We are rapidly closing in on the end of spring training. In about a week, the final roster decisions will be made, and the Mets will have their initial 26-man roster. There are some really tough choices to make, and with reference to my Monday post, some of those decisions will be based upon pure performance and some will be “business of baseball” decisions. The winners will be many this year.
1) Mets win: First of all, the New York Mets have benefitted from a great spring session. There were many players that performed at or above expectations. This sets up the team to have a strong roster no matter who they choose.
2) Vets win: Another beneficiary are the veterans that David Stearns brought in on one-year contracts that make the team. They are getting a new baseball life, with an opportunity to fully realize their potential.
3) Prospects win: One of our favorite beneficiaries are the prospects making the grade, getting the opportunity to not only play in “the show”, but to play with a team that has playoff aspirations.
4) Minors win: Here is another beneficiary that doesn’t first come to mind: the Syracuse Mets. Sometimes the AAA team is parking lot full of 4A players with a prospect or two sprinkled in. Not with the David Stearns Mets. This year Syracuse promises to be a mixture of MLB-ready veterans and a big contingent of almost-ready top prospects. As of this week, there have already been several players assigned to the Syracuse roster that are quality players. Here is the list as of noon Wednesday:
Starting Pitchers: Jack Wenninger, Christian Scott, Jonah Tong, Jonathan Pintaro
Relief Pitchers: Dylan Ross, Alex Carillo
Position Players: MJ Melendez, Nick Morabito
The rest of the assignments are yet to follow, but when you consider the likely candidates, the picture in Syracuse only gets better. Catchers Austin Barnes and Kevin Parada are already on the roster, and Hayden Senger and Ben Rortvedt are still to be assigned. Outfielders Ji Hwan Bae, Mike Tauchman, and Cristian Pache are listed on the Syracuse roster but are still vying for a fifth outfielder position on the MLB club. At least two will head to Syracuse. First baseman Ryan Clifford has not officially ended his bid for the majors, but it is just a matter of time before his bags arrive in Syracuse. Similarly, Christian Arroyo, Jackson Cluff, and Jose Rojas will soon be shopping for warmer clothes. And then there is the battle for utility infielder that will include only one of Mauricio or Brujan.
Next week things will come into focus. My projection is that the Syracuse Mets will field a team that features:
Starters: Jack Wenninger, Jonah Tong, Christian Scott, Zach Thornton, Jonathan Pintaro, Jonathan Santucci
Relievers: Dylan Ross, Alex Carillo, Joe Jaques, Nate Lavender, Carl Edwards, Brandon Waddell, Richard Lovelady, Joey Gerber
Infield: Chrisian Arroyo, Jackson Cluff, Ryan Clifford, Jacob Reimer, and Ronny Mauricio or Vidal Brujan
Outfield: AJ Ewing, Cristian Pache, Nick Morabito, MJ Melendez, Jared Young
Catchers: Austin Barnes, Hayden Senger, Kevin Parada
I would consider this a very strong cast of players that is one phone call from Queens.
6 comments:
That would be quite a Syracuse team. AAAA, not AAA.
Really interesting. The best part IMHO of having such a strong roster is that it improves the confidence the FO can have in the projectability of player performance at this level. You want good fielding behind the pitchers to assess their performance for the purposes of projecting it at the next level. Same with hitting. You want to be a lineup that gets men on base and is capable of playing smart ball, etc. The closer the team comes to a major league level of performance when it comes to BB IQ and clean play, the more confident one can be in projections made about potential for performance at the next level. IMHO, that rational confidence is essential to roster construction at the major league level
Also how about Albert Alozay? (Name definitely spelled wrong) is he still on the IR? If not he should be assigned to bullpen as well?
It is a real HR league in Syracuse, as compared to AA. It should really be interesting to see how many dingers leave the yard for Clifford, Morabito, and Ewing in 2026. The average International League team hit 162 HRs in 150 games, and Syracuse hit 170. In AA, the average team hit 99 in 136 games, and Binghamton hit 109. Huge difference between the two leagues.
I don't expect Thornton to open up at the AAA level
Kinda crazy how much OF depth Mets seem to have all of sudden. I hope Nate Lavender stays healthy. Super nice guy. And dont forget about Saul Garcia for pen !!!!
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