The Mack Report - Wednesday, June 15th

First up is one of Tom’s favorite minor league players. 

6-2/190 Dedniel Nunez is a 26/year old RHRP that was a 2016 IDFA, out of the Dominican Republic. He was highly touted from the get go for his blazing speed that has been clocked on the 100+ range. 

Things never seem to get off the ground for Nunez (other than his lifetime 9.75 K/9%). His seasonal ERAs in the chain have been 5.24, 3.79, 4.03, and 4.53… going into the 2020 season. The Mets did not protect him in the 2020 Rule 5 draft, where he was lost; however he following that with going under the knife for TJS and was eventually returned to to Mets as a failing 24 year old reliever facing 25. 

So then what happened? 

He returned in the back part of last season for St. Lucie, pitches in three games, for 6.3 innings, produces 6-Ks, and a 0.00 ERA. 

This year, he is sent to Binghamton and, though he has only pitched in two games, produced 4-Ks in 2-IP and, again, a 0.,00 ERA. 

Still the 100 mph fastball. 

Yes, a small sample, but you won’t have to follow the progress of this guy this season. Just read this site and Tom is all over Dedniel. 

 

Some draft stuff…

 

Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB)

 

Shortstop:

 

1) Brooks Lee, Cal Poly

2) Zach Neto, Campbell

3) Eric Brown, Coastal Car.

4) Tanner Schobel, VT

5) Peyton Graham, Okla.

6) Josh Kasevich, Ore.

7) Ryan Ritter, UK

8) Trey Faltine, Texas

9) Jordan Sprinkle, UCSB

10) Phillip Glasser, Indiana

10b) Jalen Battles, Arkansas

 

Mack - A reminder. Joe is the best out there when it comes to ranking draft prospects. 

Lee has been at the top of this list for shortstops throughout the mock season. He is easily a top five pick. Neto has had a tremendous season for Campbell and locked himself in as an easy first round pick. 

Sad how far Cole Young has fallen behind here. He was vying with Lee as the top shortstop when this mock season started. 

My top five right now would be Lee, Neto, Graham, Sprinkle, and Jackson Holliday. 

 

Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB)

 

Third Base:

 

1) Cam Collier, Chipola

2) Jace Jung, TTU

3) Sterlin Thompson, Florida

4) Max Wagner, Clemson

5) Cade Doughty, LSU

6) Trey Lipscomb, Tenn

7) Jack Brannigan, Notre Dame

8) Mac Horvath, UNC

9) Ben Metzinger, Louisville

10) Zach Dezenzo, Ohio State

10b) Chase Estep, UK

 

Mack - Obviously, Joe now classifies Jacob Berry at first and Jung not at second. Also, I was surprised not to see Jayson Jones on this list. 

Wagner has really come on strong at the end of this season and it’s a shame he isn’t getting the kind of CWS exposure that Brannigan is now getting. 

My top five keeps Berry at third, followed by Doughty, Collier, Jones, and Thompson. 

 

Prospect Worldwide came out with their latest mock draft and here was their choices for the Mets at 1.11 and 1.14: 

11. Jackson Ferris

LHP- IMG Academy (FL)-

Height: 6’3 Weight: 200 Bat: L Throw: L 

FB CB CH Control

70  55  60     50 

Jackson Ferris is a southpaw who could end up going higher in the draft than people think with a strong spring at IMG Academy. His fastball has hit 97 and has a reported rpm on it up to 2600 with running life. His curveball has nice, late break to it and can throw hitters off balance. He has a legitimate three pitch mix and what’s most impressive about this lefty prep pitcher is that his best off-speed pitch is his changeup. He uses it to miss a lot of bats and it’s hard to read the pitch with his low quarters arm slot.

 

14. Noah Schultz

 LHP- Oswego East (IL)-  

Height: 6’9- Weight: 225 lbs- Bat: L- Throw: L 

SL FB CH Control

60 55  45       45 

Schultz’s best pitch is a sweeping SL that he throws in the high 70’s, that grades out as plus. The pitch has a frisbee break to it and garners a very high spin rate of around 3,000 rpm. The pitch also serves as a highly effective swing and miss pitch. Schultz does not have an overpowering FB as he sits 89-92mph and will touch 93/94. There is still some room for him to gain velo as he grows into his tall lanky frame. Even though his velo may not currently light up the radar gun, he has a loose arm and generates uber high BAUER units that will still get him some late swings and misses. Schultz will also mix in a CH occasionally, but has yet to show a consistent feel for the pitch. There are some obvious concerns as pitchers of Schultz height usually lack athleticism, struggle with command and are prone to injury. However, Schultz may be the exception as he shows some athleticism on the mound with a low injury risk delivery.

Tom dropped by and chimes in:

Mets - Chris Bassitt, being vilified by some on Facebook with their usual nearsightedness, twirled a gem tonight.  8 scoreless innings - and a Big W, one of my favorite foods from my Wetson's days.  Just 2 batters over the minimum.  Drew Smith goes 1-2-3, Mets win 4-0.

Pete?  2 ribbies (59). Nimmo set tables. Marte hustled and cleaned tables.  

And Jake and Max were in the dugout, getting closer to joining the 2022 tussle.

Minors!!

Syracuse is using Dom Smith as an offensive catalyst.  He exploded Tuesday night, getting on base 5 times; not just him, Mark Vientos (the next offensive Alonso?) smacked 2 HRs, Daniel Palka, whom Mack just highlighted due to his being hot, had FIVE HITS, including his 14th HR.

Somehow, on a night when Syracuse racked up 18 runs and 18 hits, Katoh (.071) and Bohanek (.166) went hitless in 8 at bats. See ball, hit ball, fellas.

Binghamton? Alvarez didn't homer.  How did I know?  Well, Bingo lost 9-0, so by process of elimination...

Brooklyn? Undrafted Joe Suozzi hit a HR and his .245 is better than prospects Newton and Palmer, both hitting .172 and sharing 4 strikeouts.  (Contact, fellas).  Clenney blew a 5-4 lead late and the Clones lost 6-5.

St Lucie? More dy-no-mite!  Alex Ramirez clocked 2 HRs and walked twice and (WOW!) and some guy named Junior Tilien had 2 hits and 2 walks.   Of Mets prospects playing right now, those two are # 5 and # 6 in my book. Alvarez, Vientos, Baty, Mauricio, Ramirez and Tilien - those are my top 6.  Neither of them fanned - funny how that works, huh?  Both are sizzling hot.