8/31/11

Draft 2012: - Mike Yazstremski, Brian Johnson, C J Hinojosa, Ryan Burr, Chris Harvey




7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Mike Yazstremski, Vandy, 5’11 175, L/L, scrappy player with great bloodlines, makes solid contact and adjustments to be quality hitter at ML level, occ HR power, not a threat to hit HR, plays adequate defense and enough overall tools to be 4th OF at ML level.



8-24-11: - diamondscapescouting  - Brian Johnson (lhp/1b, Univ. of Florida) was dominant in relief of Stanek, overpowering the 18U hitters with four offerings showing distinct looks out of a similar arm slot. Johnson was 91-92 mph with his fastball and backed it up with an 80 mph change and two breaking balls -- an upper-70s curve and low-80s slider, each executed with precision.


8-30-11: - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/08/30/cj-hinojosa-set-to-attend-texas-for-2012-season  - Several Internet sites have been reporting that CJ Hinojosa will skip his final year at Klein Collins to attend Texas for the 2011-2012 school year. CJ confirmed that the news on Twitter saying: Hahah it’s crazy what people talk about… Excited to be a HORN! I knew word got out fast.. But not that fast.. Lol #Hook’Em! Hinojosa also continued and spoke to critics of his saying that he turned down a high amount of money saying: money isn’t the reason I made my decisions though, made the decision cause I plan on being successful after baseball! #life


8-30-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/08/28/ryan-burr-2012-draft-profile  - The term big strong righthander is probably used too often, but it applies in the case of Ryan Burr. He is aggressive on the mound and shows an ability to hit the corners on both sides of the plate. Burr throws in the low 90′s, usually from 91-93 and topping out at 94. His sharp curve should be a plus pitch at the next level. Burr’s third pitch is a change that he is still developing.






7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments -
Chris Harvey, Germantown Acad. HS, Norristown PA, 6’5 210, R/R, strong kid with lots of room to fill out, has ML arm, release is slow as he needs to stand to deliver to 2b, best pop times for me were 2.02 real time, has long swing with power potential, long term project but plays game right and appears to enjoy being out there.

B-Mets Pre-Game Notes


LAST GAME: Brahiam Maldonado’s solo home run off reliever Tyler Stohr broke a tie game and led the B-Mets past the Erie SeaWolves by a 4-3 score last night at Jerry Uht Park. The B-Mets jumped out to the first lead with a three-run fifth inning. Juan Lagares plated two with a single to left and starting pitcher Trevor Feeney balked home a run during the next at-bat. Erie got the runs back with a six-hit outburst in the sixth. B-Mets starter Robert Carson had tossed five scoreless innings before being pulled after allowing four straight hits. Ricky Brooks in-herited two runners and allowed both to score, tying the game. Brad Holt threw a scoreless eighth and received the win after Maldonado’s blast. Josh Stinson stranded the tying run on third when he fanned Shawn Roof to end the game.



STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP: RHP Jeurys Familia makes his 16th start with Binghamton and second against the Erie Sea-Wolves. Familia took a no-decision in his last start against the Altoona Curve on August 25. He allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits over five innings. The righty walked two, hit a batter, uncorked two wild pitches, and struck out four. Familia took the loss in his only previous start against Erie on June 1. He have up six runs (three earned) on seven hits over four innings.


LHP Jay Voss will make his 18th start with the SeaWolves and third against the B-Mets. Voss’s season started with the Lake-land Flying Tigers (High-A), where he went 3-0 with a 3.21 ERA in eight games (six starts). He was promoted to Erie in late May. Voss took a no-decision in his last start against the Bowie Bay-sox on August 26. He allowed five runs on seven hits and struck out six over six innings. It was his first no-decision in eleven starts.


BLASTING OFF: Brahiam Maldonado’s homer in the ninth inning last night was his team-leading 27th of the season. He sits second in the league in bombs, trailing Tyler Moore of the Har-risburg Senators (30). He currently ranks fourth in franchise history for homers in a single season. The 27 Maldonado is the most hit by a B-Met since Robert Stratton launched 29 dingers in 2001.


BACK TO .500: After going 2-6 with a 5.04 ERA as a starter, Brad Holt was moved to the bullpen in mid-June. Since that move, he has gone 5-1 with a 4.13 ERA out of the bullpen. His win last night raised his record to 7-7.


DON’T WANT AUGUST TO END: The B-Mets lead the league with 19 wins in August. They have won four games in a row and eleven of their last twelve contests.

Buffalo Pre-Game Notes

*Thursday’s 6:05 p.m. game against the Syracuse Chiefs is the Bisons FINAL HOME GAME of the 2011 season.* 

Buffalo Bisons (60-76, 5th(-16.5), North) vs. Syracuse Chiefs (63-71, 4th(-12.5), North)

Wednesday, August 30, 2011 (7:05 p.m.) - Coca-Cola Field

LHP Mark Cohoon (4-9, 6.37) vs. LHP Tom Milone (11-6, 3.33)

TV: Time Warner Cable SportsNet 13Radio: WWKB AM 1520, http://www.bisons.com/  

TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons host the Syracuse Chiefs in the first game of a two-game series at Coca-Cola Field (7:05 p.m.). The Herd began its final homestand of the season with a two-game sweep of the Rochester Red Wings. After tomorrow’s home finale, the Herd will end the season with five games in four days on the road.

VS. THE CHIEFS: The Bisons are 4-10 against the Chiefs this season. This series will be the fourth two-game set between Buffalo and Syracuse at Coca-Cola Field this season. The clubs split a pair April 7-8 to open the season and August 10-11. The Chiefs swept two from the Herd in Buffalo, July 2-3.

ON THE BUMP: LHP MARK COHOON will make his 17th start of the season tonight. The southpaw has posted a 2.70ERA in two starts against the Chiefs this year. Cohoon allowed just one earned run in five innings of a no-decision on July 2. He then gave up two runs in five more frames against in Syracuse on August 9.

SPIN CONTROL: INF JORDANY VALDESPIN used a lead-off home run on Monday night to extend his hit streak to eight games. Since August 22, the Triple-A rookie has averaged .406 (13-32) with four doubles, a home run, four RBI and four runs scored. In his 20 games since joining the Herd on August 10, Valdespin has averaged .289 with nine RBI.

HIT KING: OF JESUS FELICIANO is the first Bisons player in the modern era to collect three consecutive 100+ hit seasons. With 101 knocks this year, the outfielder now has 369 total hits in his Bisons career. That total is 3rd most in the modern era, just one behind Greg Tubbs and nine shy of Bill Selby’s modern era record of 378.

BISONS BITS: RHP DALE THAYER has 21 saves on the year after closing all three of the Bisons’ three-game win streak. The last Bisons pitcher to earn a save on three straight days was RHP Bubbie Buzachero, August 28-30, 2008...INF VALENTINO PASCUCCI is tied with Gwinnett’s Stefan Gartrell for the International League lead with 91RBI on the season.

METS UPDATE: The Mets (64-69) were shut out by the Marlins last night, 6-0. New York had six singles, including two each from 3B DAVID WRIGHT and C JOSH THOLE. New York hosts Florida again tonight at 7:10 p.m. LHP CHRIS CAPUANO gets the start, his first since a 13-strikeout complete game on August 26 against Atlanta.

56. Pedro Perez

56. Pedro Perez



8-9-11: - From Paul DePodesta - I was just down in the Dominican last week and saw some of the kids we had signed. Pedro Perez, who we signed, is technically a shortstop. He’s playing third base. A switch-hitter. He’s a good-looking young hitter


8-10-11: - Stock Up – Pedro Perez went 2-5, HR, 1-R, 5-RBI today as part of a 17run DSL attack on Florida. Perez continues to play out of position (3B) and has now raised his BA to .265. The 6-1 switch hitter was born in 1994… my car is older than that.


8-23-11: - DSL 2011 End of Season Wrap-Up - http://www.nyfuturestars.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35808&sid=e8719b8eddffd9bc033d0ab708d8aff5 - Pedro Perez, 16, 3B - Less heralded international signee Perez, outshined Sanchez while playing 3rd in the DSL. As a 16 year old he hit .262, hit 2 homers, drove in 38 runs, stole 15 bags, and scored 26 times. He could cut down on his Ks (47 in 210 ABs) but for now he’s interesting with a good 16 year old debut season

I May Be Wrong, But…




1. I really got a kick out of the promotions of Brandon Nimmo and Phillip Evans to Kingsport. I really don’t care what they do in the three games left there. It’s just the fact that the Mets brass wants to send a message to everyone that talent will be recognized at all levels. So far, both look like the real deal and it will be interesting to see where they start each of them out next spring. I have them in Brooklyn, but, you never know, right?


2. I read Monday that Ike Davis was seen running on his bad ankle, still trying to rehab without surgery. I’m not sure, but I think this is a different run from a month ago, which would have been different than a run from… look, Ike… bubbala… you need to make a decision post haste so the team can count on you in April. God, this so reminds me of Omar and Company.



3. Ron Paul said that Washington just wasted money saving lives in the Northeast, and Michelle Backman made jokes about the hurricane and God. Are these people out of their fucking minds? It takes an IQ of 4 to figure out that separatism isn’t going to solve the financial crisis. Do we just tie up these pit bulls and leave them in the yard? Oh, BTW, I’m a Republican.



4. Lucas Duda has made me a believer but what do we do with Nick Evans? I’ve watched him dominate both AA and AAA in the past couple of seasons, but he always tripped when he came to Queens. In his defense, he never was given an opportunity to play every day and I know that Jerry Manuel really didn’t like him. Folks, one third of everything you do in life is confidence and, without it, you’re just an Anderson Hernandez in the system. It seems to me that a 2012 with Tejada on 2B, Reyes on SS, Duda in RF and both Evans and Murphy coming off the bench… is a good plan.


5. I can’t think of any better September waivers trade than Chris Capuano to a pennant contender. He really isn’t in the rebuilding plans of the Mets and you can’t come off a better outing than his last one. You’re not going to get much, but you could roll the dice on an A+ or A-level prospect, preferably a catcher or relief pitcher.

Building 2012 Rosters Prospects First - Picks 56-60


(doing the best I can today... bad medical day... may get admitted later in day...)

56 – SP Marcos Camarena – Camarena is one of the more talented Latin arms on the short-season teams. He’s been the innings eater for Brooklyn, leading the team in innings pitched. The 6-3 righty turns 21 next month and, after a good year in Brooklyn (3-3, 3.13, 13-starts), a projection to the Savannah rotation next spring seems to be a sure bet. ETA: 2015 Mets bullpen candidate


57 – RP Hamilton Bennett – The Stache has spent some time on the DL this season, but it’s just been ticky-tacky injuries. A former 2010 29th rounder, Bennett has done little wrong so far as a Met. Basically has been in total command in Savannah (2-0, 1.90, 32-games) and will make a nice additional to a very talented 2012 St. Lucie bullpen. ETA: 2015 Mets bullpen candidate


58 – C Juan Centeno – It looks like we may have another decent hitting cather prospect. Juan has taken the FSL by storm, hitting .327 in 150-AB. Yes, he had to share time with Dock Doyle (.294), but, in my book, he has earned a starting position in the Binghamton battery next season. Oh yeah… only three errors. ETA: possible backup Mets catcher in 2014


59 – RP Jeff Kaplan – Kaplan was a workhorse for St. Lucie this season (2-5, 3.51, 44-G) and was recently promoted to AA where he’s finding his way. He’s been in the Mets system for four years and his ERA over that period has been 3.45, 2.45, 0.00 (1 game after DL), and 3.58. Kappy will return to Binghamton for the beginning of 2012, but will probably finish the season in Buffalo. ETA: 2014 Mets bullpen candidate


60 – OF Eudy Pena – Pena is another of the toolsy raw kids that come out of Central America. He was signed as a 16-year old and played his first full season this year stateside with the GCL Mets: 202 official at-bats, only 12 walks, a whopping 64-Ks and an OPS of .555. Welcome to America! No rush here… Time to speed it up; he’ll play 2012 as a 21-year old, probably in Kingsport. ERA: TBD


Rosters So Far:


Buffalo: (14) –SP Chris Schwinden, Collin McHugh, Brandon Moore, RP Robert Carson, Eric Beaulac, Jose De La Torre, IF Alan Dykstra, Reese Havens, Jordany Valdespin, Zach Lutz, OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Fernando Martinez, Mike Baxter, Juan Lagarus


Binghamton: (11) – SP: Mike Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jeurys Familia, Darin Gorski, RP Jeff Kaplan, Josh Edgin, Brad Holt, IF Juan Centeno, Jefry Marte, OF Matt den Dekker, Cesar Puello


St. Lucie: (14) – SP Greg Peavey, Taylor Whitenton, Angel Cuan, Tyler Pill, Ryan Fraser, RP Hamilton Bennett, Cory Mazzoni, Jack Leathersich, Chase Huchingson, IF Wilmer Flores, Aderlin Rodriguez, OF Cory Vaughn, Gilbert Gomez, Darrell Cecilliani


Savannah: (7) – SP Akeel Morris, Alex Panteliodis, Erik Goeddel, Logan Verrett, Marcos Camerena, RP T.J. Chism, IF Cam Maron


Brooklyn: (5) – SP: Michael Fulmer, Juan Urbina, Domingo Tapia, IF Phillip Evans, OF: Brandon Nimmo


Kingsport: (5) – SP Luis Mateo, Christian Montgomery, Steve Matz, OF Vincente Lupo, Eudy Pena


GCL: (0) –


DSL: (1) – IF Elvis Sanchez,



Happy Waiver Trade Deadline Day

Good morning all! I still say Sandy Alderson might make some moves today. Willie, Angel and Capuano could be on the move...or could be not. Let's see what happens.

Binghamton 4, Erie 3

Brahiam Maldonado’s solo home run in the ninth inning broke a tie game and led the B-Mets to a 4-3 win over the Erie SeaWolves tonight at Jerry Uht Park.



Maldonado has now homered in three straight games and ranks second in the Eastern League with 27 bombs. Binghamton has won four straight and defeated Erie in their last five meetings. The B-Mets have lost just once in their last twelve games.



B-Mets starter Robert Carson began on the right foot. The lefty needed just 13 pitches to retire the side in order in the first. He allowed a lead-off double to Bryan Pounds in the second, but got the next three SeaWolves to strand Pounds. The southpaw cruised in the third, posting a perfect inning with two more strike outs.



The B-Mets had difficulties early on against Erie starter Trevor Feeney. In his second start at the Double-A level, the righty posted a perfect inning in the first and worked around a one-out walk to Allan Dysktra to put up a scoreless second. He allowed a single to Niuman Romero in the third, but escaped harm when Romero was thrown out trying to steal second.



Binghamton almost broke through in the fourth. Juan Lagares led off with a single up the middle, extending his hitting streak to 19 games. After Reese Havens flied out to left, Lagares swiped second and moved to third on a wild pitch. He was stranded there when Allan Dykstra grounded out to third to end the inning.
 The B-Mets finally got on the board in the fifth. Mike Fisher and Kai Gronauer started the inning with back-to-back singles. After Jean Luc Blaquiere and Romero were both retired, Matt den Dekker walked to keep the rally going. Lagares roped a two-out single to left to give Binghamton a 2-0 lead. Lagares is now 7-for-12 as a B-Met with runners in scoring position and two outs.



Binghamton added another run when Feeney balked on a pick-off throw to first. The misplay brought home den Dekker from third and gave the B-Mets a 3-0 lead.



Erie struck back in the sixth inning. Shawn Roof started the frame with a triple to right field. He was quickly brought home when Jamie Johnson ripped a double to center.



The next batter, Brandon Douglas sent a pop up behind first that plopped to the outfield grass when neither Dykstra nor Reese Havens went for it. Johnson tried to advance to third, but Dysktra gunned him out. Justin Henry followed the fluky play with a scorcher up the middle.

The hit prompted Wally Backman to make a call to the bullpen for Ricky Brooks. The righty could not stop the hit parade. Bryan Pounds greeted him with a single to load the bases and Rawley Bishop tied the game with a two-run single up the third base line.



Rob Waite kept the B-Mets on a leash after taking over in the sixth. The righty worked around a one-out double by Allan Dykstra in a scoreless sixth. He retired the final seven he faced and exited with three scoreless innings of relief.



Ricky Brooks faced the minimum in the seventh and gave way to Brad Holt in the eighth. The righty worked around a one-out error by shortstop Niuman Romero to keep Erie off the board.



Tyler Stohr inherited a tie game when he entered in the ninth inning. Maldonado changed that when he ripped a 2-1 pitch over the left-centerfield fence for his team-leading 27th homer of the season. Binghamton threatened later in the frame, but could not push any more runs home.

Josh Stinson took over for Holt in the ninth. Bryan Holaday started the inning by rolling an infield single up the first base line. He moved to second on Michael Rockett’s sac bunt and advanced to third on Brent Wyatt’s ground out.



With the tying run ninety feet away, Shawn Roof failed to check his swing on a pitch in the dirt, striking out to end the game. Stinson collected his sixth save and made a winner of Brad Holt for the seventh time this season. Stohr suffered his second loss.



Carson was handed the no-decision after allowing three runs on five hits in five innings of work. Brooks suffered his seventh blown save after allowing both inherited runners to score in the sixth.

St. Lucie 2, Ft. Myers 1

The St. Lucie Mets returned home to Digital Domain Park to defeat the Ft. Myers Miracle 2-1 Tuesday night. The 2-1 victory puts the Mets at 33-31 on the second half of the season and 71-63 overall.



It was a classic pitcher’s duel as the FSL’s best pitcher, Darin Gorski and Matt Tomshaw exchange zeros through the first five innings before turning the game over to the bullpens. The Miracle drew first blood scoring on Mike Powers in the sixth inning. Powers yielded a lead-off single that came back to haunt him as two base hits later, the Miracle led 1-0. The score remained 1-0 into the bottom of the eighth inning when the Mets finally got on the board. Stefan Welch singled and advanced to third on a Jefry Marte double, Cesar Puello followed with a two-run double to left field giving the Mets a 2-1 lead, a lead they would not relinquish. Powers retired the Miracle 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth to record the win.

Mike Powers got the win tossing four innings allowing one run on four hits while striking out five. He improves to 5-5 on the season. Darin Gorski received the no-decision throwing five shutout innings allowing only two hits with four strikeouts. The Mets scattered 11 hits on the night. Stefan Welch had a three hit game and Wilmer Flores, Jefry Marte and Cesar Puello had two hits each in the win. Puello had the big hit driving in both Mets runs.



The Mets and Miracle close out their season series Wednesday night at Digital Domain Park. Armando Rodriguez gets the start for the Mets. Rodriguez comes into the game with a 4-4 and an ERA of 3.42. Rodriguez has struck out 72 while walking 26 and is holding opposing batters to a .209 batting average covering 71 innings over 15 starts.

Savannah 11 Charleston 8


The fifth game of the five game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Charleston RiverDogs was played in front of 1,099 fans Tuesday evening at Grayson Stadium. Scoring 7 runs in the 4th inning helped the Gnats win the game, 11-8.

Savannah scored 2 runs in the 3rd inning. lfAlonso Harris was hit by a pitch and scored on a triple by cfDarrell Ceciliani. A groundout scored Ceciliani. In the 4th inning Savannah scored 7 runs on three hits, a hit batter, and 4 walks. The final 2 Gnats runs were scored in the 7th inning.

Charleston out hit Savannah 11-7. Ceciliani was 2-for-4 with a double, triple, 2 runs scored, and 2RBI's. Harris was 1-for-2 with 2 runs scored. cBlake Forsythe was 2-for-4, a double, 2RBI's, and 2 runs scored.

Winning Savannah pitcher, Taylor Whitenton, (5-4) pitched 5 innings, allowed 3 runs(one earned) gave up 6 hits, struck out 5. Guillaume Leduc pitched 3 innings, allowed 5 runs on 5 hits, 1BB. Ronny Morla pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn his 10 save of the season.

8/30/11

SAVANNAH STAFF SWEEPS SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM AWARDS


Manager Ryan Ellis, Pitching Coach Glenn Abbott and Trainer Tom Truedson All Honored



Savannah, GA – The South Atlantic League has named Savannah Sand Gnats manager Ryan Ellis and Pitching Coach Glenn Abbott to the League’s Annual All-Star team. Ellis was named the All-Star team’s Manager while Abbott was named as the lone coach on the team, which was voted on by the 14 South Atlantic League Teams’ Field Managers, General Managers, and print and broadcast media.



“This is a great day to be a member of the Sand Gnats family,” said Savannah team president John Katz. “Our coaching staff, from top to bottom, has brought this group of individuals together and created a winning atmosphere, both on and off the field.”



Ellis, 32, in his first season managing the Sand Gnats, has amassed an impressive hardware collection in 2011. The Gnats first year manager, Ellis was selected to manage the All-Star Team for the Southern Division in South Atlantic League’s mid-season season All-Star game, and named as the South Atlantic League’s best manager prospect by Baseball America in their annual best tools survey. Additionally, he was elected to Point Park University’s Pioneer Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ellis served as the hitting coach for the Gnats in 2009 and 2010. He played professionally from 2000-2004, before began his coaching career with the Washington Wild Things of the independent Frontier League in 2003. He joined the Mets during the 2006 season. Ellis, who was a baseball and soccer star at Point Park History, still holds the school’s record for single season batting average for hitting .477 in 1999.



“Our staff has the perfect blend of youth and experience,” said Katz. “When you have a group of people believing in themselves and their teammates, there is nothing they cannot achieve together.”



Abbott, 60, in his 27th year as a coach in minor league baseball, has led a Gnats’ pitching staff that has been the top unit in the South Atlantic League all year long. As of August 30, the Gnats lead the SAL in team ERA (3.25), WHIP (1.22) and hits allowed (1028). Abbott rejoined the Mets organization in 2011 after beginning his coaching career with the Mets in 1985 with Little Falls (A). He coached for the Mets through 1989 and then worked for the Oakland A’s (1990-2002), the Texas Rangers (2003-2005) and the San Diego Padres (2006-2010). Abbott pitched 11 seasons in Major League Baseball for Oakland, Seattle and Detroit from 1973 to 1984 compiling a career record of 62-83 with a 4.39 ERA.

On August 18, Savannah Athletic Trainer Tom Truedson was named the South Atlantic League’s Trainer of the Year. Truedson, in his third year with the Mets (his first with the Gnats), received his undergraduate degree in Athletic Training in 2007 from St. Cloud State University and is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association.

Cutnpaste: - Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Alfredo Reyes, Skip Lockwood, Johan Santana, Mets Dogs




8-21-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/08/prospect-pulse-left-handed-hitters.html  - Kirk Nieuwenhuis - Captain Kirk, as he is affectionately known to Mets fans, was one of the “fast risers” in the Mets system before he injured the labrum of his non-throwing shoulder while making a diving catch in June. Before that he was considered the Mets best outfield prospect, and a borderline 5-tool guy. Some wondered whether his speed would be adequate for CF, and if he did have to move to a corner OF spot in the big leagues, would his power warrant playing in a power position such as RF? In 1500 lifetime minor league AB’s over four seasons, Captain Kirk has a slash line of .280/.354/.465. The key to his further development, once he recovers from surgery, is to cut down on his strikeouts. His lifetime K/BB ratio of 388/159 indicates just how far he needs to go. Chances are, a strong start to 2012, and he could be called up to the big club by mid-season.


8-23-11: - DSL 2011 End of Season Wrap-Up - http://www.nyfuturestars.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35808&sid=e8719b8eddffd9bc033d0ab708d8aff5  - Alfredo Reyes, 17, SS - The other big signee also didnt have a great debut season. In 52 games at short he hit .191, with 4 XBH (2 2B, 3B, HR) in 188 ABs. He also didnt have a great year with the glove, committing 24 errors at short in 52 games.


Although he did not make the list, Skip Lockwood should be recognized as one of the more dignified Mets relievers in the late 1970s. He was the Mets' closer between the Tug McGraw and Jesse Orosco/Roger McDowell eras. Unfortunately for him, he was also the Mets' closer during one of the darkest eras in franchise history. Lockwood first came up with the Kansas City A's in 1965 but then did not make the major leagues again until 1969 with the Seattle Pilots. He stayed with the Pilots from 1970-1973, including when the team moved to Milwaukee and became the Brewers. - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/822566-new-york-mets-top-10-relievers-of-all-time#/articles/822566-new-york-mets-top-10-relievers-of-all-time/page/2  


While the dream of Johan Santana returning from shoulder surgery to boost a playoff push has gone by the boards, Mets fans might still get to see the ace on the mound in Queens before the end of the season, as Alderson called a major league appearance "conceivable" as part of the lefthander's rehab process. "Johan's doing fine," Alderson said. "It's possible he'll pitch in a game by next weekend. The way things have gone, we're just taking it from outing to outing right now. I saw him on Tuesday last week, throw a bullpen. He felt great and was encouraged, and we talked about how we might use the rest of the minor league season, the instructional league opportunity that he has, maybe winter ball, and maybe some possibility of pitching here, if only for an inning or two, depending on where he is in his schedule." - http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2011/08/30/2011-08-30_ike_runs_as_surgery_decision_looms.html?r=sports  


Elaine Feerick described the incident. "They came at me like a locomotive," Feerick explained. She said that the dog was a pit bull (because how could it possibly not be?) and that it "looked like a wolf." Hold on to your seat Mets fans, because this story just got started. "My friend, who's terrified of dogs, ran for her life faster than I've ever seen her run before," Feerick continued. "I stood there and the pit bull rammed into me like a battering ram — amazingly, I did not go down." Amazing indeed! Why, it's almost as if the dog — perhaps! — barely bumped her and nothing more. - http://gothamist.com/2011/08/29/pack_of_stray_dogs_apparently_adds.php  

Cutnpaste: - Darin Gorski, Reese Havens, Pedro Perez, Jordany Valdespin, Mets Dynasty




8-29-11: - http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110829&content_id=23898742&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb  - (Darin) Gorski's dominance has not translated into a promotion, at least not yet, but it did earn him Pitcher of the Year honors. A Mets lefty who made the mid-season All-Star team, Gorski leads the league in ERA (2.15) and WHIP (1.02) and ranks third with 11 wins and 136 strikeouts in 26 outings (20 starts) for St. Lucie. New York's seventh-round pick from 2009 was undefeated until July 24, when he allowed three runs over seven frames to Brevard County. He was 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA in May and improved on that in June, when he finished 4-0 with a 0.79 ERA in five starts.


8-21-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/08/prospect-pulse-left-handed-hitters.html  - Reese Havens - Since the Mets made Havens their second, 1st round pick in the 2008 draft (after Ike Davis, and 22nd overall), everybody has heard what a great hitter this guy is. Many call him the second coming of Rogers Hornsby. There’s just been two problems with Havens so far. First he couldn’t stay at his native position of shortstop, because of his lack of range and foot speed, so he was moved to 2B at the start of 2010. Second, he can’t stay on the field, he is constantly injured and has averaged only 50 games, and 186 AB’s per season over his four minor league seasons. He has a lifetime .269/.367/.460 slash line, which shows some promise and pop, for a second baseman. If only he can stay on the field, the numbers say he could be something special.


8-23-11: - DSL 2011 End of Season Wrap-Up - http://www.nyfuturestars.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35808&sid=e8719b8eddffd9bc033d0ab708d8aff5  - Pedro Perez, 16, 3B - Less heralded international signee Perez, outshined Sanchez while playing 3rd in the DSL. As a 16 year old he hit .262, hit 2 homers, drove in 38 runs, stole 15 bags, and scored 26 times. He could cut down on his Ks (47 in 210 ABs) but for now he’s interesting with a good 16 year old debut season


8-29-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/822805-new-york-mets-five-reasons-to-keep-watching-in-september#/articles/822805-new-york-mets-five-reasons-to-keep-watching-in-september/page/2  - The New York Mets September call-ups will feature a number of players that could play a big role for the team in 2011. This could be your first chance to see pitchers who could be a part of the rotation or a player who could take over a spot in the outfield next year. One of the more exciting players that the Mets will likely call up is Jordany Valdespin. He has been having a great year in the minors and should be in the running for the Mets second base position next year.


With the Mets’ (62-68) season unofficially over, the focus turns to the future. And the core of the future resides near the Pennsylvania border. The B-Mets rotation features both Harvey and Jeurys Familia, a 21-year-old right-hander with electric stuff. Down in Port St. Lucie, Fla. there is Zack Wheeler, another hard-throwing righty ranked No. 35 by Baseball America. He is the prize received from San Francisco for Carlos Beltran. Wheeler is a year younger than Harvey, and some believe he has a higher ceiling. Harvey’s polish gives him an advantage for now. “I think you probably have to rate Harvey first,” said Kevin Goldstein, who covers the minor leagues for Baseball Prospectus, “but I don’t think it’s an obvious choice.” If all goes well, both Harvey and Familia are expected to appear at some point for the Mets in 2012. In a perfect world, all three pitchers would arrive in the majors by 2013. “That’s how you try to create a dynasty,” Backman said. - http://bleacherreport.com/tb/baWdk 

Kingsport Names Players Of The Year

The Kingsport Mets announced their pitcher and hitters of the year before the final home game of the season Wednesday against the Danville Braves.

Right-handed pitcher Bret Mitchell was named the pitcher of the year. A 6'1" 195 pounder, Mitchell led the team in wins as he posted a record of 5-1 with an impressive 2.95 ERA. In 40 innings pitched Mitchell allowed just 24 hits while striking out 38 batters and walking 12. Mitchell who was promoted to the Brooklyn Cyclones on August 5th, is a former Appalachian League pitcher of the week who took no-hitters into the 5th inning on three different occasions this summer.

photo by Allan Greene
Greg Pron and Dustin Lawley were both named hitters of the year. A 6'6" 195 pound outfielder from Daphne, Alabama, Pron leads the team with a .315 batting average and a .518 slugging percentage and is tied with the team lead with 6 stolen bases. He is also second on the team with 7 home runs and 30 RBI's. Lawley, who is also from Alabama (Bessemer) ranks first on the squad with 8 homers, 38 RBI's, 16 doubles, and 3 triples. He's carrying a healthy .294 batting average while playing third base, outfield, and designated hitter.

From team press release

Building 2012 Rosters Prospects First - Picks 46-50


#46 – RP Eric Beaulac – Beaulac came out of A-ball like gangbusters, but his path to the majors was slowed once he reached AA ball. Beaulac didn’t do much wrong; he just was like so many talented pitchers that just didn’t make the cutoff for 5 starters times 30 teams. So, he took a deep breath, came off the DL, and started over as a reliever. So far so good and I see no reason for him to go back to Binghamton next season. The 6-5 righty will play 2012 as a 26-year old so he should be able to play Buffalo. ETA – AAAA


#47 - SP Tyler Pill – Pill is another of the good college arms that was drafted this past June.Pill has been on the prospect sheets since his high school days, but all scouts had to put his name on hold in May 2010 when he injured his right elbow. He bounced right back and finished the 2010 season: 17-G, 15-St, 7-1, 2.28, 110-K, 98.2-IP. Pill led the team in innings pitched and there’s no reason for him to stay back in camp come April 1st. I’ve got him in Savannah – ETA: TBD


#48 – SP Brandon Moore – some might feel I have Moore a little high, but there’s a reason. Moore has been an innings eater for Binghamton this season, leading the team with 126.0-IP. He and Collin McHugh will move on to Buffalo next season to become emergency Queens starters, similar to the role Chris Schwinden played this year and Dillon Gee played in 2010. All four of these guys will most probably be passed by the “Big 4” as they heal and mature, but pitchers like Brandon are extremely important to a major league operation. ETA: 2012: AAA


#49 – OF Darrell Cecilliani – “DC” would be the first to tell you that 2011 has been a disappointing year. He started the season on the DL and just hasn’t been hitting on all cylinders all season. You can’t stumble in the minors. There are nine teams with four outfielders on each team. That’s 36 players trying to win three slots in 2014. It seems that Gilbert Gomez has already passed Darrell in the pecking order, but he will move on to St. Lucie next season. Hopefully, he will find the zone again. ETA: AAA in 2014.


#50 – C Cam Maron – Mets VP Pat DePodesa recently singled out Maron as a catching prospect, something that just hasn’t been said about Mets cathers in many years. Cam was a late round pick in 2009 that has hit well with limited at bats: 2009… .293/41-AB for GCL… 2010: .313/48-AB for GCL… 2011: .309/194-AB for K-Port. He has doubled both as DH and catcher because Kingsport has another potential catcher in Jeff Glenn Maron has easily been the better of the two and has earned a starting position in Savannah next season.


Rosters So Far:


Buffalo: (13) –SP Chris Schwinden, Collin McHugh, Brandon Moore, RP Robert Carson, Eric Beaulac, IF Alan Dykstra, Reese Havens, Jordany Valdespin, Zach Lutz, OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Fernando Martinez, Mike Baxter, Juan Lagarus


Binghamton: (9) – SP: Mike Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jeurys Familia, Darin Gorski, RP Josh Edgin, Brad Holt, IF Jefry Marte, OF Matt den Dekker, Cesar Puello


St. Lucie: (12) – SP Greg Peavey, Taylor Whitenton, Angel Cuan, Tyler Pill, RP Cory Mazzoni, Jack Leathersich, Chase Huchingson, IF Wilmer Flores, Aderlin Rodriguez, OF Cory Vaughn, Gilbert Gomez, Darrell Cecilliani


Savannah: (6) – SP Akeel Morris, Alex Panteliodis, Erik Goeddel, Logan Verrett, RP T.J. Chism, IF Cam Maron


Brooklyn: (4) – SP: Michael Fulmer, Juan Urbina, IF Phillip Evans, OF: Brandon Nimmo


Kingsport: (3) – SP Luis Mateo, Christian Montgomery, OF Vincente Lupo

Building 2012 Rosters Prospects First - Picks 51-55:


51: - SP Steve Matz – The best at thing I can say about Steve at this point in his professional career is he gives a great interview. Oh yeah, he’s from New York too. That’s two things. I had very little on him when the Mets drafted him and a lot of the fans have forgotten he’s still in the system. Hopefully, he will heal up this winter and we’ll see him in the spring. No sense in printing old velo stats; the kid is basically starting over here. He’ll start with baby steps. I have him in K-Port. ETA: ???


52: - 3B Elvis Sanchez – No, I’m not going to say that Elvis is in the house. Oh, shit. Sanchez was signed last year as a 16-year old and was hyped with having similar power as Aderlin Rodriguez. You can’t ask for more when he went yard on opening night for the DSL2 team. He wound up having one of the strangest seasons and might go down in history as the most patient teenager in baseball: 198-AB… 73-K… .157-BA… but, 62-BB! That translates to an OBP of .367 with a slugging percentage of .222. The Mets plan on working on removing his bat from his shoulder, and if they are smart, they’d leave im in the DR for another season. ETA: ???


53: - RP Jose De La Torre – The 25-year old had a banner year in 2010, relieving in 51-games for Binghamton and Buffalo and combining for a 3-2, 2.69 record. This included 80Ks in 70.1-IP. This year, most of the year was spent on and off the DL, but he did get in 20 games for GCL/Clones/Bisons and has a stat line of: 2-2, 1.09, 25-K, 24.2-IP.ome April 2012, but I might change that before this report is done. He really deserves to be in Queens. ETA: - Queens pen sometime in 2012.



photo by Allan Greene
 54: - SP Domingo Tapia – I probably have Tapia too low. He’s making quite a name for himself this season, throwing at 100 for K-Port. 2012 will be the 5th year in the Mets system for Dom, who will play 2012 as a 21-year old. I have him starting for Savannah next season, but this is a closer in waiting. You give him one more season throwing 100+ heat, plus control on some pitch with sink, and you watch how fast this kid moves. ETA: Projected Mets closer 2014.



55: - SP Ryan Fraser – I can’t wait for the off-season so I can have another interview with Ryan. This is a career reliever that was pumped at the end of 2010 when he was told he was going to start for the Sand Gnats in 2011. I thought it was just a way of getting him more innings so he can be evaluated in the future. Let’s face it, the kid just hasn’t thrown a lot in his career and his arm could use a good, seasonal test. Well, he got what he wanted, and did a good job, earning him another starting slot next spring, this time with Lucy. ETA: Mets pen 2015


Rosters So Far:


Buffalo: (14) –SP Chris Schwinden, Collin McHugh, Brandon Moore, RP Robert Carson, Eric Beaulac, Jose De La Torre, IF Alan Dykstra, Reese Havens, Jordany Valdespin, Zach Lutz, OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Fernando Martinez, Mike Baxter, Juan Lagarus


Binghamton: (9) – SP: Mike Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jeurys Familia, Darin Gorski, RP Josh Edgin, Brad Holt, IF Jefry Marte, OF Matt den Dekker, Cesar Puello


St. Lucie: (13) – SP Greg Peavey, Taylor Whitenton, Angel Cuan, Tyler Pill, Ryan Fraser, RP Cory Mazzoni, Jack Leathersich, Chase Huchingson, IF Wilmer Flores, Aderlin Rodriguez, OF Cory Vaughn, Gilbert Gomez, Darrell Cecilliani


Savannah: (6) – SP Akeel Morris, Alex Panteliodis, Erik Goeddel, Logan Verrett, RP T.J. Chism, IF Cam Maron


Brooklyn: (5) – SP: Michael Fulmer, Juan Urbina, Domingo Tapia, IF Phillip Evans, OF: Brandon Nimmo


Kingsport: (4) – SP Luis Mateo, Christian Montgomery, Steve Matz, OF Vincente Lupo


GCL: (0) –


DSL: (1) – IF Elvis Sanchez,

Charleston 9 Savannah 6


The fourth game of the five game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Charleston RiverDogs was played in front of 2,091 fans Monday evening at Grayson Stadium. The RiverDogs out hit the Gnats 16-10 to win the game by the score of 9-6.

Charleston scored their first run in the 1st inning and exploded in the second inning scoring 6 runs on 6 straight hits to take the lead 7-1.

Savannah scored their first run in the 2nd inning. 2bLuis Nieves drew a walk and scored on a triple by cfDarrell Ceciliani. Gnats scored 3 runs in the 3rd inning, dh Blake Forsythesingled to drive in 2 runs and a run scored on a ground out into a double play. Savannah scored their final 2 runs in the 5th inning.

Gnats getting multiple hits. cAlbert Cordero went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Ceciliani was 2-for-4 with a triple and 1 RBI. 3bAderline Rodriquez was 2-for-4 with a double a run scored, and 1 RBI. ssWilfredo Tovar extended his hitting streak to 8 straight games.

Taking the loss for Savannah, Gonzales Germen (7-7) pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowed 7 runs on 10 hits, 1BB, 1K. Brandon Sage pitched 2 2/3 shutout innings, gave up 3 hits. Ryan Fraser pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, 2BB, 4K. Hamilton Bennett did not allow a hit or run in 1 1/3 innings pitched. Ronny Morla pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning and struck out one.

8/29/11

Binghamton 7, Erie 5

The Binghamton Mets pounded out 15 hits and defeated the Erie SeaWolves in the series opener 7-5 tonight at Jerry Uht Park. The B-Mets have won three in a row and 10 of their last eleven. They lead the league with 18 wins in August.



Facing Casey Crosby for the fourth time this season, the B-Mets drew first blood. Brahiam Maldonado led off the second inning by sending a 2-2 pitch over the left-centerfield wall for his team-leading 26th home run of the season.

Erie struck back quickly in their half of the second. B-Mets starter Matt Harvey handed a pair of walks to start the frame. After a fielder’s choice put runners at the corners, Michael Rocket ripped a hard groundball to third that eluded the glove of Mike Fisher. The hit brought home Bryan Pounds from second to tie the game. Brent Wyatt followed with a sharp grounder to second that Jon Malo could not corral. The ball rolled into right, allowing Bryan Holaday to score to give Erie a 2-1 lead.



The advantage did not last for long. Binghamton jumped all over Crosby in the fourth. Niuman Romero started the inning with a single to left and Matt den Dekker followed by shooting a single through the hole on the right side. Jon Malo brought both home by sending a one-hopper to the left field fence for a two-run double.



Juan Lagares kept the hit parade going by sending a single back up the middle. The hit extended Lagares’ hitting streak to 18 games and plated Malo. Lagares came home later in the inning on Mike Fisher’s bloop single to left. Fisher single chased Crosby from the game. The lefty exited after allowing five runs on seven hits. Luis Marte took his place and fanned two B-Mets to end the inning.

Trailing 5-2, the SeaWolves scratched out a run in the bottom of the fourth. Justin Henry roped a one-out single up the middle, advanced to second on Bryan Pounds single to right, and scored when Harvey uncorked a wild pitch, his first of two in the inning.



The B-Mets were completely baffled by Marte. In just three and two thirds innings, the righty racked up ten strike outs. He allowed three hits, but did not give up a single run, extending his scoreless innings streak to 14 innings.



Harvey settled down after the third. The righty put up a perfect fourth inning before working around a two-out walk en route to a scoreless fifth. He exited after five innings after allowing three runs on four hits, while striking out three and walking four.



Piggy-back starter Brandon Moore came on in the sixth for his first relief outing of the season. The righty allowed a lead-off single to Holaday, but retired the next three hitters to end the inning. The righty continued the trend in the seventh when he worked around a lead-off single by Jamie Johnson to put up a scoreless inning.



Binghamton added insurance in the eighth. Eric Campbell greeted new reliever Ryan Robowski with a double off the left field fence. Dusty Ryan brought him home with a double up the third base line. Two batters later, Matt den Dekker sent a chopper to short. Cale Iorg charged and made an errant throw to first that allowed Ryan to come home and give Binghamton a 7-3 lead.



Erie struck back quickly with two runs in the eighth. Rawley Bishop and Bryan Holaday launched consecutive pitches from Moore over the left field fence to cut the lead to 7-5. Bishop’s blast was his team-leading tenth of the year.



Brandon Moore locked things down and retired the next three he faced in the eighth to end the frame. The righty returned for the ninth and needed just five pitches to retire the side in order and earn his first save of the season. Matt Harvey collected his fifth-straight win and Casey Crosby suffered his seventh loss.
 
From team press release

Draft 2012: - Travis Jankowski, Byron Buxton, Alex Bregman, Kevin Connolly, Walker Weickel




7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Travis Jankowski, Stony Brook, 6’3 195 R/R, kind of player that grows on you, makes solid contact and runs very well, 6’5, 60 guy with plus arm strength, and raw strength to add more HR power once in pro ball. Sleeper to go in top 3 rounds in 2012.



8-15-11: - http://www.draftsite.com/article/High-School-Names-to-Know/94  - Byron Buxton – OF HT-6’3’’ WT-175 Appling County (GA) The 2012 class is showing itself to be slightly deeper than assumed and this is another sleeper in this class. Byron Buxton’s name has been shooting up boards towards the end of the summer. His breakout event was the East Coast Professional Showcase this year. He showed he could be a true five tool talent – he can also pitch and has hit 94 MPH, showcasing his strong arm. An outstanding athlete, his East Coast Showcase performance has made some scouts call Buxton a version of Justin Upton with more useable speed. That is high praise and makes Buxton a top name to watch.


8-24-11: - diamondscapescouting.  - Alex Bregman (mif, Albuquerque Acad., Albuquerque, N.M.) put together one of the more impressive at bats of the two-game series, working Ryne Stanek (rhp, Univ. of Arkansas) to a full count before squaring a lively fastball for a hard single. Bregman's at bat highlighted the utility of matching these top high school bats against college arms -- evaluators can get a look at how these prep talents approach more advanced arms.



8-28-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6178  - It’s not often that a young prospect’s first experience with a Perfect Game event comes on what is arguably PG’s biggest stage. Guess it’s safe to say top outfield prospect Kevin Connolly doesn’t think small. Connolly, a 6-1, 185-pound senior at Omaha Creighton Prep, was at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium – home of the Class A Midwest League Cedar Rapids Kernels – Saturday to participate in the 13th annual Perfect Game Midwest Top Prospect Showcase. The PG Midwest Underclass is being held in conjunction with the Midwest Top Saturday and Sunday. A right-handed hitter, Connolly is Perfect Game’s No. 1-ranked prospect in the state of Nebraska and the 285th nationally. He received a favorable scouting report and a 9.5 rating (out of a possible 10) at the National, and was hoping to ratchet his rating up to a perfect 10 this weekend. He took part in the outfield throw workout Saturday morning, and took BP and played in a game Saturday afternoon.


7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Walker Weickel, Olympia HS, Orlando Fl, 6’6 195, top 15 candidate for 2012 MLB Draft, up to 93 this spring, not real overpowering but is deceptive and is unhittable when breaking ball is on, comes at you slightly cross his body from H 3/4 slow, can fill out to 220 in time.