We’ve all read about
how the addition of a curveball has helped closer Bobby
Parnell improve his game. Well, it looks like he’s not the only Mets
pitcher reaching out to increase his repertoire. Word from camp is the secret
to Matt Harvey’s fast start this spring is the
fact that he now has worked on his curveball
to a point that it is a plus pitch, along with his slider and fastball.
Probably the last thing National League hitters wanted to know was Harvey now
has another great pitch.
Yes, it is true that SP
Jenrry Mejia is operating a little behind the
rest of the pitches in camp, but, he did work out at the Mets state-of-the-art
DSL camp while he was having trouble getting a visa so he did arrive ‘mound
ready’. My guess is his poor first outing (36.00) and his reported hyperactive thyroid
problems have completely eliminated any chance of him being ready by opening
day. Mets officials would be best served not pushing him and, frankly, leaving
him back for a rehab assignment for the first couple of weeks in the warm
weather of Florida.
I read that the trade
that sent OF/1B Mike Carp from Seattle to Boston
wound up for cash only. Cash only. I’m happy with what Marlon
Byrd has done so far this spring, but I would have loved to give the
younger Capr a second chance at being a Met. Lifetime as a major league player
over four seasons: .255/.327/.413, 18-HR, 28-2B, 608-AB.
I love watching the
World Baseball Classic. Especially when you find someone that isn’t on any
major league baseball roster. Take Mexico’s Jorge Cantu.
Here’s a guy that is out of baseball at 31 years old and yet if you look up
what he has accomplished over his professional career (8 MLB years:
.271/.316/.429/.755) you would think there would be a utility position in
somebody’s infield for him. And then there’s his Team Mexico’s teammate, ex-Met
Karim Garcia, who doubled off of RA Dickey in
the second inning. It will be interesting to see how many players are signed by
teams once this classic is over.
We’re getting deeper
into spring training which means you will start seeing the development of the
25-man squad develop within the lineups. More of them will start each game and
play deeper into the games. Starters will go 5+ innings. And relief pitchers and
closers will pitch two days in a row.
Of Marlon Byrd is obviously winning a starting position
in the outfield. My guess, due to his age, is he will settle into RF. On paper
right now, Collin Cowgill is your centerfielder
and Lucas Duda is in left. Frankly, it would
nice to see Mike Baxter show some sign of life so this five outfielder process
could be more easily determined.
I don’t think there is
any chance of Kirk Nieuwenhuis of making the
trip to Flushing. The recent injury is the excuse the Mets need to send his to
Las Vegas and turn his poor hitting around.
By the way… it really
doesn’t matter what Lucas Duda does the rest of
the spring. He IS the left fielder of the New York Mets.
We've said this a number of times... the Mets hate talking about injuries. It turns out that SP Noah Syndergaard went down early in camp from an 'injured side muscle' and the only reason we know about it now is he's back to 100%. What happens on the back fields usually stay on the fields. Hell P Erik Goeddel was hit in the fact with a ball and the only reason we found out was the fact he posted a picture of his altered mug on Facebook. Anyway, 'Syner' is fine, but could hinder his projected B-Mets promotion.
We've said this a number of times... the Mets hate talking about injuries. It turns out that SP Noah Syndergaard went down early in camp from an 'injured side muscle' and the only reason we know about it now is he's back to 100%. What happens on the back fields usually stay on the fields. Hell P Erik Goeddel was hit in the fact with a ball and the only reason we found out was the fact he posted a picture of his altered mug on Facebook. Anyway, 'Syner' is fine, but could hinder his projected B-Mets promotion.
The Mets are still
trying to figure out where to play SP Rafael Montero next
month. He only had eight starts last year at St. Lucie (2.13) so, on paper,
that would have him going back there. Then, the Mets showcase him this spring
and beat writers speculate that he could be going to Las Vegas. He should go
back to Florida but won’t because he’s being pushed to Binghamton by all the
talent behind him (Robles, Fulmer, Tapia, Mateo, deGrom, Verrett). I hope they
aren’t rushing him a la Mejia.
I like what I see in Jeremy Hefner and Brandon Lyon.
I think we can lock these two in at this point in the spring. Bobby Parnell seems ready and is only one of three
pitchers (Aaron Laffey, Pedro Feliciano) with a
current 0.00 ERA in camp.
Weather related, here’s
a quick look at what the temperatures were on 3-9 at around 3pm EST: Las Vegas:
58… Binghamton: 51… St. Lucie: 69… Savannah: 61.
Lastly... I'm not exactly how he's accomplishing this, but P Jeurys Familia is on a very positive control streak over the past 10 days. It' s hard to get hard information out of camp in ST, but it looks like he has slowed down his delivery and is concentrating on pounding the zone while letting his natural sink take over from there. Right now, he looks like he has a chance to break camp as part of the Queens pen.
Lastly... I'm not exactly how he's accomplishing this, but P Jeurys Familia is on a very positive control streak over the past 10 days. It' s hard to get hard information out of camp in ST, but it looks like he has slowed down his delivery and is concentrating on pounding the zone while letting his natural sink take over from there. Right now, he looks like he has a chance to break camp as part of the Queens pen.
Later
1 comment:
A controlled Familia in their bullpen pushes that squad of pitchers to another level with plenty of different looks.
Power from both sides in Parnell, Familia, Edgin.
Righty side armer in Burke.
Solid veterans in Lyon, Hawkings, and Atchison.
I like this bullpen.
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