Mack’s Apples – David Roseboom, New Year Resolutions, Middle Infield Bias, Baseball Travel, Puerto Rico

Good morning.

RP David Roseboom checked in with me about his hurt toe and its status for the  2018 reason:

“I will be 100% for season!! It was my big toe and I did not require surgery. Just needed some R and R. Hope all is well and Happy New Year!”

 Dave was a steal in 2014 as a 17^th round draft pick out of the University of South Carolina-Upstate (sorry about Clemson, David). He was a starter for his entire four years there, but the Mets immediately converted him to the pen, where he excelled until he hit the PCL brick wall in Las Vegas (8.31). Still, his 4-season pro ERA is 2.91 in 130 games, with an 8.94 K/9 ratio.

I’m thrilled to hear he’s at 100%. He’ll need it. The Mets are swimming with relievers with previous AAA experience and he’s going to have to get right back on the horse to keep guys like Drew Smith, Tim Peterson, Chase Bradford, Kevin McGowan, Ben Griset, Paul Sewald, Matt Purke, Ricky Knapp (possible starter), Logan Taylor, Kelly Secrest, Josh Prevost, and Drew Gagnon (possible starter)          

 

New York  Mets: New Year’s Resolution for 2018 –

              

          The thing that is most likely at the top of the Mets’ New Year’s Resolution list is to stay healthy. Yoenis Cespedes, who quickly rose to Mets’ stardom after coming over in 2015, was limited to just 81 games or half of a season. While Cespedes seems to have lingering health issues, a good New Year’s Resolution for him would be to play at least 130 games. If that is the case, you can lock him in for 30+ homeruns. Staying on the topic of health, the Mets should set a goal of having three starting pitchers make 30 or more starts in 2018. The Mets used 12 different starters in 2017 and only one of them, Jacob deGrom, made 30 or more starts. Virtually the Mets’ entire projected starting rotation aside from deGrom was not healthy In 2017. So, if some combination of Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, and Steven Matz is healthy in 2018, the season outcome will almost definitely look a lot better for the team.

 Rotograph  -  Exploiting Middle Infield Bias -

Owners still think middle infield is still a scarce position. I believe most experts have been making this mental adjustment for years and can’t stop. This adjustment is not going to end with many top prospects at the middle infield positions (e.g. Gleyber Torres, Brendan Rodgers, Bo Bichette). Owners need to fight and try to eliminate this internal bias when constructing their team. The source of production is irrelevant if owners grab as much possible talent before the curve flattens out.

The debate continues about the importance of middle field defense. You know how I feel about this.

The Great American Pastime,  Baseball , Makes A Great Travel Destination In 2018 –

                            

        Now, the razed stadiums are replaced by monoliths of architectural splendor, raised to encompass a greater number of fans and a greater number of sponsors. Food courts have replaced the small kiosks which offered hotdogs, pretzels, peanuts, beer and soda. Now, the hungry sports fan can enjoy a lobster melt in Fenway Park, a tuna poke bowl in Dodger Stadium, a Smoked Bacon Mac and Cheese in Miller Park, or even a Killer Kilbane Dog (hotdog with relish, peanut butter and sriracha sauce) in Cleveland’s Progressive Field.

         AFTER A MUTED CHRISTMAS,  PUERTO RICO LOOKS TO BASEBALL –

        

    Catcher René Rivera, a free agent who last season played for the Mets and Cubs, made good on his promise to spread goodwill and gifts around the island. In the days leading up to Christmas, he played Santa, delivering $25,000 worth of toys collected in the States to 100 communities.

                          Rivera’s slogan was #NoKidLoseHope. Now the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League is pushing so that no fans lose hope, moving up the start date of its already truncated 2018 season by one day, to Jan. 5.