#11 RHSP Rainy Lara (LR: #16)
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6' 4" Weight: 180 lb
Age: 23
Acquired: 2009 International Signing, Dominican Republic
2013: (A/A+) 8-7, 2.85 ERA, 1.8 BB/9, 7.3 K/9, 1.103 WHIP
2012: (SS-A) 8-3, 2.91 ERA, 1.6 BB/9, 10.2 K/9, 0.956 WHIP
2011: (R) 1-2, 2.22 ERA, 2.6 BB/9, 6.7 K/9, 1.233 WHIP
Year In and Year Out at each level, Rainy Lara continues to combine positive results with additional projectability. Often overshadowed by Gabriel Ynoa's success, Lara made short work of the South Atlantic League striking out 51 in 50 innings on his way to a 1.42 ERA. He was then promoted to Port St. Lucie where he was really good for his first three months there posting a 2.25 ERA and a 7.4 K/9 rate.
However, as with most pitchers making the jump from short season ball to full season, Lara faded in the month of August as he wore down from the 62 innings jump in usage over last year. Lara's bread and butter continues to be combining the excellent control of his low 90's fastball, that tops out at 93, with an advanced change-up that could be a plus MLB pitch.
The major knock against Lara continues to be his inability to fully develop a third pitch. If he is unable to develop one in Binghamton it may signal an inevitable shift to the bullpen where his limited velocity and K rates will probably cap him as a middle leverage middle innings reliever. But, there is still some room to add velocity as he fills out his pitcher's frame so the potential for a late inning reliever is still there.
Anticipated Assignment: (AA) Binghamton Mets starting rotation.
Ceiling: Back End MLB Rotation Starter
Floor: Medium Leverage Middle Innings Reliever
7 comments:
Lara's year in Binghamton will be the maker or breaker, like so many other 'prospects' from the lower levels. He doesn't blow you away with anything, his fastball doesn't hit 95 and he's a 2-pitch starter entering a three-pitch league.
This could be a tough year for Lara.
Hi gents - curious as why Fulmer at 13 and Lara at 11. Reads to me that Fulmer should be several slots higher than Lara, despite lara's better results to date.
@Tom
Fulmer does indeed have a higher ceiling than Lara....but at this point in time, Lara has passed Fulmer on the assignment chart. Combine that with the fact that Fulmer practically missed an entire season's worth of development and you get your reasoning for his drop in the rankings.
It may be short lived though. A strong start by Fulmer will jump him back over Lara in a heartbeat
James Preller · Follow · State University of New York at Oneonta
I am excited to catch some games in Binghamton this year. A lot of bubble arms that could go either way. When is a reasonable time to expect roster assignments for the minor leagues?
Christopher Soto · Follow · District I Coordinator at National Club Baseball Association
We should get a general sense of roster assignments towards the end of spring training when the minor leaguers start playing in "groups"
Tom:
Rating prospects is a tough job.
It's a combination of tools, ceiling, and performance.
Fulmer has the tools and ceiling, but he trails right now in performance.
James -
The Mets guard the names of the players on each minor league team like the location of missile silos in North Korea.
I used to sneak into the clubhouse two days before the players arrived in Savannah to read the names on the lockers.
Basically, the names on the current site are accurate. They just don't include all 25 that will be assigned there.
I have in the rotation: Lara, Bowman, Robles, Cuan, Tapia, Pants, Pill.
Obviously, some will be piggybacks while a couple (Cuan, Tapia) could come out of the pen.
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