In trying to decide the New York Mets 2008 minor league All-Star team, I found myself spending a great deal of time figuring out an appropriate criteria to base my choices upon. Should I focus mainly on production? Prospect status? A combination of both? In most cases, the player deserving of the All-Star spot stuck out like a sore thumb. In other cases, I chose players based on age and production compared to level of competition, saying to myself, “If both players were the same age, who would be better?” I also did not eliminate players like Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy who will lose, or have already lost rookie eligibility. The only minor leaguers eliminated are players not considered prospects such as Val Pascucci or Tony Armas Jr. whose statistics were worthy, but who are little more than organizational fillers at this point. With the criteria determined, here are the Mets minor league All-Stars:

Catcher - Francisco Pena, 18

Pena played his second full season after being a big money international signing posting a .264/.308/.380 line while providing solid defense at the position. One could argue Josh Thole deserves the spot based on his .300/.382/.427 line in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League, but I would argue age is the determining factor. Francisco Pena should be close to major league ready by 22, Thole’s current age.

First Base - Mike Carp, 22

Carp, a former 9th rounder in the 2004 draft made significant strides during his 2nd time through the Eastern League with a .299/.403/.471 line. His prospect status now resurrected, he is not projected to be a star, but he could be a Lyle Overbay type player in his prime. Not a bad turnaround for a prospect who had all but fallen off of the Mets radar.

Second Base - Greg Veloz, 20

After a 2007 in which he batted .171/.243/.235, Veloz found success during his second time through the Sally en route to finishing the season in the FSL. His overall line was .278/.330/.380 with 29 stolen bases. Veloz may currently be the Mets default second baseman of the future, but Reese Havens will most certainly take that title as soon as his elbow is healthy enough to play the field.

Third Base - Jefry Marte, 17

The second most impressive 2008 debut in the Mets’ system, Marte’s $550,000 signing bonus as an international free agent is already paying dividends. His .325/.398/.532 line in the Gulf Coast League is hopefully a sign of things to come, and he will enter the 2009 season with arguably the third highest offensive ceiling of any Mets position prospect.

Shortstop - Wilmer Flores, 17

Flores spent most of the season as a 16-year old prospect whose success will see him rocket up prospect charts for the 2009 season. He may even overtake Fernando Martinez as the gem of the Mets minor league system. With a .307/.347/.468 combined line and some success in 35 Sally League at-bats, Flores is primed to make a push for a top-10 overall prospect ranking entering 2010.

Outfield - Nick Evans, 22

With a .311/.365/.561 line in less than 300 minor league at-bats, Evans’ totals in only 75 minor league games are worthy of a spot without including his decent 100 at-bat .270/.306/.400 sample at the big league level. Along with Carp, Evans may never be a star, but I can see his having a handful of solid seasons as a fringe starter with the Mets or another franchise.

Outfield - Fernando Martinez, 19

Martinez failed to remain healthy for a full season yet again but was able to post a .292/.345/.440 line with all but 14 of his at-bats coming at the Double-A level. A repeat of Double-A may be in order as Martinez could use a year to focus on consolidation and staying healthy, much like Austin Jackson with the Yankees. 2009 may finally be Martinez’s year to explode.

Outfield - Cesar Puello, 17

It’s difficult to imagine any team having a better International Free Agent haul than the 2007 New York Mets. Signed for $400,000, Puello and his .305/.350/.364 line take the third and final outfield spot by default, as it was very difficult to find a third outfielder worthy at the upper levels of the Mets’ system. One might argue for throwing Val Pascucci a bone as a sort of Quadruple-A lifetime achievement award, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Utility - Daniel Murphy, 23

Upping his game significantly from 2007 to 2008, Murphy has gone from fringe prospect to possibly the Mets’ starting left fielder in 2009. With a minor league line of .315/.379/.493 and an 89-at-bat .360/.448/.528 sample with the Mets, he has far exceeded expectations and now looks to have a future as a solid regular. His ability to play multiple positions will help keep him in the lineup.

Starting Pitcher - John Niese, 21

With eight shutout innings in his second major league start, Niese showed why he is considered the top pitching prospect in the Mets organization. Showing consistency in both Double-A and Triple-A, as exhibited by 11 wins, a 3.13 ERA, and a 144/58 strikeout to walk ratio in 164 innings pitched, Niese will likely begin the 2009 season as the Mets’ number five starter and should stick around for awhile if his John Maine comparisons hold true.

Starting Pitcher - Dillon Gee, 22

In deciding between two prospects with the same first name for this spot (Gee, Owen), Gee’s four start stint in Double-A in which he posted a 1.33 ERA in 27 innings was the deciding factor. As a 21st round pick in the 2007 draft, Gee is proving to be quite a find for the Mets. He’s still considered a fringe starter at the big league level, but continued success in Double-A and a 2009 promotion to Triple-A might open a few more eyes.

Starting Pitcher - Bradley Holt, 21

It was a fun summer in Brooklyn as the Mets drafted college players early and often in the 2008 draft. Holt made the most significant impact of the bunch with a 1.87 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings pitched. The Mets might be tempted to promote him aggressively to the Eastern league, but from everything I’ve read, his secondary offerings need work and a half-season in the FSL would protect him from possibly being exposed.

Closer - Eddie Kunz, 22

The jury is still out as to whether or not Kunz can be a successful closer at the big league level. Even with his up and down 2008 campaign, his 27 saves and 3.33 ERA in the high minors should earn him a chance to break camp with the Mets in 2009. In order to close, Kunz will have to improve his K/BB ratio and trust in his ability to keep the ball on the ground.

Out of the thirteen players chosen, maybe six or seven will end up on Mets top prospect lists entering 2009. The team in general lacks star power and high ceiling prospects, which means the Mets will likely have to look outside of the organization to fill future holes. This is also supported by the number of teens on this list (5), and the fact Marte and Flores face potential road blocks by a couple of decent players on the left side of the current Mets infield.