A Mets scout for the midwest said Phillips Orta could end up as a No. 2 or No. 3 starter in the major leagues in a few years.

"The more time he gets on the mound, the better he's going to get," said Larry Chase, who scouts for the Mets in Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas. "I think you'll see him as one of our bright spots in the New York Mets organization in the next few years."

That would be fine with Orta, who says his favorite player is the Mets' Pedro Martinez.

"This has been a dream all my life and today is a big day for me," Orta said.

Orta was the ace for Western Nebraska this season, leading the Cougars to the first regional championship in school history. Western Nebraska finished a few wins shy of the Junior College World Series.

Orta will return to his native Venezuela for a work visa, then report to Port St. Lucie, Fla., for extended spring training.

Chase said Orta will likely end up playing short-season rookie ball in Kingsport, Tenn., or with the Mets' single-A team in Brooklyn.