Anthony DiComo of MLB.com is reporting that Mets top prospect Fernando Martinez has been reassigned to the Minor League camp.  While this move was expected, what wasn’t expected was how much playing time Martinez got this spring.  The injuries to fellow outfielders Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church, Moises Alou, and Endy Chavez provided Martinez ample opportunity to show off his impressive skill set.  Martinez didn’t let anyone down, hitting .340 over the span of his 18 Grapefruit League games.  Martinez, for one, is extremely confident that he will get the call-up by September.  Manager Willie Randolph didn’t disagree:

“He’s confident, obviously, and that would be awesome. He’s very talented, so I can see him setting that goal, and hopefully he’s going to reach that.”

• Mets’ starting OF Moises Alou is going to miss at least 4-6 weeks with a hernia.  While this is bad news for Mets fans, it could be good news for prospect Fernando Martinez.  With all the injuries affecting the Mets starters, there may be a need to expedite the call-ups of their prospects.
• Dbacks RHP Max Scherzer had a rough outing today.  He gave up 3 ER in two innings with 2 HR, 4 H and a wild pitch.  He did also have 4 K, showing signs of his ability.  ESPN’s Keith Law doesn’t think Scherzer has the command or durability to be a starter, but thinks he could be a solid reliever.
• The Nationals reassigned 16 players to their minor league camp today.  Among the 16 were southpaw prospects Ross Detwiler, the 6th overall pick in the Draft, and Josh Smoker. We might see Detwiler as a September call-up again, but more than likely he won’t join the rotation until 2009.  Smoker is only 19, so he’s got a few years down on the farm before he’ll be fantasy relevant.
• Steve Pearce of the Pirates hit another HR today, his 2nd of the spring.  Eric Hz of FakeTeams argues that if Pearce keeps hitting them, the Pirates will have to keep him on their opening day roster.

I encourage all the Mets’ fans out there to read this great article about Martinez by Adam Rubin the New York Daily News. Mets’ GM Omar Minaya sees Martinez as the first of many Dominican prospects who will come through the Mets system, due in large part to the presence of national baseball hero, Pedro Martinez. The Mets see Fernando as a can’t miss prospect who will soon be smacking 30-plus HR and patrolling right field with ease. His natural position is in center, but current incumbent Carlos Beltran should have that spot locked down for a while.

Also discussed in the article is the timing of Martinez’s arrival. As you might recall, Martinez issued an ill-advised bold statement that he would definitely be up this year. While that does look likely, the Mets didn’t appreciate their young prospect making such a bold remark. Regardless, all it takes is one more Moises Alou injury to give Martinez the opportunity he longs for. And if for some reason that doesn’t happen, I think it’s safe to assume that barring injury he will be patrolling right field for the opening of Citi Field next year. Keep an eye on him, as this is one prospect who could have immediate impact, both for the Mets and your fantasy team.

Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com writes that there is a huge drop off in talent after Martinez in the Mets’ farm system.

• Cubs’ OF Kosuke Fukudome reached base three times today against the Giants; a walk, a HBP, and an RBI single.
• The Phillies top pick in 2007, Joe Savery, had a very rough first outing.  But his pitching coach was pleased with his performance because of how he responded to a tough situation.
• Former Orioles’ top pick Scott Moore is learning 2B in anticipation of a potential Brian Roberts trade.  The Baltimore outfield is already pretty well occupied by Luke Scott, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis, so this is probably a good move by Moore.
• Mets’ top prospect Fernando Martinez got one of the team’s only four hits today.  It seems former prospect Anthony Reyes is continuing his great spring.
• In his first game of American baseball, White Sox IF Alexei Ramirez went 4-5 with an RBI and 3 runs scored.  Sleeper alert here if he wins the 2B job.
• Top IF prospect for the Red Sox, Jed Lowrie, would love to man the middle infield with 2007 ROY Dustin Pedroia.  In the same article is word that RHP Michael Bowden would get his first look of the spring against Northeastern.

It’s not very often that high school and college relief pitchers turn into starters at the next level. But as Anthony DiComo of MLB.com points out, RHP Brant Rustich going that route. After being a starter in high school and his first two years at UCLA, the former Bruin standout transitioned into the closer role. The Mets drafted Rustich in the second round of the 2007 draft as reliever, but with the possibility of El Duque, Pedro Martinez, and Oliver Perez all becoming free agents, Rustich’s goal is to be a member of the rotation in 2009. Although Rustich’s fast track to the majors might be as a reliever, he is more worried about keeping his future as bright as possible. If his rookie ball and single-A stats are any indication (combined 1.57 ERA), Rustich could be exactly what the Mets need in the starting rotation going into next season.

Fernando Martinez recorded a single in Thursday’s game against the Cards, quite a feat considering the Card’s Anthony Reyes and Hugo Castellanos tossed 3 shut out innings each against a Mets team consisting mostly of regulars. How good is this guy? If Martinez keeps dazzling the Mets staff he will become the youngest player since Dwight Gooden to crack the Mets’ starting lineup. Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News reports that the 19-year-old Dominican phenom at center field could be a 30-homer threat, surpassing Martinez’s own personal goals of batting .300 with 20 hrs a season. Martinez is convinced he’ll be in the majors this season, but that remains to be seen. If he does, the Mets will certainly have to slide over him from his natural center field position (currently owned by Carlos Beltran) to right field. You have to love the Martinez’s enthusiasm though.

“This year,” Martinez said Tuesday, “you’ll see me.”

Here’s a video of Martinez at BP yesterday

Another New York prospect hopes to make a Joba-like (Jobaesque?) rise to stardom this year, and he doesn’t play for the Yanks either. According to John Harper of the Daily News, the Mets believe they’ve found a special pitcher in Eddie Kunz, a 6-foot-5 reliever whose previous work experience includes closing for two-time NCAA champion Oregon State. The 21 year old, drafted last June, has a 95 mph fastball that has kept GM Omar Minaya from ruling out the possibility of a call up to the Majors this season. It might be a long shot, but keep your eye on Kunz as he progresses through Spring Training.