Fantasy Baseball 2011: Can Reese Havens Claim the Mets Second Base Job in 2011?

Reese Havens hasn't been able to stay healthy in his brief minor league career, due to a variety of injuries including his back, oblique, hand and quadriceps, among others. He was drafted in the 1st round of the 2008 draft by the Mets and proceeded to hit .247-.340-.471 with 3 HRs and 11 RBIs in 85 at bats for the Mets Low A affiliate Brooklyn.

In 2009, Havens hit ,247-.361-.422 with 14 HRs and 52 RBIs in 360 ABs. He had a K rate of 20% and a BB rate of 13%, both respectable in his first full season in pro ball. In 2010, he only had 125 ABs due to numerous injuries, but hit a combined .312-.386-.592 with 9 HRs and 19 RBIs, but his K rate increased to 32%, while his BB rate stayed relatively the same at 12%.

John ranked Havens as the Mets 8th best prospect in his annual Top 20 Mets prospects for 2011, and had this to say about him:

8) Reese Havens, 2B, Grade C+: Would rank higher with at least a B- or a B if he could stay healthy.

More after the jump:

Looking over other prospect expert rankings, Havens lands in the 7th or 8th spot on most lists, but for me, he has plenty of value for fantasy owners should he be available in keeper leagues this year. My reasoning is that the Mets second base job is up for grabs in spring training with the likes of Luis Castillo, Daniel Murphy, and Brad Emaus battling for the starting job. But, none of these guys appear to be able to hold back Havens should he prove to be healthy and continue to hit in AA in 2011. Castillo could be waived before the season starts should he lose out to Murphy or Emaus. ESPNNY's Adam Rubin stated in his Tuesday afternoon chat that he thinks the job will come down to Murphy and Emaus, with the loser winning a utility role.

I could see a scenario where Castillo is waived, Murphy and Emaus splitting time at second base, and Havens getting a call up in August or September should the Mets decide to deal Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes at the July 31st trade deadline. The Wilpons financial situation could lead to both of them being traded.

Havens, due to his position and power, has been compared to Braves second baseman Dan Uggla. It will be interesting to see if Havens can stay healthy this year, and if he can continue to hit for power. In one of my NL-only keeper leagues, I have 2 first round picks and 3 second round picks in our 2 round minor league draft, and am considering drafting him with one of the second round picks.