Adam Rubin on his blog for the New York Daily News writes that former UCLA closer Brant Rustich will be converted to a starting pitcher by the Mets. The 6-foot-6 Rustich started as a college sophomore, then became the Bruins’ closer.

After the Mets traded Kevin Mulvey, Philip Humber, and Deolis Guerra they now are looking for more depth at the starting pitching position in their minors.

Rubin shares this anecdote about Rustich’s excitement in Mets camp…

Rustich was so mesmerized by a team-issued bat with his name engraved on it yesterday that he took a close-up picture with his cell phone to send to his family. “This is the coolest thing about being here,” he said of the personalized lumber. “And you get to wear helmets with only one earflap. That’s awesome.”

• For the New York Post, Mike Vaccaro writes how Brian Schneider could be next in a long line of great Mets catchers, beginning with Gary Carter through Paul Lo Duca. Vaccaro writes that the Mets value him for his ability to manage pitchers and such, and when you build a team around your pitching that probably makes sense.

He quotes Omar Minaya (and then makes fun of it):

“But we wound up in a pretty good position, I think. You’ll see what Brian [Schneider] can do. He’s a player you appreciate more when you see him every day.”

Of course, coming from a general manager, that could be the equivalent of a guy setting his buddy up on a blind date and telling him the girl has “a great personality.”

• For more on Schneider, check out the New York Times and the Daily News.
• In the Daily News, Adam Rubin writes how Willie Randolph plans on resting Jose Reyes more often this year, which would favor giving the last bench spot to Ruben Gotay who played SS in winter ball. In the same article, Rubin writes how Matt Wise looks like the favorite to claim the final spot in the bullpen, and how the Mets will be using former closer Brant Rustich as a starter in order to replenish their weakened starting pitching due to the prospects given in the Johan Santana trade.
• For ESPN.com, Jayson Stark writes about Carlos Beltran’s recent trash talk, “This year, tell Jimmy Rollins we’re the team to beat.”
• For ESPN.com, Bob Klapisch writes how bringing in Santana has given the Mets their swagger back.

At his blog minorleagueball.com, John Sickels has posted his 2008 edition of the New York Mets Prospects. Fernando Martinez ranks in at #1 followed by in order Deolis Guerra, Carlos Gomez, and Kevn Mulvey. John ranks Philip Humber at #7.

I am a big fan of Jon Niese’s but I dont feel he should be ranked ahead then Humber. Other then that, for the most part though, I agree with his list.

Overall our system has some talented pitchers with some good potential such as Scott Moviel, Brant Rustich, Eddie Kunz, & Nathan Vineyard who could possibly make an impact at the big league level this year, but when you look at the hitters all you see is Fernando, Gomez, and possibly Mike Carp becoming successful major league players. Unfortunately this shows how weak the Mets really are offensivley in the system.

Nick Evans and Brahiam Maldonado are two guys that definatley get overlooked in the Mets farm system and I am very excited to see what they both do in 2008.