11.19.2015 Winter League Results | Salt River Finishes AFL Season in 2nd Place, Perez Continues Push for Venezuela Triple Crown

USA Premier12 Baseball

- Team USA 6 - 1 Team Mexico

• C Dan Rohlfing: 1 for 4, R, 2 RBI, 2 K

Arizona Fall League

- Glendale Desert Dogs 5 - 1 Mesa Solar Sox

- Surprise Saguaros 7 - 4 Peoria Javelinas

- Scottsdale Scorpions 2 - 4 Salt River Rafters

• SS Jeff McNeil: 0 for 4, K
• 2B L.J. Mazzilli: 0 for 2, 2 R, RBI(4), BB, K
• RHP Beck Wheeler: 1.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 K

Mexican Pacific League

- Naranjeros de Hermosillo 2 - 1 Caneros de los Mochis
- Yaquis de Obregon 3 - 0 Venados de Mazatlan
- Charros de Jalisco 3 - 2 Mayos de Navojoa

  

Venezuela Professional Baseball League

- Navegantes del Magallanes 5 - 8 Leones del Caracas
- Bravos de Margarita 3 - 2 Tigres de Aragua
- Tiburones de La Guaira 3 - 12 Caribes de Anzoategui

- Aguilas del Zulia 2 - 10 Cardenales de Lara

• LF Jairo Perez: 4 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBI(25, 26) [Currently T-1st in HR, 2nd in RBI, 8th in AVG{Min. 100 AB}]

Dominican Baseball League

- Tigres del Licey 8 - 3 Leones del Escogido

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League

- No Games Scheduled

11.09.2015 Winter League Results | Team USA Stays Undefeated In Exhibition Play, Arizona Pitchers Superb

USA Premier12 Baseball

- Team USA 3 - 2 Team Chinese Taipei

• C Dan Rohlfing: 0 for 2, K 
• RHP John Church: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K

Arizona Fall League

- Surprise Saguaros 4 - 4 Peoria Javelinas

- Mesa Solar Sox 3 - 5 Glendale Desert Dogs

- Salt River Rafters 8 - 10 Scottsdale Scorpions

• RHP Mickey Jannis: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K
• LHP Kyle Regnault: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 K
• RHP Beck Wheeler: 1.0 IP, 2 K

Mexican Pacific League

- Tomateros de Culiacan 2 - 4 Caneros de los Mochis

  

Venezuela Professional Baseball League

- Caribes de Anzoategui 0 - 3 Aguilas del Zulia
- Navegantes del Magallanes 2 - 1 Leones del Caracas

• C Albert Cordero: 0 for 0, Defensive Replacement

Dominican Baseball League

- Gigantes del Cibao 2 - 6 Estrellas de Oriente
- Tigres del Licey 5 - 12 Aguilas Cibaenas
- Toros del Este 4 - 0 Leones del Escogido

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League

- No Games Scheduled

11.3.2015 Winter League Results | Team USA Ties Team Canada, Strong Pitching from Jannis, 2 RBIs for Carrillo, Velasquez Records 1st Save

USA Premier12 Baseball

- Team USA 3 - 3 Team Canada

Side Note: Tournament Play Begins Nov. 10th. Exhibition games scheduled vs Netherlands on 11/6 and Chinese Taipei 11/7.

Arizona Fall League

- Mesa Solar Sox 5 - 14 Peoria Javelinas

- Surprise Saguaros 4 - 0 Scottsdale Scorpions

- Glendale Desert Dogs 2 - 6 Salt River Rafters

• RHSP Mickey Jannis: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 K, Win(1-1)
• RHRP Beck Wheeler: 1.0 IP, 1 H

Mexican Pacific League

- Naranjeros de Hermosillo 3 - 6 Caneros de los Mochis

- Tomateros de Culiacan 2 - 3 Yaquis de Obregon

- Charros de Jalisco 2 - 7 Venados de Mazatlan

- Mayos de Navojoa 0 - 10 Aguilas de Mexicali

• C Xorge Carrillo: 1 for 4, R, 2B, 2 RBI(9, 10)  

Venezuela Professional Baseball League

- Aguilas del Zulia 11 - 6 Caribes de Anzoategui

- Leones del Caracas 3 - 2 Tigres de Aragua

- Tiburones de La Guaira 6 - 11 Cardenales de Lara

• DH Jairo Perez: 1 for 4, R, BB

Dominican Baseball League

- Leones del Escogido 4 - 8 Gigantes del Cibao

- Toros del Este 0 - 4 Tigres del Licey

• LHRP Dario Alvarez: 1.0 IP, 1 H

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League

- Indios de Mayaguez 1 - 4 Criollos de Caguas

- Gigantes de Carolina 1 - 3 Cangrejeros de Santurce

• RHRP Jon Velasquez: 1.0 IP, 1 K, Save(1)

10.29.2015 Winter League Results: 2nd Straight 0-fer for Smith, Wheeler Blows Save but Gets Win, Puerto Rico League Starts Today

Arizona Fall League
- Scottsdale Scorpions 4 - 2 Glendale Desert Dogs
- Surprise Saguaros 3 - 5 Mesa Solar Sox
- Peoria Javelinas 2 - 5 Salt River Rafters

• 1B Dominic Smith: 0 for 3, RBI(5)
• SS Jeff McNeil: 0 for 2
• RHP Beck Wheeler: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 K, Blown Save(1), Win(2-0)

Mexican Pacific League

- Charros de Jalisco 6 - 3 Yaquis de Obregon
- Venados de Mazatlan 1 - 2 Caneros de los Mochis
- Naranjeros de Hermosillo 2 - 1 Aguilas de Mexicali

Venezuelan Winter League

- Tiburones de La Guaira 6 - 1 Tigres de Aragua
- Aguilas del Zulia 12 - 4 Leones del Caracas

- Navegantes del Magallanes 7 - 1 Bravos de Margarita

- Caribes de Anzoategui 5 - 13 Cardenales de Lara

• LF Jairo Perez: 1 for 4, R, BB

Dominican Winter League
- Tigres del Licey 1 - 4 Toros del Este



Roberto Clemente Puerto Rican League
Side Note: Regular Season begins TODAY, October 30th.

10.19.2015 Winter League Results: Cecchini and Smith Account for All the Rafter Runs, Satterwhite Takes Tough Luck Loss, Mejia on Winter Ball team

Arizona Fall League
- Scottsdale Scorpions 10 - 6 Mesa Solar Sox
- Glendale Desert Dogs 4 - 2 Peoria Javelinas
- Surprise Saguaros 1 - 2 Salt River Rafters

• SS Gavin Cecchini: 1 for 3, 2 R, 2B, BB
• 1B Dominic Smith: 3 for 3, RBI(1), BB 
• RHP Beck Wheeler: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K, Win(1) 

Mexican Pacific League

No Games Scheduled

Venezuelan Winter League

- Aguilas del Zulia 5 - 2 Tiburones de La Guaira

• RHP Cody Satterwhite: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, Loss

Dominican Winter League

No Games Scheduled

Side Note: An interesting name added to one of the Dominican teams yesterday. The Tigres del Licey announced that RHP Jhenrry Mejia will pitch for them this Winter. This is going to be important as he is likely going to be non tendered by Alderson this winter. He will have to show potential interested clubs that, even with essentially a full year off, that he still has the dominant stuff to be the type of late inning RP that gets nice paydays on the free agent market.

Roberto Clemente Puerto Rican League

Side Note: Regular Season begins Thursday, October 30th.

The Morning Report 9.2.2015 | Bullpen In Shambles Yet Shaping Up Too, Niese's Struggles Continues, Syndergaard Start Skipped, Arizona Fall League

Anthony McCarron | NY Daily News- The Mets bullpen has devolved into an element of their game that’s worth more hand-wringing than, say, how Steven Matz fits in or whether Matt Harvey is better than Jacob deGrom. Overall, the Mets have the seventh-ranked bullpen in baseball in ERA, but their relief ERA since Aug. 16 is 4.83. They need answers. It’d be nice to think all that high-end starting pitching could deliver the ball right to Clippard and Familia in October, but that doesn’t always work out. Parnell didn’t record an out and allowed three runs (two earned). He wasn’t the only Met reliever who didn’t retire anyone, either; Eric O’Flaherty gave up a run without an out, too.

(Chris Soto: The back end of the bullpen is in upheaval right now. However, as bad as it was last night...It was always extremely good. Right now, Terry Collins is trying to figure who he is going to take into the playoffs bullpen with him. Parnell and O'Flaherty will probably not make it, however, Goeddel was awesome, Addison Reed was excellent, and Sean Gilmartin was strong too. The three of them combined for 3.0 IP, 0 hits and 4 K. Right now those 3 plus Familia, Clippard, and Robles could be your playoff bullpen.)

Brian Lewis | New York Post- As bad as the Mets’ bullpen was, it was yet another sorry start from Jonathan Niese that put them in a hole too deep to climb out of. Niese gave up a five-run third inning to the Phillies for a second straight start. “When I was going good, I was able to throw all my pitches in the bottom of the zone to a consistent basis. Right now, I’m leaving a few pitches up, making too many mistakes and not getting away with them.’’

(Chris Soto: Niese is, very quickly, pitching himself OUT of the playoff rotation and allowing Bartolo Colon back in as the #4 guy in a 7 game series. Not only is the command of his fastball off but his breaking pitches just don't have much bite to them right now. For a guy who's velocity is below average even for a lefty, that's devastating. To get torn apart by the bottom feeding Phillies in back to back starts terrifies me in regards to what a team like the Pirates or the Cardinals would've done to him.)

Kenneth Teape | Empire Writes Back- The Mets have decided to skip the next start of Noah Syndergaard, instead opting to insert Steven Matz back into the rotation, as he returns from his DL stint. The New York Mets have made it very clear that they want to monitor the innings of their young arms to make sure they are fresh for the playoff push and postseason run if they make it. Syndergaard has already exceeded his innings count from last season by 15, as he has thrown 152 innings including his time in the minors. It also makes sense to limit the amount of starts that Syndergaard makes on the road. His performance at and away from Citi Field have been night and day in his rookie year. 

(Chris Soto: I'm ok with this entire strategy. What the Mets DO NOT want is a situation the Nationals had when Strasburg was a rookie. Strasburg was so good that he hit his inning limit in mid September and the team wouldn't use him in the playoffs. That can't happen in NY, fans would go nuts if it did. So if this is what's needed in order to preserve those innings for the playoffs.....then so be it. )

Joe Trezza | Mets.com- The Mets will send three prospects to the Arizona Fall League once the Minor League seasons end: infielder Jeff McNeil, right-hander Beck Wheeler and right-hander Ricky Jannis. Players from the Mets, Blue Jays, D-Backs, Nationals and Rockies will combine to form the Salt River Rafters, who play their games in Scottsdale, Ariz,. Binghamton pitching coach Marc Valdes will serve the same role for Salt River, which is scheduled to open Oct. 13 at home against the Scottsdale Scorpions.

(Chris Soto: The Arizona Fall League is a fun league to following during the off-season. The Mets generally send both top level prospects and guys who they think COULD be MLB contributors but aren't sure yet. Last season we saw Hansel Robles emerge as a strong RP and Dario Alvarez continued to show an ability to become a solid LOOGY for the parent club. The club will likely name at least 3-4 more guys later in the month including at least 1 top prospect. Perhaps that name will be Dominic Smith or Gavin Cecchini?)

The Keepers - #96 - RHP - Beck Wheeler

96.              Beck Wheeler:

Can’t say I ever heard of this guy before the Mets signed him as an undrafted free agent. 6-3, 215 RHP out of UC Santa Barbara. http://www.ksby.com/news/two-gauchos-sign-contracts-with-mlb-teams  said, in a 6-13-11 article: “Wheeler signed with the Mets as a pitcher, a role that he accepted this season after not having pitched in quite some time. However the righty appeared in four games, posted a 2.25 ERA and showed flashes of brilliance to go along with a fastball in the low 90s. Wheeler had also played third base and shortstop for the Gauchos and as a junior was one of the team's best hitters. "I had an opportunity to work out in front of one of their scouts and things went well," Wheeler said. "Pitching is still relatively new to me, but I think the Mets' organization felt that was a good thing because I can learn to pitch the way they would like me to. This is very exciting and I can't wait to get on the mound." Anyway, he pitched his second game today for the GCL Mets and he’s now 0.00 in 3.1-IP, woth 4-Ks. We’ll keep an eye on him.

8-4-11: - Stock Up – Beck Wheeler – Wheeler pitched in his tenth professional game today and still hasn’t given up a run. To date that makes 15.2 innings pitched with 18 strikeouts. Wheeler was a UDFA signee out of UC Santa Barbara

          9-12-11:  Interview:

          Mack:  We're talking today with a 2011 breath of fresh air named Beck Wheeler, who pitched out of the GCL Mets pen this past season.  Afternoon Beck. Are you back home now?

Beck:  I was home in San Diego for about 10 days but now I'm in Santa Barbara. I played college ball at UC Santa Barbara and now I'm back for the fall quarter to finish some classes and get my degree.

Mack: Beck. you weren't drafted and began your professional career asa NDFA. Tell us about those miserable three days you waited for your name to be called and how you hooked up with the Mets.

Beck:  Well,  I was always a position player, playing shortstop, 3b, and DH and the coaches at UCSB asked me to start pitching before my senior year so I threw in bullpens, but only threw 4 innings during the actual college season. After our season was over, our pitching coach asked a few of us to throw a bullpen session for the Mets' scout and I guess he liked what he saw. I didn't expect much from the draft, especially for pitching, but he called the next morning and asked me to sign as a free agent so we went from there. It was one of the best phone calls I've received.

Mack:  That's fantastic... now, let's get to an important question... your real name is Jeff Beck Wheeler.  What album was playing when your Mom and Pop started the birth cycle, Beck-Ola or Music From Free Creek?

Wheeler:  Ha ha.  I get a lot of comments on my name, surprisingly it had nothing to do with the artist. My dads name is Jeff and my grandmother's maiden name is Beck. My parents always wanted my name to be Beck, but Jeffrey Beck Wheeler sounded better than Beck Jeffrey Wheeler. I've been called Beck my entire life and I couldn't be happier with my name.

Mack:  Beck, before we get into this past season, tell us a little about what you throw, what your go-pitch is, velo, etc.

Beck:  Well,  I threw a fastball, split, and a curve ball. My fastball is usually around 90-92, and I used my splitter a lot with 2 strikes, or to get ground balls.

Mack:  Beck, it seems universal that most ballplayers aren't ready for the grind in their first professional season. Tell us what it was like for you this season?

Beck:  This season was definitely a grind that took some time getting used to. We were at the field everyday by 7am. Practice, conditioning, weight training along with playing games everyday could really wear you down.

Mack:  I'm sure you are pleased with your season. My guess is you'll pitch Brooklyn in the spring. What are your plans for the off-season? Working on any new pitches?

Beck:  This off season I'll be back at school and will be able to work out with my old team in the weight room and on the field. As far as other pitches go I'm going to pick the coaches' minds and see if I can develop a good 2 seam and maybe a slider this off season.

Mack:  Super. In closing, is there anything you want to say to your growing list of fans out there?

Beck:  Thanks for all the support, and I'm looking forward to next year!

The Keepers: - #95 - RP - Beck Wheeler

95.              Beck Wheeler:

Can’t say I ever heard of this guy before the Mets signed him as an undrafted free agent. 6-3, 215 RHP out of UC Santa Barbara. http://www.ksby.com/news/two-gauchos-sign-contracts-with-mlb-teams said, in a 6-13-11 article: “Wheeler signed with the Mets as a pitcher, a role that he accepted this season after not having pitched in quite some time. However the righty appeared in four games, posted a 2.25 ERA and showed flashes of brilliance to go along with a fastball in the low 90s. Wheeler had also played third base and shortstop for the Gauchos and as a junior was one of the team's best hitters. "I had an opportunity to work out in front of one of their scouts and things went well," Wheeler said. "Pitching is still relatively new to me, but I think the Mets' organization felt that was a good thing because I can learn to pitch the way they would like me to. This is very exciting and I can't wait to get on the mound." Anyway, he pitched his second game today for the GCL Mets and he’s now 0.00 in 3.1-IP, woth 4-Ks. We’ll keep an eye on him.

8-4-11: - Stock Up – Beck Wheeler – Wheeler pitched in his tenth professional game today and still hasn’t given up a run. To date that makes 15.2 innings pitched with 18 strikeouts. Wheeler was a UDFA signee out of UC Santa Barbara

          9-12-11:  Interview:

          Mack:  We're talking today with a 2011 breath of fresh air named Beck Wheeler, who pitched out of the GCL Mets pen this past season.  Afternoon Beck. Are you back home now?

Beck:  I was home in San Diego for about 10 days but now I'm in Santa Barbara. I played college ball at UC Santa Barbara and now I'm back for the fall quarter to finish some classes and get my degree.

Mack: Beck. you weren't drafted and began your professional career asa NDFA. Tell us about those miserable three days you waited for your name to be called and how you hooked up with the Mets.

Beck:  Well,  I was always a position player, playing shortstop, 3b, and DH and the coaches at UCSB asked me to start pitching before my senior year so I threw in bullpens, but only threw 4 innings during the actual college season. After our season was over, our pitching coach asked a few of us to throw a bullpen session for the Mets' scout and I guess he liked what he saw. I didn't expect much from the draft, especially for pitching, but he called the next morning and asked me to sign as a free agent so we went from there. It was one of the best phone calls I've received.

Mack:  That's fantastic... now, let's get to an important question... your real name is Jeff Beck Wheeler.  What album was playing when your Mom and Pop started the birth cycle, Beck-Ola or Music From Free Creek?

Wheeler:  Ha ha.  I get a lot of comments on my name, surprisingly it had nothing to do with the artist. My dads name is Jeff and my grandmother's maiden name is Beck. My parents always wanted my name to be Beck, but Jeffrey Beck Wheeler sounded better than Beck Jeffrey Wheeler. I've been called Beck my entire life and I couldn't be happier with my name.

Mack:  Beck, before we get into this past season, tell us a little about what you throw, what your go-pitch is, velo, etc.

Beck:  Well,  I threw a fastball, split, and a curve ball. My fastball is usually around 90-92, and I used my splitter a lot with 2 strikes, or to get ground balls.

Mack:  Beck, it seems universal that most ballplayers aren't ready for the grind in their first professional season. Tell us what it was like for you this season?

Beck:  This season was definitely a grind that took some time getting used to. We were at the field everyday by 7am. Practice, conditioning, weight training along with playing games everyday could really wear you down.

Mack:  I'm sure you are pleased with your season. My guess is you'll pitch Brooklyn in the spring. What are your plans for the off-season? Working on any new pitches?

Beck:  This off season I'll be back at school and will be able to work out with my old team in the weight room and on the field. As far as other pitches go I'm going to pick the coaches' minds and see if I can develop a good 2 seam and maybe a slider this off season.

Mack:  Super. In closing, is there anything you want to say to your growing list of fans out there?

Beck:  Thanks for all the support, and I'm looking forward to next year!

Jordany Valdespin, Ruben Tejada, Beck Wheeler, Tobi Stoner, Brian Valenzuela

Jordany Valdespin:

6-24-11: - http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/aa-thursday-valdespin-continues-torrid-june-in-b-mets-win  - Jordany Valdespin was 2-2 with a walk and two stolen bases, one of third. In 18 games in June, he’s hitting .362/.413/.667 to push his season line to a strong .288/.340/.473. He has 24 extra-base hits and is 21 of 25 stealing bases. His June surge has to be the most positive development on the position player side in the system.


Ruben Tejada:


6-24-11: - http://www.deepleagues.com/?p=3240  - There are a couple of other players who I believe should be on owners’ radars. They are not receiving a lot of hype but I think they could definitely help, this year and next. Ruben Tejada (2B/SS, NYM) – For some reason I have always liked this guy. His numbers won’t blow you away and I think he’ll help not hurt your roster. I think there is an argument to be made for picking him up if you have a hole to fill and if Reyes gets traded Tejada should get lots of playing time.


Beck Wheeler:


Can’t say I ever heard of this guy before the Mets signed him as an undrafted free agent. 6-3, 215 RHP out of UC Santa Barbara. http://www.ksby.com/news/two-gauchos-sign-contracts-with-mlb-teams said, in a 6-13-11 article: “Wheeler signed with the Mets as a pitcher, a role that he accepted this season after not having pitched in quite some time. However the righty appeared in four games, posted a 2.25 ERA and showed flashes of brilliance to go along with a fastball in the low 90s. Wheeler had also played third base and shortstop for the Gauchos and as a junior was one of the team's best hitters. "I had an opportunity to work out in front of one of their scouts and things went well," Wheeler said. "Pitching is still relatively new to me, but I think the Mets' organization felt that was a good thing because I can learn to pitch the way they would like me to. This is very exciting and I can't wait to get on the mound." Anyway, he pitched his second game today for the GCL Mets and he’s now 0.00 in 3.1-IP, woth 4-Ks. We’ll keep an eye on him.


Tobi Stoner:


Stoner had to really enjoy last night’s outing for the B-Mets. Let’s face it, he hasn’t pitched very well since 2009. Last night was vintage Stoner: 7.0-IP, 5-H, 0-R, 4-K, 1-BB, 0-HR. Tobi was the first guy promoted out of my first year covering the Sand Gnats (2007) and it sure looked like the world was his. I’m happy he’s happy tonight.


Brian Valenzuela:


No one was happier in June 2008 that RHP Brian Valenzuela. He just came off a successful high school career in California and was signed as a 10th round draft pick by the New York Mets. He only managerd to get in one game that year for the GCL Mets, but who cared, the world was his for the taking. 2009 started out choppy and he was eventually put up on the shelf an scheduled for Tommy John surgery. This cost him the entire 2010 season and most of us thought we’d seen the last of this promising prep prospect. Well, he got back on the horse last night for Kingsport, which started out with three killer innings. His game stats ended at 5.0-IP, 4-ER, 4-K, 7.20, but, most important, he got his first professional win. It’s too early to tell if the majic has returned but it’s great to have him back.

Aderlin Rodriguez, Jon Niese, Armondo Rodriguez, Beck Wheeler, Brandon Nimmo

It looks like 3B Aderlin Rodriguez is finally getting out of his hitting funk. A-Rod went 1-3 last night, raising his batting average to a season high .223. More importantly, he’s hitting .342 for the past ten games. He also has nine home runs through a miserable first half of the season. We have to remember he’s still only 19 years old, so expect the new Mets regime to let him play the entire year, and maybe next year, in Savannah.




You know, in the all the bitching and moaning I’ve done about not drafting the final piece of my “dream team” rotation, I’ve never considered that Jon Niese just may be that piece of the puzzle. He’s pitching his second season as part of the Mets rotation and he’s still only 24-years old. Lifetime major stats: 17-17, 4.12, but this year alone stands at: 6-5, 3.46. More important, since May 18th, he’s 4-1 with the majors 2nd best ERA, 1.58.



Armondo Rodriguez got off to a slow start this season coming out of extended camp. A-Rod went 8-9, 3.08, 27-starts, 152-K, 146.0-IP last season for Savannah, and only had his fourth start last night for St. Lucie. He did well: 5.0-IP, 10-K, 1-BB. He’s sitting on a 2.65 ERA and we can expect him to stick around in the Lucy rotation this season.




Two UC Santa Barbara baseball pitchers signed free agent deals in the last week following the Major League Draft. Greg Davis, a 6-foot-4 right-hander, signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. Beck Wheeler, a 6-foot-3 right-hander, signed with the New York Mets. Wheeler signed with the Mets as a pitcher, a role that he accepted this season after not having pitched in quite some time. However the righty appeared in four games, posted a 2.25 ERA and showed flashes of brilliance to go along with a fastball in the low 90s. Wheeler had also played third base and shortstop for the Gauchos and as a junior was one of the team's best hitters. "I had an opportunity to work out in front of one of their scouts and things went well," Wheeler said. "Pitching is still relatively new to me, but I think the Mets' organization felt that was a good thing because I can learn to pitch the way they would like me to. This is very exciting and I can't wait to get on the mound." - http://www.ksby.com/news/two-gauchos-sign-contracts-with-mlb-teams




6-14-11: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/6/14/2222649/2011-mlb-draft-new-york-mets-review#storyjump  - 1) Brandon Nimmo, OF, Wyoming HS: He'll want a lot of money to skip college ball at Arkansas, but I think it is worth it. He's got above average tools across the board, good plate discipline, and more polish than we have any right to expect given his background.