The Mack Report - Humberto Mejia, David Peterson, Spring Report on Infielders, Pete Alonso, Simon Juan

Humberto Mejia, David Peterson, Spring Report on Infielders, Pete Alonso, Simon Juan

 

The Syraucse Mets announced their opening day rotation, which included Humberto Mejia. 

Mejia is a 26-year old 6-4 RHSP that was an International prospect, signed by Miami,  out of Panama. 

He has played for both the Marlins and Diamondbacks 

Career MLB stat line - -0.5-WAR, 0-5, 6.68 

Mack - There isn’t much to write about here, other than he finished thos off-season 4-3, 2.15, in 10 starts for Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Winter League. 

 

Tim Britton - Which MLB players impressed most in spring training? One pick from every team - 

New York Mets 

Player: David Peterson, SP 

There’s an alternate universe in which Peterson, fresh off a very solid 2022, watches the Mets nevertheless add three starting pitchers in the offseason and comes into camp jaded. That couldn’t be further from what actually happened, with the lefty entering the spring with his head down, focused on excelling in whatever role the Mets found for him. He’s been lights out all spring, looking dominant outside of one brief bout with his command. He allowed just one hit in 12 innings. With José Quintana out for at least the first half of the season, an enormous opportunity has opened up for Peterson to entrench himself in the rotation, and he’s positioned himself to capitalize on it. 

Mack - I’m so happy for David. I have been a big fan of his since his days in school and lobbied for the Mets to pick him when hos name was still on the board in 2017 when the Mets came up at 1.20. 

I believe that the Quintana recovery will be slow and he may never get a chance to bump Peterson. 

 

Tim Britton and Will Sammon - 40 Mets, 40 observations: What camp taught us about every guy on the roster - 

Infielders 

Pete Alonso: Alonso entered camp noticeably slimmer, having lost 10 pounds after including more running in his offseason program. He’s put a big emphasis on the little things such as being better in certain counts and curtailing his aggressiveness when it makes sense. 

Brett Baty: An improved glove made the decision to option Baty to Triple A somewhat more difficult — even if he always faced long odds of making the club. The front office wants him to continue gaining experience in different scenarios at third base. During the spring, he got better at making routine plays defensively while showcasing power to the opposite field at the plate. One specific improvement on defense included more range going to his left. 

Eduardo Escobar: Manager Buck Showalter dubbed Escobar the early spring training standout for a fictional award based on most smiles. With a personal issue behind him, Escobar seemed to be in better spirits compared to the first half of last season. Club officials believe he deserves a shot to prove he can remain a regular after an impressive September. Despite the prospect Baty looming, Escobar always seemed like he would be the Mets’ starting third baseman after the Carlos Correa saga unfolded. 

Luis Guillorme: In addition to his usual duties at second base, third base and shortstop, Showalter wanted Guillorme to get some reps at first base. He could stand to benefit from more of a DH rotation against lefties; if Escobar slides into that rotation occasionally, then Guillorme could conceivably play more third base despite being a left-handed batter. 

Francisco Lindor: Early in the spring, Lindor encouraged Baty during a conversation inside the clubhouse about the prospect’s improved footwork. Later, while standing on first base, Lindor encouraged 24-year-old pitcher Dominic Hamel to calm down during an intrasquad game. With Lindor, the leadership signs remained present. One thing to track during the season will be how he feels; he said the last time he played in the WBC, he was exhausted. He spent the spring threading the needle between preparing himself and not overdoing it. 

Ronny Mauricio: The power impressed; Mauricio hit at least two home runs that traveled more than  450 feet. The Mets optioned Mauricio before they sent down their other top position player prospects. After playing mostly shortstop during the spring, Mauricio said he is willing to play more third base. 

Jeff McNeil: McNeil received only nine at-bats during the WBC, so upon his return to the Mets he spent time in the back fields to catch up on reps. In the Mets’ final intrasquad game, McNeil played shortstop, and Showalter mentioned him as an emergency option in center field. 

Danny Mendick: Facing a slower ramp-up because of a torn ACL last year, Mendick didn’t play in games right away. But over the course of spring, he said he was fully healthy and racked up 28 plate appearances while playing a few positions such as second base and third base. Mendick said his natural position was shortstop and he can also play left field. 

Mark Vientos: A highlight for Vientos occurred in mid-March when he showcased improved footwork while making nifty picks on low throws at first base. Defense will remain a key in Vientos’ development. He also saw time at third base. Vientos will start the season in Triple A. 

Daniel Vogelbach: Vogelbach arrived at Port St. Lucie approximately 20 pounds lighter. Despite hitting several balls hard, Vogelbach hit just .205 in the spring. Regardless, he seems locked into the strong side of the Mets’ DH platoon with team officials pointing to his success against right-handers over the last couple of years. 

Mack - I have no problem letting the old guys start this team both on the 26 and in the starting lineup, but, if they stumble, the Mets must bring the kids back, especially the ones that are MLB ready. 

 

Steve Zavala/ClutchPoints - Steve Cohen keeps it real on Pete Alonso’s Mets future-

“Listen, Pete’s a great guy and a great Met and really important to the team,” Cohen said. “Generally we don’t comment on these type of conversations. If there’s a deal to be made, it’ll be made at the right time. 

“I’ll rely on my baseball people to make those recommendations. … It comes down to, at the right time, we’ll probably sit down and have those conversations.” 

Mack - Trust me. Cohen will get involved here. The Mets have one the best young first basemen in the game and they have no one in the chain that could take over here. He has to be extended. 

 

Joe DeMayo - Mets' updated Top 20 prospects for 2023 MLB season -

19. OF Simon Juan

The Mets' top signing in the 2022 international free agent class, who signed for $1.9 million, is someone the Mets think of in the same light that they did Alex Ramirez at 16 years old. Juan has a projectable build and potential to show some of all the five tools. He struggled in his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League with a .633 OPS, but there is still sky-high upside here, and he should move stateside this year. 

MLB ETA: 2027 

Mack - Juan will play 2023 as a 17 year old, so there is a good chance he could start this season for the DSL-1 team, Me? I get him over here and play him at the FCL level.