The Mack Report - Thursday, August 4th

 

                            The Mack Report - Thursday, August 4th

 

                                                        Vin 

I can’t remember not being a fan of baseball. 

We didn’t have much when I was a kid, but what I did have was my trusty transistor radio. 

I don’t remember who bought this for me. It was rectangle, the color of blue and about three times the size of my hand. It went everywhere with me, including to sleep. 

Back then, baseball was a radio sport. Sure, the first Brooklyn Dodger game was televised eight years before I was born, but I rarely was allowed to use our Muntz TV. 

Instead, I would crawl into bed, curl up with the radio being used as a pillow, resting my ear right against the speaker, and turn up the volume slowly to WOR radio. It was there that I found the ONLY baseball announcer in the world. 

Oh sure, there were others, Guys with names like Red and Jerry and Mel, but, to me, there was only one. Vin Scully. 

Scully had this soothing voice that made you feel like it was even okay to lose games. My favorite Dodgers will always be Gil Hodges, but this guy came a close second. 

And he just continued to broadcast. Man, I’m 75 now and he still could be heard in Los Angeles. 

I will miss him, just like I do for all my Boys Of Summer. 

Rest east Vin. You can unplug now. 

 

I think I told you this week that Mychal Givens hadn’t given up a run in his last 800 innings pitched. Well, he changed that narrative last night. 

There were a lot of you upset when the Mets both traded for a right handed relieve, as well as the haul they had to give up to get Givens, but calm down. Let’s write this one off to a hiccup until we see more the next couple of outings. 

We scored nine runs this game. Trust me, no one will remember this poor outing in a week because of this. 

Grading each Mets deadline get here - 

Trade #1: 

Mets acquire 1B/DH Daniel Vogelbach from the Pirates in exchange for RP Colin Holderman. 

By doing this, the Mets filled out one half of their DH platoon. Vogelbach is a righty-killer, sporting a 153 wRC+ against them, compared to a 32 when facing southpaws. The Mets only plan on having him face righties, which has worked out very well so far. Colin Holderman looked very promising for the Mets in his limited time, with a 2.04 ERA in 17.2 innings while touching 99 on the radar gun, but the Mets had to give up controllable players to get controllable players, and it was a necessary move to improve the team. 

The grade: A 

 

2023 MLB DRAFT - TOP 100 COLLEGE PROSPECTS here - 

#9 Paul Skenes RHP Transfer Portal 

Paul Skenes was a phenomenon for Air Force as a freshman and sophomore before transferring. While he has some two-way potential, Skenes is a more upside on the mound working from a three-quarter arm slot with smooth mechanics, a short-arm action, hiding the ball on his back hip and creating a lot of deception. Skenes’ velocity sits in the low 90s as a starter, up to 95, but can get up to 98 in relief. He generates plenty of carry on the heater, with spin rates in the 2400 RPM range. Primary secondary offerings include a fall-off-the-table split-change and a short breaking slider, both in the low-to-mid 80s. At the plate, Skenes has some contact issues but really excels at finding the barrel and has legitimate slugging potential. Evaluators certainly prefer the arm, but the two-way upside is en vogue. 

 

2023 MLB DRAFT - TOP 100 HIGH SCHOOL PROSPECTS HERE - 

#18 SS Braden Holcomb Foundation Academy (FL) 

Holcomb is a big, athletic shortstop with massive power, reminiscent of Brady House from the 2021 class. Holcomb boasts big time bat speed and raw power that finds its way into games already. His solid defensive actions and near top of the scale arm strength will keep him on the left side infield for the long term. Scouts want to see a consistent approach at the plate and less swing-and-miss as he continues to develop, showcasing his talents as a hitter first and foremost, 

 

Yesterday’s Tweets -

 

Baseball @HittingDude 

2023 mlb top pitching FA 

Mike Clevinger (32)

Clayton Kershaw (35)

Sean Manaea (31)

Carlos Rodon (30)

Noah Syndergaard (30)

Jameson Taillon (31)

Taijuan Walker (30)

 

Anthony DiComo @AnthonyDiComo 

Jacob deGrom says he came out of his season debut feeling good. Played catch this afternoon without issue. He's all set to make his second start of the season Sunday against the Braves. The general guideline will be up to six innings/75 pitches in that one

 

Ernest Dove @ernestdove 

22 year old Mets IF prospect Jose Peroza has turned his season around in High A Brooklyn. 

July: .286/.356/.494/.850 

First 2 games into August hes combined 2 for 5 with 2 BBs.