From The Desk...

Good morning.

The Mets signed OF Austin Jackson. The 31-year old was obviously signed to take the pressure off the loss of Yoenes Cespedes this season. Let's remember that our manager was the pitching coach in Cleveland when he had a great year in 2017. He was released and the Mets are only on the hook for the pro-rated share of his $3mil 2018 contract. The second year (2019) is kaput. 

2016 19^th round pick, pitcher Gary Cornish, had successful surgery to repair a torn labrum. Obviously, he is done for the season. Cornish has had a rough season in St. Lucie this season, going 2-8, 6.63, 1.75. We wish him well during his recovery.

Columbia RP Max Kuhns is technically off the DL and is now rehabbing in Florida for the GCL team. Kuhns had  TJS a year ago.

My ‘good buddy’ Andy Martino was quoted on MLBTR.com, saying that Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler could be traded ‘any minute’. In typical Mets and Martino (M&Ms?) fashion, that was said early Wednesday evening and we’re still waiting. Supposed teams interested from the 12 that sent scouts to watch his Tuesday start are Boston, Texas, and Seattle.

 My guess at this point is Wheeler, Wilmer Flores, Devin Meseraco, and Astrubal Cabrera will not be making the trip back to Queens after this current road trip.

Las Vegas SP Chris Flexen, in his last four starts: 2-0 record, 26.0 IP, 16 H, 5 ER, 1.73 ERA.

I have two predictions for prospect movement this week –

There is no reason to keep 17/year old SS Ronny Mauricio on the GCL-Mets roster. Yes, he’s a pup, but so was Jarred Kelenic when he was moved up. The difference here is hitting .333 in 126-ABs which Kelenic put his GCL numbers up with only 46. A perfect transition to Kingsport here would be to move either Luis Santana (.359) or Sherven Newton (.286) up to Brooklyn.

21-year old SP, Jaison Vilera, has done his job in Brooklyn. 7-starts, 48-Ks in 39-IP, an incredible 0.92-ERA/0.87-WHIP. Columbia has a lot of starters right now, but really no ace. Vilera would fit in perfectly and he deserves it… now.

(on second thought, maybe the Mets decide to keep the 17-year old Mauricio in Latin friendly Florida for the rest of the season… your thoughts?)

MLB Prospect has added 2B Luis Santana to their top 30 Mets prospect list, at number 27:

          Santana loves to compete and his makeup, when combined with his hit tool, gave the Mets confidence to jump him over the Gulf Coast League up to the Appy League in 2018, where he was one of the league's best hitters. That ability to swing the bat should carry him up the ladder, and if he can maintain that approach, a future as an everyday offensive-minded second baseman awaits.

The other ‘new guy’ on the list was ranked at number 30 – RP Eric Hanhold –

          Hanhold spent the first year-plus of his pro career giving starting a try, but it didn't really take and a 2017 move to the bullpen suited him and allowed his power arsenal to play up. The big right-hander will now touch 98 mph with excellent life on his fastball, and he was missing more bats than he had previously in his career during his first season in the Mets' system. He pairs a solid slider, which flashes above-average, with his heater, more than enough for him to hold down a short relief role.

Hanhold earned a promotion from Double- to Triple-A at the end of May and is just a step behind power bullpen arms Jacob Rhame and Drew Smith, both of whom were also acquired in 2017 trades. He has the chance to help out in relief in New York soon, though a June trip to the disabled list slowed his progress.

By the way… the number one draft pick this year, Auburn RHSP Casey Mise, pitched in his first pro game yesterday afternoon for the GCL-Tigers… 2-IP, 0-H, 0-R, 4-K

And the day ended with no Mets trade.