Mack Ade – Morning Report – 4-13-13

The Mets signed 6-3 LHRP Sean Henn, who last played in 2012 for Tacoma (AAA-PCL – 3-0, 3.64, 15-G, 29.2-IP, 29-K). I assume he will first be assigned to Las Vegas and we’ll see what happens from there. He signed with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korean League (south) and has history as a Las Vegas 51^st player.

Kevin Gallo‏ @kcmgallo90515m

"@DanMKirby: #FF Great MLB draft info! @mattgarrioch @MattGrabuskyBLF @kcmgallo905 @JSully12 @DraftProspectus @JohnMackinAde" thanks you

I’m writing this before the Thursday night game between the Nats (7-2) and the Braves (8-1). You have to root for Saturday for the team that loses Friday night’s game. I would root all year for Washington and hope that the Phillies and Atlanta split their series. Add to that a few Phillies win over Washington, and you have an outside chance for a wild card.

Oh yeah, there’s also Arizona and the Dodgers…

2014.

In a fan memory posted today on the Ultimate Mets Database, "Witz" asked when was the last time a Mets relief pitcher threw seven or more innings. The answer: Tom Gorman on April 28, 1985 in a fun 18-inning win over the Pirates. (You may remember it as the game where, because Davey Johnson had no other options, Rusty Staub had to play in the outfield. Davey kept trying to "hide" Rusty by switching him between left field and right field depending on the batter, and Rusty ended up making a running catch along the right field foul line.)

The Mets outfield is starting to establish itself. Lucas Duda (.308) is the LFer. Marlon Byrd (.250) plays almost every day. Mike  Baxter (.364) and Kirk Nieuwenhis (.182) are your backups and Jorday Valdespin (.400) takes what he can get. Keep an eye out on Andrew Brown down in AAA. He’s tearing the ball up, mostly at games played in California with normal air (.400). I really wish they would switch the Captain with Brown so Nieuwenhuis would play every day and work at his game, especially against lefties.

Another person to keep an eye on is SP Collin McHugh (2-0, 0.73, 0.73). He might deserve a second chance at the back end of the Mets rotation until Shaun Marcus comes forward (not back).

2B/3B Reese Havens continues to show why the Mets drafted him so high (.316). He has no chance of making the team this year, but he does give us renewed hope for 2014


.I will be interviewing two more Savannah Sand Gnats on their next home stand. Let me know if you have anyone in mind and also send me any questions you want me to ask ‘him’ to: macksmets@gmail.com.

Through The Fence on Travis d’Arnaud – link

Travis d’Arnaud, Toronto Blue Jays - Position: C - Ht/Wt: 6’-2”, 195 - Age: 23 - Bats/Throws: R/R - Drafted/Signed: 2007, 1st Round (HS: Lakewood, CA) - D’Arnaud was surely on his way to the show this season before a torn PCL in his knee ruined any chance of that happening. In 67 games for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons, he had 52 RBIs, belted 16 home runs and batted a solid .333. Since 2010, d’Arnaud has improved his plate skills and his throws, which have led to 12 throw-outs of 40 base stealers, better than his previous seasons. Once he is at full health, don’t be surprised if he enters spring training competing for the starting job.

BA ‘Prospect Hot Sheet – link

Rafael Montero, rhp, Mets. In his first two starts for Double-A Binghamton, Montero dominated (11 2/3 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 15 SO), showing the stuff to be a potential mid-rotation starter with good control and solid stuff across the board. The 22-year-old has shot through the minors, earning a look in big league camp this spring after opening 2012 in low Class A.

I never understand why Sandy Alderson doesn’t consider deals like the Adam Harang one that just came down. The team is currently operation with a 2-man rotation and an established arm like this could make the difference this year.

BA on John Wright – link

Jackie Robinson has rightly assumed a place as one of the most significant figures in American sports, and the anticipated movie “42″ opens today as a further tribute to his legacy. But within weeks of Robinson becoming the first African-American player in modern baseball history to sign in Organized Baseball in the fall of 1945, lanky New Orleans native John Wright became the second. A righthander with a solid array of pitches who had a decade of success in the Negro Leagues, Wright also signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers, with both Robinson and Wright set to report to Dodgers spring training in Florida for the 1946 season.

Eric Simon on Spin – link

It's very possible I'm reading too deeply into this. I mean, I'm counting words here. However, at least to one man it certainly sounded like Valdespin was getting the brunt of the blame for a mistake that was not his in any respect. All because he didn't run hard -- an effort that was inconsequential to the outcome of the play. As Gary himself states, no amount of speed would have beaten the ball. Ron proposes a what if scenario where his effort might have mattered -- but again, that's a what if, not reality. In reality, Valdespin did not matter.

                The guy is bad news… trade him