The Mack Report - Malm, Oca, Max on Alvy. Brett, T.J.

Malm, Oca, Max on Alvy. Brett, T.J.

 

Patchogue-Medford’s Malm debuts for the Mets at spring training -

Patchogue-Medford baseball alumnus Brad Malm made his debut for the Mets on Friday in New York’s spring training game against Houston in St. Lucie. 

The 2017 Pat-Med High School graduate began the game on the bench, but subbed in at first base for Daniel Vogelbach in the sixth inning. He remained in the game and was on the field for the final out in the Mets’ 7-2 win at Clover Park. 

Malm, 23, struck out in his only plate appearance, but he saw plenty of action in the field, catching two pop-flys and three putouts. He also made a nice save on an errant pickoff attempt in the eighth inning. Playing first base, the Medford native had plenty of TV face time on the Mets’ SNY broadcast. 

Mack - The 6-1 23-year old RHP Brad Malm was undrafted in 2022 after playing four years for the University of  Albany. 

He hit .345 as a junior and .340 as a senior and yet he still went undrafted. 

He had 54 at-bats for the FCL-Mets and St, Lucie team, hitting .185.

 

 Bryce Montes de Oca Making Case for Spot in New York Mets Bullpen -

On Thursday, Montes de Oca was impressive again, mowing down Team Venezuela on just 12 pitches. He picked up two strikeouts in his inning of work as well. 

Standing at 6 foot 7, Montes de Oca has a unique delivery and arm angle, which has helped him be effective against hitters. He also throws a sinker between 99-101 mph, which complements his cutter that sits between 93-96 mph. 

So far in Grapefruit League play, the righty has thrown two scoreless appearances with four strikeouts. 

Mack - Tom Brennan has the habit of latching on to minor league Mets and predicting their ascent to the Hall Of Fame some day. I call this the Danny Muno Award. 

Last year it was Wyatt Young. Before that, another wild speedballer whose name escapes me. Before that, the namesake of the award. 

This year it is Oca and Tom may have finally struck gold here, but I strongly  suggest that the Mets stay with the veterans Curtiss and Coonrod this April and send Oca to Syracuse to work longer and harder on his control.

 
Mets’ Francisco Alvarez gets some compliments from Max Scherzer -

“We’re continuing to work together, get on the same page, understand what we’re trying to do with each pitch. He did a good job of putting the target where I wanted. We’re getting a better rapport in that way. 

We talked about how we were sequencing, how we were working together, rhythm. Different things we were seeing. He did a good job tonight.” 

Mack - IMO, this is public relation bullshit at this point. How many innings has this kid caught so far this spring? 

I believe Alvarez will be a star but he needs more work in Syracuse this year.

 

 Former New York Mets Greats Laud Brett Baty -

"I like his energy," former Mets center fielder Mookie Wilson said of Baty. "He made a great play at third base last night, it looks like he's going to be a good one." 

Baty also received high praise from another former Mets third baseman, Howard Johnson. "He plays the game hard and consistent," Johnson said. "He's doing all the things that are close to my heart." 

https://vendettasportsmedia.com/mookie-wilson-brett-baty-gonna-be-good-one/ -

“I watched him a little bit last year. I do like him. Unfortunately, he got hurt,” Wilson said to SNY reporters. “I like his energy, big kid. Interesting to see what his impact is going to be, but I do like him. Made a great play at third base last night, and it looks like he’s gonna be a good one.” 

Mack - I have spent time with both these Mets legends and they didn’t come off to me as bullshit artists. If Baty was playing bad D in front of them, they would have said nothing, rater than either a positive or negative report. 

I need to see a little more of him in the field but I think he’s getting real close to becoming the starting third baseman this year. 

 

https://theathletic.com/4245052/2023/02/24/mets-bullpen-candidates/?source=user-shared-article -

T.J. McFarland (34)

Acquired: Signed as a minor-league free agent, December 2022

Status: Not on the 40-man roster and without options, so everything with Hunter above applies to McFarland.

Repertoire: Sinker, slider, changeup, cutter

2022: 6.61 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 32 2/3 major-league innings 

Another veteran with experience in a Showalter pen from Baltimore, the lefty McFarland is as eager as any Mets pitcher to get into games this spring. Toward the end of a disheartening season with St. Louis, McFarland tinkered with his arm slot, revamped his slider and added a cutter to his arsenal. He was impressed when the Mets took note early in the offseason when courting him on a minor-league deal. McFarland feels better equipped now to get outs at the big-league level, but he wants to see how it plays out in spring. 

“You can do all you want in the bullpen and see all the numbers you want, but at the end of the day can you get outs?” he said. “That’s the big thing for me this spring.” 

Mack - The 33-year old McGarland  was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 4^th round of the 2007 draft, out of Amos Alonzo Stagg HS (IL). 

2022 MLB stat line - -0.8-WAR, 0-0, 6.61