David Wright

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #3 prospect in 2004
  Considered one of the best pure hitters in the 2001 draft, Wright quickly showed he also has an advanced knowledge of the strike zone to go with his power potential. Wright led the Florida State League with 56 extra-base hits in 2003, ranking third in slugging percentage and fourth in on-base percentage. At his best, Wright is a scout's dream. He flashes the potential to be a .300 hitter with 25-30 homers and 80-plus walks. He makes all the plays at third base. He's one of the best in the minors at charging bunts and choppers, and he also shows a major league arm with good accuracy. Wright has average speed and runs the bases well. He responds to instruction well. In each of his two full pro seasons, Wright has been a streaky hitter. In 2003, he hit .200 through May and June. He works so hard before home games that he wears himself out, and the Mets think he'll be more consistent now that they've gotten him to pace himself. Wright has steadily moved one level at a time, which should continue in 2004 as he heads to Double-A. He could push for the Mets' third-base job at the end of 2005.
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  Ranked New York Mets #4 prospect in 2003
  Considered one of the purest hitters in the 2001 draft, Wright has lived up to that billing. After hitting .235 last April, he went on to tie for the Capital City lead in homers and ranked third in the South Atlantic League in RBIs. Wright is supremely confident in his abilities without coming across as arrogant. His makeup is off the charts and his determination is unmatched. His smooth and easy swing produces outstanding bat speed and hard line drives to all fields. His speed is barely average, but he's an excellent baserunner. Wright has a strong and accurate arm at third base. He also has steady hands, good lateral movement and the ability to charge bunts. Natural maturity and more experience should boost Wright's home run totals. He'll take pitchers deep more often when he learns to punish hanging breaking balls and other mistakes instead of taking them for balls. Wright is at least two full years from the major leagues, but he has all the ingredients to be the long-term answer at third base for the Mets. He'll open 2003 at high Class A St. Lucie.
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  Ranked New York Mets #5 prospect in 2002
  Wright was considered one of the best high school hitters available in the 2001 draft. He adjusted to wood bats easily, with consistent line drives to the gaps. Wright has a strong body, quick wrists and improving swing extension that should allow him to hit for both power and average as his body matures. Many scouts say he has the ability and approach to hit .300 with 30 home runs in the major leagues. He's aggressive and has good mobility at third base. He also runs well for a player his size, and Appalachian League observers raved about his work ethic. Wright simply needs to face better pitching to continue his maturation as a hitter. While some wonder if he can stay at third base, he has the instincts and athleticism to move to a corner outfield position if necessary. Few teams are more conservative with young players than the Mets. With a solid debut under his belt, Wright is expected to move to Capital City in 2002 and should move up this list soon.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Eastern League #1 prospect in 2004
  The biggest mistake Wright made in 2003 in Class A might have been trying too hard. He wore himself out in workouts during the brutal Florida summer and his production suffered. He could not have looked more comfortable this year, and he garnered final consideration for Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year award, gave Mets fans reason to cheer in August and September and was easily the top prospect in the EL. Wright is a complete player, with power, a fluid and sound stroke, superb hands, an above-average arm and even some speed to go along with championship-caliber makeup. "I loved him from day one," Altoona manager Tony Beasley said. "I just didn't see any deficiencies. He did everything well: hit the ball for power, for average and could use all fields. Defensively he was rangy and played the bunt well, and on top of that he could steal bases. "He is a tough guy to get out and a lot of fun to watch."
• 
  Ranked Florida State League #10 prospect in 2003
  Wright's work ethic actually hurt him in the first part of the season, as his pregame preparation often left him exhausted. His average didn't top .250 for good until mid-July, but once the Mets got him to slow down he hit .323 over the final six weeks. Wright has good plate discipline and uses a compact stroke with almost no stride to produce a league-best 39 doubles. The FSL's best defensive third baseman, he makes the routine play and charges slow rollers especially well. His makeup is another plus. "He's going to be a very good major league player," St. Lucie manager Ken Oberkfell said. "He runs well, he has power and a good arm, and he's a better-than-average defensive third baseman."
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #10 prospect in 2002
  Wright entered 2002 with a reputation as one of the game's best young pure hitters and didn't disappoint. His approach at the plate is impeccable and the ball jumps off his bat. Several managers rated Wright's bat speed as the league's best, adding that he'll hit for more power as he continues to develop. Wright further stood out with his defense at third base. He moves well to both sides and does an excellent job of coming in on grounders. He also has a strong and accurate arm. "David is like Justin in that he's a 19-year-old kid going on 30," Tijerina said. "He's so mature and he has a passion for the game that is unmatched. He's a professional in every sense of the word."
• 
  Ranked National League #9 prospect in 2001
  Wright signed late in the season but had little difficulty making a good first impression. The 38th overall selection in June made his mark with his hard-nosed style at third base and his potential at the plate. Managers liked the mobility Wright showed at the hot corner. Considered one of the best high school hitters in the 2001 draft class, he also displayed above-average power that could produce 25-30 homers annually down the road. Given his outstanding work ethic, more than one manager said he has the potential to develop into one of the most complete players from this year's Appy League graduates. "I was really impressed with that young man," Bluefield manager Joe Almaraz said. "He has tremendous instincts at third base. He has a very good approach at the plate, especially with pitch recognition. He's an early pick who looks like a future major leaguer to me."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #21 prospect in 2004
• Ranked Baseball America's #75 prospect in 2003

• December, 2000 Scouting Report
  Wright signed late in the season but had little difficulty making a good first impression. The 38th overall selection in June made his mark with his hard-nosed style at third base and his potential at the plate. Managers liked the mobility Wright showed at the hot corner. Considered one of the best high school hitters in the 2001 draft class, he also displayed above-average power that could produce 25-30 homers annually down the road. Given his outstanding work ethic, more than one manager said he has the potential to develop into one of the most complete players from this year's Appy League graduates. "I was really impressed with that young man," Bluefield manager Joe Almaraz said. "He has tremendous instincts at third base. He has a very good approach at the plate, especially with pitch recognition. He's an early pick who looks like a future major leaguer to me."