You don’t have to look far to find the players that have made a difference lately in this team. Here have been seen notable additions this year, six of which have been home grown. None statistically scream out at you however, none stink up the joint either. They are:
SP Gonzalez Germen – 11-games, 1-1, 3.14, 1.33, 14.1-IP, 13-K, 8-BB
SP Zack Wheeler – 10-starts, 5-2, 3.63, 1.39, 57.0-IP, 45-K, 28-BB
RP David Aardsma - 27-games, 2-1, 3.46, 1.23, 26.0-IP, 22-K, 11-BB
IF Wilmer Flores – 6-games, .261/.320/.435/.755, 1-HR, 9-RBI
IF Josh Satin – 40-games, .296/.425/.429/.854, 1-HR, 10-RBI
OF Juan Lagares – 76-games, .272/.304/.417/.721, 3-HR, 24-RBI
OF Eric Young Jr. – 103-games, .248/.314/.343/.657, 2-HR, 19-RBI
The recent additions of Germen, Flores, and Lagares all prove that us pundits don’t have all the answers sometimes. There isn’t a single Mets writer, expert, whatever out there that had all three of these guys performing admiralty at the major league level, at the same time.
How did this happen? Germen didn’t really do anything in the minors to show us this. Lagares projected as best a defensive late inning replacement. All this proves that we need to slow down and let these kids develop in the time needed.
We've talked recently about St. Lucie outfielder Kyle Johnson. The Mets traded OF Collin Cowgill to the Los Angeles Angels for Johnson, a leadoff type hitter known for his success in stealing and on-base percentage. The 23-year old continues to impress and should be the B-Mets leadoff hitter on opening day 2014. For now, he has played 2012 for the Burlington Bees (LAA), Savannah, and St. Lucie and has combined stats of: .293/.393/.4-6/.799.
More important, his A+ St. Lucie BA stands alone at .287.
I really like this guy and I hope to see him in the Arizona Fall League.
Lynn Worthy –
Binghamton Mets left-handed pitcher Mark Cohoon earned Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors for August 5 through August 11, the league announced this afternoon. Cohoon, a 12th round pick of the New York Mets in the 2008 draft, threw a seven-inning complete game for the B-Mets in a 6-1 win against the Altoona Curve in the second game of a doubleheader on Tuesday. He allowed just one unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out three http://php.pressconnects.com/blogs/bmets/2013/08/12/cohoon-win-pitcher-week/
Michael Scannell –
Zach Wheeler has now thrown 10 starts. His ERA over his last 7 is 3.07. If you add in his first start against Atlanta, he has a 2.68 ERA over 8 of 10 starts
Mack – I really only have one problem with Wheeler at this point in his growth. He just seems to throw too many pitches, especially in the early innings. The good news is he not only becomes more efficient as the game goes on, but his velocity actually goes up. He was sitting at 94 in the early innings of his last outing but ended up in the 96 range. I’m probably nit picking here. On any other team he’d already be the SP1.
John Coppinger –
As much as I loathe lazy crutch statements and thoughts such as "low-risk high-reward", I have to admit this "different hero every night" schtick is starting to grow on me. The more "heroes" we have means the more halfway capable players are around. Still plenty to go, but remember this: The Mets are 29-22 since the end of Western Civilization. If the bottom is going to fall out, it better do it soon because the bottom is running out of time. http://www.metstradamusblog.com/2013-articles/august/breaking-bad-conditions.html
Dick Jones –
Mack, love the new site. Looks like you were right about Wilmer Flores. Where do you think he’s going to wind up playing?
Mack –Hey, Dick. Thanks for your comments. Actually, I’ve been one of the critics about Flores as he stumbled his way through the system. I think all of you have now got a small glimpse about how slow he is on the base paths. At the same time, he’s proving early that his presence in the lineup is a plus offensively. He seems to have that rare ability to drive runs when needed. Time will only tell whether he can sustain a decent batting average at the major league level.
The Mets have a rare opportunity to play him at third base while David Wright heals. I can’t help but feel this is all trade staging, especially since Ike Davis has returned from the dead. Davis.
I will tell you one more thing you’re not going to like. Daniel Murphy plays a better second base defensively. It’s all about the feet, speed, and movement. Flores just can’t make the turns.
Davis, Murphy, Flores… somebody has to go folks. Somebody has to go and I would strike while the Wilmer iron is hot.
Mike Puma
I asked a Mets person about the hesitancy to play Flores at 2B: "He's a way-lesser Murphy," the person said. "Range is the whole issue."
Jonah Keri –
Jose Abreu, a 26-year-old Cuban slugger who's probably the best power hitter in the world not playing in the majors or the minor leagues, just defected from Cuba. He's going to make a ton of money as a full-fledged free agent. I wrote this long-form story about him a year and a half ago. Asked A's assistant GM David Forst if he had a comp for Abreu. His response: "There are legitimate comparisons to Ryan Howard." (Forst meant that in a good way re: peak Howard, of course.) If your favorite team needs a 1B and has money to spend, you should probably get to know Jose Abreu.
Derek asked -
Mack, I know it’s a little early to forecast the 20134 draft, but do you have any early thoughts.
Mack – a few things…
- 1. There’s no sure fired first pick in the draft. The closest right now would be North Carolina State LHP Carlos Rodon, but he’s not a lock
- 2. It’s a much talented and much deeper draft than 2013, especially in both college and high school starting pitchers.
- 3. Right now, the Mets are projected to draft in the 7-14th overall pick which get them a very decent player
- 4. Some names to look for:
RHSP Michael Kopech – Mt. Pleasant (TX) HS
SS Nick Gordon – Olympia (WA) HS
SS Jacob Gatewood – Clovis (CA) HS
OF Braxton Davidson – TC Robertson (N) HS
