Murphy might be one of these “Mike Piazza type” players that weren’t heavily scouted and weren’t considered “Elite” yet they have that inner quality and drive that propels them to greatness or at the least a solid Major-League player.

Piazza was the last player the Dodgers drafted in the 1988 draft. He was their selection in the 62nd round. It is believed that the pick was partly a favor on the part of Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, who is godfather to one of Piazza’s brothers.

Who knows, two years from now we might have another David Wright on our hands since to me they are both very similar in the way they play the game and the seriousness that they take to the plate. The kid so far has shown that he can hit to all fields and even has shown some nice (and surprising) power the other way. Then again, he could be just a flash in the pan but I will remain optimistic and say not. You never know!

There are other possibilities too, of course. But at this point it’s way early to tell.

I do hope he continues this performance.

LETS GO METS!

But A. Reyes seems to be slipping to much.

Also, I don’t think Tatis should get the starting position next year. He is better suited as a clutch, veteran who can come off the bench and start a few games to give guys a rest.

Hopefully, the Mets’ young players like Murphy, Evans, and A. Reyes pan out. If so we can look forward to a great ’09

So I’m going to be cautiously optimistic. Like Matt, I’m trying to contain my enthusiasm, because I do know Murphy could turn out to be a decent, but ultimately unexceptional player. But really, there are a lot of things about him that are different from the typical up and coming rookie — the plate discipline, the intelligence, the attitude… and these things bode well.

Also, while it is not uncommon for a new kid to get some big hits until settling down, Murphy has done something uncommon for a rookie, and that is work deep into counts and draw walks. A lot. That suggests an advanced understanding of the strike zone and an uncommon ability to predict the path pitches will take, something not ordinarily found in anything but the most seasoned of veterans. I suppose it’s possible Murphy has just been lucky with that, but I just don’t think so.

I could be wrong. But there’s a lot of evidence here to suggest that I”m not.

Murphy was NOT an elite prospect. Throughout the year I didn’t see one comment by any writer or fan on this site … or any beat reporter for that matter … who said Murphy had to be brought up and given a chance because he has the goods to succeed. If anyone was hyped, it was the teenage hitting machine.