3/30/18

Reese Kaplan -- Alderson Era Opening Day Rookies



In the past the beginning of the season often marked the start of some hot prospect’s major league career.  Nowadays, the artificial manipulation of service time usually results in the best of the best being held in AAA for 3-4 weeks to ensure another full year of financial control for the team owners.  Today is not the time to discuss the merits of how the system is being rigged, but rather to take a look at who some of the rookies the Mets brought north with them in the past and see sometimes how great expectations don’t always come to fruition.  Let’s take a look at the opening day rookies during the Sandy Alderson era.

2018 – Jacob Rhame, Phil Evans




2017 – Ty Kelly, Josh Smoker





2016 – Steven Matz


2015 – Sean Gilmartin, Rafael Montero



2014 – Jeurys Familia


2013 – Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Jenrry Mejia, Scott Rice, Greg Burke





2012 – Mike Baxter


2011 – Pedro Beato, Brad Emaus, Mike Nickeas




Hmmn…at first glance you would give credit to Steven Matz, Sean Gilmartin (who was inexplicably left off the 2016 opening day roster after providing a full season of a 2.67 ERA), Jeurys Familia and Scott Rice (before succumbing to overuse).  That’s not a lot for 8 years.

Of course, not all rookies come up to start the year.  There were some successful mid-year entrants, including Justin Turner, Wilmer Flores, Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom and Michael Conforto.  The jury is still out on Brandon Nimmo and Amed Rosario.    Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo have had their moments as well.   Hopefully the new manager will set younger ballplayers up to succeed in whatever role they’ve earned and will reward them with playing time when they produce. 


3 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Love those mid-year additions! Opening day rookies mostly low impact.

Nimmo certainly made a statement yesterday, getting on base 4 times - exactly what a manager prays that a lead off hitter will do - but with Conforto, Cespedes, and Bruce there, (not to mention Lagares), playing time will be tough. He probably deserves a lot more than he may get, but it is good to know that if one of the big 3 is injured for a while, we won't have to see a Kirk type who really is not a major leaguer sucking up at bats.

Always could shift Bruce to first to lighten the load, but Adrian G got on 4 times too. He may be ready to confound his critics.

This team has a fun problem - good players like Nimmo and Flores who will have trouble getting time in the line up. This team will score - a lot - if healthy. Catching has been a hole, but Plawecki sure seems ready to blossom, and d'Arnaud ain't chump change.

If anyone watched this team yesterday and are still pessimistic about it, may I suggest meds. I think this team is going to be really good.

Mack Ade said...

Reese -

Morning.

I could write volumes on the inadequate return of the Sandy and Company drafts, but, as long as he can get that old fart down the end of the hall to sign off on acquisitions like Frazier and Bruce, I'm fine with the mix right now.

I am actually thrilled that Nimmo has proven me wrong. Kudos to you, Brandon.

And I have said from the beginning that Rosario will be one of the top 10 shortstops in baseball.

Eddie from Corona said...

Mack
Dont be so quick to be proven wrong... its one game... not a career...
Let's see Nimmo start by winning a job... and Rosario being a top 10 or Tenth best SS isn't the bar for someone once rated the top prospect in baseball. He is expected to be in that argument of "who's better Lindor, Seager, Correa and um yeah Rosario".