The Keepers - #3 - RHSP - Jeurys Familia

3.             SP Jeurys Familia

“Family” signed with the Mets during the October 2007 International signing period. 2008 was spent with with the GCL Mets, where he went 2-2, 2.79, 1.14 in 11 starts. He quickly became the dean of the staff.

In 2009, Familia pitched for the Savannah Sand Gnats: 10-6, 2.69, 1.16, 109-K, 134.0-IP.

His two year professional stats are: 12-8, 2.72, 1.16

1-1-10 Forecast: - Nothing but blue sky for the 19-year old, but his job is just beginning. We’ve seen many a pitcher do well in rookie and A ball, only to fade away by the time they compete AA. Familia definitely loos like the real deal, but it is too early to tell. He’ll rotate with his Sand Gnat buddies for a new coach in Flordia and we wish him well.

5-22-10: - SP Jeurys Familia: Famila started off the season with a horrendous outing in which he gave up 7-ER in 3.2-IP (17.18). Four outings later, he’s worked his ERA down to 7.06, but he definitely has settled down his last two outings, giving up only 3-ER in 9.0-IP. You won’t see him pitching for anyone other than St. Lucie this season. One good sign is his K/IP ratio has remained high (23-Ks in 21.2-IP). He’s only 20-years old so there’s plenty of time. (update… five more decent innings tonight, giving up only one run…)

6-22-10: - Familia has had a tough time this season and some have speculated that he might be returning to Savannah to get his game together; however, he put together a good outing Monday night, with stats of: 6.2-IP, 1-ER, 7-K, 3-BB. His yearly ERA is now 6.16 and this was especially a heart breaker, since it was a 7-inng game. Jeurys was one out away from a complete game victory, but was relieved and the game was lost eventually to Bradenton. Bad game, but good outing.

6-28-10: - Giving up three earned runs in 6.1-IP may not be considered the best of outings, but it’s a good one for Familia, who’s been struggling all year long. He struck out five, but walked four. Regardless of the tough year, he still is considered a top pitching prospect

7-28-10 from: - we don’t have to talk about what a frustrating year it’s been for Familia, but he did manage to put together a decent outing last night against Brevard County. Familia went: 6.0-IP, 6-H, 2-ER, 7-K, 2-BB and lowered his season ERA to 6.13. Let’s remember he is only 20-years old and did come off two great years in 2009 (Savannah: 2.69) and 2008 (GCL: 2.79). We’ll give him a push this season and it sure looks like he will repeat Lucy in 2011.

4-8-11: - Up – SP Jeurys Familia – we’ve talked about this a number of times. The only difference between Familia and Jenrry Mejia is Jenrry can hit the barn. Jeurys has all the velo and sickness needed to make it in the pros; now all he needs is control, and he sure made a statement in his first outing in 2011:  7.0-IP, 1-H, 0-R, 0-BB, 7-K

SP Jeurys Familia – 4-19-11 – I’ve done some checking on Familia and people in St. Lucie tell me that this is a brand new version of this pitcher. One, he’s confident, but more important, he seems to be in total control of every one of his pitchers. Obviously, the transformation so far this season is making Mets fans dance in the stands. Some stats so far this season: 6.2-BB/PA, 26.2-K/PA, .140-BABIP, 56-GB%, 0-HR/Air%, 2.27-FIP, 0.54-BsRA9

4-29-11: - I had hoped that Jeurys Familia would have been promoted into this start, but instead, RHP Edgar Ramirez makes his first start of the year. Edgar has pitched in 144 games at six levels and has only started seven times. He is one of the nicest, most articulate Mets I have ever had the pleasure to meet. He always has a smile on his face and an answer to a question. I wish him well.  36th round draft pick in 2006 out of LSU. Has consistently been a “good” reliever, but just hasn’t taken that next step.

5-5-11 - SP Jeurys Familia continues to prove that he has made that critical stage. AA baseball is a dream killer and no one understood that more than he did last season, but he worked hard in the off-season and is showing the kind of control and consistently to move on. Tonight: 6.2-IP, 1-ER, 6-K, 0-BB. ERA is now a buck forty nine.  Minor league pitchers are asked to throw pitches they haven’t mastered. That’s how you get better. You sacrifice your personal stats so you can see the results of what you are trying to learn. This is what Familia went through last year and the average fan, that only looks at stats, though he was cooked. He wasn’t. He simply was learning, and what he learned is being applied this season.

5-9-11: - There’s a lesson to be learned regarding the Jeurys Familia promotion yesterday. This has nothing to do with whether or not the B-Mets needed another pitcher, or St. Lucie should have held back until after they win their first-half season division race. Promotions come from Queens, after evaluating players themselves, with input from the local manager and coaches.  Yes, sometimes the team decides to hold up as in the case of the Sand Gnats last year, but again, it’s based on individual player development, not team standings. Anyone that has spent any time watching Familia pitch this spring has seen his maturity soar, regardless of age.

5-10-11: - SP Jeurys Familia made his AA debut on Tuesday night. Seemed to have terrific control. Fastball was 93-96 and mixed it up with low-80s soft stuff. Went: 7.0-IP, 5-H, 2-R, 1-ER, 6-K, 0-BB, 1.29.

5-22-11: - I guess this was a bad outing for Familia. He only went 5.0 innings, giving up two earned runs and four base on balls. His ERA “soared” to 1.42. This was the first outing, either with St. Lucie or Binghamton, that he gave up more than three walks.

5-24-11: - Mets Minor League Pitching Coordinator Rick Tomlin to Matt Eddy/BA on Familia: - “We wanted him to have the ability to use his athleticism, to be natural and not be so inhibited…The biggest thing we did was we stood him up tall. He’s a big, strong, tall guy (listed at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds), but last year he had a bit of a crouch in his delivery. He was bent over, so we concentrated on getting his arm on a better path. He really bought into what we were trying to do…Before, Familia would crouch over a bit and the path of his arm would get wide and swing away from his body. Now he’s standing taller and he’s got his arm on a better plane.”

5-27-11: - Okay, Friday night was Harvey’s 10th start in A+ and the league has seen enough. He put up seven more shutout innings while striking out ten and it’s time for him to join his pitching bud, Jeurys Familia, in Binghamton. These two guys, plus a fully healed Jenrry Mejia, represent the future of the Mets beginning in 2013. Some still have their doubts, while others think they could see Queens next year. I really believe at this point that both these guys are for real, but neither should be rushed in 2012. Let them finish 2011 in Binghamton. Bring them to camp with the big boys in 2012, and start them off in Buffalo on opening day. Mejia should be pitching there by June and the Binghamton staff will feature Greg Peavey, Matt Barnes, and Josh Osich. Familia didn’t have as great a night as Harvey (3-ER in 5.0-IP, 7-K), but the strikeouts are still there, and his AA ERA is still 2.25. That comes to 10 starts in A+/AA, 60.1-IP, 12-ER, and 57-K while only 17-BB. I have no problem with these numbers.

6-2-11: -      It was going to happen. SP Jeurys Familia fifth turn in AA ball wasn’t one for his scrapbook: 4.0-IP, 7-H, 3-ER, 3-BB. That’s okay… his AA ERA is still 2.89 and his combined stats for the season are 64.1-IP, 61-K, 20-BB, 2.10.  Reports from the team are that he’s been asked to throw more sliders so he can develop the pitch. You have to throw what you’re trying to master and, in doing that, stats will be affected.

6-21-11: - http://www.deepleagues.com/?p=3431   Deep Leagues updated their Top 250 baseball prospects list and Familia jumped 40 positions (which is a very big jump for this website. - 176. Jeurys Familia—P, Mets (+40) Familia is starting to improve in AA, posting double-digit strikeouts in back-to-back starts

6-29-11: - team press release:  -  Jeurys Familia has been selected to represent the Binghamton Mets at the 2011 Eastern League All-Star Game at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester, New Hampshire on July 13. Starting pitcher Jeurys Familia has made eight starts for the B-Mets, going 0-2 with a 3.35 ERA in his first taste of Double-A action. The right-hander’s ratio of 10.1 strike outs per nine innings pitched leads all active B-Met pitchers. The Dominican hurler was named the 13th best prospect in the Mets’ system entering the 2011 season. He received the Sterling Organizational Pitcher of the Year award in 2009 and was named to the World Team in the All-Star Futures Game last year.

7-3-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/07/best-mets-minor-league-surprises-mid-season-edition.html  - Jeurys Familia – Binghamton, the power armed righty has started 8 games for the B-Mets after 6 good starts in St Lucie to start the season. He is still looking for his first AA win, but his other stats are scintillating. He went into the year needing to refine his secondary pitches, (slider and change-up). The good news is, he has, and his off-speed stuff is developing nicely. This could keep him in the rotation and not force a move to the bullpen. In 45.2 AA innings, he is 0-2 with a 3.35 ERA, 42 H, 51 K and 20 BB, the league is hitting only .243 against this 6’3″, 21 year old.

7-5-11: - http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/aa-weekend-harvey-valdespin-keeps-on-hitting  - Jeurys Familia made his (triumphant?) return to the mound Monday and was pretty darn sharp considering it was his first appearance since June 18: 5 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K. Sure, it’s easy to love the fact that he’s fanning over a batter an inning (57 K/50.2 IP) at AA. However, I want to see if Familia can drop his walk rate in the second half. At 23 walks in 50.2 innings, he’s walking 4 BB/9. That’s too many.

7-11-11: - Top 10 Minor League Performances in 2011 - 8. Jeurys Familia – SP – A+/AA: - 3-3, 2.63, 16-ST, 100-K, 92.1-IP – Naturally, Familia is finding it tougher to pitch in AA; however, he is making the conversion. He’ll finish the season here, return here for the stat of 2012, and be ready for Queens in 2013.

7-13-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/765098-new-york-mets-dillon-gee-and-the-mets-top-10-young-pitching-prospects#/articles/765098-new-york-mets-dillon-gee-and-the-mets-top-10-young-pitching-prospects/page/2 - Familia, who led the St. Lucie Mets with 137 strikeouts in 2010 (K per nine of 10.2), was called up to play AA ball for Binghamton this May. Earlier this season, his line (1.49 ERA, 36 K’s, 0.798 WHIP) in six games for St. Lucie certainly made the pitcher out to be a young sensation. While once a victim of terrible control issues, his velocity has been climbing and now can reach up to 96-97 mph. He’d fumbled here and there, perhaps throwing off the perceptive development curve, but most of it was due to his learning of a changeup. Familia also throws an above-average slider, sported a 50 percent groundball rate in 2011, and is working on his command. As his numbers improve, so does the general word on his scouting report and the development has been a treat for those fortunate enough to watch him. Lots of officials like Familia, and think that he could skyrocket on the 2012 prospects board. Just recently, Mets Geek called him the third-best upside arm behind Mejia and Holt.

7-14-11: - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/7/11/2270752/mets-minors-road-report-binghamton-7-9-brooklyn-7-10 - His general game plan seemed to be first pitch fastball for a strike. Period. He usually got it, too. When he got in a bit of a one-out jam in the first, he actually tripled up on his slider, which he had only thrown once to that point. It got him to 1-2 and he got the strikeout looking on the next pitch with his fastball. Also, after struggling to put away hitters in the fourth, he worked backwards more in the fifth, twice leading with his change-up to get ahead. It worked as the fifth was a seven pitch inning for Familia. As mentioned, the change-up was his out pitch, though he oddly got away from it in the back half of the fourth inning, throwing almost all fastballs and sliders.

7-14-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/764392-2011-eastern-league-all-star-game-top-10-prospects - Familia has been a breakout performer for the Mets this season. With top pitching prospect Jenrry Mejia lost for the season with Tommy John surgery, Familia and 2010 first-round pick Matt Harvey have stepped up to fill the void. Some scouts still think Familia is best suited for the bullpen, but with a power arm that produces a high-90s fastball and a strong breaking ball the Mets will take their time and see if they can develop Familia as a starter. However, if that doesn't pan out, a relief role could put Familia on the fast track.

7-26-11: - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/7/26/2287253/mets-mid-term-farm-system-review-2011-binghamton#storyjump - RHP Jeurys Familia - STOCK UP - I'm not one to toot my own horn...but beep beep. Me, Jan. 17: 'I for one am still looking for that big-time breakout campaign from Familia, just a year later than we all expected.' And so it shall come to pass. After a 2010 that saw his ERA more than double -- from 2.69 in '09 up to 5.58 in '10 -- Familia fulfilled the promise that kept him among the organization's top 5 pitchers in the pre-season rankings. He has translated increasing fastball velocity -- now in the mid to upper 90's -- and a sharpened change into exceptional results. He quickly dispatched FSL hitters, posting a 1.49 ERA and a .171 average against before being promoted after just six starts. He continued to roll initially but began to see that Double-A hitters wouldn't chase and worse, when behind they could catch a good fastball (see: seven hrs allowed). But despite finding Double-A a bit trickier, Familia still maintained a K/9 above 10 and a .239 average against. He has struggled over the past month with a mysterious injury that the club seemed happy enough to label a lack of energy. Yet it recently landed him on the DL in the form of a shoulder impingement. Regardless, he has emerged to challenge Harvey and Mejia as the organization's top minor league pitcher. 

8-13-11: - Stock Up: - SP Jeurys Familia – The best news about Saturday’s outing was the fact that Familia was on a strict 80/pitch/5-iP limit, whichever came first. Familia has very little more to prove this year and there’s no reason to over pitch him. That being said, his line was: 5.0-OP, 2-H, 0-R, 7-K, 0-BB, hit 95 consistently, touched 96.

8-22-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/814874-new-york-mets-who-the-mets-should-add-to-their-40-man-roster-on-september-1st -

Jeurys Familia P Binghampton Mets (Double-A): 20 GS with Binghamton and Single-A Adv St. Lucie 5-4, 2.81 ERA, 120 Ks, 109.0 IP  Familia, an Eastern League All-Star this season, has electric stuff and he has used it to strike out 120 batters in only 109 innings in starts for Binghamton and St. Lucie.  The Mets already have some more developed pitching prospects similar to Familia in Pedro Beato and Jenrry Mejia already in the majors and Triple-A, but with the current rotation status of the Mets they can't have enough pitching.  Familia is still a little raw as a pitcher, but he will mature quickly with a call-up to the majors in September

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9-3-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/09/prospect-pulse-buffalo-2012-help-on-the-way.html -

SP2:  Jeurys Familia - With 22 GS this season, split between St Lucie (6 starts), and Bingo (16 starts with one remaining), Familia has shown why he is one of the four top pitchers in the Mets system. Frequently hitting triple digits with his fastball is no small feat for a young starting pitcher. And while the team is trying to bring him along slowly, how can they not start him at Buffalo next year, the way he has simply dominated the hitters in AA? The Mets will add him to the quickly filling up 40-man roster this winter, and he may force their hand at some point next season, and earn a call-up. He is too good to ignore, and with this kind of talent, anything is possible. Could this be the guy to throw the Mets’ first no-no in their history? He has the stuff.

10-12-11: - http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2011/10/12/2484736/5-questions-with-new-york-mets-expert-eric-simon -  Aside from the new additions, one Mets farmhand who elevated himself to blue chip this year was Dominican righty Jeurys Familia. The 22-year old starting pitcher has always had an exciting arm but he put everything together in a 2011 season where he posted a 2.90 ERA while getting his first exposure to Double-A hitters. He also managed well over a strikeout per inning while shoring up his once shaky command and allowing just a .228 average against. But the reason scouts really love him is his projectable 6'3" frame paired with his extremely strong repertoire, which features a mid-to-upper-90s fastball as well as a wipeout slider and an improved change. Expect to see Familia not only climb to the very top of Mets' farm system rankings but to the upper tier of national prospect rankings too as he possesses the much-coveted True Ace potential.

10-10-11: - https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/132edccbf718965f - Top five Met prospects -  Sunday, October 9, 2011 - The Record - 4. Jeurys Familia, RHP, turns 22 Monday (.228 batting-average against in St. Lucie and Binghamton): 132 strikeouts in 124 innings for the right-hander who has been clocked consistently in triple digits. He could switch to the bullpen in the majors.

10-5-11: - www.baseballamerica.com – (Jeurys) Familia toned down his delivery from his phrenetic motion he showed prior to 2011, and that allowed him to throw more quality strikes with one of the EL’s most explosive fastballs. His loose, whippy arm helps him sit at 92-96 mph with hard life down in the zone. His curveball has improved, and while it has slurvy shape, it has late break at times and gives him another swing-and-miss pitch. His changeup is too firm but is a decent third pitch that plays up thanks to his premium fastball. His youth and inexperience show up most with his erratic defense and difficulties holding runners.

10-25-11: - http://www.minorleaguerundown.com/2011/10/25/2011-top-20-new-york-mets-prospects  - 2011 Top 20 New York Mets Prospects - 5.Jeurys Familia, RHP (High Class A, AA): The raw potential has always been there, and it seems as if it’s become a little more refined in 2011 (2.32 FIP at High A, 3.96 FIP at AA). Familia’s walk rate still needs work (3.13/9 IP overall, 3.59 at AA), but you have to like his improvement from the 5.50/9 IP mark of 2010. It was a welcome sign to see his high K rate stay intact, even bumping back up to his A ball levels upon a promotion to AA (up to 9.86/9 IP). Familia is largely a fly ball guy, so he’ll have to keep the strong command in check once he receives his next promotion.

11-26-11: - http://seedlingstostars.com - Jeurys Familia - Familia is fairly close to the majors, and he’s got two very dynamic pitches that could probably give major league hitters trouble right now (in a bullpen role, at least). Still, there are some major concerns with his consistency and durability, as he’s never thrown 140 innings in a season and has only put together one statistically excellent campaign. His upside is certainly enticing, but there are a fair amount of warts here. I can see Familia as sort of a right-handed Francisco Liriano – a pitcher who occasionally dazzles but often frustrates.

1-3-12 - http://mets360.com/?p=8885&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mets360%2Ffeed+%28Mets360+Feed%29  - 3. Jeurys Familia, SP, Hi-A/Double-A, 4-4, 3.49 ERA, 96 Ks in 87.2 IP - This is his line in Double-A. After a dismal year in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League in 2010, Familia returned to the same level last year and dominated, as he posted a 1.49 ERA and a 0.798 WHIP in six starts before earning a promotion to Binghamton. The scouting reports have his fastball in the mid-90s, along with a curve and changeup that are best described as works in progress. If those pitches can develop, he’ll stay in the rotation. If not, he becomes a closer candidate. Regardless, if he can avoid a repeat of the shoulder tendinitis that sidelined him for a month last year, Familia will likely pitch in the majors before either of the other two pitchers who rank ahead of him on this list.

1-10-12 - http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/top-15-prospects-new-york-mets/  3. Jeurys Familia, RHP

 BORN: Oct. 10, 1989

 EXPERIENCE: 4 seasons

 ACQUIRED: 2007 international free agent

 2010-11 TOP 10 RANKING: Off

SCOUTING REPORT: Familia looks like a dominating force on the mound and he has the fastball velocity – 93-97 mph – to back it up. Unfortunately, his secondary pitches (slider, changeup) are both still developing with the breaking ball showing the most promise of the pair. Familia has pitched almost exclusively out of the starting rotation as a pro but he’s a long-term, high-leverage reliever at the MLB level.

YEAR IN REVIEW: Familia finally broke out of A-ball after six dominating starts (1.49 ERA, 0.80 WHIP) and spent the remainder of the season in double-A. The right-hander posted a strikeout rate of 9.86 but his control regressed to its usual level (3.59 BB/9). Once a ground-ball-heavy pitcher, Familia was more of a fly-ball pitcher in 2011. I’d like to see him work down in the zone a little more consistently.

YEAR AHEAD: Familia probably showed enough at double-A for New York to move him up to triple-A to begin 2012. He has an outside shot of breaking camp with the club if he has a strong spring but he still has rough edges to smooth out. I’d be more than a little shocked if he didn’t make his MLB debut in ’12.

CAREER OUTLOOK: As mentioned, Familia is headed for a bullpen role in the Majors. If he can sharpen his slider to the point where it’s at least average on a consistent basis then he could potentially become the Mets’ closer. Otherwise, he could have a solid career as a set-up man.