This week’s subject of MMN’s Boom or Bust spotlight is on St. Lucie first baseman, Jayce Boyd. The Florida State University product was selected by the Mets in the sixth round of the 2012 MLB draft. After getting his feet wet last season with the Brooklyn Cyclones, Boyd has made a name for himself with his bat. He began 2013 in Low-A with the Savannah Sand Gnats, but was promoted to St. Lucie after the SAL All-Star Game. At the time of his departure, he was leading the league in hitting, and put up a .361/.441/.491 triple slash. Some of our writers debate whether Boyd will end up flourishing in the big leagues, or be a bust.

Kirk Cahill:

It’s hard enough to make the majors. When you’re already limited to first base, a position traditionally filled by power hitters, you’d better either have plus power or a plus-plus hit tool. Therein lies the problem for Jayce Boyd. He’s a nice player, but I don’t think he’s going to hit for the type of power it would take for him to be considered a starting major-league first basemen. And although he’s hit for an incredibly high average this year, I don’t see him as a .300 hitter at the MLB level. That’s what it would take to grab one of only 30 first base jobs. He’s succeeded this year playing his second season in the Sally league. He’s faced younger and less polished competition. As for his continued success at St. Lucie, I’d let him go around the league before I jumped to any conclusions. In the end I say he’s more of an org/quad-A player. He’ll get some looks in the majors, but he won’t be a long term starter. Verdict: Bust, unless he can play another position.

Satish Ram:

Matt picked a tough one for me this week because I’m not on the same Jayce Boyd bandwagon that everybody is this season. Boyd might be hitting the ball at a high rate at the moment, but he doesn’t project to have enough power to stick at what is traditionally a power-position. Boyd was 22 when running through the SAL League earlier this year, so he was a little older than expected for the league. He does field his position effectively, although first base is basically his only choice on the diamond to play. I might be singing a more positive tune about Boyd if he shows me the ability to hit for a high average in Binghamton, but for now, there’s a lot in his way. With Wilmer Flores and Kevin Plawecki taking reps at first base, Allan Dykstra and Matt Oberste (true first basemen) around, and Ike Davis and Josh Satin at the MLB level, there’s no clear cut path for Boyd to break the majors, and no guarantee either. I can only wish him the best of luck, however… Verdict: Baby Boom at best

John Bernhardt:

Bang the drum loudly. Jayce Boyd’s professional baseball career is off to a tremendous start. Boyd simply wore down in Brooklyn after combining a long collegiate run with 60 or so minor league games, he rested and retooled during the off-season and has been going great ever since. A contact guy, Boyd led the South Atlantic League in Low-A ball at Savannah batting .365. The hitting onslaught has continued, even accelerated, after his call up to High-A play in St. Lucie. A focused contact hitter, Boyd hit to all fields and has registered a high on-base percentage almost everywhere he has played. Boyd is a solid defensive first baseman with a bat that has simply boomed in 2013.  Verdict: Boom.

Matt Musico:

With the way Boyd tore apart opposing pitchers in the SAL and how he continued to do more of the same once he was promoted to High-A, my hopes are also high for the first baseman. I understand his home run numbers aren’t enough as of right now to have him stick at first base, but the man is showing he can hit. For me, as long as you can hit, someone will find a spot for you to play. It’s tough for Wilmer Flores right now, who is tearing up Triple-A, but he’ll be in the big leagues sooner rather than later because of his bat. While he’s not hitting a lot of home runs this season, he does have over 20 doubles, which is encouraging to me. As long as a hitter has extra base power to the outfield gaps, that’s enough power for me. I’m looking forward to watching how Boyd finishes 2013, and how he continues to progress through the pipeline. Verdict: Boom.

Bill Passonno:

With much of the Mets organization’s attention focused on its developing pitchers — and rightfully so — position players haven’t garnered the same devotion. Jayce Boyd could alter that thinking. The St. Lucie first baseman, a sixth-round draft pick out of Florida State University in 2012, has been exceptional across the two highest levels of Class A this season. Through 84 total games with St. Lucie and Savannah, he has posted a blistering slash line of .358/.431/.509 along with 21 doubles, eight homers and 59 RBI. It’s a dramatic improvement from his first professional campaign when he registered a .239 batting average and just 19 RBI in 54 games with Brooklyn, which left him off most prospect watch lists for 2013. Of the four first basemen currently playing in Class A who are ranked among MLB.com’s top-10 prospects, Boyd has a higher average and more RBI than all of them. The 22-year-old is likely poised for a rapid rise through the system next season, helping establish his name among the Mets’ top prospects. Verdict: Boom.

Vinny B.:

First baseman Jayce Boyd is showing a lot of promise this season. He is exhibiting tremendous contact ability, and an excellent eye at the plate. The one big concern over Boyd has been his inability to hit enough home runs. In 84 games played this season, Boyd has only hit eight. However, given his size at 6’3” 185, and the fact that power is usually one of the last skills that develop for prospects, I believe his power will eventually come around. Boyd is a solid prospect, and he has a bright future in the Mets organization. Verdict: Boom.