MACK – THOUGHTS & OTHER
TIDBITS
Thoughts
Normally, I write about minor leaguers in the minor league
section of this weekly feature. Jonah Tong deserves
more. He’s worked his arse off to earn a September promotion. His ERA for the
past two months was under three. He aced August. But instead, Cohen’s Nightmare
promoted another scrub. Forget the negative sign you send to Jonah… no, think
about what all your prospects will think about how you operate. The
undynamic duo of Cohen/Stearns is proved
daily that big money doesn’t guarantee big results. It takes some baseball
intelligence behind spending baseball money. If not, you’re just throwing
Benjamins that don’t stick.
I see that the owners and the union were throwing spears
again at each other; however, Commish Rob Manfred said
last week that the league wants to play in 2027. I’m sure the players do too.
The only problems are both sides agree to less than shite. Manfred said both
sides are meeting regularly so there is that. Manfred also admits there is
“work to do”. Ya think?
The main sticking point seems to be a “salary cap”. The
Player’s Association (MLBPA) wants to increase this minimal major league
salary. They also want less restrictions to the luxury tax threshold. Lastly,
further enhance the pre-arb bonus pool. That’s all? Well, actually there are
also current disagreements on service time, the International draft, and TV
revenue. Right now, they can’t agree on how many sugars in each coffee.
This all runs out at 11:59pm ET on December 1st.
It’s now September. I’m turning the seatbelts on because I am anticipating a
bumpy ride.
You do have to wonder if the Mets had a chance to sign the
free agent this week that had gone .310, 32-EBH, 42-RBI in the minors this
season. Well, I guess we will never know because Jarred
Kelenic is now a Yankee. Why do I think this Mets move that proved to be
the right one, could still turn out to be the wrong one?
Please do me a favor. Don’t put a lot of pressure on Nick Morabito this September. Let him just get
into the routine of coming to the park each night, warming up, checking if he
is in the lineup, and, well… you get the picture. It’s mentally a lot different
playing in front of 30,000-40,000 people each night instead of 5,000-10,000 in
AAA-ball. And he will be facing some of baseball’s finest pitchers. No, leave
him alone. You just want a utility outfielder with the ability to play late
innings and pinch run a little to develop here.
Prospect Color ChangesDSL-Mets RHSP Abner Meza from BLUE to RED
Minor Tidbits
Speaking of infielders, the Mets have another one… there is
this 22/year old that they drafted right out of high school in 2023. This was
someone heading to UCLA, but the Mets offered him around half a mil over slot
and he signed on the dotted… He had a wonderful year in 2024 for St. Lucie
(.288), followed in 2025 by a learning process in Brooklyn. And then the
dreaded injuries began. First to the lower back, followed by the right
shoulder. 2026 has only produced limited at-bats, but a fair share are
producing hits. His name? Boston Baro. His
goal? Finish the season healthy and accept a winter assignment somewhere. O, I
ask you… what if Baro goes all Bonzo Dog Band and hits off the chart for the
rest of this season plus 2027. Where do we put him and who does he replace?
I have mentioned “The Aiden Boys” a few times lately.
Let’s concentrate here on the 21/year old out of the University of Texas. Aiden Robbins became a million-dollar baby after
being drafted this year in the 3rd round. Did he have the cred?
Well…
2004 – Seton Hall: .302/.368/.512,
6-HR
2005 - Seton
Hall: .422/.537/.652,
6-HR
2026 - Texas: .333/.426/.696,
24-HR
You have here strong bat speed, power, and contact skills,
with capable centerfield skills, average speed (but aggressive running).
Probably will wind up a corner outfielder. K% has gone up with increased power,
which he is working on now. Through Thursday, 68-AB, 17-K, 25.0%. Me? I believe
he heads the list for top outfield prospect in the chain.
You do remember that I was the original President of the Chris Suero fan club? Heck, I was President before
he shortened his name! I couldn’t help notice that he went 2-4, R, HR (18),
4-RBI on Friday night. Is he back? Don’t bother looking for any great splits
here. It generally has just been a suck year for Suero. What you can walk away
with is some overall positive things that still stands out in a bad situation…
77-hits, 20-doubles, 18-home runs, 68-walks, 33-stolen bases, only 22 years old,
additionally can play first and center as well as catch. Yes, a catcher with
33-SB. These are pretty good stats for someone that has had a horrible season.
My guess is we’ll see better in 2027. I will bet my presidency on it.
Question… how many current Mets minor leaguers have played at five different levels this season? I don’t have the time to research this, but there is a good chance that the answer is just one and that would be 2B/SS/LF, D’Andre Smith. He also is leaving his best for the highest level, currently going .342/.426/.610/1.035 for AAA-Syracuse. Trust me. If one of these newbie prospects that arrived with the trade deadline were producing these numbers at this level, you would have called for his promotion come the beginning of this month. Don’t count this guy out. He’s only 25.
It seems that the team’s number one prospect is coming
up with new ways every night to distance himself away from the other ranked
Mets prospects. On Sunday, IF Jefferson Rojas had
three hits, that included both a 2-run home run and a 2-run double, totaling to
four runs batted in. His stats over the last 11 games were 14-H, 6-HR, 14-RBI,
9-XBH. Folks, this is gonna be a good one…
Davial Hurtado is relieving again. Probably an
innings pitch limit thing. It happened on Tuesday and it was as good as most of
his starts: 2.0-IP, 1-H, 0-R, 3-K. The ERA lowered to 1.49. You would think
this would earn him a promotion to AA-Binghamton, but the season is just about
over. Still, enjoy this real deal starter who will definitely open up 2027 in
the B-Met rotation.
Minor league Mets starters continue to finish strong
this season. Binghamton Mets righty, Noah Hall,
put up a stat line on Wednesday of 5.0-IP, 0-R, 3-K. He’s been erratic at best;
however, he did produce a 0.39-ERA in July (4-G, 2-ST). Hall turns 26 next
March, so where he goes and what he does is up for debate. By my estimate,
there are potentially seven B-Met pitchers with starter experience trying to
fill two, possibly three slots in AAA-Syracuse next opening day. Hall is too
talented to cut, but could easily end up in a future pen.
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