Showing posts with label ProfileP1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ProfileP1. Show all posts

2/7/22

Player Profile - Tom Hackimer

Tom Hackimer, Syracuse Mets - Photo By Herm Card - Herm4444@gmail.com



Background, Stats, Videos.

Background: 

Tom Hackimer, Bats Right, Throws Right, 5'11", 195 pounds; DOB 6/28/1994 in New Hyde Park, NY, USA; Drafted by the New York Mets in the 15th round of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft, Overall: 449 (Did not sign) and the Minnesota Twins Round: 4, Pick: 17, Overall: 123 from St. John's University (Queens, NY).  High School: Archbishop Molloy HS (Queens, NY); Eligible for the 2021/2022 Rule 5 Draft, postponed due to the Lockout;

If you watched Tom Hackimer pitch last year for Syracuse, then you saw why the Mets drafted him in 2015, and why they signed him when the Twins released him last year in 2021.  

When he was drafted Mets scouting director Tommy Tanous told MLB.com: "He throws strikes, sinks the ball and gets a lot of outs...Anytime you get a college pitcher that throws strikes and has the ability to sink the ball, pitches in a good conference, this kid was very appealing to us."

Mets fans can also thank former Brooklyn Cyclones Manager and St. John's Coach Ed Blankmeyer as Tom told Judy Kamilhor for Metsmerized back in August 2021: “'My hitting coach up through high school was pretty friendly with the St. John’s coaches,” he said. “I was at a camp playing short, throwing across the diamond and Blankmeyer...saw me and made an offhand comment to the effect of that kid, good arm, kind of weird and lanky, probably be a good sidearmer and that was basically the genesis of my career.'...Blankmeyer is also the reason Hackimer is now in the Mets organization. He called Hackimer after the Twins released him earlier this season and asked him if he wanted to keep playing. Yes, was the answer".

In Binghamton, Tom went 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA, 1 save, 9 games, 14 innings, 16 Ks but that doesn't really tell the story as a couple of bad outings did Tom in.  The Mets liked what they saw and promoted to Syracuse, he went 0-0, 2.25, 4 saves, 15 games, 14.2 innings, 20 Ks including no hits allowed in his first 8 games.  

He offers the bullpen a different arm slot that has shown the ability to get out lefties and righties.  He has had some wildness but when he is on, he can be lights out.  At the very least, he will be a main stay in the Syracuse bullpen in 2022 and he may even get the call to Flushing.

Tom Hackimer’s FANGRAPHS page.

Tom Hackimer's Baseball Savant Page.

Stats: 

Standard Pitching -


2021 Pitching Splits -




Videos and Audio:

Pleasant and Good Evening Podcast with Tom Hackimer (Tom's segment starts 25 minutes in)




YouTube: My Plyo and Throwing Routines.



YouTube: Throwing in the Park, Down by the River*!


YouTube: MLB PLAYER MAXES OUT SQUAT!! | Minnesota Twins X Tom Hackimer.



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2/5/22

Player Profile - J.T. Ginn

J.T. Ginn Brooklyn Cyclones - 2021 Team Card


Background, Stats, Videos.

Background: 

J.T. Ginn, Starting Pitcher, Bats Right, Throws Right, 6' 2", 200 lbs; DOB 5/12/1999 in  Flowood, MS, USA. Drafted by the Mets in the 2020 June Amateur Draft - Round: 2, Pick: 15, Overall: 52 from Mississippi State University (Mississippi State, MS);  

Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1st round (30th) of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft from Brandon HS (Brandon, MS), J.T. instead chose to go to Mississippi State where he earned SEC Freshman Pitcher of the Year after going 8-4, 3.13 ERA, 105 Ks in 86.1 innings; Then, after one game as a sophmore, Tommy John Surgery.  The Mets drafted him anyway in 2020 paying him first round bonus money at $2.9M.  

The day he was drafted Mack said:  "Observation –    This is a great pick! Ginn would have easily been a Top 10 pick but went down early this year that resulted in TJS. He probably won’t be back for the beginning of next season but you have to still project him as a potential starter for the Mets in three years. If not, huge upside as a future reliever."


After Starting at Low-A St. Lucie and going 2-1 with a 2.56 ERA in 8 games, he was promoted to Brooklyn for aa 3-4 record, 3.38 in 10 games.

Tom Brennan Mack's Mets: "Just 3 HRs allowed in 92 innings - that sure tells you something.  And only 22 walks as compared to 81 Ks. Just based on what the numbers speak to me, I see no reason why Ginn cannot get up to 150 innings or so in 2022, in AA and AAA, and be ready to join the Mets' rotation in 2023."

Joe DeMayo SNY.TV: Deep Dive on Mets prospect J.T. Ginn, a 'bulldog' who could soon be a rotation staple. "Ginn, who has a 97 mph fastball with turbo sink, could start the 2022 season with Double-A Binghamton."

Mets.com has JT as the #4 Mets Prospect: "Ginn shows three promising pitches when he is the mound. The fastball sits 91-95 mph and comes with a good amount of sink and life, pushing the grade up a touch. He can also touch as high as 97 with the offering when he rears back. The mid-80s slider draws promising reviews for its ability to move over two planes and is a weapon in its own right. The changeup was developing and showed promising signs with some sink of its own." 

Prospects Live ranks JT as the #8 prospect. Noting this: "Delivery & Mechanics: Violent, whippy arm action. Good extension and follow through on each pitch. Comes to the plate from a low release point and gets the ball out in front. 3/4 arm action. Violence could be a deterrent for future starter capabilities."

Amazing Avenue has him as their #6 Mets Prospect. "Ginn throws from a high-three-quarters arm slot with a simple delivery that has been toned down since his high school years. He still throws with a little effort, but his mechanics overall have improved at his time at Mississippi State."

SNY.TV has JT as their #5 prospect: "He spent the year building up arm strength, and at the end of the season, he was back touching 95-96 mph. This is a great sign heading into 2022, when I expect him to start in Double-A."

About his velocity JT told Newsday: "'It’s definitely been improving," Ginn said. "I think I’m a few ticks down velocity wise from the highest I’ve ever been, but overall I’m feeling pretty good and I’ve been feeling a lot better, so it’s been really exciting and I’m just taking it day by day and letting the process play out.'"



For 2022, I see Ginn starting out in Binghamton with a promotion to Syracuse in the middle or towards the end of the year.  The Mets will surely want to use the expanded AAA season this year to give Ginn the opportunity for extra work.

J.T. Ginn’s FANGRAPHS page:

FastballSliderChangeupCommandFV
50 / 5555 / 6045 / 5035 / 5045


Stats: 

Standard Pitching -


2021 Pitching Splits -




Videos:








You Tube: Mets prospect J.T. Ginn compares his pitching arsenal to Marcus Stroman’s | Mets Prospective | SNY




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2/2/22

Player Profile - Eric Orze

Eric Orze - MiLB.com

Background: 

Eric Orze, Relief Pitcher, Bats Right, Throws Right, DOB 8/21/1997 in Elk Grove, IL; USA; 6'4", 195 pounds; Drafted by the New York Mets 2020 June Amateur Draft - Round: 5, Pick: 19, Overall: 150 from University of New Orleans (New Orleans, LA).; Not Rule 5 eligible until December 2023.

Talk about someone that is easy to root for, Eric Orze survived two bouts of cancer which caused him to miss all of 2019 College season.  Then, in 2020, he puts up solid numbers - 3-0, 2.75 ERA in 19.2 innings.  This caused the Mets to draft him with one of their 6 picks in the 2020 draft.

When drafted, Bleacher Report had this quote from Mets vice president of international and amateur scouting Tommy Tanous: "This is a kid that will not quit. He really won't. Our scouts fell in love with his split-finger, to tell you the truth. He throws a heavy, heavy fastball and he uses that split as his out pitch, his strikeout pitch...this is a high-makeup kid, high-quality kid who happens to have a really gifted pitch."

At the time of the Draft, Mack noted: "A nice pick but a money save pick as well."  Eric signed with the Mets for $20,000.  

From the 6 players drafted in 2020, only JT Ginn, and Eric Orze remain.  Pete Crow-Armstrong was traded for Javier Baez.  Matt Dyer was traded for Rich Hill.  Isiah Greene was part of the deal for Francisco Lindor.  Anthony Walters was released.   

In 2021, his first season on professional ball, Eric shot up the ranks going from Brooklyn to Binghamton to Syracuse all in the same year.  At each level, he seemed to get better  - 1-2, 4.05 ERA in Brooklyn, 2-0, 2.60 ERA in Binghamton 25 Ks - just 1 walk!) and 1-0, 2.19 ERA in Syracuse.  Overall in 49.2 innings he went 4-2, 3.08 ERA, 67 Ks, 14 walks.

Joe DeMayo SNY.TV 6 Mets prospects who can make an impact in 2022: "In a small sample size of 12.1 innings in Triple-A, Orze had a ridiculous 43.5 percent whiff rate. Of his 34 appearances, 16 of them were more than one inning, so he is already experienced in a multi-inning reliever role. I think Orze has a bright future as a solid middle reliever who can give you a couple of innings in a game if you need it."

Rising Apple: NY Mets prospect Eric Orze has the stuff to become a future closer.

Tom Brennan at Mack's Mets has him as the #10 Mets Prospect saying: "he has a dandy splitter and had a mighty fine A - AA - AAA progression in this debut season.   12 Ks per 9 IP, too.  Based on that, I see no reason he won't be in the Mets' pen in 2022."

Mets.com has Eric Orze as their #26 Prospect.

Amazing Avenue has Eric as their #13 Prospect.

Prospects Live has Eric as the Mets #7 Prospect.

Prospects 1500.com has Eric as the #24 Prospect.

The Mets may go out and sign some more relief pitchers when the lockout ends.  Even so, Eric Orze could be part of the 2022 staff - possibly - out of Spring Training.

Eric Orze’s Baseball Savant page. 

Eric Orze’s FANGRAPHS page.

Stats: 

Standard Pitching -


2021 Pitching Splits -



Videos and Audio:

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 Eric Orze. 

For all of Jacob’s pregame interviews go here.  













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1/31/22

Player Profile - Jose Butto

Jose Butto, Columbia Fireflies, 2019 Team Baseball Card

Background: 

Jose Butto, Starting Pitcher, Bats Right, Throws Right, DOB 3/19/1998 in Cumana, Venezuela; 6'1", 202 pounds; Signed by the New York Mets in June 2017 as an International Free Agent for $5,000. Added to Mets 40 Man Roster November 19, 2021.

A Top 25 Mets Prospect these past few years, Jose took things to a higher level in 2021.  After being promoted to AA Binghamton in July, he lowered his ERA by almost a run and a half.  At one point he went three outings, going 6 innings each, with no runs.  This earned him MiLB Pitcher of the Week for the Northeast League in August.  Overall his record in Binghamton, 3-2, 3.12 ERA, 8 games, 40.1 innings, 50 Ks;  An 11.16 K through 9 rate and a 29.9 K percentage.

He entered the Winter Rule 5 eligible, but his success in AA prompted his addition to the Mets 40 Man Roster, protecting him from that Draft.

Prospects Live: "Changeup: Low-80s changeup with great tunnel and depth. Changeup is a plus off-speed pitch with great depth and shape. Thrown low in the zone for plenty of whiffs. Dip in velocity from fastball creates good separation...Grade: 60...Butto's changeup is arguably the best in the Mets' system..."

From May 2020: MetsMinors.net: MMN Roundtable: Which Player is Primed For a Breakout Season? Ernest Dove’s choice was RHP Jose Butto saying: “My reports on him last season were that he was one of the most dangerous pitchers to face in the South Atlantic League. He has the confidence and determination to succeed. His teammates raved about his pitching and ability, feeling his off-speed arsenal will play at the higher levels.” 

Before the 2021 Season, FANGRAPHS ranked Jose as the #19 Mets Prospect.

Mack's Mets Tom Brennan recently had Jose as the #32 Mets Prospect.

Mets.com has him as their #14 Prospect.

Michael Mayer Metsmerized.com: #11 Prospect.

He is Amazing Avenue's #17 Prospect. 

Prospects 1500.com #13 Mets Prospect. "With his elite changeup and fastball, it could give him a relief pitcher opportunity with his ceiling getting higher if he really develops a breaking ball as a third pitch."

#12 on SNY's list. "He throws a mostly low 90s fastball that has touched 96 with the best change-up in the organization. He looks the part of a back-end starter who could potentially provide starting pitching depth sooner than later."

I think next year, lockout or no lockout, Syracuse may have a very stacked starting  rotation.  Because of that, Jose Butto could end up starting the year in Binghamton with an early callup to Syracuse.  Either way, already being on the 40 man roster, will make it very easy for Jose to come to Flushing.  However, being on the 40 man roster also means that he will be locked out should Spring Training only open for the Minor League players. 

Let's hope that does not happen.

Jose Butto’s Baseball Savant page. 

Jose Butto’s FANGRAPHS page.

Stats: 

Standard Pitching -


2021 Pitching Splits -



Videos and Audio:

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 Jose Butto. 

For all of Jacob’s pregame interviews go here.  











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1/29/22

Player Profile - Cole Gordon

Cole Grodon, 2021 Binghamton Rumble Ponies Team Card

Background: 

Cole Gordon, Starting Pitcher, Bats Left, Throws Right, DOB 10/2/1995 in Tampa, FL; USA; 6'5", 226 pounds; Drafted by the New York Mets 2019 June Amateur Draft - Round: 32, Pick: 11, Overall: 958 from Mississippi State University (Mississippi State, MS); High School: George M. Steinbrenner HS (Lutz, FL);

What a month of August in AA for Cole Gordon - 4 and 0, 0.00 ERA, 4 games, 26 innings, 5 walks, 30 Ks;  For that he was named the MiLB Pitcher of the Month Award winner in the Northeast League for the month of August.

I was able to see him pitch in August and was very impressed.  He uses superior breaking stuff to keep hitters off-balance and then uses a well placed low 90's fastball to finish them off.  

A former College Teammate of Jake Mangum at Mississippi State, Mack noted how he mostly pitched in relief in college when he was drafted.

Amazing Avenue: "Gordon throws from a high-three-quarters arm slot with a simple delivery consisting of a slight hip turn and leg lift. His fastball sits in the high-80s-to-low-90s, with arm-side run and sink. In addition, he can also cut it. He complements his fastball with a nasty slider with tightly spun late bite. He can control both of his pitches, mixing them effectively and pounding the zone."

Tom Had Cole as his #31 Mets Prospect.

Prospects 1500.com has him as the #50 Mets Prospect.

Michael Mayer of Metsmerized.com had Cole as the #29 Mets Prospect.

Joe DeMayo SNY.TV: 6 Mets prospects who can make an impact in 2022 - "Since Gordon is now more of a starter, it would stand to reason that he could also be an option to pitch multiple innings out of the pen potentially as soon as 2022, where he should start the year with Triple-A Syracuse."

I also see Cole starting 2022 in Syracuse as part of a very packed rotation.  He'll be a phone call away should injuries occur in Flushing.  I hope they don't, but if they do, I think Cole will be ready.

Cole Gordon’s Baseball Savant page. 

Cole Gordon’s FANGRAPHS page.

Stats: 

Standard Pitching -


2021 Pitching Splits -



Videos and Audio:

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 Cole Gordon. 

For all of Jacob’s pregame interviews go here.  










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1/27/22

Player Profile - Marcel Renteria


Marcel Renteria, Syracuse Mets, Photo by Herm Card - Herm4444@gmail.com

Background, Stats, Videos.

Background: 

Marcel Renteria. Relief Pitcher, Bats Right, Throws Right; 5-11, 185lb; DOB 9/27/1994 in Nogales, AZ, USA; Drafted by the New York Mets in the 2017 MLB June Amateur Draft, Round: 6, Pick: 22, Overall: 187 from New Mexico State University (Las Cruces, NM).  2021 Non-Roster Invitee to Spring Training. Eligible for the Major League version of the 2021/22 Rule 5 draft (currently postponed due to the lockout).

On the day he was drafted Mack noted: "Renteria's ability to reach the mid to upper 90s with his fastball gave him an opportunity to play professional baseball...His fastball sits 94-97, and touches 99 MPH"

After pitching in relief for Brooklyn in 2017, he went to the Columbia Fireflies in 2018 as a starting pitcher before moving back to the bullpen in 2018 for St. Lucie and Binghamton.  

Speaking to Ernest Dove about the switch back to relief: “The biggest adjustment was finding my identity coming out of the pen. I realized I’m not the guy who’s just going to blow it by you with every fastball I throw and it took some learning moments to trust and use all my pitches to my advantage”.

After COVID-19 ended the 2020 minor league season, Ernest Dove reported that Renteria trained "on the west coast with assistance from Simon Mathews through X2Athletics, Push Performance and Driveline Baseball. Simon, a pro pitcher himself, was recently released from the Los Angeles Angels organization. Simon has been using advanced analytics, Rapsodo technology to partner with training and mechanical changes to improve Renteria overall game."

When I saw him in 2021, it looked like the training paid off.  Be it pitching, running the bases, or bunting for a base hit, he stood out. He threw 3 scoreless outings for Binghamton and then was promoted to Syracuse.  

His Syracuse - 4-0, 9.00 ERA, 14 games, 19 innings, 28 Ks, 14 walks was not great.  However, this was due to a few bad outings where he was not able to complete the inning and gave up multiple runs, to give him the high ERA.  At the same time, he had numerous where he gave up no hits or runs. Then in July, just as Marcel seemed to start finding his AAA groove, an injury ended his season.

He told Ernest Dove in the audio clip below that he is healthy now and training for the 2022 season. 

I think he will start the year in Syracuse.  If he can find consistency, he could give the Mets a valuable arm out of the pen that can go multiple innings, especially against Right-Handed batters.  Then, 2022 could be the year for him to make it to the Majors.

FANGRAPHS had him as their #24 Mets prospect before the 2021 Season.


Marcel Renteria’s Baseball Savant page.

Stats: 

Standard Pitching -


2021 Pitching Splits -



Videos:



Ernest Dove Interviews Marcel Renteria after the 2021 season (Renteria interview starts at 1:27):





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1/26/22

Player Profile - Garrison Bryant


Garrison Bryant - 2019 Brooklyn Cyclones Team Card

Background, Stats, Videos.

Background: 

Garrison Bryant. Starting Pitcher, Bats Left, Throws Right; 6-3, 202lb; DOB 12/3/1998 Deerfield, NH, USA; 2016 June Amateur Draft - Round: 36, Pick: 24, Overall: 1090 Clearwater HS (Clearwater, FL) by the New York Mets.  

Amazing Avenue: "Mets scouts happened to catch him pitching while scouting another player...offered him $100,000 to forgo his commitment to college and play baseball professionally...the 17-year-old was assigned to the GCL Mets."

Three years later in 2019, Garrison was the Ace of the NY Penn Champion Brooklyn Cyclones.  In his fourth professional season, Garrison led the team with a 5-1 record, 2.39 ERA, 75 K’s in 75.1 innings, and a .84 WHIP.  

It was bad enough that he missed all of the 2020 season when Minor League games were cancelled due to COVID-19 but then in 2021, after just two starts, he hit the Injured List on May 20th and did not pitch again until August 13th.  His regular season 2021 line - 1-1, 4.34 ERA, 7 games, 18.2 innings, 19 hits, 5 HRs,  4 walks, 18 Ks; 1.232 WHIP.

The Mets then chose to give him more work in the Arizona Fall League where he went 1-1, 4.80 ERA, 6 games, 15 innings, 15 hits, 5 HRs,  8 walks, 13 Ks; 1.533 WHIP.

More than results, the big thing was just to get some work in before the season ended after the early injury. 

With a fastball that tops out in the low 90’s and after the lack of work these last two years, Garrison is not listed on many top Mets Prospect Lists. However, as I said earlier, he was the best pitcher on Brooklyn in 2019 and threw six shutout innings in his start in the championship series.  

He will be Rule 5 eligible once the lockout ends.  If he is not chosen this year, he will be a young minor league free agent next Winter - not turning 24 until December.  

Can he return to the form that made him so effective in 2019?  If so, he could be a very valuable pitcher in Binghamton and possibly even Syracuse in 2022.

Garrison Bryant’s FANGRAPHS page.

Garrison Bryant’s Baseball Savant page.

Stats: 

Standard Pitching -


2021 Pitching Splits -




Videos:

You Tube: Garrison Bryant Talks Fall League.




Video of Garrison Bryant pitching in 2019 for Brooklyn.


John Smoltz interviewing Garrison Bryant.



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