SP Matt Harvey –
The
Mets certainly aren’t going to rush the right-handed fireballer, who turns 23
next month. But Harvey could show enough in his first major league camp to
start the season at Buffalo. “I’m open-minded at this point,” said Paul
DePodesta, the Mets vice president of player development and amateur scouting.
“Whatever we decide will have a longer term focus.”
Toby
Hyde:[ii]
At
the Bisons’ hot-stove dinner, Wally Backman told the good folks of Buffalo that
although he would “fight” for top pitching prospects, he expects both Jeurys
Familia and Matt Harvey to start the season in double-A Binghamton
Connor
O’Brien:
Many
“experts” are projecting Harvey as a solid number two starter, but I can
definitely see him becoming an ace of a staff if he can develop his changeup
and slider into average to above average big league pitches. At 240 pounds, he
has the build to be a workhorse on the mound, and scouts have raved about his
ability to go deep into games physically. He seems to have most of the tools
needed to succeed. I’d say that he could pitch in 2012 for the Mets, but it
would be best if the organization waited until 2013. You don’t want to rush a top pitcher like
this, not only putting too much pressure on him, but also not giving him the
experience needed to do well. He has to be given a chance to fail. The only way
to get stronger is to overcome challenges. So far, Harvey hasn’t faced too many
challenges. The Mets have to remember that he has pitched just one full pro
season so far in his career. When he gets to the majors, he could make a big
impact, immediately jumping into the Met rotation
Andy McCullough:
Along
with Zack Wheeler, Harvey is considered a key to the franchise’s future. The
team hopes he can be ready for a September call-up.
SP Zack Wheeler –
Connor
O’Brien:
So
he isn’t the picture of consistency at this point, but he has the tools to get
there. That is the reason I put him behind Harvey. Not only is Harvey going to
help the team sooner, but he is more refined as a pitcher than Wheeler, who
seems like a mysterious minor leaguer who can just whip the ball and strike a
ton of people out. You know, urban legends? OK, maybe I’m taking this a little
too far. Wheeler does have a great out pitch in his curveball that he has used
for most of his pitching career with success. The problem that concerns me is
with his mechanics. Wheeler tends to make an “inverted W” with his arms as he
stretches out during his motion. This leads to arm injuries, and is what
arguably ended Mark Prior’s career. Hopefully, Zack will be able to correct
that with the pitching coaches in the minors to prevent any serious injury
Anthony
DiComo[iii]
Wheeler
has been working diligently on improving his changeup, which he now considers
his second-best pitch. He is a good bet to start off in Double-A this season
and a long shot to reach the Majors before 2013. But the Mets are excited about
what Wheeler might be able to provide once he does. "I really don't feel any pressure,"
he said. "I just go out there and try to do my job, and not really worry
about what people say."
SP Jeurys Familia –
Toby
Hyde:
At the Bisons’ hot-stove dinner, Wally
Backman told the good folks of Buffalo that although he would “fight” for top
pitching prospects, he expects both Jeurys Familia and Matt Harvey to start the
season in double-A Binghamton
Connor
O’Brien:
Putting
the changeup aside, the major concern with Familia is his mechanics. He often
flies open in his motion, which opens up his shoulder, a nightmare for
pitchers. He isn’t using his legs consistently enough. He hasn’t gotten hurt
yet. I mentioned his arm strength earlier, which has kept him off the DL in his
career. However, if he can’t completely get rid of that inconsistency, he could
spend time on the DL often in his career. He has been working on it and
improving, I have o give him that. If you watch video of him very early and
compare it to today, he is much better. Hopefully, by the time he is a
full-time major leaguer, that problem will be fixed. I feel I’ve been a little
harsh on Familia. His stuff is ridiculous and deserves major recognition. The
mechanics and injury concerns will only be a major problem if he becomes a
starter. Out of the bullpen, he could become a flame-throwing, intimidating,
dominant reliever. Of the major pitching prospects, I’d say Familia would be
best suited in the bullpen.
David
Lennon:
Jeurys
Familia says he models himself after Pedro Martinez and Josh Beckett. Two
pretty good choices.
He
emerged as a top prospect after 2011, and could see time in the big-league
bullpen or rotation this season
Jim Callis:[v]
Steve
(Kansas): Was Jeurys Familia any close to making the list? - Jim Callis: One of
the eight editors voted him in their Top 100, and two others listed him in
their 101-150 range. So not particularly close for Familia. If someone sends me
a question about it at askba@baseballamerica.com (include name and hometown),
I'll run the complete list of everyone who received votes (and how many, and
how high their highest ranking was).
SP Jenrry Mejia –
Connor
O’Brien:
When
he comes up, Mejia will showcase a wonderful repertoire of pitches. Before
going down with TJS, Mejia was throwing a hard, sinking fastball I the 94-97
MPH range, an 86-88 MPH changeup, and a curveball that ranges from 79-81 MPH.
Overall, hopefully this injury won’t hold back. I don’t think it will if the
Mets manage him right. He has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation
starter.
From MetsBlog:
According
to SNY’s Matt Dunn, Terry Collins said it was great to see Jenrry Mejia on the
mound today. Collins said Mejia’s arm looked loose, but it’s going to be
important to see how he responds to this throwing session. Collins didn’t know what Mejia’s future role
with the club would be (whether he’d be a starter or reliever) but suggested he
could initially work as a starter so to build up his innings
Andy McCullough:
Once
the organization’s top prospect, he’s in the final stages of recovery from
Tommy John surgery. Should be ready by May.
RP Josh Edgin –
Petey
Pete:
Right
now, things are looking better as far as lefty relief throughout the system.
The emergence of such power-armed port-siders as: Rob Carson, Josh Edgin, and
Adam Kolarek
RP Jack Leathersich –
Nathaniel
Stoltz:[vi]
Leathersich
sure put up eye-popping numbers, didn’t he? Like Muno, he’s a college product
who hasn’t even pitched in Low-A yet, so let’s not go nuts, but he’s got
low-90’s heat and two solid offspeed pitches. He’s not the next Billy Wagner,
but he could be an Alan Embree sort of guy. I could see him speeding through
the minors quickly—I wouldn’t be shocked to see him this September after a sort
of Addison Reed season. More likely, he ends the year in Double-A (provided
everything goes well) and comes up in mid-2013. However, Leathersich did start
in college, and the Mets may want to try him out there; obviously, a move to
the rotation would slow his timetable considerably.
Mack Ade:
This
preseason I just want to get back out on the field and pick up from where I
left off. My hip is feeling a lot better and I am just looking forward to
starting my career as a New York Met.
RP – Brant Rustich –
2B – Reese Havens –
Connor
O’Brien:
Hopefully,
Havens will be able to stay on the field this year. This will be a key year for
him tha could make or break his career. If he stays healthy, he could earn
significant time in Buffalo, and maybe even a September call-up in New York. If
not… well there may not be another chance for Havens to step up and show what
all this buzz was really about.
Andy McCullough:
The
saying goes: If he could stay healthy, he’d be the big-league second baseman by
now. But this 2008 first-round pick hasn’t stayed healthy. Maybe 2012 will be
different.
SS Jordany Valdespin
–
Andy McCullough:
He
took a solid step forward last season, but his game still requires a good bit
of polish before he can be considered ready for the majors.
Toby Hyde:[vii]
The major concern about
Valdespin’s game is plate discipline
Petey
Pete:
The
wild-card is Jordany Valdespin, who is hardly a shortstop at all. He certainly
hasn’t fielded like one since he was placed at that all-important defensive
position. His mind, it seems is on other things which keeps him from exerting
maximum effort when it comes to his “D.” What other things? Himself, his
hitting, and mostly himself. In addition to working on his defense he has also
not embraced the “team” concept very strongly as of yet. Who knows if he ever
will.
3B – Wilmer Flores –
Toby
Hyde:
He
played mostly third base for Margarita, and Depodesta said he’ll spend time at
the hot corner this season, while still playing shortstop on occasion. “I
expect Wilmer to probably play at least two different positions during the
course of this year,” DePodesta said. “As time goes on, we’ll determine where
he spends more time.”
Connor
O’Brien:
What
keeps Flores from being a no-doubt number one prospect is his lack of ability
with his glove. He isn’t quick and not very athletic. Originally a shortstop,
Flores is transitioning to third base, where he still might have trouble.
Eventually, if his defense doesn’t develop at third, he could move to first
base, where his lack of quickness won’t hurt him so much. He has a decent arm,
so this trial at third is justifiable. Look for Flores to become a big-time hitter in
the future, however, no matter which position he is playing
Andy McCullough:
He
was once the organization’s top hitting prospect, but a stagnant 2011 showed he
still needs work at the plate. And his future as an infielder may be in doubt.
C Juan Centeno –
Petey
Pete:[viii]
There’s
Juan Centeno, who will play at AA this year. Juan’s a good catch-and-throw guy,
who has made good contact, in very limited opportunities. In five seasons in
the Mets farm system he has only averaged about 99 AB’s per year, so he really
needs to get an extended opportunity to even know if they have anything there
at all.
OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis –
Scout on
Kirk:
“I
thought he could handle center field well when I saw him in 2010. He kind of
reminds me of a left-handed version of a young Jason Michaels -- a stocky,
built guy. Physically imposing, thick-bodied kids. The ball comes off his bat
well. When Jason came up he played center, right and left. They look a little
bit alike, and they’re both aggressive players. Jason has had a decent career.
I think Kirk has had a chance to be a big leaguer for a while, but he has to
stay healthy.”
Connor
O’Brien:
In
the field, Kirk is a stud. He isn’t one of the top minor leaguers as far as
speed is concerned, (although he can steal a few bases) but he has a very good
range in center field. He can really accelerate out there, which will likely
keep him at the center field position for his career. He also has a nice arm in
center. At the plate, he continues to develop. As I mentioned earlier, he can
hit for power, along with his decent batting average. I can definitely see
Nieuwenhuis as a 20-25 home run hitter in his career, much like Lucas Duda. But
unlike Duda, he can package his speed as well as talent with the glove to
become a Hunter Pence-like player.
Andy McCullough:
A
shoulder injury short-circuited his 2011 season in Triple A. Otherwise, this
versatile outfielder might have forced many to learn how to spell his last
name.
OF Matt den Dekker –
Andy McCullough:
Blessed
with tremendous athleticism, this minor-leaguer is considered an outstanding
outfielder. His bat needs work, but made strides last season in Binghamton.
OF
Cesar Puello –
Andy
McCullough:
Added
to the 40-man for Rule 5 protection, Puello still needs plenty of time to
develop, but he has showed progress each season.
Connor O’Brien:[ix]
Projections
for Puello are often very different from each other. Many say that he is a
speedy leadoff hitter, while others see him developing power and becoming a
Carlos Beltran-type player. Personally, I have no idea. Having “power
potential” in the minors is so subjective. Nobody knows for sure how a player
will hit in the big leagues. Minor league stats only provide so much. A player
who hits 20 homers in the minors may not be projected to have the same type of
power that an A-ball player has after a five homer season. With Puello, it is
really way too early to tell. After all, he’s still only 20 years old. He
already has the speed and solid batting average
I still think Mejia could be far and away the best and most dominant starter from gen 2k. Hope it works out for him and the powers at be give him every chance to start, health permitting
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to see him back on the mound, but he threw around 14 mph.
ReplyDeleteIt'll take some time.
The plan is to pitch him out of the pen for 2012, probably first rehabbing in St. Lucie, and then either B-Mets or Buffalo.
Then, he will return as a starter in ST 2013.