It’s time for a chicken and egg argument. Did rookie ballplayers for the most part do
poorly because they weren’t prepared sufficiently for the majors or were they
misused upon arrival by the guy with the lineup pencil? What we will see is a fresh start in both
regards this season with a revamped minor league leadership team and a new
manager in the dugout in Queens.
Think about the previous ugly season in which a great many
rookies made their debuts and second year players were forced into the lineup
due to a multitude of injuries. By my
count you had the following non-veteran players given their first tastes of big
league opposition and pretty much showed they weren’t quite up to the task:
- Jamie Callahan
- Gavin Cecchini
- Chris Flexen
- Robert Gsellman
- Ty Kelly
- Seth Lugo
- Tomas Nido
- Tyler Pill
- Kevin McGowan
- Matt Reynolds
- Dom Smith
- Jacob Rhame
- Amed Rosario
- Josh Smoker
- Travis Taijeron
Phil Evans was one of the few who made the most of his
limited opportunities, batting .303 in just 33 ABs while Asdrubel Cabrera and
departing free agent Jose Reyes played every day. So naturally, of course, they outrighted him
off the 40-man roster. I also give a
pass to Paul Sewald who pitched solidly until overuse began to wear on him in August
and September. Chasen Bradford was
actually pitching better at the major league level than he did in the minors
through a 33 inning rookie debut.
Some of the aforementioned lackluster bunch are likely not
in the mix anymore as they too have been booted from the 40-man roster. Travis Taijeron left the organization to sign
a minor league deal with the Dodgers and Tyler Pill will play his trade once
more in Las Vegas.
Others probably are going to either be traded, cut loose or
banished to AAA. This group would include
McGowan, Flexen, Cecchini and Reynolds.
I assume the high strikeout totals of Josh Smoker will merit him one
more long look and the newcomers called up at the tail end of the year –
Callahan and Rhame – will get a chance to show their stuff to the new boss.
The interesting thing to watch this year with a new approach
to both training and motivation whether or not the idea they indeed did not
receive sufficient preparation has merit or was it more a reflection of the
major league staff and how they did or did not use these players. Michael Conforto, Wilmer Flores and others
know what it was like to produce but be shown the bench in favor of lesser
performing players. Again, new
management should mean a new approach.
I would expect a few non-roster invitees to make some noise this year. Drew Smith who came from Tampa in the Lucas Duda deal had the best stats of any of the multitude of relievers acquired. If he’s still here, Adonis Uceta will be interesting to watch, as will the protected players Tyler Bashlor, Gershon Bautista, Luis Guillorme and Corey Oswalt. There’s not a lot of talent in AAA so I would expect fortifications to come from outside the organization.
13 comments:
Some succeed, some fail...Collins did not help Taijeron but the organization may have just seen him as strikeout-prone filler. It would not have hurt to give him another 30-40 ABs. Sewald was abused in early May, but survived. Now his job is not to be an essentially one year wonder like Rice and Gilmartin.
Phil Evans earned a real look for 2018.
It is always great to wake up and read a piece on rotting Mets minor leaguers.
Thanks Reese for your consistency :)
With so many "dubious performances" maybe we can name them the Doobie Brothers. Just a thought...
or smoke a few...
When did Conforto "produce but get shown the bench"? I must have missed that even while watching every game.
That's not fair, Mack. I usually write about the manager, front office or major Leaguers who rot 😁
You know Reese, you consistently put out good articles and I enjoy reading them. But, I don’t get your over the top negativity that accompanies all of the good content. None of us were happy with the way last season unfolded and it was time for Terry to go, but the organization did something anout it with managerial changes and revamping the medical department.
It is a new season with a team that should bounce back to at least a playoff contender.......we aren’t that far removed from 2015 and 2016, which were fairly successful.
In short, can’t we be optimistic about 2018? At least until we have a legitamite reason not to be?
Most of us turn to sports to get away from the non-stop drivel that the regular media feeds us on a daily basis. I, for one, think you are a better writer then that.
Mike
Mike -
I have always asked my writers to write how they feel.
Reese has always done that and, honestly, he has always been a Debbie Downer about Sandy and Company.
The balance here is Tom Brennan who could find something good in a tumor.
Me? I go both ways.
(I probably could have said that better...)
No response re:Conforto's "benching"?
@Mike -- I have not leveled any criticism about the new manager or coaches. However, until I see new talent on the ballfield then Sandy Alderson gets everything he deserves.
No update on Conforto's "benching"?
Ok what about Valdespin or Millidge or some of the other flameouts under the Minaya era ? Not defending the current admin but it’s not entirely fair to only point to their faults
Mack not so sure about Tumor, but I always do with....Tebow. LOL.
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