6-19-10: - it figures it would be a pitcher if we are talking about a Sand Gnat player. Church is one of many young arms that is leading the SAL in just about every pitching stat that’s kept. The 23rd round 2009 pick has been in 21 games so far this season, pitched 35.1 innings and has posted stats of 3-0, 1.53, 1.13, 34-K, 12-BB. John turns 24 in November, so it’s time for him to get on to higher levels in the organization. The Mets have an interesting decision to make regarding the 2010 Savannah pitching staff. Firstly, there are 6-7 guys who have already mastered this level. Secondly, most are ex-college juniors and are getting a little long in the tooth, pitching at the A-level. Thirdly, not many pitcher are burning up the Lucie squad, fourthly, there is some pressure to keep most of these guys down in Savannah to keep up what seems like the only chance the team will have to create a minor league pennant winner this year. And lastly, no one has idea who to promote to Savannah of all these moves are made because the lion share of the effort right now is to staff the short season teams. Interesting couple of weeks ahead.
7-1-10: - Church is another of those interesting 2010 Sand Gnat pitchers, but this is a much different story than the rest. He was drafted in 2009 in the 23rd round, out of the University of West Florida. He signed right away and started the season as a reliever for Savannah. Twenty-one unspectacular outings later (1-4, 5.28, 34-H, 34-K, 29.0-IP), plus one appearance in Brooklyn and I didn’t even have him as a projected returnee this year. So what happens? He reports back to Savannah this April where he has aced the pen
10-8-10: - 2011 Forecast: Church found himself back starting by the end of the 2010 season and I bet he'll go back to Savannah again in the spring of 2011 to anchor the rotation. There's a lot of low level talent clogging him up, but he looks like he has the talent to fight himself through it.
7-27-11: - I always thought John Church would be better off as a starter. He was last year for a few months in Savannah and I thought he did fine. Then 2011 brings a promotion to Lucy and back to the pen. Well, for reasons undefined, he started tonight and turned in a great outing: 5.0-IP, 1-ER, 5-H, 0-K (?)… not sure what the rotation is going to be here for the rest of the year now that Zack Wheeler is heading their way.
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