Mike Pelfrey

Mike Pelfrey, NY Mets (RHP): Pelfrey is confident going into the 2010 season. He believes things can only get better for himself and the Mets. Pelfrey is one of the only players to endure the entire season for the Mets. He avoided the disabled list, unlike many of his teammates. Pelfrey made more starts (31) and pitched more innings (184.1) than his rotation-mates. However he fell short of expectations and he simply “had a bad year”. He went 10-12 with a 5.03 ERA and allowed 18 homeruns and a .289 batting average against. Though he struck out 107, he did walk 66 batters. Why does Pelfrey feel that the 2010 Mets can rebound? “Last year at this time, people were saying we should win the World Series,” Pelfrey said. “And now we have pretty much the same pitchers in the rotation and the same people are saying we need a pitcher.”

Pelfrey anticipates overall team improvement with him as a primary factor. “I think I’ve learned enough to be the kind of pitcher in the big leagues that we need,” Pelfrey said. He is pivotal to the Mets success in 2010, especially if he slots behind staff ace Johan Santana. No teammate has a higher ceiling than Pelfrey or prompts more questions (other than Oliver Perez). Pelfrey expects to pitch more innings and to take on more responsibility. He lost 20 pounds in the offseason and has increased his stamina.

The Mets need Pelfrey to be more like he was in 2008. In 2008 he went 13-10 with a 3.72 ERA in 200.2 innings pitched. Every starter in the Mets rotation has question marks due to injuries and inconsistencies. Pelfrey would like to answer those questions with a successful 2010. The Mets need a breakout season from Pelfrey to compete with the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Fernando Martinez

Fernando Martinez, NY Mets (OF): This young prospect has had Mets fans giddy for the last few years, but injuries have stalled his career so far. He had season-ending knee surgery in 2009 after hitting just .176 in 29 Major League games. However he was just 20 years old and did not look ready for a full-time big league job. The Mets cannot consider him a sure-fire building block as the injuries have stunted his development though the potential is still there (they refused to put him in potential deals). Many believe he will begin the 2010 season at Triple-A Buffalo to log at-bats that have been lost over the last four years. The Mets would like to see him get 400 to 500 at-bats and if he reaches that total, that means that Martinez has stayed healthy.

With the Carlos Beltran injury, there is an opening in centerfield (though the Mets signed Gary Matthews Jr.). Martinez played winter ball back home in the Dominican Republic and garnered Caribbean Series MVP honors as he helped lead his team to the series title. He hit .348 with two homeruns and four RBIs in six tournament games. Many feel that Angel Pagan will win an outfield spot, but do not count out Martinez (or Jesus Feliciano).

Even if Martinez is sent to Triple-A, he could solidify his prospect status with a healthy showing. Martinez is taking nothing for granted and is trying to prove the doubters wrong. So far this spring, Martinez has played in two games going 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. For the Mets to succeed, they will need Martinez to produce now and in the future. “I know I’m a big league player, and I can perform at a high level,” Martinez said. “…I just have to keep working and waiting for my opportunity.”