Jorge Rivero, Travis d’Arnaud, Matt Cerrone, Shaun Marcum

There really wasn’t that much good that came out of the 2012 Kingsport Mets season. They finished the season 23-43, hit only .236, and had the highest ERA (5.31) in the league. That being said, their one highlight film was Jorge Rivero, another of the many talented shortstops in the system. The 23-year old came out of Cuba and hit .292 in 2011 for the DSL-Mets. Rivero finished the season in Brooklyn where he is projected to play in 2013. Both age and talent depth within the system will most probably turn Rivero into a AAAA player. Still, the Mets seem to feel you can’t have enough talent at shortstop. Wilfredo Tovar, TJ Rivera, Phillip Evans, Gavin Cecchini, Leon Canelon, and now Ahmed Rosario. Who knows, maybe June brings Oscar Mercado?

From BNS

8. Travis d’Arnaud, New York Mets - The top catching prospect in baseball, d’Arnaud has now been traded twice for aces. First, he was shipped from Philadelphia to Toronto in the Roy Halladay deal, and this offseason he was packaged to the New York Mets for R.A. Dickey. The 23-year-old d’Arnaud boasts the rare combination of a catcher who is exceptional behind the plate (with his arm, agility and athleticism) and a run producer at the plate. In 2012, he hit .279/.380/.595/.975 with 16 home runs and 52 RBI in 279 at-bats at Triple-A Las Vegas. His season was shortened by a knee injury, but he is expected to be fully recovered in time for spring training.

From Matt Cerrone re: Hairston:

6:15 am: According to people familiar with the situation, Hairston was asking for two years and $8 million guaranteed. The Mets were offering a one-year deal worth up to $3 million. The Cubs offered the same, but added a second year. So, good for him.  Hairston always wanted to lock in the most money, even if it meant being a platoon player. If no one offered a two-year deal, people say he would have accepted just a one-year contract, but the choice would have been based on playing time not money. The Mets, Braves and Yankees were said to be offering him one-year deals. Now, the Mets are telling people this situation was more about playing time than money, which may have been true at one point. However, the Cubs eventually jumped and guaranteed a second year, which Hairston accepted, despite knowing he’ll get less at bats. So, it pretty much seems this ended up being ALL about money, from what I can tell. If the Mets (like the Braves and Yankees) just didn’t think Hairston was worth committing to for two years, that’s fine. They weren’t alone in that thinking. But, to pretend it wasn’t about him taking the most cash (which is totally understandable) just doesn’t seem accurate anymore. In other words, if the Mets really wanted Hairston, they could have had him by offering what the Cubs offered. They didn’t, because they obviously didn’t want him that bad… which is surprising, given their outfield.

On the surface, it seems to me that the wait on Shaun Marcum was worth the wait. In the past three seasons, with Milwaukee and Toronto, he went 33-19 in 85 starts without posting an ERA above 4. Marcum is known as a finesse pitcher with a go-to change-up, which supports stats of 332-Ks in 520-IP. It’s just a one year deal which is perfect. What will be interesting is which slot he goes into, SP4 or SP5. Let’s assume that Zack Wheeler joins the rotation in July and no one is hurt. Who steps down?  Good problems.

Stuff – Cory Vaughn, Melky Cabrera, Jorge Rivero, John Gant, Updated Mack’s Top 15

Cory Vaughn

Cory Vaughn has his 20th homer of the season. It’s probably too late to expect his BA to become respectable this season, but 20 home runs is 20 home runs. He and Aderlin Rodriguez currently represent the two big bats in the system. Both will test AA next season and possibly ETA for 2014.

My string is still out on Cory. We all remember my initial thoughts on this pick which were both wrong and uncalled for. The talent is there, but the game seems to be attached to his head instead of his ability. What I hope is he adds around 6-8 pounds of muscle in the off season balanced off with another year of maturity. We all know the path to the Mets outfield is wide open and Cory will play 2013 at 24-years old. It’s time. 

Melky Cabrera

I remember going to a press dinner years ago when I managed WNEW radio, and Coach Parcells spoke to the crown in the dining room. “People don’t change,” said Parcells, “they may look like they do for a while, but they really don’t.”

At what point during a great season do you decide to shoot your ass with this stuff? It can’t be something you’ve done all your career because, if it was, you would failed other tests, right?

All of baseball knew this happened, but no one reported it awaiting the appeal process. And what’s with that? You can still play shot up while you’re trying to prove what, the needle was wrong?

Here’s what baseball will do. He supposedly was worth a minimal $50mil contract that would have been signed in the upcoming off-season. He’s miss the first week and someone will sign him for, oh, around $50mil. Nobody cares anymore.

                         “This is the business we've chosen.”

                                                         Hyman Roth 

Jorge Rivero

We wrote about Vincente Lupo earlier this week. There’s another kid in the system that I know little about, but we may want to keep an eye on.

Jorge Rivero is a 23-year old playing Kingsport, which could make him the oldest player in the league. The 6-0 converted shortstop (now that’s always a good first step in this organization) comes out of La Habana, Cuba and is currently hitting .351, which would qualify him for the 2^nd highest BA in the league if he had around 40 more at-bats

Here’s something I wrote in 2011:

8-1-11: - I don’t know much about this kid, but his output in 2011 is worth nothing. This is his first season in the Mets system and the 22-yr. old batted .292 for the DSL Mets in 120-AB. He was transferred stateside and is now matting leadoff for the GCL Mets. So far, after 45-Abs, he’s .289. That combines to .291 which is just fine for a young second baseman.

Rivero will play 2013 as a 24-year old, so he has to move quickly. I hope the Mets recognize the talent here and send him all the way to St. Lucie next spring. 

John Gant

Gant is an intriguing find that has silently creeped close to the ‘blue’ list lately.

The 19-year old 6-4, 198 righty was drafted by the Mets in the 21st round of the 2011 draft and chose to sign rather than attend LIU. His limited GCL-Mets stats that year didn’t jump out at you (4-G, 6.48), but it was a start of a professional career.

In 2012, he was assigned to Kingsport and immediately went out to the mound and stunk up the joint (an important thing to note here about the 2012 K-Port team… talent wise, you are basically on your own out there).

John gave up 20 runs in 17.1-IP in four of his first five starts and, if the Mets still had a GCL team, he would have been sent back there.

But, things have settled down since then and his numbers in his last four starts are impressive: 22.1-IP, 4-ER, 21-H, 19-K, 7-BB (trust me, he’s working on the BBs).

PG wrote before draft day:

John Michael Gant is a 2011 RHP/1B with a 6-4 180 lb. frame from Wesley Chapel, FL who attends Wiregrass Ranch HS. Nice projectable pitcher's build, long arms and legs, should be able to gain strength. Drop and drive pitching style, long extended arm action, 3/4's release, whippy loose arm action. Steady 85-87 mph fastball, gets nice sink/run on fastball, short mid 70's curveball with some depth, developing change up. Projects to add velocity. Signed with Long Island University.

Where do we project Gant. Well, we now know he’s capable of producing stellar professional numbers regardless of what he does the rest of the year. His youth will probably send him to Brooklyn if for no other reason Savannah will be filled up with the likes of Rainy Lara, Luis Cessa, Luis Mateo, Gabriel Ynoa, and Hansel Robles. His chance to jump the Clones is dependent upon whether Mateo or fellow K-Port hurler, Steve Matz are moved that fast. My guess today is Brooklyn.  

Updated Mack’s Top 15

1.      RHSP Zack Wheeler –  ETA: mid-2013 – A – Starts season as SP1 in AAA

2.      RHSP Rafael Montero – ETA: 2015 - B+ - no rush… back to St. Lucie

3.      RH?P – Jenrry Mejia – ETA: 2012 – B+ - back on prospect relief list

4.      3B-1B Wilmer Flores –  ETA: Sept-2013 – B+ - Starts season as 3B in AAA

5.      CF Brandon Nimmo –  ETA: 2015 – B+ - should jump two levels to A+

6.      RHSP Michael Fulmer – ETA: 2015 – B+  St. Lucie bound

7.      LHRP Jack Leathersich – ETA – Sept-2013 – B - 106-K/66.1-IP – B-Mets

8.      RHSP Domingo Tapia – ETA: 2015 Closer – B – Star studded Lucy rotation

9.      RHRP Jeurys Familia – ETA: 2012 – B - will open in Mets 2012 pen

10.  OF Cory Vaughn – ETA: 2014 – B - has now reached 20 home runs

11.  3B Aderlin Rodriguez – ETA: 2016 - powerful bat will get him to B-Mets

12. RHSP – Luis Mateo – ETA: 2016 – the old man will jump to St. Lucie

13.    CF Gilbert Gomez – ETA: 2015 –   will take time, St. Lucie bound

14.  RHRP Marcos Camarena – ETA: 2016 – blocked from starting in Lucy

15.      OF -  Vincente Lupo – ETA:  2017  - DSL sensation

(it’s important to note that 10 out of the 15 picks were NOT draft picks)

The Keepers: - #92 - 2B - Jorge Rivero

92.     Jorge Rivero:

8-1-11: - I don’t know much about this kid, but his output in 2011 is worth nothing. This is his first season in the Mets system and the 22-yr. old batted .292 for the DSL Mets in 120-AB. He was transferred stateside and is now matting leadoff for the GCL Mets. So far, after 45-Abs, he’s .289. That combines to .291 which is just fine for a young second baseman.

8-9-11: - From Paul DePodesta - “There’s also a Cuban second baseman we signed named Jorge Rivero, who we’ve already brought over. He’s playing in the GCL and is swinging the bat pretty well. He’s also older. He’s 21, I think. He’s a good-looking hitter.”

8-23-11: - DSL 2011 End of Season Wrap-Up - http://www.nyfuturestars.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35808&sid=e8719b8eddffd9bc033d0ab708d8aff5  - - Jorge Rivero: 22 year old infielder who started out playing all 4 IF positions for the Mets 2 this spring. He put up a .292 AVG with a .823 OPS. A switch hitter, the 22 year old also went 10-13 swiping bags in the DSL. Since his promotion to the GCL Mets, hes gone 0-6. His new batting AVG in the states is .242 while playing mainly 2B and occasionally DH. Stateside, he has hit the only homer of his year, and also has 12 walks compared to 10 Ks. He is after all, a 22 year old in the GCL

The Keepers - #55 - 2B - Jorge Rivero

55. Jorge Rivero:


8-1-11: - I don’t know much about this kid, but his output in 2011 is worth nothing. This is his first season in the Mets system and the 22-yr. old batted .292 for the DSL Mets in 120-AB. He was transferred stateside and is now matting leadoff for the GCL Mets. So far, after 45-Abs, he’s .289. That combines to .291 which is just fine for a young second baseman.


8-9-11: - From Paul DePodesta - “There’s also a Cuban second baseman we signed named Jorge Rivero, who we’ve already brought over. He’s playing in the GCL and is swinging the bat pretty well. He’s also older. He’s 21, I think. He’s a good-looking hitter.”


8-23-11: - DSL 2011 End of Season Wrap-Up - http://www.nyfuturestars.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35808&sid=e8719b8eddffd9bc033d0ab708d8aff5  - - Jorge Rivero: 22 year old infielder who started out playing all 4 IF positions for the Mets 2 this spring. He put up a .292 AVG with a .823 OPS. A switch hitter, the 22 year old also went 10-13 swiping bags in the DSL. Since his promotion to the GCL Mets, hes gone 0-6. His new batting AVG in the states is .242 while playing mainly 2B and occasionally DH. Stateside, he has hit the only homer of his year, and also has 12 walks compared to 10 Ks. He is after all, a 22 year old in the GCL

Cutnpaste: Brian Valenzuela, Jordany Valdespin, Jorge Rivero, Josh Edgin, Ryan Fraser

8-14-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/08/kingsport-mets-team-report-stretch-run-edition.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29&utm_content=Twitter  - Brian Valenzuela – This 5’10″ LHP was the Mets 10th round draft pick back in 2008, out of Vista Murrieta (Calif.) High School. Things were tough the last 3 seasons when he threw only 28 IP combined, and missed a season due to injury. This year he has tossed 32 IP, so far, with very poor results. He’s 2-4 with a 5.97 ERA in 6 starts, and the league is raking against him to the tune of a .318 BA. Valenzuela has to show some positive signs soon or the new regime may not keep around for another season.

8-22-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/814874-new-york-mets-who-the-mets-should-add-to-their-40-man-roster-on-september-1st  - Jordany Valdespin SS Buffalo Bisons: 119 games combined between Buffalo and Double-A Binghampton 16 HRs, 56 RBIs, .288 BA, 34 SBs Now if you're looking for a speedy shortstop with loads of power, Valdespin is your kind of player. Since signing with the Mets as a non-drafted free agent from the Dominican Republic in 2007, Valdespin has quickly risen through the ranks of the Mets farm system and has stolen bases and driven in runs at every step of the way. With the uncertainty of current Mets star shortstop Jose Reyes' contract beyond 2011 and the chronic injuries of star prospect shortstop Reese Havens, Valdespin enters the very top tier of potential Reyes replacement shortstops in the Mets minor league system. Valdespin deserves a long, hard look from Terry Collins and the rest of the Mets front office during September baseball for his future prospects at the position with the Mets.

8-23-11: - DSL 2011 End of Season Wrap-Up - http://www.nyfuturestars.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35808&sid=e8719b8eddffd9bc033d0ab708d8aff5  - - Jorge Rivero: 22 year old infielder who started out playing all 4 IF positions for the Mets 2 this spring. He put up a .292 AVG with a .823 OPS. A switch hitter, the 22 year old also went 10-13 swiping bags in the DSL. Since his promotion to the GCL Mets, hes gone 0-6. His new batting AVG in the states is .242 while playing mainly 2B and occasionally DH. Stateside, he has hit the only homer of his year, and also has 12 walks compared to 10 Ks. He is after all, a 22 year old in the GCL.




photo by Allan Greene

 8-24-11: - http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/32947/farm-repeat-mound-of-praise-for-edgin  - Mets VP Paul DePodesta said he hesitated to mention left-hander Josh Edgin’s name when the subject arose of minor leaguers who may have an impact with the Mets in 2012. But DePodesta went ahead and named the southpaw as a candidate, even though Edgin has not yet pitched above Class A St. Lucie. “He’s got major league stuff and he’s left-handed,” DePodesta recently said. “Again, you just never know how quickly those guys can come. He’s in Port St. Lucie right now, which is why I’m squeamish about talking about 2012."

8-24-11: - https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/131fc54efd5f8374  - RHP Ryan Fraser, who is ninth in the SAL in ERA (3.50) and seventh in innings pitched (131), is scheduled to make his 22st Savannah start today. Fraser has allowed three earned runs in each of his last two outings. In August, he’s pitched to a 2.95 ERA (6 ER/18.1 IP) in four starts with nine walks and 14 strikeouts. At home, Fraser has a 3.14 ERA (23 ER/66 IP) compared to 3.88 (28 ER/65 IP) on the road. In part this is due to his home run rate which is 0.55 HR/9 IP (4 HR/66 IP) at home and 1.24 HR/9 IP (9 HR/65 IP) on the road. Last year with short-season Brooklyn, Fraser struck out 39 batters in 31.1 innings pitched, a rate of 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings. This year, he’s fanned 83 in 131 innings, a rate of 5.7 K/9. With the Cyclones last year, working exclusively out of the bullpen, he was 3-3 with a 1.44 ERA and 12 saves in 31.1 IP and allowed more walks (20) than hits (16). The Mets drafted Fraser in the 16th round of the 2010 draft out of Memphis where he led the Tigers with 93 strikeouts and 92 IP in 2010 on his way to three C-USA Pitcher of the Week honors and a Second Team All C-USA selection. In the classroom, he was a member of the C-USA All-Academic Team in 2010 and ran a 4.0 grade point average in high school. The Gnats are 9-12 when Fraser starts, and have supported him with 2.76 runs per game (58 runs/21 games), the lowest mark of any Savannah starter.

Manny Alvarez, Zack Wheeler, Daniel Murphy, Jorge Rivero, Eric Goeddel

Manny Alvarez:


7-26-11: - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/7/26/2287253/mets-mid-term-farm-system-review-2011-binghamton#storyjump  - RHP Manny Alvarez - STOCK DOWN - Alvarez was one of those 'out of nowhere' prospects in 2010, rocketing from St. Lucie up to a starring role in the Buffalo bullpen and eyeing a 2011 shot in the majors. Well as fun as those kinds of prospects are, you always have to be wary that they can just as quickly return from whence they came...and Alvarez has. After seven disastrous outings in Buffalo (see: 10.29 ERA), Alvarez was sent back to work things out in Bingo. Three innings later he was sidelined with an elbow strain and hasn't been heard from since. Typically those sorts of things end in the initials TJ, which could realistically explain for his struggles in April. Meaning we shouldn't forget the name completely but don't expect to see him in Queens anytime soon.


Zack Wheeler:


7-31-11: - http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/07/31/nl-east-mid-season-mailbag  - Honestly, it really is something of a coincidence that these 2 pitchers rank 4th & 5th on my list; it’s not me trying to be cute. Since being taken as the 7th overall pick in the 2009 draft, the tall righty has shown plenty of raw talent. Like the other pitchers on this list, Wheeler has a low/mid-90′s fastball that can be dialed up a little from time to time. His curveball has reportedly improved somewhat from what it was last year with Single-A Augusta. The Mets were certainly looking at his ceiling when they acquired him from the Giants in return for Carlos Beltran this past week. Most reports sum Wheeler up by saying that he’s got great stuff but also has control issues. In other words, this talent needs to learn how to pitch. The Mets obviously believe in their organization’s ability to teach and in Wheeler’s ability to learn.


Daniel Murphy:


With Ike Davis probably out for the rest of the season, Murphy should receive all the starts at first base. But what about in the future? Assuming Davis comes back and David Wright sticks around next year, Murphy will in all likelihood return to second base, which is fine because the long term solution for that position is cloudy. Reese Havens, who projects as a power hitter, can’t seem to stay healthy, while Ruben Tejada needs more seasoning and double-A prospect Jordanny Valdespin is more of a shortstop and needs more time as well. So unless the Mets go out there and sign a free agent second baseman, the job is Murphy’s to lose and everyone will get a better look at what he can do on defense. - http://risingapple.com/2011/08/01/the-value-of-daniel-murphy  


Jorge Rivero:


8-1-11: - I don’t know much about this kid, but his output in 2011 is worth nothing. This is his first season in the Mets system and the 22-yr. old batted .292 for the DSL Mets in 120-AB. He was transferred stateside and is now matting leadoff for the GCL Mets. So far, after 45-Abs, he’s .289. That combines to .291 which is just fine for a young second baseman.


Eric Goeddel:


8-1-11: - Eric continued his rehab today for the GCL Mets, going: 3.0-IP, 2-H, 0-R, 0-K, 0-BB, 1.50. That’s three rehab starts and only one run given up. I’d like to see him back in the Savannah rotationfor a few more starts before the end of the season, but there’s no rush. Expect to see him back with the Sand Gnats in 2012.