New “Red Prospect”
I don’t give out these red tags too often. Especially to pitchers. But I have to acknowledge the accomplishments so far this season by St. Lucie starter, 22-year old Keyshawn Askew.
Askew was drafted in the 10th round of last year’s draft, out of Clemson University. Frankly, I follow the Tigers like a shadow and I never saw much from him when he pitched there. Case in point… 2021 junior stats: 12-G, 11-ST, 1-2, 5.84.
It must have been the 69-Ks in 57-IP that told some Mets scout something.
He finished the 2021 season pitching in four games (one start) for the FCL Mets, going 2-0, 1.00, 9-IP, 14-K. Nice professional start.
But this season, for Lucy, he has shined: 13-G, 4-ST, 4-0, 1.93, 46.2-IP, 64-K.
He does need to cut down on the 19-BB, and he does need to start rather than be used as a piggy, but, in my book, he has earned the elevation to RED Prospect.
Oh. By the way. My current red starters in the chain:
AAA - none
AA - none
A+ - Matt Allen, Dominic Hamel
A - Calvin Zeigler, Keyshawn Askew
FCL - Richard Brito
Camp - Blade Tidwell
As you can see, the Mets are still naked in the top levels but are developing the lowers just fine.
Jim Callis @jimcallisMLB
5th-rder D'Andre Smith signs with Mets for $379,400 (full slot 149 value). USC Baseball SS, solid raw power, average speed, profiles as offensive second baseman.
2023 MLB DRAFT - TOP 100 COLLEGE PROSPECTS here -
15 SS Nolan Souza Punahou, Honolulu, HI
Nolan Souza is the rare, premium prospect coming out of Hawaii. He's got a buttery smooth swing with elite-level hip separation, suggesting he's going to age into serious game power. He's already seriously impacting the baseball, but it could continue to develop more and more as he adds weight and physicality. Souza doesn't possess elite bat speed yet, but it's coming. He's a big boy and will almost certainly slide over to third base or a corner outfield role as he fully matures, but he moves well and could stick on the dirt longer than most anticipate. This is a pretty premium athlete with most of his upside still ahead of him.
2023 MLB DRAFT - TOP 100 HIGH SCHOOL PROSPECTS HERE -
6. Hurston Waldrep Right-Handed Pitcher, Florida
Waldrep transferred out of Southern Miss to Florida for his junior year after some impressive undergrad campaigns. The fastball gets up to 97 with immense hop at the top of the zone and true bat-missing qualities. The slider is thrown firm and short with late two-plane tilt that Waldrep gets hitters to chase with regularity. He's also flashed an above average changeup, though it's inconsistent both in shape and execution. Waldrep has a super-athletic frame with well-proportioned strength and a wicked quick arm. He's a true power pitcher with a bulldog mentality on the bump.
Yesterday’s Tweets -
Mathew Brownstein @MBrownstein89
Lowest starting pitcher ERA by team for the month of July:
Mets: 2.32
Dodgers: 2.54
Giants: 2.93
Jim Bowden @JimBowdenGM
The Mariners have called up Jared Kelenic according Jerry DiPoto
Tyler @5WrightHOF
Luis Guillorme vs RHP: 129 wRC+
Eduardo Escobar vs LHP: 133 wRC+
Low key elite 3B platoon
It is encouraging to see the red prospects early in the chain. It is not surprising that there are none at the top given the number of runs that the Syracuse and Binghamton staffs give up per game.
ReplyDeleteThat said, what is your opinion on Jose Butto? He seems to be one of the better AA pitchers.
Butto is a good.pitcher but he hasn't flashed elite yet.
DeleteIt is going to be very hard for him to crash the Mets rotation someday when their new approach is to add veterans to that position
Hopefully,a few more "red" pitchers emerge over the next year.
ReplyDeleteThey could, especially from the crop signed in the 2021 draft.
DeleteBaty, Alvarez, Mauricio don't make "red" status? WOW!
ReplyDeleteBill
DeleteThey are all RED prospects.
I only listed rotation pitchers
Ah! I missed that. Thanks.
DeleteDiPoto is trying to trade Kelenic for “some help”. Would y’all gi e up Nogosek for him, if DiPoto were to agree? Hard to see any organization giving up more, but I’m sure many (or at least some) will be intrigued.
ReplyDeleteThis is a tough one.
DeleteI love Nogo but Kelenic still projects as a future.star in this game
Isn't "No Go" a great nickname for a pitcher? 😁
DeleteBill, Mack specified “starters”
ReplyDeleteThe 2021 draft may be the best ever, and technically, Kevin Perada must be part of that draft because it was that choice the Mets used to get him. The 2022 draft with Williams and Tidwell may be pretty good someday, but the ‘21 draft may have provided a roster full of pitching. Where have you ever heard that before?
ReplyDeleteFellas,the Mariners aren’t trading Kelenic. For a set up guy. How about Mauricio for Kelenic?
ReplyDeleteI just don't know.
DeleteGus, it really has been remarkable at how the 2021 draft pitchers have performed.
ReplyDeleteI do have a spare bag of chips in the closet for Kelenic.
Has there ever been so many fans screaming bloody murder in 2019 over a trade that are now thanking heaven that it was made? Edwin is brilliant.
Looking forward to the new signs getting out in games.
Mack is A Ram our Soto or still to early but we can dream. Also who do u see being promoted in Sept and is it still Sept 1 and how many can we promote?
ReplyDeleteTo me, Ramirez is now our top prospect. He is as close to a 5 Tool player as we have.
DeleteAlvarez still has defensive holes. Ramirez doesn't.
As.for September
1. Definitely Vientos (if he's not already there)
Rest depending.on injuries
Cmon, Alvlarez is#1 prospect Ramirez is in Single A and on a hot streak. So is Baty.
ReplyDeleteWoodrow, Kelenic’s value is shot. First, look up an article written earlier this year by a baseball writer that compares Kelenic’s start to other players with those numbers; it’s pretty bad. Second, reading MLBTR yesterday, they made it clear that DiPoto hopes to get anything for him and the whole industry knows he can’t hit a breaking ball. He came up yesterday and promptly struck out twice in three plate appearances. I feel for the kid, he needs help and isn’t getting it in Seattle.
ReplyDeleteDid Cano get cut again??? The clownish Braves signed him right before the Mets came to twin only to keep him for two weeks? Looking for tips on Mets hitters? Wait til they get a view of the Mets starting rotation this weekend.
ReplyDeletetwin = town
ReplyDeleteIf the the Mariners want to trade Kelenic,sign me up. I love Mauricio but I trade him for Kelenic. I’d trade Vientos and another guy for him. I doubt Ms take either offer. The guy was an elite prospect got to think he’s still a top prospect.
ReplyDeleteAlvarez is my # 1 prospect, because I think he will hit 30 HRs in a bad year. Ramirez has snapped out of hi swoon with a vengeance. I see him ready to go as a Mets starting OF in 2024. He should be a future All Star.
ReplyDeleteMack, it is a very small sample back from Tommy John so far, but Tony Dibrell may be better than Butto. You never know how much a bad elbow impaired Dibrell's performance before it gave way. Tony has been briefly great.
ReplyDelete