Last night I attended a charity dinner during which there
was a silent auction in which I placed the winning bid on a pair of tickets to
the hometown El Paso Chihuahuas and the visiting Las Vegas 51s on a week from Friday. On Saturday, the 14th, you should have a first-hand game report.
I was looking forward to seeing a great many players in AAA who might someday be a part of the big club. Word had initially filtered out that Dominic Smith would be starting the season on the 10 day DL. In fact, the press release that came out on Tuesday showing the Las Vegas 51s roster didn't even have Smith's name on it. However, a story ran after the conclusion of the Mets 2-0 victory over the Phillies that Smith will indeed suit up for Las Vegas' opening day on April 5th. If that's the case, then I should get to see how Smith looks when the 51s ride into Las Vegas on Friday the 13th. (Insert your Jason joke here!)
As of right now, there's nothing carved in stone, but it would appear that the 51s' rotation should include Zack Wheeler, Chris Flexen, Corey Oswalt, Mickey Jannis and a converted reliever. The bullpen is mighty crowded, particularly with the announced intention of converting P.J. Conlon into a reliever. He joins fellow southpaws Matt Purke, David Roseboom, Kelly Secrest and Kyle Regnault, along with righhanders Logan Taylor, Tim Peterson, Kevin McGowan and Jamie Callahan.
Around the infield you'll temporarily see a lot of Matthew Oberste at 1B until Dom Smith works himself back into health and the organization's good graces, probably Gavin Cecchini at 2B, Luis Guillorme at SS and David Thompson at 3B. There are three catchers listed but I would expect veteran receiver Jose Lobaton to get the lion's share of the work since the other two -- Colton Plaia and Jeff Glenn -- are not exactly what you'd consider prospects.
The outfield for the 51s looks to be somewhat promising offensively with newcomers Zach Borenstein, Bryce Bentz and Matt den Dekker likely getting the starting nods, with Patrick Biondi and utilitymen L.J. Mazzilli and Ty Kelly rounding out the roster.
With the rare opportunity to see the minor leaguers in a live game, I'm looking forward to seeing what the seemingly reenergized Cecchini, gloveman extraordinaire Guillorme, slugger David Thompson and several of the pitchers can do.
It's also going to be interesting to see how veteran minor league manager Tony DeFrancesco and new pitching coach Glenn Abbott do at the helm of the Mets' highest minor league affiliate. After parting ways with the volatile Wally Backman who had been named Manager of the Year in 2014 (going 306-267 during his tenure), the Mets promoted Pedro Lopez to the top job last season after rocketing through their minor league system. Unfortunately he hit a wall in AAA, compounded by the myriad of Mets' injuries which necessitated pillaging his roster to fill out the big club. As a result, the Las Vegas team went a dismal 56-86. In the minor leagues even after several consecutive winning seasons you apparentlly get the ax for losing.
Unless the Mets start scavenging Las Vegas' carcass like they did repeatedly last season, the 56-86 squad of last year could become the 86-56 squad in 2018 - much better talent, in my opinion. Even without Amed Rosario.
ReplyDeleteReese, we need some selfies with the players!
ReplyDeletePeople will come. Oh yeah, people will come. They will get into their cars without any reason and drive to the stadium wondering why they went there.
ReplyDeleteAnd pitches will pitch. They will throw normal balls in normal atmosphere thinking that they don't understand all the complaining everyone has done about pitching in the PCL.
And managers will manager. And if they don't do this well, ole Reese will be there to write about.
Why?
Because it's baseball. And it's a warm beautiful night in El Paso, and what the hell else are you supposed to do in this town?
Some dodge border patrol agents for fun in OL' El Paso. There's lots to do there :)
ReplyDeleteThrough 4 games, Mets are hitting .289, 2.75 ERA, 11.5 Ks per 9, .750 win %. May that continue all year.
ReplyDeleteOf course, Gregorius has 9 RBIs in 5 games and the SF Giants have 6 in 5 games, so things don't continue as is.
Bryce Harper thru 5 games? .400/.542/1.200. Sick.
Last night's game was interesting.
ReplyDeleteThey had a working man's approach to winning that.
The offense was nothing to write about, Harvey's fastball topped off at 92, his slide didn't slide, and Familia made you hold his breath once again every time he threw a ball. All this added up to added up to a 3-hit shutout.
Well, there's the trip out to "the wall" in the New Mexico desert to shoot paper targets planned for that weekend as well :)
ReplyDeleteExciting, Reese.
ReplyDeleteI think I would have left Lugo in for the 9th, as he was super sharp in the 7th and 8th, and because Familia might not be available if needed this afternoon now. Familia gives you John Franco agita when he closes, for sure.
I think the better analogy is Armando Benitez -- strikeouts or the roof caving in.
ReplyDeleteThe Mets didn't demote Pedro Lopez just because of the 51's losing season . Among other reasons was the fact that players called up were not prepared by the manager or coaches for their promotion to the big leagues. That was the main reason for his being demoted this past off season.
ReplyDeleteWhere is Kacz? Bingo I guess (answering my own question).
ReplyDeleteOK, why is Kacz in Bingo?
Reese/ mack any shot Gsellman may be the future closer?
ReplyDeleteEddie -
DeleteMy guéss is Gsellman will remain as the long man while starters work on thier increased innings and limited amount of pitches throw.
Is is premature to look past that.
They do have to consider what happens after this season when some good arms are likely to test free agency.
ReplyDeleteKacz had an injury late in ST and will be on the DL to start the season.
ReplyDeleteThis is the last season for Reese to be able to see Mets farmhands unless he moves about 1000+ miles Northeast.