8/20/11

Cutnpaste: Luke Stewart, David Wright, Lucas Duda, Jose Reyes, Defense



Luke Stewart:


8-14-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/08/kingsport-mets-team-report-stretch-run-edition.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29&utm_content=Twitter   - Luke Stewart - This 6’4″ lefty hitting 1st baseman, from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, was the Mets 20th round pick in the 2010 draft. He is an intriguing player because of his power potential, although he has yet to show much power in his professional career so far. In 97 AB’s with Kingsport this year he is hitting .247, with 18 Runs, 24 Hits, 5 2B’s, 1 3B, 4 HR’s, 18 RBI’s, his K/BB ratio is 33/15, and his OPS stands at .792. The strikeouts tell the tale, too many against rookie league pitching. If Stewart ever wants to be considered a prospect, he needs to find a way to cut down on the strikeouts and put the ball in play more.


David Wright:


8-18-11: - http://www.metstoday.com/6922/opinion-and-analysis/mets-2011-end-of-season-review  - David Wright’s last few seasons have been marred by injury and poor play. Yes it’s true he hasn’t been the same player he was prior to the last few years. The again, since his return back from his back injury he’s finally moved closer to the plate – something I think every Met fan has been screaming for him to do for the longest time. His approach has been reminiscent of his early years and he’s definitely swinging through the ball much more than his recent trademark uppercut that drives Keith Hernandez up a wall in the booth. What does that mean in reality? Well since his return his numbers speak for themselves. Now can he continue to adhere to this adjustment and not fall into bad habits again? Perhaps bringing the fences in slightly will provide him and others that psychological crutch that CitiField hasn’t been able to offer so far. Only time will tell.


Lucas Duda:


8-19-11: - http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/duda-and-willingham-waiver-wire  - Duda has hit three of his five home runs since August 1, including jacks on back-to-back days, the last of which was a sizable smash in San Diego. It’s this new power that has made him a person of interest, as without it, he’s a decidedly less interesting option. The power first showed up last season, when Duda hit 40 doubles and 23 home runs between Double- and Triple-A, so this year’s outbreak isn’t unprecedented, in fact, Duda hit five home runs in the last 10 games before his call up after having hit only five total in April and May. It isn’t as though Duda raked all through the minors and is just now getting a chance to do it in the pros. He had shown good doubles power, but the home runs are a relatively new addition, which makes it somewhat harder to predict whether they’re going to persist. His hot month overstates his ability, but 15-20 given a full season of consistent playing time doesn’t seem outlandish. Anything more than about 3 HR a month is a bonus


Jose Reyes:


Jose Reyes -- The Mets' leadoff dynamo was the first-half MVP. Unfortunately for him, the season kept going. Reyes was so spectacular early that he still ranks in the top 10 in WAR. But he has played in only 18 games since July 2. And his team sits 20 games out of first. So the most succinct current summation of his candidacy we heard went like this: "Nope - http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/rumblings110819/nl-mvp-race-open  


Defense:


Defensive improvement is tantamount for success in 2012 and beyond. In the short-term, with the Mets looking to trim payroll for next season, they can look to the 2008 Rays and 2010 Padres for guidance. Both those teams used greatly improved defense — along with efficient bullpens — to stay competitive. And for the coming years? With Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and Jeurys Familia all dealing on the farm, the future will revolve around pitching. They will require a reliable group behind them. They will need something better than this. - http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2011/08/mets_land_in_real_catch-22_due.html  

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