Lastings Milledge was one of the best athletes coming out of the 2003 draft, taken in the first round by the ever-acquiring New York Mets.
The New York Mets selected Milledge with the 12th overall pick in ‘03, though many scouts believe he would have gone higher if not for some unproven sexual misconduct allegations.
He was a great pick, with some great tools and a tremendous upside.
Lastings started the 2004 season in the South Atlantic League with Capital City, determined to put the past behind him.
Milledge has let his bat speak for him this season, hitting .320 with 4 home runs, 29 RBI, and 10 doubles, despite missing some time with a broken hand.
In a Mets organization that continues to look towards the farm for some of its salvation from perpetual cellar dweller, players Milledge are high value acquisitions that couldn't move along fast enough to fill strategic positions.
Milledge isn't alone in the outfield position hunt, though. He fights a few other position players in his organization, and the always-present make-the-big-trade-and-keep-fans-happy deal.
Lastings has a few nicks in his armor, both in terms of injury and infamy, but neither should matter much in carefree New York. Mets fans can be a very forgiving bunch, as long as you can produce. Think: Doc Gooden and Darryl Strawberry. If Milledge can't, then he wins the lifetime supply of Duracell D's that can fall like rain from the outfield bleachers at Shea.
Assuming that Norfolk is still in Norfolk, if the Expos aren't headed that way, we'd expect to see Milledge turning up there sometime in late 2005 or early 2006 if he stays healthy and keeps up his current pace.
Named to MLN FAB50 2005
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