Mets: Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Jack Leathersich, Tim Tuefel, Dan Murphy

1-27-12: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6509  5. OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis -Baseball-Reference player profile - If it weren’t for June labrum surgery on his non-throwing shoulder that cut his season off after 53 games, the 6-3/215 Nieuwenhuis could well have made his big league debut in 2011 and perhaps not even have been eligible for this list. He was hitting .298-6-14/.908 OPS as a 23 year old in AAA at the time he was hurt. Consistency has been the left hand hitter’s trademark since he was drafted in the third round out of NAIA Asuza Pacific in 2008. Nieuwenhuis doesn’t have a true plus tool, but does everything well on the field. Despite his size and just average Major League running speed, Nieuwenhuis has played centerfield almost exclusively since signing due to his instincts and ability to run routes. And while Nieuwenhuis has hit 17 and 18 home runs in his two full seasons in the minor leagues, he does hit enough doubles to qualify as a potential run producer. The big question for Nieuwenhuis is whether his instincts in centerfield will translate to enough range to cover the large outfield in Citi Field. That would give the Mets a centerfielder with some power for the position, whereas he would fall below the ideal production line should he be relegated to a corner position.

1-30-12 - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/30/2757346/2012-amazin-avenue-top-50-mets-prospects-21-30  LHP Jack Leathersich - The Mets 2011 fifth rounder selection out of DII UMass-Lowell, Leathersich absolutely blew away the competition in his short pro debut. Yes you're reading those numbers right, he struck out 26 of the 47 batters he faced. 55% of them. That's an otherworldly 18.47 K/9. Obviously 12+ innings is a short sample and we can't get too overexcited but that's pretty much best case scenario for any short debut. And that was after striking out 126 in 89 innings this spring as a junior. Leathersich is a 21-yr old lefty who isn't exactly the tallest but has a sturdy 5'11", 205 lbs build. He is known for a his mid-90's heat as well as a bit of an unorthodox delivery -- like many undersized lefties with such velocity. He also throws an inconsistent yet promising curve. Before bolting for San Diego, Mets former scouting director Chad Macdonald stated that though he made his debut in relief the team will consider Leathersich as a starter based on the promise of his secondary offerings. I'd say it's probably doubtful that he sticks as a starter long-term but it's not hard to imagine Leathersich in a role similar to Kansas City rookie reliever Tim Collins.

Tim Teufel takes over for Chip Hale, who left to be Bob Melvin’s bench coach in Oakland. Last spring training, as the manager of Triple-A Buffalo, Teufel sought out Murphy to get him to improve his defense. “He took quite a bit of time to help me out last spring and I think that’s going to pay off, because now he knows what I do well and what I don’t do well,” said Murphy, who spent yesterday afternoon visiting kids at Cohen Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park and will be honored tonight at the Thurman Munson Awards Dinner in Midtown. Murphy’s unfamiliarity with the double-play pivot led directly to both injuries and although he was able to avoid surgery each time, that will be a main focus when he gets to Port St. Lucie on Feb. 10. - http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/mets_get_teuf_on_murphy_SUj0y79NfMIt9fCVurm00L#ixzz1l2lfHAQs

In 2011, Daniel Murphy hit .320 in 391 at bats with an OBP of .362. He crushed 28 doubles in less than 400 at bats. The “doubles” stat is important to consider. Without speed, Murphy would likely need to hit his way to second base rather than nab it on a steal. And I am sure the Mets would like the OBP to elevate toward .390, but Murphy has such a good command of the strike zone I think he could make that leap. You can either put Torres or Ruben Tejada,  who can bunt well, behind him. Those leadoff doubles could quickly become a man on third with one out situation for David Wright http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/01/31/coutinho-can-daniel-murphy-bat-leadoff-for-mets/