Mets Notes: Zack Wheeler, Jon Niese, Ramon Ramirez

Zack Wheeler, the number one prospect of the Mets organization, reported today in St. Lucie. Andy Martino notes the young right-hander is working on his changeup, and Adam Rubin suggests Wheeler feels no extra burden being the highly-sought savior to an ailing club.

Remember -- Wheeler was the return for the Mets shipping Carlos Beltran to the San Franciso Giants, so if he's not feeling "the burden," that's because he doesn't understand what exactly he means to the Mets. He should have some time for it to sink in, though. He won't be expected at the big league level this season.

In other Mets notes, Jon Niese had a nose job and is breathing better, which some are suggesting might lead to improved performance. I say don't hold your breath. Check out a great review of Ramon Ramirez over at Amazin' Avenue, which notes that Ram-Ram could be trade bait when the deadline rolls around:

• Wheeler Reports - Andy Martino | NY DAILY NEWS
  "Zack Wheeler, the 21-year-old righthander who is the Mets’ top pitching prospect, reported to minor league camp Monday. Wheeler, acquired last July from San Francisco for Carlos Beltran, said that he had been working to refine his changeup, and had made it perhaps his best pitch."
• Top-prospect Wheeler arrives in St. Lucie - Adam Rubin | ESPN New York
  "Zack Wheeler became the top prospect in the New York Mets organization when he arrived in a July 28 trade with the San Francisco Giants for Carlos Beltran. Yet the 21-year-old right-hander suggested he feels no burden with that tag. "

• NY Mets pitcher Jon Niese hopes offseason nose job will lead to more success in 2012 - NY Daily News
  "The Mets believe that Niese’s left arm stores the staff’s best pure stuff, but many coaches and teammates wonder about the 25-year-old’s work ethic. In each of his three major league seasons, Niese has visited the disabled list, and offered the Mets inconsistent performances."
• 2012 Mets Player Profile: Ramon Ramirez - Amazin' Avenue
  "While Ramirez ‘s career splits show he’s most effective against right-handed opponents, he’s not a disaster against left-handed hitters and should be able to get outs in most situations. Ramirez is slated to be a free agent at the end of the season, which means there will undoubtedly be trade rumors involving his name as the trade deadline approaches in July."