From The Desk - Christian James, Jack Leiter, Lenny Dykstra, September Games, Bobby Witt Jr.

20. Christian James, RHP

Drafted: 14th Round, 2016 from East Lake HS (FL) (NYM)

Age     20.6    Height 6′ 3″    Weight            210     Bat / Thr         R / R   

Tool Grades (Present/Future)

Fastball          Slider  Changeup      Command      Sits/Tops

  45/45             50/55       40/50             40/55            88-92 / 94

Precipitation and misfortune forced Double-A Binghamton to play three double-headers in a row in late May (not on consecutive days, but still) and, suddenly, the club was in need of pitching reinforcements. The Mets promoted James directly from extended spring training to make a spot start, just three days after his 20th birthday. It’s further evidence of James’ advanced on-mound craftsmanship, which enables him to succeed with limited stuff. He has now had two strong years of performance at short-season affiliates on the back of a sinking and tailing upper-80s fastball and a slurvy 78-82 mph breaking ball. James’ delivery is pretty rough but it doesn’t appear to detract from his command, and it may actually help make him tougher for hitters to time. Little things like that are important, as his stuff exists on the margins. If his command maxes out, he’ll be a sinker balling backend starter.

2019 High School   Preseason All-Americans –

            Jack Leiter, RHP, Delbarton HS, Morristown, N.J. - 

           The son of 19-year big leaguer Al Leiter might be the best pure pitcher in the 2019 class. He has excellent command of an arsenal that includes a fastball trending in the right direction, a high-spin, 12-to-6 curveball and a changeup that is well ahead of most amateurs to this point. Others have bigger stuff, but few have the all-around profile Leiter boasts.

Former MLB star  Lenny Dykstra  pleads guilty to disorderly conduct; has drug, terroristic threat charges dropped –

            Former Major League Baseball star Lenny Dykstra reportedly pleaded guilty Friday to a reduced charge related to a bizarre 2018 conflict with an Uber driver.

In May 2018, an Uber driver in Linden, New Jersey told police that Dykstra, 56, placed a weapon to his head and threatened to kill him. Police said an investigation didn't reveal a gun, but did show marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy in Dykstra's possession. He was subsequently charged with making third-degree terroristic threats and drug possession.

MLB to fix  baseball's worst problem:   Uneven rosters, terrible September games –

Beginning in 2020, teams will no longer be permitted to have as many as 40 players on their roster, while others stay with 25.

MLB and the union formally announced Thursday several major rule changes, most which will be implemented in 2020.

All teams will have a 28-man roster in the final month of September, after having a 26-man roster the first five months of the season.

No longer will teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies be playing with a huge advantage in September, expanding to 40 players, while low-budget teams like the Miami Marlins stick with only 25 players.

Baseball America https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2019-mlb-draft-preview/  -

            Top 10 High School MLB Draft Prospects For 2019

1. Bobby Witt Jr., SS             Colleyville (Texas) Heritage HS

The son of 16-year major league pitcher Bobby Witt, the younger Witt is an all-around player with above-average to plus tools in every category and the ability to stick at shortstop. His father found success on the mound, but Witt Jr.’s future is in the batter’s box—though he has touched 97 mph on the mound—where he has developing power thanks to adding 10 pounds of muscle over the last six months. He has plus-plus speed out of the righthanded batter’s box and has excellent hands defensively. He is committed to Oklahoma, where his father played.