2/6/12

Mets: Travis Taijeron, Zack Wheeler, Ike Davis, Gary Carter


1-23-12 - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/23/2693134/2012-amazin-avenue-top-50-mets-prospects   #46) OF Travis Taijeron - Taijeron (pronounced like 'Tyrone') was the Mets 2011 18th rounder selection out of Cal Poly Pomona. As the center fielder for the Tritons, the sturdy-built Taijeron (6'2", 200lbs) showed off his powerful game with 16 bombs and a ridiculous .744 SLG as he battled for Div. II Player of the Year honors. And he kept right on hitting in pro ball, leading the NYPL in slugging and ISO (.258) while placing third overall in home runs in 56 games.  It's become very clear that Taijeron possesses plus-power potential. The problem is that he strikes out...a lot. He'll have to improve that 28.5 K% if he's going to have success at the higher levels though his long swing from the right side will likely always lead to high K-rates and low averages. He does help negate that with solid plate discipline (see, 9.8 BB%). And though the athletic 22-yr old played some center for the Cyclones he profiles as a corner guy. But based on his very real raw power alone he was a very nice mid-round value and remains worth watching come 2012.

1-27-12: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6509  2. RHP Zack Wheeler -Baseball-Reference Player Profile - Wheeler, the sixth pick in the 2009 draft out of a Georgia high school, came over to the Mets in late July, 2011 in a straight up trade for OF Carlos Beltran. Beltran wasn’t able to jump start the Giants offense and get them into the playoffs before becoming a free agent, while the Mets picked up one of the better young pitching prospects in the game. In fact, Wheeler and Matt Harvey (above) could easily be termed Top Prospects No. 1a and No. 1b, as they are very similar in raw stuff and big league ceiling, with Harvey having the slight edge due to having pitched successfully at a higher level. Harvey is also only 10 months older than Wheeler, who was an older high school draft. Wheeler, a 2008 PG/Aflac All-American, pitched for the East Cobb program in the summer and fall during his high school years and had a long track record of consistent improvement, not to mention good health and sound pitching mechanics, leading up to the 2009 draft. Wheeler is one of the rare pitchers that’s able to sit in the mid-90s for long stretches of time instead of just touching that level now and again. He throws with a pronounced downhill angle from an extended high three-quarters release point that gives his upper-70s curveball even bigger shape and makes it a second strike out pitch. His change up and slider are improving pitches. Wheeler’s command improved significantly after his trade and that could be the most significant factor in his eventually surpassing Harvey as a prospect and future big league pitcher.

 Personally, my fingers are crossed that Ike Davis comes back without any issues whatsoever, and I’m hoping for the best. But, one has to believe that there will be some kind of downgrade in performance — at the very least, more limited mobility in the field and/or decrease in Ike’s already slow running speed. If that’s the worst of his problems, it won’t be a big deal, since a slugging first baseman doesn’t need to run fast and doesn’t need to have Ozzie Smith -like range in the field. However, the feet do play a role in hitting, so we’ll have to keep an eye on Ike’s swing mechanics. http://www.metstoday.com/7403/11-12-offseason/mets-spring-training-question-21-ike-davis/

When the Palm Beach Atlantic University baseball team plays its season opener Thursday night at Roger Dean Stadium, the No. 8 jersey of head coach Gary Carter will hang in the dugout. Carter is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer that has sapped his strength at a frightening pace. So his Sailfish players don't expect him to wear the uniform or join them on the bench. But if he can make it to the game, they said, his mere presence will be as uplifting to them as it was in September, when they saw him for the first time since he was diagnosed with cancer in May. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/2134506.html

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