Ike Davis: The first baseman of the future who never quite got there

The New York Mets had a promising first baseman in Ike Davis. Mets fans from years ago know a lot about Ike Davis and how he became a fan favorite and how he was well-liked by the Mets. Davis was drafted 18th overall in the MLB Draft in 2008 by the Mets and he instantly made a splash in the minor leagues. in his first season, Davis had a .288 batting average with an on-base percentage of .371 and an impressive slugging percentage of .467 and was made the Mets 2009 Organizational Player of the Year.

It seemed realistic he would be the Mets first baseman for years to come. Unfortunately, inconsistencies and injuries held Davis back from being the Mets first baseman of the future.

Why Ike Davis didn't find success with the Mets

Davis first made his major league debut in 2010 after a strong spring training. When Davis made his big league debut against the Cubs on April 10, he singled in his first at-bat and finished the game with two hits total. Overall, he had an impressive rookie season hitting 19 home runs which tied for third amongst rookies, and was second among NL rookies in runs, and batting average. So things we looking good for "Big Ike."

2011 was a letdown for Davis. After a hot start seeing him tie a Mets record driving in at least one run in nine of the first 10 Mets game, he suffered an ankle injury colliding with a teammate that put him on the IL requiring surgery ending his season only hitting 7 home runs and 25 RBI.

The 2012 campaign was a resurgence for Davis after a slow start to the season initially. Davis went on a tear hitting home runs in bunches and at one point hit three in a game against the D-backs becoming at the time the 9th Met to hit three homers in franchise history. Davis finished the year with 30 home runs and it looked like the Mets found their guy.

The 2013 season was a huge letdown for Ike and the Mets and was ultimately the final straw for him as a Met. After he struggled to even make contact, he was sent down to the minors but was called back up and played well enough but still showed inconsistency swinging the bat. He only hit 9 home runs all year with just 33 RBI and his time with the Mets would soon dwindle. After making the Mets' Opening Day roster in 2014, after two weeks deep into the season, he was traded to the Pirates ending his time as a Met.

With injuries and not performing well enough with the bat, Ike Davis could never find a groove and fit with the Mets. Even though he was a fan and team favorite and had a couple of really good seasons, he just never stayed on the field long enough to prove to the team he belonged there for the long haul.