Some players come out of the gate like a house on fire and fade fast.
Reminds me of Ron Swoboda who, in 1968, came out roaring in April, hitting 7 homers in 60 at bats. In a late April interview, he said he was surprised, as I recall it, that pitchers kept throwing him fastballs. He ended the season with 11 homers.
Hint to hitters being interviewed: SHHHH!
Unlike Rocky, some players like to save the best for last.
Here are 5 Mets minor leaguers who fit that bill:
JHOAN URENA - somnambulant for most of his season, Volcano Urena has erupted. Last 5 games, 6 homers, 10 hits, 14 RBIs for the switch hitter. Still just 23. Maybe he is finally throwing his hat into the ring.
YOEL ROMERO - after hitting in the .360's last year in the DSL, the now-20 year old defensive outfielder was mediocre all year long in Kingsport...until lately. Last 10 games, 17 for 44, 9 RBIs, lifting him to .265 on the season.
RANFY ADON - Romero's 21 year old teammate, Adon has gone 14 of 32 over his last 8 games to lift him to .295 over 40 games.
DREW GAGNON - the 28 year old had one lousy Mets start this season, and is 7-6 with fourteen no decisions this season in AAA.
Fanning more than a dude per inning, he fashioned a 2 hit, 8 K, 9 inning shutout last night. By my count, it was his 5th excellent start in his last 8 in the very difficult PCL. My thoughts are, why not a pen arm in 2019 and spot starter for the Mets?
Lastly, but not leastly, Drew's beastly AAA teammate:
PAT KIVLEHAN - he was not doing much that was that great, but then caught fire right around July 20 for Vegas.
Since that date, he's friggin' smokin':
Since that date, he's friggin' smokin':
As in 44 for 122 (.360), 12 doubles, 4 triples, 13 HRs and 34 RBIs.
Seems that Kivlehan deserves a real major league shot once again, that's how I see it, I don't know about you.
Reminds me stats-wise of former Met Andrew Brown.
Reminds me stats-wise of former Met Andrew Brown.
It's funny.
ReplyDeleteThe guy who took the Swoboda pic worked with my brother. I wrote about that eons ago in an interview post.
The New York Times got in touch with me last week and asked how they could in touch with the guy who took the pic. I hooked them up.
Wow - how about that?
ReplyDeleteWhen you think about it if Swoboda doesn't make that catch would we still be thinking of the miracle Mets of 69' or just chalking up another WS title for one of the best teams in baseball?
ReplyDeleteCome to think about it we don't win it if Koos isn't spectacular in game 2 and between Koosman and John Olerud I can't think of two more underrated Met's period.
ReplyDeleteGary, I agree...Swoboda was AMAZING after Labor Day in 1969 and saved our series with an AMAZING catch.
ReplyDeleteKoosman was a victim of more than a decade of poor offensive support. Had he been a Cincy Red instead, he'd be in Cooperstown.
Olerud was a hitting machine.
The red hot Kivlehan added a double, homer, and a walk in 4 plate appearances last night. He might be really major league ready, more o than Alonso right now.
ReplyDeleteOne guy who really belonged in this list was 21 year old, switch-hitting Columbia SS Hansel Moreno, who has had a great August: 25 games, .290/.324/.530, 12 of 14 steals. Should have added him.
ReplyDelete