Tom Brennan - CHAMP AND MO IN ARIZONA

Tom Brennan - CHAMP AND MO IN ARIZONA

Nothing like meaningful Arizona baseball in October, if you can't be in the World Series, I always say...well, first time I ever said it, but it sounded like a good way to start this missive.

CHAMP

Champ Stuart is firing on all cylinders in Scottsdale, folks.  

The speed burner is hitting .375 with 2 walks in 34 plate appearances.  Yeah, sure, he has struck out 8 times, what else is new?  But he is 5 for 5 in steals, showing the potential that Mets fans could ever see in Queens if he could stop striking out.  I've made the same "high-potential-if-the-Ks-could-diminish' about power hitting AAA home boy Travis Taijeron, who has gotten better every year, EXCEPT in strikeouts.

Champ Stuart ("that's why the base stealer is a Champ", the song might go) joined the Mets' minors in 2013, has unfortunately struck out 464 times in about 1300 plate appearances, and hit only .201 in AA after a mid season promotion - but he has stolen a remarkable 101 of 116 over that stretch.  SAFE!!

One can only hope he'll discover Wood Putty for his bat, but Arizona's limited results are impressive.

MO

Marcos Molina got smacked around his last 2 outings, totaling 4.2 IP, 5 hits, 7 runs, 3 walks, 2 Ks.  So his TJS return is not overwhelming so far, but he is healthy, so it is good to see him getting work in before spring rolls around.  Would we be too greedy to hope he'd be ready for his major league debut in late 2017?  Or will he be more like Luis Mateo, who pitched OK in 2016, but not like the rising star he appeared to be before TJS jolted his progress a few years back?  We will see in 2017.

Happy Sunday, folks...and looks like those Injuns may derail the Cubsters, much to the Windy City's chagrin.  Where is Mr. October when you really need him??