The Gamers vs. The Gifted: McHugh vs. Familia

Getting to the top of the list and at this point we're getting to some gifted pitchers who are simply SO good that beating them is a tall order. The flip side is that some of the upper-level gamers are nearly ready to assume duties of becoming a major league starter (albeit sometimes in the back end of the rotation).

Full Name: Collin Alexander McHugh

Born: 06/19/1987

Birthplace: Covington, GA

College: Berry Col

Height: 6' 2"

Weight: 195

Bats: R

Throws: R

Sometimes, like with Gorski, a player emerges from the ether. You don't see things coming they're just suddenly there. That isn't REALLY the case with McHugh. He had a strong 2009 in Brooklyn, a strong 2010 in Savannah and after skidding a bit in St. Lucie he flew high in Binghamton.

Like one or two other names I listed on the "Gamer" side of the table. McHugh fringes on the level of being "Gifted". His fastball DOES touch 93, he has five pitches and his breaking stuff isn't bad. He's just not in the league of raw talent with some of the other Met pitchers around him.

McHugh will be the #2 pitcher in AAA to start 2012 and could see a call due to injury at any point. The Mets will be less concerned about protecting McHugh due to his lack of "Gifted" status and that is JUST FINE with me. I can see McHugh being better than a #4 pitcher if things break right.

McHugh's Scouting Report:

• 6’2, 195 lbs. A better athlete than what he looks. He could add more muscle to his frame, soft body.
• Unorthodox motion. Very long on the arm take back, but gets his arm up in plenty of time as his front foot plants.
• He has cleaned his mechanics, which has helped him gain some velocity to his FB.
• Repeats his mechanics very well with little effort at release. Gets momentum going to the target, helping him throw strikes consistently.
• Over the top delivery. Gets good downward plane with extension to the plate.
• Fastball: 89-92 with some glove side run, topping out at 93 once or twice. Commanded it well in, out, up and down. Last year his fastball was mostly 87-90.
• Curveball: 71-74. 11-5 break. Slow looping, not hard sharp bite. Plays up a bit due to command. Uses it as a get me over pitch as well as a chase pitch in the dirt.
• Slider: 84-86. Best offspeed pitch he throws for me. Gets late bite to it with some depth and tilt. The late bite is the key for hitters not being able to recognize it and square it up. Throws it with confidence. Best swing and miss pitch.
• Cutter: 84-86. Very similar to his slider only lacked the downward action. Used it to get in on lefties. Threw a couple of front-door cutters to righties too.
• Change-up: 80-81. Did not use the change-up often. Tried to guide it instead of letting the grip do the work for him at times. Had some fade to the glove side.

Full Name: Jeurys Familia

Born: 10/10/1989

Birthplace: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Height: 6' 3"

Weight: 185

Bats: R

Throws: R

For all the Harvey and Wheeler hype, I think we forget which of the gifted pitchers in Generation 2K is CLOSEST to the majors. Familia was promoted to AA before Harvey, he's not injured (like Mejia) and control... is REALLY not an issue.

So... why is Familia listed BELOW Harvey? Well... while he clearly has two PLUS pitches... he lacks that third pitch. I'm hoping that 2012 is the year of the change-up for Jeurys and he learns to throw it for strikes as well as a swing and miss offering.

Like Mejia and some other pitchers I've heard that a move to the pen is "inevitable". These words that smack of finality upset me. You can't say that anyone will absolutely succeed or fail at anything until you see them do it. Take a look at Brandon Belt's "Can't Miss" rookie campaign.

Familia's Scouting Report:

• Big strong physical body with more room to add bulk (6’3”, 185lbs). Long arms and big hands. Ideal power pitcher’s frame and physique.
• Good mound presence. Very calm demeanor on the mound.
• Fastball: 94-96 with life in the zone and arm side run. When he gets extension, the ball explodes out of his hand. A true plus fastball when it is good.
• Slider: 78-83. When he gets his release point out in front, the slider is really good. Tends to get a little slurvy at times. Good arm speed. When good it has sharp downward bite, swing and miss pitch.
• Change-up: 80-82. Worst offering by far. He babies this pitch, telling me he lacks confidence in it. Key pitch to attack lefties and for his development as a starter.
• High ¾ release point. Could add more velocity with more leg drive and effort.
• Great attitude and work ethic. Very pleasant young man to talk with.

If you asked me which pitcher was a better overall package I'd go with Familia. His stuff and control make him a straight-up better pitcher than McHugh. HOWEVER if you ask me who has a better shot to be a major league starter... I have to go with McHugh whose 5 pitches are just as meaningful as a fastball that tops 95 with regularity. So McHugh wins? No... I'm going to shy away from this one and call it a tie.