Who is Fernando Martinez anyway? Well, for one thing, we know he is a Met prospect because of his history of injuries. Every time you turn around, this guy is hurt. Ultimately he has dropped off the radar of top prospects throughout the league because of this fact. After a hot winter league showing in which he was named the MVP of the Caribbean Series, the spotlight once again shines on Fernando to see what he can do this spring. Even though he has been around seemingly forever, he is still just 21 years of age. Unless Fernando hits like an all-star this spring, he will certainly be ticketed for Triple A this year. - link
Ask Astros righthander Matt Lindstrom to choose between the setup and closer roles, and he doesn’t hesitate. “I’d love to be the closer,” Lindstrom said . “But it is something that has to be earned.” Lindstrom and righthander Brandon Lyon will be competing for the closer’s spot vacated by Jose Valverde, one of the best in the National League over the last three years. Lindstrom, 30, joined the Astros via trade from Florida in December. He started 2009 as the Marlins’ closer but lost the job after a stint on the disabled list with elbow problems. He finished the year splitting time as the setup man and in middle relief. Replacing Valverde or even LaTroy Hawkins, now in Milwaukee, in the setup role is a tall order. “The expectations I put on myself outweigh what the Astros put on me, I think,” Lindstrom said. “I know they expect a lot of me, but I expect a lot of myself, so I’m going to work hard and work on my stuff, and we’ll see what happens - link
Using Josh Hermsmeyer's wonderful injury database, I found all the batters with wrist injuries between 2002 and 2008. For each, I calculated their projected isolated power (SLG - BA) upon return using Marcel projections. As a simplification, if a player returned from their injury before July 1st, I used that year's projection. If he returned after July 1st, I looked at the next season. Finally, I compared the batter's actual ISO to the projected ISO to determine whether he was hitting with less power than expected - link
"Rod Barajas finally has a team, and the Mets finally have a viable starting catcher. Barajas reported to spring training Wednesday after signing a one-year deal with the Mets, making him their likely Opening Day starter and giving the Mets a veteran tandem with Henry Blanco as the backup. Barajas will wear No. 21, Carlos Delgado's old number. It took Barajas far longer than he expected to sign with a team. With pitchers and catchers reporting last week, he was still negotiating with the Mets and Rangers, trying to do better than the minor-league deal the Mets initially offered. On Wednesday, he was just glad to have a place to play." - link
10. Wilmer Flores - R-R - 6'3 175 - NYM - 8.6.91. When reading about Mets prospects, you see a similar phrase in many scouting reports. Because they're aggressive with signing teenagers in the international signing period and with promoting them later, you often see, "he was the youngest player in his league last year." It was true of blue chip pitcher Jenrry Mejia, and with outfielder Fernando Martinez. Unless you've seen these guys with your own eyes and I haven't, it makes it difficult to evaluate them because their stats are usually just OK while they try to hold their own against older competition. Flores is no exception being the youngest player in the Low A South Atlantic League last year. Flores won't be a shortstop much longer and a move to third base is probable. He flashed power in 2008 but hit just 3 HR and slugged a weak .332 last season. - link
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