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4/30/21

Gameday and Box Score Phillies 2 Mets 1 - 4/30/21

 

 

The Mets travel to Philadelphia to play the Phillies in the first game of a three game series.

Mets (9-10) @ Phillies (12-13), 7:05 pm

PHI: Chase Anderson (#57, 33, RHP, 0-3, 6.48)
NYM: Marcus Stroman (#0, 30, RHP, 3-1, 2.25)

Tonight’s Lineup: Brandon Nimmo CF; Francisco Lindor SS; Jeff McNeil 2B; Pete Alonso 1B; Michael Conforto RF; J.D. Davis 3B; Dominic Smith LF; James McCann C; Marcus Stroman P;


Binghamton Announces 2021 Roster

 


The Binghamton Rumble Ponies announced their Roster today on Twitter.


Mack's Mock Pick - #88 - LHP - Maddux Bruns


 

Maddux Bruns  


Mack's spin - 

Nice 4-pitch mix that includes a 95 fastball.

Projects to have three ++ pitches by the time he hits the next level.

I have him as my current 16th lefty on my board.

 

LHP      6-2     210      UMS-Wright Prep (AL) 

 

3-30-21 - Prospects Worldwide -

 

86. LHP Maddux Bruns | School: UMS Wright Prep, AL | Commit: Mississippi State | B / T: L / L | Ht: 6’2 | Wt: 210lbs | Age: 19

 

Not many Left-handers can match Bruns upside on the mound. A 4-pitch mix with 2 breaking balls that each give hitters tough looks and gets some ugly swings in the process, each with plus spin rates. The heater works in the low-mid 90s and at times has touched up to 97 in short stints. Also working in a Changeup that needs some development but has a chance to be wrinkled in and play off the Fastball with improved arm speed and usage as he gets comfortable with it. 

 

3-12-21 - top 50 HS players  -

 

9. Maddux Bruns, LHP, UMS-Wright Prep, Mobile, Ala.

 

Bruns is a lefty who has a chance to have three plus pitches one day. He already runs his fastball to the mid-90s and throws a 12-to-6 curve and a hard power slider. 

 

2-27-21 - https://www.maxpreps.com/news/GLOc9IV-DkGJ9WKbGyXewg/top-high-school-baseball-player-from-all-50-states.htm -

 

Top baseball player in all 50 states

 

Alabama

 

Maddux Bruns | UMS-Wright Prep (Mobile)

 

Got his junior season off to a strong start in 2020 as he struck out 15 in a win over defending 2019 state champion McGill-Toolen.

  

1-14-21  -  Baseball America

 

Maddux Bruns

 

UMS-Wright Prep, Mobile, Ala. LHP

 

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-L

Commit/Drafted: Mississippi State

Age At Draft: 19.1

 

There’s plenty of stuff in the 2021 pitching class, but Bruns looks to be the cream of the crop in that department among lefthanders. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Mississippi State commit wowed the scouting industry by showing three potential plus offerings. He ran his fastball up into the 96-97 mph range at its best, and also showed two sharp breaking balls. One is a 12-to-6 curveball in the mid 70s with plenty of depth. The other is a harder slider in the low 80s with power and late life. Bruns’ stuff plays well out of the hand, as he pitches with a high slot that creates plane and a crossfire delivery that adds deception. However, Bruns has consistently struggled to throw strikes regularly and scouts have significant concerns about his control and command moving forward. His control has been scattered in longer outings, and when runners reach evaluators have noted that Bruns doesn’t look as comfortable working from the stretch, which leads to questions about his athleticism. Those questions add to reliever risk, but if Bruns can improve his strikes, it’s hard to not like a prep lefty with his raw stuff and feel for spinning a breaking ball. 

 

12-17-20 - mlb -

 

Q - Some high school players not on the Top 100 that could climb up boards?

 

Jim Callis: I'll tag-team on this question with non-Top 100 guys from my half of the country who could move up ... Alabama HS LHP Maddux Bruns (huge ceiling), Louisiana HS SS Peyton Stovall, South Carolina HS RHP Daniel Brooks, Mississippi LHP Doug Nikhazy (high floor guy). 

 

11-11-20 - Prospects Live Top 300 Prospect List - ​

 

86. Maddux Bruns - LHP

 

Bio:

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210 lbs

Hits/Throws: L-L

Hometown: Saraland, AL

School: UMS-Wright Prep

 

Bruns has been a big riser this summer. The left-hander out of Alabama works 91-96, but settles mostly in the 92-94 range with great angle and plane that makes the heater tough to square up. He creates excellent extension and gets on hitters quickly only adding to the discomfort of standing in the box against Bruns. He mixed in a heavy downer breaking ball in the 79-82 mph range and a harder variation that's been labeled a cutter that topped out in the mid-80s. Command is the biggest question on Bruns right now. It's a high-upside arm with a big green arrow next to his name. 

 

 Next On Deck -

 

23. Maddux Bruns, LHP, UMS – Wright Prep (HS)

 

6-foot-2, 210-pound frame. Wiry kid with strength scattered throughout the frame. Fastball sat 93-94, touching 96 mph at Perfect Game’s National Showcase. Features advanced feel for a high-70s breaking ball with late, sharp action. Throws a harder cut-slider like pitch that moves horizontally in the 86-88 mph range. Uptick prospect that needs to hold velocity deeper into outings for him to truly skyrocket up lists, despite the obvious upside.

  

Talking Chop -  Maddux Bruns, LHP, Alabama HS

Maddux Bruns is a somewhat debated prospect, particularly after being ranked the #2 overall prep prospect in this class by Baseball America. While everyone is in agreement that Bruns is a top prospect, there is definitely some debate on where he should be ranked. For me that comes in the second tier of arms, as the lefty isn’t the biggest or most projectable at 6’2, 210, and he will already be 19 years old on draft day- making him on the older side for the prep class in a day where being younger is definitely more valued by teams. Still Bruns is a lefty who sits in the mid 90s and has touched as high as 97 MPH, has a potentially plus slider and the makings of an at least above average curve. Bruns has premium stuff for a lefty, but he has a fairly limited run with this velocity after really seeing it pick up considerably this summer. Bruns, who is committed to Mississippi State, is the first guy on this list who still needs to keep proving himself to establish a track record, but he is on the way up.

Tom Brennan - FRANCISCO LINDOR BETTER NOT BE THE NEXT ZOILO VERSALLES


1965 MVPS - WILLIE MAYS AND ZOILO VERSALLES


Francisco Lindor has been the largest financial signing in Mets' history.  His new 10 year contract, commencing in 2022, is good for 10 years and $341 million.

Despite his slow start, he'll probably do fine.

Let's hope, though, that he is not the next Zoilo Versalles.

Zoilo was a SS for the Twins back in the 1960s, hitting .280 at age 21, and from age 23 thru 25, he had 109 doubles, 35 triples, 49 HRs, and 48 of 61 in steals. Two Gold Gloves, too.

Reminiscent of Lindor.

At age 25, Zoilo won the league's MVP.

His future appeared limitless.

In today's game, his team would probably have signed him to an 8 figure extension that off season.

But he slipped to .249 the year after his MVP, and hit about .210 or so the rest of his career, which ended at the age of 31, when he hit .191.

Back then, though, it wasn't much of a big deal in one sense - because he never cost his team much money.   

You see, the year after his 1965 MVP, he made $42,000.   

You read that right.  

Starting next season, that will pay for (maybe) 2 innings of Lindor.  Basically, Lindor will be earning an average of about $50,000 every plate appearance starting in 2022.

I would imagine folks were shocked at how darned fast the MVP Versalles tailed off in his latter 20s.  

Really, after age 26.

Quite a few guys do go into a late 20s tailspin...Ruben Tejada and Mallex Smith are two that come to mind, and Billy Hamilton is another.  

Add Jose Peraza in there.  Nate Colbert is yet another.

Let's darned well hope nothing of the sort happens with Lindor.

The Mets really need to get a big bang from him for their mega bucks.

And not be the next Zoilo Versalles.


Craig Mitchell - Mitchell's Musings

 

Mitchell’s Musings


TWICE IN A LIFETIME….

The Franchise

deGrom 2014
Who’d a thunk it? In my years as a Met fan, I have had the privilege to have front row seats to witness the reigns of “The Franchise” Tom Seaver and the phenomenon that is Jacob deGrom. The Mets have always been gifted with some extraordinary pitching. Any Met fan worth his salt can mention a roster of exceptional pitchers. They include: Jerry Koosman, Nolan Ryan, Doc Gooden, David Cone, Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard and I could name more. But Seaver and deGrom stand high above them all. Yes, Gooden had the most impressive splash for a young pitcher in recent memory going 41-13 in his first two seasons, but Doc couldn’t sustain his elite status despite that super-human start so he falls short of the rare air occupied by Seaver and deGrom. As a pre-teen I remember the excitement I felt all day in school when I knew Tom Terrific was on the hill. I knew the Mets had a great shot at winning and thanks to his.615 lifetime winning percentage with the Amazins, that trust was well kept.

Watching Seaver was a clinic each and every time. The ultimate professional. He was the surgeon, the mound was his operating room and precision was his mastery. The wind up, the right knee with the scuff of mound dirt and the ball exploding out of his right hand. Images etched in my mind forever. Enter Jake. A tall and lanky ex-shortstop from Stetson University. He came up in 2014 and I just thought he was a random AAA spot starter. I was blindsided. So was baseball. From day one deGrom was exceptional. The novelty with deGrom is that he continues to build and get better and better. Every pitcher has his apex, but Jake is still ascending.

 
deGrom 2019

For me it’s deja-vu watching Jake go out there every 5th day. “It’s Jake Day” is a common exclamation on social media. Met fans get jacked cause they know Jake is gonna bring something special. It’s impossible not to compare pitchers, but for me I’m comparing experiences too. If Seaver was the surgeon, then deGrom is the Machine. deGrom is the model of perfectly repeated mechanics that flow with ease and the results continue to be consistently amazing. I am soaking this up. For me, this is very much like a second coming. I am well aware that just seeing one of these amazing athletes pitch every 5th day was a gift. Experiencing this twice, is just...words escape me. How about very, very special?

 FOR PETE’S SAKE….

I did something this past weekend that I want to share. To re-state the obvious I have bled the Mets orange and blue for 51 years and counting. If anyone asks me who my favorite Met is right now I’ll answer Pete Alonso. All time? Tom Seaver. However, if they ask this jaded life-long Met fan who his favorite player of all time is…I answer without hesitation Pete Rose. This weekend on a whim, perhaps

Rose on Cameo

out of a little bit of insanity, I ordered a “Cameo” video from Pete Rose. There was no special occasion. No special reason for spending the money. When you order a “Cameo” you give “instructions” to the celebrity. You click a check box for what occasion (if any) and you type a limited note to the person. I took that opportunity to tell Pete what was in my heart. I’ve always wanted to meet him and with the pandemic that’s probably not going to happen anytime soon. Pete’s 80 now and I wanted to reach out and share with him my admiration. I told him, to me, he is baseball. Growing up, I was built like Pete, I became a switch-hitter like Pete and I played like him. I ran all my walks out to first base. I never gave up an at bat and I always hustled. I believe Pete should be in the Hall of Fame as a player. I also believe what he did was terrible. Gambling on baseball can not be condoned or ignored. But as time has gone on, I still think Pete should be inducted as a player! Give him a plaque and slap a whole paragraph on how he was banned from baseball for his infraction. I’m not even saying to unban him! His excellence as a player. As teammate. As the All-Time Major League leader in base hits should be formally acknowledged. He deserves to be in. No ceremony, no speech. Just put the man in. He’s in his twilight years. Give Pete at least that much. I know many who are absolutely 1000% against this. His crime is unforgivable and irredeemable. To those I say this. Baseball is run by hypocrites. Just look at how many signs for DRAFT KINGS you see on broadcasts, ballparks and their commercials on the MLB Network (I haven’t had that network in a while, but their presence was over-whelming a couple of years ago.) Baseball seems to be getting cozy with gamblers. Say what you will, but that’s what Draft Kings is….A gambling site. Fine. Pete broke the sacred rule. Baseball seems to be bending that same rule. Bend a little more and give Pete a plaque. Before it’s too late. Before Pete’s gone.  


WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

Courtesy of Gary Axelbank
As I was writing this piece, the Mets were taking on the Red Sox at Citi Field. Now while the Mets flagship network, SNY isn’t the MLB. They seem to have no problem in accommodating sports gamblers. You can see that clearly in a screen capture (on the right) that was shared on the Fans of GKR Facebook group page by Gary Axelbank. There it is. Right under Todd Zeile’s chin. The bookmaker odds of David Peterson getting the win in the game. No hemming and hawing. Right out there boldly in the open. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not a prude and now and then in my past I absolutely gambled on sports. And not just 13 run pools or those weekly football tickets. I actually called a bookmaker and bet on all the big four sports. I don’t anymore. Not because it’s illegal or immoral. But to be honest, I sucked at it. That’s neither here nor there. There will always be sports gambling, legally endorsed or under the table. Only now MLB seems to have no problem getting into bed with sports gambling these days. Hey, there’s money to be had and that pandemic probably took a big bite out of the games bank accounts. Even so, I just find it so hypocritical. Not only for the reasons I pointed out above with Pete Rose, but baseball seems to have done a very quiet and sneaky 180 on sports gambling and it gets under my craw. I remember in 1983 when two legends Willie Mays
Ueberroth, Mays & Mantle

and Mickey Mantle, just looking to supplement their incomes, (both played many years before the age of the huge contracts), took jobs being “greeters” for Atlantic City Casinos. Well, then commissioner Bowie Kuhn had himself a conniption. He demanded both of them to quit their jobs because working in a Casino was NOT the image that baseball wanted to portray. If they didn’t, he would ban them from baseball. Well Mantle and Mays needed the money and ignored Kuhn and true to his word, he banned them. Two of the biggest legends of baseball banned from the game they helped make great. Not for gambling, mind you. But for working in casinos. Pretty damn harsh. Kuhn was gone in 1984 and replaced by Peter Ueberroth who, in 1985, reinstated both Micky and Willie. However, Mr. Rose actually bet on baseball while an active manager. That is much more egregious and 

The Black Sox

I believe his ban was justified as I stated above. I just feel that with baseball embracing the streams of revenue from companies like Draft Kings, that to act all holier than thou and sanctimonious on this topic just reeks of having your cake and eating it too. I wonder what the banned members of the 1919 White Sox would say if they saw baseball supporting and profiting off of sports gambling. It’s too late for them. But baseball should squat or get off the pot. If they are going to continue to support gambling put Pete Rose in the hall. Don’t let him be another Shoe-less Joe Jackson wandering the cornfield in Iowa for eternity without that honor. Do the right thing. Ueberroth did it with Mays and Mantle. Do it with Pete. Oh by the by. If you bet on Peterson….you lost.

Reese Kaplan -- Mike Puma's If These Walls Could Talk Part 1 of 9


A great many readers reminisce about the time spent watching the Mets over the years, reveling in the good times, agonizing over the bad times and laughing at the incidents of mismanagement that land on the back pages of the tabloids as often as they do in the monologues of the late night TV talk show hosts.  While being a Mets fan is often an exercise in one’s intestinal fortitude, the fact is that it’s in our bloodstream and the bad times make the good ones that much sweeter to enjoy.  What we lack as fans is access to the key personnel responsible for the Mets experience -- the players, the manager, the front office folks, the trainers and the scouts.  



Here is where professional sportswriters have an edge and the distinguished Mike Puma who, for the past 14 years, has served as a key member of the New York Post team.  He recently published a book entitled, If These Walls Could Talk: New York Mets (Stories from the New York Mets Dugout, Locker Room, and Press Box).  Mike graciously provided me with time in late April to discuss his book and the Mets in general.  Over this series of nine columns I’ll look to share with you insights into Mike’s book and the color he provided during our interview.



When you open the book and begin reading the introduction, you’re immediately thrust into Hank Azaria's roller coaster ride of ups and downs that comes with being a Mets fan.  The “Brockmire” joke, “The Mets are the Yankees of not being the Yankees” really calls to mind what it’s like embracing this ballclub.  He recited what it was like growing up in the Steinbrenner heyday of the Reggie Jackson Yankees and how easy it was to root for the constant winners who would spend or do whatever it took to remain on top.


He then explained how he tried to embrace the years he spent from 1986 forward in Los Angeles attempting to bleed Dodger blue.  He praised their professionalism, the Vin Scully-led booth and the experience of staying competitive, but realized after the first pitch was thrown he really didn’t care about the outcome.  Again, that Mets DNA runs deep and it’s difficult to separate yourself from it no matter what toll it takes on your mind and your body.  


Azaria confessed that the only time he felt truly long maladjustment was the 2007 season when the team experienced an epic collapse when they lost a 7 game lead in the division with just 17 games left to play in the season.  Not only didn’t the Mets win the division, they didn’t even make it to the postseason.  That gut punch still resonates whenever fans think back on that ignominious debacle. 

 


Mike Puma made a special point to thank Hank Azaria for his foreword to the book both in his wrap-up section and during our phone conversation.  Mike said, “Mets fans suffer scar tissue, and rapid heartbeat.  They’re a beaten down bunch, optimistic about what’s coming up next regardless of what’s happened in the past.”


He continued, “Taking into account the passion of the fanbase, 35 years since the last World Series championship is an eternity, After Madoff and the Wilpons, the fans are ready for the next great moment.  I think Hank summed it up perfectly.  He gave great input to the book.”



Of course, there was a second forward section by none other than Keith Hernandez.  As everyone is well aware, Keith was a bit of a high profile and somewhat troubled character when he was obtained for Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey from the St. Louis Cardinals.  He quickly became part of the fabric of Mets fans’ identity.  If ever you want to start a major argument with brothers in arms, suggest politely that Carlos Delgado or John Olerud might have been the best Mets 1st baseman.  The emotional and vituperative rebuttal will be long and quite impassioned.  


Hernandez was quite effusive in his praise of Bobby Valentine, though he did offer up the opinion that the man was not as good bringing the club together in 2000, lacking cohesion was his analysis of it.  He felt Jeff Wilpon was highly overmatched for the job.  He was mostly charitable about Terry Collins’ stint in charge, but did hint about the change that was made being long overdue.  


Getting started with these two great sections really set the tone for the fly-on-the-wall perspective of the book that was to follow.  Chronologically it took the late 1990s up until the present with thoughts from all people involved in the outcomes during that period.  There are times when you read you find yourself smiling and other times feel your stomach acid churning, but hey, that’s what it’s like to be a Mets fans.


Over the next several columns I will try to traverse chapter by chapter to give you insight into the book, adding commentary from Mike Puma where appropriate.  It’s worth a read for the reminiscence and to congratulate yourself for having the wherewithal to stand the pain, too.    


Mets News and Breakfast Links 4/30/2021

 



Good Morning.  Steve Cohen tweets about Mets offense and has been having Mets players over for dinner.  FanGraphs confirms that deGrom's run support is lacking, and Mets Prospects Brett Baty and Matt Allan talk to the Media.

Section Links: Mets Links, MLB Links, This Day in Mets History and Comments. 

Mets Links: 

Tonight's Game: 

Mets (9-10) @ Phillies (12-12), 7:05 pm

PHI: Chase Anderson (#57, 33, RHP, 0-3, 6.48)
NYM: Marcus Stroman (#0, 30, RHP, 3-1, 2.25)

Mets.com: 5 biggest early-season surprises in NL East. For the Mets – Their Offensive struggles.  ”…the Mets instead ranked last in the NL in runs per game over their first 18 contests, in large part because they were also dead last in batting average with runners in scoring position.”

NY Post: Luis Rojas has ‘aggressive’ fix for Mets’ MLB-worst offense.  “Right now, we just gotta remind ourselves that we gotta be aggressive,” Rojas said. “We gotta hunt the fastball and we gotta adjust.”

FanGraphs: Jacob deGrom’s Run Support Is As Lacking as You Think. One of the great points noted by writer Dan Szymborski “…if the Mets just scored runs the way they do for their other pitchers, it would add roughly 17 wins to deGrom’s career line, shifting his record to a healthier 89-34.”

NY Post: Francisco Lindor’s Mets struggles are more worrisome than you think. “Meld his dreadful .203/.317/.261 slash line this season with the .258/.335/.415 he posed with the Indians last year, which established or tied career lows in all three counts, and it instantly becomes a less small sample.”

NY Post: Why Steve Cohen is inviting Mets stars over for dinner. “The dinners that Cohen is hosting in Connecticut reflect more on the new Mets owner’s desire to speed up his baseball education, let employees know the ultimate decision-maker cares about them and to humanize the relationship”

SNY.TV: Guess What? The Mets' bullpen is really good, and the advanced numbers prove it. Edwin Diaz, Miguel Castro, and Trevor May have been a dominant trio in the back of the bullpen.

SNY.TV: Mets prospect Matt Allan ready for first full season: 'I just feel pretty dominant'. SNY's No. 2 overall Mets prospect, Allan profiles as a top of the rotation starter.

SNY.TV: Mets top prospect Brett Baty 'really excited' for minor league baseball returning. 'Just playing in a different uniform has been amazing'.







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Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com: 

Born on this date:

Died on this date:

Transactions:

New York Mets claimed Daryl Boston on waivers from the Chicago White Sox on April 30, 1990.

New York Mets signed free agent Val Pascucci on April 30, 2008.

National Pastime.com:

1988

Reds' manager Pete Rose will be suspended for thirty days and fined $10,000 for pushing David Pallone, after the umpire makes a delayed call that allows the eventual winning run to score in the team's 6-5 loss to the Mets at Riverfront Stadium. The Cincinnati skipper shoves the first base ump twice after claiming he was poked in the face, a charge the arbitrator denies, and one never substantiated by major league baseball.

1990

With Dale Murphy and Ernie Whitt on base, Mark Lemke grounds to second baseman Gregg Jefferies, who lobs the ball to David Cone covering first. The runner is called safe, which leads to the Mets starter having a complete meltdown, vehemently arguing the call with umpire Charlie Williams as the two Braves' runners cross the plate to score.

2002

Al Leiter becomes the first pitcher in baseball history to record wins over all thirty big league franchises that have been existence since 1901. The Mets southpaw earns the victory as New York routs the Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark, 10-1.

 

2005

With an enthusiastic RFK crowd chanting "Let's go, ground crew" the inexperienced group puts on quite a show of ineptitude when they struggle putting the tarp on a very soggy field during the second rain delay of the rain-shortened 5-3 victory over the Mets. New York files a protest after the game is called off in the bottom of the eighth, claiming the field became unplayable due to Washington's inability to cover the field during the 37-minute stoppage of play.

2008

Julio Franco, the oldest player to homer in the major leagues, announces his retirement from professional baseball, leaving the Quintana Roo Tigers of the Mexican League. The 49 year-old Dominican compiled a .298 average, collected 2,586 hits and hit 173 homers during his 23-year tenure with eight big league teams, which included the Phillies, Indians, Rangers, White Sox, Brewers, Rays, Braves, and Mets.

 

2012

When Brett Myers faces his first batter in the ninth inning, the Astros closer becomes the seventh different Houston pitcher to face seven consecutive Mets, a major league first. Houston manager Brad Mills wears out a path from the dugout to the mound when he pulls starter Bud Norris from the game and then proceeds to summon Wilton Lopez, Wesley Wright, Brandon Lyon, Fernando Abad, and Fernando Rodriguez, to face one batter each in the team's 4-3 victory at Citi Field.

Baseball Reference:

2017 - Anthony Rendon has a game for the ages as he goes 6-for-6 with his first three homers of the year and drives in 10 runs to lead the Nationals to a 23 - 5 drubbing of the Mets. He joins Walker Cooper as the only two players ever to have 6 hits and 10 RBIs in one game. Bryce Harper scores 4 runs to give 32 in April, a new major league record, and Matt Wieters has a pair of homers among his three hits. It is the most runs in franchise history for Washington. Worse for New York, Noah Syndergaard leaves the game in the 2nd after experiencing arm pain.

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