Wayne Lydon

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #26 prospect in 2005
  He's still not a .300 hitter, and he likely never will be. He strikes out more than a leadoff hitter should, and he probably won't ever develop more than gap power. But as long as Lydon continues to improve and steal 60-plus bases a year--he has won league stolen-base titles in each of his three full seasons--the Mets will continue to believe he can help them in the majors. Lydon has top-of-the-line speed and takes the most aggressive leads in the system, practically daring pitchers to try to pick him off. He has adapted to switch-hitting, something the Mets got him to try in 2003. Despite an athletic frame, Lydon has virtually no power. He draws a decent amount of walks, though not enough to make him a true onbase threat, and still has to find a way to make more consistent contact. His blazing speed allows him to run down balls in the gaps in center field, where his arm is below-average. He'll get his first opportunity in Triple-A this year.
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  Ranked New York Mets #29 prospect in 2004
  In an organization filled with speedy outfielders, Lydon is the fastest baserunner of them all. An all-state defensive back for his Pennsylvania high school, Lydon turned down a Penn State football scholarship to turn pro. The Mets converted him to switch-hitting to take advantage of his speed. He looked like a lost cause in 2000 and 2001, but he has developed the ability to slap the ball as a lefty. Because he can go from the left side of the plate to first base in 3.9 seconds, he's tough to throw out when he puts the ball on the ground. Despite good size, he shows little power from either side of the plate, but he has started to work counts and draw walks, vital skills if he's going to become a leadoff hitter. Once he reaches base, Lydon takes one of the biggest leads in baseball--big enough that the Mets tell their other prospects to watch and learn from him--and he can outrun pitchouts and pickoff moves. He finished second in the minors in steals in 2002, and third last year. He's a solid center fielder who covers plenty of ground, but his arm is below-average. Lydon has been on a steady step-a-season progression, which he'll continue in Double-A this year.
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  Ranked New York Mets #24 prospect in 2003
  A former Penn State football recruit who gave up the gridiron to sign as a ninth-round pick in 1999, Lydon had to wonder if he made the right decision after batting .202 in his first 21⁄2 pro seasons. He tried to be all things to all people instead of playing to his strengths and realizing his limitations. He opened last season as a low Class A reserve, but made the most of his opportunity for playing time when he received it. He batted a career-high .294 and stole 87 bases, one shy of the minor league lead. An intense player but one who shows little emotion on the field, Lydon started switch-hitting in 2001 to take advantage of his plus speed. While still feeble from his natural right side with a .234 average, he hit .314 batting lefthanded last year. He bunts well to both baselines and records numerous infield hits. Lydon also has the ability to drive the ball to the gaps on occasion, though power isn't expected to be part of his game. His defense improved considerably last year, with Lydon getting better jumps by reading the ball off the bat. His arm strength is average at best, which might limit him to left field, but he does have a quick release and good accuracy. Lydon needs to keep working on his on-base skills and defense this year in high Class A.