Mack's Mets

11/29/09

Breakfast Links: Ike, Roy, Black Friday, Tobi, David, Sheff, and Bryce Harper

Ike Davis:

He was the Mets first-round pick in 2008. He is coming off a strong showing at Double-A Binghamton and the Arizona Fall League (.341) and, according to Ron, who knows about major league talent, could start for the Mets now. “I believe he’ll play 10-15 years in the big leagues without a problem,” Ron said of his son. “I know he’s a great defensive first baseman, has a lot of power and I know he’ll keep his average up. Most guys are going for stats, but he’ll do things to sacrifice for the team. The Mets definitely got a winner.” -
NYP

Roy Halladay:

Let’s face it. We all know that this is Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel’s last season with the Mets if they don’t win in 2010. Do you think they’re dumb enough to entrust their careers to Daniel Murphy at first base and Omir Santos at catcher for the entire season? I don’t. And that would be the scenario if they trade for Halladay and Wells, barring a massive reconfiguration of the roster.

To pull off this move, the Mets would need to unload Luis Castillo for starters which hasn’t proved to be easy. They would probably need to get rid of another player(s) in the $10 million/year range to cover the salary of bringing in a second baseman and catcher. It starts to get very complicated, more so than is likely to be realistic in one offseason. - Mets Report

Black Friday:

It was a tale of two Black Fridays for New York’s baseball teams. The Yankees Clubhouse on 42nd Street, still basking in the glow of the team’s 27th World Series championship, was flooded with customers elbowing through racks of commemorative T-shirts, hats and jackets. Pedestrians stopped to snap photographs of the storefront. Two blocks east, the Mets Clubhouse hosted a handful of passers-by who gazed at the rows of jerseys and sweatshirts, many 50 percent off. The store seemed to be as quiet as Shea Stadium was after Carlos Beltran looked at Adam Wainwright’s called third strike to end the 2006 season. -
NYT

Tobi Stoner:

While trying to determine if Stoner’s winter numbers were fluky, I checked out his consistent if not exciting minor league stats. From St. Lucie in 2007 to Buffalo in 2009, Stoner generally has struck out twice as many as he’s walked. Hopefully this is something he can keep up at the major league level, because he allows too many home runs to compensate for a K:BB ratio lower than 2:1. Another sign of Stoner’s consistency is his FIP (fielding independent pitching) statistic, which has hovered just above 4.00 for his entire career. Posting a FIP of 4.00 as a major league starter would make Stoner worthy of a rotation spot, but only time will tell if he will hit a wall at the major league level or keep on getting batters out with his good-not-great stuff. His Dominican starts have certainly been encouraging and Stoner should contend for at least a bullpen spot in spring training. - Daily Stache

David Wright:

This is a look at baserunning runs, excluding stolen base attempts. Here's the basic method:

•For all plays, we consider the lead runner only.

•We figure out the average change in run expectancy for the lead runner for each non-discretionary running event - typically a ball in play (either a hit, error or out). Those plays are grouped by:

◦The number of outs in the inning.

◦The type of event - single, double, etc. (A fielder's choice is considered an ordinary out.)

◦For batting outs, whether the ball was hit in the air or on the ground.

◦The position of the player who fields the ball.

•Then we figure the change in run expectancy for the lead runner on each individual baserunning play. For a non-discretionary event, we subtract the average value of that running play. For a discretionary running play, such as a wild pitch or passed ball, we do not - a runner is not penalized for the decision not to run.

That gives us our baserunning runs. Your leaders (and trailers) for 2009:

1. Michael Bourn

2. Dexter Fowler

3. Eugenio Velez

4. Chone Figgins

5. Scott Podsednik

6. Brandon Phillips

7. Emilio Bonifacio

8. David Wright

Hardball Times

Gary Sheffield:

Which is too bad. The vanishing of Sheffield in September surely was a combination of the disagreement between Mets management and Sheffield, and Sheff’s physical ailments. But he did prove, through it all, that he could still hit. It’s doubtful he’ll ever again be an everyday player, but the bat speed is there, and the behavioral problems are an overblown fallacy. If Sheff wants to play in 2010, he will, and he’ll be productive. Not the superstar he once was, but productive. The shame of it is, just before “the incident”, Sheffield received a custom-made first baseman’s glove (as part of an endorsement deal). He knew the outfield was getting to be too much for his old bones, and that Daniel Murphy would need a platoon partner. But since he never had the chance to show what he could do at the position, we’ll never know if he and Murphy would’ve been a good tandem. Of course, if the Mets acquire a big-time first baseman and/or send Murphy packing, this point is moot. In fact, the whole argument is moot because “the incident” effectively eliminated Sheff’s tenure as a Met.For five months though, Gary Sheffield was fun to watch and a big reason the Mets had any hope at all. - link

Bryce Harper:

Although the money would have still been there for Harper had he entered the 2011 MLB Draft, why not enter a year early, while increasing his leverage, and making him a year younger at the time of the draft. Those two factors, with the addition of Scott Boras will equal out to what should be the largest bonus ever for a high school player. Even if he is not the first player drafted, which he should be, Harper will not get far. Teams like Boston, New York, and many more will not let a talent like Harper slip by them. I see both sides of the argument, but to me, Harper is making the choice he wants, and who are we to question that? -
MLB Draft

The Re-Construction Of The New York Mets – Part One

The Re-Construction Of The New York Mets – Part One

My good buddy Jack Flynn wrote yesterday that I have to keep the faith because I’m one of the few guys that write about the future of the Mets, rather than the miserable present.

As all of you know, I’m currently coming to the end of my top 100 Mets minor league players that deserve another year in the system. Today will begin the ten top dudes in the system and some of these will be making an impact as soon as March.

I was known as a “work out artist” when I was in the broadcast industry and the best work I ever did was taking over the management of failed radio stations and turning them around for resale. This kind of work came directly from the banks that held the notes and there was nothing more satisfying than working for someone that doesn’t know two shits about what the hell you do every day.

This alone has made me a viable writer of the New York Mets.

A Change in Control:

Turning a business around comes from the top and, frankly, the first thing you do is replace the top dog that got you in this pit in the first place. Sometimes that person has already been fired. Sometimes it’s a friend of yours and he or she hired you. There’s no room for a conscience for a work out artist. You do what has to be done and you sleep like a baby.

The heirs of Joan Payson sold the Mets in 1980 to Doubleday Publishing, for $21.1 million (sic). Chairman Nelson Doubleday Jr. named minority shareholder Fred Wilpon the club president, who bought 100% of the team in 2002, for $391 million.

It really doesn’t matter who owns the Mets. What matters is who is in control of the operation. All you need is the right person in charge who has the support of an absentee owner, or financial organization that holds the note. Bill Parcells proved for years he could produce a successful sports franchise, but only when he didn’t have to look over his shoulder and see if Jerry Jones was in the locker room.

The last thing I want this piece to be is another ‘fire the manager” or “sell the team” rant. There is enough of them out on the web and that’s not the reality of the situation. The Wilpon family is not going to sell a business that they paid $391 mil for and is now worth close to a billion dollars (in April 2009, Forbes estimated the value of the New York Mets at $912 million). It isn’t going to happen, so get over it.

What does have to happen is Wilpon has to come to the realization that the total operational control of this team must be turned over to someone who knows how to run a ball team, has the respect of the industry, and is given the autonomy to do what is necessary over the next five years (yes, five years) to finally produce a consistent winner that represents the National League in baseball.

The Mets have never been a consistent winner. They began the year I tried out for them… 1962. They just finished the 2009 season. That’s 48 seasons. They won twice.

A bunch of us writers and bloggers have written posts on what we would do if we either owned or ran this team. This multi-part article on the re-construction of the New York Mets is not a pipe dream. There will be no change of ownership and Omar Minaya will be the General Manager for the 2010 season. These are the conditions of taking on the task of turning around this “property”.

The conundrum that exists in 2010 is that Minaya already knows that 2010 will be his last year, unless he wins, at least, the NL East, while at the same time, the future of this team over the long run is not to sacrifice the future with a futile attempt to win one year. Given the choice, Minaya would spend what it takes to sign the top players available in today’s market, but that’s not going to happen for a couple of reasons. One, Fred is done giving Minaya an open checkbook, and two, the Halladay’s of the world want nothing to do with a team owned and run by the Grizwolds.

Yes, new players will be signed, and maybe the Mets will get lucky and bring in another hit like they did in 2008 with Fernando Tatis, but luck doesn’t get you Alex Rodriquez, or Manny Ramirez, or C.C. Sabathia. Nor, will it get you another Johan Santana.

Wilpon can continue to do what Omar started, when he bought Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran before the 2005 season. But, once you go down this road, there’s no turning back. You will constantly deplete your minor league system of your future talent, and you will someday have to change fifty bucks for a hotdog.

Big market teams spend the Thanksgiving weekend restocking their successful franchise. The Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers are all trying to put together a deal for Halladay. The Mets are trying to resign Elmer Dessens.

Concentrate Your 2010 Spending On One Key Position: SP2

If the Mets truly want to begin to a five-year plan to turn this team into a consistent winner, then they should go out and spend the money it takes to sign the best free agent starter that is available. Do like Boston did for Dice two years ago, or what the Yankees did last year for C.C. Take the player off the table. Make the offer 5-8mil more than anyone else will touch. Just do it.

And, don’t tell me you don’t have the money. You own a business worth almost a billion and you paid less than 400 thousand for it. Trust me, you can get a line of credit from CitiBank.

Do any of you participate in fantasy leagues?

Let me ask you a question: Forget injuries… how would you like to walk into the room you and your buddies go to when you draft your fantasy teams, and find out you already have on your team David Wright, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, Francisco Rodriquez, and Johan Santana? That’s 20% of your 25-man.

Wilpon need to let Minaya buy the right player, at the right position, and Santana needs to go out on the mound every fifth game knowing the next day will have someone just as good out their doing the same job. You now would have six all-stars to build your future around, plus you probably just guaranteed 30 of the 90 wins you need to win the division.

Tomorrow: Tie Up Loose Ends and a Stark Look At The Affiliates

11/28/09

Not Much To Write About

It's getting increaingly more difficult to come up with a decent link page each morning about the New York Mets. Frankly, there just isn't much being written about them these days.

Various Mets writers are all calling for a long range plan for the Mets, which would be the correct direction to go. There really isn't a short range solution for this team, for various reasons:

1. It's just not special anymore being a New York Met. No baseball player involved in the current free agent market is telling their agent "hey, I want to win a world series before I retire so get me a deal with the Mets."

2. The recent off-season firing of front office personnel and flame out by Omar Minaya during a press conference have confirmed that this is a team in turmoil. If the front office can't behave, why would you want to be part of this team?

3. I can speak from first hand knowledge that it just isn't fun being a ballplayer for this team. Countless current and past Mets could speak of the infantile and gestapo methods used to "manage" the players, especially in the minors.

4. The new stadium is a nightmare for a player trying to increase his slugging percentage. Whether we like it or not, salaries and endorsements increase with positive statistics, and playing half your games in a stadium that reduces the chance of increasing those stats just doesn't make sense for players outside the system.

The New York Times had an article about Black Friday and how the Yankee store was slammed, while the Mets store down the block was empty. This speaks volumes for the perception of this team by the locals. Forget the press and the baseball community; New Yorkers currently wouldn't think of buying someone a Christmas present with something that had "Mets" printed on it.

I'll continue to try and find what I can each day and post it here, but it no longer a labor of love. I have never had a sponsor for my blog and, to date, have not made one cent. I don't expect anything exciting to come out of the free agency market and I really have no desire to write a feature about Elmer Dessens.

I guess it could be worse.

I could be writing about the Knicks.

The Keepers - #11 - SP - Robert Carson

11. Robert Carson – SP –

Carson had a disappointing senior season at Hattiesburg, finishing 3-5 with only 36 Ks. The bright spot was his 2.65 ERA. As a junior, he went 5-2 with 2 saves and a 2.15 ERA with 60 Ks.

The Mets drafted Carson in the 14th round of the 2007 draft. He signed and was placed on The GCL Mets roster, where he went 1-0, 5.00 in 4 games, 1 start.

Scouts say he has a “big time arm” and throws a “heavy” fastball. Carson features 4 pitches, a fastball, changeup, cutter and curveball. His fastball sits 90-92, and has topped out at 94. His changeup sits around 75-80, while his curveball is low to mid 70s.

In 2008, Carson started out with the GCL Mets and pitched impressively: 1-0, 1.57, 0.74. He was promoted to Kingsport, where he went 2-3, 1.76 in 6 starts.

In September 2008, Toby Hyde wrote: LHP Robert Carson – 1-0, 1.57 ERA, 5 GS, 23 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 25 K - A pair of dominant outing in July, 12 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 16 K, proved that big lefty was ready for challenges beyond the GCL and earned him a promotion to Kingsport. Carson missed much of 2007 after being struck on the head by a ball, but had a healthy and productive ’08. Carson is the only player in this GCL review who I didn’t see play live, since he threw the day before I arrived in Florida. His fastball sat was 90-93, and his secondary offerings were a slider and a changeup. He told me in July that he was very pleased with the development of the slider this year. As a lefty with good size and velocity, I really like Carson’s ceiling – which could be an MLB rotation sometime around 2012 or so. Projected 2009 Start: Savannah

9-9-9 From www.hardballtimes.com: - Speaking of that 2011 St. Lucie rotation, Carson is another young pitcher who impressed for Savannah this year. Jumping from Rookie ball in 2008 to A ball this year, the 20 year-old lefty features a low 90's fastball (tops out around 92 MPH) that helped him to a 3.21 ERA and 3.37 FIP. Carson has to work on getting more whiffs if he wants to compete at higher levels.

In 2009, Carson pitched a full season for Savannah and went: 8-10, 3.21, 1.40, but only 90-K in 131.2-IP. He also walked 45 batters.

Carson’s 3 year pro stats are: 12-13, 2.87, 1.34.

Forecast:

Carson would have been ranked higher if he finished the season strong, but he didn’t. The Mets should have bumped him to St. Lucie at least two months prior to the end of the season, but they didn’t, and that could have been hanging over Carson. There’s a hell of a lot of talent here along with his confidence and bravado. I look for a tremendous season at St. Lucie in 2010.

Early Breakfast Links - Park, Wags, Jerry, uniforms, Sheets, and Dessens survey

Jerry Manuel:

In just the last two weeks, the volatile Wally Backman was hired at Class-A Brooklyn. The more cerebral Tim Teufel was promoted to Class-AA and Terry Collins, who managed the Astros and Angels a decade ago and interviewed for the Mets' job in 2004, is now the organization's minor league field coordinator. All three represent a clear and present danger to Manuel's job security. Obviously, the Mets' hierarchy isn't holding Manuel solely responsible for a 92-loss season that was sabotaged by injuries. But the apathy and lack of hustle displayed by the players who finished out the year stands as a nagging indictment of Manuel's leadership.
- Fox Sports

Chan Ho Park:

Park’s numbers won’t be eye-popping, but he’s something of a Swiss Army Knife in any bullpen. Last season with the Phillies he started, pitched in the middle of games, and in some late inning situations. Park has never returned to the near-Cy-Young form he had in Los Angeles, but he’s throwing his fastball less, and mixing up his off-speed pitches well, and is a valuable, and likely inexpensive arm for a team to put in their bullpen - .link

Billy Wagner:

Wagner is definitely no longer the pitcher who can reach triple-digits with his fastball, but he still averages over 94 miles-per-hour. Coming off of Tommy John surgery, Wagner pitched in limited time and was very successful (1.72 ERA, 26 SOs, and a 1.021 WHIP in 15.2 innings pitched). Wagner’s age and injury history place him lower on the list. He was an all-but-missing piece in a bad Mets bullpen in 2008, and it isn’t often that players recover from Tommy John surgery so well in their late-30s. However, if Wagner’s arm holds up, and his numbers stay somewhere near the small 2009 sample, he’s a high-quality bullpen arm. - link

New Uniform:

My hope is that Mets fully embrace this look and wear the uniforms more than occasionally. We'll definitely see them Opening Day, but the organization shouldn't limit them to a "Sunday" uniform like the Braves do with their red jerseys. Wear the jersey against old rivals like the Cubs and Cardinals. Don it when the Dodgers and Giants come to town. And have them on hand against the Yankees. The uniform change gives the Mets a chance to form a new identity in a new ballpark. Hopefully, it will be a winning one.- Metsfansforever

Ben Sheets:

First, I have to believe a one or two year deal would get it done. I think he will look to re-establish himself with a healthy season and hit the open market again for a big payday. The idea of this was discussed by sources last winter before he was shut down and had surgery. He probably looks for around $7-$9 million per and the market of teams involved will dictate how close he will get to that. I am completely in on Ben Sheets for a year at $6-$8 million

Question from comprehensive pie-chart : Do you want Elmer Dessens resigned?

11/27/09

The Keepers - #12 - OF - Kirk Nieuwenhuis

12. Kirk Nieuwenhuis – OF –

From: www.apu.edu:

Junior center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Baseball America’s 2008 NAIA Preseason Player of the Year, returns after a standout sophomore season to lead the Azusa Pacific offense … Had a breakout summer campaign in which he earned Alaska Baseball League MVP honors … Will be the centerpiece and hit in the middle of the Cougar lineup … Possesses a dangerous power/speed combination … Will make a run at several program career records.

Also from www.apu.edu:

Nieuwenhuis, Baseball America’s 2008 NAIA Preseason Player of the Year and a 2008 NAIA All-American first team selection, batted .400 (90-for-225) with 20 doubles, 15 home runs, 68 RBIs, and a program single-season record 84 runs for the Cougars as they advanced to the NAIA World Series for the second straight season, just the second time in program history the program had made back-to-back World Series trips. Through 3 seasons at Azusa Pacific, Nieuwenhuis has also set 2 career marks with 12 triples and 190 runs.

The 6-foot-3 centerfielder was named the 2007 MVP of the prestigious Alaska Baseball League, a summer collegiate wood-bat league that regularly showcases future professional baseball talent. Nieuwenhuis batted .333 (52-for-156) in 40 games for the Athletes In Action Fire squad, registering 8 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, and team-highs of 35 runs and 30 RBIs.

From: http://naia.cstv.com:

Azusa Pacific (Calif.) University junior centerfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis was selected by the New York Mets with their third-round selection, the 100th overall pick of the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Nieuwenhuis was the lone NAIA baseball player selected on Day 1. The second and final day of the draft continues on Friday (June 6) from the Disney Sports Complex. For complete coverage of the draft, click here.

"I really had no idea who was going to pick me, or even if I would go the first day (of the 2-day draft)," said Nieuwenhuis. "I had gotten calls from a lot of different teams, and I didn't guess it would be the third round, but God is good, and it came earlier than I expected. I was ecstatic."

Nieuwenhuis, Baseball America's 2008 NAIA Preseason Player of the Year and a 2008 NAIA All-American first team selection, batted .400 (90-for-225) with 20 doubles, 15 home runs, 68 RBIs, and a program single-season record 84 runs for the Cougars as they advanced to the NAIA World Series for the second straight season, just the second time in program history the program had made back-to-back World Series trips. Through through seasons at Azusa Pacific, Nieuwenhuis has also set two career marks with 12 triples and 190 runs.

In August 2009, Nieuwenhuis made the Baseball America Hot List with: “Sorry Kirk, but we just blew the lid off your stealth campaign in the Florida State League. Only a five-homer showing by Brett Wallace in Triple-A stood in the way of a No. 1 ranking. Batting .259/.346/.441 with 15 homers, 27 doubles, 64 RBIs and 16 steals (in 20 attempts), Nieuwenhuis leads the FSL in home runs, extra-base hits (46) and runs scored (81). And he's just four off the leaders for RBIs and doubles. Don't be fooled by that age; the physical, lefty-swinging Nieuwenhuis celebrated a birthday two weeks ago and actually spent most of the season as a 21-year-old. An '08 third-round pick, he skipped right over low Class A on his way from NAIA Azusa Pacific (Calif.) to the FSL this season. It's hard to argue with the results.”

9-9-9 From www.hardballtimes.com: - Nieuwenhuis, a centerfielder out of Azusa Pacific University, was having a pretty good year until August started. Then he had an excellent year. Nieu's combination of speed and power was a lethal combination, leading to a .193 ISO and sixteen stolen bases in twenty tries. With a .383 wOBA in St. Lucie, the lefty, who spent most of the year as a 21 year-old, moved up to Binghamton and finished the year strong, hitting .406/.472/.656 in 36 plate appearances.

In 2009, Nieuwenhuis was third in the league in home runs (16), tied for 5th in RBIs (71), and led the league for St. Lucie with a .367 slugging average.

Forecast:

Very quietly, Nieuwenhuis is becoming quite the draft pick. His test will come in the spring when we begin to find out if he can duplicate this kind of year at the AA level. If he can, this just might be the real deal, folks.

Breakfast Links - Zeile, Elmer, Viola, Wags, and Willets Point

Todd Zeile:

Yesterday, in discussing Edgar Martinez's chances of getting into the Hall of Fame, Larry Stone linked us to an Edgar fact sheet that was sent out by the Mariners to members of the BBWAA, a fact sheet that makes a number of statistical arguments to support his candidacy. It's an impressive document, but then, it isn't all that difficult to make one of the best hitters in baseball history look impressive. What I came away wanting to know is what these fact sheets look like for lesser players who also find themselves on the ballot. Thankfully, I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of a similar document in support of fellow first-time candidate Todd Zeile sent out by officials with both the Rockies and Marlins, an excerpt of which is shown below. - lookoutstanding

Elmer Dessens:

But anyway, glad the Mets are busy designing new uniforms (which consisted of going from white to cream, and nothing else), Mets-izing Citi Field, (which they were shamed into doing, so let's see if they go all out or if they just paint the park "eggshell"), and wooing Elmer Dessens. Hard at work for you, the paying customer. And that, is what I'm thankful for this holiday season.- Metstradamus

Frank Viola

In 1988 Viola won the AL Cy Young with the Twins going 24-7. After starting 1989 at 8-12, the Twins traded Viola to the Mets for Rick Aguliera and a cast of others. Viola spent 2 ½ years with the Mets going 38-32 before departing as a free agent. Even though his record wasn’t that bad, he never really lived up to his hype. Meanwhile Aguliera spent 11 years in Minnesota racking up 254 saves. - Met Police

Citifield:

A federal judge on Wednesday upheld New York’s $3 billion redevelopment plan for Willets Point, an industrial section of Queens dominated by car-repair shops and waste-management businesses, finding that although the city had neglected the neighborhood’s infrastructure for decades, the constitutional rights of the businesses there — many of which will be forced to relocate under the plan — were not violated. - NYT

Billy Wagner:

Even at 37 years old and coming off Tommy John surgery, and pitching primarily in a lower-leverage role (0.98 LEV) in the AL East, Billy Wags blew hitters away during his late-season return. He struck out 26 in 152/3 innings, and while his eight walks rate as a concern, his command was impressive for a guy who returned to the majors a few weeks shy of one year removed from surgery. Wagner's average fastball velocity (94.2 mph) was just a hair removed from his pre-surgical seasons (94.5), and batters were utterly baffled, hitting just .154/.279/.269 against him. The audition was enough to show that Wagner's certainly capable of returning to closing, and his upside relative to the rest of this free agent class is undeniable. The major questions come down to money and his Type A status. The Red Sox already turned down an $8 million option on his services; if they offer arbitration and he declines it, he'll cost a draft pick in addition to the big dollars—closer money—he's likely to seek. Via that route, he may make more sense for a team protected from losing its first-round choice by placing in the top 15, a rule of thumb that applies to most of the Type A's here.

baseballprospectus

11/26/09

The Keepers - #13 - RP - Roy Merritt

13. Roy Merritt – RP – AAA – 24/yrs.

A local article written prior to the draft: Roydrick Merritt, a second team preseason All-SWAC selection, pitched a seven-inning two-hitter with six strikeouts and held UAPB to a .091 (2-for-22) batting average to lead Southern to a 6-1 victory in the first game. The hard-throwing left-hander from Houston only gave up two walks and held the Golden Lions scoreless until Jeremy Davis’ RBI double drove home Scott Donaldson in the bottom of the fifth. “I really didn’t try to overpower them today,” Merritt said. “All I wanted was to go out there and throw strikes. I wanted to hit my spots. Merritt is 6-1 with a 3.20 ERA, five complete games (all seven-inning games), one save and 48 strikeouts to 24 walks. He was the winner a year ago as SU opened the SWAC tournament with a 10-6 win over Alcorn, going five innings and allowing five runs (four earned) and seven hits. He struck out five and walked one.

In 2006, he pitched 44 innings, gave up 50 hits, and struck out 44 batters. His college teammate was Savannah’s Emery Frederick.

The Mets drafted Merritt in the 29th round of the 2007 Mets. He played the 2007 season for Kingsport, pitching in 17 relief appearances and posting highly respected stats of 1-2, 2.88, 1.12.

In 2008, Merritt pitched a combined 3-0, 2.16, in 31 appearances for Brooklyn and St. Lucie.

In September 2008, Patrick Hickey wrote on: Roy Merritt- Much like Johnson, Merritt exceeded expectations and showed remarkable poise out of the pen. That, combined with a slider, with movement that can only be compared to a Frisbee, Merritt figures to be a pitcher worth watching next season. Considering the fact that he was drafted by the Cardinals in 2005 as a center fielder, it’s amazing how far he’s come in such a short time. - Final Grade-A+

March 2009: Pat Hickey Jr. on: Roy Merritt, who is still developing his secondary pitches to compliment an excellent slider and a average fastball, is still finding out what he needs to do in order to be successful. In just a third of an inning of work, the lefty-side-armer has given up three runs and two hits.

2009 was a mixed year for Merritt. He was on the fast track out of spring training and actually stood a chance to make it to Queens on a September call-up; however, a hot start turned cooler later on in the year. AA stats: 4-5, 3.45, 1.48, 14-Sv, 56-K, 56-G, 62.2-IP.

Forecast: A lot more was expected of Merritt this past year. The Mets brass fell in love with him in spring training and everyone expected him to be a September call up. He has ++ talent and could make it there by the end of this year if he aces AAA.