The Morning Report – 2-16-15: New SNY Studio Analyst, Worst Off-Season Signings, Gavin Cecchini, Sleeper Position Prospects

Bob Raissman | NY Daily News - "Nelson Figueroa will soon become SportsNet New York’s third full-time Mets studio analyst. MLB TV moles say Figueroa, the loquacious journeyman pitcher who was with the Mets in 2008-2009, agreed to a deal with SNY late last week. Figueroa, who has done work with MLB Network, is taking the new gig seriously. Sources said he and his wife and daughter will move from their home in Arizona to New York."

(Chris Soto: Good for Figgy. He has always been an extremely hard worker both on and off the field. The thing about guys like Figgy is.....because they don't have the premium tools most major leaguer have, they have to work twice as hard, and be twice as smart in order to make it. I personally think he is going to be a great asset for SNY during the 2015 season.

(Mack - yeah, it's me... just checking... hope you're all in good health. Thomas will confirm that Figgy and I talked a couple of weeks ago and he told me he had a screen test with SNY, but I didn't push him on whether or not he got the job. He also has signed for 50 guest host shots on MLB-TV, I'm real happy for an old friend.)

David Cameron | Fangraphs.com - "When the Mets struck early, surrendering the 15th pick in the draft to sign an aging outfielder who might not really be able to play the outfield anymore, there seemed to be one obvious explanation; they were definitely going to sign another compensation-attached free agent, so the pick surrendered to add Cuddyer would be their less valuable second rounder instead. Under that scenario, 2/$21M for Cuddyer isn’t all that bad, especially if the other addition pushed the Mets into Wild Card territory. Instead, the only other free agent the Mets signed this winter was John Mayberry, and now it really looks like they punted a valuable draft choice for the right to pay $10 million a year to a guy whose best position is occupied by Lucas Duda. There are scenarios where Cuddyer at this price would have been reasonable; the Mets making him their only off-season acquisition is not one of those scenarios."

(Chris Soto: Look....I share the same sentiment as most people. Giving up the 1st round pick for Cuddyer was ok, as long as an additional signing was made. That did not happen so now fans and analyst are questioning Sandy's commitment to "going for it" in 2015. I think everyone is missing the point here. When Cuddyer is healthy, he is a better hitter than any OF'er the Mets have trotted out there since Carlos Beltran. He was signed for a very reasonable $10.5m per year for only 2 years. If he remains healthy he will easily be worth that both on the field and off the field in regards to keeping Wright level headed and from stressing out and doing too much.)


Barry Quinn | Grading on the Curve - "Not often can a first round pick be called underrated. But among fans, prospect-lovers, and high-profile analysts, the verdict seems to be out on shortstop Gavin Cecchini. The 21-year-old was regularly absent from Mets top prospects rankings this offseason, and most people seem unimpressed with his high-floor, low-ceiling combination. However, after examining Gavin’s 2014 statistics both traditionally and sabermetrically, along with recent scouting reports, I would not be surprised if Cecchini develops into an above-average major league starting shortstop just a couple years down the road. 

(Chris Soto: I share the same opinion as Quinn. Cecchini may not light the world on fire with plus tools. But, once you get past the premium crop of current SS prospects [Lindor, Seager, Russell, etc.], Cecchini ends up being one the best remaining SS prospects out there. He is about as sure of a bet to make it as an MLB SS then any of the top guys, considering SS is such a weak position right now.)


Brian Devine | MetsMerizedOnline - "After an extremely disappointing season in 2013, most people had forgotten about Vicente Lupo. Lupo was one of the Mets top international signings in 2010, and he was often praised for his excellent power and patience at the plate....While there aren't many people talking about Lupo right now, I expect that to change quickly. Lupo carries a lot of power potential, and he is continuing to make a lot of progress. As he advances to higher levels of the minors, Lupo could emerge into one of the Mets most exciting prospects."

(Chris Soto: I like Lupo's power...but he currently strikes out wayyyy too much for my liking. He's on my Top 25 prospect radar but guys with +30% K rates just don't make it past AA nowadays. The pitching is too good. The same goes for Ivan Wilson. Champ Stuart on the other hand is so athletic and raw that I think he still has a chance of putting it all together and becoming something good.)

Draft 13 – Ivan Wilson, Cody Thomas, Kyle McGowin, Rob Kaminsky, Dominic Smith

Ivan Wilson, OF, Ruston HS (LA) - The 6’-3”, 220-pound right-hander smacked three home runs on May 6. Over his last seven games, he is hitting .423 with three doubles, a triple, four home runs, 11 RBI and a .531 OBP/1.077 SLG. He didn’t show a lot of power over his first 22 games with just one home run, but with his size and quick wrists, it is going to come fast. Also runs a 6.72/60, showing very good speed for his size. LINK

Dan Kirby ‏ - @DanMKirby - Cody Thomas has 2 HR today. Now hitting .487 over 39 G w/ 16 2B, 3 3B, 15 HR, 54 RBI, 27 BB, 14 SB, .592 OBP/1.060 SLG

Savannah State punches its ticket to NCAA tourney w/ 1-0 win over Bethune-Cookman. No one wants to face Kyle McGowin (RHP) as a No. 4 seed.

Rob Kaminsky, LHP, St. Joseph HS (NJ) - On Saturday, the 6’-1” southpaw struck out 12 over five shutout innings, allowing one hit in a 10-0 win over Demarest. He improved to 8-0 over eight starts with a 0.18 ERA, 0.49 WHIP and has a whopping 107 strikeouts to just four walks over 51 innings. He already had a plus mid-90s fastball and maybe the best curveball in the draft. Lately, he has shown a plus change-up, as well, making him a highly desirable pick come June 6. LINK

Dominic Smith, Serra (Gardena, Calif.) - Smith has a number of options when it comes to the position he will play at the next level. Currently a first baseman, Smith is more than capable of playing in the outfield thanks to his athletic ability and a very strong arm. He could also see time on the mound since he possesses a 93 mph fast ball. However his offensive production will likely keep him in the field. Described as one of the top pure hitters in the draft, Smith has shown that ability this year for Serra as he is batting .482 with 30 RBI, five doubles, three triples and six home runs. Most mock drafts have Smith going somewhere in the middle of the first round. LINK

Draft 13 – Cody Thomas, Kohl Stewart, Kyle Serrano, Ivan Wilson, Ryan Boldt

Cody Thomas, OF, Heritage HS (TX) - Let me preface this one by saying the Cubs would most likely have to make a pretty sweet offer to the 6’-5”, 220-pound left-handed hitter with tremendous raw power. He has a commitment to play quarterback at Oklahoma and, with his size, rocket arm and athletic abilities, could be a great one. He passed for 4,221 yards and 46 touchdowns over 12 games his senior year and was also the team’s punter. On the diamond, he shows a lot of upside as he also has a good approach at the plate to go along with the massive power potential. Over 32 games this season for powerhouse Heritage, he has hit .485 with 12 doubles, 13 home runs, 45 RBI and has drawn 20 walks for a .579 OBP/1.061 SLG. He also has added 12 stolen bases, showing good speed for his size. link

Can you compare Kohl Stewart's current and potential to any HS pitchers from past few drafts? = Jim Callis: Talked to a scout who said he may be better than fellow Texan Jameson Taillon, who threw harder but couldn’t match the depth of Stewart’s repertoire. The same scout said on the Texas spectrum, he’d put Stewart behind Josh Beckett and ahead of Shelby Miller.

Kyle Serrano, RHP, Farragut HS (TN) - On Saturday, the 6’-1” right-hander allowed three hits over seven shutout innings, striking out 12 to two walks. Over his last seven games, he has a 0.49 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 68 K/10 BB over 37 innings. He features a mid-90s fastball to go along with a plus curveball and is very polished on the mound. Committed to Tennessee. link

Unlike Kohl Stewart, there is no doubt that Ivan Wilson is going to end up playing baseball. An athletic 6'3", 220-pound wide receiver in high school, he doesn't project to play the position in college. Wilson brings that athleticism, solid speed, arm strength, bat speed and above-average power to this draft. He has a chance to stick in center field if his speed stays at the level it is at right now, though that seems unlikely since he isn't exactly a burner right now. link

Jim Callis - ‏@jimcallisBA

OF Ryan Boldt, possible 1st-rder, had arthroscopic surgery to repair small meniscus tear in rt knee. Not expected to play before 

Draft 13 – Ivan Wilson, Dustin Peterson, Cord Sandberg, Matt Vogel, Sean Manaea

Ivan Wilson, OF, Ruston HS (LA) - A 6’-3”, 220 pound right-hander with above-average speed (6.6/60) and raw power, Wilson uses his quick, strong wrists to drive the ball to all fields and has shown a good approach at the plate this season. Over his last 10 games, he is hitting .424 with four doubles, four home runs, 15 RBI and has drawn six walks for a .548 OBP/1.030 SLG. His speed and strong arm would play well in a corner outfield spot and his bat would justify it. He may not be around at 77, but if he is, the Cubs should take a serious look. link

Dustin Peterson, SS, Gilbert HS (AZ) - The younger brother of projected 2013 MLB first-round pick D.J. Peterson of New Mexico, Dustin may have the higher upside as he may be able to stick at shortstop. The 6’-2” right-hander has soft hands, great instincts and above-average speed. He also has the arm to move to third if he can’t handle short and his bat would play very well at the hot corner. Over 26 games this season, he is hitting .549/.579/1.195 with 11 doubles, six triples, 10 home runs, 39 RBI and has only struck out five times. He has also gone 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts. link

Committed to Mississippi State as a quarterback, Cord Sandberg certainly sounds like he wants to go the football route. He raved about the SEC after committing to the Bulldogs, telling 247Sports.com (via Sporting News) this is where he wanted to end up: "I’ve always wanted to play in the SEC. And I love Coach (Dan) Mullen’s offense and how he develops quarterback. So I knew for a while now where I wanted to go and it was an exciting day. Coach Mullen was pretty excited, too, when I told him." link

Dan Kirby ‏ - @DanMKirby  - Medford HS (NY) RHP Matt Vogel has 64 K/15 BB, 9 H over 29 IP (19.9 K/9) On 4/23 went 7 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 20 K/1 BB and hit 3-R HR

5-10 Final Line for Sean Manaea: 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 SO, 100 pitches, 71 strikes