Relief Is On The Way

Manny Alvarez: - Keeper #18 – Alvarez was a kid out of the old VSL team that went through three very unimpressive years… 4.29 ERA for the VSL Mets in 2007, 6.58 ERA for Kingsport in 2008, and 5.09 for St. Lucie in 2009. Why the jump from K-Port to Lucy after a 6+ ERA at a rookie level? Did someone see something no opposing batter seems to let get in their way? Frankly, I was surprised to see the 5-11, 200 pound tank come back this past year, but the 24-year old throws down a 0.00 ERA for St. Lucie (18-games, 9-saves, 24-K, 4-BB, 25.2-IP), then 3-1, 2.87 for Binghamton (34-G, 8-saves, 57-K, 6-BB, 47.0-IP) followed by four more appearances for Buffalo. The year ended at: 6-4, 2.17, 56-G, 17-Sv, 84-K, 12-BB, 78.2-IP… and Alvarez went from Kingsport to Buffalo in two seasons. Mets pitching coaches say that his greatly improved slider led the way to his stellar year. Late bloomer? Ya think?



Jose De La Torre: - Keeper #37 – we’ve discussed De La Torre a number of times. 5-9 25-year old out of Puerto Rico… signed with the Mets in 2006 and has now played four seasons (out for the entire 2008 season due to TJS). Has had two outstanding seasons at the high-levels: 2009 for AA-Binghamton: 3-2, 2.67, 18-G, 37-K, 30.1-IP) and 2010 for both Bing and Buffalo (3-2, 2.69, 51-G, 80-K, 70.1-IP. Consistently pitches to bottom of zone, creating ground balls and walks. De La Torre was actually first signed by Milwaukee in 2004, but didn’t survive his first extended camp there. He then went to college for two years and eventually signed with the Mets. 4-seaom fastball hits 93… 2-seamer, change-up , and a real nasty slider. Omar Santos said about Jose: “He’s got a nasty slider. He had surgery, and he was throwing good. His fastball, it wasn’t there yet, but it was coming around. He almost got Rookie of the Year in winter ball. He was working on the changeup this winter. He’s got good stuff. He threw the ball good. He’s not afraid of anybody. He just goes after people.”



Michael O’Connor: - Keeper #64 – The 29-year old lefty was a 2002 Montreal Expo draft pick and spent parts of eight seasons in the National’s chain. The Nats used him twice as a starter, most which resulted in negative stats. He came to the Mets as a free agent before the 2010 season and really put together a banner season: 5-2, 2.67, 1.16, 51-appearances, 70-K, 70.2-IP, 17-BB. He has a career 3.90 minor league ERA. From the Bisons: O'Connor allowed just nine of 35 inherited runners to score in 2010 (26%) and pitched more than one inning in 21 of his 51 outings with the team. He posted a sub 3.00 ERA in the final four months of the season: June (1.76), July (2.38), August (2.25) and September (1.69). Opponents hit just .191 (13-68) against O'Connor with runners in scoring position.


Ronny Moria: - Keeper #29 – Moria was a recent minor league Rule V signing. He pitched 2010 for A-Peoria (Cubs): 4-3, 4.00, 43-games, 78-IP, 86-K, 20-BB. Will pitch 2011 as a 23-year old. Another 6-4 righty.

What the Cubs said when they signed Moria in 2009: “Ronny Morla may be the key to the deal, and could be a good one. The 21 year old fireballer had an ERA near five in A-ball last year and a 1-7 record. So what am I talking about? First of all, learn to be open to ignoring crappy ERAs for low-level prospects. Yes, it’s always a good sign when the pitcher isn’t giving up runs, but sometimes, when the kid is, it’s not reflective of his ability. Sometimes he’s being instructed, and is working on certain things (new pitches, for example), which can result in runs given up. Also, the defense behind you isn’t quite the same caliber as you’ll see at higher levels. So why am I excited about this kid? Well, he’s struck out over 10 guys per 9 innings, and sports a 3 to 1 K:BB ratio, which means he has good stuff and good control. That’s a combination that I’ll take every time over low-level ERA and win/loss.”

Jonathan Mayo added: “Morla is a solid mid-range kind of prospect. His numbers in the Northwest League don't look all that exciting, but what probably interested the Cubs is that he was throwing 93-94 mph with his fastball and maintaining it in his starts. He complements the fastball with a good slider. It's the breaking ball that largely was the swing-and-miss pitch that allowed him to rack up over a strikeout per inning with Vancouver.”



Ricky Brooks: - signed from this year’s Rule V draft. Brooks was a 3rd round draft pick in 2005 and has been part of the White Sox organization for his entire professional career. Six year minors stats: 20-29, 4.50, 1.43. Dicey 2010 at AA-Birmingham: 1-3, 4.54, 24-G, 41-IP, 38-K, 10-BB. Some scounts early on in his professional career compared him to Mariano Rivera, both for his style and junk. He has plaed the past two years in AA and should start the season in his home town of Buffalo, probably as the closer.