Fernando Martinez made his much-anticipated Mets debut this week against the Nationals. Martinez is the latest in a long line of Mets prospects who received a lot of hype before they ever played an inning. Some, such as Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden and David Wright, became major stars, but most did not live up to Amazin’ expectations.
Here’s a look at some of those can’t-miss prospects and how they did.
ALEX ESCOBAR
Position: OF
Age at debut: 22
First game: May 8, 2001, at Coors Field; went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a strikeout as the team’s starting center fielder.
The hype: Signed as a teenager from Venezuela, Escobar was a star in the minor leagues. Baseball America named him the team’s top prospect three straight years. People dubbed him “Alex the Great” before he ever played a major league game.
The reality: Played just 18 games as a Met. Hit .200 with three home runs in 2001, then was traded to Cleveland in the Roberto Alomar deal. Never played more than 46 games in a season because of a combination of injuries and ineffectiveness. Last played in 2006 for the Nationals.
GREGG JEFFERIES
Position: 2B/3B
Age at debut: 19
First game: Sept. 6,
1987, at Dodger Stadium; went 0-for-1 as pinch hitter.
The hype: Jefferies was a first-round pick in 1985 and two-time minor league player of the year. He was the youngest player in the majors when the Mets called him up, and was expected to be the team’s next big star.
The reality: The Mets traded Wally Backman after the 1988 season so Jefferies could play every day. Jefferies struggled, hitting .258 in 1989, and became unpopular with teammates and fans. After mediocre seasons in 1990 and 1991, the Mets traded him to Kansas City for Bret Saberhagen. Played nine more seasons for the Royals, Cardinals, Phillies, Angels and Tigers. Was an All-Star in ’93 and ’94 with St. Louis, but his career was a major disappointment.
LEE MAZZILLI
Position: OF/1B
Age at debut: 21
First game: Sept. 7, 1976, at Wrigley Field; went 0-for-1 after entering the game in left field in the seventh inning.
The hype: The Mets took the Brooklyn-born Mazzilli with the 14th pick of the 1973 draft. He stole seven bases in a minor league game and made the leap to the majors right from Double-A. As the franchise entered its darkest days, local boy Mazzilli offered a glimmer of hope.
The reality: Became an everyday player in 1977 and made the All-Star team in ’79. Developed into a solid player and fan favorite but never developed into a superstar. Dealt before the 1982 season to Texas for minor league pitchers Ron Darling and Walt Terrell. Returned to the Mets in the middle of the 1986 season and became a key bench player for the championship team.
TIM LEARY
Position: P
Age at debut: 22
First game: April 12, 1981, at Wrigley Field; pitched two innings with a walk and three strikeouts in a no-decision.
The hype: The Mets took him with the second overall pick in the 1979 draft. Leary spent just one season in the minors, going 15-8 at Double-A Jackson in 1980.
The reality: Strained a muscle in his right elbow two innings into his major league debut and did not pitch again in the big leagues until 1983. Went 4-4 with a 3.80 ERA in three seasons with the Mets. Sent to Milwaukee in 1985 as part of a four-team trade. Played 10 more seasons for the Brewers, Dodgers, Reds, Yankees, Mariners and Rangers.
LASTINGS MILLEDGE
Position: OF
Age at debut: 21
First game: May 30, 2006, at Shea Stadium vs. Arizona; went 1-for-4 with a double as the team’s starting right fielder.
The hype: Taken with the 12th pick of the 2003 draft, Milledge was considered a steal who slipped because of legal trouble. When healthy, he hit well in the minors and Baseball America rated him as the team’s top prospect for two straight years.
The reality: Seemed to find trouble from the start whether he was high-fiving fans, showing up late to games or making a crude rap song. Hit .241 with four homers and 22 RBIs in three stints in 2006, and was on the Opening Day roster in 2007. Would bounce between the majors and minors all year, then was traded to Washington in November for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider. Currently on Washington’s Triple-A team in Syracuse.
ALEX OCHOA
Position: OF
Age at debut: 23
First game: Sept. 18, 1995, at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium; went 1-for-2 with a run scored and a strikeout, pinch hitting in the sixth inning, then staying in right field.
The hype: Ochoa was the main chip the Mets received from Baltimore in the deal for Bobby Bonilla. Touted as a five-tool outfielder.
The reality: Played just 206 games for the Mets, batting .273 with seven home runs. Traded after the 1997 season to Minnesota for pitcher Rich Becker. Played five more seasons with the Twins, Brewers, Reds, Rockies and Angels. Retired with a .279 career average.
PAUL WILSON
Position: P
Age at debut: 23
First game: April 4, 1996, at Shea Stadium vs. Cardinals; gave up three runs and six hits in six innings with two walks and six strikeouts in a no-decision.
The hype: The No. 1 pick of the 1994 draft, Wilson was the highest-rated arm of the famed “Generation K” trio, which included Bill Pulsipher and Jason Isringhausen. A flame-thrower out of Florida State, Wilson was thought to be a front-of-the-rotation starter for years.
The reality: Went 5-12 with a 5.38 ERA in 1996 and never pitched for the Mets again. Elbow and shoulder injuries sidelined him for most of the next five years. Traded to Tampa Bay in July 2000 for Bubba Trammell and Rick White. Pitched six seasons for the Devil Rays and Reds, having his best year in 2004 when he went 11-6.