Mets Analysis – 2012 Rookie Team Starters

I’m not going to try and predict at this point of the 2011 season, who will pitch in the rotations of the 2012 sub-A and rookie teams. I fail so consistently predicting the four full season teams so there is no reason to embarrass myself even further.

That being said, there are a few names to throw out there that will be written about much more by this time next year. We talked all season about the “Big 4” (Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jenrry Mejia, Jeurys Famila). Well, there’s another level being quietly developed (I did not include Akeel Morris here, who I have in Savannah and may be the best of the lot).

Michael Fulmer – Fulmer was a pleasant surprise as the 2^nd round pick this past June. Great high school stats (10-2, 0.72, 127-K, 68-IP), but we always questing the quality of high school competition. He was comfortably hitting 97 this past season, which is just fine with me. His sitting velo climb was 2009: 90, 2010: 95, 2011: 97. He’s pushing 6-4, and that should be about it height wise. His future will be dependent upon mastering his “slider/curve”, which has big, downward break. The Mets will move slow here, but will probably showcase him in Brooklyn next season.

photo by Allan Greene

Juan Urbina – The once 16-year old super-sign had a rough season in 2011 (Kingsport: 4-6, 5.95, 12-starts, 49-K, 56.0-IP), but the 6-2 lefty showed signs of brilliance throughout the season. He’ll play 2012 as a 19-year old, so there is plenty of time here. My concern is his projected velo is still just that, projected.

Domingo Tapia – Everybody that has seen this kid pitch gets excited real quick. He’s 20-years old, 6-4 and was throwing 100 in Brooklyn earlier this month. Stats for the season: 6-5, 3.38, 56.0-IP, 36-K, 16-BB. Needs lots of work and projects out as a future closer, but will probably start for the Cyclones in 2012.

Luis Mateo – The 21-yr. old signed with the Mets in March after originally signing with the Giants and Padres. Lots of drama (undisclosed injury, wrong age), but the bottom line is the fact he can damn well pitch. He’s sitting at 95 and his DSL stats this year were: 13-G, 6-1, 63-IP, 80-K, 5-BB. He will definitely be stateside come the spring.