PLAYING A DIFFERENT TUNE THAN IN 2022
Back in 2022, the Mets won 101 games.
Unlike other people, I declared Edwin Diaz the MVP of that team, feeling that with just a normal, average closer, the Mets would’ve won only 90 or 91 games.
In that memorable year, before Edwin tore his eight tendon in spring of the following year, , Diaz was the beast of the bullpen of all of baseball, frequently hitting 100, 101, or 102 mph. Those speeds seem to be inaccessible to Edwin this year.
In 2022, Edwin had a 1.31 ERA, whereas this year, as he’s driving more in the slow lane, he has a more than double 3.62 ERA. I am sorry, they look identical, but these 2022 and 2024 hombres are two different individuals.
He still strikes out a lot of guys, but not at the rate of 2022.
In 2022 he was legendary and unstoppable. This year gives up a walk off Homer in a game that the Mets really needed to win. And that, of course, was after a game trying to run home run allowed by Jose Butto, who really served up a big, fat meatball to Profar to instantly turn a 2-0 lead into a tie score.
OVERALL?
I felt very good about this team three weeks ago. I can’t say that I feel the same way now. Maybe that’s something to do with my hearing the trumpet guy play Taps somewhere off in the distance.
BATY BROKEN FINGER ENDS SEASON:
What, really, can one say?
REMEMBER KUMAR?
He’s the first round guy (# 10 overall) in 2021 that the Mets passed on, due to health concerns.
That seemed to be a good move, as he needed TJS.
Well, this month in the AA minors, post TJS, 16.2 innings, 8 hits, 1 run, 3 walks, 25 Ks. BEING CLOCKED AT 100 MPH. NASTY SLIDER, TOO.
Looking like a potential future SP-1, perhaps?
Parada, the guy we drafted with the replacement pick the next year?
The # 11 pick of 2022.
Looked then like a great future catcher.
Looking now like a possible bust.
He’d fan less, but his bat is riddled with holes. 158 Ks is 113 AA games.
Conclusion? Shoulda signed Kumar.
Or drafted the next dude off the draft board, Brady House, who was picked at # 11 in 2021. He is 21 and looking very promising in AAA.
I understand the reluctance to stick with a possibly damaged Kumar after the Matt Allan debacle. But still…
Mets drafts in the past were conducted by knuckleheads. Admit it.
Let’s hope the Stearns cohort proves to be drastically better at the draft game.
2 comments:
Parada was highly rated going into the draft. Looks like a whole lot of evaluators were wrong. Unfortunately the Mets made the wrong choice.
D J, I wonder in a case like Parada….if you are going first round, I think you have to extremely focus on how he does vs. superior College pitchers. Most college pitchers don’t go pro, and 80% of those who do don’t make it to the big leagues. A hitter like a Parada only has one criteria…can you hit arms that will be MLB caliber? For his K rate, it seems that was insufficiently considered, based on assumption on my part and not knowledge.
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