With the Mets first pick in the 2008 MLB draft, #18 overall, they selected Ike Davis, a 1B/OF/LHP out of Arizona State University. There have been scouts on Davis since high school. He was drafted by the Rays in 2005 in the 19th round, 568th overall, but decided to go to college.
When in high school, he was really considered to be a pitcher, due to his family ties (his father is Ron Davis) (Baseball America) but has developed good hitting skills and the arm he has as a pitcher is an asset to him in the OF. For the Mets, this is a good pick because after trading Gomez, the Mets really do not have many prospects in the OF. They have FMart, who will probably be a centerfielder. He will probably be treated similarly to Nick Evans, who is also a 1B/OF type of player.
MLB.com talks about how his swing (Left handed batter) could eventually produce more power in the future. He is projected to be a below average to average base runner in terms of speed, so developing power will be key for him to make it in the next level of play. When he was in high school, he hit .447 with 48 doubles and 106 RBI's and led his team to three straight Arizona state titles. When he was a freshman at ASU, he set a record for ASU freshman with batting in 65 runners. He was the Pac-10 freshman of the year, on the All Pac-10 first team, the Jewish Sports Review First Team All American, among many others.
He received many awards his sophomore year as well, to read them and the complete list of freshman awards he received, check out his his ASU player profile here.
During the offseason, Davis will have a formal Get To Know a Prospect done. Complete with 2008 numbers. It is very exciting to read about him and hopefully he can pan out and provide some pop in Queens and Citi Field one day.
