Acer,
Fair enough. No argument on what you said here. Just merely meant I think optimists were expecting more in a repeat year. I just think in a repeat year Aderlin Rodriguez has shown more tangible growth (granted in a very small sample size).

I thought Peavey has been up and down

Well, Aderlin is 2.5 years younger, only one level lower, and is playing in a park that is brutal on HR hitters. Guys who show the power Aderlin has shown there mostly become big leaguers. I've mentioned before Travis Hafner was repeating there at age 22 when he broke out. So I do think his bat is more promising right now. Still, while Aderlin has played 3B, he has also been playing 1B lately and that seems to be where scouts think he will end up.

But Vaughn came into camp in great shape, was one of the most impressive guys in ST before the season started, and appeared to be in the midst of a breakout himself before slumping in early May. And he's still tied with Flores for the league lead in HR.

I think both guys still have work to do, but these may be the two highest ceiling bats in the system, just due to bat speed and raw power. I guess I wasn't one of the optimists on Vaughn, but right now he looks like he's solidly in our top 20 prospects. And it wouldn't shock me if he were to go on another tear soon and end up in discussion near the top of the system.

Peavey is 24 next month, is at AA and has a line of 46.2 innings 58 hits 7 homers 11 walks and only 29 k's with a 1.48 whip. I've been a vocal Peavey "fan" but to this point he's disappointed.

Aderlin almost certainly lands at 1b, though to be fair Toby Hyde (granted somewhat of a Savannah homer) has said his defense has improved.

I saw Aderlin play at Lakewood last year and at that time there was no way he stayed at 3B. He's a huge guy and didn't have very good movement around the bag.

Everyone is concerned about where Wilmer may play if Wright is here (which is somewhat valid) but I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest Aderlin being a 1b isn't the end of the world. Ike Davis is NOT this bad but he's also not so good that it's unreasonable to suggest Aderlin can become the superior player.

Hey but a 22 year old coming off a dominant performance last night needs to be a reliever.

Valdespin and Lutz are having a phenomenal year.

After toiling in the minors for years, they got the call.

Ok, they didn't shine when they got it, but they got it.

They are living the dream.

On a personal level Valdespin may be having a "phenomenal" year but he has a .722 OPS at AAA and stunk in limited MLB time. That's not a phenomenal year by prospect standards.

The other thing perhaps worth mentioning is the breakout among minor league relievers, guys who almost never make the top 30 because of their more limited upside. Not in the top 30 but showing major league potential are:

E. Ramirez
Leathersich
Rosario
Kolarek

If you throw in Edgin, and then mention that Mejia and Familia could possibly be relievers as well, I think you have to say that the Mets pen could well go from a disaster to a real strength over the next couple years.

And while they're not as exciting as the rest of these guys, I think Armrod, Huchingson (walks up, but a strong K rate considering he's starting - he'll probably end up back in the pen) and possibly McHugh if he gets switched could all contribute to the bullpen at some point.

I'd go so far as to say that the bullpen potential might be the strongest part of the Mets farm system right now.

It's really unbelievable to me. We are going out of our way to find a spot for a guy who couldn't break a pane of glass with his fastball. Awesome. The Mejia reliever thing makes me nuts.