David Wright

2013

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2012

The Face of the Mets first hurt his back diving to tag Carlos Lee on April 19. After playing nearly a month with the injury, Wright finally was diagnosed with a stress fracture that kept him out for two months. Upon returning, Wright went on a tear, batting .455 in 10 July games, but crashed back to earth, going just 46-for-199 with only six home runs during the last two months of the season. Wright, who had just five of his 14 home runs at home and has struggled since the Mets have moved to Citi Field, could be the primary beneficiary of the team's decision to move in the fences in right-center, his power zone. In addition, that change may help his psyche and reduce his free-swinging ways, as his strikeout rate has spiked since 2008. With the Mets' financial woes, expect the trade rumors for Wright to swirl approaching the July 31 trade deadline.

2011

Wright's 2010 season was a mixed bag. After plummeting to 10 HR and 72 RBI in 2009, he rebounded to post 29 HR and 103 RBI, the fifth time in the last six seasons he had 25-plus HR and 100-plus RBI. However, that power resurgence came at a cost to his BA and OBP, as Wright became even more of a swing-and-miss player, striking out a career-high 161 times - his third straight season where his strikeouts have increased. Part of the reason for the increase might have been the decrepit lineup around him, as Jason Bay struggled, then was injured, and Carlos Beltran was a shell of himself after returning in July. Wright still is the face of the franchise and should be good for another 25-plus HR, 100-plus RBI season, the question is will it once again come at the cost of his BA and OBP?

2010

Two of the good parts of Wright's 2009 campaign were his .390 OBA and .307 BA, but even his average was artificially inflated by a .400 BABIP. Wright struggled from the start, racking up strikeouts at an alarming rate and finished with a career-worst 140 K's. After being woeful with RISP in 2008, Wright hit .309 in those situations in 2009. But Wright was unable to drive the ball, neither at home nor on the road, finishing with just 10 home runs and an 87-point drop in slugging percentage. Whether he was frustrated by the vast confines of Citi Field, pressing to do too much because of all the Mets injuries or just having an off year, Wright will have a lot to prove in 2010. After returning Sept. 1 from his concussion due to a 93-mph Matt Cain fastball off his helmet, Wright admitted to flinching on high-and-tight pitches, something he will also need to correct this season. Wright has the track history that signals 2009 was an aberration, but the multiple areas he needs to correct may result in a drop in his draft position.

2009

While Wright's overall numbers were nice, he hit just .243 with RISP and .235 with the bases loaded. Plenty of Mets fans will completely overlook the fact that he hit .340/.416/.577 with six homers and 21 RBI in September, instead nitpicking about his shortcomings in particular at-bats during the team's collapse in the final weeks. Scapegoat or not, Wright is an elite option at third base, which is a little bit thinner heading into 2009 with Ryan Braun and Miguel Cabrera losing their eligibility there. The 20-point drop in average and OBP was largely attributed to the decline in his BABIP, which likely will move back to his norm this season. Wright's overall production and potential for more power as he approaches his peak at age 26 make him a likely first-round pick again this season.

2008

Wright improved his overall numbers for the third straight year in 2007. What makes his season even more remarkable was that he started extremely slowly, hitting just .244 with no home runs and eight RBI in April as questions about his swing still being impacted from the 2006 Home Run Derby surfaced. Wright turned it on in May and remained hot the rest of the season, posting at least 20 RBI while batting higher than .300 in four out of the five remaining months while carrying the Mets after the All-Star break with an 1.061 OPS, 14 HR and 56 RBI. He finished fourth in the MVP voting and won the Gold Glove, and given his age and ability to make adjustments, Wright probably hasn't yet reached his ceiling as a player.

2007

Wright continued his standing as one of the best third baseman in baseball by posting similar stats in 2006 as he did in his breakthrough 2005 campaign. For Wright, it was a Tale of Two Halves; before the All-Star break, he was tearing up pitching to the tune of a .316-20-74-11 line, while after the break, he had just a .305-6-42-9 line and saw his OPS drop by more than 100 points. Some of the reasons given for Wright's slump range from changing his swing for the Home Run Derby, making too many off-the-field appearances, the big contract he signed in early-August and not having Cliff Floyd hitting behind him, which reduced the number of good pitches he saw in an at-bat. Wright's slump continued into the playoffs but he rebounded to have a solid MLB All-Star Tour of Japan. Given his age and the adjustments he makes on the fly, look for him to remain one of the best third basemen in baseball.

2006

Wright took the next step in 2005, becoming a leader on the Mets infield and one of the best third basemen in either league. In his first full season in the majors, his splits were all above-average and his numbers - save for home runs - were in the top 25 of every offensive category. It's scary to think that Wright could get better, but given his age and the adjustments he makes on the fly, that's certainly likely. He's one of the best options in yearly and keeper leagues.

2005

"The Franchise" seems to be the best nickname to give Wright, who quickly adjusted to the major leagues and became the Mets' most feared hitter following his call-up from Triple-A on July 20. His ability to make adjustments on the fly, both in the field and at the plate, is why many feel he will be one of the top-tier third basemen within the next year or two. If you can't get Scott Rolen or Eric Chavez, target Wright and you won't be disappointed.

2004

Wright lead the high Single-A Florida State League with 56 extra-base hits in 2003, ranking third in slugging percentage and fourth in on-base percentage. He has the potential to be a perennial .300 hitter with 20-25 home runs a season, and has a tremendous eye at the plate. Defensively, Wright has soft hands, a strong and accurate arm, and is one of the best at charging bunts and choppers at third base. The one negative about Wright is his streakiness, and resulting pressure he puts on himself. He'll begin 2004 in Double-A Binghamton.

2003

Wright drove in 93 runs last year at Single-A Capital City. He struck out 114 times in 496 at bats, but also walked 76 times. Wright is a complete player with no glaring weaknesses - if he locks into a true power swing in the near term, watch out. He's moving closer to the untouchable category, along with shortstop Jose Reyes and catcher Justin Huber.