01/24/2018 Winter League Results | LMP and LVBP Championships Both Tied Up, Robles 8th inning Meltdown Dooms Tigres, Cangrejeros Earn Spot in LBPRC Championship

Arizona Fall League (AFL)

- Completed on November 18th

(Recap can be found here.) 

Mexican Pacific League Championship (LMP)

- Mayos de Navojoa 5 - 3 Tomateros de Culiacan [Series Tied 2-2]

Venezuelan Winter League Championship (LVBP)

- Cardenales de Lara 2 - 3 Caribes de Anzoategui [Series Tied 2-2]

Dominican Winter League Championship (LIDOM)

- Tigres del Licey 4 - 8 Aguilas Cibaenas [Cibaenas Leads Series 2-0]

• RHP Hansel Robles: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 1 BB 

Roberto Clemente Puerto Rican League Wild Card Game (LBPRC)

- Indios de Mayaguez 1 - 2 Cangrejeros de Santurce

Side Note: The Cangrejeros will play the Criollos in the Championship Series starting today (01/25). This will be a best of 5 games series to determine who will advance to the Caribbean World Series in Mexico starting in February.

01/15/2018 Winter League Results | Jalisco Staves Off Elimination in Mexico, Lara Sweeps Magallanes in Venezuela, Robles Ejected in LIDOM Debut

Arizona Fall League

- Completed on November 18th

(Recap can be found here.) 

Mexican Pacific League Playoffs

- Mayos de Navojoa 0 - 3 Charros de Jalisco [Novajoa Leads Series 3-2]

Venezuelan Winter League Playoffs

- Leones del Caracas 0 - 5 Caribes de Anzoategui [Anzoategui Leads Series 3-1]

- Cardenales de Lara 11 - 9 Navegantes del Magallanes [11 innings] [Lara Wins Series 4-0]

Dominican Winter League Playoffs

- Gigantes del Cibao 8 - 5 Leones del Escogido

- Tigres del Licey 7 - 3 Aguilas Cibaenas

• RHP Hansel Robles: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB [Ejected in the 7th inning for arguing balls and strikes]

Round Robin Standings(3 games remaining)

(photo via LIDOM twitter account)

Roberto Clemente Puerto Rican League

- No Games Scheduled

01/08/2018 Winter League Results | Carrillo's Aguilas Advance to Knockout Stage, Robles Remains on Tigres Active Roster, No Mets Players in Action

Arizona Fall League

- Completed on November 18th

(Recap can be found here.) 

Mexican Pacific League Playoffs

- Charros de Jalisco 7 - 4 Tomateros de Culiacan

Side Note: The Charros de Jalisco will face the Mayos de Navojoa, and, the Aguilas de Mexicali will face the Tomateros de Culiacan in the knockout stage of the LMP playoffs.

Venezuelan Winter League Playoffs

- No Games Scheduled

Dominican Winter League Playoffs

- Leones del Escogido 5 - 2 Tigres del Licey

- Gigantes del Cibao 0 - 9 Aguilas Cibaenas

Side Note: The Tigres del Licey announced that RHP Hansel Robles will remain on the active playoff roster despite not having pitch at all thus far.

Roberto Clemente Puerto Rican League

- Cangrejeros de Santurce 9 - 4 Indios de Mayaguez

- Gigantes de Carolina 7 - 8 Criollos de Caguas

01/02/2018 Winter League Results | Boscan K's 3 out of the Bullpen, Gustano Nunez Transfers to Venezuela and hits 1st HR of Winter, Lagares Remains on Aguilas Reserve Squad

Arizona Fall League

- Completed on November 18th

(Recap can be found here.) 

Mexican Pacific League Playoffs

- Charros de Jalisco 4 - 2 Tomateros de Culiacan
- Naranjeros de Hermosillo 0 - 3 Mayos de Navojoa

- Venados de Mazatlan 3 - 4 Aguilas de Mexicali [11 innings]

• C Xorge Carrillo: 1 for 4, R, Passed Ball(1)

Venezuelan Winter League Playoffs

- Caribes de Anzoategui 6 - 5 Navegantes del Magallanes

- Aguilas de Zulia 3 - 4 Cardenales de Lara [13 innings]

• RHP Wilfredo Boscan: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 3 K

- Tigres de Aragua 7 - 8 Leones del Caracas

• 2B Gustavo Nunez: 3 for 4, 2 R, HR(1), 3 RBI(3)

Dominican Winter League Playoffs

- Aguilas Cibaenas 2 - 4 Gigantes del Cibao
- Leones del Escogido 1 - 4 Tigres del Licey


Side Note: The Aguilas chose once again to NOT activate CF Juan Lagares. It looks as though that his addition to the roster was merely just a procedural move. On the Leones front, RHP Hansel Robles continues to remain on the active roster but has not been used in any games thus far.

Roberto Clemente Puerto Rican League

Side Note: Regular Season will start January 5th, 2018.

The Morning Report 1.5.2016 | Hansel Robles Poised for a Breakout Season, The Season of Celebrations for the Mets, Multiple HOF Candidates Losing Ground

Rob Rogan | Mets 360- The Mets are, again, looking to add from the fringes to strengthen a part of the team they deemed so in need that they unloaded several pitching prospects at the 2015 deadline to improve it. The bright side here is that the team may actually already have a player in their bullpen that may be poised to make the leap into a dominant reliever in 2016: Hansel Robles. Now, there’s nothing about his stat line in 2015 that makes you think “shutdown reliever.” His ERA of 3.67 and 3.91 FIP are nothing special and, while his 10.17 K/9 rate was great to see, his 3.00 BB/9 was not. His debut was a positive one albeit nothing to write home about. However, his 2nd half was much better; his ERA was 3.16, while his K/9 was 12.06, which is simply phenomenal. He had 23 more strikeouts in just 8.9 more innings. His second half BB/9 of 2.59 was more palatable and his WHIP of 0.89 was fantastic.

(Chris Soto: Last year in our prospect series, we had indicated that Robles could be the first of the superb 2012 Cyclones rotation to crack the majors which he did successfully. His conversion from SP to RP, his close relationship with Juerys Familia, and the development of his slider with Dan Warthern, has really elevated his game to a level where his ceiling has increased from a 2 pitch low leverage RP to a true impact high leverage late inning guy. He could be a breakout candidate in 2016 and could possibly improve enough to steal some 8th inning work from Addison Reed.)


Maria Guardado | NJ Advance Media- The Mets will honor the 30th anniversary of the 1986 World Championship team during Memorial Day weekend against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field. All players from the squad, along with manager Davey Johnson and his coaching staff, have been invited to participate in a pregame on-field ceremony on May 28. The celebratory weekend will include special giveaways, including a 1986 themed t-shirt on May 27 and a replica ring on May 29. 

(Chris Soto: The Mets are planning on 2016 being a wonderful celebratory year. With Piazza likely being elected to Hall of Fame, finally, the modern day team doing well, and the 30 year anniversary of the last championship, Citi Field should be a rocking house for a good portion of the season. That is....as long as the team performs to it's expectations that is.)

Ryan Thibs | BBHOF Ballot Tracker(updated 1.4.2016 | 35% of Ballots Made Public)

Ken Griffey Jr. | 100%
Mike Piazza      | 86.7%
Jeff Bagwell     | 79.7%
Tim Raines       | 77.8%
_______________________________________

Trevor Hoffman | 61.4%
Curt Schilling    | 59.5%
Mike Mussina    | 53.2%
Barry Bonds      | 49.4%
Edgar Martinez  | 46.8%
Roger Clemens  | 48.7%
Alan Trammell   | 46.2%

HOT STOVE REPORT (courtesy of mlbtraderumor.com)

• The Miami Marlins have signed SP Edwin Jackson to a 1 year major league contract worth the league minimum.

The Morning Report 4.29.2015 | Where's Montero's Change-up?, 6-Man Rotation, Dilson Herrera's Defense, Rare Failure by Torres.

Matt Ehalt | North Jersey Advance Media- The Mets received encouraging signs from spot starter Rafael Montero, who was optioned to the minors after the game for lefty reliever Jack Leathersich. The Mets hoped to see Montero incorporate more of his off-speed pitches and command the strike zone like he has in the minors, and he accomplished both. In his April 10 outing against Atlanta, Montero threw 35 straight fastballs in a relief appearance. Montero threw 54 of his 85 pitches for strikes, and showed a willingness to use his off-speed pitches. He tossed 58 fastballs, 21 sliders and six change-ups, per MLB.com.

(Chris Soto: Montero's slider was better last night but it still concerns me that his bread and butter pitch that got him through the minors, the change-up, is hardly being used. Why wouldn't you use the only "plus" pitch in your arsenal? It is something that he is going to have to rectify because we have seen how inconsistent his slider can be. When it's off....it gets tattooed...which then leads him to using exclusively fastballs.)


John Delcos | Mets Report- The Mets were treated to a solid performance from Rafael Montero to where the idea could be floated of considering a six-man rotation. Doing so would give everybody an additional day of rest. Specifically, the real goal would be to give Matt Harvey an additional day and ultimately preserve his workload. However, could a six-man rotation work for the long term? For something that unconventional to work, it can’t be imposed a month into the season. I suggested something similar in the offseason that would have enabled the rest of the rotation to get into a routine.

(Chris Soto: The six man rotation has its pluses, however, the main case against it is that, in theory, that 6th starter is going to be your weakest guy. So instead of Harvey being thrown out there every 5th day and providing an almost 80% chance of winning, his now only going out every 6th day. It reduces the overall quality of the pitching staff. These "spot starts" by Montero during long stretches of no off-days are actually smart and I give credit to the Mets front office for coming up with the idea.)


Quinn Berry | MetsMerized Online- Herrera, 21, has been a Top 100 prospect in baseball, ranking as high as No. 46 on MLB.com to as low as No. 82 on Baseball Prospectus. But just how good is the Mets’ young second baseman? Can he become an All-Star, as Keith Law predicted, or is he more destined to be a solid starter? Offensively, Dilson Herrera has the bat-speed to make scouts drool. His lightning quick hands should allow him to hit for a good batting average accompanied by solid-average power at the major league level.  His defense [though] leaves a lot to be desired out of a middle infielder. Baseball Prospectus reports that South Atlantic managers felt the youngster’s actions were “stiff” in the field, and Minor League Ball’s John Sickels concurred with those concerns last August.

(Chris Soto: Defensively, I have seen the same things out of Herrera when he was in Binghamton last year. While his hands are soft and his range/first step are good, he just doesn't look smooth at 2B. That said, neither does Daniel Murphy...but rather than rushing Herrera the Mets are taking their time with him and working to improve that fluidity so that he can eventually replace Murphy in 2016.)


Adam Rubin | ESPN New York- Despite heavy usage, Torres largely has been reliable. Tuesday, however, proved an exception. Entering with the score tied for the bottom of the eighth, Torres issued walks to two of the first three batters he faced. "Those two walks cost us big," Torres said. "It's the difference between throwing and trying to 'feel. I was just trying to stick the ball in the zone and make sure to throw strikes instead of just throwing it and it would be a strike. When you try to 'feel,' that's what happens. The balls get sprayed a little bit, which really sucks, because once I got my rhythm ... I was pounding the zone. But that's the name of the game. I didn't look on film, but I don't throw too many two-seam fastballs. I thought it was down. I thought it was good. But he's a professional, too, and he's a good hitter."

(Chris Soto: Torres just didn't have it last night. As he indicates, he was aiming the ball rather than just throwing which tells me he just didn't feel great when he was warming up in the pen. It's too bad cause now fans are going to call for his head even though he's been absolutely solid for us over the past 2+ years. His heavy usage so far this season is concerning though. I would love to see Terry Collins give Robles an opportunity to pitch in a higher leverage situation to see if he can take a bit of the pressure off of Torres.)

The Morning Report 4.27.2015 | Subway Series Recap, Montero being Called Up, Wright to St. Lucie, Updated ZiPS projections.

Mets v. Yankees Series | Chris Soto: It sucks to lose the series to the Yankees....it really does but lets take a step back and recognize that the club is STILL 14-5 so far this season and carries a 6 Game Lead over the Miami Marlins and a 7 Game Lead over the Washington Nationals. In addition, it's not like the Yankees beat us.....the Mets beat themselves mostly. As good as Jacob deGrom is...he just didn't have a feel of the ball on Friday and that's ok! It happens, you can't be great 33 times a season. Even Clayton Kershaw had a 10 ER game last season and he won a Cy Young award. As for last night, it was all about errors, errors, errors. Knowing how bad the middle IF defense is; it's gonna happen. The positive things we need to take from this is that Plawecki looked good, Grandy and Murph's bats are starting to come around, Duda is still mashing against lefties, and Robles/Goeddel had strong performances out of the bullpen. Let's move on to the more important games and take these next 3 against the Marlins.

Matt Cerrone | Metsblog- Rafael Montero will start Tuesday against the Marlins, despite two uneven starts at Triple-A Las Vegas, Sandy Alderson said Saturday. Thursday, he allowed four runs on six hits in five innings (74 pitches). Montero, 24, was sent to Las Vegas on April 17 after starting the season in the Mets bullpen. He allowed two earned runs on four hits with four walks and seven strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings (4.15 ERA) before being demoted.

(Chris Soto: Don't read too much into this start, this is just a Mets strategy play to give the remaining starters and extra day of rest early in the season. The Mets are in the middle of a stretch where they play 13 games in 13 days before their next off day. It's actually a pretty smart strategy as it keeps Montero in a SP roles an gives him continued tastes at the MLB level while resting Harvey and deGrom AND bringing in a fresh bullpen are too. The club is likely to demote a RP (Goeddel?) for Montero's start, re-demote him, and then bring up a fresh arm (Leathersich?) the next day.


Steve Popper | North Jersey News- David Wright flew Sunday morning to Port St. Lucie, Fla., where he will resume baseball activities today. Wright is eligible to return from the disabled list Thursday, but the Mets don’t expect him to be with the team that quickly. "He’s going to start doing baseball activities," manager Terry Collins said. "Start catching ground balls. He’s going to start doing some jogging, running around the field a little bit. I think if he’s here by Saturday that would be really good." GM Sandy Alderson was asked if Saturday was realistic, but he said, "I’m not making predictions," and noted that the team would have a better idea after Wright gets on the field and begins the work.

(Chris Soto: This is a very good sign. For once I am glad that Wright is taking the slow approach to get healthy. The team has been solid without him, but with him the club would be even better. Campbell has filled in extremely well but he's going to get overexposed as pitchers adjust to his play. With off days before and after the 2 game series against Baltimore on May 5th and 6th, I think it's very reasonable to expect Wright back for that series.)

ZiPS Playoff Odds and Mean Standings, 4/24 pic.twitter.com/dHcc9SDLns
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) April 24, 2015

(Chris Soto: With the strong start, the ZiPS projection system now has the Mets and Nationals on pretty much equal footing. The Mets are entering another stretch where 10 of the next 12 games are against Division opponents. Boy if the Mets can take 7 or more of these games, they are going to have a SERIOUS leg up on the rest of the division for the rest of the season.)

The Morning Report 4.21.2015 | Updated Recovery Times, Plawecki Ready to Step In, Hansel Robles the RP, Wright getting Healthy

Mike Vorkunov | NJ Advance Media- Travis d'Arnaud will need at least three weeks to mend before resuming baseball activities. If he heals without issue, in three weeks he could begin baseball activities again. The timetable for recovery for Jerry Blevins is longer. The left-handed reliever has a distal radius fracture of the left arm. He will be in a splint for at least six weeks before he can begin throwing again. Meanwhile, reliever Vic Black was found to have a small right side disk herniation in his neck. The issue has caused triceps muscle weakness for him. After a week of therapy, he will be seen by doctors again.

(Chris Soto: Better than expected news on all 3 injuries. Early estimates had d'Arnaud at 6-8 weeks, Blevins at 3-5 months, and Vic Black pegged for Tommy John Surgery. Shorter recovery times is certainly always welcome news but in d'Arnaud and Blevins cases, you have to wonder what the post-recovery effects are going to be. Hand/Wrist injuries usually mess with a player for much longer than the initial recovery [ala Mark Teixeira])


Howie Kossay | New York Post- Though d’Arnaud likely will be out at least one month, scouts believe Plawecki can immediately contribute, perhaps even pushing the team’s talented rotation to even greater heights. “Plawecki is extremely talented, and I think he could be even better than d’Arnaud,” an NL scout said. “He’s not as ready right now, but with the right nurturing he is going to be really, really good. Without a doubt, he’s a frontline catcher.” Another scout said: “I think he’s going to be fine. He’s always done the job. He’ll hit enough for a catcher. He makes contact. He may be just a bit of an upgrade defensively over d’Arnaud. Guys like to pitch to him.”

(Chris Soto: Kevin Plawecki is no regular replacement catcher. By his own rights, Plawecki is an MLB top prospect, one of the best young catcher at that. There are some members in the organization who believe that Plawecki, not d'Arnaud, is the club's catcher of the future. They love his offensive abilities, his leadership skills, and his game calling. Sure his arm strengeth is barely average and guys can steal on him but, until early on this year, guys were able to steal on d'Arnaud all the time. The eventual decision that needs to be made between d'Arnaud and Plawecki has just entered it's final phase.)


Toby Hyde | Mets Minors- The Mets moved Robles out of the Double-A starting rotation in 2014 and into the bullpen at midseason, and his results have been excellent ever since. As a starter, he ran a fairly pedestrian 4.86 ERA in Double-A with a 9 percent walk rate and 21 percent strikeout rate. However, as a reliever between Double-A and Triple-A he owns a 1.30 ERA in 27 2/3 innings with 34 strikeouts against eight walks, good enough for a strikeout rate of 30.6 percent and a walk rate of 7 percent. As a starter, in Double-A, his fastball was below average — often in the 89-91 range, although he would reach back for more at 93. However, his velocity has jumped in of the bullpen and multiple reports had him working off a 93-96 mph fastball.

(Chris Soto: Robles really came out of nowhere. Despite dominating in the NY-Penn League a few years ago, his stuff just couldn't play up as a starter in the upper levels. However once he was moved to the bullpen, his started gaining velocity and lots of it. In fact Toby may be underselling Robles here.....Scouts in Las Vegas recently had Robles clocking his fastball in at 98mph with regularity. He could have some significant value in the middle innings.)


Lastly.....some more good news.....

Sandy Alderson said David Wright wrote stationary bike yesterday and is on track to return when 15-day DL stint is up. #mets
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) April 21, 2015

Lets Go Mets!

The Morning Report 4.20.2015 | Injury Updates, Familia's the Closer, Wally Backman in Miami?

Injury Updates- One day after I reported that Vic Black's velocity was severely down in his relief appearance for the Binghamton Mets, The Mets announced that he was being sent out for additional MRI testing due to soreness in his neck and shoulder areas. With Travis d'Arnaud and Jerry Blevins on their way to the 15 day DL for at least the next 6-8 weeks, the Mets are calling up top prospect C Kevin Plawecki as well as RHRP Hansel Robles to take their places. We all know Plawecki's story....but what about Robles? Well...ever since he converted full-time to the bullpen, he has been flat out dominant. In 12 (2014) appearances, Robles held opponents to a .159 AVG, posted a 1.80 ERA, and K'd 10.8 per 9 IP. So far in 5 (2015) appearances, Robles continues to roll on, holding batters to a .207 AVG having not given up a run this season and K'ing 11.7 batters per 9 IP.


Joe Trezza | MLB.com- Jeurys Familia has impressed Mets manager Terry Collins enough to remain in the closer's role, at least initially, when Bobby Parnell and Vic Black return from rehab assignments. "If Bobby Parnell and Vic Black show up tomorrow, Jeurys Familia will still close," Collins said. "Again, it's been a year since Bobby's been out there. If when he shows up, he shows the same stuff he showed us a year ago, we will try to get him back in the role that he's comfortable with."

(Chris Soto: Familia has been PHENOMENAL as the closer so far this season. Mets front office executives always felt that Familia had the best stuff between him, Parnell, and Mejia and that he would emerge as the closer of the future and so far they are right. He is tied for the league lead in saves, is holding batters to a paltry .160 AVG including a whopping 0! hits in 12 plate appearances against left handers, and made Giancarlo Stanton look silly trying to swing at his slider and sinker. We have the makings of a star here folks.)


Clark Spencer | Miami Herald- Reeling from a four-game sweep to the New York Mets that left the Marlins with the second-worst record in the majors at 3-10, manager Mike Redmond's job may be in jeopardy as the team heads to Philadelphia for a series with the Phillies that could dictate his fate. According to sources who have heard rumblings, Redmond is on the hot seat and the the organization is already bouncing around possible replacements. One possibility: Wally Backman, the Mets' Triple A manager.

(Chris Soto: KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OUR GUYS! The Miami Marlins were the popular pick to win one of the wild card spots all off-season long. However, as Brian Mangan and I pointed out multiple times....Miami has NO pitching! It doesn't matter how good your offense is if your pitching continues to give up multiple runs a game. Just look at this 4 game series.....Not a single Marlins starter went more than 5 IP. That kind of inefficiency has a ripple effect. It directly affects your bullpen as they get overworked....and it affects your offense's confidence as they press to come back all the time.)

Off Day Today! Get Some Rest Boys!

MMs Top 25: Best of the Rest

#30 CF Champ Stuart (LR: #25)
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6' 0" Weight: 175 lb

Age: 22
Acquired: 2013 Rule IV Draft, 6th round, Brevard College

2014: (A) .256/.341/.340, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 29 SB (88%), 36 BB, 97 K
2013: (Rk) .240/.388/.353, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 11 SB (85%), 34 BB, 58 K

     When Stuart was drafted out a small Division II school, it was a pure athleticism play on Alderson's part. With blazing speed that can get from home to 1st in 4.1 seconds, a strong football type body build, and a cannon arm, Stuart has the potential to develop into a game changing talent. However, that's where all the excitement ends. Scouts continue to say that while he does have quick hands, he still carries light hitting skills. He also doesn't possess much power having posting two straight seasons with an OBP that's higher than his SLG. His strike zone recognition skills also need significant work. Stuart has made improvements year over year but continues to lunge at off-speed pitches; particularly at pitches low in the zone and breaking away from him.

     Defensively, Stuart has made significant improvement on his "1st step" and his reactions off the bat, however, he still takes scenic, inefficient routes to the ball and has trouble tracking batted balls in flight. Continued game repetitions should him overcome this problem though and I continue to believe that his speed and arm gives him the projection to turn into a plus defender. Stuart didn't get many opportunities to face premium talent at the Division II level so that fact that he was able to keep his average above the .250 level does deserve some merit. Unfortunately, speed can only take you so far in this game so the bat will have to improve. If it does, Stuart could easily shoot up the list very quickly.

Ceiling: Just another fast guy stuck on the MLB Taxi squad. (Ezequiel Carrera)
Floor: Struggles to hit above .220 in AA.
Anticipated Assignment: (A+) Port St. Lucie starting CF  



#29 OF Vicente Lupo (LR: not ranked)

Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6' 0" Weight: 180 lb

Age: 21
Acquired: 2010 International Signing, $400,000 bonus, Caracas, Venezuela

2014: (Rk) .278/.415/.504, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 7 SB (100%), 29 BB, 52 K
2013: (Rk) .220/.310/.385, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 4 SB (57%), 13 BB, 50 K
2012: (DsL2) .343/.500/.608, 10 HR, 45 RBI, 12 SB (63%), 46 BB, 45 K
2011: (DsL1) .197/.325/.379, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 5 SB (100%), 23 BB, 59 K

     Hey! Look who's back on the list! Lupo is a prime case study for why, sometimes, it is not wise to rush young players. After signing in 2010, the Mets assigned him to the tougher of the 2 Dominican Summer League teams and he struggled mightily due to a bout with malignant hypothermia. They took a step back in 2012 by sending him to DsL2 and he dominated posting a ridiculous 1.108 OPS. Thinking they were on to something, they brought him stateside and aggressively sent him to the GCL in 2013, which he wasn't ready for. So naturally, they backed off again in 2014 and like clock-work he was dominant again but this time in the lesser Appalachian League. 

     Despite the inconsistencies in his seasonal performances, the power that Lupo brings to the table is still enticing. With his raw strength and quick hands, scouts believe he has "plus-plus" 70 grade power potential; a rarity in the game today. Despite the huge power potential though, Lupo has significant swing flaws. His 31.5% K rate is one of the worst in the Mets minor league system as he has not yet learned the required patience and pitch recognition skills in order to be a potential MLB player. Due to his age and the level of play he is currently at, Lupo will need to learn this trait quickly or else he'll fall into the Aderlin Rodriguez category of a career minor league power hitter.

Ceiling: Fan drawing power.....at AAA. (Wilkin Ramirez)
Floor: Struggles to adapt to Savannah's Grayson Stadium and disappears.
Anticipated Assignment: (SS-A) Brooklyn starting LF



#28 2B L.J. Mazzilli (LR: not ranked)

Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 190 lb

Age: 24
Acquired: 2013 Rule IV Draft, 4th round, University of Connecticut

2014: (A/A+) .301/.361/.440, 11 HR, 79 RBI, 14 SB (77%), 45 BB, 82 K
2013: (SS-A) .278/.329/.381, 4 HR, 34 RBI, 3 SB (100%), 22 BB, 53 K

     With the removal of Daniel Muno from the list due to age (25 is the maximum age for my list), Mazzilli takes over as the resident college second baseman. Make though mistake though, anyone who can hit home runs in Grayson Stadium deserves at least a back-end spot on these lists. Just like Muno, Mazzilli is a guy who has no plus tool, but does everything average and it plays up thanks to his advanced eye at the plate. 

     His strong 2014 season earned him a spot on the AFL's Scottsdale Scorpions future prospect roster where he also performed extremely well. In 15 games, Mazzilli hit .306 with a .903 OPS, 1 HR, and 1 SB. Unfortunately, Mazzilli won't be able to play the 1st 50 games of the 2015 season thanks to the MiLB busting him for "drug of abuse" usage (aka....most likely pot). This could be deadly for Mazzilli as it gives the vastly underrated T.J. Rivera the opportunity to play the position everyday and make Mazzilli a forgotten thought.

Ceiling: Average skills can't crack the MLB. Career AAA 2B. (Daniel Muno)
Floor: Skills diminish during suspension. Struggles at AAA.
Anticipated Assignment: Post Suspension, (AA) Binghamton back-up 2B



#27 RHP Hansel Robles (LR: not ranked)

Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 5' 11" Weight: 185 lb

Age: 24
Acquired: 2008 International Signing, $50,000? bonus, Monsenor Nouel, Dominican Republic

2014: (AA)    7-6, 4.31 ERA, 110.2 IP, 8.6 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, 1.355 WHIP
2013: (A+)    5-4, 3.72 ERA, 84.2 IP, 7.0 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, 1.323 WHIP 
2012: (SS-A) 6-1, 1.11 ERA, 72.2 IP, 8.2 K/9, 1.2 BB/9, 0.784 WHIP
2011: (Rk)     3-1, 2.68 ERA, 37.0 IP, 10.2 K/9, 3.9 BB/9, 1.189 WHIP
2010: (DsL1) 3-3, 3.09 ERA, 67.0 IP, 6.9 K/9, 1.7 BB/9, 1.149 WHIP

     There is a reason that we should never "coo coo for Cocoa Puffs" whenever we see a ridiculous stat line at the Short Season A level. As a former member of the history making 2012 Cyclones rotation, Robles is the only arm, outside of Gabriel Ynoa, still left standing on this prospect listing. After struggling with stamina and keeping better hitters off base/in the park at the AA level, the Mets front office made the decision to convert Robles to the bullpen in mid July.

     The results were instantly much better. Hitters went from a .805 OPS to a ridiculously low .435 OPS including 0 HRs in 20 IP. His positive performances also carried over into the winter for the Tigres del Licey. In 13 appearances (11.2 IP), Robles gave up only 3 hits, 1 run (0.77 ERA) while striking out 14 batters vs. 3 BB's.  His, formerly in the low 90's, fastball is now clocking in the 94-95mph range and the move allowed him to scrap his below average curveball. His change-up, his primary secondary pitch, has also gotten better thanks to it's significant speed differential (-13mph) to the fastball. With Robles being re-added to the 40 man roster this off-season, he may be the first of that historic Cyclones group to crack the MLB bullpen in 2015.

Ceiling: 2 pitch MLB Low Leverage reliever (Esmil Rogers)
Floor: One of Many Taxi Squad relievers
Anticipated Assignment: (AAA) Las Vegas bullpen



#26 1B Jayce Boyd (LR: not ranked)

Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6' 3" Weight: 185 lb

Age: 24
Acquired: 2012 Rule IV Draft, 6th round, Florida State University

2014: (AA) .293/.382/.414, 8 HR, 59 RBI, 14 SB (77%), 52 BB, 67 K
2013: (A/A+) .330/.410/.461, 9 HR, 83 RBI, 2 SB (33%), 61 BB, 61 K
2012: (SS-A) .239/.320/.368, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 1 SB (25%), 25 BB, 30 K

     In today's game of baseball, power is down significantly. The caliber of pitching coming out of high schools and college is just so much better than the quality of hitters. In order to combat this, teams need guys who know how to work counts and but the bat on the ball. Jayce Boyd is a perfect example of this. Coming out of college, Boyd was known as an excellent hitter with the potential to develop average to plus power. Unfortunately, that power hasn't developed thanks to a medical condition called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Doctors had to remove his the first rib and scalene muscles in order to alleviate the pain it was causing.

     Pain free in 2014, Boyd was a consistent hitter for the championship winning Binghamton Mets team. With no Home/Away Splits or Righty/Lefty Splits, Boyd could have a chance to develop into an MLB caliber 1B. However, in order to do that...he needs to develop more power. If not, then unfortunately, Boyd may reach the peak of his potential this year as a career minor leaguer. Which the large number of guys on the MLB squad who can play 1B in the event Duda succumbs to injury, Boyd looks to be blocked from a 2015 MLB debut. He'll need to hit at least 15 HRs in order for the front office to recognize him and even then, maybe, he'll get a small shot as a last place team's 1B.

Ceiling: Taxi Squad 1B (Chris Parmalee)
Floor: Career AAA 1B
Anticipated Assignment: (AAA) Las Vegas starting 1B

2014 Winter Leagues: 11/18/2014 Results

MLB Japan All-Star Series

(No Game Scheduled)

Venezuelan Winter League

- Tiburones de La Guaira 5 - 2 Caribes de Anzoategui
- Navegantes del Magallanes 4 - 5 Aguilas del Zulia
- Tigres de Aragua 4 - 5 Leones del Caracas
- Bravos de Margarita 1 - 3 Cardenales de Lara

• SS Wilfredo Tovar: 0 for 3

Mexican Pacific League

- Mayos de Navojoa 6 - 8 Charros de Jalisco
- Caneros de los Mochis 3 - 0 Naranjeros de Hermosillo
- Venados de Mazatlan 2 - 4 Yaquis de Obregon
- Aguilas de Mexicali 5 - 3 Tomateros de Culiacan

• C Xorge Carrillo: 2 for 5, K, 2 SB allowed

 Dominican Winter League

- Leones del Escogido 3 - 7 Aguilas Cibaenas
- Estrellas de Oriente 1 - 0 Tigres del Licey

• RHP Hansel Robles: 1.0 IP, 1 K

- Gigantes del Cibao 2 - 3 Toros del Este

• RF Cesar Puello: 3 for 4, R

Roberto Clemente Puerto Rican League

- Indios de Mayaguez 8 - 0 Cangrejeros de Santurce

• 2B T.J. Rivera: 2 for 5, R, 2 2B, RBI(5), K

- Senadores de San Juan 8 - 3 Criollos de Caguas

• C Johnny Monell: 2 for 4, R, 2B, 2 K, 2 SB allowed, 1 RTO

2014 Winter Leagues: 11/14/2014 Results

MLB Japan All-Star Series

- Samurai Japan 4 - 0 MLB All-Stars (Combined No-Hitter by Samurai Japan)

• 1B Lucas Duda: 0 for 2, BB, 2 K

Venezuelan Winter League

- Leones del Caracas 3 - 5 Navegantes del Magallanes
- Cardenales de Lara 1 - 2 Aguilas del Zulia

• PH/LF Jairo Perez: 0 for 1, K

- Caribes de Anzoategui 4 - 7 Bravos de Margarita

• RF Brandon Allen: 0 for 3, BB, K

- Tigres de Aragua 5 - 1 Tiburones de La Guaira

• LF Alex Castellanos: 0 for 2, BB

Mexican Pacific League

- Mayos de Navojoa 0 - 2 Yaquis de Obregon
- Naranjeros de Hermosillo 6 - 2 Venados de Mazatlan
- Tomateros de Culiacan 3 - 4 Charros de Jalisco

• LF Cory Vaughn: 0 for 2, BB

- Aguilas de Mexicali 4 - 2 Caneros de los Mochis

• C Xorge Carrillo: 0 for 4, RTO

 Dominican Winter League

- Estrellas de Oriente 4 - 3 Toros del Este
- Gigantes del Cibao 9 - 8 Aguilas Cibaenas
- Tigres del Licey 5 - 6 Leones del Escogido

• 2B Dilson Herrera: 0 for 5, K
• RHP Hansel Robles: 1.0 IP, K
• RHP Rafael Montero: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

Roberto Clemente Puerto Rican League

- Cangrejeros de Santurce 5 - 0 Senadores de San Juan

• RHP Jon Velasquez: 1.2 IP, 1 BB, 1 K, SV(4)

- Criollos de Caguas 4 - 2 Indios de Mayaguez

• 2B T.J. Rivera: 2 for 3, BB, K

2014 Winter Leagues: 11/12/2014 Results

MLB Japan All-Star Series

(No Game Scheduled. Next Game tomorrow @ 4am)

Arizona Fall League

- Peoria Javelina 5 - 6 Mesa Solar Sox
- Glendale Desert Dogs 5 - 4 Salt River Rafters
- Surprise Saguaros 8 - 0 Scottsdale Scorpions

• 2B L.J. Mazzilli: 0 for 3, BB, 2 K
• SS Matt Reynolds: 0 for 3, K

Side Note: Regular Season ends TODAY, November 13th.

Venezuelan Winter League

- Caribes de Anzoategui 1 - 11 Cardenales de Lara
- Leones del Caracas 3 - 8 Aguilas del Zulia
- Navegantes del Magallanes 3 - 4 Tiburones de La Guaira

• LF Alex Castellanos: Defensive Replacement

- Tigres de Aragua 2 - 5 Bravos de Margarita

• SS Wilfredo Tovar: 0 for 3, BB

Mexican Pacific League

- Caneros de los Mochis 0 - 1 Tomateros de Culiacan
- Venados de Mazatlan 2 - 3 Mayos de Navojoa
- Charros de Jalisco 8 - 5 Naranjeros de Hermosillo

• LF Cory Vaughn: 0 for 5, K

- Yaquis de Obregon 2 - 3 Aguilas de Mexicali

• C Xorge Carrillo: 1 for 3, K, Runner Thrown Out

 Dominican Winter League

- Estrellas de Oriente 4 - 1 Leones del Escogido
- Aguilas Cibaenas 4 - 3 Toros del Este

• PR Cesar Puello: Pinch Ran

- Tigres del Licey 7 - 5 Gigantes del Cibao

• RHP Hansel Robles: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, Hold(3) (Robles got screwed over by Atahulpa Severino)

Roberto Clemente Puerto Rican League

- Gigantes de Carolina 9 - 11 Indios de Mayaguez

• 2B T.J. Rivera: 2 for 4, R, 2B, 2 RBI(3), BB

- Criollos de Caguas 0 - 2 Cangrejeros de Santurce

• C Johnny Monell: 0 for 4, K, 2 SB allowed, 1 RTO