After trading away two of their top pitching prospects in the Kris Benson and Victor Zambrano deals, the Mets farm system is heavier on position players for the first time in years. It’s also not as barren as you might think. Considering the tired veterans who populate the big-league club today, the production of the farm system may be as important as ever. With the minor league seasons complete, here’s a look at Down on the Farm’s Top 10 Mets Prospects for 2004.

1.YUSMEIRO PETIT, RHP, 19

Petit is the consensus top prospect in the organization. Last year, he was pitching in the Appalachian League on his way to a stint in Double-A Binghamton. The bulky 6-footer has a tremendous strikeout-to-walk ratio and spectacular K/9 innings clip. He can throw 92-95 mph, though he usually hovers around 91-92. His slider and changeup are also above average. He sometimes tries to throw his pitches too hard, and needs to work faster on the mound.

Capital City (A): 9-2, 2.39 in 83 IP, 122 K, 22 BB

St. Lucie (A+): 2-3, 1.22 ERA in 44.1 IP, 62 K, 14 BB

2. LASTINGS MILLEDGE, OF, 19

A talented defensive outfielder with a strong arm, Milledge made an impressive debut in the South Atlantic League for a 19 year-old. But he didn’t fare as well for St. Lucie Mets, and the organization sent him back down to get playoff experience with Capital City. He needs to work on his strike zone judgment.

Capital City (A): .337 BA, 13 HR, 58 RBI in 261 AB; 17 BB, 53 K.

St. Lucie (AA): .235 BA, 2 HR, 8 RBI in 81 AB; 9 BB, 21 K.

3. AARON BALDIRIS, 3B, 21

Baldiris has a great eye for a 21-year-old and loves to hit to the opposite field. He has played consistent defense at third, though if he wants to play at Shea, his future is likely at second base. Some thought he was a better 3B prospect than David Wright.

St. Lucie (A+): .305 BA, 4 HR, 45 RBI in 406 AB; 46 BB, 64 K.

Binghamton (AA): .222, 0 HR, 8 RBI in 81 AB; 6 BB, 13 K.

4. PHIL HUMBER, RHP, 21

The former Rice right-hander and Mets’ no. 1 pick this spring claims to have the best curveball in the country, and many people agree with him. Humber can throw in the mid-90s, but the curve is his out-pitch. If and when he ever signs a contract, he’ll pitch in the Arizona Fall League.

5. ALAY SOLER, RHP, 24(?)

Soler, a Cuban defector, finally signed last week after weeks of negotiations for a reasonably low-risk $2.8 million over three years. He went 10-4 last year for the Cuban national team, with a 2.01 ERA in 18 games. He’s cheaper than former teammate Jose Contreras, and might be better. He consistently throws in the mid-90s and has a polished repertoire.

5. VICTOR DIAZ, RF, 22

A 37th-round pick of the Dodgers in 2000, the Mets stole him in the Jeromy Burnitz trade, then turned him into a right fielder. Diaz doesn’t draw enough walks, but he still wields a starting major league bat. He had career bests this season in HR and RBI with Triple-A Norfolk, and won two batting titles at lower levels.

Norfolk (AAA): .292, 24 HR, 94 RBI in 528 AB; 31 BB, 33 K.

6. IAN BLADERGROEN, 1B, 22

Bladergroen led the junior college circuit in home runs in 2002.The New Mexico native made the jump from short-season Single-A to the South Atlantic League brilliantly, hitting .342 in 72 games with Capital City before hurting his left wrist in July. His patience at the plate and balanced swing have won him comparisons to Chipper Jones. He has a pretty good feel for first and a decent glove.

Capital City (A): .342, 13 HR, 74 RBI in 269 AB; 25 BB, 55 K.

7. AMBIORIX CONCEPCION, OF, 20

Probably the second most physically talented player in the organization next to Milledge, Cocncepcion learned how to hit the curveball this year in Brooklyn. He’s got legitimate power potential, excellent speed on the bases, and a spectacular arm. Like Bladergroen, his power will improve with more at bats, but he needs to improve his strike zone judgment if he wants to become an above-average major leaguer.

Brooklyn (A): .305, 8 HR, 46 RBI in 259 AB; 13 BB, 54 K.

8. WAYNE LYDON, OF, 23

This speedster puts up Vince Coleman-like numbers, though he strikes out way too much for a leadoff hitter. If he can improve his batting and on-base averages, he could eventually start for the Mets. Then again, with Jose Reyes at the leadoff slot indefinitely and Kaz Matsui in the twohole for the next two years, by the time Lydon reaches Shea, it may be too late for him to become more than a fourth outfielder.

Binghamton (AA): .271 BA, 5 HR, 43 RBI in 506 AB; 49 BB, 119 K.

9. BRIAN BANNISTER, RHP, 23

After making the rare jump from Single-A Brooklyn to the Advanced-A Florida State League, Bannister turned in a solid debut for double-A Binghamton. His fastball tops out at around 93 mph, and although the K/BB ratio needs to improve for him to be a better than average pitcher, his time in Binghamton will make some noise. But he’ll have to prove himself with another solid half-season there – the Eastern League is known for its pitcher-friendly environs.

St. Lucie (A+): 5-7, 4.32 ERA in 110.1 IP. 106 K, 27 BB.

Binghamton (AA): 3-3, 4.06 ERA in 44.1 IP. 17 BB, 28 K.

10. MIKE JACOBS, C, 23

With the trade of Justin Huber, Jacobs is the franchise’s no. 1 catching prospect, though he struggled in Norfolk this season after having surgery in June to repair a torn labrum and remove a cyst from his right shoulder. Jacobs remains relatively unheralded, despite winning the award in 2003 as the Mets’ minor-league player of the year at Binghamton. He has good power, and his lefty bat boosts his chances of ascending through the system.

Norfolk(AAA): .177BA, 2 HR, 6 RBI in 96 AB.