The Keepers - SP - Jeff Kaplan

29. Jeff Kaplan – SP – 25/yrs.

Here’s a perfect example of someone that came to the Mets with no fan fair and has quietly become one of the top pitchers in the organization.

Kaplan was an 11th round draft pick in 2008, and pitched the same season for Brooklyn (3-2, 3.45, 1.15, 15 games, 4 starts).

In September 2008, Patrick Hickey wrote on:

Jeff Kaplan- After losing his spot in the rotation and battling arm fatigue, Kaplan became a commodity out of the bullpen. He’s got a great repertoire and is even better at maintaining control on the mound, which in my mind, make him someone who can definitely survive at higher levels. Add in a laid back personality and a few months to rest his tired arm and I think 2009 may be the best season of his young career. - Final Grade- B+

Also in September 2008, from http://www.brooklynbums.com/:

Called a “Utility Pitcher” by Cyclones manager Edgar Alfonzo this season, Jeff Kaplan has done everything from starting to closing for Brooklyn and has done both well, appearing in 13 games, pitching 42 innings with a solid 3.59 ERA and two saves. The 11th round pick has gotten better as the season has progressed as well, giving up only two earned runs over his past 20.2 innings pitched.

Kaplan returned full time to starting in 2009, first for Savannah (4-2, 1.46, 1.22) and then for St. Lucie (3-5, 3.39, 1.29). At the time of his promotion to Lucy, Kaplan had been Savannah's most consistent starter of the season, leading the team in wins (four), strikeouts (47) and a 1.46 ERA that ranks second best in the South Atlantic League. Ad an outstanding May with a 3-0 record and an 0.85 ERA in five starts. He allowed just nine earned runs in 55.2 innings with the Sand Gnats.

He finished the 2009 season on the disabled list and his combined professional stats are: 10-9, 2.74, 1.22.

Forecast: On my chart, I have both Kaplan and Scott Shaw being promoted from the 2009 Lucy rotation to the 2010 B-Met’s. Kaplan will play most of the 2010 season as a 26 year old, which is an additional reason to keep his career going in the right direction. He’s an excellent starter, with three great pitches, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t really break out next season.