HR 11RBI

Hagerstown (Low-A) 45 Games .333 5HR 28RBI

GCL Mets (Rk) 1 Games .250 0HR 0RBI

 

His full AFL numbers:

22 Games, 79 AB, .253, 5 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4BB/12K, 1 SB

[gateb]

I love how much we are getting into the international market. It looks like we're gonna get some good players out of there.

[Blue Jeans]

Deolis Guerra, RHP, 6′ 5″, 200, 17 years old, DOB: 04-17-1989

 

Guerra was one of top 2 International prospects secured by the Mets last year. The Mets inked the 16 year old Guerra in July 2005 for $700,000, and he made his professional debut with Hagerstown on May 6, 2006. He actually signed the same day as fellow prospect Fernando Martinez. OnDeck ranks Guerra as the 8th Mets prospect. His pitches include a 91-92 mph fastball, and a developing change-up. It’s hard to judge a 17 year old playing organized ball, but Hagerstown has purposely limited Guerra’s pitches this season. The SAL’s youngest player, Guerra never allowed more than two earned runs in any of his 17 outings. The Mets did keep him on tight pitch counts, but his 2.20 ERA still would have ranked third in the league if he had enough innings to qualify. He excelled at age 17 mainly on the strength of his changeup, showing an advanced feel for the pitch. The changeup has plus arm action on it which is very rare for a person this young. It is fairlt straight, but has a little fade and parachutes at the end. His fastball is already in the 87-91 range and should add velocity as he matures. Gotham Baseball updated their Mets prospect list in August 2006 and Guerra was ranked 7th.

 

 

Deolis Guerra, Mets

Age: 17.4 H/9: 6.75 BB/9: 4.39 K/9: 7.18

 

His ratios aren't great, but this is a guy born in 1989 (feel old yet?) who is already in the Florida State League and holding his own. Sitting at 89-91 mph with plenty of projection thanks to a 6-foot-5, 200 pound frame, Guerra's changeup is already a solid offering and his curveball has made great strides. The Mets need to slow down his development, but his ceiling is sky high.

 

 

Deolis Guerra (RHP) - Minaya gambled that Guerra was going to make Mets fans (or at least the ones that follow the minor leagues) forget all about Gaby Hernandez. So far, he’s been proven right, The 17-year old is far more polished than the departed Hernandez, and so far, seems to be the pitcher with the higher upside. An ERA under 2.20 in 17 starts in the offensive-minded, tiny ballpark-having SAL doesn’t hurt either.

 

Deolis Guerra, RHP (17 years old): Throws a 88-91 mph fastball with an above-average change that eventually will be a plus pitch. He’s only 17 and is very projectable, so there is no reason not to think he can’t add another 2-3 mph to his fastball and make that a plus pitch as well. The Mets had him work on his breaking pitches in instructional league. Next season he will probably start at St. Lucie. He’s on the fast track, but remember that he’s only 17 and still needs to build up arm-strength (i.e., so he can pitch an entire major league season) and needs to develop his breaking pitches, so I wouldn’t expect him at Shea until late-2008 or early 2009.

 

MPH Take- This kid was amazing in 2006. Like Fernando Martinez, he tore up Mid-A Hagerstown and was called up to High A. A 2.20 era for a 17 year old player is amazing, especially in Mid A. His change up is absolutly filthy, which is pretty crazy for someone as young and raw as him. His fastball touches 91-92, and he could add a few more mph to that before its all said and done, which should become a plus pitch. He is also working on a couple breaking pitches as well. He should start out in High A St Lucie next season and could be called up to AA towards the end. He is looking at a late-2009 arrival to the Mets, and could be an Ace for us for years to come. Watch out for this kid, he could be realllllll good.