8/19/16

Reese Kaplan -- More Roster Moves A'Coming

Lefty strikeout specialist Josh Smoker got the call and this time he might actually get into a game.  Given the sad state of bullpen exhaustion the Skipper may have no choice but to use a (gasp!) rookie at some point during the next few games.  Smoker is a former first round pick of the Washington Nationals and was derailed by some arm trouble in the past (so he should fit right in here).  Still, Sports Illustrated thought rather highly of him:

Smoker now touches 98 mph with his fastball and sits comfortably in the 95-96 mph range. He backs it up with both a slider and a splitter with some sink to it. Both are keys to Smoker's development and both have the chance to be average offerings. He blew hitters away with his fastball in 2015, but he will need more consistent secondary stuff to have success at the highest level.
Smoker has worked his way from being just about done to on the brink of impacting a big league bullpen. Continued health and some refinement could make him more than a lefty specialist.

10 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

He has been strong of late in AAA. A good move, I think.

Tom Brennan said...

He has been strong of late in AAA. A good move, I think.

Reese Kaplan said...

Keep your eyes peeled to see TJ Rivera and Ty Kelly dispatched to make room for Asdrubal Cabrera and Yoenis Cespedes. Rivera will become the new new Flores. That, in and of itself, should be grounds for Collins' termination.

Eddie from Corona said...

Fingers crossed...
regardless of the result in the Win /loss column we need a few of these guys to break through and be a low cost solution... Like Robles is for the most part has been... we have so many holes and we can't throw money to all of them...

Unknown said...

OK Kelly and TJR sent down.....seriously?????? Why do I put myself thru this every year since 62'. They say the first step is admitting you have a problem :)

Unknown said...

and of course it's NOT about the money..............DeAza anyone...PLEASE....Granderson PRETTY PLEASE

Tom Brennan said...

Idiots. Rivera hitting, Kelly .500 on base in 28 August plate appearances....but the vets get all benefit of the doubt.

Reese Kaplan said...

And I was half-joking that it would be Rivera and Kelly sent down when they've been the only productive hitters, but then again these are the Mets and they do the exact opposite of what common sense dictates.

Tom Brennan said...

Another awful loss. Bullpen screws Lugo, wheels are off. Only Jose is rockin'. Cueto is 14-3, 2.90. On Mets, he'd be 9-8.

Tom Brennan said...

Another awful loss. Bullpen screws Lugo, wheels are off. Only Jose is rockin'. Cueto is 14-3, 2.90. On Mets, he'd be 9-8.