Building 2012 Rosters Prospects First - Picks 41-45:

#41 – OF Juan Lagares – This is one of the great positive stories of the 2011 season. Lagares almost played himself off the map after the 2009 season, but what do you expect from a teeneage who originally came up as an infielder. Right now, he’s the top hitting outfielder in the system. He has a combined A+/AA BA of .354/.391/.508/.899, with 9-HR and 67-RBI. The Mets have already announced that he is playing winter ball in Arizona which is probably a combination of more experience plus an opportunity to showcase. Where is he going? Well, I have him in Buffalo in 2011 with F-Mart, Captain Kirk, and Mike Baxter (though Baxter may be in Queens). This is a real good problems. ETA: part of a pre-2012 trade.

#42 – 3B Zach Lutz – Yes, Lutz has been on the DL alot the past two seasons, but none of the injures were genetic or career threatening (broken wrist, broken finger, hit by ball). When he does play, he hits. He currently is hitting over .300 again (.302) and has 11-HR, 31-RBI in 212-AB. Like his predecessor, Shawn Bowman, he only plays third base which doesn’t give a Mets prospect that much to look forward to each spring. He’ll be back at AAA next year as an insurance policy and you’ll probably see him in Queens next month for a peek. ETA – 2013 MLB team

#43 – SP Logan Verrett – Verrett was a 2011 draft pick that didn’t get any play this season. He’s a three-pitch guy with a fastball that hits 95. His slider has been inconsistent and he does need some control work. His junior year stat line at Baylor was: 17-G, 15-St, 7-6, 2.93, 101.1-IP, 96-K, 31-BB. Like Greg Peavey and Erik Goeddel this season, the Mets will send many of their college draft pitches to Savannah next spring. One, IMO, will be Logan. ETA: - 2016 Pen

#44 – P Christian Montgomery – Montgomery was consistently placed in the first round of all the early mock drafts last June through August. Andy Seiler had him as the 27th overall pick. Sully Draft had him 33rd. The scouting reports had him in the 94-95 range coming out of his junior year in high school. He led the USA 18U team to victory and more mocks posted him: MLBProspects: 28th… Pat Hickey: 38th. Then, something happened. He lost his velo and was eventually shut down. The Mets found him still around in the 11th round, did their due diligence, and signed him on the last day for a $250,000 bonus. Could be either the dark horse of the draft or the second coming of Nathan Vineyard.. I have him doing baby steps next spring in Kingsport. ETA: TBD




photo by Allan Greene

 #45 – RP T.J. Chism – TJ has been taking baby steps since coming out of LaSalle University in 2009. He explained to me last season that a chance in delivery turned things around that are still going well this season in Brooklyn: 3-0, 1.27, 25-G, 4-SV. We joked then about him being #109 on the Keepers list and his desire to crack the top 100. He doesn’t have to worry about that anymore. Chism will start the season as a 23-yr. old, so there’s no reason to come to Savannah. I have him playing Lucy come the spring of 2011 – ETA: 2015 pen.


Rosters So Far:


Buffalo: (11) –SP Chris Schwinden, Collin McHugh, RP Robert Carson, IF Alan Dykstra, Reese Havens, Jordany Valdespin, Zach Lutz, OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Fernando Martinez, Mike Baxter, Juan Lagarus


Binghamton: (9) – SP: Mike Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jeurys Familia, Darin Gorski, RP Josh Edgin, Brad Holt, IF Jefry Marte, OF Matt den Dekker, Cesar Puello


St. Lucie: (10) – SP Greg Peavey, Taylor Whitenton, Angel Cuan, RP Cory Mazzoni, Jack Leathersich, Chase Huchingson, IF Wilmer Flores, Aderlin Rodriguez, OF Cory Vaughn, Gilbert Gomez


Savannah: (5) – SP Akeel Morris, Alex Panteliodis, Erik Goeddel, Logan Verrett, RP T.J. Chism,


Brooklyn: (4) – SP: Michael Fulmer, Juan Urbina, IF Phillip Evans, OF: Brandon Nimmo


Kingsport: (3) – SP Luis Mateo, Christian Montgomery, OF Vincente Lupo

The Keepers: - #48 - SP - Christian Montgomery

48. Christian Montgomery



Christian Montgomery - RHP 3B/1B Lawrence Central Indianapolis IN


2-19-11: - http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/  - RHP Christian Montgomery Lawrence Central HS, Indianapolis Indiana 6’1 230 – power arm who will run fb up to 94-95, pitches at 90-91, fb mostly true and hard slider with sweep action that’s inconsistent but when he’s on, that pitch is above average, will rush himself and show some effort to his delivery but workable to improve. Also needs to tone up a bit and when football is over with, he can concentrate on pitching and work with a pro instructor to help smooth out his delivery. Reminds me a bit of reliever Rodney who pitches now for the Angels. Good upside!


6-13 from: - link - RHP, Christian Montgomery, Lawrence Central HS, Indianapolis IN, 6'1 1/2 230, live arm, low 90's, mostly 90, has an idea out there, power type cb with poor command currently, but good idea and improvement.


6-25 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com/  - The Tournament of Stars - a showcase event for USA Baseball held every June in North Carolina - is designed to be a forum to compile an 18-and-under team to represent the United States in the IBAF 18U World Championships this July. Keith Law from espn.com recently filed two reports from the event. Here are some highlights from Keith's reports. - •If Indianapolis RHP Christian Montgomery can slim down (6'1". 240) his stuff could make him first round material.


6-27: - With the conclusion of the Tournament of Stars in Cary, N.C., USA Baseball has now announced the trials rosters for the 18U national teams. - Christian Montgomery RHP R/R 6-1 240 Lawrence Central HS, Indianapolis 2011


6-29 from: - Andy Seiler Mock Draft - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/6/28/1541924/andys-first-2011-top-50#storyjump  – 27. Christian Montgomery, RHP, Lawrence Central HS (IN)


7-1 from: - http://sullydraft.blogspot.com/ / – 2011 Mock Draft – 33. Christian Montgomery- RHP, Lawrence HS


7-1 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/6/30/1544396/pats-first-2011-top-50#storyjump  – Pat Hickey Mock Draft – 38. Christian Montgomery, RHP, Lawrence Central HS (Ind.)


7-3 from: - http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/07/03/early-follow-list-for-2011-mlb-draft  - from Fanhouse.com MLB Draft guru Frankie Piliere – Christian Montgomery RHP Lawrence Central HS (Ind.) - Soft midsection, thick body is a question mark but stuff is outstanding. Comfortably at 91-93, commands potential plus breaking ball at 77-81. Plus pitchability for age.


7-3 from: - http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/2010/07/early-version-of-top-50-prospects-for.html  - Top 50 - 28 Christian Montgomery , RHP , Lawrence Central HS, Indianapolis


7-11 from: - http://web.usabaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100710&content_id=12157090&vkey=recap_usab  – The USA Baseball 18U National Team beat the Greater Alliance N.Y. All-Stars 11-1 in game two of a twinbill Saturday night at University Field. Christian Montgomery earned the win improving Team USA to 5-0 in exhibition play. Montgomey (1-0) allowed one run, unearned, in two innings pitched with four punchouts.


7-19-10 from: - http://sullydraft.blogspot.com/  - High School Top Tens: RHP - 8. Christian Montgomery- Lawrence Central


6-10-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5864  - Christian Montgomery (11th round). Montgomery's velocity may not have been as consistently good this spring as it was last summer, when he showed the ability to sit in the low-90s while approaching the mid-90s, but he has a strong, powerful frame and overall approach.


8-15-11: - Montgomery signed with the Mets for a $250,000 bonus in the last hour of the last day allowed for draft picks to be signed.

Cutnpaste: Yucaryburt De La Cruz, Christian Montgomery, Ryota Igarashi, Mike Jacobs, Izzy on 2012

Yucaryburt De La Cruz:


8-14-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/08/kingsport-mets-team-report-stretch-run-edition.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29&utm_content=Twitter  - Yucaryburt De La Cruz - Signed by the Mets as an IFA in Feb. 2009, this slender middle infielder is more of a speed and defense guy at this stage in his career. He leads off for the K-Mets, leads the team in Runs scored with 33, and 3B’s with 4. Although he is a solid glove man, with good speed, as his .247 BA shows, there is plenty of room for improvement with the bat.


Christian Montgomery:


8-17-11: - http://www.metstoday.com/6911/mets-minors/reviewing-the-mets-draft  - 11th round selection Christian Montgomery is as good as it gets. Before the draft, he was considered a lock in the first round, until he rapidly lost velocity in his fastball. Last summer, Montgomery’s fastball sat at 90-95 mph, however he was consistently throwing in the mid-80s during the spring. He’s going to be a work in progress kind of guy. High risk, higher reward.


Ryota Igarashi:


8-18-11: - http://www.metstradamusblog.com/2011-articles/august/brain-power.html  - Speaking of pitchers who can't get major leaguers out, any chance that Nevin Shapiro can admit that he provided Ryota Igarashi with cars, money and strippers so Igarashi can be deemed ineligible to be within 100 yards of any sporting event in the country? No? Can't I dream? Igarashi was given the simple assignment of protecting a six-run lead, but struggled to the point of making Jason Isringhausen warm up. If Izzy had blown out his arm warming up because Igarashi couldn't get three outs, I think I would have been a little bit pissed off. Irrationally, yes. But pissed off still. Boy, you think Terry Collins is re-thinking his plan to give Swallows Man regular appearances out of the bullpen? Hell I don't think he can get Nevin Shapiro out much less Jason Bartlett.


Mike Jacobs:


AdamRubinESPN per twitter - Ex-Met Mike Jacobs has been suspended 50 games for testing positive for hGH, MLB announced. #mets #rockies


Izzy on 2012:


"If I feel healthy, I'll have my agent talk to some people and see what kind of interest is out there," Isringhausen said before the Mets beat the Padres 7-3. "I'm not coming back for 500 grand again -- I know that. But in the same sense I knew coming in, this year wasn't really about the money. It was about proving to people I was healthy. We'll just see how it goes. My wife and I will have a lot of conversations and we'll see what happens.” http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/izzy_mulls_returning_next_year_rMasW3DUYMbpVxkc6OdvTP#ixzz1VOAzw1Iw