20-year old lefty swinging outfielder Fernando Martinez was the Mets’ #1 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. He started this season in AAA ball where he played in 45 games and was 51 for 176 (.290 avg, .877 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 8 homers and 28 RBIs. When the Mets suffered a rash of injuries they called up Martinez and gave him his first taste of the majors. He played in 29 games for the Mets this season and he was 16 for 91 (.176 avg, .517 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 1 homer, 8 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Martinez’ season ended with an injury which was the fate of many Mets players in this lost season. But, Martinez will be on the New York Mets for good as early as 2010.

The Mets have had catching problems this season and if it continues Josh Thole could get a chance to show what he can do. The 22-year old lefty swinging Thole was the Mets’ #23 rated prospect coming into this season. Thole has played in 81 games in AA-ball this season and he is 107 for 307 (.349 avg, .872 OPS) with 45 runs scored, 1 homer, 40 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Thole has a good eye at the plate as he has whiffed only 29 times this season while walking 36 times. Thole will likely get called up in September by the Mets as it won’t hurt them to give him a look.

The Mets have released 33-year old righty starting pitcher Brandon Knight. Knight pitched in 20 games (14 starts) in AAA-ball this season and he was 4-9 with 3 saves, a 5.06 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. The Mets let Knight go so that he could play in Korea. The Koreans hope he’s better there than he was in the majors where he pitched in 15 games (2 starts) and was 1-0 with a 8.62 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP. The Mets essentially did Knight a favor here.

23-year old righty starting pitcher Kevin Mulvey was the #4 prospect in the Mets’ minor league system coming into this season according to Baseball America. He’s almost ready as he is pitching pretty well in AAA ball this season. He has started 18 games in AAA this year and he is 3-8 with a 3.84 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Mulvey is pitching much better than his record shows and the Mets will have to consider calling him up if they suffer any more injuries in the rotation.

If Salvador Aguilar keeps pitching like he is so far in AA ball the Mets might consider giving him a chance at the big league level. Aguilar is a 26-year old righty swingman who can relieve or start. He has pitched in 22 games (12 starts) in AA ball this season and he is 10-2 with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. It will be interesting to see if Aguilar gets a shot if he keeps pitching well with the Mets.