The New York Mets lost 9 - that's right 9 players in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. Let's take a look at the losses that hurts the most and the one player the Mets selected in the Minor League portion.
Per MLB.com: "The 83 overall picks made were the most since the 2004 Rule 5 Draft." The Mets lost 10.8% of the total players this year - the highest total from any team. The Cards and the Orioles were the next closest losing 7 each.
First, the Pitcher the Mets picked up: Michael Hobbs, RHP from the Dodgers Double-A. Drafted in the 10th round in 2021, he will turn 26 in July. Last year in AA he went 2-1, 2.97 ERA, 42 games - all in relief, 57.2 innings, 52 Ks, 30 walks, 1 save. Per Baseball America: "His fastball sits 91-92 mph and touches 96 and his low-80s vertical breaking ball a swing-and-miss pitch he can land in the strike zone or get chase swings with." (click here for Videos). He gives the Mets a useful Bullpen arm at AA Binghamton or AAA Syracuse.
Now the players they lost -
In the Major League portion The Rays took LHP Nate Lavender and the Phillies took RHP Mike Vasil whom they traded to the Rays for Cash considerations.
Baseball America and MLB.com think that both pitchers will be able to stay the mandatory 90 days on the MLB roster next year, otherwise they will need to go back to the Mets.
Nate Lavender, who needed internal brace surgery on his elbow early last season, will be able to sit on the 60 day roster possibly spend more required time with rehab outings in the minor leagues. Though not a high velocity pitcher, Nate K'd 2.85 hitters for every walk and put up some real good numbers in the Mets system such as a 1.74 ERA in AA, 2023, 7 games, 10.1 innings, 19 Ks, 3 walks.
Mike Vasil has been one of the Mets top pitching prospects the last two years. After 10 good starts in AA in 2023, he was promoted to AAA Syracuse. While he struggled at times in AAA he showed flashes like when he took a no-hitter into the 9th in August 2023. Tampa Bay thinks he has the ability to start and relief and thinks that versatility will help him stay on the roster for the required period.
In the Minor League portion, the Mets lost 7 more players.
The two I like the most were RHP's Jawilme Ramirez (taken by the Cardinals) and Nolan Clenney (by the Cubs). Both showed promise with the Mets. Nolan Clenney was part of the Arizona Fall League contingent in 2023 and Jawilme Ramirez was in the AFL this year, 2024.
After allowing just 1 run in 9 games, 9 innings with 13 Ks, 4 walks in the Arizona Fall League last year, Nolan was back in AA Binghamton in 2024 where he went 5-1, 5.37 ERA, 33 games, 53.2 innings, 60 Ks.
Jawilme was able to start and relieve last year and at time put up high strike out numbers. He went 5-5 with a 3.58 ERA in 30 games in St. Lucie, Brooklyn and Syracuse.
Others selected:
Joseph Yabbour, RHP - White Sox
Hobie Harris, RHP - Red Sox (recent minor league free agent)
Junior Tilien, SS - Tigers
Drake Osborn, C - D-backs
Landon Marceaux, RHP - Royals (acquired in the trade of Eduardo Escobar to the Angels)
For more Stats and Videos on these Rule 5 players click here.
I consider these results as a volume loss, though I did say "shite" outlook when I read that Ramirez was picked. I think he he will be a successful major league reliever some day.
ReplyDeleteQuestion
ReplyDeleteCan Hobbs hit like Roy?
Seems like little loss than we need to worry about. Of course, if Vasil gets really fixed, Lavender really heals and Jawilme overachieves, that will be painful. I think they ought to add one more year on any international kid before they hit Rule 5. Some DSL kids could hit Rule 5 at age 21. How many DSL kids are ready at that age?
ReplyDeleteRemember... the only way you lose someone.in this draftnis if YOU don't protect them. It's on the club.
DeleteThe loss of Lavender is upsetting.
ReplyDeleteLavender should have been protected on the 40 man - especially when they can have him on the IL for most of next year. Ramirez and Clenney should have been on the AAA roster to save them from the minor league portion.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I agree. Who would you have left unprotected instead?
ReplyDeleteOn the Mets 40-Man? Justin Hagenman, Kevin Herget, Luis De Los Santos, José Azocar. On the AAA Roster? Ty Adcock, Oliver Ortega, Donovan Walton, Edward Olivares - I'd sign no Minor League Free Agents (with maybe one or two exceptions) until after the Rule 5 as they can get picked in that Draft and if I did sign them, I'd put them on the AA roster to make room for prospects.
ReplyDelete