SAVAGE VIEWS – April Showers Bring May Blahs

Prior to the series with Tampa Bay, I got to thinking about how the schedule makers had set up the Mets for failure.  Our first 31 games against fairly good teams while the Braves and Phillies got to play almost half of their games against teams like the Marlins, White Sox and Astros.  

Now, after witnessing this weekend’s debacle, teams like the White Sox, Marlins and Astros are lamenting that they have not played the Mets.

When I made my pre-season predictions that the Mets were playoff bound it was based on the assumption that our core players would improve over the lackluster 2023 campaign.  Thus far each has regressed.  None of Nimmo, Lindor, Alonso and McNeil are doing well, although Lindor has picked it up recently.  What’s telling is the inability to produce in clutch situations.  

For example, bases loaded with no outs, we hope that one of the next three batters gets a walk to produce a run since it’s unlikely they will put the ball in play.  Look at last Friday’s game when McNeil failed to hit the ball deep enough to score Alonso who foolishly did not slide feet first.  

I’m a believer that Mendoza will eventually turn out to be a good manager.  But, what was he thinking taking out Garrett on Saturday after retiring one batter and bringing Ottavino in.  I know Otto’s been great this season but that was not the right time to bring him in to start the eighth.  Also, Diaz is not Diaz yet. 

He has not been dominating thus far and has been depending on his slider to get swing and misses.  However, it was predictable that Arozarena would tee off one slider too many after he showed an inability to catch up to fastballs.

Team wide poor defense has defined the team over the first 34 games.  Every single or walk becomes a double with the inability to throw out runners.  Too many balls don’t get caught and then there are the errors of omission.  

There have been throws made to the wrong base or simply hesitating before making a play. While Baty has been playing third like an all-star, he failed to make a couple of key plays in Sunday’s loss.

Why is Wendle still with the team? He has been the worst defender on the team and his bat is weak - a step down from Guillorme. Maybe it’s time to bring up Iglesias.  Wonder if JD is past prime, I guess time will tell. 

In the meantime, Vientos is languishing away in Syracuse. If Mark has no future on this team, perhaps it’s time to trade him.  Or maybe, he’s Pete’s replacement come July.

I don’t remember umpiring being this bad league wide. The inconsistency is maddening.  Batters are confused after seeing a pitch called a ball and the next similar pitch called a strike.  Seems like more umps want to be like Angel Hernandez.

Again, one of my pet peeves is with a free runner in extra innings the first batter is not automatically walked. It just makes too much sense.

Ray 

May 7, 2024

Tom Brennan: Rudick ROCKS! & FCL WIN # 1! Rosa Rapid Promo. NIMMO!

“MATT RUDICK ROCKS!”  

DON’T THINK SO? READ ON, MY FRIENDS

Matt is short, so everyone discounts him. Just 5’6”. 

So was Hack Wilson, but why quibble?

Rudick started out really slow this year. As in .132/.283/.184. Egads. 

Rust? Frigid weather? I dunno.

The next 9 games, though? Fuego. 

As in 4 walks and 15 hits, including 3 home runs and 2 doubles. 

Instantly up to .274/.376/.452. 

He is REAL GOOD. No, seriously, really, he is.

He could IMO be the next outfielder called up to Queens, if Trayce is struggling if/when they need an OF.

I wrote this about Matt the talented HITTER (in 2022 and 2023) previously:

1) Starting August 10, 2022, he started spraying a whole lot of hits and drawing a whole lot of walks for Brooklyn, helping catalyze the Cyclones pennant surge as their lead off hitter.  Matt got on base 42 times in his last 19 August games, and 14 more times in his 9 September contests.  Twice a game on average over his final 28 games…what’s not to LOVE there?

2) His first 49 games for an otherwise bad hitting Binghamton team in 2023, he was .311/.455/.539, the best slash line in the entire Eastern League, and then he got hurt, played a few more games, and missed ostensibly the rest of 2023.

Add in his most recent 9 game super surge, and what screams out at me is:

“WHEN THE HECK IS HE GETTING PROMOTED TO AAA?”

FCL METS SECURE WIN # 1

Stars of the game? I count 6:

Jeremy Rodríguez: 2-3, RBI

Branny De Oleo: 1-3, ITP HR

Julio Zayas: 2-3, 2 RBI (18 year old RBI machine since turning pro).

Jorge De León: 2 IP, 1 ER, 6 K

Andinson Ferrer: 3 IP, 1 ER, 4 K

Cristofer Gómez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, SV

ANOTHER PROMOTION

Jefry Rosa, who impressively led ALL hitters in the 50 team DSL in home runs last year, then hit a HR in his one FCL game the other day, was promptly got promoted to St Lucie.  RAPID! He looks like a pounder.  Wishing him tremendous success.

NIMMO!

Mets led, then got tied up at 3 - another loss would have been tough to swallow.  Nimmo steps in against a bullpen beast, hits a rocket well over the right field wall, Mets win 4-3.  Phew!  What a friend we have in Nimmo.  He is such a fighter. If we had a line up with 9 of him, we might never lose.

Joander Suarez named Eastern League Player of the Week

 

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Double-A Affiliate of the New York Mets, announced Monday that RHP Joander Suarez has been named the Eastern League (EL) Pitcher of the Week for April 29 – May 5.

Suarez threw six and a third perfect innings in relief in the Rumble Ponies’ 2-1 win over Hartford Thursday night at Mirabito Stadium. He retired all 19 batters he faced and struck out seven. Suarez threw 54 of his 74 pitches for strikes, a 73% strike percentage.

The 24-year-old has started out the season with a 2.60 ERA over five appearances, four of them starts. He started his Double-A career throwing 23 and a third consecutive scoreless innings.

Suarez also threw a no-hitter last season in a seven-inning game on September 7 at Dunkin’ Park, the eighth no-hitter in franchise history. This is Suarez’s third EL Pitcher of the Week honor over his first eight Double-A appearances.  

The Rumble Ponies go for a fourth-consecutive victory when they open a six-game road series with the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox Double-A Affiliate) Tuesday night. Pregame coverage gets underway at 5:45 pm on the WNBF Rumble Ponies Radio Network.  

The Rumble Ponies return home on May 14 to play a six-game series against the Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles Double-A Affiliate). Fans can purchase tickets by visiting www.bingrp.com, calling (607)-722-FUNN (3866), or in person at the Visions Federal Credit Union Starting Gate Box Office at Mirabito Stadium.

Tom Brennan Scott’s Debut, & Other Rising Arms; Pete & Jeff; Mark & Eric

You Can’t Hit the Unhittable

Happy post-Cinco de Mayo - a Mexican holiday honoring “my sink plumbers” everywhere in the Americas. Ole! (I know, I have a draining sense of humor). Maybe May 6 is the day you call the plumber-o back because the Cinco is still el drippo.

On Saturday May 4, anyway, Pre-Cinco, someone made his MLB debut…

GREAT SCOTT!!

Christian Scott stomped on the accelerator in the lower minors in early 2023, and rocketed to his major league starting debut a little over a year later.  He went 6.2 innings on Saturday, allowing a run and fanning 6. 

Looked SO good doing it too, huh?  Woulda made Tom Seaver proud.

Got the win, right?  Of course not, this is the Mets he's pitching for.  

Adam Ottavino walked in the go-ahead run after multiple foul balls.  Then, after a 1-2 count, Reid-Foley walked in another run.  Oh, dem bases on balls.  Final score?  You already know it, 3-1 loss, so I'll move on to the minors rising star arms right now, OK?  

OK, then one more thing first.  The Saturday loss was compounded on Sunday by Edwin Diaz going all Chokarena against Randy Arozarena, when the Mets were 1 strike away from a very-much-needed win.  You hang a meatball slider, and Out-It-Goes-Arena.

Anyway, getting back on topic, who are others besides the newly arrived SP 1 Scott that are on a rapid conveyor belt to major league impact pitching?  I see five dudes.

1) Blade Tidwell in AA has a 1.23 ERA and finding AA as easy as 1-2-3.  “Maddux Masterful” on Saturday…8 shutout innings, 9 Ks, a mere 94 pitches. He needs a promotion to AAA. Now.

2) Nolan McLean was handed a challenging High A assignment in his first full season. But the only ones challenged have been the opposing hitters. 2-1, 2.84, 0.95 WHIP.  One somewhat shaky outing out of his 5 so far boosted his ERA above 2.00. Last outing, sweet: 5 shutout innings, 8 Ks.

- RISING he is, as fast as one of his rocketed tape measure home runs

3) Brandon Sproat in his minors debut in Brooklyn has been a beast, just needing to tighten his control somewhat. A miniscule 0.92 ERA in 5 starts?  25 Ks in 20 innings, too? Great last outing? He really could rocket, a la Scott.  He might be ready for AA fairly soon.

4) Jonah Tong: Tong Terrific. 43 Ks in 23 innings, no earned runs, including in his recent debut in Brooklyn. A freakish buzz saw.

Joander Suarez. A Fine Photo by Bronson Harris of Binghamton

5) Joander Suarez: I know no one kvells about him besides me, but he’s dominating in 2024 just like he did in the second half of 2023. 

A 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R in second to last outing. Very nice.  

But then, in his last outing? A perfecto, 19 up, 19 down, 7 Ks. Wow. When this guy rolls, he ROLLS. “Roll on there, Suarez”.

There are others pitching well, too, like Doug Orellana with his 1.33 ERA in the lower minors, but those and the ascendant Scott especially, represent strong additional ripening Mets firearm “inventory”.

“PLAY ME EVERY DAY” PETE:

2 for his last 36, down to .206. "EVERY DAY. I'M OK!" 

Rest? That’s for other guys. "EVERY DAY, then I want to sign the biggest first baseman’s contract EVER!" But... .140 over his last 15 games.

He seems to be a far cry from his 53 HR, .260 year of 2019.  He turns 30 this coming December 7.  What sort of #s will he have by season’s end? 

And will he be above or below .200? What will his contract be? And where?

Just as a point of comparison, Japanese Emperor Shohei Ohtani is hitting .364 with 25 XBH in 35 games.  Now, THAT is Back Up the Brinks Truck stuff.

OH, NO MCNEIL:

McNeil in 2019 was Robin to Alonso’s Batman. Two sticks of dynamite.🧨 

In 2019, 33 games in, he was hitting .347 and had 2 HRs and 13 RBIs.

In 2024, 33 games in, he is hitting .231 with 1 HR and 7 RBIs.

After the first 33 hot games of 2019, he had 21 HRs and 62 RBIs in his last 100 games. 

Will he do that in 2024? Nope. Nah. Not a chance. Nada. 

Why? He’s 32 now.  32 in the MLB seems to be a tough year for hitters.

Wondering why the Mets are 16-18, 7 games out?

Ans.: Batman and Robin. “Holy Decline, Batman!”

SYRACUSE GOODIES

Our roaring buddy Mark Vientos hit his 6th AAA HR and also (let's not forget) had that one titanic Mets HR.  The Vientos Home Run Generator rolls onward.

Lest we overlook the facts: 

Mark in AAA has compiled 48 HRs and 148 RBIs in 732 ABs. 

Which ain’t chump change.

Eric Orze - MiLB.com - in a picture from when he was in Binghamton.

Eric Orze - after a wild first 2 relief outings in Siberian temperatures (tough to throw strikes when you can't feel your fingers), Eric has been virtually unhittable in relief. In 6 of his last 8 outings, no hits allowed. 2024 BAA of .106. 

And 18 Ks in his last 13 innings.  

AND all his options remain, since he has yet to make his MLB debut. Let’s hope that well-deserved debut happens soon.

Is his good start a fluke? Well, last September, he threw 9.1 innings of 2 hit, no run, 19 K relief. 236 Ks in 175 career innings.

Do the math - that’s 7 hits allowed in his last 24 AAA innings, from September 1, 2023 to present. 

In that 24 inning stretch?  The hitters are hitting around .080.

So, no, it’s not a fluke.   See you in Queens soon, Eric.

Paul Articulates – Who is excelling down on the farm?

Readers hear a lot about the prospects during spring training when there is tremendous curiosity about where everyone will end up.  Who moves up, who makes the big roster, who goes down for more development?  Well the rosters were set, the minors seasons began, and a little over a month in, we can now talk about some of the trends.

Certainly you have seen the success Mark Vientos and Christian Scott have had at AAA.  Vientos is always on the cusp of remaining on the big league roster, but has been bouncing back and forth as determined by other player moves.  Hats off to him for his persistence and drive to continue to perform at the AAA level when you know his heart wants to be in the majors.  Vientos has a .302 batting average and a .932 OPS with the Syracuse club thus far.  

Christian Scott has been another bright spot in AAA.  He was 3-0 with a 3.20 ERA and astounding 0.71 WHIP for the Syracuse Mets which earned him a call-up to the NY Mets for a Saturday start against the Rays.

The rest of this post is dedicated to the AA Rumble Ponies who started the season with 7 of the Mets’ top 30 prospects on the team.  This is a great place to catch future stars working on refinement of their skills.

In AA, number one prospect Jett Williams has been struggling.  He was slashing .179/.360/.308 with the Rumble Ponies before going down in late April with an undisclosed injury that has him on the 7-day DL until later this week.  But there have been some very good performances by some of the players that are definitely worthy of note.

Joander Suárez threw 6 1/3 perfect innings last Friday to close out Tylor Megill’s rehab start.  Joander, who had thrown a no-hitter for the Ponies last year, continues to pitch well.  He is 1-1 with a 2.60 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP which will probably get him promoted soon, especially if Christian Scott stays up in New York for a prolonged stint.

Blade Tidwell has had some hard luck leading to a 1-3 start, but he has pitched very effectively.  His 1.69 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 21 innings leads the team.  His 0.84 WHIP is also very impressive.

Max Kranick is back from injury this year, and has looked very good in two starts.  He has a 1.50 ERA and a 0.8 WHIP in six innings to date.

I think these three pitchers plus Scott who spent the year in AA are a testimony to the effectiveness of Rumble Ponies pitching coach A.J. Sager.  He was recognized last year as Mets Minor League Staff Member of the Year for his efforts last year. 

Sager’s pitching staff in 2023 set a Binghamton franchise record with 15 shutouts and took home five Eastern League honors.  He is doing it again, as evidenced by no less than seven pitchers with sub-1.00 WHIP on the staff.  To me, WHIP is extremely important because less base runners lead to more wins.

On the hitting side, there are a few standouts worthy of note.

Outfielder Matt Rudick has continued his momentum from a great season last year.  This year, Rudick leads the club with four multi-RBI games, and also has four multi-hit games in the 19 he has played so far.  He is currently on a six-game hitting streak and has been on base in the last seven games.  His 2 HR and 12 RBI also lead the club.  Last year in 61 games, Rudick walked more times than he struck out which exemplifies a disciplined approach at the plate and good bat-to-ball skills.

First baseman JT Schwartz continues to impress with both the bat and the glove this year.  He has come through in the clutch with three multi-RBI games and also three multi-hit games so far.  

Rhylan Thomas, who won a gold glove in the Mets organization as an outfielder, has had a stellar defensive career.  In 91 games last year, Thomas committed just one error this season and has only two over the first two seasons of his professional career.  This year he is not only doing it with the glove but also with the bat.  Thomas is second on the club with a .298 batting average and has a .379 on base percentage.

Finally, everyone wants to know how Alex Ramirez is doing.  He was a huge prospect in 2022, then had an off year in 2023.  In 2024, Ramirez had a great spring and was assigned to AA Binghamton to start the season.  There he has taken off again, slashing .298/.362/.429 with a club leading 13 stolen bases and 12 RBI.  His arm and fielding range are very strong, and the only thing he has to improve upon so far is his K rate.

Reese Kaplan -- Hitting Help Down on the Farm for 2025

Now there are some players in Syracuse who may or may not have an immediate future in Flushing. 

If we assume Brett Baty shows enough with his bat to remain at third base for the Mets, then what becomes of Mark Vientos?  His over .900 OPS in AAA suggests he is a capable bat but if his defense is going to prevent him from playing next to Francisco Lindor, could his future if it remains in the Mets organization be as a first baseman?  Alonso had a reputation for being suspect at defense there and if he is traded away in July or leaves as a free agent on November 1st, then perhaps that is where Vientos winds up.

Luisangel Acuna in 2023 split between Frisco and Binghamton at AA hit .294 with 9 HRs and 63 RBIs between the infield and the outfield to go along with 57 SBs.  Given his size, the power is not as important as is the speed.  He could be a 2nd baseman or a center fielder.  It is entirely possible that with his slow start in Syracuse he would be capable of giving Jett Williams more time to play in the minors, including a partial or full season in AAA.

Drew Gilbert is the one who is quite interesting.  Another small player physically, he spent 2023 split between three teams, hitting .289 with 18 HRs and 59 RBIs along with 12 SBs.  He is an outfielder who is struggling a bit in Syracuse thus far, hitting only .240 and not hitting for power.  It is possible that he is adjusting to a new level of pitching and it is too soon to see what he can do.

Diminutive Jett Williams when healthy is likely going to play more outfield than infield with the Mets having a greater need there than in the infield.  Now he is healing up before he returns to playing regularly.  In 2023 he played across St. Lucie, Brooklyn and Binghamton, finishing the season with a .263 average, 13 HRs, 55 RBIs and 45 SBs.  He may well become the replacement for Harrison Bader in center field, but he has not yet made it to AAA, so no one is sure how soon he will make it to Queens. 

Ronny Mauricio had a magical 2023 season, batting .292 with 23 HRs and 71 RBIs.  It sure seemed as if he had a strong shot of being in that infield competition for 2024.  Unfortunately his injury put him out for the majority of the season but it is entirely possible that he will be the guy who pushes Jeff McNeil onto the trading block or into the outfield. 

Right now it would seem there are several possible assets coming up the ladder but for now only Mark Vientos is looking like he is ready for a full time role.  Mauricio needs to show he is healthy.  The rest need to step up a bit before the club can write them into the lineup regularly.

Tom Brennan - A Few Brief Thoughts on Early Baseball (1900-1930j and Latinos

(Mack: I took this pic)

Jose Reyes was one of the Mets' finest Latino ball players ever!

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO! 

I got into a general discussion with a bunch of folks has to how well Babe Ruth might have played in this current day and age. Of course, he’d be 129 years old, but…

Anyway, Babe Ruth is not the discussion for today, but have at it in the comments section about the Bambino if you wish to.

A few folks in that exchange of ideas, though, said that baseball these days was diluted compared to 1930. After all, back then, they reasoned, there were just 16 teams, and now there are 30. 

That logic is totally flawed, for at least these four reasons: 

1) The current US population is about 350 million people. Back in 1930, it was 123 million people. So there’s been nearly a tripling of the number of people living in the US since 1930. 

2) They were no black players in the major leagues in 1930, and there are many now. But every baseball fan who has not been sequestered in a cave knows that narrative quite well. 

3) The average player today is significantly taller and heavier than guys from the early 1900s.

4) Perhaps not as well known, there were virtually no Latin players in the majors in 1930, a point that very few people seem to bring up.

Last year on opening day, it was very different - I read that there were 235 Latin players on major league rosters, the equivalent of 9 full teams. 

9 divided by 30 is 30%. And that does not take into account Japanese and Korean major leaguers.

So, no, baseball today isn’t diluted. 

It is instead extremely upgraded.

Feel free to research the topic more if you care to, but here are a few snippets about early Latin ballplayer major league history:

I saw this when I googled the topic, but found no stats for him.  “Luis Miguel Castro (November 25, 1876 – September 24, 1941), nicknamed "Jud" and "Count", was a professional baseball infielder who was born in Medellín, Colombia. He is considered the first Latin American to play in recognized Major League Baseball.”

Also, a University of Michigan website posted the following:

"The first two Latinos to play in what is now Major League Baseball were Rafael Almeida and Armando Marsans, who both joined the Cincinnati Reds of the National League in 1911.

The first "star" Latino baseball player was Adolfo Luque, who won 27 games (27-8, 1.93) for the Cincinnati Reds in 1923 and played for 20 years from the late 1910s through the 1930s. Though Luque achieved success, most Latino players of this time were not so lucky, having brief and undistinguishable careers in the late 1910s and 1920s."

Interestingly, as the Florida Complex League games got underway yesterday, nearly the entire FCL Mets roster is comprised of Latin ball players.

So, amigos, on this Cinco de Mayo, may you and your wife Marguerita enjoy a little information on this topic, both in the early 1900s and today.  Have a tortilla and guacamole at your leisure.  

Happy Sunday, all you Mayo Readeros.   

I read recently that the average male life expectancy in the U.S. in 1900 was just 46 years!  So, in everything, give thanks, especially if you’re older than 46.

MACK - MLB.com - Mock Draft

  

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-pipeline-2024-mock-draft-may-2?s=03 

 

1. Guardians: Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Georgia (No. 1)

 

2. Reds: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State (No. 2)

 

3. Rockies: Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida (No. 3)

 

4. A’s: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M (No. 5)

 

5. White Sox: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest (No. 4)

 

6. Royals: Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Jackson Prep, Miss. (No. 9)

 

7. Cardinals: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas (No. 6)

 

8. Angels: JJ Wetherholt, SS/2B, West Virginia (No. 8)

 

9. Pirates: Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard-Westlake, Calif. (No. 10)

 

10. Nationals: Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest (No. 7)

 

11. Tigers: Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina (No. 11)

 

12. Red Sox: Seaver King, 3B/OF, Wake Forest (No. 13)

 

13. Giants: Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina (No. 23)

 

14. Cubs: Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State (No. 21)

 

15. Mariners: Billy Amick, 3B, Tennessee (No. 15)

 

16. Marlins: James Tibbs, OF, Florida State (No. 22)

 

17. Brewers: Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Kansas State (No. 31)

 

18. Rays: Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro HS, Ariz. (No. 17)

 

19. Mets: Dakota Jordan, OF, Mississippi State (No. 24)

Jordan originally headed to Mississippi State to play football and baseball, but giving up the gridiron looks like a good move. He has a ton of bat speed and power and has a 1.214 OPS this year, though some are worried about the sophomore’s strikeouts (28.7 percent K rate).

 

20. Blue Jays: Tommy White, 3B, Louisiana State (No. 16)

MACK - Draft News

 

(thru Friday’s results) 

 

MLB Pipeline @MLBPipeline 

Nick Kurtz sends his 18th homer of the year out in a hurry. No. 4 Draft prospect

 

Stephen Schoch @bigdonkey47 

Pretty nice of Nick Kurtz to provide evidence of the tape measure shots in this series while they’re talking about tape measure shots in this series

Charlie Condon ties the Georgia career home run record with his 53rd bomb in two seasons 

            Georgia Baseball @BaseballUGA 

Charlie Condon ties the Georgia single season (28) and career (53) home run records!

 

                        Kendall Rogers  @KendallRogers 

The fact he did this before April was insanely impressive

No. 31 for Charlie Condon and it got out at over 114 mph

 

        MLB Pipeline @MLBPipeline 

Well, that didn't take long.

 

Teddy Cahill @tedcahill

Charlie Condon led off the third inning. Vanderbilt intentionally walked him.

As I said on the pod this week, I wouldn't pitch to him either.

 

JAC CAGLIANONE GRAND SLAM! ... and he's also the starting pitcher. More on the 2024 Draft prospect, who is a two-way sensation 

 

Braden Montgomery launches a grand slam for his 23rd home run of the season -- fourth-most in D1.  No. 5 Draft prospect 

                    Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB 

You know what I like about Braden Montgomery and how his game will translate? These are big league swings and big league bat speed. Very, very few little league homers. These aren’t alloy/aluminum nukes. They’re legit barrels at any level. 

 

Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB 

My opinion on who I'd select with the no. 1 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft changes daily.

 

 Ryan Brauninger @R_Brauninger

 News: Texas A&M third baseman Gavin Grahovac had an MRI on his left knee this morning after injuring it running to 1st in the series finale vs Georgia.

 I’m told those tests came back clean, and there is no structural damage. I fully anticipate him being back next weekend at LSU.

  

Tyler Jennings @TylerJennings24 

Jamie Arnold is such a fun, fun arm. Struck out nine across five innings last night, racking up 15 whiffs. FB command was iffy at times, sitting 90-94 with a ton of arm-side run from a low release. Mid-80s SL was the best pitch, tons of bite and sweep. Flashed CH. Top 2025 arm. 

 

Brian Recca @brian_recca 

                Mavrick Rizy '24      Worcester Academy (MA) 

LSU baseball commit 

Huge kid at 6'9-230. Was 95-97 t98 through innings 1-2, generating weak contact. Held 91-94. Great feel for 77-81 slider; used as a putaway pitch. Mid/upper 80s CH was inconsistent but flashed avg at times. 

 

Ian Smith @IanSmittyGA 

Big night overall for Connor Shouse, going 3-for-3 with three hard-hit barrels including another 2B off the wall in dead CF. One of the top two-way players in Prep Baseball GA 2024 class has been locked in at the plate to start the state playoffs for PHS baseball GA.

 

Prep Baseball Georgia @PrepBaseballGA 

Big-time players making big plays. 

2024 SS/RHP Connor Shouse finds his 2nd barrel in as many ABs, and clears the bases with this pull-side 2B. 

The GT Baseball commit stays compact and shows off the present above-average bat speed with ease. 

MACK - Sunday Morning Observations

 

(thru Friday’s results) 

 

Mack’s Observations -

 

David Stearns is doing everything he can to ruin a great lead in portion of this post. 

I decided this was a great time in the early season to write about possible promotions that could be coming in this organization. I figured it might be a little early especially since the Mets are well known for their snail pace at promoting thise that should be.

Well, Stearns looks like a breath of fresh air, what with this week’s promotions of Jonah Tong, Danny Young, and Christian Scott, doing their best to ruin what I had already wrote and saved since this past Sunday night.

 The top three Syracuse hitters (J.D. Martinez, Tomas Nido, Mark Vientos) have already caught the shuttle to LaGuardia so I don’t, baring injuries, see any additional bats coming to Queens soon. Vientos has since returned, leaving him one more option.

 Starter Joey Lucchesi has put up impressive numbers so far, but remains in the Mets doghouse what with the Scott promotion being the second starter promotion (Butto) out of this affiliate.

 Reliever-wise, Dedniel Nunez, Danny Young, Reid Garrett, and Sean Reid-Foley have already got the call. No other Syracuse relievers have combined for a decent amount of innings thrown and an equally decent ERA.

 As for AA-Binghamton, there really is only one bat that should be promoted to AAA-Syracuse and that would be CF Alex Ramirez. And I really don’t care who they kick to curb to make room for him. This is the top producing outfielder in the chain so far this season and someone already in Syracuse needs to be either demoted of given a tent and told to move to the Columbia University campus lawn.

 Pitching wise, RHSP Blade Tidwell looks to be the first that will move forward, possibly causing Mike Vasil to be sent back here for addition AA work. This could quickly follow the Scott promotion on Wednesday.

 Reliever wise, RHRP Wilkin Ramos is establishing himself early as their top AA pen arm.

 Regarding A+ Brooklyn, right now, no pitchers or catchers are posting the results to make a case for a promotion. Both starters Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean need more time at this level to develop.

 In St. Lucie, RHRP Jawilme Ramirez, SS Nick Moribito, and C/1B/OF Christopher Suero look to be the next in line once room is made for them in Brooklyn.

  

New Met:

                                 INF Mike Brosseau 3B/2B/1B/OF 30/yrs 

5-10 200 RHH

 UDFA - Oakland University

 Career: 3.1-WAR 582-AB 26-HR .242

 Played for David Stearns in Milwaukee

 Against LHP: .265/.326/.464

 Against RHP: .209/.293/.374

 29.5% K-Rate

 77% play at third base

 Opinion: Stirckly a depth platoon player against lefties.

 

 Roster Moves - 

Mets:

 Promote RHSP Christian Scott from AAA-Syracuse

 traded Zack Short to the Red Sox for cash.

 LHRP Josh Walker to AAA-Syracuse

 LHRP Danny Young selected from Syracuse.

 RP Drew Smith - 15-day IL: shoulder inflammation

 RP Dedniel Nunez recalled from Syracuse

 

Syracuse:

 RHP Justin Jarvis transferred from AA to AAA Syracuse

 Signed veteran INF Mike Brosseau to a minor league deal

 3B Mark Vientos returned from the Mets

 OF Taylor Kohlway released

 LHRP Nate Lavender - 60 day IL: TJS

 RHP David Griffin transferred from AA to AAA Syracuse

 RHP Hunter Parsons transferred from AA to AAA Syracuse

 

Binghamton:

             IF José Peroza placed on the 7-day IL

             IF Mateo Gil transferred from A+ to AA Binghamton 

            OF Jaylen Palmer off 7-day IL 

            IF Jett Williams on 7-day IL

             OF Rhylan Thomas placed on the 7-day IL

             OF Joe Suozzi transferred from A+ to AA Binghamton 

            RHP Andre Scrubb activated off the development list. 

            RHP Cam Robinson activated off the 7-day IL

 

Brooklyn:

RHP Jordan Geber transferred to AA-Binghamton

 

St. Lucie:

         RHSP Jonah Tong promoted to A+ Brooklyn

         3B Boston Baro promoted from FCL Mets

  

Prospect List Changes -

     Brooklyn RHSP Douglas Orellana black to BLUE 

MetsMinors.Net @Mets_Minors 

St. Lucie Mets center fielder Nick Morabito has been one of the best hitters in minor league baseball to start the season. 

Here’s how he ranks among 902 minor league hitters: 

2nd - .538 OBP

3rd - .411 AVG

3rd - 218 wRC+ 

 

The Mets have signed Jake Stevenson to a minor league deal and he has been added to the Brooklyn Cyclones roster. 

            Jake Stevenson  @JakeStevenson38

 6th Live 4/17, 25 pitches

 FB (7) top 97.1 avg 96.1 17.6 vb 7.4 hb

 CT (8) avg 90 6.9 vb -4.1 hb

 SL (10) up to -19 hb

avg 81.9 -1.1 vb -12.4 hb

 FA looking for affiliate opp

2023 Stats in Pirates org

1.85 ERA, 24.1 ip, 26 ks, .173 oBA, .210 oSLG

 

 Jon Heyman @JonHeyman

 The Mets hold a winning record despite a very difficult early schedule and obvious star underperformance. So where are the fans (19th in attendance)?

 

Dom Smith has deal with Red Sox, pending physical

 

Anthony DiComo @AnthonyDiComo

Today in Fun With Reed Garrett Stats:

 Only two pitchers in Mets history have recorded at least five wins in a season without a loss, plus at least one save:

             1. Reed Garrett, 2024

2. Jerry Blevins, 2017

 -The last reliever with five wins through his first eight outings of a season was Cecil Upshaw (1971 Braves).

 -The only RP with more wins through eight outings are Hugh Bedient (1912 Red Sox) & Rube Waddell (1905 A's).

 

 Kevin Kernan @AMBS_Kernan

 So Guardians lose one run game in game they had runner picked off second on inside move and had another runner thrown out at 2B who couldn’t bother to slide. New baseball

  

Mike Mayer @mikemayer22

 Mets top minor league hitters by wRC+ through April:

 209 Nick Morabito

186 Christopher Suero

165 Nick Lorusso

156 Ben Gamel

151 Jose Peroza

146 Ryan Clifford

143 Alex Ramírez

137 Mark Vientos

133 Rylan Bannon

126 JT Schwartz

122 Rhylan Thomas

120 Wyatt Young

119 Matt Rudick

 

Mets top minor league pitchers by K-BB% through April:

 45.6% Jonah Tong

36.2% Dakota Hawkins

32.5% Jack Wenninger

31.9% Christian Scott

29.8% Jordany Ventura

28.3% Austin Troesser

23.8% Blade Tidwell

23.1% Tyler Stuart

21.0% Jordan Geber

20.0% Douglas Orellana

 

 John Harper @NYNJHarper 

Was doing TV last night so just getting around to this: Severino brilliant, obviously. Use of 2-seamer this season has made him more unpredictable; 4-seamer playing up again. Also, thought it was cool the way he acknowledged crowd's ovation after 8th. Not enough pitchers do it.

 

 Mike Puma @NYPost_Mets

 Ji Man Choi has an opt out in his contract that could have been exercised today. Choi has decided to remain with the Mets - he's currently assigned to Triple-A Syracuse.

 

 Baseball -

  

Kevin Kernan @AMBS_Kernan

 I’ve come to the conclusion that with all the tinkering in baseball there are simply now too many rules. They’ve gone too far. Keep it simple MLB

  

Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN

 From MLB: Through 452 total games played through the end of April, the 2024 Major League season set records for combined games played by players 23-and younger and 22-and-younger. Major League players Age 23-and-younger combined for a total of 413 games played, while players age…

 

 Baseball Prospectus @baseballpro

 The Splitter “Revolution” Part 2

by Daniel R. Epstein (@depstein1983)

 Sub only

 https://t.co/ej1BtYS0eT 

 

 BA - The Youngest Big Leaguers Keep Getting Older, Delaying Free Agency And Money-Making Opportunities

 Sub only

 https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/the-youngest-big-leaguers-keep-getting-older-delaying-free-agency-and-money-making-opportunities/?s=03