The competition in camp at Tradition Field is going to be fierce with a numerous number candidates vying for positions, one of them being first base.

As of right now, Daniel Murphy is the Mets projected Opening Day starter. Murphy will be facing heavy competition from the likes of Fernando Tatis, and newly signed Mike Jacobs.

Every spring, you see a “dark horse,” come out of no where and surprise everyone with their ability to play.

Young Ike Davis could very well be that dark horse surprise in camp and possibly run the table at first.

“Ike Davis is going to push people,” Mets GM Omar Minaya said.

Davis probably isn’t ready to be given the reigns at first, but however, Ron Davis, father of Davis, believes his son is big league “ready.”

You could argue that but, you can’t shy away that where ever Ike plays, he hits.

I asked Adam Rubin of the Daily News, if Ike Davis truly ready for the big leagues?

Rubin responded by saying, “Ike Davis has only played a half-season at AA. Give him a little time. We’ll see him in September, I imagine.”

Davis’s fly ball rate has improved from 34.1% in 2008, to a solid 42.8% in 2009. But however his strikeout rate (SO/AB) has increased from 20% in 2008 at Brooklyn, to 23.4% in 2009 at St. Lucie, to 29% at Binghamton.

He’s ticketed to start the season at Triple-A Buffalo. No rush to bringing him up now, unless he flat out impresses in camp.

It’s going to be interesting to see what impact Davis makes this spring in regards to the first base position.

Matt Pignataro is a writer for SevenTraintoShea.com and a regular contributor to NYBD. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here. Pirates Prospect Jarek Cunningham joins us on the show Sunday Feb. 14 at 7 PM, click here to listen live.

Matt Pignataro is the owner/founder of 7TraintoShea.com. He is attending Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA and is majoring in Marketing. Matt currently works for the Spokane Chiefs Hockey Club of the WHL and the Spokane Indians a Class-A Short Season Affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Matt was born and raised in Flushing, New York and currently resides in Spokane, Washington. He aspires to work in a MLB front office in the future.

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Tags: Daniel Murphy, Ike Davis, Mike Jacobs, New York Mets