AN ATHLETE WITH A MAJOR FLAW
Some guys are just an enigma. Chris Suero is one.
Chris Suero has many real strengths, but also what will be fatal flaws if he does not change.
Thru July 16:
His strikeouts are way too high (237 in 186 games in 2025/26), his average way too low (.202 in AA in 2026, which to me equates to roughly .102 in the big leagues.
But he had an OBP close to .390 last year, .350+ this year, 28 HR in 2025/26, and swipes mucho bags (59 in 2025/26), with positional versatility.
If you as an organization can screw with pitchers like Tong, you are permitted to screw with Suero, too.
How? Give him a mandate:
Fewer walks, and cut the Ks by 40%.
LEARN TO HIT AND NOT TO FAN.
40% less would reduce his Ks in 2025/26 to 140 in 181 games.
That far lower rate would go up to somewhat over 1.00 per game in the big leagues, but could still work, given all of Suero’s other positives.
WHY? Your willingness to strike out more to walk more does not work in MLB.
You won’t get on base like that in the big leagues, because hurler control is much better and the quality of their pitches is much tougher, but you will fan a guaranteed 50% + in the big leagues if you don’t change.
Speed? Check.
Power? Check.
On base ability? Check.
Versatility? Check.
All of it means very little without a drastic drop in Ks.
Luke Ritter hit .233 in his career with a solid .341 career OBP, 101 home runs, and 357 RBIs in 657 games.
Why did he get no closer to being a Met than a few spring training at bats?
He fanned 752 times in the 597 games he played after his rookie ball debut season. He needed to fan 30% to 40% less.
Chris, please don’t be the next Luke Ritter.
Pick another target: be the next Tommie Agee, except you can also catch.
Agee struck out his “fair share”, but it wasn’t excessive.
Or even the next Francisco Alvarez who with the Mets on July 16 was hitting a far superior .269 with power and with a normal K rate for a power hitter. You’re right, Chris, his walk rate is lower. But the offensive mix of what he produces got him to be a MLB position starter. Emulate that.
ALVAREZ REALITY CHECK
While on the subject of Alvarez:
Let’s say there was a cheap young MLB catcher who, in 327 at bats, hit .254 with 14 doubles and 18 home runs.
Would you want him? HECK, YEAH!
Well, that is Francisco Alvarez since he returned from injury very rapidly in August 2025.
So, why the repeated urge to trade him?
Cheap, power hitter? Heck, yeah. A keeper.
Maybe you would have wanted Cal Raleigh or Henry Davis, both of whom were hitting a robust .163 thru July 19.
Or Mr. .214, Philly Vanilly JT Realmuto?
Or Nick Fortes of Tampa Bay, also hitting an Alvarez-like .254, but with just 2 four-baggers?
Nope, Alvarez is my catcher until Daiverson Gutierrez (.290 in Brooklyn since June 1) and/or 19 y/o Yovanny Rodriguez are a few years older and prove they can step into very big MLB shin guards.
The same people that want Alvarez traded are the same people who complain about the team’s lack of offense. A reality check is in order.
SNYDER ON FIRE!
I just did a piece on the hot Trey Snyder a few days ago.
He got even hotter.
I am pleased to report that in Trey’s last 4 games, he has TWELVE HITS!
And 10 RBIs and 2 walks.
Dang!
THE BOX SCORE WON’T TELL IT ALL
The box score will show Brett Baty homered yesterday. Nice.
The box score will not, however, show he turned an opponent’s very catchable long drive to right into a 2 run, game changing extra base hit. Benge catches that ball if he is out there.
Watch for yourself.
Another loss. Misplays like that are unacceptable.
17 comments:
Tom,
Is it time to promote Snyder and challenge him at the next level?
Who put Baty in the outfield and why when you have Roberts and Taylor on the bench. Was that the manager's decision or was that call made from the GM? Baty is a good infielder who was in the wrong position last night.
Trey Snyder
People tend to forget that Snyder is a real prospect signed out of high school at a huge over-slot bonus.
Excellent spray hitter with power coming plus ++ defensive skills at short
Chris Suero
Enigma describes him well. Simply a horrible lost season.
I don't know if he can come back from this
Francisco Alvarez
There are simply too many other areas that need their attention
Good question on Baty. He helped the Mets draft position and decision to sell off, yesterday.
Snyder might be ready for a promotion - to AA. I will settle for Brooklyn. Do it after Sunday, when they have the day off. I’d be happy if they did it today.
Could Snyder be the next AJ Ewing?
The next AJ Ewing. The excitement about him, Voit, Pena, and Miller is building inside me.
Snyder also playing CF. Appears to be a good athlete. Promote him now. Stop wasting time David Stearns.
There is absolutely zero reason to start Baty in RF ever again. Not with the OF talent on the roster. Not to showcase him, not to give him at bats, not for any reason whatsoever. Someone in Mets management should be forced to explain how that type of decision is made. Fans should demand it.
The OF defense the game before was amazing! To see this happen the next day is criminal. It also screws with Baty’s head - now that he has started hitting.
Baty should be rotating between 2B, DH, 3B for the rest of the season.
Nuff said…
He needs to 1) stop trying to work walks and 2) go into all-out strikeout minimizing mode. Taijeron had a strong OBP with high Ks. He failed abysmally in his short MLB cameo. So will Suero if he doesn’t wake up. Let your model be Jeff McNeil.
Puts Alvarez’s value in perspective …changed my mind…a keeper for now
He’s OK, focus elsewhere, I agree.
Who could have seen the Cal Raleigh plummet? Alvarez has struggled, but never plummeted. He’s tough. We need TOUGH.
He could blossom at age 25 next year.
Zack Wheeler was mediocre until he got older and became great.
He will be able to take over at short on OD 2029
Miller?
Who's Miller?
Baty should be traded
Period
Signed,
Ex-Baty fan
I don't remember a mediocre Zack.
I prefer Betty Boop to Baty Bloop
Not the best example, but he had 2 seasons of 5.21 and 3.96 with the Mets.
Then 79-39, 2.84 with the Phillies, though. Greatly improved with age.
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