Q&A w/Mack - Niese, Untouchables, Draft

Q&A With Mack:

Derek wrote: Mack. So in your opinion, what has been the key to Jon Niese’s epiphany. What was the light that went on in the minors that led to his dominance at AAA and tonight?

Mack: Basically, he stopped listening to everyone around him and got back to basics. As I understand, the Mets pitching team tried to tinker with his mechanics during spring training which screwed him up temporarily. Same thing happened this year to Holt after more emphasis was placed on his secondary pitched. Niese will never overpower you, but he will be an outstanding SP5, and could rise someday to the SP3 slot.

Darnell posted on my Wall: "Hey Mack, love the blog. Question: who are your untouchables?"

Mack: Well, depends whether the team is a seller or a buyer. Don’t get excited about tonight’s win. Omar is building the future and the system just isn’t deep right now in top AAA/AA talent. IMO, the “top 5” are all untouchable… OF Fernando Martinez, SP Jon Niese, SP Brad Holt, SP Jenrry Mejia, and 1B Ike Davis. On the Mets, throw in 3B David Wright, SP Johan Santana, and CL Frankie Rodriquez.

There are others under contract requirements that don’t allow the Mets a chance to sell them, but, IMO, that’s the extent of the untouchables right now.

If the Mets are buyers, the biggest trade bait would be SS Jose Reyes, and SP Mike Pelfrey.


James asked: - Mack, we haven’t seen you comment on the draft. What’s your take?

Mack: The reason I haven’t written much about the Mets draft, is probably the same reason why most Mets writers haven’t either. We’re all still in shock with the list of no-names the Mets picked.

The Mets pick in the 3rd round… I had as only the 8th top SS in the draft: “Robbie Shields - Florida Southern… 6-0, 200, R/R… junior… 2008: led team in hits, .348, 9 HR, 36 RBIs… injured wrist in Cape Cod League this past summer… ability to hit high for average… great bat speed… limited defensively.”

I had the Mets pick in the 4th round (134th overall), Darrell Ceciliani, as only the 67th best outfielder in the draft: “Darrell Ceciliani - – Columbia Basin CC (Wash)… 6-1, 185 L/L… first 32 games at wood bat NWAACC play: .390, 2 HR, 26 RBIs, 4Ks, 82 AB”

And I had 43 catchers listed, none of which was the Mets pick in the 8th round, Taylor Freeman.

Who do I like so far? It’s early, but 1B Sam Honeck and C Nefli Zapata look like good picks.