2/3/12

Mets: Cesar Puello, Gilbert Gomez, John Stearns, Ike Davis


1-27-12: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6509 9. OF Cesar Puello - Baseball-Reference player profile - Every organization seems to have a prospect similar to Puello, a strong and fast 20 year old prototype right fielder from the Dominican Republic whose biggest challenge to becoming a successful Major League player will be learning some control over the strike zone. Puello fits the bill as a potential five-tool player, with the hit tool the furthest away. He split time between centerfield and right field last year and has the skills to play both, although is arm strength surpasses his speed as a plus tool. After stealing 45 bases as a 19 year old in the South Atlantic League in 2010 but only hitting one home run, Puello’s power took a huge step forward in the Florida State League last year as he blasted ten home runs (.259-10-51/.710 OPS) and began to use the strength in his 6-2/195 frame to drive the ball. As mentioned, the big hole in his game is plate discipline, as he walked only 18 times (vs. 103 Ks) in 488 plate appearances. Puello was hit by more pitches (20) than he drew walks.

1-23-12 - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/23/2693134/2012-amazin-avenue-top-50-mets-prospects  #47) OF Gilbert Gomez - Gomez is a 19-yr old physical specimen who stepped into the prospect spotlight in 2011 thanks in large part to one heck of a seized opportunity. Gomez has always been interesting thanks to his excellent athleticism, but as of late July of this summer he was still just another teenager in Rookie-ball with good tools and not a ton to show for them. That's when he was called up to Hi-A. The St. Lucie Mets -- who share the same complex with the GCL club -- came looking for an outfielder and Gomez was called across the complex with the intent of getting a few innings of fill-in work while some outfielders were on the mend. The funny thing is that he raked. In 70 ab's he hit .307 with four homers and four stolen bases, while playing good defense -- though disappointingly mostly in the corner OF. Gomez was already worth watching thanks to his long, athletic frame but much more so now thanks to his surprising performance in Hi-A.

John Stearns: The 26 members of the Mets Hall of Fame are all associated with either the creation and early years of the franchise—see Casey Stengel, George Weiss, and Bill Shea—or one of the periods of success: 1969-73, 1984-1990 and, now, 1997-2000. But the Hall of Fame fails to honor a single player from that difficult period from 1974-1985 that saw the Mets go without a postseason berth. Not only would Stearns be a worthy emblem for that time, he is legitimately one of the great Mets, regardless of era. Stearns ranks 11th all-time among the Mets in career WAR, trailing mostly Hall of Famers, along with the recent trio, Mookie Wilson and John Olerud. (Mookie is also overdue for induction, and Olerud, astonishingly, rolled up his value in just three seasons.) http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/null/2012/01/5139298/john-franco-gets-his-due-mets-now-how-about-john-stearns

Ike Davis figures to be back full-time this year. For those who drafted him in year-to-year leagues, you probably broke your computer the day he got hurt after that great start last year. Those in keeper leagues were probably just bummed. Even though he missed almost the whole year, he supposedly feels fine and should be ready for spring training. He had an impressive year in 2010 as a rookie, but had troubles with plate discipline (meaning he struck out quiet a bit), but most rookies do. He was having another good year in 2011 when an ankle injury ended his season. It’s unknown how much the injury will effect his power, but given how he had the rest of the year off and an off-season to recover, he should be fine. Sometimes rushing an ankle injury can promote further injury and power reduction, but Ike should be fine. Look for numbers close to his rookie campaign and probably a slow start. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/fantasy-baseball-focus-national-league-first-basemen/16738/

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