10/3/26

MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHRP - Zack Mack

 


MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHRP - Zack Mack


Zack Mack (full name Zachery Jackson Mack) is a right-handed relief pitcher in the New York Mets minor-league system. Basic Info
  • Born: October 18, 2002 (age 23 as of September 2026), in Houston, TX; from Manvel, Texas.
  • Physical: 6'5", 240–250 lbs (listed around 240).
  • Bats/Throws: Right/Right.
  • Draft: 16th round (493rd overall) by the Mets in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Loyola Marymount University. Signed for a $150,000 bonus.
Background and Path to ProsHe was a multi-position high school player (1B/3B/P) at Glenda Dawson High School but went undrafted in 2021. He attended San Jacinto Community College, dealt with a UCL injury that required Tommy John surgery (limited appearances in 2022–23), then transferred and had a stronger 2024 season before moving to Loyola Marymount for 2025. There he posted a 3.67 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 49 innings (mostly in relief). He signed with the Mets in July 2025, made a couple of brief appearances for the Single-A St. Lucie Mets that year, and has primarily pitched for St. Lucie in 2026 as a reliever (with a very short AAA look at Syracuse).2026 Performance - A/St. Lucie - 34-apps, 9-2, 2.89, 1.46, 46.2-IP, 50-K, 20-BBAAA/Syracuse - 1-app, 1-0, 0.00, 0.00, 0.2-IP, 1-K, 0-BBPitching Repertoire and DeliveryFrom his draft profile (scouting notes around the 2025 draft):

  • Delivery: Three-quarters arm slot, long arm action, drop-and-drive style that creates a flatter approach angle.
  • Fastball: Sits low-to-mid 90s, tops out at 96 mph. Good rising action/backspin; plays best up in the zone.
  • Curveball: High-70s to low-80s power curve.
  • Slider: Low-to-mid 80s gyro slider.
  • Splitter: Developing low-to-mid 80s pitch.
He’s a big, physical righty whose size and angle help the fastball play up. As a lower-round college arm with a prior Tommy John history, he’s still early in his pro development and has been used in relief so far.He’s currently active with the St. Lucie Mets (jersey #33). 

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SAVAGE VIEWS – 75 YEARS AGO TODAY

SAVAGE VIEWS – 75 YEARS AGO TODAY


Wednesday, October 3rd, 1951 was a dim, damp and overcast fall day with temperatures ranging from the high 50s to low 60s. The Brooklyn Dodgers would face the New York Giants with the winner facing the NY Yankees in the World Series. The Dodgers, behind Clem Labine and Rube Walker, had forced this playoff game.  

The Giants won game one of the playoff series with Ralph Branca taking the loss. Bobby Thomson had the deciding home run against Branca to win the game for the Giants.

The fact that there was even playoff was due to an epic collapse of the Dodgers who held a 13 ½ game lead as of August 11th.  How was it possible for a Dodgers team that had five future Hall of Famers in Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snyder, Roy Campanella and Gil Hodges plus Carl Furillo who many believe was worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. Andy Pafko had over 90 RBIS while Billy Cox was a great glove at third to fill out the starting nine. 

The rotation was solid with Preacher Roe, Don Newcombe, Carl Erskine, Ralph Branca and Clem Labine. The Giants had a rookie outfielder named Willie Mays who wound up having a sterling career. As a 20-year-old rookie he batted .274 with 20 homers and 68 RBIs. Won rookie of the year.

I was a ten-year-old six grade student at St. Stanislaus Kostka school in Greenpoint. I decided to skip school that day to attend the playoff game. I don’t remember if my parents had agreed to allow me to play hooky or if I made the decision on my own. I took a bus to Ebbets Field only to find out the game was to be played at the Polo Grounds. I was able to take a subway train to the Bronx in time for the game. 

Unfortunately, I was short of the $1.25 needed to purchase a grandstand ticket. I needed a quarter and a father with a son had pity on me and gave me the necessary amount. I was one of 34,320 in attendance.

Heading into the ninth inning, the Dodgers held a comfortable 4-1 lead behind Don Newcombe. The first three of four Giants reached base against Newk forcing a pitching change. Charlie Dressen decided to bring in Branca to face Thomson. It was a curious decision given that Thomson owned Branca. I remember thinking to myself, “Anybody but Branca, Anybody but Branca”. 

The results were historic as Bobby launched a high fly ball into the left field stands. It became known as “the shot heard round the world”. And hearing Russ Hodges screaming “The Giants win the pennant, The Giants win the pennant” made the afternoon worse. Someone near me was listening to the game on the radio.

What’s ironic about this event is that both Branca and Thomson were able to capitalize on the historic moment and post-careers earned significant amounts through trade shows and endorsements.

Now that I am 85 years old, I wonder if there are any other survivors who were actually at this historic game.

Ray

October 3, 2026


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Reese Kaplan -- Good Alternative to Tarik Skubal Is Out There


Going into the upcoming offseason which begins after the World Series ends there are going to be a few monstrously large contracts offered to special players who may or may not provide a good value to their new employers.  

While a few years ago the cherry on top of the pile of free agent was the now $765 million man, Juan Soto.  While he has missed time due to injuries, when he is on the field he’s doing it all offensively with his bat, his OBP and his legs.  

Whether or not the Mets are getting full value for what they are paying the man, the fact is that as bad as they’ve been it would have been markedly worse if he was not a part of the roster.

This year’s consensus top contract is 29 year old multi Cy Young award winning lefty, Tarik Skubal.  

He’s spent nearly his entire career with the Detroit Tigers before a deadline deal to the Dodgers as they felt it was better to get something in return for him when he walked away as a 2027 season free agent.  

He was already earning $32 million for his final year in Detroit/Los Angeles and is forecasted to get a massive contract for both a higher average annual value and for a great many years given his young age.


How good has he been?  Well, the numbers are indeed spectacular.  His record of 66-44 is doubly impressive when you analyze how the Tigers have done during his Detroit tenure.  Even more impressive is his CAREER ERA of just 3.02.  His WHIP is just a whisker over one baserunner per inning pitched.  He’s also good for racking up a very respectable average of 226 strikeouts per season. 

Is there a downside to Skubal?  Well, paralleling Detroit Tigers history he has more in common with the physique not of Denny McLain, Jack Morris, Mark Fidrych nor Justin Verlander and more aligned with longtime Tiger starter Mickey Lolich.  Yes, his is overweight and you would have to wonder whether his lack of conditioning will impact his health and thus his availability to take the mound.

How much will he cost?  Well, if you read the various amateur and professional analysis of this question the answer is quite simply a lot.  The running duration most say he will command is 10 years.  Multiply that by an annual fat check of somewhere between $38 million and $50 million, a total that would blow away the record for the highest price ever paid for a pitcher. 

For the Mets he would obviously be the top end ace they have stated they want but his financial commitment and the long term issue with his 240 or more pound body weight could lead to him missing a lot of playing time.  No one would complain if they signed him, of course, but what alternatives exist if the Dodgers, Yankees or another team choose to roll their biggest dice on Skubal?

Former Yankee pitcher Michael King has already stated he’s opting out of his Padres contract which would have paid him $28 million for the 2027 season and $30 million for 2028 after earning just $12 million for the 2026 season.  He’s not signing for pocket change but has already shown top of the rotation ability.

For his career King owns a 43-39 record which is tempered by his entire Yankee tenure spent primarily in the bullpen.  For the Padres he’s made 78 starts and demonstrated that like former Yankee/Met Clay Holmes it is indeed possible to make that transition successfully.  His career ERA is a highly respectable 3.23. 

Given that he is a few years older than Skubal and does not have Cy Young awards on his mantle, he’s not going to command quite the same salary.  Figure $32 million per season for 5 years which would give you his ages 32 through 37 years for a grand total of $160 million.  It would seem that from a quality and value standpoint he would be a shrewd alternative that won’t be in the headlines nearly as much as is the Dodger lefty. 

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10/2/26

MACK – Let’s Revisit -RHSP - Jose Chirinos

 


 MACK – Let’s Revisit -SP - Jose Chirinos


Jose Javier Chirinos is a right-handed starting pitcher in the New York Mets’ minor league system, currently with the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones (as of mid-to-late 2026). Background and Profile
  • Born: October 16, 2004, in Los Puertos de Altagracia, Venezuela (age 21 in 2026).
  • Physical: 6'3", 170 lbs; bats/throws R/R. He has a lanky frame with a low-effort, whippy, low-three-quarters arm slot (sometimes noted for a loose resemblance to Jacob deGrom in delivery/appearance, though the stuff comparison does not hold).
  • Signed: January 15, 2022, by the Mets for a modest $10,000 bonus out of Venezuela. He has steadily progressed from the Dominican Summer League through the complex and full-season levels.
  • Prospect status: Ranked as the Mets’ No. 25 prospect by MLB Pipeline in 2026. 
  • Scouting grades (2026): Fastball 50, Slider 55, Changeup 45, Cutter 50, Control 45, Overall 40. 
  • He has a deep enough mix to project as a potential backend starter, though command/control remains a work in progress and he faces Rule 5 eligibility soon.
Career Path and PerformanceChirinos debuted in the DSL in 2022–2023 (ERAs around 4.6–4.9 with improving strikeouts). He reached stateside ball in 2024 (FCL and a brief St. Lucie appearance) with higher ERAs, then improved markedly in 2025 (combined ~3.01 ERA across FCL and Single-A St. Lucie, with solid K rates).

In 2026:

  • Strong start at Single-A St. Lucie: 9-G, 7-ST, 3-1, 2.36, 1.04, 42-IP, 48-K, 10-BB

  • High-A Brooklyn: 15-ST, 1-7, 4.00, 1.39, 72-IP, 77-K, 32-BB
He has earned recognition such as a DSL Mid-Season All-Star (2023) and occasional strong starts highlighted by Mets player development (e.g., high-K outings with low ERAs early in 2026). Pitch RepertoireChirinos throws a four-pitch mix (sometimes described with variations or an occasional curve), generally featuring:

  • Fastball (primarily two-seam/sinker, with some four-seam usage): Sits 92–95 mph (averages around 93 in recent looks), with armside run. Above-average extension helps it play up. Used roughly ~50% or as a primary pitch; more of a setup offering than a pure swing-and-miss pitch due to movement profile. Grades around average (50).
  • Cutter: 85–88 mph (mid-to-high 80s). Increased usage in 2026; gets a lot of strikes. Limited pure movement but effective when tunneled with the fastball or slider. Grades around 50.
  • Slider: Best secondary and main swing-and-miss pitch (grade 55). High-70s to low-80s, with slurvy action; he has variations including a shorter 79–81 mph version and a larger upper-70s sweeper. Good horizontal/vertical break and generates healthy whiffs, though it may need tightening against higher-level hitters.
  • Changeup: 83–86 mph (high-70s to high-80s range noted in some reports). Armside fade/run; less consistent and doesn’t always fool lefties as effectively as desired (grade 45). Velocity band can be wider than ideal.
He mixes the secondaries relatively evenly depending on feel that day, with the slider as the primary put-away pitch. Stuff metrics (e.g., from tracking sites) have generally graded near average overall. Command has improved at times (notably lower walk rates early in 2026 at Single-A) but tends to settle in the 10%+ range against better competition. 

Overall, Chirinos is a developing, projectable right-hander with a workable arsenal and improving results as he moves up. His success hinges on refining command and consistency with the secondaries against more advanced hitters. 



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Reese Kaplan -- Former NY Mets Starting Pitchers Who are FAs


One of the ongoing debates among Mets fans is the pressure of performing in New York City and the experience of various players available in free agency who either flourished or foundered at Citifield.  

With POBO David Stearns declaring the need to reinforce the starting rotation as priority number one for the theoretically existing 2027 season 

it is interesting to note that in free agency a baker’s dozen of former Mets hurlers are available to the highest bidder.  Some could make sense.  Others might not.


Former Mets Starting Pitchers Up for Bid

  • 38 year old Chris Bassitt had a very productive single season for the Mets back in 2022 when he went 15-9 with a 3.42 ERA.  That level of mid rotation effectiveness led to his free agent departure at year’s end.  He had a similar first year in Toronto bt it’s been mostly downhill as he enters the twilight of his playing career.  During 2026 he went 9-5 with a 4.59 ERA for the Orioles, so it’s not as if he would cost very much but he may not be a proper fit anymore. 
  • Paul Blackburn was not nearly as well regarded while a member of the team.  At age 33 he’s been a space filler as a starting pitcher.  He owns a ten-year losing record and a career ERA of 4.46.  Last season the Yankees converted him to full time reliever and he flourished.  For the season over 62 games he went 7-2 with a microscopic 1.66 ERA.  Some teams might feel his conversion to bullpen work was what he needed while others would look at the whole ledger of mediocrity and not want to gamble that one good year made up for nine terrible ones.  The memories are way too negative for the Mets to place him on their radar.
  • Injury plagued Griffin Canning was surprisingly decent when no one had any real knowledge of nor confidence in him when Stearns acquired him for part of the 2025 season.  His contract has a $5 million mutual option at year’s end and after a Padres 5-9 season with an ERA of 5.59 it’s unlikely he will be brought back.  He’s not a true difference maker and unless it was bargain hunting as a primary motivation he doesn’t seem to be a good fit either.
  • Now 40 year old Carlos Carrasco hasn’t had an ERA below 5.64 in the three years since hitting the road.  No thanks.
  • Clay Holmes was something of a found miracle when the Mets converted him from reliever to starter.  His injuries interrupted this transition but the numbers certainly don’t lie.  For the Mets he delivered a 3.53 ERA in 2025 and was at just 2.39 when he was dealt away in the trade deadline housecleaning.  His option for 2027 would be $12 million, a full million below his current salary.  He’s likely not going to take that paycheck and will again opt to test free agency.  Keep your interest in this guy active.
  • Frankie Montas is now 34.  He will spend his age 35 season somewhere other than Citifield. 
  • A VERY interesting and hard to sell option for next season would be a reunion with former Met and former Brewer Freddy Peralta fresh off his September Pitcher of the Month award for the Rays. Peralta likely wouldn’t want to come back to the Mets any more than Mets fans would welcome him with open arms, but he is one of the better pitchers available for people with deep pockets.   
  • A lot of people kept waiting for southpaw David Peterson to blossom into a top flight pitcher.  Finally in his walk year he was the first kicked out of the 2026 Mets clubhouse.  He finished his season with a 4.79 ERA though most of the suffering was felt by Mets fans.  For the Cubs his ERA dropped to 3.70.  He’s available to a high bidder.  We hope David Stearns has blocked his agent’s number.
  • Lefty Jose Quintana has turned in consecutive season ERAs of 3.96 and 5.44 for the Cubs and Rockies respectively.  Turning 38 next year his best days are behind him and he shouldn’t be a real consideration either. 
  • Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer is available to the highest bidder but already at age 42 he’s not going to get a megabucks annual rate nor will it be for more than a year or two.  His 2026 numbers were awful and it’s been that way for the past few years.  He’s likely a fifth starter at best at this point in his long career. No thanks.
  • Former Met and Yankee Luis Severino has a $22 million player option for his age 34 season.  Given his two consecutive years of an ERA well north of 4.00 you can bet he’s exercising that option rather than test free agency for less money.
  • Justin Verlander has announced probable retirement.  He’s had a great career but not a viable option for the Mets. 
  • Taijuan Walker is going to be 35 and fighting for a job somewhere other than in Queens.

 

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MACK - Chain Position Analysis - First Base

 


Okay... so much for catcher.

We move on to a position we didn't have to worry about for years... first base.

We have RED prospects, BLUE prospects, and ALMOST prospects.

Here we go...

RED Prospect - 

AAA/Syracuse Billy Amick (23) - a big-time surprise. His combined 38-HR and 108-RBI is large. His 161-K in 450-AB is acceptable. And his 62-BB are just icing. It seems to me that the furthest he is away from Queens in the break, and yet, the break may be the start of the MLB season.

BLUE Prospect - 

MLB - Jared Young (31) - this is your first base caretaker until Amick is deemed ready. He had 308-AB for the Mets in 2026, hitting a respectable .266, with 9-HR. He struck out only 63 time, in 308 at-bats. And I don't remember him ever embarrassing himself like others that played first this past season. He probably has no future past an Amick promotion, unless he hits like hell, forcing Amick into a DH role he has one minor league option left).

AAA Nick Lorusso (26) - Lorusso's claim to fame in 2026 was his 19-Hr for AA/Binghamton. Add to that the two he hit for AAA/Syracuse and his combined power stats were 22-HR, 65-RBI, .459-slug% and .777-OPS. The problem is there wasn't much else past these numbers. 

Lorusso needs a full season in the Cuse'. Right now, he just consistently hits all pitcher, left or right, below .250.

AA Corey Collins (24) - Collins is interesting. First, and most important, he is not a complete player yet. He's still finding his way. First... the good... 18 home runs (10 at the AA level) ... 61-RBI... AA-BA: .250... the bad? Tailed off in last 28 days (.184) ... questionable splits... against RHP: 14-HR but .234. LHP: only 4-HR but .253-BA. 

He only had 136-AA in Binghamton, so there is a lot to said to start him back up there in the spring. Yeah, Amick should start in Syracuse, and the next guy needs to play more in Brooklyn, leaving Lorusso as the odd guy out.  

A+ Randy Guzman - (21) - Guzman made a splash this past season at A/St. Lucie (208-AB, 66-K, 12-HR, 41-RBI, 28-BB, .274/.377/.514/.891, but took off after being promoted to A+ Brooklyn (28-AB, 7-K, 1-HR, 6-RBI, .393/.438/.536/.973. As expected, his HR/AB% went down at Coney. He missed a lot of games due to injury.

The bottom line here is 28 at-bats does not warrant a promotion to AA/Binghamton. And Collins is in the way anyway. Bring him back next to that roller coaster.

DSL - Jonnhan Sanchez - (19) - I'm not used to the Mets having decent bats at the DSL level... heck, I'm not used to decent pitching either. Sanchez is off to a great start: 152-AB, 3-HR, 38-RBI, 10-doubles, .309/.459/.447/.907. Splits: last 90: .255. home: .377, away: .253, August: .160. I definitely will work on a visa here and get him to Florida as soon as I can to get in the lab.


ALMOST prospect -

AAA Ryan Clifford - (23) - my, how the mighty has fallen.
 
At last year around now, we were critical of the amount of strikeouts he had and his .237 batting average; however, we were comforted with his 23-HR, 93-RBI output. This year, still a shitey number of K's but his homers have fallen to 18, his ribbys are a miserable 56, and his BA was a resounding .180. Is he still an 'almost'? I really don't think so, but I have to respect that he has done better in the past. 

Amick has obviously passed him as the #1 candidate for not only- the next first baseman, but also possibly the designated hitter. Probably others have passed him as the 2nd and 3rd candidate at first. Still, I would like to hope he can return as a DH candidate in the future.

A+/Brooklyn - Cole Mathis - (23) - had 120 at-bats this past season at the A+ level: 3-HR, 24-RBI, .225-BA. Frankly, I'm not sure I have him as an almost prospect. The only place he has professionally hit decently so far is in the fall. I do like the name though, and I followed him for his for three years in the top party school in South Carolina. Must be that.

FCL Reed Stallman - (23) - Stallman is just gettin' going and, based on the fact he turns 24 in March, he must turn on the jets. He only has 56 professional at-bats under his belt and all of them have been at the FCL level. still, he hit .318 for Mississippi State last season and those 
56-AB produced a .250-BA. Obviously, start this off as St. Lucie's starting first baseman and let's see what we got here.

Mack's spin - The addition of Amick changed everything. 

First, Pete is gone. You have to get over that if you want to analyze the Mets future at this position. I get it. Having no Alonso is like a death in the family. Cremate the dude and move on. 

My guess, by opening day 2028, there will be no more chatter on Alonso. Until then, Young is good enough to hold down the fort until Billy is ready. 

Collins and Guzman are still developing. but offer possible future help here. It might not kill the Mets to hold onto Brett Baty until this position solidifies.


Rating - B-  

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10/1/26

MACK – Let’s Revisit - C - Julio Zayas

 


MACK – Let’s Revisit - C - Julio Zayas


Julio Jorge Zayas is a New York Mets minor-league prospect, primarily a catcher who has also played first base (and briefly pitched). Key Bio
  • Born: February 16, 2006, in Pimentel, Dominican Republic (age 20 as of 2026).
  • Bats/Throws: Right/Right.
  • Height/Weight: 5'11", 190 lbs.
  • Signed: January 15, 2023, by the Mets as an international free agent (minor-league contract).
Career Path and PositionsHe began in the Dominican Summer League (DSL Mets Orange) in 2023, then moved to the Florida Complex League (FCL Mets) in 2024–2025, and was assigned to the Single-A St. Lucie Mets (Florida State League) in April 2026. 

He is listed as a catcher but has significant time at first base in 2026 (and some earlier games at 1B and 3B). 

He has also appeared in a few games as a pitcher. Hitting Stats
  • 2023 (DSL, age 17): Strong debut — .307 AVG, .885 OPS, 7 HR, 43 RBI in 49 games. Named a DSL Mid-Season All-Star.
  • 2024 (FCL): .239 AVG, .721 OPS, 3 HR.
  • 2025 (FCL): .284 AVG, .769 OPS, strong on-base skills (.400 OBP).
  • 2026 (St. Lucie, Single-A): 357-AB, 107-K (!), 11-HR, 57-RBI, 54-BB, .238/.340/.367/.707
Advanced metrics from 2026 (partial sample) show average exit velocities and barrel rates relative to the level, with a roughly average overall offensive profile for Single-A (around average wRC+/TJBat+). Defensive NotesHe has primarily caught in the lower levels (with solid but not elite caught-stealing rates in available data) while seeing increased time at first base as he moved up. Fielding percentages have been generally solid.

Zayas is a low-level prospect still developing. He has shown power potential and on-base ability since his strong DSL debut, but he is not currently among the Mets’ top-ranked prospects and remains several steps from the majors. 



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