11/17/10

Cutnpaste: - Robert Carson, Jon Niese, Reese Havens, R.A. Dickey, and O-Dawg

Robert Carson:



Opening Day Age: 22 - Estimated Peak WAR: 3.0 - Notes: Carson has developed nicely since being a less-heralded, mid-round draft pick out of high school. The lefty posted a 3.67 FIP in 86.1 high-A innings in 2010 before moving up to double-A where he struggled with a 5.38 FIP and saw his strikeout rate drop from 7.19 to 5.55 K/9. Right now, Carson lacks a consistent out-pitch, although he displayed an improved changeup in the Arizona Fall League. Carson fights his delivery at times, as well as his arm slot, which leads to inconsistent control – and command. When he’s on, he produces good ground-ball rates with a sinking fastball that sits 88-92 mph and has touched 94 mph. Carson also has a slider that needs more work. His delivery in the AFL looked a little bit different than that which he displayed in regular season ball, as he appeared to be stepping toward first base a little bit more before delivering the pitch. That created more deception. Carson does a nice job of staying tall through his delivery, uses his legs well, and doesn’t put much stress on his upper body or shoulder. - fangraphs  




Michael G. Baron
 Jon Niese:
 11-15-10 from: - Project Prospect  - Niese is the type of pitcher who perennially gets underrated by prospect wonks. His mediocre fastball velocity deters a lot of people. But he gets the job done with movement and command, and the results would make a lot of power pitchers jealous. He can run his fastball into the low-90s, though it sinks a little more when it comes in 88-90 MPH. He also throws an 86-88 MPH cut fastball with late movement that’s an above-average offering. Niese is actually capable of cutting the ball to either side of the plate and isn't afraid to cut the ball inside on a lefthanded hitter – which is very rare for a lefthanded pitcher. The pitch might technically be a screwball. Niese's curveball is a true 12/6 offering with plus break. He commands the pitch reasonably well and it could easily develop into an out pitch. Niese also has a low-80s change with good tumble. The speed differential works well with his four-seamer, but if a hitter his looking for his two-seam/cutter/screwball/thingamajig then the speed differential would do little to throw off his timing. Niese generates a decent amount of force with his lower half. He picks the ball up a little late but he has a quick arm and his timing problems don't seem too severe. A pulled hamstring ended his 2009 season early. Niese should be a very good ground-ball pitcher. He has a chance to surface as an above-average MLB starter.



Reese Havens:


11-15-10 from: - http://networkedblogs.com/ayM5h  - STOCK DOWN - I think we're at the point now where we can no longer pencil Havens into the Mets infield of the future. That's not to say he can't or won't get there but he really has to prove he can stay on the field for an extended period before we can project him as a major league starter. In his three-year career, Havens has only once played more than 23 games in a season. Toby Hyde wrote that Havens has played in only 47% of his team's games since joining the organization. Havens could easily be an impact talent but as impressive as his tools are, they still need to develop and the #1 way to make sure they won't is if he keeps missing time.



R.A. Dickey:



After pitching mostly out of the bullpen with Minnesota in 2009, Dickey signed with the Mets in the offseason. Sent down to Triple-A Buffalo out of Spring Training, he started strong for the Bisons, retiring 27 batters in a row on April 29. Dickey was called up by the Mets on May 19 to take the place of Oliver Perez.



Dickey then embarked on what most would call a career season. He was 11-9 with a 2.84 ERA, good for seventh in the National League. Dickey also won six games in a row before taking his first loss as a Met, striking out 5.4 batters per nine innings. He finished as the runner-up to Atlanta's Tim Hudson as the National League Comeback Player of the Year - MiLNB 

Orlando Hudson: 


This where Orlando Hudson comes in. The O-Dawg is a bit of a character, but the kind that can inject excitement into a club. He’s also a solid fielder, having made just 82 errors in nine seasons while being part of 745 double plays for a .986 fielding percentage.



Hudson, who turns 33 next month, is a pro, the type the Mets need. He’s changed teams the past few years, from the Diamondbacks to the Dodgers to the Twins because, like many free-agents of recent vintage, became a bit pricey for a lot of clubs.

He’s not the slugger Dan Uggla is, but he is a much better fielder. His career OPS is a not-shabby .770. - beacher report  


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