Wikipedia states:
A retrospective (from Latin retrospectare, "look back"), generally, is a look back at events that took place, or works that were produced, in the past.
I thought it might be fun to look back and see who got drafted by the Mets in rounds 1 thru 5, how they panned out, and who, after the 5th round, ultimately made it to the dance.
Not to get too historical, I thought I’d start at 2005 and work forward towards 2021 from there, a year at a time.
Last time, on Thursday? Covered 2005.
Today? Second article in this series.
The Mets' 2006 Draft
Round 1 - Nyet, comrade. Congressman Adam Schiff is investigating this missing pick.
Round 2 - Kevin Mulvey - traded while in the minors, he eventually pitched poorly and briefly in the big leagues. Not a fruitful 2nd rounder.
Round 3 - Joe Smith, who turned out to be a highly successful reliever, with great longevity. Career-wise, in the MLB, a dazzling 54-33, 3.09 ERA in 832 games. The Mets had him in 2007 and 2008.
They clearly should have kept him. He’s still pitching.
Rounds 4 and 5 - the Mets made the mistake of drafting guys whose name started with H, namely John Holdzkom and Stephen Holmes. The 6'9" Holdzkom actually had a brief, impressive stint with Pittsburgh in 2014, throwing 9 innings, with 4 hits allowed and 14 Ks. But that was that. He also didn't have an affinity to odd years, missing all of 2009, 2011, and 2013 as a pro, for reasons unresearched by me.
Holmes never played. At all. Why? Dunno. I'll let his uncle Sherlock figure that out.
Beyond the first 5 rounds:
In the 13th round, they struck gold with Daniel Murphy. Like Joe Smith, Murphy was highly successful post-Mets. He also had plenty of solid play during his 7 years with the Mets.
Morale of that Smith/Murphy story for the Mets?
Maybe it's "Hold onto your Irish guys." If you do, your eyes will be smiling.
Vic Black was drafted in the 41st round, but declined to sign.
He did get drafted by another squad later, however, and eventually got acquired by, and pitched for, the Mets. Mack always sad he was a terrific guy. Like many, injuries shortened his career.
Otherwise, a barren year for the Mets. But Murphy and Smith were superb selections. Two Irish guys? Dublin your pleasure.
On to 2007 in my next article. Stay tuned.
Mets signed Billy Wagner in the 2005/2006 off season which is why they lost the first round pick. Wished they had kept Joe Smith. Think he was better than JJ Putz and Sean Green who they brought in as part of the 3 team trade.
ReplyDeleteWagner was a terrific move, as it turned out. The Phils used the pick to draft Adrian Cardenas, who was a bust.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great series you have going Tom!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bill. I enjoyed doing it. With my memory, I also enjoy re-reading them when they come out. LOL
ReplyDeleteWasn't much there after Kershaw & Longoria (if I have the year right). Wanted them to draft the Notre Dame wide-receiver...Polish name...who went to the Cubs I remember.
ReplyDeleteScherzer, Lincecum, and Andrew Miller were 3 specials in Round 1, too, Hobie. Maybe the Mets will sign Scherzer this offseason?
ReplyDeleteTB:
ReplyDeleteI like my Kershaw idea better. Nothing personal.
Here's your 2022 NYM rotation. Let me know back here, what you guys think.
1. deGrom 2. Rodon (made $3.0 million in 2021 BTW Steve) 3. Kershaw ($15.0 per for 3 years, totaling $45.0 mill) 4. Taijuan Walker 5. Tyler Megill 6. To be decided. By me of course after ST.
Beat that, get a cheese cake and a movie with Howie Rose!
Okay.
ReplyDeleteSo.
What about Cookie Candy Carlos Carrasco in the six?
Everyone seems so really opposed to having a six man rotation. It's sort of studip I think anyway. It makes great sense, to at least me. It's because of simple ecological science. Here goes.
The soil in America was once rich with nutrients derived from wood burning stoves and heat. The "wonderful idea" of converting our heating system to nuclear power plant generation subtracted this most needed wood ash and nutrient rich soil dependent upon it. So now, we all eat crap produce with almost no nutrients and then die.
Arm injuries are just the tip of this nutrient deficient iceberg.
Now you know.
You're welcome.