MACK - Sunday Morning Observations

 

(thru Friday’s results) 

 

Observations -  Starters (Pt. 2) 

Last week, we started this look at the starters in the chain. We projected only two SP1-2 candidates at this point, Blade Tidwell and Christian Scott. 

First of all, there is a lot of exciting starter talent from Binghamtom to the FCL team team, but it is impossible for me to project players that haven’t first mastered both the AAA and AA level. I have learned over the years that pitchers simply face too much filler roster players at mid to lower levels. They need to show me more before I jump on the bandwagon. 

I still remember what Josh Thole told me when he hit the AA level. He told me: “Mack, remember when we use to stand around and talk about the one or two great players on the team we were going to play against in Savannah? Well, up here, they are all like that.” 

That being said, I’m currently not excited about anyone at the AAA level. No names needed. My thoughts, That’s the way it is here. 

My next starter to keep both eyes on would be current AA-Binghamton 6-3 RHSP, Brandon Sproat. The Mets didn’t rush this 23-year old. They love him so much, they drafted him twice. As of 5/19, his total minor league ERA was 0.89. That’s just stupid. The downside is this is only his first organized year and he only has pitched in seven games (six starts). Everything needs to slow down now and let him pitch the rest of the season at the AA level. You can start him at AAA next spring and, who knows, he could be Queens bound by mid-season 2025. Too early to project his rotation position. 

Next, for me,  would be Brooklyn 22/yr old, RHSP/DH Nolan McLean. He was promoted to AA-Binghamton this week to fill the slot created when Tidwell was promoted to AAA-Syracuse. This is not a rush job. He is a 22 year old college boy who has played much more baseball than the 16-year old DSL kids that sign the same year. Is he a legit 2-way player? Well, so far his pitching is well above average. And, yes Tom, he does strike out but so do most sluggers using higher launch angles. Let’s let him finish the season at this level, take a long look at what he accomplished this year, and THEN, and only then, determine what his future looks like in Queens. 

One affiliate level down is another of my favorites, Jonah Tong. Most of us are all still trying to decide if this phenom is for real. He came out of nowhere this season to put up unbelievable numbers, which have tailed off a little. Still, as of Monday, at two levels, he has a 0.86-ERA in 7-G, 6-ST. Like McLean, I need the whole 2024 season to determine where I see his future, but I do have to say that I REALLY like this Canuck.

 Past these guys, there are others that I thing could turn into a viable rotation piece someday. particulrly like Joel Diaz, who finished rehabbing this week for the FCL team. Dazzled in the DSL, then had a dreadful season that lead to TJS, he’s still only 20 years old and his ceiling is very high… Tyler Stuart is proving one year does not make a prospect but he’s still on my list… so is Kade Morris who raised some eyebrows down in Port St. Lucie and earned himself a bump up to Brooklyn this past week… new to the list is Brooklyn’s Douglas Orellana who is putting up outstanding numbers so far this season…. and two youngins’ with Franklin Gomez in St. Lucie and Jorge De Leon for the FCL Mets. 

Lastly, Binghamton’s Joander Suarez is still hanging around.

One final thought after yesterday's game... the current Mets seem to be inventing a new level of disappointment every game they play. Management has to take a deep breath here and realize that Plan B hasn't worked. Meaning, it's time to begin the blow up. 

  

Roster Moves - 

Mets - 

Released IF Joey Wendle 

RHRP Yohan Ramírez has been traded to Los Angeles (NL) in exchange for cash. 

RHSP Tylor Megill has been reinstated from the IL

 

Syracuse -

Claimed RHRP Ty Adcock from Detroit

RHRP Grant Hartwig was optioned to Syracuse

 Promoted SP Blade Tidwell from AA-Binghamton

 Promoted OF Rylan Thomas from AA-Binghamton

 Mets returned SP Joey Lucchese

 RHP Troy Miller - Transferred from AA to AAA Syracuse - then placed on development list

 Signs RHRP Matt Festa

 

Binghamton -

 

RHP Justin Jarvis - Transferred from AAA to AA Binghamton

 RHP Hunter Parsons - Transferred from AAA to AA Binghamton - then placed on Development List

 RHP Paul Gervase - Reinstated from 7-Day IL

 Promoted SP/DH Nolan McLean from A+ Brooklyn

 Promoted OF Omar De Los Santos from A+ Brooklyn

 

Brooklyn -

INF Mateo Gil - Transferred from AA to A+ Brooklyn

 St. Lucie -

 

SP Jorge De Leon promoted from FCL Mets 

OF Willy Fanas promoted from FCL Mets 

SP Joel Diaz completed his FCL rehab and was assigned to A+ St. Lucie

 

 Prospect Ratings Changes -

 

St. Lucie SP Jack Wenninger from BLUE prospect to BLACK 

Brooklyn SP Douglas Orellana from BLUE prospect to RED

 

 

 New Met -

 

                    RHRP Matt Festa signed and assigned to AAA-Syracuse

 

31/yrs 6-1/195 Brooklyn born

 Drafted in 7^th round of 2016 draft by Seattle

 East Stroudsburg Univ.

 Released by Padres on May 17^th. Ha d career 4.32-ERA and

25.3% strikeout rate

 2020 - elbow injury leading to TJS

 This year a 46% ground ball rate

 

                         RHRP Ty Adcock 27yrs

 

Claimed from Tigers 

2020 - Lost COVID season 

2021 - Lost to TJS 

2023 - 20.2-IP  1.74  29.3 K-rate  7% walk rate 

Fastball averages 96.6 

 

 

Minor League Injury Report – May 2024 - 

https://www.prospects1500.com/milb/minor-league-injury-report-may-2024/ 

 

The Mets have two important prospects that are recovering from their own injuries, and both of them have some uncertain futures. 

 Shortstop Jett Williams received a cortisone shot earlier this month in his wrist, with the hope that he can start swinging a bat. Williams has yet to do that, but keep in mind that injury updates in the Minor Leagues are few and far between.

 As for Drew Gilbert, the team will begin a running progression program at the end of this month (or early June) in an effort to see exactly where he is in his recovery. He has yet to play in a game since injuring his hamstring at the beginning of April. 

 

Brooklyn Cyclones @BKCyclones 

An impressive Brooklyn debut for Kade Morris.   

6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 85 pitches/56 strikes 

 

Mets prospect part of a growing Flores network -

https://www.mlb.com/news/saul-garcia-wilmer-flores-baseball-family-network?s=03  

Nine years after Flores endeared himself to fans at the 2015 Trade Deadline, the longtime big leaguer’s first cousin, Saul García is starting to make some waves in the organization. García, a pitcher, made MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 Mets prospects for the first time in the offseason, clocking in at No. 29. 

 

SNY Mets @SNY_Mets 

The Braves have signed Joey Wendle  

 

Florida Complex League Mets @FCLMets 

La Mamba is moving up to the St Lucie Mets! 

Taking the mound for the first time since 2021, Jorge De León was dominant in three starts. 

Jorge’s FCL ranks:

• 1st in Whiff% (56.9%)

• 2nd in K% (51.6%)

• 5th in Chase% (37.4%)

• 7th in FB velo (95.6) 

 

Dallas DeVries - SportSpyder @dallasrpi 

Career vs Current OPS #Mets:

Narvaez: -317

Lindor: -191

McNeil: -171

Alonso: -100

Marte: -100

Taylor: -82

Nimmo: -50

Martinez: -50

Bader: -41

Stewart: +11

Nido: +67

Baty: .611 OPS... 

 

Anthony DiComo @AnthonyDiComo 

Since May 2, Brett Baty is striking out in 42 percent of his plate appearances. Why this could be another crossroads for the young third baseman: 

                            Christopher Soto @SotoC803 

Man....this is setting up so well for Ronny Mauricio to come into spring training next year and push Baty right out the door. 

 

Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN 

Team leaders/trailers in Defensive Runs Saved: 

1. Dodgers 35

2. Blue Jays 29

3. Royals 28

4. O's 21

Guardians 21

 

30. White Sox -30

29. Mets -28

28. Marlins -18

27. Twins -13

26. A's -12seball