11/19/11

Mets 2012 Rule V Draft- End of Brad Holt Era?


As you know, yesterday the Mets made all the roster changes needed to be ready for the Rule V Draft. They added Robert Carson, Jeurys Familia, outfielders Juan Lagares, Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Cesar Puello, and infielders Wilmer Flores and Reese Havens so that no team can select these seven players in this year's Rule 5 Draft. I agree with these roster moves, and players like Familia, Lagares, Nieuwenheis, Flores,... were no brainers. However, some notable players not added and available in the draft include Jefry Marte, Mark Cohoon, Collin McHugh, and Brad Holt.

Jefry Marte is one of the talented infielders in the Mets farm system, but I seriously doubt that a team could put Marte in their 25 man roster even as a bench player. So, I do expect him back with the Mets when all is said and done.

McHugh put himself in the spotlight when he posted a 8-2 record with a 2.89 ERA in Binghamton this year, and certainly improved in comparison to years before. The Mets simply didn't have space for him, but I can see him be a viable bullpen piece for another team. In fact, McHugh tweeted, "No dice on the 40 man bid today. No worries though. Any MLB teams need a reliable/versatile arm? Dec. 8 is just around the corner...". McHugh also pitched in the Arizona Fall League due to his successful year. But, Brad Holt could also be on his way out. Yes, its is the same Holt we all knew and loved two years ago.

It wasn't too long ago that Holt was a pitching gem in Mets farm system. With his overpowering fastball, Holt was the Mets' fourth best prospect in 2009. I was a huge Holt fan as well, as I watched him dominate hitters as a Brooklyn Cyclone, but everything came crashing down as Holt moved to double AA. Posting a sub 6.00 era as a starter in Binghamton, Holt was moved to the bullpen this year and was mediocre at best. It's sad to see him go, I had high expectations for Brad Holt in the front of a future Mets rotation. But, maybe it's best if he gets a fresh start somewhere else. Maybe. a change of scenery is all he needs. I don't know, but I wish Holt the best of luck, while I wait for Generation 2K to come to Flushing.

4 comments:

Mack Ade said...

Sadiq:

I was there when he came out of Brooklyn and then minor league pitching coach, Rick Waits, changed his entire mechanics. Everything went to hell, the kid lost his confidence, and,as the scouts say, that was Mets prospect history.

Sadiq Rahman said...

It's a shame Mack, he looked like a stud once

Charles said...

The Mets did the same thing to Heilman. If it ain't broke, dont fix it.

Mack Ade said...

yes Charles, they DID do the same to Aaron...

here's the rub...

come out of school with a fastball at 95, you're a closer

have two ptiches, you're relief

have three, you start...

many kids come to the minors with basically two pitchers. Pitching coaches are then given the task of teaching a third. Sometimes (Robert Carson, Jeurys Familia) it slows down the progrss. Other times, like Holt, it just screws everything up.

You have to throw a new pitch in game conditions.

When you throw it and it isn't perfected yet, people hit it all over the place.

ERA's go up... WHIP goes Whop... egos are deflated... and confidence goes out the door