1/27/12

Mets: Jeurys Familia, Robert Carson, Frank Francisco, Matt Harvey, John Maine


1-26-12: - http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/index.jsp?partnerId=aw-6182194846943667814-996  - Scouting report: As the strikeout rate attests, Jeurys Familia has one of the best power arms in the Mets’ system. He runs his fastball easily into the upper 90s. He’s still more arm strength than anything else, but his success in Double-A shows that his secondary pitches are improving. His breaking ball should be an average pitch and his changeup, while clearly his third pitch, can keep hitters honest at times. He improved his walk rate, and the hope is his overall command will continue to get better.

1-23-12 - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/23/2693134/2012-amazin-avenue-top-50-mets-prospects  #45) LHP Robert Carson - Was I happy to see the AFL radar gun hitting 97mph this fall? Of course. Do I love his combination of size and power stuff from the left side? Who wouldn't. But ultimately, Carson has got to do something to stay up on these lists and frankly, in the past three seasons he hasn't. While it's fair to say that he was likely moved too fast, a couple of 5+ ERA's the last two years paired with consistently high walk rates, surprisingly low K-rates and ballooning opp. averages doesn't add up to a top prospect regardless of velocity or handedness. Add in the fact that his secondary offerings haven't developed as planned and it's hard to stay high on a guy who is pretty much hanging his hat on one superb season in rookie-ball almost five years ago.

Frank Francisco was, of course, signed for two years by the Mets to be the team’s closer, a role which he filled briefly in both Toronto and Texas. The fact that he doesn’t have a long track record of saves doesn’t bother me in the least, and there’s not much reason to believe he’ll struggle in the role over the next couple of seasons. It’s worth noting that Francisco held a 126 ERA+ over the past four years thanks in large part to the hitter-friendly environments in which he pitched. As a 32-year-old relief pitcher, he also figures to be a potential trade chip either this season or next since the Mets picked him up for a reasonable $6 million per year. http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/27/2752625/2012-mets-player-profile-frank-francisco

1-27-12: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6509  - 1. RHP Matt Harvey -Baseball-Reference Player Profile - Harvey was a 2006 PG/Aflac All-American and potential first round pick out of a Connecticut high school in 2007 but turned down a chance at a seven figure bonus to pitch for North Carolina. He was immediately tabbed as the potential first overall pick in the 2010 draft but struggled with consistency and command for his first two years at UNC before regaining his prospect status as a junior. The Mets picked him seventh overall and signed him to a $2.525M bonus just prior to the deadline. As should be expected (but doesn’t always happen) for a polished top college draft pick, Harvey started 2011 in Hi A and cruised through the Florida State League, then performed almost as well in the second half of the season in AA. He finished with a 13-5, 3.32 record in 135 innings, with only 47 walks and 156 Ks. Harvey throws a heavy low to mid-90s fastball and does a very good job of working down in the strike zone with the pitch. One of his distinguishing traits is that he’s able to hold his top velocity all the way through pitch counts and will often hit 95-96 mph late in games. Harvey’s top secondary pitch is a low-80s slider that has good depth and bite and is his primary strike out pitch. His curveball is primarily a show me type pitch for strikes and his change up is beginning to develop.

Honestly, we are trying to be positive. But, day after day, the Red Sox are making it very difficult not to be at least puzzled by these off-season moves. Tonight, the Red Sox signed journeyman pitcher John Maine to a minor league contract. Are you kidding me? This guy was jettisoned by the Orioles and the Mets. Maine does have fewer hits than innings pitched over his seven-year career, but he's a mediocre pitcher with a 4.35 ERA and is injury-prone. His career WHIP is 1.339. Come on. http://www.fenwaynation.com/2012/01/forget-maine.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

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