Mets: Darin Gorski, Rafael Montero, Matt Tuiasosopo, Edgardo Alfonzo

1-27-12: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6509 10. LHP Darin Gorski - Baseball-Reference player profile - While top prospects Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and Jeurys Familia will get all the attention by likely starting the season together in the AA Binghamton rotation, a probable fourth member of that rotation should get some notice as well. Gorski has been flying under the radar since being an upper-80s finesse pitcher out of Kutztown State in Pennsylvania, where the Mets picked him in the seventh round in 2009.  After two undistinguished years in the minors, Gorski blossomed last year in the Florida State League, 11-3, 2.08 in 138 innings, allowing only 29 walks against 140 strikeouts. Most importantly, his velocity moved up from finesse/soft toss category to “firm low-90s” at times, which made his very good change and workable downer curveball all that more effective.   Gorski sounds very similar to another finesse left hander out of a small Northeast school who went on to pitch in the big leagues for nine years, John Halama.

1-23-12 - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/23/2693134/2012-amazin-avenue-top-50-mets-prospects  #46) RHP Rafael Montero - Like Mateo, the 21-yr old Rafael Montero signed a little late to pro ball but he certainly made up for lost time. Montero used a pinpoint low 90's heater to carve up DSL hitters early in the year (see, 0 walks vs. 20 K's) and for whatever reason, he was promoted forward while Mateo was not. Montero went on to post more gaudy totals -- including a combined .208 opp. average -- as he rocketed up four levels, right into the Cyclones 'pen in the heart of a playoff run. Pretty incredible, even before you realize that this was all during his pro debut. While he had age on his side, his combination of stuff and command are very impressive. I'd LOVE to see what he could do alongside Mateo in the Gnats rotation in 2012.

Make a lot of jokes about the guys the Mets have signed this off-season but Matt Tuiasosopo (I dare you to pronounce that properly) is simply so bad that no joke is funny enough to make this ok. I totally understand depth signings and I know guys like this get moved around all the time but I literally cant find a single reason the Mets have signed this guy. His stats are truly atrocious, in the three seasons where he played Major League Ball he played in 71 games and in only of those three seasons did he crack the Mendoza line, in 2009 when he hit .227. His career slash line is: .176/.234/.306, that is just so bad. I believe his big selling point is that he can play almost any position, having seen time at 1B,2B,SS,3B and LF. The only problem being, he is bad at all of them, having never posted a positive or even zero UZR at any of these positions.Finally. his career WAR is -1.1, in three years his presence has lost his teams a little over a game. Why are we signing him? He is worse than any decent triple A player we could bring up. http://www.metsrospectus.com/2012/01/gettin-to-know-matt-tuiasosopo.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

As I looked over the twenty categories listed in the Mets media guide in the all-time leaders section, the name Edgardo Alfonzo popped up on fifteen of the twenty categories, that put Alfonzo second just behind Darryl Strawberry for most top ten categories. (Straw is top ten in seventeen of the twenty failing to crack the top ten in  batting average, pinch hits and pinch hit home runs. I think we should be clamoring for number 18 to be retire don’t you think?) http://www.kranepoolsociety.com/2012/01/29/how-is-edgardo-alfonzo-not-in-the-ny-mets-hall-of-fame/

Mets: Matt Tuiasosopo, Phillip Evans, Josh Edgin, Cam Maron

• Jan 27: Matt Tuiasosopo - Going back to our theme of former top prospects, the Mets signed the '04 third rounder and longtime Mariners prospect just last week. Puget Sound's favorite son signed with his hometown team out of high school and ranked very highly on prospect lists for his outstanding athleticism alone. However, unfortunately his amazing raw tools just didn't translate as he was never able to develop the kind of offensive game to profile as major leaguer. In parts of three seasons with Seattle between '08 and '10, he batted just .176 with 5 homers. Even as a minor leaguer he only managed a .263/.359/.405 triple-slash, while playing so-so defense at third. He's pretty much a sure-bet to play most of his 2011 with Buffalo as he's already a few slots down on the organization's third base pecking order. http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/31/2753903/taking-inventory-of-the-mets-minor-league-free-agents

1-27-12: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6509  7. SS Phillip Evans - Baseball-Reference player profile - The Mets went way out of slot to sign Evans, giving him $650,000 in the 15th round, the third highest bonus they paid to any player, and over $200,000 more than second round pick RHP Cory Mazzoni. The 5-10/185 Evans is a prototypical Southern California middle infielder in many ways and a right handed hitting version of Tony Wolters, the Indians third round pick in 2010 who received a $1.35M signing bonus. A 2010 PG/Aflac All-American, Evans doesn’t have a true plus run or throw tool, as he’s a 6.9 to 7.0 runner with arm strength that is playable for shortstop and very good for second base. But he is an exceptionally polished and instinctive player both offensively and defensively, although his defense is what will likely get him to the big leagues. Evans also has the type of make up that will make him an extra coach on teams with younger players. Although whether he ever ends up with younger players is doubtful, as the Mets moved him through all three of their short season teams despite his signing close to the deadline.

1-30-12 - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/30/2757346/2012-amazin-avenue-top-50-mets-prospects-21-30  LHP Josh Edgin - Another lefty reliever, Edgin put his name on the map in 2011 with a definite breakout campaign. After reeling off an incredible run at Lo-A Savannah where he didn't allow a run seemingly for the entire first half, the 2010 30th round selection would go on to post an impressive 9.00 K/9 with a .184 opp. average against lefties at Hi-A St. Lucie. Edgin did slow a bit down the stretch -- including an August where he gave up more runs than the rest of his season combined. Though that's not entirely surprising considering he doubled his pro inning count from 2010. At 25, he's also a bit old for A-ball though that's probably due more to wasted time thanks to a collegiate transfer. At 6'1", 225 lbs if Leathersich is sturdy, then Edgin is downright stocky. Ultimately, Edgin's strong low 90's fastball and excellent low 80's slider as well as his solid command are what give him a chance to move fast. Paul DePodesta even hinted that we could potentially see Edgin in Queens in 2012 if things break right. He'll break the season in Bingo and we should know relatively quickly whether or not we're looking at a potential power LOOGY.

1-31-12 – http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/  - Cam Maron is like Josh Thole Jr.  Like Thole in the minors, Maron’s been darn consistent about it. Maron has a short contact-oriented swing to go along with his strong plate eye.  He’ll never hit for much power, and even during batting practice does not look to drive the ball much. Still, he’s a catcher and a chance for plus OBP from the position is really nice. Maron moves well behind the plate, and believes that his blocking is the strongest part of his defensive game, while he still needs to continue to improve his throwing. Also, he gets bonus points for growing up a Mets fan. 2011: At 20 this past year in the Appalachian League, Maron walked more than he struck out. After hitting .318/.434/.413 in 58 games in the Appalachian League, Maron played one regular season game for the Sand Gnats.