8/31/17

L.V. 51S' AMED ROSARIO CLAIMS PCL TOP ROOKIE HONOR


ROUND ROCK, Texas – Las Vegas 51s’ shortstop Amed Rosario edged out teammate Dominic Smith to win the Pacific Coast League’s Rookie of the Year. Rosario is the first Las Vegas player to take the honor since the award was created in 1998.

The Mets’ top prospect entering the season, and a consensus top-10 prospect in the game, was both a mid- and postseason PCL All-Star in his first year at Minor League Baseball’s highest level. Prior to his August 1 promotion to New York, he played in 94 games with the 51s and hit .328 (129-for-393), a mark currently placing fifth in the league, with seven home runs, 58 RBI, 66 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. Rosario compiled an .833 OPS by reaching base at a .367 clip and slugging .466.

The Dominican Republic native had multiple hits in 42 contests, nearly half the games he appeared; at the time of his call-up, his 129 hits were second in the PCL. Rosario collected three hitting streaks of 10 or more games, including twice hitting in a season-best 17 consecutive contests. The most recent 17-game stretch was from June 27-July 27, a span in which he hit .416 (32-for-77). Rosario also had a 29-game streak of reaching base safely, doing so from May 13-June 13. Rosario twice collected a single-game best four hits, including a July 6 performance that also featured season-bests in runs (3) and stolen bases (2).

The 21-year-old has had a decorated five-year professional career in the Mets organization. Along with his PCL honors this season, Rosario was a midseason All-Star in both 2014 (New-York Penn League) and 2016 (Florida State League). The shortstop has also appeared in the last two SiriusXM All-Star Futures Games, going 1-for-4 with a run scored. 

The field managers, media representatives and league officials vote for the PCL’s Rookie of the Year, which honors a player’s outstanding achievement during his first year at Triple-A. Felix Hernandez (2005), Howie Kendrick (2006), Adam Eaton (2012) and Joc Pederson (2014) are some of the names to have won the award. Along with Smith, Willie Calhoun (Round Rock), Jack Flaherty (Memphis) and Ryan McMahon(Albuquerque) were others to receive votes.

ROSTER MOVES



Effective Wednesday, August 30, 2017

- INF Andres Gimenez transferred to Columbia’s disabled list

- INF Oliver Pascual transferred to Columbia from advanced-rookie Kingsport

-SP Briam Campusano promoted from Rookie-Kingsport to Low-A Brooklyn

Tom Brennan - DSL Delights


Tom Brennan - DSL Delights

Most of us wish the 2017 Mets season would just be o-v-e-r.

The seasons for the 2 DSL teams just ended and, on the contrary, we wish they were not over - because they played so darned good.

The Met DSL 1 team finished 44-27, 2nd in their division.

The Met DSL 2 team finished at 50-21, 1st of all 40 teams.


TEAM PITCHING:

The DSL 1 team was first in ERA (2.42), 12th in Ks (536), and first with a 1.12 WHIP, and the team allowed a relatively low (for the DSL) 71 unearned runs. 

The DSL 2 team was 5th in ERA (2.74), 18th in Ks (517), and fifth in WHIP at 1.20, and the team had an extremely low 52 unearned runs, which clearly was a factor in ending up with the league's best record.

Simply put, splendid pitching, relatively good defense.


TEAM HITTING:

The DSL 1 team was 14th in runs at 338; 10th in hitting at .251; .328 OBP, and .349 slugging, good for 10th best. 

The DSL 2 team was just 18 behind the league leader with 404 runs - for perspective, the lowest scoring team plated just 195 runs.  Its hitters were 2nd in AVG (.277), 1st in OBP (.373), and 4th in slugging (.374).

Lots of fine hitting this year for the DSL Mini-Mets.



INDIVIDUAL STAR HITTERS:

Yoel Romero, 3B: 67 G, .364 (2nd), .439 OBP (4th), and .464 slug (12th), 17 of 24 steals, just 32 Ks. 

Luis Santana, 2B: 65 G, .325/.430/.481, the latter being 4th best in the league.  16 of 20 steals.

Jhoander Saez, CF: 68 G, .320/.398/.378, 20 of 24 in steals.

Sherveyn Newton, SS: 66 G, .311/.433/.444, 10 of 14 steals, 9 triples. Who does he think he is, Amed Rosario?

Jose Peroza, 3B: .300/.349/.437, 21 doubles in 57 games!

INDIVIDUAL STAR PITCHERS:

Five fine starters who combined to go 35-13.

Miguel Ramirez: 14 S, 67 IP, 6-2, 1.76, 0.90 WHIP, 53 K

Jorge Cespedes: 13 S, 62 IP, 6-2, 2.03, 1.19 WHIP, 49 K

Nelson Leon: 12 S, 70 IP, 8-3, 2.06, 1.01 WHIP, 52 K

Ivan Santana: 11 S, 59 IP, 7-3, 2.14, 1.14 WHIP, 60 K

Willie Tavares: 13 S, 70 IP, 8-3, 2.31, 0.91 WHIP, 63 K

Those 5 hitters and 5 pitchers are ten Bambinos who ought to be ready to make a good showing in rookie league ball in 2018.  

Hey, maybe one or two, like the prolific Yoel Romero, will emulate Andres Giminez, who jumped from a great 2016 DSL season straight to a very solid season with Full A Columbia this year at age 18. 


DSL: really good news in a troublesome 2017 for Mets fans.

Mack’s Morning Report – 8-31 – 40-Man, 2018 Draft



Good morning.


40-man –

I always like my best prospects protected by the 40-man regardless of Rule V ramifications. And if there is no room there, I dump marginal players and make room for the future of this team.

Right now, there’s no additional player on the Las Vegas roster that, IMO, needs to be added to the 40-man squad. On Binghamton, add starters Corey Oswalt and P.J. Conlon, reliever, Drew Smith, C/1B Pat Mazeika, IF Luis Guillorme, 3B David Thompson, and OF Kevin Kaczmarski. No, not every one of them will go to the Hall someday, but they may be needed next year if we have another injury riddled season like this one.


2018 Draft –

           We seem to be getting closer to being awarded one of the top five draft picks in the 2018 draft, so we need to start memorizing six or seven names that will be tossed around on opening day. At this point, they all seem guaranteed to be one of the top ten picks.

           They are –

                       Brady Singer – RHP – Univ. of Florida –

Singer is easily the odds-on favorite for the first pick in the draft. Went 9-5, 3.21 in 20 games, 19 starts in 2017. Also had 129 strikeouts in 126-IP. Stats are tainted after giving up 11 runs in 21 innings over a three game stretch against Georgia, Ole Miss, and Alabama.

SB Nation said of Singer: “If Rocker is the top prep prospect, Brady Singer is the college equivalent. He was a second round pick and my #53 draft prospect out of high school but chose school, and really broke out in the Gators rotation this year. He’s long been highly thought of, and his mix of current stuff, projection, and performance track record could push him as high as the top overall pick.”

Singer will be surely gone by the end of the third pick.

                       Seth Beer – OF/1B – Clemson –

Those of you that follow me on Facebook know that I follow the Clemson baseball program closely (my daughter graduated from there). Beer i9s the real deal, though he did struggle a little from the plate this past season (218-AB, .298/.478 (64-BB)/.606, 16-HR, 53-RBI), and yet it still seemed like every key during the season was hit by this guy. Opposing pitchers just didn’t want to pitch to this guy. He played almost exclusively in the outfield as a junior, where he had only three errors. Easily the top bat in the draft who also will probably be one of the top three picks.

SB Nation said of Beer: “Seth Beer is a popular name among the Braves fanbase for the top of the draft in 2018. The Clemson star skipped his senior season of high school to enroll early and post a .369/.535/.700 slash line with 13 doubles and 18 homers- not bad for a kid who should have been playing his senior year in high school at the time. His sophomore numbers were down this year, but a still impressive .298/.478/.606 with 17 doubles and 16 homers. He’s also got an impressive 126/62 walk to strikeout rate in his two years. After not being eligible for a draft previously by enrolling in school early, the middle of the order thumper will be a high pick. Scouts don’t question the power and there are only a few questions with his bat, but his defensive home is a question mark. There is some thought that he isn’t likely to stick in the outfield longterm, which means he is more of a first base/DH type of player. The bat profiles as a potential middle of the order bat, and he could be the best college power bat to enter the draft since Kris Bryant.”

                       Brice Turang – SS – Santiago HS (CA) –   
      
SB Nation said of Turang: “The son of former MLB outfielder Brian Turang, Brice Turang is the guy picked as the #1 overall pick in Jim Callis’s early 2018 mock draft on MLB.com. The piece has a scout giving him a comparison to Christian Yelich with more speed and the ability to play shortstop. Yelich isn’t a bad comp as Turang is an impressive all around player with the ability to hit, has some pop, is a very instinctual player who can run, and plays a premium position, making Turang a potential top pick.”

Turang is projected to remain at short and the last thing the Mets need is another prospect shortstop (even if Rosario is a bust, there are three Latin prospects in the pipeline already). The hope here is one of the teams drafted before us takes Turang, leaving one more of these quality names on the board.

                       Jackson Kowar – RHP – Univ. of Florida –

SB Nation said of Kowar: Florida’s other 2018 arm is overshadowed by the higher profile Brady Singer, not to mention 2017 first rounder Alex Faedo. However Jackson Kowar has pitched at a high level and has Top 10 potential on his own with his mid to upper 90s fastball. If he’s able to more consistently tighten up his command next year, he could elevate his stock even more. Like Singer, I ranked Kowar at #70 in the draft out of high school and he has done nothing to hurt his stock since.

                       Kumar Rocker – RHP – N. Oconee HS (GA) –

SB Nation said of Rocker: “Arguably the best high school prospect as things stand today is Georgia’s own Kumar Rocker. I say as things stand today because the Vandy commit has an advantage over his peers in that he physically matured early. He’s already 6’4” and 240 pounds and doesn’t have much remaining projection, but that doesn’t matter as much when you can already hit 98 MPH now with a hard slider and some feel for the change. Then add in that he could develop solid command and has the bloodlines of his father playing in the NFL, and it’s easy to see why he’s a top pick candidate.”

                       Jarred Kelenic – OF – Waukesha West HS (WI) –

SB Nation said of Kelenic: Jarred Kelenic may be the best prep bat in the 2018 class, or at least he’s in the mix for it. He’s not huge at 6’1” and he comes from a state that doesn’t produce a ton of talent, but the Louisville commit has impressed on the national stage. Kelenic does it all- he’s got plus speed, a good glove, a huge arm, plus power, and the ability to make consistent hard contact.

                       Joe Gray Jr. OF – Hattiesburg HS (MS) –

SB Nation said of Gray: Joe Gray Jr. is an electrifying five tool talent. He’s got power, speed, glove, arm, and possibly the hit tool as well- I’m sold on the first four tools now but will want to watch how he hits top pitching this summer. As impressive as his power is the thing that really stood out to me last week at the Perfect Game Nationals was the great diving catch he made in right field where he just popped right back up and threw a laser to the plate. While that play didn’t affect his overall stock to me, that was just a wow type of play. One thing he needs to overcome is history, as teams have a bit of a hang-up with Mississippi prep hitters in the early rounds as they have an awful success rate historically-DJ Davis, Blake Anderson, Ryan Bolden, David Renfroe, Wendell Fairley, and Derry Hammond all busted versus success from just Billy Hamilton(who probably wouldn’t succeed with the bat if not for his 80 grade speed) as picks in the first three rounds who signed in the past 20 years (Austin Riley, Ti’Quan Forbes, Bobby Bradley, Anthony Alford are still TBD). I think Gray can help put some of that to bed this summer, but it could cost him a bit if there are any lingering questions.




8/30/17

Reese Kaplan -- Hopefully the Veterans' Swan Song

For people who are totally puzzled by the lineup construction put forth by one Terry Collins, today’s gem will have you scratching your head until you draw blood.  After yesterday’s debacle, have a gander at what they’re putting on the field today:

Reyes SS

Nimmo RF
Cabrera 2B
Flores 3B
Plawecki C
Smith 1B
Lagares CF
Reynolds LF
Montero RHP


Now, it’s bad enough that he plays Asdrubal Cabrera at all while Gavin Cecchini remains Krazy-Glued to the bench, but what has he not yet seen of Jose Reyes to offer him the SS and leadoff slot ahead of Amed Rosario? 

If there is anyone in the Mets organization with a few functioning brain cells, may tomorrow be the last starting assignment Cabrera gets for the remainder of the year!  After all, the 31st is the deadline by which contenders are still eligible to have newly acquired players available in the post season.  Ditto Jose Reyes…let’s see what Cecchini and even Matt Reynolds can do with an extended look. 


Of course, that if statement is just that…a veritable needle in the haystack finding someone smart enough to realize that the season is long over and it’s time to evaluate for the future.

Tom Brennan - OH WHAT A RELIEF IT IS


Tom Brennan - OH WHAT A RELIEF IT IS

We've seem our share of flammable relief pitching from the Mets - you know, sprinkle gasoline, light a match,  and games go up in flames.  But help is coming. 

Five guys appear ready to help right away in September, although it is doubtful we will see more than 2 or 3 of them.

4 others show superior promise, but need more seasoning.

Here goes - see if you agree:


TYLER BASHLOR, RHRP, AA

Why?  Fireballing Tyler started out with St Lucie this year; now at Binghamton, and has fanned 80 in 47 innings.  He had a few shaky outings for St Lucie 2 months ago, but then went dominant with 6.1 innings of 12 K ball, and afterwards, since his promotion to AA, in 10 outings, he has impressively thrown 12.2 innings, allowed 5 hits, 2 walks, no runs, and fanned 19.  Has 12 of 16 saves this year.  Lack of AAA experience may hold him back.

DREW SMITH, RHRP, AA

Why?  Acquired by the Mets in late July, the former 2015 3rd round pick is 3-2, 2.08 in 13 IP, with 13 Ks in AA.  They probably will hold him off until 2018, to get him more seasoning, though, since he has no AAA experience.  Mostly in High A ball this year, he is 4-4, 1.71, 0.93 WHIP, 7 of 11 in saves.

JAMIE CALLAHAN, RHRP, AAA

Why? 1-1, 2.00 in 9 innings with Vegas since acquired. 65 Ks in 51 innings in AA and AAA this year. Callahan was a 23 year old 2nd rounder with Boston in 2012.  Throws hard.

KYLE REGNAULT, LHRP, AAA

Why?  Only lefty in the bunch.  Also, quite a year, mostly in AAA this year.  7-0, 2.56 ERA in 44 games, 63 Ks in 63 IP.  5-0, 3.00 in 33 games with Las Vegas, which warrants him a medal.  Control was an issue for him earlier in 2017, but no longer: in his last 10 outings spanning 18 innings, he fanned 18, but walked only 1.  The 28 year old is only in his 3rd minor league season.

JACOB RHAME, RHRP, AAA

Why?  The 24 year old former LAD 6th rounder has high levels of experience: 99 outings in the PCL over the past 2 years, and this year has fanned 66 in 54 innings with a 1.19 WHIP.  With Vegas so far, a dominating 6.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 11 K.  He's the most ready of the 5 relievers listed here.

HONORABLE MENTION – FINE, BUT NOT READY YET:

ADONIS UCETA, RHRP, AA

Why?  He has allowed 3 runs in 3 innings in AA, but at 2 levels of A ball this year, in 54 IP, he fanned 66 and allowed just 28 hits, and overall in 2017 is 5-0, 1.39 with 13 of 13 saves – but he needs more experience.

TIM PETERSON, RHRP, AA

Why?  Spectacular in AA this year (39 outings, 5-3, 1.18, 7 of 9 saves, 8.5 K/9 innings).  AAA experience was brief and not kind: 2.2 IP, 5 runs.  He needs to prove his mettle in AAA in 2018 before arriving in Queens.

GERSON BAUTISTA, RHRP, HIGH A

Why? He throws 101, that’s why.  But his control before the Mets acquired him was poor – since acquired, though, he has a 1.59 ERA with 3 saves in seven outings for St Lucie, and in 11.1 IP, has walked just 3 and fanned 15.  We need a person like Gerson.

MATT BLACKHAM, RHRP, FULL A

Why? Superb year for the hard thrower returning from TJS. 38 games, 4-2, 1.48, 7 of 9 saves. Has fanned 79 in 55 IP.  And getting better – July and August, ZERO earned runs in 25 innings with 36 Ks with a 0.60 WHIP.  That is true quality.  2018 could be a critical year for Matt, maybe arriving in Queens at some point.

AUSTIN MCGEORGE, RHRP, HIGH A

Why?  Stunning season, that's why.  This 22 year old 7th rounder from 2016 has thrown 47 innings in Columbia and St Lucie, with a 1.72 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 64 Ks. Perty danged good, ain't it, Paw?


Some other solid relievers in minor league full season leagues, too, like Ben Griset and Ryder Ryan, but they’ve got a lot of competition now. 
A whole lot, as reading about the above 10 should tell ya.

Reese Kaplan -- What to Do With the 40-Man Roster


The Mets have a great many 40-man roster decisions to make in the coming off-season, including removing from the 40-man roster players who are not performing at a level necessary to be competitive.  While some of them are likely to be lost in the waiver/outrighting process, reader Hobie suggested that a discussion should be started about who should and shouldn’t be a part of the protected group of players come 2018.

First, let’s look at who is currently on the 40 man roster.  Remember that the people on the 60-day DL do not count against it though may have to be temporarily added back until their 2018 DL status is clarified.  Take Michael Conforto, for example.  He is on the 10-day DL now and depending on the outcome of the likely surgery the Mets will have to decide if he’s going to be out all of April and May.  If so, he can be pushed onto the 60-day DL and thus open up another roster spot. 

PITCHERS
POS
RP
L
L
33
RP
R
R
28
SP
L
R
29
RP
R
R
27
SP
R
R
23
RP
R
R
28
SP
R
R
27
SP
L
L
30
RP
R
R
26
RP
R
R
30
RP
R
R
27
RP
R
R
27
RP
L
L
28

CATCHERS
POS
C
R
R
28
C
R
R
26

INFIELDERS
POS
SS
B
R
31
2B
R
R
23
3B
R
R
26
SS
B
R
34
SS
R
R
26
SS
R
R
21
1B
L
L
22

OUTFIELDERS
POS
CF
R
R
28
CF
L
R
24
RF
R
R
28

DISABLED LIST
POS
LF
R
R
31
LF
L
R
24
SP
R
R
28
SP
R
L
26
3B
R
R
28
SP
L
R
24
SP
L
R
27
3B
R
R
34

MINORS
POS
RF
R
R
22
SP
R
R
24
RP
R
R
25
SP
R
R
22
C
R
R
23
RP
L
R
27
RP
R
R
24

Where it starts to get complicated when making roster decisions are the arcane rules regarding minor league players who must either be placed on the 40 man roster or risk losing them in the Rule V draft.  The specific rule states that a player who was 18 or younger on the June 5th before he signs his first pro contract can spend 5 years in the minors before he’s either added to the 40 man roster or exposed to the Rule V draft.  If the player was over age 18 then it’s four years. 

That being said, the Mets need to look at some of their better performing minor leaguers to determine who falls into those categories and whether or not they want to allocate a 40-man roster spot to them.  For practical purposes, I’ll only dip down as far as AA since it’s unlikely other clubs would pluck someone from A ball and keep him on the roster for the entire season.  A few names to consider:

  • Jamie Callahan
  • Ben Griset
  • Luis Guillorme
  • Matt Oberste
  • Corey Oswalt
  • Champ Stuart
  • Kevin Taylor
  • Adonis Uceta


So who on the current 40-man roster has a spot that could be in jeopardy?  I would suggest the following:

  • Wuilmer Becerra
  • Asdrubal Cabrera
  • Chasen Bradford
  • Erik Goeddel
  • Robert Gsellman
  • Tommy Milone
  • Hansel Robles
  • Kevin McGowan
  • Rafael Montero
  • Tyler Pill
  • Jose Reyes
  • Josh Smoker
  • Travis Taijeron


Who is expected to be both healthy and a lock to make the 2018 40-man roster barring trades:

  • Jerry Blevins
  • Gavin Cecchini
  • Yoenis Cespedes
  • Travis d’Arnaud
  • Jacob de Grom
  • Jeurys Familia
  • Chris Flexen
  • Wilmer Flores
  • Matt Harvey
  • Juan Lagares
  • Seth Lugo
  • Brandon Nimmo
  • Kevin Plawecki
  • A.J. Ramos
  • Amed Rosario
  • Matt Reynolds
  • Paul Sewald
  • Dom Smith
  • Noah Syndergaard


Who is hurt and may or may not be on the 60-day DL?

  • Michael Conforto
  • Steve Matz
  • T.J. Rivera
  • Zack Wheeler
  • David Wright


So, by my count you have 18 sure things, let’s be optimistic and say 3 of the 5 in the 60-day DL column make the roster, so that’s 21.  That leaves 19 spaces for people to take.  For purposes of this exercise I’m going to arbitrarily limit it to 15 to allow room for up to 4 external acquisitions this off-season (assuming the GM in charge does not repeat the Sandy Alderson mistake of the previous off-season). 

Of the list of the people in jeopardy and the people in the minors you may need to protect I would go with the following:

  • Gerson Bautista (A Ball) – major egg on the face if one of the guys obtained for Reed leaves as a minor league FA or is picked in the Rule V draft
  • Chasen Bradford
  • Jamie Callahan – already in AAA
  • Erik Goeddel
  • Ben Griset – very nice numbers for his career and must be added or exposed
  • Robert Gsellman – forget this year and remember last year (and his body of work)
  • Luis Guillorme – defensive whiz with a career AVG around .282
  • Jeff McNeill – another T.J. Rivera type who just keeps hitting
  • Rafael Montero – out of options and should make the team or be traded
  • Corey Oswalt – needs to be added or exposed
  • Jose Reyes – fan favorite should be re-signed as a UTILITY player, not a starter
  • Jacob Rhame
  • Josh Smoker
  • David Roseboom – toss out his injury plagued year in Las Vegas and check out his numbers
  • Adonis Uceta – shutdown performance after being converted to the pen

That still leaves room for other currently injured players or acquisitions.  Who do you think should go and who should be added?