10/12/26

MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHRP - Rafi Vazquez


MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHRP - Rafi Vazquez


Rafi (Rafi Joseph) Vazquez is a 28-year-old right-handed relief pitcher currently in the New York Mets organization (assigned to High-A Brooklyn Cyclones after the Mets purchased his contract in mid-July 2026). Background and Path
  • Born December 12, 1997, in Annandale, Virginia. Bats left, throws right; listed at 6'1"/205 lbs.
  • College: Primarily a position player (first base/DH) at UNC Charlotte after time at Florence-Darlington Tech and an earlier commitment involving Coastal Carolina. He showed power potential as a hitter (e.g., 12 HRs in one season at Charlotte) but retired from baseball around 2021 after limited play.
  • He restarted as a pitcher in independent ball (United Shore League, Pioneer League with Ogden Raptors, Frontier League with Tri-City ValleyCats), then joined the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League.
  • 2025 (Blue Crabs, middle relief): 4-3, 5.06 ERA in 37 games.
  •  
  • The Mets acquired him on July 18, 2026, and assigned him to Brooklyn. 
  • 2026 - A+ Brooklyn: 14-apps, 2-0, 3.38, 1.22, 21.1-IP, 4-BB, 27-K

He is a classic late-blooming convert who trained extensively at Driveline Baseball after switching fully to pitching. Driveline has highlighted his work ethic and results multiple times.RepertoirePublic detailed pitch-tracking data is limited (independent leagues and recent High-A assignment), so exact usage percentages and spin rates aren’t widely available. What’s known:

  • Fastball: Sits in the mid-90s and reaches 95+ mph in live at-bats (Driveline videos from 2026 show him throwing heat). High-school reports had him at 85–88 mph with heavy run from a low three-quarters slot; velocity has increased substantially with training.
  • Changeup: Standout pitch, frequently described by Driveline as a “cheat code” with dramatic late drop (“dropped off the table,” compared to a left-handed curveball in reaction videos). It generates strong reactions and is a key putaway offering.
  • Breaking ball: He has historically featured a slider (sharp/late break in high school, 75–78 mph then). It remains part of the mix as a pro, though specifics on shape/velocity as a 28-year-old reliever are sparse in public reports.
  • Overall approach: Attacks the zone with conviction, gets swing-and-miss (strong K rates in the Atlantic League), and works effectively in high-leverage relief. Command has been a strength in his dominant independent stretch (very low WHIP and walk rates relative to the level).
In short, Vazquez is an older developmental arm with a unique story—former college power hitter who reinvented himself as a hard-throwing reliever with a plus changeup. 

The Mets added him as depth after he proved himself as one of the best arms in the Atlantic League. Progress in the affiliated system will determine how far the stuff and command translate.

 

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Paul Articulates – The most important quality needed on the Mets’ roster

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a Hall of Fame awards banquet for my old high school.  Along with a bunch of old-timers giving speeches thanking their coaches, families, and teammates, there was a young woman in her 20’s that was being recognized for her prowess in high school athletics.  Her speech inspired me and made me reflect on how we look at ourselves and our teams.

Amidst a very modest acknowledgement of her accomplishments, she reminded all of us that she failed more than she succeeded as she competed.  To her, as hard as it was to accept in the moment, failure was just part of the process of striving for her goals.  In words that showed great wisdom beyond her years, she said, “Failure is just a data point – it is not an identity.”

The best players in sport have that sort of mentality where they are able to overcome failure and learn from it to make themselves better.  Those who lack the requisite mental toughness are sometimes so humbled by failure that they lose the confidence to excel.  This is the “state of mind” I have often referred to that characterizes players in slumps but if it is not conquered, it becomes part of their identity – the inability to perform in the big moment.

In professional sports, the players not only have to deal with the mental burden of their own failures, but they also have to deal with the reaction of the fans.  Fan criticism is a force multiplier of the mental demons that haunt a player’s psyche when the going gets tough.  We in the media have the unfortunate power to focus that negative fan energy into a searing laser beam of doubt.  We should be very careful how we use it.

As this applies to the current roster of the New York Mets, it reminds us why some players with great credentials in smaller markets can fail on the bigger stage.  Why did Freddy Peralta excel in Milwaukee, fail in New York, and then regain his swagger in Tampa?  Why did Francisco Lindor and Bo Bichette struggle so mightily early in their New York careers?  Why do so many former Mets find greater success on other teams?  

I can’t say that mental toughness is the only reason because there are many variables.  I do believe it is very plausible that an athlete’s ability to use failure as a tool to improve is the most significant “intangible” factor in determining their eventual level of success.  The front office needs to understand this quality and develop a way to screen for it as they consider the next moves required to build a sustainable championship contender.


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Reese Kaplan -- A Very Expensive Flawed Mets Roster for 2027


Going into the 2027 there are tons of roster construction questions that in many cases come back to the financial obligation owner Steve Cohen is willing to swallow moving forward as his employee David Stearns who sunk his team into last place attempts to rewrite the direction the team will take moving forward.

How bad is it?

Well, depending on whose numbers you choose to embrace the Mets are obligated to pay somewhere between $236 and $280 million based upon the current roster obligations. That’s not pocket change and it doubly emphasizes the level of investment Steve Cohen will indeed make.  Let’s take a little bit of a closer look.

Right now the first big number to embrace is, of course, third baseman Bo Bichette.  Among Stearns’ bizarre contracts that didn’t pan out effectively he offered the former Blue Jay more annual pay than his numbers demanded and he didn’t come anywhere close to them.  His second half was far better than his first but the end result of a moderate batting average with an RBI total that was tops on the Mets but not what a middle of the order bat should provide.

Of course, the annual rate was not the only questionable aspect of the POBO’s offer to the former All Star.  It was not a traditional three year deal but three consecutive 1-year contracts with opt-out language and a $5 million buyout.  The understanding here was that the Mets were providing Bichette with a handsome paycheck while also giving the man the opportunity to walk away should he feel his value skyrocketed.

The reality, of course, is that no one is abandoning a $42 million annual salary unless he earned a league’s MVP award.  Not being a prospective lead leader in HRs nor RBIs Bichette is indeed a solid hitter but not likely to command a greater annual salary but he could theoretically get a longer term from a new employer.  The protections are there more to help the player than the Mets.

After that $42 million hit and an even bigger one for Juan Soto the numbers continue to pile on as they also must pay multiple players over $20 million per year including Francisco Lindor, Marcus Semien, Sean Manaea and Jorge Polanco.

The club has ten ballplayers eligible for arbitration this year including Francsco Alvarez, Brett Baty, Reed Garrett, Tylor Megill, Christopher Morel, Dedniel Nunez, Cristian Pache, Cionel Perez, Mark Vientos and Austin Warren.  Some of this group could easily be non-tendered but then the roster spots would have to be replaced and could theoretically cost even more. 

Let’s not forget dead money in payroll as well.  Everyone is well aware of Bobby Bonilla Day which impacts the Mets payroll but may not remember that Luke Weaver gets a payout for next year as well.

As the front office prepares for what is likely going to be a shortened 2027 season due to the expected CBA stalemate closing the stadium doors, do remember that the Mets may only be viewing this transitional year as preparation for 2028. At that point they regain $80 million in payroll dollars when Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga and Jorge Polanco will all likely become former Mets via free agency.  That number could swell significantly if Bichette opts out but it’s not likely to happen.

By 2028 many of the more interesting prospects in the organization might be considered ready for trials at the major league level.  Consequently going all-in on multiple long term deals for the upcoming season may not make that much sense.

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10/11/26

MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHRP - Juan Arnaud

 


MACK – Let’s Revisit - Juan Arnaud


Juan Antonio Arnaud is a right-handed relief pitcher in the New York Mets’ minor league system (MLBAM ID 699304). Background and Profile
  • Born: June 22, 2003, in Cotuí, Dominican Republic (age 23 as of 2026).
  • Physical: 6'2", 164 lbs; bats/throws right.
  • Signed: International free agent by the Mets on January 15, 2021.
  • Primarily a reliever (only one career start in the minors). He has progressed through the DSL, FCL Mets, Low-A St. Lucie Mets, and High-A Brooklyn Cyclones. He also appeared briefly in the Dominican Winter League with Gigantes del Cibao.
Career Path and PerformanceArnaud has shown strong strikeout ability but has battled control issues (elevated walk rates) that have slowed his climb.

  • 2025 highlights: Excellent year in Low-A St. Lucie (6-2, 2.45 ERA in 29 appearances, 40.1 IP, 45 SO, improved BB rate). He earned Florida State League Pitcher of the Week (Aug. 4–10) after two hitless, scoreless appearances totaling 5 IP with 6 strikeouts. Late-season promotion to Brooklyn (High-A) saw a rough 8.59 ERA in limited action.

2026: A+/Brooklyn - 46-apps, 4-2, 2.79, 1.56, 51.2-IP, 39-BB, 74-K
He is not a high-profile Top 30 prospect but has been noted in broader system lists for his arm strength. Control (especially of the breaking ball) has been the main barrier to faster advancement. RepertoirePublic scouting notes describe a power-oriented two-pitch mix typical of a potential high-leverage or middle-relief arm:

  • Fastball: Sits 96 mph with sink; touches 99. The sinking action is a key trait.
  • Slider: Secondary pitch; command of it has been inconsistent and a noted developmental focus.
Detailed public pitch-tracking data (spin, movement profiles, usage percentages) is limited at the High-A level, so more granular arsenal breakdowns are not widely available. 

He profiles as a fly-ball/ground-ball mix with swing-and-miss potential when the fastball-slider combination is on.

Overall, Arnaud is a hard-throwing Dominican arm with strikeout upside whose path depends on refining command. He remains active in the Mets system as of the 2026 season.

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Tom Brennan - McLean: A Dream - And An Ace

 


NOLAN MCLEAN


Righty hurler Nolan McLean had a great rookie season:

12-10, 3.16 ERA, 194 Ks, 1.17 WHIP.

But he briefly pitched EVEN BETTER in 2025:

5-1, 2.06 ERA in 48 innings.

Add both seasons together to give him a number of innings more typical of the 1960s - 1980s, and his numbers are:

17-11, 2.93, 228 innings, 251 Ks, 1.14 WHIP.

That, ladies and gents, is an ACE.

That was after just 226 minor league innings, where he was learning to pitch on the fly, and where he compiled  a 3.10 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 241 Ks, with his 2025 minors ERA of 2.45.

Amazing.



JONAH TONG IN 2027? 

18 MONTHS MORE BATTLE-TESTED THAN HE WAS IN SEPT 2025

Which reminds me of Jonah Tong in 2025, whose 1.43 minors ERA was a full run better than 2025 McLean’s. 

Recall that in 2025, Tong was baseball’s minor league pitcher of the year.

Out of 150 minor league teams from AAA to Complex League, Tong was numero uno.

So…

Two messages today:

1) McLean is an ace. Today. Could his 2027 season be Seaver Circa 1969?

2) Don’t give up on Tong. He just might be another Mets ace in 2027.



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Tom Brennan - The Comedy of Errors

 



Fielding That Little White Ball Ain't Easy

Shakespeare once wrote The Comedy of Errors. I hear he was a Mets fan.


METS ERRORS, BY THE NUMBERS

Question: how many Mets did not make a single error in 2026?

Answer: 37

Why? Stearns uses SO many player annually.

Question: how many Mets made at least one error?

Answer? 27

No one made more than 11 miscues.  Culprit? Lindor. 

But that was in just 103 games in the field, which is only 63.5% of the season’s 162 games.

Baty and Vientos made a combined 18 errors in just 189 games in the field. Baty had 10 of those. They made 30% as many errors as the entire Cubs team. They firmly believe in catch-and-release.

Bichette made 10 screw-ups but played at 3rd or in a few cases shortstop in over more than 150 games. Not great, but given his # of games, not bad.

Alvarez and Torrens played almost equal time at catcher, but Alvarez made 6 errors to Torrens’ two. Alvarez’s favorite word is WHOOPS.

Only 10 Mets in 2026 made two or more errors. 

Those ten, though, made 77 of the team’s 94 errors. Clumsy fellas.


The Mets were 22nd in errors with 94. 

(Aren’t they always 22nd in, like, everything?) 

Best? Cubs at 61 errors.

Worst? San Francisco, with 108.

It could have been worse in Metsville. 

Three non-Mets major leaguers made 21 errors, and one made 20. One was aging Trea Turner.

Moving on, Juan Lagares made 40 errors in 82 games at SS in the minors in 2007, but later won a Gold Glove in Center Field for the New York Mets, so improvement is always possible.

Records-wise, Rod Kanehl appears to hold the Mets record with 32 in a season, in 1962 in just 118 games, while Hojo in 1991 made 31 errors. Charlie McNeil made 28 errors in 1962 as well. 

Also, First baseman Marv Throneberry made 17 errors in 97 games at first base that year! He was fitted for bifocals after the season. 

At least they played…Giancarlo Stanton reportedly has missed about 550 games since 2018 due to injuries, but never missed a huge paycheck.

Oddly, in 1962, two well known MLB players made more errors than Kanehl, but played in more games.

Dick Groat made 38 errors and Maury Wills made 36.

Herman Long in 1889, and Billy Shindle in 1890, hold the MLB record for errors in a season, as each made 122 errors. 

There were three good reasons: 1) balls were fitted with AI-driven glove evasion technology in those two seasons, then the technology was outlawed. 2) Their gloves were the size of postage stamps. 3) Both were likely legally blind.

SIDE NOTES:

In 2023 and 2026, Ronerror Mauricio’s last 2 substantial years in the minors, he made 21 errors in 95 games in the field. And you wonder why the Mets are often so hesitant to call him up. To be fair, he has done better in the majors, with a more acceptable 8 errors in 98 games in the field. 

Better, yep, but also keep in mind he only started 79 of those games, reducing his fielding chances.

Elian Peña made 27 errors at SS in 100 shortstop games in 2026, but none in 4 games at second. He has to cut that by 70%. 80% would be better.


Another error-free article.

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10/10/26

MACK – Let’s Revisit - 1B/2B/3B - Jamari Baylor

 


MACK – Let’s Revisit - 1B/2B/3B - Jamari Baylor


Jamari Baylor is a 25/26-year-old right-handed hitting/throwing infielder (primarily SS/2B, with versatility across the infield and occasional outfield) currently in the New York Mets’ minor-league system. Background and Draft
  • Born August 25, 2000, in Richmond, Virginia.
  • Height/weight: 5'10", 190 lbs.
  • Attended Benedictine College Preparatory (a military school near Richmond). As a high school senior prospect, he showed a strong combination of power, speed (plus runner), contact ability, and arm strength; scouts saw him potentially moving off shortstop long-term to second, third, or a corner outfield spot.
  • Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 3rd round (91st overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft out of high school and signed for a $675,000 bonus. He was ranked among the Phillies’ top prospects for a period early in his career.
Career PathBaylor’s pro career has included multiple organizations and a stint in independent ball:
  • Phillies organization (2019–early 2023): Played in the complex leagues and Low-A/High-A affiliates (including Clearwater and Jersey Shore). Development was interrupted by injuries at times.
  • Traded to the Colorado Rockies for cash in May 2023. He performed well initially with Low-A Fresno (hitting for average and power, earning California League Player of the Week honors) before struggles and a release later that year.
  • 2024: Brief time with the independent York Revolution (Atlantic League), then signed by the Toronto Blue Jays and assigned to High-A Vancouver. He dealt with injuries (including time on the 60-day IL) and elected free agency after the season.
  • 2025: Standout season with the independent Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (Atlantic League). In 98 games he posted career highs, including a .303 average, .421 OBP, .552 SLG (.973 OPS), 21 home runs, 77 RBIs, 100 hits, 19 doubles, 73 runs, 54 walks, and 19 stolen bases. He showed strong plate discipline and power, especially in the second half.
  • Mets organization (2026): Signed as a free agent to a minor-league deal on April 29, 2026, and assigned to Single-A St. Lucie. He quickly impressed (including a walk-off home run) and earned Player of the Homestand honors. 
  • He was promoted to High-A Brooklyn Cyclones (with a brief IL stint), then to Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies on August 18, 2026.
  • 2026 - AA-Binghamton - 46-AB, 1-HR, 5-RBI, .217
2026 Performance with Mets AA -Notable splits include strong OBP (.427) and 9 steals in 31 games at High-A Brooklyn. He has shown the ability to contribute offensively while playing versatile infield defense. 

Baylor is a toolsy, athletic player known for speed, improving power, plate discipline (especially walks), and positional flexibility. After years of organizational hopping and independent ball success in 2025, he has steadily climbed the Mets’ system in 2026 from Single-A to Double-A. 



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Reese Kaplan -- The Mets 2027 Bullpen Off to a Good Start


The 2026 season will live in infamy for quite some time for the myriad of horrific roster decisions made by David Stearns prior to the season starting, the inertia from April through the trade deadline when the only moves were for a roller coaster of AAAA players in and out of the dugout, then the housecleaning done allegedly to fortify the minor league rosters, followed by the somewhat more successful August and September when the cellar dwellers began to play like mediocrity (a great improvement) finishing the season below .500 but playing close to that level for several weeks. 

For a refresher, let’s revisit the great selloff engineered by the front office.  The first to fall was starting pitcher David Peterson, then later followed in no particular order the expulsion from the Mets major league roster of starters Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes, then relievers Brooks Rale, Luke Weaver, A.J. Minter and Huascar Brazoban.  The only position player to depart was reserve outfielder and free agent to be Tyrone Taylor. 

With closer Devin Williams out on the IL the Mets had to jerry-rig a bullpen to close out the season.  We’re all well aware of how Kodai Senga was pushed from failed starter into the closer’s role.  What we’re not necessarily as clear about is how many others got to take the mound during this difficult period.

Lefty Nate Lavender was particularly impressive, finishing the year with numbers off a fantasy baseball hidden gem highlight reel:


Obviously he has shown he can handle major league hitters and his place in the 2027 bullpen is already written in ink.

Heretofore unknown Daniel Duarte showed the Mets why the Royals snagged him in the minor league draft several years ago.  After a brief 2022 trial for the Reds he followed it up with a successful 2023 in which he appeared in 31 games with a 3.69 ERA though control was indeed a problem.  Elbow issues curtailed his progress which eventually required surgery after which the Mets signed him to a minor league deal.  How did he do in orange and blue?

Those kind of numbers are hard to ignore.  If healthy, count on him being a Mets reliever next season.

Another solid reliever coming back from injury was Dedniel Nunez.  While his numbers are not quite at the same level as the first two, he certainly didn’t embarrass himself out there. 

Chances are he’s on the keep him list for the 2027 bullpen as well.

Throw in the return of Devin Williams to accompany Kodai Senga for late innings as well as these three setup relievers and it would appear the Mets are well on their way to fulfilling a solid bullpen.  Others who floated in and out during the year include Justin Hagenman, Cionel Perez, Chayce McDermott, Jefry Yan, Austin Warren, Jonathan Pintaro and Tobias Myers.  It would seem they would be fighting for a chance but some outside acquisitions could prove to be better. Tylor Megill is coming back as well and could wind up in the Myers role as long man/spot starter.

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10/9/26

MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHRP - Hunter Hodges

 


MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHRP - Hunter Hodges


Hunter Hodges is a right-handed relief pitcher in the New York Mets’ minor league system (currently with the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones). Bio
  • Full name: Hunter Mason Hodges
  • Born: October 3, 2002 (Wilmington, NC) — age 23
  • Height/Weight: 6'3", 225 lbs
  • Bats/Throws: R/R
  • College: TCU (transferred from UNC Wilmington)
  • Signed: July 20, 2024, by the Mets as an undrafted free agent
He pitched collegiately as a reliever, posting strong results at TCU in 2024 (1.86 ERA, 33 K in 19.1 IP, opponents' batting .124–.127). Recent Performance (as of early September 2026)
  • 2026 (Brooklyn Cyclones, A+): 0-3, 4.28 ERA, 40 G, 48.1 IP, 71 SO, elevated walk rate (roughly 6+ BB/9), WHIP around 1.49. High strikeout rate (≈13 K/9).
  • 2025: Strong across A and A+ (combined 2.77 ERA in 52 IP, 73 SO, 5 SV). Promoted midseason from St. Lucie (A) to Brooklyn.
  • Career MiLB: Roughly 2-6, 3.7–3.8 ERA in ~100 IP with excellent K rates but control issues.
He profiles as a high-strikeout, higher-walk bullpen arm with ground-ball tendencies in recent seasons.Pitch RepertoireHodges is a multi-pitch reliever who leans heavily on breaking stuff. From a 2025 St. Lucie Mets interview:
  • Go-to pitches (especially early in counts): Cutter and slider.
  • He throws a lot of sliders and curveballs.
  • Fastball and curveball used more to expand the zone later in counts.
College/earlier reports (Cape Cod / pre-pro notes):
  • Fastball sat 88–91 mph (spin ~2400–2500 rpm).
  • Changeup around 84 mph.
  • Primary weapon was an 82–84 mph breaker (elite spin, big downer action from a true over-the-top slot). Control could be inconsistent due to release-point variation.
Public Statcast/MiLB tracking for detailed 2025–2026 velocity, spin, and movement breakdowns is limited (typical for lower-level pitchers without extensive public Trackman coverage). His high K rates and self-described reliance on the cutter/slider/curve mix suggest the breaking balls remain the strength of his arsenal.Summary: Hodges is a physical righty reliever with swing-and-miss secondary pitches (especially cutter/slider and a quality curve) who generates high strikeout rates in the Mets system. Command remains the main developmental focus.


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