Kevin Parada
When the major league Mets sputter, it is comforting to some to look below, to the minor leagues, for succor.
First time ever the word succor was used in a baseball article, I’d bet. It means, “ to give assistance to in time of need or distress; help; aid; relieve”.
No, this is not about relievers, but it is about how our two 2022 offensive draft picks are doing.
Kevin Parada:
The Mets’ # 2 prospect had a rough April, allowing stolen bases in droves and hitting just .213 in High A Brooklyn.
In May, though, in 12 games, he is ripping at .311/.380/.600.
Which is a hint at why he is # 2. Three homers to date, too.
He has only cut down 7 of 64 base stealers, so for whatever reason that is happening, that has to get better.
But it frankly is close to that league’s very high stolen base success %. So keep that in mind.
And I always check home vs. away when it comes to Brooklyn players, and as usual, home is worse there…
.228, vs .286 on the road. So his season .255 average is likely misleading.
Brooklyn as a whole is hitting .195 at home, .221 on the road, as a point of reference.
Parada is heating up. So be it. And he is always smiling.
The Jett
Jett Williams:
The speedy first rounder and number 4 Mets prospect has just 17 hits in 23 games for St Lucie. Bust?
Hardly.
He has also walked 20 times and been HBP a crazy 8 times, and thus sports a .421 on base %, on a very weak St Lucie team that is hitting .210 with a .318 OBP. The 19 year old (another member of the Mets Minors 5’7” or Less Club) has stolen 14 of 18 in his 33 pro games to date.
7 errors in 18 games at SS, so that needs work.
I guess we will eventually find out if drafting a 5’6” player in the 1st round was wise, but he is doing OK so far at age 19.
That’s it for today, except to note that my favorite 4 minor league hitters of 2023 (Vientos, Mauricio, Rudick, and Peroza) combined yesterday for 7 hits, 2 walks and 8 RBIs. A fine night’s work, and prodigious Mark Vientos hit # 13.
So, they remain my four 2023 favorites.
My list is limited to four, so as soon as Vientos and Mauricio graduate, and dang it, that better be soon, Parada and Jett will be moving in.
VIENTOS CALLED UP:
Not only was he having a stunning AAA season, with 13 HRs and 37 RBIs....since May 2022, in 461 AAA at bats, 23 doubles, 35 HRs, 103 RBI, .310. A better pace than Pete Alonso at a younger age, just for the record.
He also concluded his 2021 season with 21 HRs in 200 at bats.
Congrats. Give Mark playing time - let him hit bombs in Queens.
I am willing to cut from KP and Jett some slack as it is their first full season in pro ball. Same with Tidwell.
ReplyDeleteSo on May 17, 2023 would you rather have Rocker or KP?
Vientos needs regular reps or he will struggle until around August
ReplyDeleteTom,
ReplyDeleteSeveral of our 2022 draft choices will begin their seasons in June at St Lucie rookie league. Should see some more prospects there and also in the Dominican summer league games. These prospects are several years away, but can be starters over the next few years.
Is not middle relief it’s the hitting. Hopefully Vientos is an answer. Play him full time at DH for 15-20 games. Let’s get Mauricio up here soon.
ReplyDeleteMark will make his mark, mark my words.
ReplyDeleteAnd 3 of our 4 elite prospects promoted before Q2.
ReplyDeleteElite.? You’re a homer,Bro. Lets hope they’re all MLsand maybe one is very good.
ReplyDeleteI’m sticking with elite.
ReplyDeleteLook the ship is sinking and all the "they'll all come around" nonsense doesn't amount to beans and JV couldn't have come up smaller than last night good job bro. I find it funny that when everyone talks about copying a franchise they always talk about LA and Atlanta rarely ever TB and as we get schooled here by the Rays I hope SC is taking notice. To think their payroll is 73 million to our 330 million and that is just flat out embarrassing so lets at least see what our prospect 4 can do at the big league level please.
ReplyDeleteRocker is going to have TJS by the way.
ReplyDelete