Tom Brennan - Some Brief Florida Complex League Observations

THE FCL IS QUITE COMPLEX

Well, the Mets traded their best FCL hitter, Hector Rodriguez, as part of the Tyler Naquin deal.  I have no problem with that.  I hope you don't, either.

I still would like to figure out how the heck the Yankees continually get stocked with hitters.  They have 50 HRs in 40 games, averaging 7.1 runs per game and 2 steals per game.

Mets are averaging 5 runs per game, not bad, but hitting just .227 (Yanks .267).

Blaine McIntosh is to me the only current FCL hitter of note. Drafted in the 13th round 2019 out of HS, he has dealt with injuries and is hitting just .232 this season, but .397 OBP and .400 slug. I think he’s got something talent-wise to carry him much higher. Time will tell.  To me, NO other hitters showing promise, although that could change.

Pitching wise, though, the Complex Mets' ERA is a nifty 3.49.

Doug Orellanos has been a bit wild, but in his last 3 starts, 11 scoreless, 21 Ks. Wow.

A pitcher with a somewhat similar last name, Layonelle Ovalles, has a 2.76 ERA and 44 Ks in 29 innings.

Jawilme Ramirez leads the league with a 1.06 ERA in 34 innings.  0.82 WHIP.  But "just" 31 Ks. Let's see if he can keep dazzling.

Two of the top FC Mets arms, Saul Gonzalez and Jose Acuna, also went bye bye in recent trades.

Hopefully, we start seeing some of 2022's signed draft picks in these games (or appearing for St Lucie).  It appears none have been in games to this point.

Anyone have more to share on the FCL, feel free.  This was a shallow dive.

Without going into the DSL in any detail, two guys of interest from the 2 teams that combined are somewhat under .500.

17 year old SS Jesus Baez is doing well (.250, 6 HRs, 7 doubles, 8 steals, 31 RBIs in 42 games), Simon Juan (.228/.333/.340, 14 for 14 in steals) not so much. But Simon won't turn 18 until next July, so chill a bit, will ya?  He'll be fine in 2023.