Tom Brennan: - METS MINORS BATS AND PENS

Tom Brennan: METS MINORS BATS AND PENS

(and no, that's not my selfie)

Here’s my weekly perspective on Mets’ minors hitters (“bats”) and bullpen arms (“pens”). 

And remember: Mack covers the starters weekly - don't miss it.

One general note of interest is the revolving door in Las Vegas. 

Through May 23, just 47 games into the season, what would your guess be as to how many hitters and pitchers the team has used to date?

If you guessed 24 hitters (none pitchers) and 29 pitchers (2 of whom are position players), you are correct.  Amazing. 

The team’s goal is to hit 100 by season's end.  I'm available - call me.

Yeah, but when it comes to hitters and pen arms, who are THE BEASTS?

Let’s start with some hitters’ observations (stats thru Wednesday):

HAPPY HITTERS:

AAA:

Kevin Plawecki is 1 for 3, with a HR in his rehab return on May 23, my Mom’s 91^st birthday – she appreciated it, Kevin.  Mom would be a big Kevin Plawecki fan if she knew who you were.

Anyway, we all know who he is – encouraging first game.

Dominic Smith has just 2 homers in 39 games, but is at .290/.392/.428, so he seems to be picking up a bit of steam, with 5 for 8 on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Zach Borenstein (.235) has 66 Ks in 46 games.  That makes AA’s Tim Tebow (60 Ks in 38 games, .240) feel a little better.

AA:

Batman and Robin (Peter Alonso and Jeff McNeil) are at .338/.466/.636/1.101 and .326/.408/.710/1.118, respectively. 

Having already written 1000’s of words on these two this season, I will say no more, other than that I am happy they're on my side.

HIGH A:

Kevin Kaczmarski, AAA outfielder, may be kicking himself for having gotten hurt and hence just into rehabbing while Cespedes’ and Lagares’ injuries opened up some opportunities for advancement in Queens. 

Not saying Kevin would have been selected over Joey Bats, but you never know what a hot start might have done for Kacz.  So far in his rehab, he has played 8 games, and gotten on base a healthy 14 times.

On an otherwise quiet hitting squad, teenager Andres Gimenez in 39 games is at .271/.340/.421 with 12 of 15 in steals.

FULL A:

While Jeremy Vasquez (.308/.424/.473) & Scott Manea (.273/.438/.434) have cooled a bit, both have commendable output this season. 

Giovanny Alfonzo is at .301/.342/.411, but at age 25, doing this in Full A ball is nice but not that noteworthy.

BULLPEN BEASTIE BOYS:

AAA:

Tim Peterson sits by the phone, waiting for a call telling him to fly east.  He is 0-1, 6 saves, 2.36, 0.82 WHIP, 40 Ks in 26.2 innings.  Presumably the next reliever call, were it made today, would be Tim.

Drew Smith, mostly in AAA after starting the season in AA, is sitting at 24 IP, 19 H, 11 BB, 29 K, 3.37 ERA, 2 saves.

AA:

Tyler Bashlor lost his mano-a-mano with the immortal Vlad Jr, who took TB deep on a game winning 3 run shot off a nasty high fastball a few days ago. I’m sure guys felt the same way pitching with painful results to Babe Ruth.

Dave Roseboom has fanned 22 in 15 innings since his demotion from Vegas Hell.

Joshua Torres is 3-1, 1.80 in 12 outings, fanning 20 in 15 IP.

HIGH A:

Same names, different week: 5 stellar guys, Ryder Ryan, Joe Zanghi, Mat Blackham, Steve Nogosek and Matt Pobereyko.  Combined, 94 innings, 8-1, 9 saves, 20 earned runs (1.91 ERA), with 103 Ks, and a collective WHIP of about 1.00.  Keep it up fellas.

FULL A:

Steve Villines has had some shaky moments as his 2-3, 6.38 record would convey, but his WHIP is a decent 1.21 and his 41 Ks in 24 innings are certainly attention-grabbing.  Basically, 2 bad outings (9 runs in 2 IP), but 17 Ks in his last 5 outings spanning 8.1 IP.  Stevie Wonder was a 10^th round righty selection in 2017.

Trey Cobb, 2-1, 2.65, 6 saves, 22 Ks in 17 IP: the team’s pen anchor.

Aaron Ford's first game this year was on April 21, but in 9 games, he is at 1.98 in 14 IP with ZERO walks and 10 Ks...nice work by the lefty.

Lastly, Yeizo Campos, has relieved twice, started once, and is unscored upon in 10.1 innings with 12 Ks.  Campos is a 22 year old 5’9” righty. 

SUMMARY:

Not much to write home about in the hitting department, aside from the two Binghamton Bashers, but the bullpen remains a strength overall.