9/27/18

Mack- From The Desk...




Good morning.

Nice guy Columbia IF Rigoberto Terrazas was released by the Mets. The 22-year old International product played five seasons for the Mets, hitting .253 for four teams. His best season was 2017 where he hit .348 for Kingsport, but he stumbled badly this past season in Columbia, hitting


only  .176 in 295 at-bats.





Are Amed Rosario And Jeff McNeil  The Mets' Future Middle Infield? –

There are a few reasons why the Mets - with a 29-20 record since August 3 - have played better baseball during the tail end of the season.

But the most interesting story comes from the middle infield. Shortstop Amed Rosario, struggling at the plate for most of the season, has found his groove to the tune of a .339 batting average over the past month. And second baseman Jeff McNeil – a 12th round draft pick five years ago who debuted as a 26-year-old rookie in late July – has shocked everyone with a .340 average and .394 on-base percentage in his first 220 big league plate appearances. Talk about a shot in the arm. McNeil’s 2.1 WAR in just 57 games is already the sixth-highest on the club and higher than the 1.3 WAR that his second base predecessor, Asdrubal Cabrera, put up in 98 games before his trade to the Phillies. The only shock now is a game in which McNeil fails to bang out two or three hits.

Mack – I want to believe that both these guys are for real and, as soon as soon as soon as Andres Gimenez arrives from Syracuse, one will move to third and we are done worrying about these three positions for 5+ years.
          Like I said, I really want to believe this…


Fangraphs  with Mickey Callaway:

          
“I’ve tried to [bring aspects of Cleveland Indians culture], and not just because of Tito and the Indians. It’s because it’s what I believe is right. I’ve learned in different cultures. I’ve taken things from Buck Showalter, from Mike Scioscia, from Buddy Black, from Joe Maddon. Obviously Tito. All of those guys. They were always prepared and very thoughtful in everything they did. It makes sense to bring some of that over here.

“You learn pretty quickly that New York is a different animal. For a lot of reasons. You have to adapt some of the thinking you had when you were with a smaller-market team. You have to make sure you understand that this is a different situation, and you might have to implement things differently. The ideals can stay the same, but the implementation of things you want to do probably has to be a little different.

Mack – Like Rosario and McNeil, I want to believe in this guy. I give him no credit for the 11-1 start because it simply was too early and shit happens like that. I fault him greatly for his erratic starting lineups during the middle of the season that had to cause some of the losses. But I also give him 100% credit for steering the ship correctly after the All-Star break by creating a solid lineup.

I gladly give him another year.



Mets  try new modified instructs in NY, Florida –

        
  The Mets tried something new this year, holding a pair of one-week camps at the conclusion of the 2018 Minor League season, in two different locations. One had a more traditional instructs feel, albeit without games against other organizations, featuring players from the Dominican Summer League and the Gulf Coast League, that took place in Port St. Lucie, Fla.. The other took place in New York and included players from the rest of the affiliates up and down the system. The Appy League team from Kingsport would have been in Florida as well, but its season was extended by the playoffs, so players from that squad got to head north to Citi Field as well.

13 comments:

Eddie from Corona said...

Mack
I agree with you on wanting to believe on Rosario, McNeil, and Gimenez

My however I believe the next 5 years it is 2 out of the 3 at SS and 2B.

3 base will belong to Vientos or someone outside of the organization... My gut tell me Gimenez is the one to stay. there is just too many good things being said. but let him prove it. its a great problem to have. We just need the right front office to figure out which 2 to keep and which one to market...

Callaway get 1 more season because the wilpon's do not eat thier mistakes (not saying he is one) but if Girardi is willing to take the job then nothing should stand in the way...

Seattle Steve said...

I realize Rosario has blossomed in the lead off spot but not having Nimmo leading off is mind boggling....he has an OB % OF 400 ... HAVE Rosario get 2nd and McNeil in the 3 hole but if we do not improve the bullpen it will be all for nought

Reese Kaplan said...

Actually, I think you may have hit somewhat backwards. Nimmo is showing too much power to squander in the leadoff spot. I hated having Curtis Granderson there. I think you could do Rosario, then McNeil then Nimmo. The only issue with that is the left handedness. That could change if Alonso is around and promoted. Then you can split up the lefties.

bgreg98180 said...

100% Nimmo should be in lead off spot.

bgreg98180 said...

Leadoff job is to get on base.
Whoever gets on base the most is clearly the best leadoff hitter.
If Nimmo had 35+ home runs and among the top hr hitters on the team, then more thought would be warrented.

Seattle Steve said...

I am 70 yrs young... I remember the dictum to win is pitching , defense and timely hitting.... the current team offensively strikes out to much...if they averaged 4 runs a game when Jake pitched they would of gone 30 and 0....to say that Nimmos power should put him lower in the batting order is debatable but you already no where I stand... if this team played a little more "Small Ball' even with the horrible bullpen we could of been in this pennant race.

Mack Ade said...

Seattle -

The good news about Rosario is he will get the first half of 2019 to prove that the second half of the season Rosario is the real one... and deserves to still be the lead off hitter

Mike Freire said...

Boy, all of the players that have been released of late remind you how difficult it is to actually make it to "The Show".

I agree that McNeil, Rosario, Gimenez and Alonso will be the infield of our next playoff club, hopefully in 2020......the Mets just need to figure out who fits where, the best.

Mickey has definitely earned another shot.....hopefully with fewer injuries and overall drama.

Tom Brennan said...

A future CF solution? McNeil. He has speed and told me he played it in college. Not right away, but when Vientos and Mauricio arrive in the next two-three seasons and the IF is crowded.

Anonymous said...

Thomas I think Rosario would be the 1st to get a crack at CF!
But I like what your thinking especially with Vientos and Mauricio.

Just add 2 quality bupp pen arms and either Grandel or Ramos and see what happens in 2019.

About Callaway, he cannot get a Mulligan from me.
I listened to his reteric in the spring
Starting pitchers will only go threw the lineup twice except Degrom and Syndergaard? He also said playing time will be dictated on play,not salary?
That was all BS. Look at what happened to the phillies when they picked upCabrera, they fell apart. That guy was toxic. And I always thought Reyes was the toxic guy in the clubhouse, KABOOM
Anyway 2020 vision is what I have, the must secure a long term contract with DeGrom. To lead the franchise into the decade of dominance.


Steve

TexasGusCC said...

When Mauricio comes up, Kelenic will be here too.

While we all are counting our chickens on McNeil, does anyone remember Joe Panik?

Callaway didn't keep his promises, but inherited a mess. No fundamentals, no relievers, no hitting. He deserves a mulligan. After all, he was a rookie too. I would love Girardi, but I'd take Tony Pena on the staff too. He was Girardi's strength.

I heard this on The Dan Patrick Show. Where did the term "rookie" come from? Was started in the 1910's because the new players played last. So, like in chess the Rook (or Castle) is the last to move, the new guy was called a Rookie.

Tom Brennan said...

Steve, they have played better since Asdrubel Cabrera joined Odubel Herrera, that is true!

T Gus, we need more rookies like McNeil, and that ain't chess talkin'.

Rosario would also be a fine CF alternative going forward.

Tom Brennan said...

Vargas first 49 innings: 8.75 ERA

Vargas last 45 innings: 2.80 ERA - heartening for 2019.