Norfolk Tides Position Prospect Review

NYfansonly.com looks at the peripheral stats of the Norfolk hitters, some of which had very good seasons in 2004. We will look at the batters who collected at least 200 at-bats with Norfolk and did not accrue more than 200 at-bats with the Mets. (Free Preview of Premium Content)

Craig Brazell - 1B

Drafted in the 5th round of the 1998 draft out of Jefferson Davis High School in Alabama, Brazell hit a career-high 23 home runs for the Tides this past season. Brazell has never caught the attention of the Mets and scouts as a true first base prospect due to his lack of walks. His .042% walks per plate appearance are way below the International League average, which doesn't aid his cause. His .265 average in 2004 was his lowest season average since hitting .241 for Capital City back in 2000. That said, Brazell has always been a consistent run producer and has little to prove at the minor league level. Still just 24 years old, Brazell can contribute at the Major League level. He most likely will not get his shot to be the everyday first baseman for the Mets, but could prove to be an excellent bench player for the Mets in 2005.

Level	Team	AVG	OBP	SLG	BB/PA	XBH	AB
AAA	Norfolk	.265	.300	.465	.042	37.3	475

Victor Diaz - RF

At just 22 years old, Diaz has earned the reputation as an above average hitter in his four minor league seasons. Like Brazell, Diaz goes up to the plate looking to swing. He does not get many walks but still gets good wood on the ball despite not being the most patient hitter. His 36.4% of his hits that went for extra bases were above the AAA average. His 133 strikeouts this past season were almost doubled his previous career high but you can chalk that up the new experience at a higher level. He's a much better hitter than that! After a good debut in his cup of coffee with the Mets this past season (3 HRs in 15 games) it remains to been seen if the Mets are going to give him a legitimate shot at one of the corner outfield positions in 2005. If not, he'll return to Norfolk again for his second full year of AAA-ball at the tender age of 23.

Level	Team	AVG	OBP	SLG	BB/PA	XBH	AB
AAA	Norfolk	.292	.332	.491	.055	36.4	528

Jeff Ducan - CF

Duncan's time with the Mets may have destroyed any confidence he had prior to his call up to Shea Stadium back in 2003. Drafted by the Mets in the 7th round of the 2000 draft out of Arizona State University, Duncan started the year with the Tides before being sent down to AA-Binghamton. While the .256 average is not so great, his peripheral numbers were still very solid. He's a patient hitter (in the minors) that has decent extra-base hit ability for a leadoff hitter. Now more than ever it appears that Duncan does not figure in the Mets' long term plans in the outfield but he can be a very valuable fourth outfielder and bench player. If he's looking to be a starting outfielder, he needs a change of scenery.

Level	Team	AVG	OBP	SLG	BB/PA	XBH	AB
AAA	Norfolk	.256	.330	.355	.102	28.8	203
AA	Binghamton	.256	.367	.316	.136	20.6	133

Danny Garcia - 2B/SS

Garcia was drafted by the Mets in the 5th round of the 2001 draft out of Pepperdine University. Garcia's peripherals were adequate across the board. He'll never become an everyday player for the Mets as he does not excel in any one category. But Garcia does do many things that can help a ball club. He can play a few different positions if called upon and he won't kill you if inserted in the lineup. He's a Joe McEwing type player that makes better contact at the plate. He's the utility prospect that is closest to earning that role with the Mets right now.

Level	Team	AVG	OBP	SLG	BB/PA	XBH	AB
AAA	Norfolk	.260	.322	.351	.058	27.0	242

Rodney Nye - 3B

After spending three years at Binghamton's starting third baseman, Nye finally got an opportunity at the AAA level with the Tides this past season. He was drafted in the 7th round of the 1999 draft out of the University of Arkansas. He's a hard working organizational guy. Nye does not have the power a corner infielder should have and that has always hurt his chances as a former budding prospect. If he sticks with the Mets, he'll be back in Norfolk in 2005 and may get his moment in the sun with the Mets as a September call up. He's earned it for putting in his time.

Level	Team	AVG	OBP	SLG	BB/PA	XBH	AB
AAA	Norfolk	.277	.330	.376	.072	27.4	423

Prentice Redman - LF/RF

After playing most of the 2003 season with the Tides, and even earning some time with the Mets that same year, it was a surprise to see Redman sent to AA-Binghamton to begin the 2004 season. Instead of sulking, Redman turned out a phenomenal year for the B-Mets. 61.4% of his hits went for extra bases and once again showed good patience at the plate. While he only hit .254 upon his promotion to Norfolk, Redman's peripherals were still above the league average. He does not figure in the Mets' starting outfield plans but could be a very good fourth outfielder for the Mets with a good combination of power, speed, and the ability to play any of the outfield positions. Redman is the Mets' best "fourth" outfield prospect at the higher minor league levels.

Level	Team	AVG	OBP	SLG	BB/PA	XBH	AB
AAA	Norfolk	.254	.308	.408	.074	42.6	213
AA	Binghamton	.286	.367	.571	.103	61.4	245

Subscribe to NYfansonly.com today! Only $79.95 brings you one full year of Mets Inside Pitch subscription (10 issues), Total Access Pass, and all premium content on NYfansonly.com, Scout™ Player and Roster Database (including the 'Hot News' at the top of the site), Breaking News and Information, Total Access to all Scout.com Websites, and Player Pages, detailing the progress and careers of players from high school, the minors, and the pro ranks. Sample the NYfansonly.com Total Access Pass™ at no risk for 5 days, then pay only $7.95 or $21.95. If you want to save 2 months off the monthly subscription price, simply choose the annual NYfansonly.com Total Access Pass™ at $79.95.

Subscribe to NYfansonly.com

Do you have an opinion on the Mets? Be sure to let us know on the message board. NYfansonly.com is always looking for die-hard Mets fans who would like to be writers for the site. Click here to learn more on how to become a Mets beat writer for NYfansonly.com.