Looking ahead to the Arizona Fall League, many Mets fans were excited and anticipating the best of the best in the system to play in an extended competition when the minor league seasons are done. There are any number of folks in the Mets prospect lists who would generate great interest and lure many sports media types to cover them as they continue to deliver on the ballfield.
If you are unfamiliar with the structure and purpose of the AFL, it consists of six multidisciplinary teams operating on Spring Training complex fields beginning in late October and running through late November (or early December). In total 90 games are played with the six teams divided into an eastern and western division. The Mets are joined by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers on the Salt River Rafters who call Scottsdale home at Talking Stick Baseball Field where the Diamondbacks and Rockies prepare for their major league season.
In the MLB-run league, teams can nominate seven players to become a part of their roster. Catchers are not included in the mix as they are sort of drafted to fill out each team's playing needs. Nominated players can choose to participate or decline as they see fit, but it's a great opportunity for them to see fellow up and comers in organized competition. When more than seven are nominated, some are part of a taxi squad of additional players who can be used as needs arise. At one time there were restrictions to how many players from each level were allowed, but now it is an open call to include anyone in a team's minor league system.
When the announcement was made recently about who in the Mets farm system will be there in Arizona, the list generated a number of head-shaking reactions or the even less flattering, "Who?" question from all but the most minor league faithful.
The current list of prospective New York Mets includes pitchers Grant Hartwig, Troy Miller, Franklin Sanchez, Christian Scott and Mike Vasil. On the offensive side of the ledger the Mets will send outfielders Stanley Consuegra and Brandon McIlwain, shortstop Kevin Kendall and infielder Luke Ritter.
Missing from this list are players like Francisco Alvarez (who has an ankle problem likely in need of rest or medical attention), Ronny Mauricio, Jose Butto, Wyatt Young and Jose Peraza.
Grant Hartwig is a bit of a latecomer after college, now at age 24 but having played in just 45 games. However, his numbers in the minors are much better than his college career. Thus far he's gone 4-3 with a 2.07 ERA, a WHIP of just 1.133 while striking out 12.5 per 9 IP.
Troy Miller is likely nominated to this list not for his unimpressive stat sheet, but because he's missed a lot of time in development due to injury. He is not what you'd call a prospect anymore.
Franklin Sanchez is a true youngster, having just turned 21 this season. He's switched back and forth between starting and relieving, but isn't really making the highlight reels in either role.
Christian Scott has pretty much been converted into a relief pitcher where his best stat is his 11.8 strikeouts per 9 IP. The ERA, WHIP and other numbers are not impressive and he's already 23 years of age never having made it to AA.
Mike Vasil is easily the most impressive pitching prospect on this list, ranking as high as number 11 on the Mets ratings for its minor league players. He has started 20 of 21 games in the minors, going 4-2 with a 3.33 ERA along with a 1.021 WHIP. At age 22 he's not yet advanced to AA but his performance thus far suggests he should be on a steady climb up the ladder.
Stanley Consuegra is a big slugger with a strikeout issue to address. In 206 games he's fanned 206 times. He has clubbed 19 HRs and driven in 108, but his batting average is a Kingman-like .237. Whether or not he can refine his game is anyone's guess.
Brandon McIlwain is another one of those fringe types who has a little bit of everything in his game but nothing approaching star status. He has a little power, a little speed but a career minor league average of just .253 at age 24 with a handful of games in AA doesn't suggest the team should plan for anything from him other than a bench role.
Kevin Kendall is a shortstop in a team with several notable names in front of him on his quest to make the majors. However, in very limited minor league play he holds a .312 batting average and is recovering from injury, so it makes sense to send him to Scottsdale to allow him to play more innings against better competition.
Luke Ritter has hit with more power than you might expect, having hit 34 HRs and driven in 141 in just over two aggregate seasons worth of at-bats. Unfortunately, that power is accompanied by a woeful .221 batting average and already age 25, it's unlikely he's going to become a major league starter.
Since they are all indeed a part of the Mets empire, it will be interesting to see how they fare during this extended look in Arizona. Aside from pitcher Mike Vasil and recovering shortstop Kevin Kendall, the rest appear to be long shots at best.
8 comments:
Some head scratchers there. Maybe they feel Wyatt Young and Ronny Mauricio need a break after playing almost every game in 2022, although that didn’t stop Pete Alonso. I would also have loved to see sizzling Jose Peroza picked to there.
But Miller and Kendall are doing catch up time following injury, and maybe they want Peroza in the AFL next year. Good pitchers (the few) have been heavily worked this year, so I can see them being held back.
Kendall is a bit of a surprise, considering his very limited minors play since being drafted in 2021. 9 ABs this year. But he did really well in his debut in St Lucie in 31 games last year. Maybe he is a SS version of 2B Wyatt Young, and really ready to handle tough competition despite limited minors time.
Hartwig is well deserving, based on his excellent 2021.
Consuegra has potential despite his numbers. And these days, 206 Ks in 206 games is actually decent. I think he has MLB potential by 2024-25.
Ritter has fanned 165 times in 126 games in 2022. Is that fixable?
Relief Pitching down on the Farm
Watched the Braves game yesterday afternoon. A 23-year old Ohio native by the name of Spencer Strider started for the Braves and pitched a brilliant game again. This kid is absolutely the real deal, with a 100 mph fastball batters cannot seem to hit because it moves, and an 11-5, 2.67 ERA, 202 strikeouts over 131 innings, and a WHIP under 1.00. He is amassing Jake numbers, already.
My point here is simply that Spencer started out as a relief pitcher within the Atlanta Braves organization. It got me wondering.
So I took a moment to scan the Mets AAA Syracuse and AA Binghamton pitching rosters. Not surprisingly, I found that by far the majority of these Mets pitchers had relief pitcher designation. Normally, young pitchers who have not yet secondary pitches established are sent to the bullpen. In Strider's case, he was tutored by the Braves organization to develop secondary pitches the Braves' game announcers stated. It was obvious that someone had seen something special about Spencer Strider and wanted to give this starting notion a shot.
It worked.
Here then, are the most statistically interesting young Mets relievers that I noticed from their top two MiLB levels.
At Syracuse:
Eric Orze and Josh Walker. Not sure where Walker actually is at current. But he has tasted some early on success.
At Binghamton:
Grant Hartwig
Maybe lightning can happen twice, and a look at them for the starting role should be considered.
Reese and Tom,
Do we have access to the 2022 roster for the Mets Fall Instructional League? I know this is utilized annually to provide additional instruction for players they feel are candidates to advance each year. I think this roster will give us an idea as to the players the team feels most confident in their ability to develop.
Mets Right Now
This NY Mets edition is playing exceptionally well. To their credit they recouped very quickly from the Cubs series, and got right back into their championship team mindset. They were confident and resilient. And it absolutely showed. Kudos to them and their coaching.
The 2022 Braves are basically a young team that has grown up a lot more quickly than I thought possible this season. It has showed in the second half. Personally, I had them tentatively slated for later on in 2023 season for this. They really surprised me by this feat. The Atlanta Braves are truly a very young and very talented team, with developing depth. A team which will be around for a longtime. But what could be better for NY Mets fans, because it makes for fun and terrific baseball to watch!
The 2022 NY Mets also have some outstanding younger players as well. But it is to their advantage because they blend so perfectly with the few top veteran starters this team can rely upon, because they are all big game tested already.
After the 2021 NY Mets season, I have to admit that I was not a happy camper following this team. I just didn't like the "2021 effort" made by some of the players after Jake went down. But I am glad to be back a NY Mets fan once again.
Never give up.
Farm system obviously a weakness and has a way to go. Baty and Vientos no match for Harris and the 2B playing for the Braves. Depending on Cohens $ might not work.
D J, I heard all along that Matt Allan would be in the Fall Instructional, as Step 1 in his career restart. The rest of the list would be interesting to see. We'll see if we can rustle that up.
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The Mets have had their struggles at times, like any team, and lots of injuries, but have stayed right on track. Petes bomb off a good pitch last night was amazing.
And no one, but no one, will want to face Jake and Scherzer this post season. Gonna be fun, especially if they get back to the WS.
I believe the Syracuse Mets have 9 games left in 9 days for this season. If so, Francisco Alvarez still has time to bump Ruf and Vientos to be the Mets' righty DH - and he could also catch if needed. 7 for 20 over the past week with a couple of bombs.
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