11/8/26

MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHSP Jack Wenninger

 


MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHSP Jack Wenninger


Jack Wenninger is a 24-year-old right-handed starting pitcher in the New York Mets’ system (born March 14, 2002, in Barrington, Illinois). He’s 6’4”, 210 lbs, bats left/throws right.

The Mets selected him in the 6th round (186th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Illinois (after transferring from Murray State) and signed him for $225,000 (below slot). 

He ranks as the Mets’ No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline (rankings have varied between roughly No. 4–11 depending on the source and timing in 2026). He’s viewed as a potential mid-rotation or No. 4/5 starter with strong makeup, athleticism, and a workhorse profile.
Career Path and Stats
  • 2023: Limited pro debut (brief time in complex and Low-A).
  • 2024: Combined 4.30 ERA, 115 IP, 140 K across Low-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn (second-most strikeouts in the Mets system).
  • 2025: Breakout at Double-A Binghamton — 12-6, 2.92 ERA, 135.2 IP, 147 K, 1.15 WHIP in 26 starts. Eastern League Postseason All-Star. Strong underlying metrics (good K rate, solid control).
  • 2026: AAA/Syracuse - 26-G, 22-ST, 5-8, 4.54, 1.46, 115.0-IP, 40-BB, 16-WP, 140-K
He’s known for durability (high innings totals relative to other Mets prospects) and has shown the ability to miss bats while limiting hard contact at times. He could be in line for a September call-up or a look in 2027 depending on big-league needs.Repertoire / Pitch ArsenalWenninger throws from a high three-quarters/high arm slot with a loose, repeatable delivery, good extension from his frame, and solid athleticism. Velocity has ticked up with pro development and strength work (previously more low-to-mid 90s).  Key pitches (approximate velocities and characteristics based on scouting reports and tracking data):

  • Four-seam fastball (55 grade): Sits 93–96 mph (has touched upper 90s / occasional 97–98), with solid ride/induced vertical break (around 17+ inches at times). Used up in the zone; pairs well with the splitter for tunneling. Usage often ~28–34%.
  • Splitter / split-change (65 grade, best pitch): Mid-80s (roughly 82–85 mph), low-spin, heavy downward dive/fade. Excellent tunneling off the fastball; generates high whiff rates (often 40%+) vs. both lefties and righties. Primary put-away and equalizer that has driven reverse or neutral splits historically. Usage commonly 20–30%+.
  • Slider (50 grade): Mid-80s (around 84–86 mph) with snappy two-plane/gyro break and depth. Reliable secondary; preferred over the curve.
  • Sweeper: Sometimes mixed in (lower 80s range) for additional glove-side break; usage varies.
  • Sinker / two-seam: Mid-90s range, used more vs. righties for armside run/groundballs; helps diversify the fastball look.
  • Curveball (40 grade): Softer (roughly 79–83 mph), more of a change-of-pace or get-me-over offering with less usage.
He mixes the full arsenal effectively rather than relying on pure velocity, emphasizing command, sequencing, and the fastball-splitter combination. Control is average (around 50 grade); walk rates have been manageable at lower levels but rose to an excessive 68 (plus 9 hit batsmen) in 115 innings at Triple-A in 2026. 

The Mets’ pitching development has helped refine secondaries (e.g., tightening the slider, adding/using the sinker more). 

Overall

 He is a solid developmental success story as a mid-round college arm whose stuff and results have improved steadily. His ceiling is as a reliable starter if the command holds and the secondary pitches continue to play at the major-league level. 

He finished 2026 weakly. After allowing just 15 earned runs over his first 50 innings, he surrendered a bloated 43 earned runs and 12 HRs over his final 65 innings from early June forward, so he has to substantially improve that production drop off in 2027.





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MACK - Three more possibilities for Mets first three picks

 


MACK – Three more possibilities for Mets first three picks

 

Derrick Pitts – OF - Cincinnati

21/years old – 6-2/200 - RHH

2026/Cincy – 231-AB, 61-K, 6-HR, 42-RBI, 17-SB, 4-A, 30-BB, .329/.423/.459/.882

All-time hits leader at Christian Brothers HS.

Offense wise, his bat has grown over his college career, but it took off when he played for the USA Collegiate National Team. Hit .500 while playing for them in Taiwan. Solid bat-to-ball skills, but currently only fringe-average game power. Doesn’t project any higher either. What he does in 2026 means a lot for when a team selects him.

Defense wise, one of the top defensive outfielders in the draft. Has exceptional range. Already has plus tools in speed, arm strength, and glove. High energy. Potential Gold Glove candidate.

Me?

First… small school means limited exposure to college’s elite pitchers. If he has limited power now against secondary pitching, it might not exist at all against teams in conferences like the SEC.

Secondly, I was surprised Pitts didn’t enter the portal and grade up to a bigger school for his junior year.

I might take a chance on his, but not with my first three picks.

 

Sebastian Wilson – OF – IMG Academy

18/years old – 6-0/195 – LHH

Instagram - @sushi.wilson31

X - @SushiWilson2027

Perfect Game grade - 10

One of the top high school bats in the draft.

Offense wise, utilizes an early toe-tap to load. Shifts weight onto back foot and unloads. Loud contact. Does have some swing-and-miss issues, but has a strong ability to fend off pitches and work deep into counts. Gets down the line quickly. 100+ mph exit velocities. 6.3-6.5 range speed.

Defense wise, ‘Sushi’ owns plus arm strength in the outfield. Also, possesses + run times out there. Scouts project him to the corners. Low-90s mph throws from the outfield.

Me?

Interesting.

He could be a great 3rd round pick, if he is still around. My first two picks are too valuable to risk drafting a high schooler.

 

Will Sanford – RHP - Oregon

21/years old – 6-0/200

2026/Oregon – 17-ST, 9-2, 3.74, 1.22, 84.1-IP, 46-BB, 126-K

Repertoire –

Fastball – 91-94 (96) – high spin and ride/carry. Plays heavy and jumps on batters, especially up in the zone. Deceptive delivery. Attacks hitter with this pitch. Upwards of 20 inches of induced vertical break with a flat approach angle at the top of the zone.

Curveball – 75-79 – 12-6 with depth and high spin (2,900 rpm). Best secondary pitch. Creates big differential against his fastball. A bigger shape with big spin rates and two-plane break. It can be an inconsistent offering at times, one that most stuff models won't fall in love with because of the lack of velocity but it still flashes above-average.

Slider – 83-85 – sharper breaking action. Continuing to refine.

Kick Change – developing this off-season.

           

Sturdy six-foot frame with some of the most metrically appealing stuff in the 2027 class. Strong arm speed. Geta down the mound well. Generates above-average extension. Has struggled with walks. Needs to continue to refine secondaries.

Me?

Another State of Oregon prospect to consider.

I am going to follow this guy in his 2026 season and see how he refines his secondaries. If he does, I would consider him in the second or third round.


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Tom Brennan - Ten Mets Prospects Who Comprise My Top 31-40; 2027 MLB Team Rankings Right Now


Ten Mets Prospects Left Out Of My Top 30

Somebody’s Gotta Fill Out the 31-40. Here Are Mine.


I don’t just go along to get along when it comes to ranking prospects.

So, the late season Top 30 on the Mets website had several prospects that I excluded from my top 30. Several of the following were Mets top 30 prospects but are in my 31-40:


31. Chris Suero

He does many things above average. Speed, multi-positional.

But after playing a sizable amount of games in AA in 2025, he repeated AA in 2026, and in doing so, hit just .201 in 114 games with a high 145 Ks in his 5th pro season. I can’t soft-pedal that level of underperformance.

Had he put up those numbers in AAA, instead of AA, he’d have been in my top 30.  But his .201, and 1.3 Ks per game happened in a AA repeat. Not acceptable, even with 80 walks. 

If you only hit like that, major league pitchers won’t be giving you nearly as many free passes, if you get that far.

Simple: 

He has gotta hit a lot better and fan a lot less. Simple, but not simple.

No matter what, put him in AAA in 2027. Sink or swim. Just 23 next season.


32. Corey Collins

Most probably should be ranked HIGHER. The lefty slugger hit .238 and fanned 124 time in 111 games, not terrible, not great, but a lot of that has to do with his assiduously working out free passes. Collins got on base NINETY TIMES via walks and HBPs, giving him a fine .387 OBP. Over 162 games at that rate, he’d walk or get HBP ONE HUNDRED THIRTY ONE TIMES! Wow!

. 270/.396/.475 in the second half in a statistically significant 62 games..

Future Mets’ 1B? Possibly. He also plays LF.

Former 6th rounder in 2024, and still just 24 in 2026 (just turned 25).

2027 will be his year to bust out. He hit a respectable  .250 in 43 AA games in the second half, so he should get a lot of AAA time in 2027. 

He needs to hit better and with more power, in power-happy AAA, to really enter the MLB conversation.

He was successful stealing 75% of the time in 2026. 3 out of 4, so speed is not his game.


33. Randy Guzman 

I very much like him, and I’d have had him well up in my top 30, but injuries have limited this 21 year old slugging righty outfielder/1B. 

How much so? 

A mere 168 games over the past THREE YEARS. 

That is roughly the equivalent of one Alonso season. Durability counts. 

He has seemingly been brittle. He ended the season on the 60 day IL.

When he plays, though, he shows he is dangerous with the stick: 

His last two seasons, spanning just 147 games, 136 Ks, 34 doubles, 4 triples, 23 HRs, 106 RBIs. .291/.375/.512. Impressive, right? But, keep in mind, no time in AA yet. However…

Do THAT over a full, healthy season in 2027 and he has great potential.  

He hasn’t been a base stealer at all. Perhaps he is too honest to steal.

If Guzman isn’t durable? 

I would perhaps swap in 21 year old switch hitter Yonatan Henriquez here. He had an utterly brutal first half of 2026, hitting .154 and fanning 59 times in 39 games. What is in the water in Brooklyn? Toxic.

But, his second half of 59 games was SO much better: 

.267/.321/.475, with just 51 Ks. Of course, Brooklyn’s ultra-pitcher park stymied Yonatan to .189 at home, but .257 on the road. How would he have hit in a legitimate park?

He stole 27 bags, unlike Guzman, and adamantly refused to return any of them. 

Get YH out of Brooklyn purgatory into Binghamton heaven next season.


34. Kevin Parada 

.251/.335/.367 for the season after a miserable 12 for 73 start. Not superstar numbers but more competent ones. Still, only 38 RBIs in 356 PAs. And .220 with no HRs in 91 at bats with RISP. 

Hit .307 in 30 AAA games. A hopeful sign. KP is an enigma. Can he finally bust out in 2027?


35. Irving Cota 

Cota is a righty 22 year old, listed at 6’5”, 175. 

Irving Cota missed 3 months in 2026, but pitched to a 2.30 ERA in limited action. Through October 17 in Arizona Fall Ball , he was cooking: 

7.2 IP, one hit allowed, 12 Ks. WHAT?? Nice! 

I saw this in a recent MLB post related to Arizona Fall ball by Ben Weinrib about Cota:

 The man affectionately known as "Coffee" -- because he’s always carrying around the beverage -- has provided an energy boost to the Surprise Saguaros pitching staff. Through three Fall League outings, he has given up just one hit and he hasn't given up a run since his first frame. His latest outing was his finest yet: nine up, nine down with five strikeouts. 


The 6-foot-5 righty averaged 93 mph on his sinker and picked up six whiffs on his changeup and curveball (on seven swings). He's tied for second on the circuit with 12 K's.


Back to me: Oddly, in 31 minor league IP in 2026, he fanned just 21.

Stay healthy, and show us what you’ve got in 2027. Get those innings UP!


Remember: Pitchers whose arms don’t fall off eventually get a cup of coffee in the big leagues.


36. Daiverson Gutierrez

Hit poorly in 2026 (.198 in Brooklyn). Gotta hit better. Probably will. Why? Still only 21 for the upcoming 2027 season. Do more, and I will write more.


37. Brendan Girton

He had a truly lousy year, 1-4, 6.72 in AA, and 57 walks in 83 IP, but in a mid-October AFL game, he fanned the side with mostly fastballs, all at 95-97 MPH. So, that really solid velocity gives me real hope for him, and a sense he just had a bad season. 10th rounder in 2024, he had a 3.10 ERA in 2025. He is 25 next season, so it is giddyup time. I can see Brendan becoming a bullpen guy for the Mets at some point. Decent in the AFL.


38. Daviel Hurtado

The 21 y/o lefty put up very nice numbers, but pitched mostly in optical illusion Brooklyn. His home ERA in the pitchers’ paradise was 2.36, but was 3.57 on the road. I probably have him way too low, but let’s see how he does in Binghamton in AA first in 2027. 

Impeccable control, a rarity these days. 

Future lefty Mets reliever? Could certainly be by 2028.


39. Will Watson

I will not put a talented pitcher who somehow went 0-7, 7.05 in limited innings in 2026 in my top 30. Nope. If he pitches like that again in 2027, Will Watson agrees to change his name to Won’t Watson. Don’t do it. I like Will better.


40. Ryan Lambert

A brutal 2026 season…but in Arizona, through November 2, he threw 6 hitless relief innings and fanned 10. BREAKTHROUGH!

So, he remains in my list at # 40. But if Arizona performance is indicative, he should have been top 30.


Next up: My 41-50 dudes.


Ranking all 30 MLB rosters as the offseason gets going


Mike Petriello, writing for MLB, power-ranked the top 6 teams, as of right now, thusly:

1) Dodgers (who else?)

2) Yankees (naturally)

3) Seattle!

4) Red Sox

5) Brewers - ouch!

6) METS! 

Which shows why the Mets lust after Skubal. 

Could adding him vault the Mets to # 1?

And, of course, where did the writer rank Atlanta and Philly? 

In a tie - for # 12. SWEET!



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11/7/26

MACK - ROBERT STOCK

 


The New York Mets signed Robert Stock to a one-year major-league contract, adding depth to their 40-man roster now at 41 players. The veteran pitched in eight games for them in 2026, going 1-3 with a 5.93 ERA over 30.1 innings, including seven starts, before a finger injury sidelined him. Despite the surface numbers, his 3.92 FIP hints at some tough luck on balls in play, and fans see it as solid organizational depth even if his long-term role points to the bullpen.

GROK –

Robert Stock is a right-handed pitcher (throws R, bats L) known as a journeyman who has adapted his arsenal extensively using analytics, arm-slot changes (including a lower three-quarters slot), and data-driven adjustments. He is an early adopter of pitch modeling and has refined offerings like his sinker and changeup over time.⁠

2026 MLB pitch usage

He throws a six-pitch mix:

Cutter: ~31.6% (most-used), avg. ~91.1 mph (tops ~95), ~2,391 RPM. Primary pitch; short horizontal break.

4-Seam Fastball: ~23.8%, avg. ~95.8 mph (tops ~98), ~2,285 RPM. Thrown more up in the zone; solid velocity and ride relative to release.

Sinker: ~22.3%, avg. ~94.1 mph (tops ~98), ~2,193 RPM. Strong armside run (often high teens of inches of horizontal break) with low/near-zero induced vertical break in prior looks; used for ground balls/weak contact, especially down in the zone.

Sweeper: ~12.1%, avg. ~80.9 mph (tops ~84), ~2,500 RPM. Significant horizontal sweep (often ~15–19+ inches); primarily vs. righties as a bat-misser.

Changeup: ~8.6%, avg. ~80.9 mph, lower spin (~1,579 RPM). Used mostly vs. lefties; features fade/run and has been refined (e.g., vulcan-style grip adjustments for spin axis).

Curveball / Knuckle Curve: ~1.6% (rarely used), avg. ~79–80 mph, higher spin.

Usage notes: Higher cutter/sinker rates vs. right-handers; more 4-seam and changeup vs. left-handers. Velocities and shapes can vary slightly by year/level (e.g., he has touched triple digits earlier in his career). His arsenal emphasizes movement differentiation (especially horizontal between sinker and sweeper) and modern “stuff” profiles rather than pure velocity.

Context

In 2026 he made 7 starts + 1 relief appearance for the Mets (1-3, 5.93 ERA in 30.1 IP) after thoracic outlet syndrome surgery earlier that year, then re-signed on a one-year deal.⁠

Career MLB: mostly relief early on (high-velo 4-seam/slider focus), later expanded into a more starter-oriented mix with sinker, cutter, and sweeper.

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Tom Brennan - Outlawed Delivery

 

Major Leaguers Who Have Normal Deliveries Are Fine
…EVEN Submariners Like Tyler Rogers and Dan Quisenberry Are Fine
…But Some Delivery Styles Are OUTLAWED

 

OUTLAWED DELIVERY
I watched an old video of Eddie Feigner the Softball King fanning major league all stars. So, I asked AI the rules:
Rules & Mechanics
  • Underhand Restrictions: MLB rules do not completely ban underhand or sidearm throwing motions in general (submarine pitchers like Brad Ziegler or Darren O'Day throw with a low arm angle), but the full underhand softball windmill motion with a release point below the waist violates official pitching and delivery constraints.
  • Foot Contact Rules: The forward skip, leap, or hop common in a fastpitch softball delivery breaks MLB rules requiring the pivot foot to maintain continuous contact with the pitching rubber until the ball is released (similar to violations called on leaping/hopping MLB pitchers like Carter Capps).
Biomechanical Differences: Softball pitching relies on a continuous full-circle arm swing driven by hip and leg coordination specific to fastpitch mechanics, whereas baseball pitching is structured around overhand or low-arm-slot shoulder and elbow rotation from a 60-foot 6-inch elevated mound.

    So, if you didn’t know, now you do, Magoo.

    Baseball Reference had this dandy list - of some very effective, and legal, but quite funky, pitchers:

    A chronological List of Submarine/Underhand/Low-Sidearm Pitchers

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    Reese Kaplan -- Should the Mets Avoid a 2nd Marcus Semien Issue?


    What does the Marcus Semien 2026 season for the Mets suggest as a course of action for the team roster as it currently exists? 

    Obviously the defensive and offensive skills are nowhere near what they once were and Semien is benefiting greatly from the long term contract he signed while he was still a productive player delivering All Star worthy output on both sides of the field. 

    Today, however, he’s a shell of his former self and has become a cautionary tale regarding the risk of these guaranteed deals that linger into a formerly great player’s latter stages as he inches towards retirement.  People have seen this trend happen before with others when frequent injuries and diminished output underscore why the deal was not a particularly good long term strategy for the roster nor the payroll budget.

    While there is no ready made answer as to how to address the water under the bridge problem with Semien still on payroll or 2027 and 2028, it does open up the same question about others on the Mets roster.  For the moment we will ignore Juan Soto and his unheard of 15 year contract signed while in his 20s as he is a true star caliber player with the bat.  He may have to shift to DH at some point given his defensive challenges and the desire to keep him off the IL.  For now, however, he is close to earning his annual pay rate.

    The one instead that draws some consideration is the very long term deal signed before David Stearns was a part of this organization.  In this case look back to the off-season of 2021 when the club in Queens gave Lindor a 10-year $341 million contract that would run from then through the 2031 season.  Given Lindor’s bat-to-ball skills, his strong defense, his base running ability and his leadership, it was a deal very few questioned at the time. In fact, it was a red letter day for new owner Steve Cohen who signaled to the fan base that the penny pinching ways of the Wilpon era was over and things would indeed be different under his stewardship. 

    Injuries aside (as well as the rumored rift between he and Soto), no one has wasted a single week as a Mets fan regretting that decision in any way.  When he’s on the field and in the lineup he demonstrates a rare combination of formidable skills that indeed anchor both the infield and the lineup. 

    Fast forward to the close of the 2026 season and realize that you are now halfway through that monster deal with the good still far outweighing the bad.  It is now, however, we need to take a page from the Branch Rickey managerial manual and recount his oft quoted philosophy that sometimes it’s best to "Trade a player a year too early rather than a year too late." 

    So what does that mean for the Mets and their future with Lindor?  Right now going into the 2027 season the shortstop has seemingly lost a bit of range defensively while he struggled after his injuries to produce as he had in the past.  While no one is saying he is clearly over the hill, the Semien handwriting is still on the wall and it is is reasonable to question if Lindor during his ages 33 through 37 seasons will produce at the same level as he had earlier in his career.  Given his annual hit for $34.1 million, a solid player earning All Star money is a less robust value to the roster and maybe it is time to consider his long term value to the Mets.

    Right now in the minors the Mets have some interesting middle infielders making their way up the ladder but no one is suggesting any of them is a direct WAR replacement for Lindor.  The issue here is about spending effectively during someone’s latter years in a contract and you have to consider what Branch Rickey said. 

    Is it time to begin consideration of a Lindor trade elsewhere and letting another club live with the Semien like decline that is likely to occur while freeing up a lot of payroll capital?

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    11/6/26

    MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHSP - Calvin Ziegler

     


    MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHSP - Calvin Ziegler


    Calvin Ziegler (often spelled Ziegler) is a right-handed pitcher in the New York Mets’ minor league system. Born October 3, 2002, in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada (hometown Heidelberg, a small town nearby), he is 6'0", 205 lbs, and bats/throws right-handed. 

    The Mets selected him very highly (in the second round, 46th overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft out of TNXL Academy in Florida (he relocated from Canada during COVID restrictions to gain exposure). 

    He signed for $910,000 (underslot). He has been a high-upside but injury-plagued prospect. Early on, he ranked as high as around the top 10–15 in the Mets system (e.g., Amazin’ Avenue No. 11 in 2023). 

    Injuries, however, have limited his development significantly:

    • 2022 (Low-A St. Lucie): First pro season — 16 starts, 46.2 IP, 4.44 ERA, 70 K / 35 BB (strong strikeout rate but high walks). Missed time with biceps tendinitis.
    • 2023: Limited to 1 inning after offseason elbow bone spur removal and a torn right quad.
    • 2024 (High-A Brooklyn): Dominant early (6 IP, 0 ER, 13 K, 2 BB in 2 starts, including a strong outing with 9 K), then Tommy John surgery in April. Missed the rest of 2024 and all of 2025.
    • 2026: Returning from TJ. Rehab assignments, then activated with Brooklyn (High-A). Limited work (13.1-IP). 
    Headed to the Arizona Fall League to supplement his MILB 2026 innings, where his control has been shaky.

    Career minors totals (through available 2026 data): roughly 0-7, 4.62 ERA in about 64 IP with a high K rate but elevated walks. FanGraphs rates him around a 35+ FV prospect with ETA ~2027 and org rank outside the top tier due to the injuries and substandard command. RepertoireZiegler has shown mid-90s velocity with swing-and-miss potential, though command has been the biggest hurdle (high walk rates historically). Mechanics feature a high three-quarters arm slot with a loose, fluid delivery and good extension.

    • Fastball: Sits 91–95 mph (averaging ~93 in 2022 pro debut), has touched 96–97. Features arm-side run/ride up in the zone and some sink lower; effective due to approach angle and extension more than elite spin. Graded around 55 present / 60 future on some scales. High strikeout pitch when located.
    • Curveball / spike curve (his primary breaking ball): Low-80s (around 80–83 mph, averaging ~82). 11-5 to near 12-6 shape with sharp bite and depth; not a pure horizontal slider (he has described it as tighter and more curve-like). Strongest secondary in many reports for whiffs and weak contact; graded ~55. Command has been inconsistent (often outside the zone).
    • Slider: Some scouting reports and FanGraphs list a distinct slider (50/60 grades), low-80s with horizontal action. Earlier amateur looks sometimes labeled the curve as a slider/slurve hybrid.
    • Changeup / splitter: Mid-80s (83–86). Shows fade, tumble/sink, and arm speed maintenance. Developed more in pro ball (including a split-finger variation); still a work in progress for consistency and usage but flashes promise as a third pitch.
    Overall profile: 

    High-strikeout arm with above-average to plus stuff potential (especially FB + curve), but raw command and lack of durability have held him back. 

    Pre-injury looks suggested possible mid-rotation upside if the control improves and he stays healthy; the TJ recovery and limited 2026 innings leave his current trajectory more uncertain (potential starter or power reliever path). He attacks hitters aggressively when healthy.






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