The Mack Report - Keratoconus, Underperforming OPS, Mets Optimism/Pessimism, Dangelo Sarmiento, Jacob Reimer

Keratoconus, Underperforming OPS, Mets Optimism/Pessimism, Dangelo Sarmiento, Jacob Reimer

 

 Keratoconus is a disease of the cornea in which the collagen is weak and, without treatment, causes the cornea to bulge out like a hernia. 

The Mets outfielder/DH Tommy Pham suffers from this, which causes his vision to blur. 

Blurred vision facing a 99mph fastball could be interesting. 

As you all know by now, Pham had a change of contacts prior to Sunday’s game and he went out and had a day… 3-4, 2B, HR, 3-RBI, BB. That’s four times on base in one game vs. Four times in a month which was the road he was on prior to the contacts change. 

You know my thoughts on this. I wanted Mark Vientos in this role from day one, but, now that this condition might be under control, I will give Pham the chance to regain his confidence and once again be able to pick up the pitch. 

I suggest you do too.

 

 Tim Britton and Will Sammon - Mets predictions -

Which Mets hitter will underperform his 2022 OPS? 

Britton: Mark Canha (.770). While his primary slash line fit neatly with his career track record, there were a few disconcerting signs for Canha in his batted-ball data and the decrease in his walk rate. His average exit velocity dipped below the league average, his barrel and hard-hit percentages dropped, and his launch angle was a career low. Canha entered this spring hoping to hit more than the 13 long balls he did last season, but there hasn’t been a whole lot of evidence yet of that refined approach working. 

Sammon: Starling Marte (.814). All the projections, including FanGraphs’ ZiPS, point to a decline from Marte. Must be true, right? Well, heading into 2022 the projections read similarly, but Marte proved them wrong. The guess here is Marte will remain productive, but something between a .780 OPS to .805 OPS  — a small drop-off from last year — seems reasonable, given his age (34) and injury issues, including double groin surgery over the winter.

 

Jim Bowden - One reason for each MLB team to be optimistic (and pessimistic) as 2023 season begins - 

New York Mets

Reason for optimism: Their top three starters are arguably the best trio in the sport: three-time Cy Young Award winners Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer lead the way, followed by newly acquired right-hander Kodai Senga, who has the ability to be a difference-maker this year. 

Reason for pessimism: Edwin Díaz’s injury leaves the closer role to David Robertson, who turns 38 next week, and/or 37-year-old Adam Ottavino. That might not be enough over a 162-game schedule, and it also makes the Mets susceptible to further injuries due to their lack of bullpen depth. They may have to trade for another closer between now and the deadline.

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

17. SS Dangelo Sarmiento

Sarmiento is a slender build at 6-foot-2 and 160 pounds. He was given a $700,000 bonus in the 2022 international signing class. He may have the best natural defensive skills among shortstops in the system and he is a true plus runner. Sarmiento showed some bat-to-ball skills, hitting .295 in his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League. 

He also had a reasonable 16.8 percent strikeout rate and a 9.9 percent walk rate, showing he has the ability to lay off some pitches. Power may not be a part of his game, but his athleticism and defensive skills should make him a higher floor prospect than most international signings. 

MLB ETA: 2027

 

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

16. 3B Jacob Reimer

Reimer was the Mets' fourth-round pick in the 2022 draft, where he signed for an over-slot bonus of $775,000 coming out of the same high school that produced Taijuan Walker. 

Reimer played shortstop in high school but is now a third baseman -- and he has the tools to fit there. He is a bat-first player showing above average raw power and impressive pitch recognition skills. Defensively, he will need work on his lateral quickness, but he has the arm for the position. 

MLB ETA: 2026