Mack Ade – Morning Report – 4-3-13

I had fun yesterday spending some time with the Sand Gnats. I always try and spend some time with the hitters and CFers and give them a preview of what Grayson Stadium is like.

I’ve attended games here starting in 1990 so I have a little as they say, ‘history’ here. 

Grayson is a hitter’s nightmare and a fielder’s terror. It leads all of baseball in producing the least amount of runs, hits, and home runs. The heat never turns off an it’s Africa-like humidity drives the ball down before it goes over the fence. You just can’t attempt to increase your bat speed. Your only chance is follow-though and perfect bat to ball contact and follow-through

I’ve watched many Mets over the past seven years try to master this field and none ever hit 20 or more. Aderlin Rodriguez did hit 33, but that was over two full seasons.

You spray hit at Grayson and you take a lesson from Matt den Dekker. There is plenty of outfield out there and you can easily lead the league in doubles with the right approach.

Fielding wise (as I shared with Brandon Nimmo) you have to respect that the humidity will screw with the depth of perception you normally give to a ball coming off a bat. It’s a big outfield with plenty of gap for balls to fall in. It’s played best when you play it to your natural talent. Den Dekker moved best going away, so he played in. Slower outfielders tend to play deeper and play in. I told Nimmo to play to his game before the July humidity sets in,

Media day is fun. It’s the one day you can shoot the shit a little with some of the players.

It looks like 3B Aderlin Rodriguez may not make an opening day roster, meaning the Zack Wheeler thrown ball off his wrist caused him an OD slot. Hmm…

P Scott Kazmir may go on DL with abdominal strain

Mack Ade‏ - @JohnMackinAde7s - @WheresKernan - Brandon Nimmo says 'hey' from Savannah... says he likes you

Kevin Kernan‏@WheresKernan21m - He should :) He has right personality for NY RT @JohnMackinAde:

Jorge Castillo - ‏@jorgeccastillo12m - Mets announce Shaun Marcum didn't pitch in simulated game today after he reported neck pain in warmup. His status will be reassessed tmrw. So, basically, I wouldn't expect Shaun Marcum on the mound Sunday against the Marlins

RNN on Bobby Parnell - link

I heard an interesting story at the Savannah Sand Gnats Media Day yesterday… RHH C Albert Cordero wasn’t happy with his .194 batting average for the Sand Gants last year. So, came to spring training this year… as a lefty. Yes, that’s right, he taught himself to hit lefty in the off-season and, what I’m hearing, he’s not going to be a switch hitter either. Just a lefty. Crazy stuff.