Reese Kaplan -- Yes, the Mets Do Need to Fortify Their Upper Minors

Right now how bad are the Mets upper minor leagues?  For a club that was supposed to be architected by POBO David Stearns they are pretty pitiful?  Do you think I’m overly negative?  Well, let’s have a brief look and you will see why the summer sell off for higher potential prospects might indeed be a good thing. 

• First baseman Ryan Clifford has 16 HRs and 47 RBIs..not bad, huh?  However he also has 130 strikeouts and is hitting a below the Mendoza line .197. 
• We’ve all seen plenty of MJ Melendez at the major league level this year where he wore out his welcome.  He does have 10 HRs and 16 RBIs with a .278 batting average.  Is he a 4th or 5th outfielder?  Maybe, maybe not.
• A little has been seen of speedster Nick Morabito.  He’s hitting .266 with 9 HRs and 35 RBIs.  The standout number for him is the 30 SBs. 
• Third baseman Christian Arroyo is hitting a respectable .282 with 7 HRs and 44 RBIs (only three shy of Clifford for team lead).  The problem is that he’s already 31.
• Starting pitcher Jack Wenninger is the top of the AAA heap.  He’s 4-5 with a 3.50 ERA which is pretty good but not against major league hitters. 
• Jonah Tong has struck out a lot of batters but hasn’t done much else well.  He’s 2-5 with a 5.83 ERA. 
• Nate Lavender over 21 games has a 2-2 record with a 3.38 ERA working out of the bullpen.  In 26+ IP he has 44 strikeouts.
• Jonathan Pintaro also working out of the pen is 2-0 with a 3.50 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 37 IP. 

• Third baseman Nick Larusso is similarly leading his team with 16 HRs and 47 RBIs like Ryan Clifford is providing in AAA, but at least his batting average reached .244. 
• Center fielder Jose Ramos has clubbed 13 HRs also with 47 RBIs but he’s doing it while hitting a paltry .215.
• Highly visible prospect Chris Suero is showing off his legs more than his bat in AA.  He is hitting just .201 but has 24 SBs to accompany modest power with 12 HRs and 33 RBIs. 
• Starting Pitcher Jonathan Santucci is 2-7 with a 3.83 ERA over 18 starts.  The 114 strikeouts are quite good over his 85.2 IP.  The 42 walks are a bit concerning. 
• Saul Garcia has been in 32 games working out of the pen.  He’s currently sporting a 0-1 record with a 3.82 ERA while fanning 51 in 35.1 IP. 
• Reliever Jeffry Yan also has an 0-1 record with a 3.71 ERA.  Control is not an issue for him with 45 Ks 26.2 IP to go along with a nice 18 BBs.  He’s up now in Syracuse. 
• Bullpen stalwart Carlos Guzman has a nice 2.79 ERA over 22 games in relief.  He has gone 2-1 with 40 Ks in 29+ IP. 
• Accompanying him is reliever Felipe De La Cruz also with 22 games during which he has shown a 2.54 ERA with a record of  1-2 with a strikeout record better than one per inning pitched.