Mack Draft: - Gerrit Cole, Taylor Ard, Harold Martinez, Michael Bradshaw , and Peter O’Brien

As a freshman in 2009, Gerrit (Cole) made 15 appearances (14 starts) as he went 4-8 with an ERA of 3.49 while pitching in 85 innings. He dominated hitters as he only allowed a .191 batting average against him. He struck out 104 batters which was a UCLA Freshman record. He was one of three freshman to earn All-Pac 10 team. He also captured Freshman All-American honors from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. He played in the summer with the USA Collegiate National Team where he appeared in six games (five starts). He had a 4-0 record with a 1.06 ERA while leading Team USA with 46 strikeouts and 34 innings pitched. He issued ten walks while limiting the opponents to a .104 batting average. One of his better performance on the summer was when he was a part of a combined no-hitter against Guatemala as he registered 11 strikeouts in 5.2 innings. His other strong performance came in the World Baseball Challenge when he pitched a complete game two hitter against Canada as Team USA picked up a 1-0 victory to go to the championship game. Baseball America rated Cole as the best prospect on Team USA in 2009 - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/01/25/gerrit-cole-ucla-top-100-countdown


The only player near the top of the ranking without major college experience could position himself atop the whole list by June. Taylor Ard’s funky swing has some scouts questioning how he’ll transition to big time college ball, but I think it’ll play, especially when it comes to his power upside. His strong track record with wood, underrated athleticism, and aforementioned plus-plus raw power should make up for whatever contact deficiencies he might have to overcome. I’m as excited to see how he adjusts to the Pac-10 as I am any newcomer to the college game and the statistical breakdown between him and Oropesa will be telling. - http://baseballdraftreport.com/



#36 - 3B Harold Martinez U of Miami-Fla 6'2 195 R/R - solid hitter with 15 type HR power, solid arm strength with quick glove and range to left and to his right, runs just ok, not a flyer but not a clogger, may steal a base on occ, some comps to Moises Alou as far as approach offensively goes and comes to play and has had solid stat numbers and has done it quietly. Lots of upside left here still. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/



http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5164  - - The recently completed Perfect Game World Showcase in Fort Myers featured one of the most talented groups of players ever to play in this long running event, which dates back to 1997 and was the original Perfect Game showcase. Players are 2011 prospects: - 24. OF Michael Bradshaw (Crestwood, NY): We didn’t even know that the 6-5, 215 lb Bradshaw had started switch-hitting until he launched a home run left handed (after doing the same right handed) during batting practice. His skills are still raw in all areas but Bradshaw has some serious tools.



Peter O’Brien – Bethune-Cookman - The Daytona Beach, FL school is small, but the 2011 list of top catchers starts with this big man. At 6’5, 220 lbs., O’Brien is one of many on this list whose size defies what used to be the mold of the prototypical sub-6’0 squatty catcher. His bat defies most pitchers’ best pitches as well. O’Brien batted .386 with 56 RBIs, while swatting 20 home runs with an 1.193 OPS as a sophomore last season. His efforts helped the Wildcats to an 18-0 MEAC record. O’Brien was also the USA Collegiate National Team’s catcher over the summer. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/01/18/top-11-college-baseball-catchers-to-watch-in-2011  

Tools

Thomas asked: – Mack, good luck on the new site. Count me in as a subscriber. Could you try and make me understand what makes a baseball prospect? It seems every so-called expert has their own definition.

 Mack: – Wow.



You’re not going to like this answer, but the fact is everybody looks upon this sport differently; however, there are some basics.


All of us that rank prospects begin the process with the 5-tool system. If you’re a “5-tool player”, chances are you are going somewhere. Baseball tools are:

for the rest:   http://www.mackade.wordpress.com/

Cutnpaste: - Carlos Beltran, Anthony Young, Sean Ratliff, and Cory Vaughn

Carlos Beltran:

The Mets have one of the highest payrolls in all of baseball, coming in at well over the $100 million mark, and they will once again be behind the Phillies and Braves at least in the NL East, with the Marlins looking better and better each season and even the Nationals now greatly improved.


At some point, they are going to have to tear things down and start over, and dealing Beltran could be the first step. They will no doubt have to take on a good deal of the $18.5 million that he is due next season before he becomes a free agent, but for a contender he could provide a big spark down the stretch.


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/579567-50-bold-predictions-for-the-2011-mlb-season#page/5



Anthony Young:

So, without further adieu, I bid you Anthony Young as the player to represent the 19th Day Until Pitchers And Catchers Report. Bobby Ojeda was without question a better pitcher than Young, and he was nearly the man I chose for his savvy, gritty pitching and leadership in 1986. Tim Foli was on the short list as well, partially because anyone with the nickname “Crazy Horse” has to be in the conversation (where did all the nicknames go?). Heath Bell almost made the cut for his constant shuttling between Flushing and Norfolk. And, Lino Urdaneta was considered because of his ERA of infinity.



http://www.metstoday.com/6107/spring-training-countdown/19-dupacr-anthony-young



Sean Ratliff:

1-24-11 from: - http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/2011/01/24/tim-teufel-teaching-hitting-an-impressive-record  - Through 2009, Sean Ratliff was a .255/.308/.429 hitter in 188 minor league games for Brooklyn and Savannah with a week in St. Lucie. In 57 games in advanced-A as a 23-year old in 2010, he hit .275/.331/.432. Promoted to AA Binghamton, where he joined Teufel. The Stanford product erupted for a .317/.371/.562 line with 21 doubles and 16 home runs in 73 games. There are a few other recent examples (Daniel Murphy/Ike Davis) of guys’ numbers jumping a bit in concert with a move out of the offense-depressing Florida State League to  AA Binghamton



Cory Vaughn:

1-24-11 from: - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/1/24/1951399/mets-farm-system-top-5-power-hitters  - Bloodlines certainly don't hurt Vaughn, the son of the one-time 50 home run masher Greg Vaughn. After being drafted in the fourth round this June, Cory wasted no time knocking ten bombs in his first 160 ab's. Vaughn went on to post a magnificent .250 ISO in his pro debut, finishing top 3 in the NYPL in homers, slugging, extra-base hits & RBI's, pretty much cementing his status as a potential middle-of-the-order threat. The 21-year old Vaughn possesses an ultra-athletic 6'3", 225lb frame which just oozes raw strength and allows for easy power to all fields as well as huge pull-side strength, figuring to cancel out the unfriendly righty dimensions at Citi. It remains to be seen whether Vaughn will continue to excel against more age-appropriate competition but he certainly possesses the kind of tools to project for big things.

Cutnpaste: - Daniel Murphy, Mo Vaughn, Lucas Duda, Sean Ratliff, and Robin Ventura

Mack Ade

Daniel Murphy:

Murphy, a third baseman for most of his minor league career, was thrust into left field at the start of his major league career despite extremely limited experience there. He then was poised to be the Mets' Opening Day first baseman last season. That plan abruptly ended when Murphy "popped a little bit" the medial collateral ligament in his right knee while trapped in a rundown during a Grapefruit League game the final week of spring training. -
espn   














Mo Vaughn:

Mo Vaughn won an arbitration case against his former money manager, and now the manager faces a federal lawsuit: The arbitrator ruled that RKM Business Services, owned and operated by Ra Shonda Kay Marshall, committed fraud in handling Vaughn’s finances from 2004 to 2008. Vaughn alleged that Marshall had diverted money from his bank account to her own accounts. The arbitrator also concluded that RKM breached its contract with Vaughn and its fiduciary duty to him. Mo gets back the $1 million taken from him and an additional $2.5 million. -
http://baseballmusings.com/



Lucas Duda:

1-24-11 from: - http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/2011/01/24/tim-teufel-teaching-hitting-an-impressive-record  - Entering the 2010 season, Lucas Duda was a career .277/.374/.422 hitter with 24 career home runs in 310 games. He’d never hit more than 11 home runs in a season or had 30 doubles. He’d hit .281/.380/.428 with 29 doubles and nine homers in 110 games at AA in 2009 and .263/.358/.398 for Teufel in St. Lucie in 2008. For Teufel, as a 24-year old in 2010, Duda hit .286/.411/.503 with 17 doubles and six home runs in 45 games. Promoted to AAA, he was even better: .314/.389/.610 with 23 doubles and 17 jacks in 70 games. His big league line of .202/.261/.417 in 29 games, is superficially disappointing, but was held down by a .220 BABIP and he still managed an ISO SLG of .214.



Sean Ratliff:

1-24-11 from: - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/1/24/1951399/mets-farm-system-top-5-power-hitters  - You rarely see a center fielder lead an entire league in OPS yet that's what Ratliff nearly did in the Double-A Eastern League in 2010, had he gotten about 30 more ab's. Underrated in prospect circles thanks to his poor plate discipline -- 72 strikeouts vs. 23 walks in 2010 -- the 23-year old Ratliff still showcases the kind of lefty power (0:30) that could make him an impact player in the big leagues. In 2010, Ratliff was one very few Mets farmers to reach the 20 homer plateau in the last few seasons and his exceptional .246 ISO and .333 average against lefties really bear watching. Though he won't likely stick in center and I doubt he keeps that average much above .250-.260 in the bigs, Ratliff has the kind of pop to expect 15-20 homers from the very first day he shows up.



Robin Ventura:

Chants of “MVP’ rained down on Ventura throughout his ’99 campaign (32 homers, 120 RBI, .301 batting average, Gold Glove). That year might be the best overall individual season for any Mets third basemen. Who can forget his penchant for Grand Slams, including the famous “Grand Slam Single” in the 1999 NLCS. Injuries slowed him the final two years of his contract, but he still provided great defense, leadership, and clutch hitting. Personified what the 99-00 Mets were all about. - http://nybaseballdigest.com/?p=32447  

Q&A – What’s With The Constant Blog Changing?

Ed asked: – Here we go again Mack. What is this, your fifth or sixth blog over the past seven years? Do you realize if you stopped blowing it up every year or so you would have been the biggest one out there? What gives with you?


Mack: Well, it’s tempting to delete this one, but, what the hell. It’s a question worth answering.

For the rest...  http://www.mackade.blogspot.com/

Diamond Scape - Top Pitchers in Draft

1. Gerrit Cole - Univ. of California - Los Angeles


2. Matt Purke - Texas Christian Univ.


3. Sonny Gray - Vanderbilt Univ.


4. Daniel Norris - Science Hill HS, Knoxville, Tenn.


5. Taylor Jungmann  - Univ. of Texas - Austin


50. - Cody Kukuk - Lawrence Free State HS, Lawrence, Kan.

for complete list:  -  http://diamondscapescouting.com/rankings_2011_preseason_pitchers.html 

Mack Draft: - John Stilson, Dylan Bundy , Adam Bryant , Robert Michael Garcia Quiroz, Jett Bandy, Levi Michaael, Brad Miller, Michael Gunn, James McCann, Cody Asche

The Aggies welcome back some talented hitters from a lineup that finished last season with a .300 average, but must find a way to replace departed power hitters Brodie Greene and Joe Patterson. On the mound, John Stilson’s move from closer to weekend starter is the biggest story line entering the spring. Stilson has a great arm and is a top draft prospect, but it’ll be interesting to see how he makes the transition. - http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/baseball/news?slug=kr-tamucountdown012311



#37 - RHP Dylan Bundy Owasso HS, Oklahoma 6'0 1/2 200 - very good arm and out pitch, hard cb 11/6 rotation with sharpness, 90-94 mph fb, has been pretty much the same for last 2 years, some effort to delivery but overall very strong and competitive, shows decent control and command to advance further in pro ball. Will have to watch pitch counts with him as he develops. U of Texas commit? hmmmm. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/



Adam Bryant – Troy - While fellow Sun Belt star Garrett Wittels garnered all the national acclaim for his hitting streak last season, Bryant had a monster “below the radar” campaign of his own. Of course, Bryant wasn’t below the radar as far as Sun Belt Conference pitchers were concerned. The 5’10 junior batted .356 with 65 RBIs, while leading the Sun Belt with 23 HR, 70 runs and a .744 slugging percentage. He struck out just 38 times in 250 at-bats and amassed an OPS of 1.175. Bryant smashed four of his home runs en-route to Troy’s run to the Sun Belt Tournament title game, which they lost 14-10 to Wittels and FIU to fall one win short of an NCAA bid. He committed just three errors in 295 chances for a spectacular .990 fielding percentage. http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/01/21/top-11-college-baseball-ss-to-watch-in-2011



http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5164  - - The recently completed Perfect Game World Showcase in Fort Myers featured one of the most talented groups of players ever to play in this long running event, which dates back to 1997 and was the original Perfect Game showcase. Players are 2011 prospects: - 23. RHP Robert Michael Garcia Quiroz (Mexico City): The loose and athletic Mexico native topped out at 86 at the California Underclass Showcase a year ago but was up to 90 mph at a time when most pitchers are at less than full velocity. That’s a good sign there’s still more to come.



Jett Bandy – Arizona Bandy batted .356 with six home runs and 42 RBIs in 2010, up from .299 with 39 RBIs as a freshman in 2009. His .982 OPS, helped by a team-high 23 doubles, was the second-best on the Wildcat roster. In fact, he has stroked a whopping 44 doubles in 108 games in his first two seasons in Tucson. The junior was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 41st round coming out of high school, but the preseason All-American looks to be a much higher selection when this June’s draft roles around. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/01/18/top-11-college-baseball-catchers-to-watch-in-2011

Levi Michael – North Carolina - It’s hard to believe, but Michael is already a junior. The early high school graduate batted .290 with 13 home runs and 57 RBIs while helping UNC to Omaha in 2009 in what should have been his senior season in high school. He moved from second base to shortstop last year and his overall production moved-up as well. The 5’10 sophomore led the Tar Heels with his .346 average, and while his home run total dipped to nine, his slugging percentage still went up from .527 to .575. His OBP also went from .377 to .480 thanks to 44 BB and 17 HBP, compared to just 26 strikeouts. He also led his team with 20 stolen bases. http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/01/21/top-11-college-baseball-ss-to-watch-in-2011
Brad Miller – Clemson - Miller led his team with a .357 batting average to help the Tigers reach the College World Series. Now a junior, the 6’0, 185 lb. Miller scored 71 runs with 49 RBIs, 8 home runs and a team-best four triples while starting all but one of Clemson’s 70 games in 2010. His 1.018 OPS was also the second best on the Tiger roster. After the run to Omaha, Miller played the rest of the summer with the USA Collegiate National Team. He was one of just three on the roster who played for Team USA in both 2009 and 2010, becoming the first Clemson player since 2000 and 2001 to have that distinction. http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/01/21/top-11-college-baseball-ss-to-watch-in-2011

http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5164  - - The recently completed Perfect Game World Showcase in Fort Myers featured one of the most talented groups of players ever to play in this long running event, which dates back to 1997 and was the original Perfect Game showcase. Players are 2011 prospects: - 21. 1B/LHP Michael Gunn (Wilson, AR): Gunn isn’t a big, physical 1st base type slugger but has a very quick bat and packs plenty of power in his 6-1, 195 lb frame. He also throws in the mid 80’s from the left side off the mound.
James McCann – Arkansas - Catchers are known as “field generals”, but it says something that, as a sophomore, McCann was named a captain of a 2010 Razorback squad that was coming off a trip to the College World Series. The 6’3 backstop started 35 games as a true freshman, including all four of Arkansas’ games in Omaha. He kept that going last year by starting in all but six of his team’s 64 games. The junior batted .286 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs. The 2008 draft pick of the Chicago White Sox has committed just five errors in 108 career games to date. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/01/18/top-11-college-baseball-catchers-to-watch-in-2011

#39 - 1B-3B-OF Cody Asche Nebraska 6'2 210 L/R - solid hitter with above ave power potential, 20-25 type HR frequency ability, solid ML arm and runs better once underway, sub 7.0, 60, ran 4.3 straight away from home to 1b, better quickness between the bases, arm is strong with carry when on top, sinks when he throws from the side, could be competent at 3b corner ala former 1st round phenom Alex Gordon a few years back for NU. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/

2011 New Mets – Some Thoughts

http://www.mackade.wordpress.com/

The Keepers - #28 - RP - Chad Sheppard

#28 - Chad Sheppard: RP



From BA: - Luke Irvine drew more of the early attention at Northwestern State, but scouts came away preferring Sheppard because he has a better body and a better secondary pitch. After redshirting in 2008, Sheppard tied the Demons' save record with 10 as a freshman last spring, then matched that total again this season. He uses his 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame and low-90s sinker to keep the ball down in the strike zone and induce grounders. He has given up just two homers in two college seasons. His slider is a solid No. 2 pitch, though it can get slurvy at times. When he has both pitches working and throws strikes, Sheppard can be all but unhittable. His frame would suggest durability, but he has worked exclusively out of the bullpen in college and likely will remain a reliever in pro ball. Though he's a draft-eligible sophomore, scouts don't think he'll be difficult to sign.


www.perfectgame.org/Articles/Vie  ... ticle=4761 - BEST TOOLS - Best Velocity: Chad Sheppard, rhp, Northwestern State.


http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/  ... r-pressure - "He's been our go-to guy out of the pen," NSU coach J.P. Davis said. "He's really handled the pressure situations great. Early in the year it was a one-inning save maybe. Here down the stretch we've looked to him for three to four innings at a time. He's had a two-year career here, but it's been very special." Sheppard's fastball now hovers around 96 mph, up from the 88-92 mph range he threw his freshman year. "He's made a lot of improvements since he got here," said NSU pitcher Dustin Northcott, who is also Sheppard's roommate. "Half of it would be mental and half of it would be physical. His mental game and confidence have definitely gotten better. He's a really humble guy." His appearances on the mound don't happen without scouts in the stands now. Davis said Sheppard, a right-hander, could be anywhere from a third to sixth-round draft pick.



"His velocity has gone up, but more than anything it's his ability to throw the fastball down and away and throw the breaking ball for strikes and the put away," Davis said. "He's really listened, and all the hard work he's put in is paying off."


11-30-10: - Mack: Morning everybody. We're talking today to Mack's Keepers #67 and the Mets' 17th round draft pick in 2010, closer Chad Sheppard. Hey Chad. How's the off-season going?


Sheppard: It's going great, I just finished up PT and I'm feeling strong. Other than that I've just been hunting fishing and getting myself ready for ST.


Mack: Chad, the first question is the same one I ask everybody. Take us back to that day your name was called out and tell us how that felt.


Sheppard: It was a day that I’ll always remember. Playing pro ball was something that I had dreamed about since I was little. I was with my family and they were all happy when they heard my name. Even though draft day is stressful, it was one of the best days of my life.


Mack: So, what was the first thing you bought with the signup moolah?


Sheppard: Haha, the first thing that I bought was a new boat...I love to fish have been wanting a boat for a long time and now I can fish wherever I want. My friends are happy with that decision too, it seems like I always have a fishing partner!


Mack: Ok... that's the first boat I found... 80% say a new truck. Chad, you went low in the draft because most of so-called draft experts had you as a no-sign. What made you change your mind?


Sheppard: Well my mind was never made on not signing. From the beginning of the year I had set my mind on getting drafted and starting my pro career. I was really counting on going higher but when it came down to it, I guess I was just ready to play.


Mack: Good. And believe me, no one knows what they are going to do until the moment they do it. Chad, everybody loved you when your fast ball (with sink) was 90-92. Now, you're up to 96... what else do you throw?


Sheppard: Well, in college I got by with throwing a lot of fastballs...and as long as I could throw strikes and get ahead in counts I could put people away with my slider. I've thrown a splitter some but I'm really working on a solid change.


Mack: Your old coach at State said you really worked your ass off on developing your pitches, especially your breaking ball. I'm going to assume you will enter the Mets organization as a closer, and I have you slotted for A+ ball in Port St. Lucie. FYI... the only other "successful" closers in the system right now are Victor Peralta (slotted to come from the DSL Mets to either the GCL Mets or Kingsport) and Ryan Fraser, who pitching coaches hinted at during the end of last season that might be turned into a starter.


Is there a question here? Yes... what have you planned in the off-season to get you ready for March?


Sheppard: Well, thanks, I know that I have a lot of ground to make up so Im just working hard to get back in shape physically and mentally. I’m ready to step up for the Mets organization and deliver. Playing ball in St. Lucie would be fine with me and I def think I could help the club...Overall I've got to get back on my game and Im making all the stops this off season to get there.


Mack: Chad, that's all any fan can ask. Thanks for your time and I hope to run into you on the back fields in March.