Callis on Mets Draft, BTBS on Beato, Bullpen Banter on Logan Verrett, Scott Kazmir, BA On Duda

Jim Callis: I like the way the Mets came out and went after upside. They loved Brandon Nimmo and grabbed him at 13, or else someone would have taken him at the bottom of the first round. Michael Fulmer got overshadowed by Dylan Bundy and Archie Bradley in Oklahoma this spring, but he has a quality arm. If they sign Phillip Evans (15th round) and Mason Robbins (20th), that would be a nice coup. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/chat/2011/2611932.html  



Pedro Beato: The four-seam fastball has just average movement, but has very good velocity, averaging almost 94MPH. The two-seam fastball has solid velocity while possessing a terrific amount of sink. The curveball possesses decent movement, while also having really good velocity, ensuring it will be a pretty good ground ball pitch as well as potentially a good pitch for whiffs. The slider, which seems almost like a cutter, has solid movement to go along with terrific velocity. Really the only pitch that's nothing special is the change-up, which still has the same sink as the two-seamer without the great velocity. So it would seem that Beato seems like he has the potential to be the next breakout pitcher from the Rule 5 draft, more so than the other three pitchers above. However, he's FAR from a sure thing, considering: 1. If he was converted back to a starter from a reliever, he's likely to lose 1-2 MPH on his pitches, reducing their value by a good bit. 2. He never seemed able to succeed in the minors as a starter in multiple years in the Orioles organization. Certainly he could turn out to just be a mediocre reliever, even despite his potential. However, he clearly has the potential to be more - at least a top notch reliever. http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2011/6/10/2216536/analyzing-the-pitches-of-the-remaining-four-2010-rule-5-drafted#storyjump 



2-21-11: - http://bullpenbanter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=387:college-baseball-weekend1&catid=18:articles&Itemid=11  - Player: Logan Verrett College: Baylor University Position: Starting Pitcher Bats/Throws: R/R Simple delivery with high leg kick High 3/4 arm-slot Fastball had more life (arm-side run) when kept low in the zone, but tended to straighten out when elevated Change-up had good action: arm-side run and downward movement Disguised slider very well with late vertical break Also showed 12-6 curve ball; less advanced than other two secondaries Pitched off of his fastball Generally around the strike zone, but didn't have much command in this outing

 There seems to be a pretty good chance that Scott Kazmir will be released by LAA. He’s pitching horribly in his rehab assignment and there’s a good chance the Angels will just eat his $14.5mil contract. Should the Mets consider signing him for Buffalo? Look, I love what the team did with Jason Isringhausen this year, and it would be nice to see Kazmir back in a Mets uniform. He can’t ve worse than Brain Sweeney, can he?



Lucas Duda won't have the International League to kick around anymore. The Mets intend to recall the 1B/LF today to replace Nick Evans, the replacement for the inured Ike Davis. The 25-year-old Duda belted three homers and three doubles this week for Triple-A Buffalo as part of a 10-for-25 (.400) week that included a solid 4-to-5 walk-to-strikeout ratio. He's been one of the IL's hottest hitters since May 1, hitting .390, compiling a 1.415 OPS (74 PA) and bashing nine homers in 19 games . . . With a pair of home runs this week - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2011/2611933.html