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4/24/18

Tom Brennan – METS MINORS "GLIMMERS OF HOPE"



Tom Brennan – METS MINORS "GLIMMERS OF HOPE"


Sometimes, when the team you root for (in this case, the Mets) is 14-6, you feel exuberant and optimistic.


But after the pen absolutely imploded in the last two Jake deGrom gem starts, I don’t feel exuberant and optimistic.  Sorry, I just don’t.  The Nats are the Nats, and the Braves and Phillies look like emerging serious challengers.


I may not feel exuberant and optimistic but I hope you still do.


When that happens to me, though, I look to the Mets minors for solace, for some “Glimmers of Hope.”


Sunday’s games provided several such glimmers.


2016 Mets first-round pick southpaw Anthony Kay threw six scoreless innings and fanned five, so there, for sure, is a glimmer of hope.


Carlos Hernandez (who I will continue to nickname “Carlos Who?"),  threw two more scoreless and K’d three.  In 8 innings with Columbia, 1 hit, no runs, 2 walks, 14 Ks!  Prior to this year? 12-18.  Never give up.

Peter Alonso is hitting a beastly .344/.446/.635 in 15 games for the offense-starved Rumble Ponies (he walked 3 times Monday night, and doubled, too)…Dominic Smith is no doubt looking over his shoulder.  

Smith, as you recall, is the Mets’ prospect selected before the Yanks drafted some obscure guy named Aaron Judge.  Pete Glimmers.

Matt den Dekker had two recent excellent relief appearances for Las Vegas, but on Sunday, the center fielder hit 2 homers and a double.  Second coming of Shohei Ohtani?  Why the heck not?   Matt showing that he may have something left to be a call up if needed for the Mets’ OF is a Glimmer.

3B Blake Tiberi had cooled a tad for Columbia, but on Sunday, he had a hit and 3 walks, pushing him to .345/.465/.466 after 16 games.

His teammate 1B Jeremy Vasquez loves first base – with an on base % of .472 after 16 games, he sure spends a lot of time there.  And 13 ribbies too.  He is starting to make Dom Smith nervous, too.

Ali Sanchez, that outstanding catcher when it comes to gunning down baserunners, is back from whatever injury he had which is rarely revealed without incredible sleuthing, and is 4 for 10 on the season now.  Glimmer, glimmer.

Jeff McNeil had a single, double, triple, and a walk last night.  If he stays healthy, his numbers will GLIMMER.  Of the three - Phil Evans, Gavin Cecchini, and Jeff - he might well be the best.

Lastly, while other bullpen wannabes have stumbled lately, two Brennan faves, Tyler Bashlor in AA, and Matt Blackham at St Lucie, are among the non-stumblers, putting up glimmering performance after glimmering performance.  Matt needs to trim the walks a bit in an otherwise stellar season start.  

Bashlor in 17 AA appearances in 2017 and 2018 is unscored upon in 22 innings over that span, with 33 Ks.

Other glimmers of Mets Minors hope exist, too, but we can save those for my Observations on Mets Minors Bats and Pens article at 8 AM on Friday.  Don’t oversleep.




12 comments:

  1. I think Bashlor will get his shot soon, especially if some members of the pen continue to be erratic.

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    1. His mechanics were off in the spring and he literally didn't get his fastball velocity where he likes it until like 2/3 weeks ago. Hes now ready to rock.

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  2. It is a bit early, but not to early to really ask: can Pete Alonso be the Mets' Opening Day 2019 first baseman?

    Jeff McNeil in just 10 games due to his DL stint: 2 doubles, 2 triples, 3 homers, 4 walks, just 3 Ks. I don't care if he just turned 26, he is on my watch list.

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  3. Tom:

    Re: Alonso vs. Smith

    I think Alonso is ahead of Smith right now, but it is very hard to move a player to the majors from AA. You are asking too much from him.

    Me?

    I make Flores my 2019 first baseman

    I move Smith with Crismatt as part of a package to Miami for Realmuto

    And I move Alonso to Syracuse to open 2019

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  4. Mack, I think somehow Alonso gets to AAA mid season - by early July, he might have huge numbers (20 doubles, 20 homers, well over .300) and HAVE to be promoted - which will open the door for him to a Sept call up and being on the Mets opening day next year. He just needs a full season of health this year.

    Conforto came really fast, too.

    That said, I would be happy with Flores at 1B next season as of right now.

    Were it not for the two broken hands in 2016 and 2017, he might almost be ready right now.

    Smith going in a deal would be great.

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  5. Question - does anyone remember whether the Mets seriously entertained trading for Didi Gregorius and why the Mets didn't? Dude is a superstar - hitting .324 with 24 RBIs already.

    Were we keeping a spot open for Gavin Cecchini so we felt we didn't need Didi?

    And will the Yanks score 10 runs per game the rest of the season? And why do we have to play them and Boston 9 times in total this season?

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  6. I was about to point that out -- that Conforto went from a partial season in AA to the majors and was soon thereafter an All-Star.

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  7. Reese, maybe Alonso turns out to be a better hitter than Conforto - one can hope. We need more young stars.

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  8. Tom -

    The general opinion by Sandy and Company was that Di Di was a dud dud.

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  9. Then Sandy and Company are DUMB DUMB.

    Didi is heading towards superstar status:

    2017 and 2018: 157 games, 34 doubles, 32 HR, 111 RBI, .295

    And getting better and better

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  10. I concur that the Mets will get Alonso up to AAA by July. Have to if he keeps hitting like he is. I concur Peter Alonso is on the fast track now and ahead of Dom Smith. I also concur that moving Smithand Crismatt in a package for JT Realmuto does make incredible sense.

    I like Wilmer Flores in relatively shorter stints. Once he goes longer term starting in the field somewhere, he seems to fade. Wilmer might just be a really good sixth man off the bench (NBA term). Maybe leave it at that and be happy? I think Alonso starts on first by Sept. 1st here if not sooner.

    Harvey looked fairly decent last night. Still cannot get his fastball over 94 mph, but he hit 94 mph more this outing than last two.

    I noticed that Zach Wheeler had the same issue all last night with his fastball too not going above 94 mph. Is the radar gum right at Citi Field?

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