As the MLB playoffs forge on without the New York Mets, their prospects are working to improve the chances that we will see Orange & Blue in future playoff series with regularity. One group we have been following is the nine Mets minor leaguers who have been playing for the Glendale Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League. The Desert Dogs draw their roster from the prospects of five minor league teams: the Mets, White Sox, Red Sox, Twins, and Dodgers
The AFL kicked off last week, so after a full week of play, here is how things stand:
The Desert Dogs have not tasted much victory yet, going 1-5 in their first six games. They have only scored 15 runs in 11 games, so the offense needs to get on track.
All the Mets’ players have seen action, but it is too early to develop any conclusions as playing time seems to be fairly equally distributed amongst the large roster. Kevin Parada has seen the most playing time of the group with four games behind the plate. n
Good news: Rowdey Jordan and JT Schwartz have continued their hot hitting from the Rumble Ponies’ late season surge. They are among the top 4 batters on the team. Jordan is batting .364 in 11 games with a 1.053 OPS and a team-leading 3 RBI. JT Schwartz has also hit well, slashing .300/.417/.300 in 3 games at first base.
Not as good news: The Mets’ pitching representatives have not fared well. Only Nolan Clenney, with a single clean inning has produced positive results. This is not reason to panic, because all have seen limited action, so the numbers are not statistically significant yet.
The Dogs continue their action tonight against the undefeated Peoria Javalinas, whose roster consists of prospects from the Marlins, Cubs, Padres, Mariners, and Rays.
Look out for JJT,he’s on his way!
ReplyDeleteJT needs muscle. He might replace Pete, and we can’t lose 40 HRs per year and expect to win.
ReplyDeleteAt 6'4" and 215 pounds, JT Schwartz already has quite a bit of muscle. His swing is tuned to maximize contact with the baseball. Much like Jeff McNeil in 2021, if you mess with a great swing to add power, it may not have the desired results.
ReplyDeleteI’d like to see 6’4”, 235. In any event he needs to get into double digits in HRs in 2024. Lots of competition. He needs to be better than them.
ReplyDeleteFans are noticing Schwartz and for good reason. He’ll shoot up the prospect ratings this off-season.
ReplyDeleteLou, who is better now and in the future, Rhylan Thmas or JT Schwartz?
ReplyDeleteBoth are good hitters with good K to BB ratios. I think Thomas is a little more valuable as he can play all 3 OF positions well so his floor is a 4th OF. JT is limited to 1B and if Pete is resigned he has no spot. JT then could become a trade piece for a small market team but won’t bring back more than a B prospect.
DeleteYou didn't mention McLoughlin, who hasn't given up a run in his small sample ss a RP.
ReplyDeleteLet me question you,whose gonna be better JT or Vientos?
ReplyDeleteI’m just glad Parada is getting more game time behind the plate as it can only help him get better defensively. As I posted to Mack if you let Alvarez and Parada split time behind the plate while the other DH’s it’s a recipe for success. The wear and tear on C’s is brutal. If they each are playing roughly only 80 games Catching while keeping their bats in the lineup everyday is huge. Especially with both on inexpensive contracts for 3-4 years.
ReplyDeleteAmazin I agree totally and have said so before. What's more valuable than a good 2 way catcher......nothing so have em split the position and in a year or 2 you have a great trade chip. Look the road is littered with dreadful catchers we've acquired over the years so the 2 we now have are gold to us lets us them that way.
ReplyDeleteGary agree except I wouldn’t consider trading Parada into he gets expensive in his 2nd year of arbitration. We also have a good blue chip Catching prospect in Hernandez that we got from the Marlins in the Robertson trade. He’s only 19 and in A ball but if he progresses he can at floor be a good defensive back up that hits .250 but ceiling is good defensive C that hits .275+ and has the body to add muscle to add power. His arrival would be around Parada’s Arb years. Keep that Catcher pipeline loaded.
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