Highlighting top Mets prospects for '09

We are breaking down the top five prospects for each organization for 2009, taking into consideration: games, at-bats, innings and major-league service time. We expect these players to have rookie status remaining heading into next year.

According to MLB rules: "A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the major leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a major league club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list)."

Note: Statistics are those at each stop in the minors this season and age represents how old they will be on opening day 2009.

New York Mets

It is hard to trade a package of four top-10 organizational prospects for Johan Santana and not be dealing with a rebuilding year in the organization. The Mets lack major league ready talent, but they have a number of intriguing younger players who are further out. Their few top guys here should be in the majors some time in 2009, but we have to doubt they make the impact that Daniel Murphy or Mike Pelfrey made last season.

1. OF Fernando Martinez, 20

Another injury-plagued and generally disappointing year in Double-A for the 20-year-old phenom the Mets believe will be a 30-homer man in the major leagues. This is a really big year for him, because after impressing in spring training, he has look like Alex Ochoa and Jay Payton more than the elite outfielder the Mets think he should be.

2. SP Jonathon Niese, 22

Niese soared to the majors and a pennant race, even showing a flash of brilliance before succumbing to the pressure in the season's final weeks. He will be a candidate for the No. 5 starter's spot out of spring training, but he really could use a start back in Triple-A. Consider him a potential impact Fantasy pitcher, because anyone making some decent starts for the Mets will be a candidate to be a winner in 2009.

3. SP Robert Parnell, 24

Parnell might be a victim of his own stuff. The Mets needed a hard-throwing reliever down the stretch and even considered Parnell to close after Billy Wagner went down and a slew of candidates stumbled over themselves as the Mets collapsed again. Parnell might be a relief candidate in spring training, which would keep him from making a true Fantasy impact in 2009. He might even get stuck in the Pitch-22 (good enough to start, but too valuable in relief) like fellow No. 1 pick Aaron Heilman has. Parnell has a great arm, though, so watch him if he starts the year in the Triple-A rotation.

4. SP Brad Holt, 22

The Mets' third first-round pick last June looks like the one who could have the most immediate impact in the majors -- and it might even happen before the end of 2009. The 22-year-old right-hander was unhittable in low Class A and should be able to handle a jump to high Class A to start the season. From there, the Mets have been known to move players fast, especially experienced college arms like Holt's. If can maintain his dominance into the high levels, look out. The New York hype machine will crank up and he could be a hotly debated bargaining chip at the trade deadline.

5. SS Wilmer Flores, 17

Just look at the age and you will get an idea about how long it will take for this potential blue-chipper to contribute. The teenager tore up low Class A and will likely head back there as another young shortstop Ruben Tejada opens in high Class A Port St. Lucie. Flores is too far away to be real projectable, but if you are in a keeper league that allows a five-year plan, he is a gem.

Best of the rest: SP Jenrry Mejia, SP Scott Moviel, SP Brant Rustich, RP Eddie Kunz, SS Reese Havens, 1B Ike Davis, SP Mike Antonini, 3B Shawn Bowman, 1B Mike Carp, SS Ruben Tejada, 2B Greg Veloz, C Josh Thole, C Francisco Pena, SP Yury Santana, SP Chris Schwinden, SP Steve Clyne, SP Nick Carr, SP Tobi Stoner, C Dock Doyle, OF Javier Rodriguez, OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF Sean Ratliff, SP Angel Calero, 3B Jefry Marte, OF Cesar Puello, SP Nathan Vineyard, SP Phillips Orta, SP Adam Bostick, 2B Emmanuel Garcia, SS Juan Lagares, OF Lucas Duda, SP Elvin Ramirez, OF Brahaim Maldonaldo, SP Scott Shaw, SP Sal Aguilar and 3B Zach Lutz.

2008 rookies to exhaust eligibility: OF Murphy, OF Nick Evans, SS Argenis Reyes, C Robinson Cancel and RP Carlos Muniz.

Last year's top five here: SP Philip Humber (traded to MIN for Santana), SP Deolis Guerra (traded to MIN for Santana), SP Kevin Mulvey (traded to MIN for Santana), Brett Harper (claimed off waivers by San Francisco) and OF Martinez.

You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball prospect questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Mets prospects in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions.