Tom Brennan - IS MICKEY JANNIS DICKEY II?
Mickey Jannis is a member of that highly limited, weird and whacky club - KNUCKLEBALLER KLUB.
The righty was a former 44th rounder in 2010. What did he have to lose by throwing the knuckleball?
The Mets signed him in 2015, and in 2015 and 2016, he pitched some in A ball and a lot in AA - and stunk, with an ERA around 5.60.
In AA in 2017, he showed marked improvement:
8-7, 3.60 in 21 starts.
But full season 2017 stats don't tell the full story.
In July and August 2017 in AA, and now in the Arizona Fall League, he has tossed a total of 59 innings, allowed 51 hits, 11 walks, fanned 45 and put up a 2.28 ERA.
I wonder if he just might turn out to be a truly rare species:
SUCCESSFUL MLB KNUCKLEBALLER.
People thought RA Dickey was nuts. Then he won a Cy Young. Then he got rich. It is my understanding that Jannis throws around 90, so mastery of the knuckler just might lead to Dickey-like future results.
I will assume Jannis isn't taken in the Rule 5 draft and is still in the Mets fold in 2018: given the Mets' pitching miseries in 2017, maybe Jannis keeps right on improving and arrives in Queens sometime in 2018.
He does turn 30 in December, but RA Dickey's Mets debut as a knuckleballer came when he was 35.
In the Knuckleballer Klub, Jannis is a mere babe.
Time to spare. He just has to knuckle down.
A 2.28 ERA is a wonerful thing to target oneself with, but, as you know, a 2.28 in the minors/winter leagues is much different than the show.
ReplyDeleteNeeds a killer 2018 to make me a believer.
I agree Mack, time for Jannis to knuckle down.
ReplyDeleteMets release Aoki .. down to 33
ReplyDeleteI really hope this guy makes it! The Mets could use a guy who can eat innings without throwing 98 and risking injury every outing.
ReplyDeleteThe Mets are reportedly looking to sign a veteral "innings eater" on a short - term deal. R. A. is a FA, and could be a mentor for Jannis.
ReplyDeleteMike, I echo that sentiment, and Bill, one could hope.
ReplyDeleteAoki, we barely knew ya. Sayonara.
ReplyDeleteAoki ain't necessarily gone. He's a FA, but if he wants to stay here and doesn't get a great offer elsewhere, he could still be our #5 OFer in '18. The Mets don't want to pay him $6 mil, but he might end up coming back for 3 or 4.
ReplyDeleteHere's how I measure a pitcher: Would I use you in the playoffs? If he knows how to control it, he could give other teams fits. If he has no idea where it's going, he will give his team fits. I can't bet on him, but would give him chance to impress me.
ReplyDeleteAs for the fifth outfielder, Howie Kendrick. Can play first base and platoon with Dom on occasion, can play right field and platoon with Brandon on occasion, and can play third and second. He took a while to get an offer last year, but I'd give him two years at $5MM per year. Classy guy, too.
Aoki would be fine as a spare outfielder if deployed that way and not used as an everyday regular like the senile manager chose to do. Ditto Jose Reyes. However, it's all about the Benjamins and his price would have to plummet for the Mets to be in the market. I'm thinking the $2.5 million range would be their comfort zone given what a part timer like Flores is set to earn.
ReplyDeleteIs there any way you might be able to discuss ANY topic without turning it into another of your endlessly repeated attacks on Terry? Do you really think Aoki or any other #5 would've gotten significant #s of ABs if the regular corner OFers were healthy?
ReplyDeleteLet the equus mortis RIP!
Kendrick seems a quality add. If Aoki returns cheap,not a concern to me. He is a fine 4/5 candidate.
ReplyDeleteMets website had interesting comments on Jannis:
ReplyDeleteJannis had been released by the Rays in 2011 following two seasons with the organization that bore little fruit. It was a scenario that was obviously difficult on him, but his confidence in his secret weapon never deterred. After washing out as a conventional pitcher, he adopted a new goal: To stand out in independent ball with the new pitch.
"I always knew I had a good knuckleball," Jannis, now in the Mets organization, told MLB.com. "I knew it was a longshot, but I felt more confident going that direction than sticking with what I was doing.""I know it's tough as a knuckleballer -- there aren't a whole lot of people that you can really talk to who have been there, done that," Candiotti said. "I know on my way up I had a lot of help with guys like Joe Niekro, Phil Niekro, Charlie Hough. These guys were willing to help, and if I have a chance to help somebody, I was going to come and help him out."
Candiotti, a 16-year MLB vet, was impressed with what he saw, calling it an "A-plus" pitch and welcoming Jannis into the knuckleball community with open arms.
It's not an easy club to join. Many pitchers don't even consider adding it to their repertoire, due to some trust issues with incorporating it into their standard pitches.