MACK - Tuesday Morning Observations

 

Observations… 

Many of you know how much time I have spent in the past on draft prospects. I don’t consider myself an expert. I’m a baseball writer who cuts and pastes what real draft experts say. 

That being said, I have studied this process for years, both leading up to Draft Day, and for years later analyzing the results that developed from these picks. 

I go into Draft Day One dealing with all prospects. I come out of those three days every year as a follower of Mets prospects. 

I have been asked by some of you (Hi Eddie!) what would I do if I was the head of the Mets draft day operation. Well,the process really begins the day after the last draft. I would have access to all the draft reports done on the next class from my staff and the various experts from sites like MLB, BA, and Prospects Live. The outsiders are experts in this area and, in my world, I don’t have to pay them a buck for what they have determined after seeing these prospects play. 

My field scouts would be in touch with both college and baseball coaches and make sure they were up to date with what players needed to be scouted. I would particularly ask those that were talking to high school coaches what were the name and school of the best players that particular team was going to play that season. An instant scouting report. Another great unpaid source of scouting. 

So, let’s say everyone has done the right job leading up to the draft. Players have been scouted. Scouting reports were analyzed, with special attention given to the strength of the team that player was playing. And draft board were prepared electronically for both the overall ranked list of prospects me and my team determined, but also players by position which definitely come into play when I start drafting “filler” picks to fill position holes on my affiliate teams.  

 

My plan then falls into categories.

 

Rounds 1-3 - I would concentrate my picks here on players that are in my top 100 picks available on my board, with the tie breaker going to key members of my inner circle. I’m not trying to be a hero here and find an unpolished diamond. No, I have learned over the years that your best chances in the first three rounds are the real guys of this draft. No picks by position. Best player available after internal discussion.

 

Rounds 4-5 - I’m staying with the status quo here, but I’m looking for prospects that were projected to be in the top 100 players to be picked and are still on the board. I also look for prospects that lost time in 2024 due to an injury… even up to TJS. Though I am always wary of TJS babies. Lastly, I look to my board and see what we have as the next best player.

 

Rounds 6-15 - I now begin a number of things… 

- I might make a run on two or three of the highly rated prep players that sent the signs that they were going to college rather than sign. Big over-slot signing bonuses have worked here in the past. 

- I continue to try and stay true to my board and who is left at the top. 

- Positioning may come into play here. If my pipeline is weak in a certain position and I haven’t drafted anyone so far that plays that position, I may introduce a little drafting by position. 

- Lastly, as each round passes I turn this process over to the people below me. They worked hard at this all season and individual scouts should get a say too. This is how the Mets drafted Nimmo.

 

Rounds 16 and beyond -  I would turn this decision making over to those around me. Emphasis would be in filling the position holes in the affiliated. Additionally, I would emphasis finding someone that does one thing above the norm. Let’s say a pitcher with huge velo but lack of control. The pitching lab could come into play here and make him into a better ballplayer.

 

Post draft - look around at who went undrafted and decide if any of them should be invited to camp. Then, take the staff for a big steak and give the bill to Steve.

 

 Roster moves -

 Binghamton -

 C Jose Hernandez transferred from Low-A to AA Binghamton

 C Kevin Parada placed on the 7-day IL

  

Binghamton Rumble Ponies @RumblePoniesBB

 Rumble Ponies OF Matt Rudick is currently on an 11-game on-base streak and is tied for second in the EL with 32 total walks this season.

  

Brooklyn Cyclones @BKCyclones

 Chris Suero against the IronBirds this week:

  .438 (7-16)

7 Runs Scored

1 Double

3 Home Runs

11 RBI

2 Epic Bat Flips

  

Evan Stockton @evstockton

 A classic Luisangel Acuña inning in last night’s Syracuse Mets game

 -107 mph RBI single off the top Twins pitching prospect.

 -Up to second on a groundout.

 -Steal third after annoying the pitcher with a big lead.

 -Score on a groundout.

 The 22-year-old is instant offense.

 (right now, I can’t see how this dude isn’t part of the 2025 26)

Anthony DiComo @AnthonyDiComo

 For those noting that much of the damage this inning came after Starling Marte failed to catch this Edmundo Sosa two-out single…

Marte entered today ranked last among qualified MLB outfielders in Outs Above Average, with -8. He was 261st out of 263 players at any position.

 (stats like these are not going to help selling Starling off this season)