Jose Reyes ran like the wind yesterday. Then ran some more.
For two hours, I watched the Mets shortstop work, testing his surgically repaired right leg time and again during the strenuous workout. There were 90-foot dashes; explosive 10-yard sprints, on which Reyes would grab a tennis ball on one bounce; ground balls hit to his left and right; high choppers where he had to fly across the diamond; weight-lifting; dynamic stretching; core exercises and hitting.
Test after test, and each time Reyes came through with a huge smile.- link
But two of those question marks I am most curious to learn about reside in the bullpen -- former front-line starter Kelvim Escobar and Japanese import Ryota Igarashi.
The former turns 34 in April and is coming off two years of shoulder woes. The latter will be 31 in May, a formidable reliever in his homeland derailed by the scalpel in 2007. Each man earned a reputation for missing bats in his respective league. Team officials hope one of the two can excel in the role J.J. Putz was hyped to fill before his elbow gave out last year. - link
Brewer rejoins the Mets organization after serving as the Pittsburgh Pirates rehabilitation coordinator in 2009. He left New York (NL) for the Pirates after acting as the Mets Latin American pitching coordinator in 2008. Prior to that, he spent two seasons as a pitching coach in the Mets farm system, including 2006 with Binghamton. The B-Mets finished third in the Eastern League in ERA (3.61) under Brewers tutelage in 06. Six of the pitchers from that staff went on to pitch in the Major Leagues, including Philip Humber, Matt Lindstrom and Joe Smith. Brewer, advanced to New Orleans (AAA) in 2007 where he helped the Zephyrs to a division title in the Pacific Coast League (PCL). He served as pitching coach for the Omaha Royals (AAA) in 2005. Previous to his short stint with the Royals, Brewer spent four seasons as the Minor League Pitching Coordinator for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Before assuming the coordinators role, he worked as a pitching coach in the Dodgers and Texas Rangers organizations. The former right-hander was drafted in 32nd round of the 1978 draft by the San Francisco Giants after a strong prep career at Coronado High School in Scottsdale, AZ. However, he forwent a professional career to enter the college ranks.
Luis Natera:
Natera is entering his 13th season in the Mets organization as a coach or coordinator, including three seasons as the B-Mets hitting coach (2000, 2008-09). Last year, Natera broke camp as the hitting coach with the Buffalo Bisons, but was reassigned to Binghamton in early June when Bill Masse moved up to AAA. Natera, has served as a hitting coach for New York at five different levels, including St. Lucie (2007), Low-A Hagerstown (2005-06), Rookie Kingsport (2003-04) and Low-A Capital City (1999). He was also a member of the coaching staff for the Rookie Gulf Coast League Mets in 1998. He served in his native country as coordinator of the Mets Dominican Academy in 2001 and 2002. An infielder, Natera played shortstop in the Mets organization from 1984-1988 advancing as high as the Low-A South Atlantic League. Currently, his son, Luis Natera Jr., is a Mets farmhand. In addition to Brewer and Natera, the support staff is rounded out by returnees athletic trainer Joe Golia and strength and conditioning coach Clayton Wilson. Both are in their fifth years with the B-Mets, respectively. Golia, served as one of two trainers for the Surprise Rafters of the Arizona Fall League during the offseason. Wilson is the only local on the 2010 staff. He and his wife, Jill, make their home in Endicott, NY. - link
Gotta love an organization like the Mets that dares to fly in the face of conventional wisdom. You know who else loves the Mets' organization? Used car dealers. They practically trip over themselves getting to Omar and Jeff trying to sell them a family wagon where the engine has been replaced by cupcakes and printer ink.- link
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