Eastern League Loses "It's Best Hitting Prospect" Daniel Murphy

I know, I know, you guys get tired of the Mets post, but there is a lot of information being floated out there about Daniel Murphy these days and it seems the organization is incredibly high on him. First of all the kids a 6'4 3B who recognized last year that he wouldn't be able to continue to play 3B, he actually threw the idea out of him playing 2B and he has now played there multiple times this year. The kid can absolutely rake, and nobody seems to question that. Here are some quotes from MetsMinorLeagueBlog;

Murphy hit .308/.374/.496 with 13 HR, 26 2B, and 67 RBI in 357 AB. Not to mention he stole 14 SB.

I don’t like to call the stuff, but there’s a pretty good chance that he might play in the big leagues this year.

B-Mets Hitting Coach Luis Natera on Dan Murphy

He’s got a lot of ability and he wanted to get better. We’ve spent a lot of time together. Three days ago, I saw Murphy a little down, and I asked him, ‘do you have any doubt that you’re the best hitter in this league?’ He just lifted his eyes, and I told him, ‘you can’t have any doubt.’ Maybe he’s not leading the league in hitting, but to me, he’s the best hitter in the league right now.

Before, to hit to right field, he had to cheat. Now he just reacts. He learned how to pull his hands in through it, and now he pulls the ball by reaction. … before, [to get to] that pitch he was cheating and he would hook it…

To me he’s going to be a great hitter at the major league level.

Murphy:

In 2008, the Mets began moving him with moving him around the diamond, finding him time at leftfield and first base before second. Murphy enjoys the experience, “I just come in every day and it’s a surprise where I play. It’s exciting to tell you the truth. The fact that I get to play multiple positions – I think the organization is showing a lot of faith in me.”

Fact:

Just to put into perspective the years that these guys are having in AA ball. (Evans still has enough AB's to qualify) In the entire Eastern League there are only four players under the age of 24 who have a batting average over .300, and an OPS over .800. Carp (22 years old), Murphy (23), Evans (22) and Lou Merson from the Phillies system, who is 22 as well. In the other two AA leagues, the Texas League and the Southern League, there are a grand total of 5 in each league who are accomplishing the same thing. Many of those are prize prospects like Dexter Fowler from the Rockies, or Mat Gamel, and Alcides Escobar from the Brewers farm.

Me:
Basically, I believe Murphy is a average prospect playing 1B/3B/OF, but at 2B I believe he's an above average prospect. The kid can rake, there is no questioning that, and I think he'll put in enough work to become an average defensive 2B. I could see him 15 HR and stealing 20 bases in the big leagues and at second base that would be amazing. Poor mans Chase Utley