The making of a Home-Grown Line-up

[Frayed Knot]

As mentioned during today's game and in another thread somewhere, this was the first time since 1971 and only the 3rd time ever (first two were just days apart) that the Mets fielded a nine-man line-up featuring players who were all initially drafted/signed by the team and had never played for any other organization.
A quick look at where they all came from:


Kirk Nieuwenhuis - Age 24;
3rd Round draft pick in 2008 - Azusa Pacific Univ
Debut = April 7, 2012

Ruben Tejada - Age 22
Signed as Int�l Free Agent from Panama in 2006 (age 16)
ML Debut = April 7, 2010

Daniel Murphy - Age 27
13th Round Draft Pick in 2006 - Jacksonville Univ
ML Debut = August 2, 2008

David Wright - Age 29
1st Round Supp Draft Pick (38th overall) 2001 - HS in Chesapeke, VA
ML Debut = July 21, 2004

Lucas Duda - Age 26
7th Round Draft Pick 2007 - Univ So California
ML Debut = September 1, 2010

Ike Davis - Age 25
1st Round draft pick (18th overall) 2008 - Ariz St Univ
ML Debut = April 19, 2010

Josh Thole - Age 25
13th Round Draft Pick 2005 - HS in Breese, Ill
ML Debut = September 3, 2009

Jordany Valdespin - Age 24
Signed as Int�l Free from Dom Republic in 2007 ??
ML Debut = April 23, 2012

Jonathon Niese - Age 25
7th Round Draft Pick 2005 - HS in Defiance, OH
ML Debut = September 2, 2008

Edited April 26, 2012 by Guest

[Edgy MD]

Not popular to say, but it's a real credit to Omar Minaya.

I'd never trust the guy with my payroll but he sure cut the mustard as a scout.

And it's a credit to Alderson that he hasn't turned over the roster and the system to put his own mark on the organization in his first year and a half (like Minaya did). He saw something worth nurturing and he has. Making virtue of necessity, sure, but virtue nonetheless.

[Fman99]

Gary and Keith gave props to Omar too, on the broadcast yesterday. Well deserved, the guy has an eye for young talent it would appear.

[HahnSolo]

Edgy DC wrote: Not popular to say, but it's a real credit to Omar Minaya. I'd never trust the guy with my payroll but he sure cut the mustard as a scout. And it's a credit to Alderson that he hasn't turned over the roster and the system to put his own mark on the organization in his first year and a half (like Minaya did). He saw something worth nurturing and he has. Making virtue of necessity, sure, but virtue nonetheless.

+1 on all points, Edgy.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

For whatever reason I never knew Muffy was such a relatively high draft pick. I always assumed he was more of a mid-round type who surfaced when he proved he could hit at each level.

My appreciation for Muffy is growing all the time.

[Frayed Knot]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: For whatever reason I never knew Muffy was such a relatively high draft pick.

That's because he wasn't.
A typo meant that 13th round got keyed in as 3th
Will fix.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Ah!


Leah!

[metirish]

Omar and Tony?

anyway, yes, Omar seems to be regarded as a talent spotter.

[Ceetar]

Well Tony was supposedly responsible in part for the 'fast track' system.

Of course, people soundly criticize that system now. Clearly if Mike Pelfrey had spent another year in the minors he'd be the Ace he was picked to be, and if Murphy had spent another year down there he'd be Ordonez with the glove.

Meija never would've had Tommy John if he hadn't been put in the bullpen. Nick Evans would've blossomed into a corner OF slugger.

[Edgy MD]

Hector Pellot would be Roberto Alomar. Francisco Pe�a would be... Tony Pe�a! I feel ya, man.

Damn naked Tony Bernazard

[Ceetar]

And as was pointed out by others, drafting Lucas Duda behind 4 college relievers is not necessarily a pure drafting win either.

[Benjamin Grimm]

This was in Brian Lewis' article in the New York Post:

General manager Sandy Alderson added: �It was an unusual circumstance with all the players in the lineup being homegrown, and a testament to the players that were signed and developed under [former GM] Omar [Minaya].��