3/29/10

3-29 Ex-Mets - Jake Ruckle, Mike Lynn, Justin Garber, Bobby Jones... and Doug Mientkiewicz

Jake Ruckle:

Ruckle was released on Saturday after pitching in one of the intra-games on the back fields. Jake was a particular project of mine after getting to know members of his family. I can't tell you much about him as a person, because we never met. God knows I tried, but Jake chose to keep his journalistic distance. As I pointed out a number of times throughout his Mets career, the only thing he ever did bad was get hurt and allow others to move in on his territory. There are so many names still up on the AAA and AA board, and there simply wasn't any room for Ruckle. It amazes me that the Mets didn't turn take in the direction of the pen one more time. Ruckle 23 and has career Mets stats of 27-20, 3.83, 1.24... yeah, that really sucks...

Mike Lynn:

#89 on my "The Keepers" list, P Mike Lynn was cut on Saturday. Obviously, no one in Queens is reading my web site lately. Lynn had a 2009 combined Brooklyn-Savannah record of 1-2, 2.29, in 19 relief appearances. He also had 33-K in 35.1-IP and was charged with only a .206 OBA... a Mets relief pitcher with an ERA below 2.30... hello?







Justin Garber:

The Mets' 34th round pick in the 2008 draft was also cut on Saturday. I'm not sure Garber got a fair shake here also. He did combine at Kingsport and Brooklyn for a .275 average, but showed no pop what so all.






Bobby Jones:

From beyondtheboxscore: -  Right-hander Bobby Jones, debuted in 1991. Jones was the Mets' first round pick in 1991 following an brilliant career with Fresno State. He won the 1991 National Pitcher of the Year award, finishing the season 16-2 with 18 complete games and 166 strikeouts in 20 starts. Jones was sent to Double-A for the 1992 season and quickly proved that his college numbers were no fluke. In 158 innings spanning 24 starts, he posted a 143/43 K/BB ratio while giving up only 5 home runs, good for an impressive 2.62 FIP. His 1.88 ERA got the attention of the guys at Baseball America, too, as he was ranked as the 28th best prospect in baseball before the 1993 season. Jones made it to New York by the end of 1993, and was a mainstay in their rotation for much of the remainder of the decade. But his ability to miss bats never translated to the major league level, preventing him from ever being much more than a solid back-of-the-rotation starter.

Doug Mientkiewicz:

Doug Mientkiewicz was told he will not make the Los Angeles Dodgers’ opening day roster, leaving the first baseman’s major league future in doubt. The 35-year-old Mientkiewicz was attempting a comeback from a separated shoulder that required surgery last season and limited him to 18 at-bats for the Dodgers.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Doug M, a legend in his own mind.