Its hard to get optimistic around Shea Stadium these days. The team hasn't done much of anything since Mike Piazza flied out to Bernie Williams to end the 2000 World Series, save a week in September of 2001. Nearly every high priced Met acquisition has been a bust. Promising young players from last year, Jason Phillips and Jae Weong Seo have struggled. Jose Reyes still is nursing his pulled hamstring.

            Not since the darkest days of the Dallas Green era in the mid 90s has it been this bad to be a New York Mets fan. Heck even in Bobby Valentines worst times, you could always rely on the manager to say something that would get your interest up. Now, Met fans have to sit through the even extraordinarily dull Art Howe. Howe is in fact the perfect symbol for this team; incredibly boring with no consistent signs of life.

            But take heart Mets fans. There is hope. For one thing, Jose Reyes is still 20 years old. His hamstring will get better eventually. Secondly, the Mets have something they havent had in years; a minor league system.  Aside from Reyes, the names everyone talks about are third baseman David Wright pitcher Scott Kazmir. But it goes deeper than that, and this article seeks to provide those who read it with information. Information that will be a light of hope in the dark days of Metfandom.

-David Wright Age: 21 3B- currently at AA Binghamton (key stats italicized)

 AB: 85  Avg: .353    OBP: 471  Slug: .624  R: 16  2B: 11  HR: 4  RBI 14  BB: 14

            Wright has vaulted to the top of many prospects list because of his strong play in the second half of the Florida State League and Arizona Fall League. Scouts have always loved his plate discipline- he's already drawn 14 walks this year, third in the Eastern league. His On Base Percentage is normally high as a result, prompting many people to suggest he is polished enough to make the jump to the majors. He probably is not ready yet, but a jump to AAA is probably in the cards if he has another three weeks like this. Considering Wright's good eye and good power, he probably will make to the big show before years end and there is good reason to believe he is the real deal.

-Scott Kazmir  Age: 21 SP- currently at high A ball St.Lucie (Florida State League)

IP: 14.2 W 0   L 0  E.R.A. 6.14  BB 7 K 14  H 19

            Not a great start for Kazmir at A this year after dominating at mid A ball Capital City and at the Florida State League last year. Hes been battling a rib cage injury, so he may still be pitching himself into form. Kazmir ranks as one of baseballs top prospects. His stuff is nasty, complete with a high 90's fastball and a wicked slider. His small frame (only 6'0 tall) and pitching motion has scared some scouts, but most are in agreement he should be able to contribute sometime to a major league roster; even if it is as a reliever. The Mets see a front of the line starter here. Time will tell but if all goes well, Kazmir will be at Shea by the end of 2005.

-Aaron Heilman Age: 25 SP- Currently at AAA Norfolk

IP: 27.2 W 0   L 1  E.R.A. 3.58 BB 7 K 26  H 32

            Formally the top prospect in the Mets system, many have soured on him after his struggles following promotion last year. Met fans should be more patient, Heilmans K: BB ratio and K/IP ratio is excellent. (Almost 4:1 and 1K/9IP) What that means is that Heilman is missing bats, signaling that he also has been rather unlucky this year. With a good defense, his numbers would be better. Heilman has done a good job at keeping his walks down. The Mets need to be smart and give him a chance to show his stuff later on in the year.

Matt Peterson SP: Age: 22 Currently at AA

IP: 26.2 W 1   L 0  E.R.A. 2.03 BB 7 K 27  H 24

            Petersons strong performance in the Florida State league last year alerted many scouts to his talent. Like Kazmir he is a power pitcher. Unlike Kazmir, Peterson has a big frame (6'5) and therefore technically should not be the injury concern. His K ratios are good like Heilman and he is missing bats. Peterson, like Wright is on the fast track to Shea and may be there before the season is out.

-Victor Diaz RF- Currently at AAA

AB: 90  Avg: .278    OBP: .293  Slug: .433 R: 11  2B: 5  HR: 3  RBI 9  BB: 2

            Tore up the Eastern league after being acquired by the Mets in the Jeromy Burnitz deal, Diaz has hit every level hes been at. He has struggled this far with the bat this season but he has come around recently. A bigger concern is his lack of walks. If he ever wants to be an impact player in the bigs, he has to gain some discipline at the plate. Will probably see action at Shea later this year.

Jose Diaz  Age: 24  SP: Currently at AA

IP: 18.2  W 1   L 0  E.R.A. 4.35  BB 20  K 18  H 8

-Fantastic stuff. Overpowering fastball. But as the ratios show, he has a definite lack of control. It basically is a strikeout or walk. As a result his innings pitched have been low because his pitch counts have been so high. For him to be an effective starter he must bring down his walks. Probably will see action eventually as a reliever by 2005.

Craig Brazell: Currently at AAA

AB: 83  Avg: .289    OBP: .314  Slug: .651  R: 13  2B: 3  HR: 9  RBI 20  BB: 3

-Power is the name of this kids game. He can drive the ball. He can hit for average. But he has no plate discipline. If he ever gets it down, he could be a great player in this major league baseball. His average is high enough that hell probably get a shot this season, but unless he learns how to work counts, I doubt hell be a great player at Shea.

Yusmeiro Petit: Age: 19 Currently at Mid A (Capital City)

IP: 21  W 3   L 1  E.R.A. 1.29  BB 5  K 25  H 5

            A mere 19 year old, Petit has shown great stuff so far this season at Cap City. Like Peterson and Heilman, his K ratios are something to salivate over. It should not be surprising to see him promoted to high A soon. Petit is on the fast track but one shouldnt expect him at Shea until at least 2006.

            There is folks. The best and brightest the Mets have to offer. The offensive players outside of Wright are not spectacular, but it starts and ends with pitching.  That is where the hope for the future is.  So take heart Mets fans; the potential is there. Eventually they will rise again and these minor leaguers could be the building blocks to something special. So remember no matter bleak 2004 gets, the forecast is bright.