Sleepers: New York Mets
The Shallow
Daniel Murphy – Outfield (LF)
Getting Daniel Murphy into 32 games last year at the end of the season allowed the Mets to see that they may have an unexpected gem in their system. Swatting at a .313 clip in that exposure, Murphy stepped in, after the resurrected Fernando Tatis went down to injury, and didn’t miss a beat. Providing a low-risk, high contact rate (only 116 K’s in 957 career minor league AB’s), Murphy may not have out of this world pop in his bat, but he definitely exudes control each time he steps up to the plate, with greater success than most 24-year olds.
This 13th round pick from Jacksonville may become a victim of position relocation, as the outfield prospects currently within the Mets system are overwhelmingly positive. With Fernando Martinez, Nick Evans, and Wilmer Flores also vying for promotions, the future could get cluttered quickly.
The one major concern that needs to be addressed before Jerry Manuel feels comfortable having Murphy consume a spot in the everyday line-up is his glove. And with Tatis signing a one-year deal, it may still be another full season until that becomes a reality.
Murphy has shown severe inability to cleanly play the ball, and hopes of him finding a position of comfort have come up short. After recording an eye-popping 35 errors (.917 FP) while at third base (A-Ball in St. Lucie, 2007), he opened the next season in AA-Binghamton, with 13 errors in 64 games at third, before shifting around (17 games at second with 5 errors, 13 games at first base and only 1 error), and has still yet to really find a niche in the field.
With 55 career errors in 238 games (.932 fielding percentage in the minors) Murphys’, issues in the field definitely make him a defensive liability. Take caution fantasy managers looking for a sleeper, as overlooked statistics like this can get in the way of keeping good bats out of a line-up, especially in the NL. Should he find a home in a position of comfort, Murphy CAN indeed contribute.
WaiverSharks hopes that progress is made this season, so we can enjoy watching the smooth, left-handed hitting Floridian, without concern.
The Deep
Jon Niese – Starting Pitcher
I’m not sure if it is a coincidence, however, this left-handed hurler was born on the same day that the Mets won their last World Series crown, on October 27th, 1986. (Sorry to bring it up Red Sox fans…but you’ve had plenty to cheer in recent years!)
While his major league career didn’t exactly get off to a great start, (Rickie Weeks took him yard, as his first major league batter faced), we should take it with a grain of salt, as he is still learning the tricks of the trade.
At only 21-years old, some think that he could challenge, and with a good spring, could make the rotation of the Mets. I say nay to that, and demand the Mets allow him some continued seasoning at AAA-New Orleans. This would enable him to grow as a pitcher, and gain the confidence that he needs to become a more complete and durable pitcher.
Getting rocked around by major league hitters could drastically affect the development of Niese, as he has shown that he gets rattled a bit when in jams.
Instead, let him grow on his tidy 2.53K/BB ratio, along with an ERA in the mid 3’s. Niese is projected as the future number three starter, in a Mets rotation that is currently led by another solid lefty, Johan Santana.
Niese could learn a great deal of knowledge just by being up with the big club; however, there is no need to rush him up. Mike Pelfrey, the recently re-signed Oliver Perez, and John Maine should be able to hold the fort. Niese will be able to develop his goods and make some spot starts here and there, while continuing his rise in AAA, in preparation for next season, where he could really make a splash.
