"System Relief Pitching Progress Report"

This is the second in a three-part series of progress reports on the Mets farm system. In this report, we will highlight relief pitchers who are show the ability to possibly excel  in this game.

AAA – Buffalo – Elvin Ramirez – we’ve talked volumes about him The Mets lost him to the Nats in the Rule 5 draft; however, he was returned a year later due to injuries. Now fully healed, ‘El’ has been virtually unhittable at both the AA and AAA level. In 17 combined appearances, Ramirez has given up only 2-ER in 24.2-IP (0.73), while striking out 29 and walking only 8. I have no idea why he is still in the minors, unless the Mets are showcasing him for a pre-all star trade. 

AAA-Buffalo – Josh Edgin – Josh has just finished suffering from the Eddie Kunz dilemma. Everybody fell in love with this kid in spring training and there was even talk of adding him to the 25-man on opening day. Cooler heads prevailed and he was sent instead to virgin territory in the AAA level. Welcome to the almost big leagues Edgin! Everything is calming down now and his 2012 combined AA/AAA stats are: 23-G, 1-2, 3.86, 23.1-IP, 23-K, 10-BB. Edgin is still the team’s number one relief prospect and I don’t think we’ll see him in Queens this year. Let the kid settle in for the season and get back to those great 2011 numbers.  

AA-Binghamton – Armondo Rodriguez – Rodriguez was a mildly successful starter in the lower system who simply couldn’t find a rotation slot in a crowded system. The Mets have very quietly turned him into a + middle man and the stats prove it.  In 15 appearances for the B-Mets, A-Rod has a stat line of: 2-0, 2.37, 0.82, 30.1-IP, 28-K, 5-BB. There’s probably a good chance you will see the 24-year old in Buffalo before the season ends and he will compete for a 25-man slot next spring. 

AA-Binghamton – Adrian Rosario – Rosario was lights out so far this season for St. Lucie and has recently made the jump to the B-Mets. The combined stats are El Ramirez-like:  20 appearances, 1-0, 0.77, 23.1-IP, 29-K, 9-BB. The Mets have taken their time since acquiring the 22-year old. I don’t see him making Buffalo this year. The Mets need to let him throw against the quality bats at AA. 

A+ - St. Lucie – Ryan Fraser – Fraser started last season, but we need to remember that the only reason he did was to get innings and build up arm strength. He has always come out of the pen, but suffered from not pitching enough over his school career. Ryan’s back where he does his best and 2012 has proven that: 15-G, 2-2, 2.08, 1.19, 26.0-IP, 15-K, 7-BB. Fraser doesn’t overpower you. Instead, he out thinks you at the plate. He turns 24 in August so I can see him finishing the season in Binghamton. 

A+ - St. Lucie – Jack Leathersich – This year’s Josh Edgin. Jack was overpowering in the short time he spent in Brooklyn last season and then simply owned the Sally League this year. He bumped to Lucy and has been going through the quality-hitter adjustments every level offers. Still, an A/A+ combined 42-Ks in 29.0-IP can’t be ignored. Leather will finish out the season in Florida, probably go to Arizona for winter ball, open next season for Binghamton, end the year in Queens, win the Cy Young Award in 2015, and live happily ever after.