Good
morning.
We
posted earlier of five ‘can’t miss bats’ in the system that we probably will
see someday in Queens.
Here
are five more that just need to step up their game a littler more and they too
could be productive members of the 26-man someday:
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| PC - Ed Delany |
SP David Peterson – There has been a lot of positive
press on David this spring. He was a 1st round pick in 2017 and came
to the Mets with the reputation of a ‘control pitcher’ (explanation: limited
heat).
Everything
started out just fine… 2.45-ERA for Brooklyn in 2017… 1.82-ERA for Columbia in
2018… but he struggled both with control in 2018 and 2019 (2.49 BB/9 for St. Lucie
in 2018 and 2.87 BB/9 for Binghamton last year) and overall results (4.33 for
St. Lucie and 4.19 for Binghamton).
The
plan was for him to pitch for AAA-Syracuse this season, especially since the Mets
were so deep in the rotation in Queens. Then, two things happened. First, he
came to camp with an improved fastball that was regularly hitting 94 (credit suggestions
by Rick Porcello on use of lower body), and then
Noah Syndergaard went down with TJS.
He looked
great in camp and all the Mets coaches couldn’t wait to see the ‘new and
approved’ version during a spring training game. Then…
My
guess is he will still open up in Syracuse, but he has stepped up to the next
starter available to come to Queens the next time we play baseball. Hopefully,
the addition of 3-4 MPH to his heater will not only help keep the ball in the
paint but also increase the amount of missed bats.
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| PC - MiLB |
SP Jordan Humphreys – Humphreys was an 18th
round pick in 2015, directly out of high school. He got of to a great start
with the GCL-Mets after being drafted (1.54-ERA) and was flat out unhittable in
2017 for Columbia (10-1, 1.42, 0.72, 69.2-IP, 80-K and only 9-BB).
Then
came discomfort and the dreaded TJS that cost him all of 2018 and most of the
2019 season.
Right
now, he is a question mark, but a very talented one if he can fully heal and
return to the form he showed in Columbia.
He
will pitch this year as a 24-year old, so he does need to start moving.
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| PC - Ed Delany |
Add to
that a decreased defensive output and the fact that a filled Syracuse outfield will
probably make him start again at the AA level.
Brodey
will also play this year as a 24-year old so this might be a ‘make it or break
it’ season for him.
The
talent is there
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| PC - Ed Delany |
OF Wagner Lagrange – Speaking of aging outfielders, there
is the 24-year old Lagrange. He was signed as an unheralded International free
agent in 2015 and has a 5-season batting average of .297. Last year alone, he
hit .292 for St. Lucie and one might ask why did the Mets move this guy along
so slowly when they have been looking for additional outfield prospects in the
chain. He also has only 8 errors in his entire pro career.
I’m
sure he will play AA ball this season, but I sure would love to see him end the
season at the AAA level.
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| PC - Jake Canary |
In
2019, nn his first professional season, Mangum batted .247 with 45 hits, 29
runs scored, 18 RBI and a team-leading 17 stolen bases in 53 games.
If you
like speed, this is your future leadoff.
Baseball
America had this to say about Mangum:
Mangum is much the same player who
won the conference batting title with a .408 mark as a freshman. He’s never hit
over .400 again, but he sprays the ball all around the field with excellent bat
control. He’s a plus runner who can turn in a plus-plus time at his best. And
he’s a solid defensive center fielder with an above-average arm.
8 comments:
Excited about Peterson and Humphreys, but Brodey needs to hit better - those #s were good for college but not eye popping - and Lagrange should be working out like Yoenis to muscle up, and Mangum has to do everything he can to be the next Brett Butler.
Tyler Pill hit about as well at Cal St Fullerton, except for less power than Brodey, when he was in college. That said, Pill was a fine minor league hitter when not pitching. If I were Brodey, I would try to emulate Jeff McNeil’s style.
Have to agree with Tom on Brodey. As I mentioned the other day, I have my eye on Shervyen Newton and Jarred Palmer, but I’ll throw a bonus baby at you and say that Patrick Mazeika will be a MLB player. Maybe he won’t be a starter, but he has worked on the defense alot and the offense now needs to catch up, but it will. Next year, I’d like to see Mazeika start at AAA and move up with Sanchez.
Tom and Texas
Good suggestions both of you.
I still think Brodey could be a good OF5 in the future.
Great article from David Lennon in Newsday on the KBO.
Not all high schools have closed for the season. If high schools reopen in some parts of the country do you think we can high school baseball in these areas?
I'm sure there will be a huge influx of fans to catch viruses instead of using common sense.
Reese I was thinking of high school baseball without fans so that high school seniors can try to improve for the draft or to get scholarships from colleges. I am always thinking of safety first. If you read the article from David in Newsday they are approaching it from a safety first position.
One death is too many for teenagers, but out of 9,385 NYS deaths so far, how many 19 and under died? Just 7. Out of 187,000 New Yorkers tested positive. Most areas of US far less infected.
Cancel games and kids’ baseball dreams for that? Tough decision.
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