Mack On: - Francesco Pena, Mets Catching, Carlos Gomez, Marcus Camerena

                                                Major Thoughts on Minor Players:

I see than Francisco Pena has come off the DL and is now rehabbing with the GCL Mets. He went 2-5 on Saturday, with one RBI, as their DH. Pena went down in spring training with a fracture, which I believe was the first injury of his professional career. Frankly, I’ve been pretty tough on the kid since he signed, and played, as a 16-year old in Savannah. Pena is now 19 and most probably will return to St. Lucie when his rehab stint is done. He batted .224 in a full season last year for them. He’s the son of the Yankees coach, brother of Tony Jr., and was the recipient of the biggest hype campaign the Mets had orchestrated since Alex Escobar. So far, that’s all it has been, but the good part is this is still a kid who would only be a freshman in college if he went that route.

Since we’re talking about catching, the system could use a little boost right now. Josh Thole has been a pleasant surprise and there’s a good chance he may wind up the starting Mets catcher for the next 3-5 years. I’ve heard all the BS about how bad he plays in the field, but frankly, after watching him pretty closely this season, I don’t see the flaw. I’m thrilled with a .300 hitter behind the plate and to hell with his lack of pop. System wise, in my opinion, the top five catchers behind him would be Blake Forsythe, Mike Nickeas, Kai Gronauer, Cam Maron, and Juan Centeno. Forsythe represents the highest ceiling and could compete for a Queens slot come the spring of 2013, but overall, the system lacks anyone that resembles a major league starting catcher. 

Note: I wrote this part earlier in the day and before Sunday night's game in which the Phillies manufactured two runs with three stolen bases afgainst Thole. It was quite obvious to the announcers of the game that the Phillie runners were taking advantage of Mike Pelfrey's hitch in his delivery, not Thole's arm. 

Don’t have much information on the members of the DSL teams, but there is a familiar name throwing some heat down there. Carlos Gomez, (no, not THAT Carlos Gomez) through 5.0 scoreless innings Saturday, giving up 0-ER, 2-H and striking out five while walking none. For the season, In 2009, as an 18-years old, Gomez pitched for the now defunct VSL-Mets ( 9-G, 17.2-IP, 0-0, 6.11, 1.58), but has really turned his game around this year for the DSL Mets: 14-G, 12-St, 7-2, 1.34, 1.14, only 43-K in 67.1-IP, 19-BB. We’ll keep a look see on him.

SP Marcus Camerena continues to impress for Kingsport. He ”went the distance” in a 7-inning game Sunday, with stats of: 8-H, 3-ER, 3-K, 1-BB, and a seasonal ERA of 3.19 (in 9-G, 4-starts). He impressed us all last year for the DSL team (7-2, 1.74), as well as his short stint near the end of the 2009 season for the same team he plays for now (2-2, 3.03). The 6-3 righty turns 20 in September and I expect to see him Savannah next spring.