Daniel Murphy is USA Today's 11th Name to Know

The Mets are represented on the list by Daniel Murphy (11) , Johnathan Niese (38) and Nick Evans (81). WOW...No F-Mart!

By USA TODAY staff

USA TODAY Sports Weekly presents its 13th annual list of the 100 Names You Need to Know. These are the next wave of players heading into the major leagues who, in our view, could make the biggest impact during the 2009 season. These aren't necessarily baseball's 100 best prospects, because many top prospects are too far down in the minor leagues to contribute in the majors this season. Others are stuck behind established major leaguers.

Not all of the players on our list have rookie status, but our standard for inclusion is that a player must have had more innings or at-bats in the minor leagues in 2008 than he has had during all of his major league time.

11. Dan Murphy, OF-2B, Mets: Murphy's versatility is a big plus. Originally a third baseman, he was used by New York as a left fielder last season and filled in at first base. This offseason, he played second base in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .397 with 18 RBI in 15 games. The Mets were not satisfied with second baseman Luis Castillo's 2008 performance, and this could create additional playing time should the team explore other left-field options. A left-handed hitter with emerging power, Murphy, 23, has hit .290 over three minor league seasons. He can run a bit. He had 14 steals to go with 13 homers at Class AA Binghamton (N.Y.) before his call-up to New York.

38. Jonathan Niese, LHP, Mets: Niese, a 22-year-old lefty, will try to earn a spot in the Mets' rotation this spring after a three-start audition during last year's pennant race. Featuring an outstanding curveball and a developing changeup to go with his low-90s fastball, Niese has gone 34-26 in four minor league seasons. He has worked to become more consistent with his velocity, and exposure to Johan Santana will likely improve already-strong mechanics on his changeup. "I'd be surprised if he's not in the rotation this year," assistant GM Tony Bernazard says. "He's got great mechanics and four pitches he can throw for strikes."

81. Nick Evans, OF/1B, Mets: Evans, 23, can play first base and the outfield. At 6-3, 210, he has consistently improved at the plate and demonstrated reasonable power. Evans has 44 homers in his last three minor league seasons. A right-handed hitter, he'll likely serve as a backup to first baseman Carlos Delgado and could end up battling Dan Murphy for playing time in left field.

Check out the complete list here.