3/4/25

MACK - MY Tuesday Observations

 


Good morning.

 

Lets start off with a guy that hit a home run last week that came off the bat at 110.7mph.

I was thrilled when 1B Ryan Clifford came to the Mets in the Justin Verlander deal in 2023. I followed him when he played ball for Crossroads FLEX HS, in Cary, North Carolina. Houston drafted him in the 11th round of the 2022 draft.

We are talking raw power here… 24 home runs in 2023 and another 18 last season. Frankly, playing last season in that horrible Cyclones stadium didn’t help his growth, but his OPS jumped from .304 to .457 once he got to Binghamton.

Carlos Mendoza loves the guy. Says he likes everything he sees here. He does need another year in the minors and I assume that will happen this season in Syracuse.

Folks… with a little luck and some help from the labs… this just may be the eventual replacement for Pete Alonso… very soon.


Thomas Nestico                 @TJStats

It was yet another very encouraging outing from Max Kranick who has made a name for himself this Spring

He struck out 3 of the 4 batters he faced as his stuff still continues to look solid. The amount of lift he gets on his sweeper is absurd!


Pitch Profiler                      @pitchprofiler

Kodai Senga was nearly untouchable in his Spring Training debut!

He showcased seven different pitches over two innings—striking out two—while his new sinker is currently being classified as both a slider and four-seamer.

And, of course, his Ghost Fork is still absolutely



Thomas Nestico                 @TJStats

Kodai Senga pitched today and it looks like he is throwing a new pitch!

Senga has always had a deep arsenal, and now a new sinker (splinker?) is yet another weapon. His fastball also looked great today as it had a lot more life!

The Mets ace looks ready for the season!

Manually updated pitch classifications:


Yacksel Rios is yet another Mets pitcher that has stood out this Spring. His arsenal features high 90s velocity and trio of fastballs that grade out well.

Mets pitching lab goes brrrrrrr

Pitch Profiler        @pitchprofiler

Another day, another random reliever throwing GAS


Yacksel Rios is a 31-year old RHRP, who stands 6-3 and weighs 215.

12TH round draft pick in 2011, drafted by the Phillies, out of Doctora Cochita HS (PR).

Career MLB:  -0.8-WAR   8-2   6.32

2024:  AAA-Syracuse – 27-apps, 3-1, 3.30, 1.56 (!), 30-IP, 22-BB, 30-K

Large, filled-out frame. Strong lower half. Throws ¾ slot, stars at first base side of the mound. Medium leg kick.

94-98 Fastball    95-98 sinker    84-87 slider    85-87 splitter

60% fastball/sinker combo

Control has always been a problem.


Thomas Nestico        @TJStats

Luis Moreno made a statement today as he struck out 6 consecutive Nationals swinging to end the game

His slider (sweeper) gets a ton of glove-side movement and lift which helped it register a bonkers 100 Whiff% today

                       Ernest Dove           @ernestdove

                       Mets 25 year old minor league P Luis Moreno has been eating over 100 innings 3 milb seasons in a row & his K rate has climbed slightly each season. He's had 2 straight fantastic winter ball seasons. Potential swingman type role perhaps? Have to always worry about BB rate.


Luis Moreno is a 25/year old RHSP that was an International free agent in 2018.

5-8      200

Pitched in three games for AAA-Syracuse last season, but spent the majority of 2024 pitching for AA-Binghamton (25-G, 19-ST, 3-7, 4.27, 103.1-IP, 107-K)

In the past, Morena has had difficulty producing a low WHIP.


Medium - The Really Big 2025 Mets Prospects Ranking

https://medium.com/@mdonodeo8/the-really-big-2025-mets-prospects-ranking-5c0fbaaa49f0



2) 2B/CF Jett Williams

I have yet to mention Jett’s best trait, which is pure athleticism. He’s a burner on the basepaths who should have somewhat of an offensive floor even if the power doesn’t manifest itself consistently, and his athleticism gives him good range at either second base or center field (the arm probably doesn’t handle shortstop, and it shows in his Davenport runs, but he’s capable of making plays there.) 

He’s graded out around average at second and in center by Davenport runs, visually looking a little better than that, and he should be able to play wherever the better roster fit is. The combination of walks, speed, and defense should give him a floor as a second-division starter, but the batted ball angles will determine if he can reach his upside as an All-Star caliber player.

Scouting grades: 60 hit, 45 power, 70 speed, 55 field, 45 arm

Optimistic comp: Alex Bregman-lite

25) Nick Morabito

Morabito initially struggled after being signed for one million dollars in the 2023 draft out of the esteemed Gonzaga College High School (hail purp), but had somewhat of a breakout season in 2024. This mostly came from making more contact, as his z-con in St. Lucie improved to 84%. This isn’t amazing for a low-A repeat, but it’s around the MLB average and should be enough to play. 

He has a passive approach at the plate in terms of overall swing rate, but his 20% chase rate combined with relative aggression on hittable pitches led to a 93rd percentile SEAGER in low-A. These plate skills culminated in identical K and BB rates in low-A, and still-good K and BB rates in Brooklyn even as the walks slipped somewhat. On contact he hasn’t had the best results. 

He has a ton of bat speed and at one point posted a 110 EV, but his max in St. Lucie in 2024 was 104.7 and a ton of his contact — 55% — was on the ground. This stems from swing mechanics — the bat path is flat and exits the zone really quickly, which limits his ability to create flush contact. This hurts both the floor and upside of the bat, but there are some right-tail outcomes where the bat is playable despite these ground ball rates, as his speed can inflate BABIPs better than a normal player’s would. 

This doesn’t mean he’ll be running a .390 like he did across both levels this season, but it could be a little higher than average, and he’ll provide value on the basepaths once he gets there. This speed has been utilized in the outfield — he shifted to center field after being a high school shortstop to take advantage of it — but so far the routes have struggled, as he’s graded out from below average to very well below average depending on the measurement system. 

If there’s a silver lining in the defensive profile, there is likely room to grow at the position, and he recorded nine assists in the outfield, so there’s potential with the arm. That said, he’s raw defensively, which is a pretty good microcosm for the entire profile, a superb athlete with some interesting skills but also a lot of room for growth in certain aspects of his game.


nugget chef             @jayhaykid

The best argument I’ve seen yet for giving Vladimir Guerrero Jr (and/or Kyle Tucker) a blank check: the other upcoming options in free agency.


Pitch Profiler      @pitchprofiler

Stop me if you’ve seen this before…

Tampa Bay has a guy you’ve never heard of, throwing some of the nastiest stuff you’ll see all day lol

    (this one is for Tom…)

    Ernest Dove      @ernestdove

    Seeing Paul Gervase & Tyler Stuart on other teams is going to be the death of me

Just Baseball - New York Mets Top 15 Prospects

https://www.justbaseball.com/prospects/new-york-mets-top-15-prospects/?s=03

1. Brandon Sproat – RHP – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 63, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (56) NYM (2023) | ETA: 2025

Outlook

Stuff wasn’t an issue for Sproat, but he emerged in 2024 with a more complete arsenal. The concern for the right-hander is his command, often struggling to time up his long arm action. He has looked more comfortable repeating his delivery and filling up the zone as he gets more pro innings under his belt, providing optimism for average command.

If he can continue to cut down on the high number of non-competitive pitches, Sproat’s stuff is good enough to get away with a higher walk rate. Already fighting off some of the reliever risk, Sproat has flashed No. 2 upside with the fall back of a volatile late-rotation arm or elite high-leverage reliever. His ability to tweak his arsenal and improve his fastball shape is a testament to his feel to pitch, providing more optimism that he can reach closer to that No. 2 starter dream.

 

2. Jett Williams – SS/OF – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 58, 180 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (14) 2022 (NYM) | ETA: 2025

Outlook

While the 2024 season was mostly a lost one for Williams, he is still ahead of schedule as he gets set for his age-21 season. With Williams’ added weight in 2024 not necessarily being completely useful gains, he could benefit from getting closer to his 2023 game shape given how important speed is to his game.

Elite on base skills amplify an offensive profile that will likely feature average hit and average-at-best power. Williams and Termarr Johnson became the first teenagers since 2005 to walk 100 times in a Minor League season in 2023.

The defensive side of things will be important to monitor in 2025 as Williams is clearly capable of providing versatility, but if he can take a step forward with more consistent reps in center field, he becomes significantly more valuable. Williams has the floor of a quality utility piece but has the offensive upside and speed to be an above-average regular.

 

3. Carson Benge – OF – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 62, 185 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (19), 2024 (NYM) | ETA: 2027

Outlook

Benge is a unique athlete who may just be scraping the surface of the player he can ultimately be. He has a wiry build and could probably add some strength without losing speed. It’s not uncommon for two-way players to add mass upon shifting their focus from the mound.

Added strength could also facilitate a simpler operation in the box. Benge has the potential to be an everyday center fielder.

 

Codify (@CodifyBaseball) posted at 6:58 PM on Fri, Feb 28, 2025:

BATTING AVERAGES

.318 <--- Kirby Puckett, MLB career

.318 <--- Vladimir Guerrero, MLB career

.318 <--- all batters at Coors Field, 1995-2001


Miguel Álvarez Mesa      @Miguellvar57837

I knew about this story for many years. Conrado Marrero aka "The Premier" has been one of the great pitchers of all time here in my country. In MLB Marrero debuted at 39 years old and played for Washington Senators from 1950 to 1954 [39-40; 3.67 ERA]

Died at 102 in 2014 in Havana

 

Jim Koenigsberger      @Jimfrombaseball

"Everybody's  always talking about my strikeouts. If I played every day, I could strike out maybe 400 times. I have no idea how many home runs I could hit if I  played every day. I've never played every day."

In 1977, became the only player to hit a home run for a team in the 4 different divisions in the same year: Mets (NL East), Padres (NL West), Angels (AL West), and Yankees (AL East).


Only player to homer with both the Mets and Yankees in the same season.

Dave "King Kong" Kingman


34 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

If Jett Williams were 5'11", he'd be a future perennial all star. We'll find out who he is this year.

Clifford is 1 for 11 with no walks and 3 Ks. Before he takes over for Alonso, he needs to at least be the next Kirk Nieuwenhuis. A lot for Ryan to prove this year. He hit just .228 with 160 Ks in 129 games last year. Add 40 points to that average and bring the Ks down to one per game, and he might make a case for being ready for 2026.

He did walk 95 times in 130 games last year, a great rate, but I have to wonder how much of that was pitching around him because the Brooklyn and Binghamton line ups he was in sucked.

Speaking of first basemen, 48 hitters have appeared in Mets games so far - JT Schwartz? Nope.

The guy with the most Mets spring at bats so far? Jose Azocar, which I am sure you guessed right.

Kranick and Peterson were superb last night.

TexasGusCC said...

Tom is rolling…

I don’t see the Mets going hard after Vlad Jr.. It’s difficult to fit so many guys under the cap.

If pitching wins, then I’m very excited to see the Mets results this year. It’s hard to believe that the calendar just turned to March and we are already acting like it’s October.

Mack Ade said...

What happened yesterday re: pitching made me very happy
The two innings from Senga three from Peyerson, and what Kranick is consistently producing is making things a lot less stressful in the pitching coach's office

Mack Ade said...

You may be right about Vlad

How bout that guy in Miami named Sandy?

JoeP said...

Just saw that Quintana signed with the Brewers for 4+M. Yet we have Blackburn and Canning for the same price....Yikes.

Disappointing defensive metrics on Morobito.

Nimmo feeling knee soreness. Growing very tired of this nonsense. Very brittle. Time to make him full-time DH or just trade him. He was my favorite player, now he's an afterthought. Stinks in the OF, his OBP keeps dropping. Very frustrating.

Mack Ade said...

Q signing elsewhere for only one year makes me speculate that the Mets didn't even offer him that

JoeP said...

Sandy would be great. Mack, after the update I would trade anyone for him, except Sproat or Tong.

I was so high on Jet Williams, now not so sure. Hearing those below average reviews about his fielding was very disheartening.

Tom Brennan said...

Joe P, Morabito, like any other prospect with speed, should be able to tighten his defense. I understand, though, that his arm will never be confused with that of Roberto Clemente. What an arm he had. Nimmo is yet another exhibit of the danger of long term contracts to anyone (not named Soto).

JoeP said...

Mack, bet they didn't even make him an offer.

JoeP said...

Tom, where then does he fit on this team. Trade bait for Sandy?

Mack Ade said...

I just don't see a path for Jett either as a starting middle infielder or in center

Mack Ade said...

I donsee a path for Morabito either

JoeP said...

Tidwell, Williams and Morobito for Sandy A.

Paul Articulates said...

I had not seen that low rating on Jett's arm. That could be a limiting factor on where he plays. As a natural athlete, he could play in many positions, but with a 45 arm, it limits him a bit. Maybe he becomes the future 2nd baseman.

Mack Ade said...

Miami doesn't want to finish this contract

2 years remaining

Never a better time than now to included a deal for a package that includes Blade Tidwell, Max Kranick, and Brett Baty

Remember1969 said...

OMG.. . what happened to the game of baseball that I grew up loving? What the hell are Davenport runs? Do players now have couches out there on the field? Reading through that Morabito piece has me wondering whether they are talking baseball - z-con? 93rd percentile SEAGER ?? right-tail?? running a .390? What, are we in NASCAR now? Geez, what happened to the days when I could read about a guy that can get a runner home from scoring position.

And why can't teams and players just find the right position and play them there instead of all the freaking media debates. They drafted Jett Williams - what is their plan for him? Yeah things change to some degree, but it is really hard to see that the Mets have settled on anything for Williams, Acuna, or Baty for that matter.

I'm losing interest in this game.

Remember1969 said...

And don't even get me started on those pitching graphs and 'stats'. Can the guy throw strikes and get hitters out? I don't want to take a calculus class to watch a baseball game.

Mack Ade said...

so

i guess you don't like the graphs?

JoeP said...

69, I'm with you 100%. College was a breeze compared to this shit.
There's nothing better than the eye test. They have ruined f***king baseball for me. See the ball, hit the ball, catch the ball...everything else is horseshit.

Half the guys playing today don't even have a high school education, how in the world can you expect them to understand this crap.

Ernest Dove said...

Max Kranick could have one of those seasons. Relievers doing reliever things.

Mack Ade said...

(you don't really think they read this shit, do you?)

TexasGusCC said...

Let’s give out guys a chance…. Sandy is better than Vlad.

Tom Brennan said...

JoeP, Morabito needs to add power or he will be nothing more than an outfield reserve in the majors. Trade for Sandy? Why not, every team needs a Koufax. Sandy would be thrilled to pitch for a team like the Mets that can HIT.

Tom Brennan said...

Gus, Sandy now, Vlad later?

JoeP said...

Feel the same about Morobito. Definitely Sandy now. Vlad, I will still pass. I still have my same reservations. Besides, Stearns is already saying can't sign that many high priced players at once.

Remember1969 said...

Has there been any press about the Marlins wanting to trade Sandy? I am struggling to see why they would do that - a guy with reasonably team-friendly contract for a team that gets more revenue sharing than the rest of their salary commitments. It seems like the price for a pitcher like that would be awfully steep.

TexasGusCC said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
TexasGusCC said...

Tom, I agree with R69 that the price will have some pain to it. Last we saw this guy completely healthy, his ERA was under 2 and he was taking home some hardware. Hence, if I’m Miami:
Sproat, Gilbert, Williams, Acuna, and Parada

Also, JoeP what’s your blood pressure? Please relax about the Mets, remember they don’t care about us, they just need us.

Remember1969 said...

A hard no on any trade where the letters S-P-R-O-A-T are involved at this point. Also T-O-N-G is pretty much untouchable in my book now. I suppose I could part with McLean, but even that would be pretty painful for a pitcher they don't really need to compete at the moment. It might be a little different if it were a massive hole they were trying to fill, but they don't have that now - Alcantara is a very good pitcher when healthy, but would be somewhat of a luxury at this juncture.

Mack Ade said...

The Marlins have to raise their 2025 salaries by 30k... has to have this done by the end of the month or the league comes down with $$$ penalties for having a team salary below what they get from the league

Perfect landing place for Marte

Tom Brennan said...

Gus, substitute McLean or Tong in that Sandy deal.

Tom Brennan said...

Whose knee is worse, Nimmo or Marte?

JoeP said...

Lol...Gus, pressures good. Just can't stand how fragile everyone is now.

TexasGusCC said...

Well, we appreciate the interest. We will take our stud, Cy Young winner with a less than 2 ERA and two years controlif y’all are afraid to even offer something akin to what Boston gave for a flash in the pan lefty.