Mets Analysis – 2012 Full Season Relievers

Josh Edgin – It’s hard to think that someone could have a better year than Josh had in 2011. Savannah stats were: 24-G, 0.87, 0.77, 2.26-BABIP, 1.85-FIP. He followed this in St. Lucie with: 24-G, 1.57, 1.19, .307, 2.95. I expect him to start off in Binghamton, but this soon to be 25-year old could move quickly up the chain. Looks like a real find.

Brad Holt – First of all, this could be a moot point if the Mets don’t protect Holt in the Rule V… err, okay… FIVE Draft. I’m assuming here that they will. You’re not going to see great 2011 stats here. His relief ERA was 4.09, while he posted 5.04 as a starter. The good news was his K/BB ration as a reliever… 35-K/33.0-IP. My hope is thye protect him and let him try this again at the AA-level. There’s no rush for a reliever.

Nick Carr – Speaking of no rush for a reliever, all the Mets have to do is figure out a way to keep Carr healthy and they have a live one here. Carr has already been in the system for six years, but has only pitched in 120 games. A failed starter, he had outstanding numbers this year at three levels (30-appearances, 3-0, 2.27, 39.2-IP, 41-K, 20-BB). Carr still sits in the high 90s and will play 2012 as a 25-year old. Look for him to be in Binghamton.

Jeff Kaplan – Kaplan spent most of the season in St. Lucie (45-G, 3.45, 44-K, 24-BB, ,57-1-IP), but did appear in Binghamton as well (3-G). He had an incredible April in which he went 0.71, 1-ER, 12.2-IP, in 11 games. Things blew up in May (5.28) and June (9.39), but he finished up the season strong. All Kaplan has to do is be a ittle more consistent and cut down on the walks. Another Binghamton reliever in April.

Jack Leathersich – Leathersich signed late this year and only got into nine games for the Cyclones, but made one hell of an impression: 12.2-IP, 26-K, 0.71-ERA. Jack’s a college boy, so he should be ready for a full schedule team. I’m expecting to see him in Savannah this season.

Matt den Dekker, Jeff Kaplan, Reese Havens, Roy Merritt, David Einhorn

Matt den Dekker:


6-30-11: - minorleagueball.  - Another 2010 draftee expected to advance quickly is New York Mets outfield prospect Matt Den Dekker, selected in the fifth round last year from the University of Florida. He was a senior and is already 23, so it is wise for the Mets to be aggressive about promoting him if his performance warrants. It was warranted following his .296/.362/.494 first half for St. Lucie in the High-A Florida State League, and he moved up to Double-A Binghamton 10 days ago. The results there are much less impressive: .194/.256/.278 in 36 at-bats, with 14 strikeouts, but the sample is small, of course. Den Dekker is an exceptional defensive outfielder with above average speed. He has some pop in his bat, but his hitting approach is inconsistent and he has problems with pitch recognition which Double-A pitchers have been able to expose in the early going.


Jeff Kaplan:


6-30-11: - Roster moves on Thursday included RP Jeff Kaplan, who was bumped up from St. Lucie to Binghamton. Many thought he would be promoted earlier; however, I’m not sure he deserved this. He was unhittable in April (0.71), but that was about it, going 5.28 in May and a whopping 9.39 in June. Not too many people get promoted with these kind of numbers so this might be a good representation of the lack of depth in the organization when it comes to relief pitchers.


Reese Havens:


It has come to my attention that the injuries currently preventing 2B Reese Havens from playing are simple back spasms. He hasn't taken BP or infield since the last home stand. He said he is feeling better and should be back soon.


Backman on Merritt:


7-1-11: - http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=009c2bd267f346edad76d7184d9fd4ef&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckUserId=009c2bd267f346edad76d7184d9fd4ef&plckPostId=Blog%3a009c2bd267f346edad76d7184d9fd4efPost%3a8af78d24-8473-4c23-9ef8-ec9067003bb6&plckBlogItemsPerPage=5  - “Everything stays on the same plane with him.A lot of times his slider is flat. It stays or it’s just sliding through the hitting zone. His fastball -- from the way that I see it – its stays pretty true. “He’s really not sidearm. He’s in between there somewhere. For me and I think for Roy’s career, I think he’s got to go up on top or go all the way down. It’s got to be one or the other because he has enough velocity to pitch. That’s my own opinion, but the arms slot is not working. He knows it. I’ve talked to him about it. That’s not my decision to make.”


David Einhorn:


7-1-11: - http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/28053/mets-morning-briefing-7-1-11  - David Einhorn and the Mets hoped to have a completed deal for a minority share announced by the end of June. That has not materialized yet, but a team spokesman told the Post the sides are still exclusively speaking and positive about a favorable resolution. "The Mets ownership and David Einhorn are engaged in exclusive, positive discussions regarding an investment in the team," the spokesman told the newspaper.