Tom Brennan – 12 METS MINORS DARK HORSES REVISITED

Tom Brennan – 12 METS MINORS DARK HORSES REVISITED

Several months back, I did a short series of articles focusing on Mets Minors Dark Horses – 12 guys in total.

I thought I would take a gander at these 12 to see what is going on for them currently, ranked by their degree of success in 2018 so far:

JEFF MCNEIL:

Said at the time:  

“Jeff is a player I really like, but one who's only amassed about 75 plate appearances this (2017) year (as of the time of that article) and last (2016) year due to serious injuries.” 

2018 STATUS:

After his obligatory (but thankfully this time short) trip to the DL this April, he has merely had a .609 slugging % in April and a .750 slugging % in May through May 13.  Average over .300, OBP over .400.  He is clearly making himself very relevant.

2018 GRADE SO FAR: A+

 

TIM PETERSON:

Said at the time:

”In AA in 41 games spanning 55 IP, he allowed only 7 earned runs, good for an eye-popping 1.14 ERA...Bob Gibson ERA territory. My guess (for 2018) is he’ll do just fine while he’s waiting for that call up to Queens.”

2018 STATUS:

Tim has had one bad outing this year, and he had just one last year. This year, though, the pride of Puyallup, WA has a 0.92 WHIP and 32 Ks in 21 innings in Vegas, for which he deserves a gold medal.

2018 GRADE SO FAR: A

 

ANTHONY DIMINO:

Said at the time:

“Another even smaller guy started with just 5 HRs in over 700 PAs in his first 3 minor league years and has done all right - his name?  Jose Altuve.  Why couldn't Dimino follow an Altuve career path, power-wise and otherwise, at least to some good degree? Dimino's versatility has been on full display...60 games at catcher, and another 52 games at 1B, 2B, 3B, and the OF.  And 21 of 31 career steals shows he's got get up and go. A mere 70 career Ks show he makes more contact than flypaper.”

2018 STATUS:

Dimino started slowly, but caught fire recently (9 hits and 2 walks in his last 4 games, and .319/.405/.383 career).

2018 GRADE SO FAR: B

 

TIM TEBOW:

Said at the time:

“A true wild card dark horse at age 30 – will he explode with the bat, now that he has a season under his belt, or will he sputter?  I believe the former.  In fact, I am expecting .270/20/80 out of him this season, split between AA and AAA.” 

2018 STATUS:

.260/.345/.430 over 30 games despite high strikeouts, and .275 over his last 26 games.  So far, so good at this new level.

2018 GRADE SO FAR: B

 

KEVIN TAYLOR:

Said at the time:

“Speed may not be his game but, for the lefty hitter, contact is...only 108 Ks versus 110 walks in 910 PAs in 2016 and 2017.  A dark horse getting lighter by the day.  Time will tell for this overachiever.” 

2018 STATUS:

Power and speed are still not his game, but the now 26 year old former 36^th rounder in AA is at .277/.352/.319, and is 20 for his last 62 after a cold start in cold Binghamton.  More power than 4 doubles in 92 ABs would be helpful.

2018 GRADE SO FAR: B-

 

DAVE ROSEBOOM:

Said at the time:

“My gut tells me that if the foot stays very good in 2018, when he will turn 26, so will his pitching.”

2018 STATUS:   

 

After a tough brief start to 2018 in pitchers’ hell Vegas, Dave has clearly shown in AA that the rust from missing most of 2017 due to the foot injury is falling off – control coming around and fanning batters in droves.

 

2018 GRADE SO FAR: B-

 

 

KYLE REGNAULT:

Said at the time:

“In his 3 year minors career, he is 12-4, 2.55. What is not to like?  What happens in Vegas does not have to stay in Vegas, if he can keep this up.”

2018 STATUS:   

 

He had an ERA-destroying outing on April 10, when he allowed 5 earned in 1 IP, in Vegas, but over the past 10 games, spanning 13 IP, the 29 year old has allowed 6 earned runs while fanning 19.

 

2018 GRADE SO FAR: C+

DALE BURDICK:

Said at the time:

“Another guy no one thinks about but who could be a utility guy in Queens by 2019 or 2020.  Biggest obstacle?  Getting playing time, with so many middle infielders at AA and AAA.  I have a feeling that when that happens, all will take notice.  Dark Horse no longer.”

2018 STATUS:   

 

This guy breaks the promo mold – stationed in St Lucie all season, he just got promoted (even if, perhaps, temporarily) to Vegas again! The versatile 22 year old is at .234/.345/.340 in 15 games this season in A ball.

 

2018 GRADE SO FAR: C+

MICKEY JANNIS:

Said at the time:

“2017 was really good for Jannis, who turned 30 (for knuckleballers, 30 is the new 20). Jannis was 8-7, 3.60 for AA Binghamton in 21 starts, an impressive improvement over his 2016 against weaker competition, so it is clear that the craft is being refined.”

2018 STATUS:   

 

Rough…a 7.94 ERA in 6 starts (3-3) spanning 28 IP.  Much of that 7.94, though, was due to allowing 10 earned runs in 4 IP in his first start of the season in AAA.  He has not been as effective so far as in 2017.

2018 GRADE SO FAR: D

 

CHAMP STUART:

Said at the time:

“The blindingly fast outfielder has always had a strikeout flaw that I felt overwhelmed his speed asset.  Simple motto for Champ: MAKE CONTACT, MAKE THE MAJORS.”

2018 STATUS:   

 

Just 3 for 43, with 19 Ks and 13 BBs.  Not at all what he needs.

 

2018 GRADE SO FAR: F

 

LJ MAZZILLI:

 

Said at the time:

“If this dark horse does not explode his game higher in 2018, his career will be facing a dark night.” 

 

2018 STATUS:   

 

Traded to the Yanks’ farm system, he’s hitting .194 in AAA.

 

 2018 GRADE SO FAR: F

JAYCE BOYD:

Said at the time:

“In 20 AAA July games, .302/.367/.566.  Just getting warmed up.  In his first 15 August games, Boyd has gone beyond Ruthian: .422/.490/.822.  From August 13-21, he went 16 for 27, with 3 doubles, a triple, 3 homers, and 13 RBIs.  SONIC BOOM!”

2018 STATUS:   

 

Sayonara – he sadly has hung up the spikes.

 

2018 GRADE SO FAR: Retired