Paul Articulates – Initial spring thoughts

We are two games into the spring training exhibition season, the sun is out, the fans are streaming into the parks, and the players are trying to position themselves for a successful season.  In this post, I will just share a few of my early observations.  

Following this post, we begin a series that I think you will all enjoy.  The writers on Mack’s staff have divided up a list of prospects that you are not used to hearing about much, and at 11am (EDT) each weekday for the next two weeks we will share a write-up on one of them.

But first, my thoughts so far.

News about Kodai Senga is the only real down note.  He is shut down for three weeks after being given an injection to heal the shoulder strain, and then will need to build his strength back up.  So he will not be available in April to help with a challenging initial schedule for the team.

Everyone was looking forward to seeing Tylor Megill throw his new splitter when he started the first game.  Some control trouble in the first inning kept that one from being displayed much as Tylor focused on finding the strike zone.  Oh well, maybe next time.  He still pitched a solid second inning.

I was very pleased with the SNY interview that Todd Zeile did with Brett Baty.  In that interview, Baty discussed the off-season work he has been doing with the hitting coaches to fix the “hole” in his swing that torpedoed his 2023 batting average.  The explanation sounded very encouraging because it went to the root cause and the remedy sounded very plausible.  It was all about the strength of his top hand, which when improved will get the bat out ahead on those inside fastballs.  I’m looking forward to seeing this play out.  He also fielded the ball well.

I have mentioned a few times that there are a LOT of catchers on the Mets’ rosters right now, and if that was intended to create some internal competition, it seems to be working.  Day 1: Hayden Senger drives the first home run of the exhibition season.  Day 2: Francisco Alvarez sends one over the right field fence showing some power to the opposite field.  Kevin Parada comes in and immediately picks a runner off first base.  Here we go!

Nate Lavender has been discussed very often in the comments to posts throughout the off-season.  It seems that everyone is right – this guy can throw!  Three up, three down, three strikeouts.  Grand Hartwig and David Griffin also threw an impressive inning each.

I enjoyed watching Jett Williams turn on the jets and steal a base on Sunday.  He’s not nervous under the scrutiny of being one of the most-watched young players in camp.  He’s ready to go.

Finally, some encouraging words from David Stearns in his mid-game interview on SNY.  He made clear the reasoning for bulking up the depth on the MLB roster.  He wants the “waves” of upcoming talent in the development system to have appropriate time at the level they need to be at to grow.  Players will not be “ruined” by being called up too soon to fill a hole created by injury or performance – there are plenty of capable players to fill that hole on the roster.  I like that strategic approach.

I also like the fact that we are watching baseball again.  It could not have come too soon.