Many thoughts have crossed my mind this week as I look across the Mets’ system. Rather than write around a central theme as I usually do, I decided to just share my thoughts.
On Tuesday evening, I stopped by the ballpark to watch a Rumble Ponies (AA) game and a few things stood out.
• The game was started by Gary Gill Hill, who was acquired in the trade for Freddy Peralta. Mets fans may lament the fact that Peralta has re-discovered the art of pitching in someone else’s system, but don’t dismiss the trade quite yet. Gill Hill is a guy with a plan. He understands every pitch he can throw and why/when he needs to throw it. If you look at pure statistics for Tuesday’s game, he does not stand out – 8 hits and 2 earned runs over four innings does not make the highlight reel. But the eye test showed something much different. All those hits were soft contact. From my memory, only one batter really found the ball with the barrel, and that was a deep fly out to center. Gill Hill is a PITCHER, and he has achieved that at a very young age where most power guys only learn to pitch when they lose the velocity.
• Jefferson Rojas is a number one prospect for a reason. Yes he has good stats, but once again, the eye sees more. Rojas hits the ball hard every time up. He has a very controlled swing, so he is not coming out of his shoes, but he finds the middle of the ball more than anyone else in the lineup. His hits are hard, his outs are hard, and his strikeouts are few (18.4% K rate).
• Mitch Voit seems to be cast from the same mold as Rojas. Hard hits come off his bat with regularity, even when they are “at-em”. Like Rojas, he does not whiff much (23.2% K rate) and he murders the baseball (.368 average, 1.032 OPS) when he hits it.
• Chris Suero does it all. He catches as a primary field position, but don’t be surprised to find him in center field. Catchers are slow? Not this one – he had two stolen bases Tuesday – great jumps, good speed. And don’t try to run on him – zero stolen bases, one CS Tuesday and it was just a typical day. He has hit in the clutch with regularity this season so he is one of the guys that you want to see at the plate in a high leverage situation.
On Wednesday evening, I stayed home and watched the big club.
• Nick Morabito finally broke through with a banner game. Two hits, three RBI, and a diving catch that Benge and Ewing would be proud of. With the three of them in the outfield, very few baseballs will find grass in Mets games. We still haven’t had a good sample of Nick’s speed yet and I can’t wait to see him frustrate opposing batteries. This could be one very dynamic outfield.
• There was a time (a few years ago) when we all talked regularly about Nate Lavender. He was really going to be something. Then he got hurt and spend almost two seasons out of view. Many forgot him. Not anymore. Lavender has 14 K and zero ER in 12 2/3 innings with the big club since being called up. He has a 0.55 WHIP so far and is quickly earning the trust of Andy Green.
• Marcus Semien has two more contract years with the Mets. Despite all the young talent on the roster today, Semien continues to play every day. The Mets are hoping he can prove trade value. I hope he bats 1.000 with a 1.500 OPS for the rest of the season so that wish will come true.
• The Mets are 40-43 (.482) with Luis Torrens in the lineup this year. The Mets are 38-60 (.388) with Francisco Alvarez in the lineup this year. Just saying.
The AA season ends Sunday. The AAA season ends September 20th. The Mets MLB season ends September 27th. Mack’s Mets never ends – we will keep giving you content throughout the year. Count on it.
5 comments:
Boy, did Nick need those 2 hits, that boosted his average by 143 points.
In one swing, he accrued half as many RBIs as Polanco had all season. Some swing.
And his diving catch was daring and superior. Great game.
Lavender is pitching like a sharp major league veteran. Some never do.
I saw something indicating Tong will be called up next week to pitch v. Miami.
Very well written by someone who can tell people first hand what players look like in Binghamton
One player you mentioned was Suero. Simply a bad season by a good player. No one should give up on this guy.
I wonder how Suero fares with Rule 5 draft? He is now a 5th year minor leaguer. His production has been decent since the trade deadline acquisitions surrounded him with better hitters.
The Rule 5 draft is a big concern here. When you select a player in Rule 5, you have to play him. Suero's versatility just increases the probability that a team can find a position to play him.
Can the Mets find a place for Suero on the 40 man roster?
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