Ryan Fraser, Manny Acosta, Jake Lowery, Erik Turgeon, John Stilson

- There was no one in the Mets organization more excited about the 2011 season than Ryan Fraser. He had just come off of a very successful season in Brooklyn, where he went 3-3, 1.44, 12-SV, in 26 appearances. The powers to be told him that he would get a chance to start in to 2011 and his grin was ear to ear when he confirmed that to me at the pre-season luncheon in Savannah. Things were going along just fine until the team couldn’t decide who would be the five starters. To this date, they still seem to be piggybacking and yesterday, Fraser was placed back in the reliever role. It didn’t work out (5-ER in 2.1-IP) and we’ll have to wait five days to see what his role is then.


- The Mets returned RP Mike O’Connor (0-1, 2.70, 8-K, 6-2-IP, 9-G - ???) to Buffalo and replaced him with Manny Acosta. Acosta deserved the return shot; however, not at O’Connor’s expense. Manny had a wonderful year last season in Queens (3-2, 2.95, 41-appearances) but didn’t win an invite back when opening day rolled around. He has been pitching bison-ball very well (1-0, 1.77, 20-G, 27-K, 20.1-IP), though his walks (17) are a little high. I “graduated” him off the Keepers list last season.



- As many of you know, I did a lot of work on the old “Mack On Baseball” site about the 2011 draft. There were a handful of players that I fell in love with, one being catcher Jake Lowery of James Madison University. No one has Lowery on any of their prospect lists, but, trust me, the boy can hit. He has led the 40-17 Dukes into the NCAA tournament with 23-HRs (hit another one yesterday in the playoffs) and 85-RBIs (.363) in 57-games. Hopefully, one of the Mets suits is reading this and will jot his name down for a mid-round pick come Tuesday.

- RHP Erik Turgeon was transferred from Binghamton (AA) to Buffalo (AAA) yesterday. Erik was a 25th round pick in the 2008 draft, out of Connecticut. This is his fourth season in the Mets organization and, frankly, it is has been his most challenging. The promotion seems to more due to RHP Manny Acosta being recalled to the Mets from Buffalo, and being replaced on the roster with LHP Mike O’Connor. You may see a domino effect here with Jeff Kaplan due to be the next reliever promoted in St. Lucie.

Texas A&A RHP John Stilson has received two more opinions regarding his SLAP (superior labrum from anterior to posterior) tear in his throwing shoulder. Seems he will only need six weeks rehab and not surgery. This throws him back into the mix for being picked in the first 50 players picked in the draft next week. I expect him to be available when the Mets pick 13th but he definitely is a steal at the 44th pick if this is truly a small injury.