The Mets dropped both split squad games today, to bring their Spring Training record to 2-5. (Nats 11 - Mets 5, Marlins 5 - Mets 2) Not to worry. Spring Training records almost never carry over into the regular season. (And when they do, it is purely a fluke.) The important thing is the progress and performance of individual players, particularly those players who are likely to wind up on the opening day 25 man roster. Moreover, it is still very early in the Spring, and the sample size is still extremely small. So what can we take out of today’s games?
On the plus side:
Mets starters, including those vying for the #5 spot in the rotation, continue to shine.
- Dillon Gee gave up 1 ER on 4 H, 0 BB, with 1 K, but was not fully satisfied. "I'd still like to feel a little better out there," Gee said. "I still feel a little out of sync, but that's what all this is for."
- Jenrry Mejia struck out 3 in 2.0 IP, allowing 1 hit and 1 unearned run, while walking 2.
- Jake deGrom pitched 2 scoreless, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K.
Relievers were a mixed bag. Those on the plus side were:
- El Jefe of the Dominican Mafia, Jose Valverde who pitched a perfect inning, 1 K.
- Joel Carreno, who also pitched a perfect inning, striking out the side.
- Carlos Torres went 3.0 innings, allowing an unearned run on 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K.
Hitters of note were:
- Eric Young Jr. goes 2 for 3, raising his avg. to .400, OBP to .500.
- Juan Lagares (1-4) has hit safely in 3 of 4 games, now batting .333.
- Chris Young (1-3 at DH today) is holding his own, now batting .286.
- Cesar Puello continues to impress, going 1-3, hitting .375.
- Kirk Nieuwenhuis (2-4, 2B, .400) and Matt den Dekker (0-2, BB, RBI, .333) are making a contest out of trying for a bench spot.
- Brandon Nimmo (1-1) is having a fine Spring so far, raising his avg. to .600
- Zach Lutz (2-4, 2 RBI) homered, is hitting .273.
On the minus side:
Both losses came in the opponents final AB’s, as relievers faltered:
- Gonzales Germen allowed 3 ER on 2 H, 2 BB, breaking a 4-4 tie.
- John Church blew a 4-2 lead, giving up 2 ER. 2 H, (HR) BB, 3 K.
- The roof fell in on Cory Mazzoni: 7 ER, 5 H, (2 HR) 2 BB, 1 K.
Wilmer Flores (0-2) continued hitless in 11 AB, but drew 2 BB and scored a run.
I think you have to agree, the plus side far outweighs the minus.
I'm fascinated by the bias in the reports of Jenrry Mejia's day. Many bloggers and writers are calling it a shaky performance where you and other in the Mejia camp are lauding it as a solid effort. Although I'm more in his camp than most, I think if ANYONE turned in a 1 hit, 1 unearned run performance it would be time to break out the champagne. Witness the writers falling all over themselves when Thor produced similar results while giving up 4 hits and a similar number of Ks.
ReplyDeleteI guess my comments on Mejia earlier on my post could qualify as negative.
ReplyDeleteI based them as simply what Mejia did vs. the first outing from guys like deGrom, Thor, and Montero.
Mejia was NOT in command, no matter what the end result was.
Hi Mack, your comment that Mejia was NOT in command, no matter what the end result was, is factually correct, but it was on March 5, not March 25. Jennry was very happy with it, and I was too. I recall Seaver getting racked early in spring outings and then voila, it was there. Jennry walked just 4 in his 27 Met innings last year, so I'd give him a huge amount of doubt at this stage. I am betting he is lights out in his next outing.
ReplyDeleteI hear Terry's comments about the veteran pitcher's likely to fill that 5th starting role. Why not Montero or Jacob DeGrom ? It's early but they look ready! Now Thor maybe the super 2 status I get that . It just pisses me off that TC has mentality of washed up vets like Dice k over promising youth. Hard to to listen to anymore. Any while I'm the subject if TC does not win this year make it his last please!
ReplyDeleteThx for the post Hollywood Herb
ReplyDeleteAgain Thomas -
ReplyDeleteAll I do is pass along what happens... some good, some great... none to take serious at this time of the year, but good reading material :)