1-23-12 -
http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/23/2693134/2012-amazin-avenue-top-50-mets-prospects #44) RHP Nick Carr -
Carr placed no. 41 on this list last season and around the end of April he
looked like a lock to make a big move forward in 2012. Armed with the high-90's
heat that has always made him dangerous, he finally looked to be turning the
corner as his command was straightening out and he'd dominated the competition
in the FSL. That's when the injury bug returned and curtailed his season. He
continued to miss bats upon returning but his control reverted back to 4+ BB/9
levels and he now once again resembles quite a question mark moving forward. As
always he has the stuff to move extremely fast -- I'm talking Citi Field by
September fast -- but he's got to stay healthy and improve the command, despite
a violent delivery which works against him on both fronts.
Jonathon Niese,
Mets, ADP: 218.75 - For some, Niese's appearance in a piece like this will
elicit sleeper-list fatigue, while others will see it as an opportunity.
Indeed, Niese has been a preseason breakout candidate a couple years running
now, and those who've invested (hopefully not too heavily) have yet to be
rewarded. However, the lefty's 2011 peripherals suggest that this could finally
be The Year. Last season, Niese flirted with periphs befitting a bona fide No.
3 fantasy starter: 7.89 K/9, 2.52 BB/9, 51.5% GB rate. Just for kicks, compare
those to Ricky Romero's: 7.12 K/9, 3.20 BB/9, 54.7% GB rate. Niese bested
Romero in two of those three categories, which, as Meatloaf tells us, ain't
bad. http://www.rotoauthority.com/
1-26-12: - http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/index.jsp?partnerId=aw-6182194846943667814-996
- Scouting report: Zack Wheeler can run his heavy fastball into the
mid-90s consistently. His main breaking ball is a curve that has improved to
the point of being another potentially plus pitch. His changeup has continued
to develop well and gives Wheeler another option. He’s struggled with command
in the past, though his walk rate plummeted in the second half of last year,
especially after the trade. A fingernail problem he had in 2010 seems to be a
thing of the past.
It doesn’t appear there is going to be room in the
Mets’ retooled bullpen for Jason Isringhausen. Isringhausen,
39, made an unexpected return to the majors — and his former team — a year ago
when the right-hander showed up at spring training to get some work in to see
if he could still pitch. The Mets’ new regime was impressed — and in dire need
of help in the bullpen — and Isringhausen came at the bargain-basement price of
$500,000. It was a salary he said he wouldn’t be willing to play for again. http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/no_room_for_izzy_in_mets_bullpen_Y6Mdd0iJcVtkzPyhmIH9wJ#ixzz1kY8YZobn
You just can’t make this stuff up — yet another
high-profile free-agent has refused to take the Mets’ money. The latest is
former 17-game winner and 16-game loser Jeff Francis,
who opted instead to accept an invitation to spring training and minor league dealoffered
by the Cincinnati Reds. It was a wild, wheel-and-deal day for the Reds, who
also picked up former Met Wilson Valdez in a trade with the Phillies. As
reported in various outlets, the Mets had been keeping a close eye on Francis,
perhaps fearing he might pickpocket an employee. In any case, I’m a little sad
they weren’t able to bring him into the fold — anyone with the guts to wear a
Vancouver Canucks hat around Denver has to have some moxie and would add
interest to the team. http://www.metstoday.com/7398/11-12-offseason/jeff-francis-also-forsakes-flushing/
