6/25/11

Jordany Valdespin, Ruben Tejada, Beck Wheeler, Tobi Stoner, Brian Valenzuela


Jordany Valdespin:

6-24-11: - http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/aa-thursday-valdespin-continues-torrid-june-in-b-mets-win  - Jordany Valdespin was 2-2 with a walk and two stolen bases, one of third. In 18 games in June, he’s hitting .362/.413/.667 to push his season line to a strong .288/.340/.473. He has 24 extra-base hits and is 21 of 25 stealing bases. His June surge has to be the most positive development on the position player side in the system.


Ruben Tejada:


6-24-11: - http://www.deepleagues.com/?p=3240  - There are a couple of other players who I believe should be on owners’ radars. They are not receiving a lot of hype but I think they could definitely help, this year and next. Ruben Tejada (2B/SS, NYM) – For some reason I have always liked this guy. His numbers won’t blow you away and I think he’ll help not hurt your roster. I think there is an argument to be made for picking him up if you have a hole to fill and if Reyes gets traded Tejada should get lots of playing time.


Beck Wheeler:


Can’t say I ever heard of this guy before the Mets signed him as an undrafted free agent. 6-3, 215 RHP out of UC Santa Barbara. http://www.ksby.com/news/two-gauchos-sign-contracts-with-mlb-teams said, in a 6-13-11 article: “Wheeler signed with the Mets as a pitcher, a role that he accepted this season after not having pitched in quite some time. However the righty appeared in four games, posted a 2.25 ERA and showed flashes of brilliance to go along with a fastball in the low 90s. Wheeler had also played third base and shortstop for the Gauchos and as a junior was one of the team's best hitters. "I had an opportunity to work out in front of one of their scouts and things went well," Wheeler said. "Pitching is still relatively new to me, but I think the Mets' organization felt that was a good thing because I can learn to pitch the way they would like me to. This is very exciting and I can't wait to get on the mound." Anyway, he pitched his second game today for the GCL Mets and he’s now 0.00 in 3.1-IP, woth 4-Ks. We’ll keep an eye on him.


Tobi Stoner:


Stoner had to really enjoy last night’s outing for the B-Mets. Let’s face it, he hasn’t pitched very well since 2009. Last night was vintage Stoner: 7.0-IP, 5-H, 0-R, 4-K, 1-BB, 0-HR. Tobi was the first guy promoted out of my first year covering the Sand Gnats (2007) and it sure looked like the world was his. I’m happy he’s happy tonight.


Brian Valenzuela:


No one was happier in June 2008 that RHP Brian Valenzuela. He just came off a successful high school career in California and was signed as a 10th round draft pick by the New York Mets. He only managerd to get in one game that year for the GCL Mets, but who cared, the world was his for the taking. 2009 started out choppy and he was eventually put up on the shelf an scheduled for Tommy John surgery. This cost him the entire 2010 season and most of us thought we’d seen the last of this promising prep prospect. Well, he got back on the horse last night for Kingsport, which started out with three killer innings. His game stats ended at 5.0-IP, 4-ER, 4-K, 7.20, but, most important, he got his first professional win. It’s too early to tell if the majic has returned but it’s great to have him back.

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