Showing posts with label ProfileC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ProfileC. Show all posts

1/24/22

Player Profile: Hayden Senger

Hayden Senger - 2022 Binghamton Rumble Ponies Baseball Card

Hayden Senger

Background, Stats, Videos.

Background:

Catcher, Bats Right, Throws Right, DOB 4/3/1997, 6'1", 210, Hamilton, OH, USA. Signed by the New York Mets 2018 June Amateur Draft - Round: 24, Pick: 6, Overall: 710.  Eligible for the Major League version of the 2021/22 Rule 5 draft (currently postponed due to the lockout).

Along with Nick Meyer, Hayden Senger is considered one of the top defensive catching prospects in the Mets system.

Last year, after excelling at Brooklyn in 11 games, 13 for 43, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs - .302/.362/.605 - .966 OPS, he was promoted to Binghamton going 46 for 181, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs - .254/.337/.387 - .723 OPS in 50 games.  

To get more playing time he was one of the 8 players sent to the Arizona Fall League going 6 for 31 in 11 games, 0 HR, 0 RBIs, .194/.375/.226 - .601 OPS.  He was not added to the Mets' 40 Man roster in November and will be eligible for the Major League portion of Rule 5 Draft which will held after the Lockout is over.  

In 2021, I was surprised that he did not start more for Binghamton as he essentially split time with Nick Meyer.  I think both pf these catchers need to play everyday to develop.  I would have started one in Syracuse and one in Binghamton.  

In 2022, it will not get easier.  Francisco Alvarez may very well start in Binghamton and Patrick Mazeika may start in Syracuse so both Hayden and Nick Meyer may again play part time.  

The Mets like the slugging and knack for getting on base that he exhibited last year in Brooklyn and Binghamton.  I think that is why he was sent to Arizona.  Hopefully he gets the chance to play more in 2022 and continue his development.

When he was drafted Mack noted: "hitting .349/.435/.530 and being named to the All-MAC First Team. His breakout campaign is coming off a disappointing 2017 season in which he hit .172/.281/.242 in 41 games with the Redhawks. Senger excels defensively with a 42 percent caught stealing rate."

Mets.com has Hayden as the #22 Mets Prospect.

Mack's Mets Tom Brennan had Hayden as his #24 Prospect: "hit well for a catcher and caught well...getting added valuable experience and ABs playing fall ball.  Which is good, as he only had 252 PAs in 60 games in the regular season, going a solid.263/.341/.429.  Career 35% on "caught stealing" too."

Amazing Avenue had Hayden as their #11 Prospect: "While his offense is still developing, Senger shines behind the plate. Thanks to quick, above-average pop times, he can get out of the crouch during stolen attempts quickly, cleanly transfer the ball, and fire to the waiting fielder accurately." 

Prospects 1500 has Hayden as the #22 Prospect.

Hayden Senger's FanGraph page.

Hayden Senger’s Baseball Savant page:


Stats:

Hitting:


Hitting Splits: 


Fielding:



Videos and Audio:

YouTube: Hayden talks about his Arizona Fall League Experience:



Before each Binghamton Rumble Ponies game, Announcer Jacob Wilkins interviews the Rumble Pony players, coaches, and staff.  Below is an interview he did in 2021 with Hayden Senger. 

For all of Jacob’s pregame interviews go here.  


Josh Lewin interview with Hayden Senger on Mets in the Morning, 12/13/21:







 

Posted by on 6 comments:
Labels: , ,

1/18/22

Player Profile: Francisco Alvarez

Francisco Alvarez - 2021 Bowman Chrome

Francisco Alvarez

Background, Stats, Videos.

Background:

Catcher, Bats Right, Throws Right, DOB 11/19/2001, 5'10", 233, Guatire, Venezuela. Signed by the New York Mets as an International free agent for $2.9 million on July 2, 2018.  Eligible for the December 2022 Rule 5 draft.

Last year, everyone either had Francisco as there #1 or #2 prospect.  This year, I think everyone has him as their #1.

Mets.com has Francisco as the #1 Mets prospect and the #10 Prospect in all of MLB.  Baseball America has him as the #13 overall prospect.

Last year, Tom had him at #2.  Now, Tom has him at #1: That's not a bat in his hands, that's a rocket launcher...I think his career ceiling is...Mike Piazza.  Anyone disagree? 24 HRs and 70 RBIs in a little over 300 at bats in 2021, when your home park is the pitchers’ paradise (and hitters' torture chamber) in Brooklyn?  Sky is the limit for Francisco."  

Sam Dykstra MiLB.com: "Pipeline Hitter of the Year - One thing that stood out to me about Álvarez last year, he had 22 homers at High-A in only 84 games. But he slugged significantly better away from High-A Brooklyn, which is an extreme pitchers' park. He slugged .607 there compared to .463 at home, an OPS above 1.000 there, his OPS at home was .763. Get him to Binghamton, get him to Syracuse, some of these fairer parks for hitters. I think Álvarez, on top of just another year of maturity, could really explode. I could easily see him hitting 25, 30 homers and having an OPS in that .900-1.000 range."

SNY.TV: had him at #1 saying: "He still needs work on his receiving and blocking skills, but the expectation is he will stick behind the plate long term with a strong throwing arm. He has legit All-Star potential".

Last year I got the chance to talk to two people who saw Francisco play the most - Cyclones Manager Ed Blankmeyer and Cyclones Announcer Keith Raad -

Ed Blankmeyer: The Baby Bull? He’s a young guy that obviously has not yet played a played a full season.  He’s passionate - high energy guy.  He is wired differently in a good way – he’s 100 Miles per hour – all the time – I use the word pacing with him – not in a negative way – sometimes he has to back down a little bit – he’s a fire cracker- he’s ready to explode all the time – typical of a young guy – catching is a prime position – he no doubt has the skills – it’s learning his trade behind the plate – learning how to call a game which he is becoming a better game caller – his receiving has improved – his blocking has improved – his throwing – he has a good arm – but again he has to work at it.  Now his bat – like Ronnie [Mauricio] – the ball comes off his bat special...when people make mistakes and it’s in the zone – he can do damage..."

JFA: Who’s the most fun to be around? Keith Raad: "Francisco definitely…he’s a jokester.  He’s 19 but he’s such a great, fast learner with the language so he can talk to everybody.  He wants to speak everything in English.  I practice my Spanish just to talk to him.  He doesn’t want it.  He wants to talk in English.  He wants to learn how to relate to everybody.  He wants to handle all the pitchers in English.  Because he wants to soak everything up.  He wants to do everything in English...Francisco’s raw power.  I’ve never seen anything like that...He’s just an absolute man up there. He’s hitting balls 105 miles per hour up to 110, 112 off the bat and every single time he takes a swing – he swings with all his might, which is certainly going to go far no matter what and probably hit for his entire life. "

Last year, Mack had Francisco Alvarez as his #1 prospect. About Francisco Mack said: "In my opinion, no one will have the impact of this guy when he gets his shot around three seasons from now.  Will be our starting catcher for many years to come."

Amazing Avenue recently had Francisco as their #1 Mets Prospect saying: "Behind the plate, the Venezuelan is an impressive catcher...Alvarez moves incredibly well behind the plate, especially for someone as stocky as him- though he will likely need to maintain his weight in the future to continue to be. The Mets were working with him in 2021 to frame pitches better by having him receive the ball on one knee, and while it did not lead to more passed balls, it did influence his ability to control the running game. Alvarez has an above-average arm in terms of strength and accuracy and has posted above-average pop and release times in the past, but needs to further refine those attributes with his framing abilities."

Prospects Live also has him at #1: "STRENGTHS  Alvarez offers huge potential at the plate with a compact swing that shows plus bat speed and an innate feel for finding barrels...Gets out of the crouch extremely well behind the plate, with consistent on-target throws. Has made big strides in overall blocking ability in the past 18 months as well...WEAKNESSES  Will expand at the top of the zone on occasion leading to some swing and miss...Will need to improve lateral movements and framing to potentially stick behind the plate long"

At the time of the signing, this is what SNY.TV had: “Alvarez is ‘one of the strongest players in the class,’ according to Baseball America. ‘He has a stout, blocky frame, although he moves surprising well underway for his size. Alvarez's swing starts with a small toe tap and he generates big raw power with an aggressive hack.’"

Baseball America recently wrote: Francisco Alvarez Has The Right Hitting Approach. "“For a young kid, he’s always displayed a good command of the strike zone,” [Mets assistant general manager at the time Allard] Baird said. “He’s got a very good approach in terms of it’s, ‘Yes, yes, yes, no, take.’ "He goes in there to hit. He’s not going in there to walk. He’s going in there with a very good, aggressive approach, but has the ability to make early recognition and if he doesn’t get his pitch will accept the walk.”

Francisco has an elite bat and an elite work effort.  He will spend 2022 as a 20 year old - not turning 21 until November.  I think he starts in Binghamton and possibly moves to Syracuse during the year.  His bat is MLB ready.  He just needs more time behind the plate.  Estimated MLB debut - 2023.

FanGraphs:

HitGame PowerRaw PowerSpeedFieldFV
25 / 5525 / 6070 / 7045 / 4045 / 5560

Francisco Alvarez’s Baseball Savant page.    

Stats:

Hitting:


Hitting Splits: 


Fielding:



Videos:





>
















 

Posted by on 8 comments:
Labels: , ,

12/16/21

Player Profile - Nick Meyer

 

Nick Meyer - Photo by Ernest Dove


Nick Meyer, C, Bats Right, Throws Right, DOB 2/18/1997, 6th round, 2018 Draft. 6'1", 200 pounds.

Background, Stats, Videos.

Background:

Nick was one of the top defensive catchers available in the 2018 draft.  The Mets signed him for $350,000 after drafting him in the 6th round.  

Here is what Baseball America said about Nick in 2018: "He excels at stealing strikes at the bottom of the zone in particular, and guides his pitchers expertly through jams. His arm strength is consistently above-average and flashes plus, and he excels at back-picking runners off first base."

In 2021, Nick impressed me with his defense and his hitting in Syracuse, slashing .286/.362/.357 - .719 OPS in 11 games.  Overall between Binghamton and Syracuse he hit .251/.337/.324 - .662.

He called the Josh Walker/Andrew Mitchell no-hitter for Binghamton and it just seemed to me that pitchers always seem to respond well when he caught.

He is tough.  At one Binghamton game I was out in 2021, he was hit in the head by a back swing and stayed in the game.  

He also stands up for his pitchers as the clip below shows.  

His improved hitting in 2021 resulted in Baseball America naming him as the Mets #30 prospect in their mid-year update (subscription required).

Mets.com has Nick listed as the #24 Mets Prospect.

Prospects 1500 has Nick as the #25 Prospect.

Amazing Avenue: "At the plate, Meyer stands compact, using a small leg kick as a timing mechanism. His bat path is level and designed for making contact. His game is built around putting the ball in play, as his in-game power is below-average. Thanks to his above-average awareness of the strike zone and contact-oriented swing, he is difficult to strike out."

213 Miles From Shea: "Nick Meyer is one of the few players we actually have stats for in 2020! I’m not sure what terminology is correct (either he did this on his own or he got permission from the Mets) but Nick played in an independent league last year – the City of Champions Cup for the Tully Monsters. He got 112 PA’s in over 27 games and hit .247/.357/.360 in a league where he was half a year younger than the average player."

Nick was invited to Spring Training last season as a Non-Roster player.

He is eligible for the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft which has been delayed due to the lockout.  With only 173 minor league at-bats, it is not likely he will get picked but good defensive catchers don't grow on trees - so there is always a possibility.

If he stays, I look for Nick to be the full time catcher at either Binghamton or Syracuse next year with Hayden Senger being the full time catcher in the other location.  However, once Francisco Alvarez gets promoted - one of those two will become the backup catcher.

Baseball Savant's Spray Chart: 



Nick Meyer's FanGraphs Page.

Stats:

Hitting:


Hitting Splits: 


Fielding:


Videos and Audio:

@Before each Binghamton Rumble Ponies game, Announcer Jacob Wilkins interviews the Rumble Pony players, coaches, and staff.  Below, he interviews Nick Meyer. 

For all of Jacob’s pregame interviews go here.  






Binghamton Rumble Ponies C Nick Meyer ejected from game vs. Hartford, 8/15/21.

Posted by on 6 comments:
Labels: , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)