Gary McDonald - Just Rambling Along

Thank goodness it's here, Baseball 2017 has finally arrived and Opening Week is upon us.  What a glorious time it is.  Hope springs eternal but we , as Mets fans, are in store for a great season, in my humble opinion.  This is the year evrything will come together for this team and we will be celebrating with a ticker tape parade come November.  

Opening Day is always a wonderful time.  All the pomp and circumstance, that excitement in the crowd is unlike any other sport.  It's so wonderful to see the green grass, the brown of the infield, the colors in the stadium , and the fans in all their New York Mets finery.  Just a wonderful day and a wonderful week. I will miss Opening Day  (due to work) but I'll be there in spirit.  I'm actually going to game 2 of the season, which, many years ago, they used to promote as Opening Day 2.  I guess this year it will be deemed Opening Evening as it is the first night game of the season.

With all the optimism and hope around them, the Mets are starting the 2017 campaign with some injuries. Not the ideal way to begin, but.... Juan Lagares has an oblique strain, and Steven Matz with a sore elbow.   We talk about Travis d'Arnaud staying healthy, but, miss the fact that Lagares has a difficult time staying on the field as well.  Wrists, hamstrings, sore shoulder, ever since his Gold Glove season, Lagares has not been able to stay healthy and that could be why is offense has yet to get untracked.  Matz is another one who cannot seem to stay healthy.  There is so much potential there if these guys could stay off of the DL.  Add to it David Wright, Brandon Nimmo, and Seth Lugo not exactly how your season should be starting but hey, get it out of the system early and be healthy the rest of the season.

This from a press release in February :   SNY, the official television home of the New York Mets, Jets and all things New York sports, today announced that the network will begin streaming live Mets baseball during the 2017 MLB regular season. The service, available to authenticated SNY subscribers at no additional cost, will deliver baseball's most-watched local broadcast and award-winning pre- and post-game programs streamed at SNY.tv and on the NBC Sports app.  

This is how I'll be watching when I'm away from the television and need my Mets fix.

If you need some great reading material on your way to the ballpark this season may I suggest a few books. Piazza : Catcher,Slugger,Icon,Star by Greg Prince is a terrific book all about everyone's favorite Met. I recently interviewed Greg about his book (MetsMusings #275)  and have enjoyed this book immensely.

Another wonderful book on the Mets is Brett Topel's  So You Think You're a New York Mets Fan?: Stars, Stats, Records, and Memories for True Diehards which is more in the trivia , unknown facts category and another great read for that trip to the park. You can hear Brett talk about the book at www.metsmusings.com (#274).

Well thats it for now the season has begun and it is time to :

Keep The Faith

Stay Optimistic 

And

Let's Go Mets!!!!!

Tom Brennan – PLAY BALL!

Home opener!  Baseball is back.  PLAY BALL!

The Mets were facing a rebuilding Atlanta team that hopes to be competitive in 2017.

The Braves went 9-22 in pre-season and sported a 5.11 ERA.  The team’s bad ERA was largely due to the elderly duo of Dickey and Colon, who allowed 38 runs (earned and unearned) in 41 IP.

Starting the opener was Julio Tejeran, who in 4 spring starts compiled a 2.81 ERA.  He ain’t chump change, especially when he's not down by the schoolyard, having compiled a 47-40, 3.39 career to date before turning 27.  Not to mention a 5 inning, 1 run start in the WBC this spring.

The Mets, of course, had the Mighty Thor starting, who some argue may be the best starting pitcher in baseball in 2017.

So how did it turn out?  I know some of you spent opening day in Siberia, where there is no wifi, so here goes:

Well, sadly, a no decision for Thor, who was great through 6, allowing no runs, but getting no support, either, despite getting one of the Mets 4 hits while he was in the game.  Thor totally dominated everyone not named Freddie Freeman, who may be a Top 5 hitter in this game: FF had a single and triple off Syndergaard in 3 at bats, after a 23 for 47 spring.

Tejeran was almost as good, with 6 scoreless, and departed with nearly 100 pitches.

Seventh inning, and Hansel Robles continues like he did in spring training - real good.  Almost a fairy tale story, according to Gretel.

Atlanta tapped their bullpen for the bottom of the 7th, as Teheran was close to 100 pitches. Yeah, baby.

VERY different results, aided by a very Mets play, with Wilmer Flores out trying to score, but the decision was successfully appealed by resident genius Terry Collins to make it 1-0.  It is the type of play that if you asked me, did this happen for the Yanks or the Mets, I'd immediately say, definitely the Mets.  This kind of intriguing stuff is a Mets trademark.  Floodgates suddenly opened.

A Granderson sac fly made it 2-0, and brought in an old friend, Eric O'Flaherty, who walked 2 to drive in a 3rd run, and then got clocked for a 3 run, game-breaking double by the Dude, Lucas Duda!!!  The Hefty Lefty got a hit off a lefty, a mighty big one.

Salas sailed through the 8th, but Rob Gsellman immediately surrendered a double to Kemp and a single to Freddie Frickin' Freeman (.750) to open the 9th. But The Human Gazelle fanned his next batter and induced a GIDP to allow the folks to go home HAPPY.

SIX TO NUTTIN'.  Books closed, case closed.

The HUNDRED WIN EXPRESS successfully arrived at its first destination...somewhere, Jose Reyes is SMILING!

However, yesterday, a NJ train had a "minor derailment" and messed up the evening rush. That late day stuff is anathema to commuters. 

Well, late yesterday, we learn Seth Lugo has a potentially serious elbow injury, and is getting a second opinion...and our lefty Steve, less durable than a guy named Steve Carlton, has a strained flexor tendon in the elbow and is likely out as a starter until mid-May.

So, the question: has Brennan's HUNDRED WIN EXPRESS had a minor derailment or a major one after just GAME 1 OF 162? 

We still have 6 starters who collectively are as good as any team's, but the margin for error (given Wheeler and Harvey's recent health histories) has narrowed significantly.  We'll see how it goes, but we'll just keep going out there to PLAY BALL!

Final note: with Lugo down, will Paul Sewald finally make his major league debut?

INJURY UPDATE - SPs - Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz

Noah Syndegaard's next start has been pushed back due to a blister on one of his fingers on his pitching hand (too many sliders).

Something additional has developed and Steven Matz is going for a second opinion on his 'dead arm'.

(Mack: My guess... look for a 5-inning spot start by Montero this weekend)

Richard Herr - Scouting the enemy - ???????

Scouting the Enemy - ???????

“We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”  --FDR

We here at Mack’s Mets have been running a series of posts assessing the competition for the Mets in the upcoming season. Various writers have jumped up and selected the other teams within the Eastern Division. Others are turning their attentions to the supposed winners of the other divisions.

As the guy who put the “pro” in procrastinate, I was still looking around for a team to pick. As the more prominent teams were scooped up by the other writers, I was still struggling to come up with a topic. Finally I reduced the question to its barest essential: who was the worst enemy the Mets had to face this season?

Then I rephrased the question. Who is the Mets’ worst enemy? The answer was obvious.

Ourselves.

All of us in Metsland: the team, the fans, the press. We are our own worst enemy. We are the snakes lurking in the grass of our own psyches. We are the monsters we have to defeat. Therefore, I am going to assess the competition, the enemy: Ourselves.  

Travis d”Arnaud - He’s been exorcised of his big swing and is showing great results. He can’t go back to that big, looping swing. He’s also got to do something about base runners going wild on him. No arm strength? Improve the footwork.

Lucas Duda - He’s got to stop churning in his mind some massive algorithm about what pitch to expect when he steps to the plate. While he’s doing that, the fastball sales down the middle. The numbers show how much better he is with fewer strikes in the count. Don’t be so passive. The RISP numbers can improve if you learn to hit the other way on occasion.

Neil Walker - Keep the concentration that brought you the stellar numbers last year. Stretch that back. Ask to sit when it’s getting tired.

Asdrubel Cabrera - You  and Neil Walker play together; also do back stretches with him. Don’t fall in love with the homer. The RISP numbers can improve if you learn to hit the other way on occasion.

Jose Reyes - You’re no longer playing shortstop; don’t play that deep. You’re going to get some bunts in front of you. Study tape of pitchers some more, so you know their moves. A quicker jump will make up for slowed-down foot speed. Shag flies during batting practice.

David Wright - Be careful. Be ready to face facts. Be ready to negotiate.

Wilmer Flores - Take advantage of your opportunities. Remember that right-handers throw hanging curves.

T.J. Rivera - Make your RISP numbers turn heads. Don’t worry about taking pitches.

Yoenis Cespedes - Take the high pitch. Let foul balls fall into the stands. Don’t lose the swagger. The RISP numbers can improve if you learn to hit the other way on occasion.

Curtis Granderson - Weigh the value of playing short to make up for your arm with playing deeper when the situation demands it. The RISP numbers can improve if you learn to hit the other way on occasion.

Jay Bruce - Imitate the swagger of the guy who plays over in left. Remember those skills that gave you all those RBIs.

Michael Conforto - Don’t bite on those sliders down and in. Burn up the PCL for 55 days, when they’ll have to call you up. The RISP numbers can improve if you learn to hit the other way on occasion.

Juan Lagares - Consult someone on your conditioning program. Don’t try to conform to the front office’s OBP obsession.

Noah Syndergaard - Improve your techniques for holding runners on. Help ‘Ces lead the swagger workouts.

Jacob deGrom - You can’t be too cunning. Remember how Big Sexy did things.

Matt Harvey - Assess your capabilities. See above about Big Sexy.

Zack Wheeler - Stop insisting on taking every turn. You’ve been down for two year. You can’t lift mountains.

Steven Matz - Work with Warthen on your motion. You’re doing something that’s annoying your arm.

Robert Gsellman - Repeat Big Sexy thing.

Seth Lugo - Spin that ball. Learn bullpen techniques. Don’t overdo.

Jeurys Familia - Don’t insist on getting every save opportunity. Pace yourself. Still have it in October and November. Teach your agent to stress that last point.

Addison Reed - Stay focused.

Hansel Robles - Remember the first rule of real estate: location, location, location.

Rafael Montero - You will have command if you stay in command.

Kevin Long - I’ve heard the numbers about how it’s better to hit the ball in the air. Does that translate over to RISP? Remember, you stunk at RISP. Everyone keeps hitting into the shift. You could teach other techniques aside from hitting home runs. Can some of the guys lay down a bunt every now and again? It’d make other teams temper their shifts. Can the pitchers learn how to bunt? Can the pitchers learn how to relax when they bunt?

Terry Collins - You don’t have to put out your absolutely best line-up for 162 games. Don’t go into the playoffs exhausted. Stop looking at the back of cards and look at the players on the field. Set up a proper schedule for your pitchers and don’t deviate from it. Respect your relievers; don’t burn them out.

Sandy Alderson - It’s okay to bench an 8-figure player if it helps the team. Don’t try to force techniques on players who can’t do them. Batters look confused at the plate because they’re trying to do your technique which they don’t understand. Stop looking at the back of cards computers and look at the players on the field. Improve your methods for judging position players. Re-sign Warthen.

The Fans and the Press - Qwitcherbitching. Take a look at the Cardinals’ fans and press. They have a love fest out there, and their teams always do well. Everyone seems to be bitching here. Fans and media rush to the negative. The tension rises up, and the Mets are among the league leaders in injuries. There have been studies that prove that stress in the workplace is bad for the health of the employees. Would everyone who likes to boo please comment on this post on how your booing improves the team? I think it’s time for all of us to drink the orange and blue Kool-Aid.

There’s the scouting report on our real enemies - ourselves.

Sandy had better fix that.

Whenever Richard Herr isn’t solving all the Mets’ problems, he spends his time writing humorous science fiction novels.

You can see his books at https://www.amazon.com/Richard-Herr/e/B00J5XBKX4.

Mack’s Morning Report – 4-3-17

Good morning.

You will notice over to the right side that I have our four minor league affiliates listed with three unfilled slots below the names of each team. This is where I will post the final scores of each of these teams, daily, and I will list the three most telling stats from Mets players in each of these games.

Over the years, Herb B, Tom Brennan, and myself have written a daily report on the minors which will be eliminated with this feature. I’m sure we will hear more from Tom during the week on the guppies, but I wanted the site to head in the right direction with a feature like this.

Ex-Mets Transactions

It’s always fun to see what your old guppies did last week with other baseball organizations.

LHP Adam Kolarek was released by the Braves – Kolarek was picked up by the Braves before the 2016 season and actually had a pretty decent season at AA (3.32) and AAA (3.05). I find this a surprising move involving this AAAA pitcher.

C Anthony Recker was optioned to AAA (Braves) – I liked Recker when he was with the Mets and I thought he had a chance to stick with the Braves, but then along came the pickup of Kurt Suzuki.

            RHP Jim Henderson was released by the Cubs – Henderson served the Mets                well last season in 44 relief appearances (4.27).

RHP Luis Cessa was optioned to AAA (Yankees) – Cessa was originally traded to the Tigers in the Yo deal, and then was shipped off to the Yankees for LHP Justin Wilson. The soon to be 25-year old Cessa was 4-4, 4.35 for the Yanks last season.

The Detroit Tigers released P Mike Pelfrey – I remember when many of us thought this was going to be the Matt Harvey before Matt Harvey. When he was on, no one through a nastier inside fastball with late return action. Good luck in life, Mike.

           

New Mets

The Mets signed minor league SS Jio Mier. He was the 29^th overall pick in the 2009 draft by the Houston Astros and, once again proves, you have to do much more than be drafted in the first round. He played six seasons in the Astros chain, working his way up from rookie ball (2009) to AAA (2014). He played last year for Buffalo (Toronto) and hit .219. His lifetime minor league is a meh .238.

            (note – the Mets actually is in need of a backup shortstop, both at the AAA and AA level, so there is a good chance he could stick on one of the teams)

Speaking of AAA/AA infielders, the Mets are bringing back IF Josh Rodriguez. I loved this guy in 2015! He hit 19 home runs and 76 runs batted in for Binghamton and finished the season in Las Vegas. He was the perfect emergency guy to have in your system in case one of your infielders went down. Sort of the T.J. before T.J. I assume he’s play in Vegas since he’s now had major AAA experience with Oakland last year.

Mets cuts

So far, there are three, and I do wonder why teams draft guys out of college that simply never seem to be given a decent chance.

22-yr old RHP Dillon Becker – Becker was a 16^th round draft pick in 2015 that came out of college (Angelo State) at 21-years old. He finished the year with Kingsport (12-appearances, 3.86-ERA, but pitched like crap last year for Brooklyn (only 15-appearances, 6.45).

            24-yr old RHP Bryce Beeler – Beeler was a 19^th round pick in 2014 out of the University of Memphis. There’s got to me more to this story. 2014 with K-Port: 14-appearances, 3.13-ERA, 1.00-WHIP… sat out 2015 (TJS?)… then had only six appearances for Brooklyn and Columbia. Beeler was a shortstop in college and the Mets tried to convert him to a closer. Just didn’t happen.

            23-yr old RHP Ty Williams – Williams was a 35^th round pick in 2013 out of Seminole State College. He pitched for four Mets affiliates over four years, but just not that often. He did love to walk people, posting a BB/9 in 2015 for the Cyclones of 11.57 and 9.00 last year.

The WBC Sucks - The DL is Off and Running

Another example of why the Mets shouldn't send their baseball players to play in thus tourney is RHSP Seth Lugo, whose pitching arm went dead once he finished pitching so well over there. 

And while I'm ranting, did you notice what is happening to the team disabled list, after being virtually nameless going into these past two weeks?

3B - David Wright - neck stenosis

OF - Brandon Nimmo - hammy

OF - Juan Lagares - you name it

LHSP - Anthony Kay - TJS

LHSP - Steven Matz - sore left elbow

RHSP - Chris Flexen - surgery remove bone chips

RHSP - Seth Lugo - arm fatique

RHRP - Gary Cornish - Susp 50 games

RHRP - Jerry Mejia - susp 2017 season

RHRP - Jeurys Familia - 15 game suspension

Got a little bit of everything here... Tommy John... druggies... wife slappers...

Jeez.

            

25-Man

So, here we are. Opening Day. There’s nothing more exciting than the first game for the team you love.

First, the good news. I’m thrilled that Zack Wheeler was named the SP4. He’s worked so hard these past couple of years to come back and no one deserves this more than he does. My hope is they baby step him in April, with a max of 4-5 runs, and piggy him with someone like Rafael Montero for a while.

The bad news, for me at least, is making Michael Conforto rot on the Mets bench when he should be playing every day on either this team or the 51’s. I would have brought up Travis Taijeron and dropped someone like Sean Gilmartin or Erik Goeddel. 

But that’s just me.

Roster - Las Vegas 51's

Rotation - Rickey Knapp, Willie Mosconi (I couldn't help myself...), Wilfredo Bosconi, Sean Gilmartin, Adam Wilk, Donavan Hand

Pen - David Roseboom, Paul Sewald, Logan Taylor, Erik Goeddel, Chase Bradford, Kevin McGowan, Ben Rowan, Beck Wheeler

Catchers - Kevin Plawecki, Xorge Carillo, Jeff Glenn

Infielders - Dominic Smith, Gavin Cecchini, Amed Rosario, Phillip Evans, Matt Reynolds

Outfielders - Josh Rodriquez, Jayce Boyd, Travis Taijeron, Victor Cruzado

2017 MLB Draft – Friday Stars

BA -  Pavin Smith, 1b, Virginia: Smith, a lefthanded hitter, hit a grand slam against lefthander Rabon Martin to help spark No. 19 Virginia in an 11-2 victory against No. 2 Louisville. The junior went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks and five RBIs.

UV: • Second-Team All-ACC selection at first base • Named Preseason Third-Team All-American by Baseball America • Second on team and seventh in ACC with 57 RBI • Ranked seventh nationally with eight sacrifice flies • Hit grand slam against VMI (2/23)  • Was 4-for-9 with three RBI in Wake Forest series • Was 4-for-10 in Louisville series (hit 3-run home run in win on March 25) • Ripped 3-run home run in 10th inning at Boston College (4/10) • Went 4-for-10 and scored three runs in UNC series • Homered and reached base five times in 3-for-3, three-RBI day at Old Dominion (4/26) • Was 4-for-9 with three walks in Georgia Tech series • Was 6-for-13 with five runs in ACC tournament • Named to NCAA Charlotteville Regional All-Tournament Team • Went 5-for-15 in NCAA regional; hit two home runs against East Carolina (6/4), becoming first player in program history to record a multiple-homer game in the NCAA tournament

           

BA K.J. Harrison, dh, Oregon State: Harrison (4-for-5, 4 RBIs) led No. 1 Oregon State’s offense in a 15-7 victory at No. 15 Stanford. The Beavers’ winning streak reached 18 games, matching the longest in program history.

OSU – 2016: • All-Pac-12 First Team. • Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention. • Played in and started in all 54 games, batting .265 with a team-leading 14 doubles, 10 home runs and 47 RBI. Tripled four times. • Tallied 11 multi-hit efforts and finished with a team-leading 15 multi-RBI games. • CoSIDA Academic All-District 8 selection. • Homered for the second consecutive game, driving in two in the finale against Oregon (5/15). • Hit a game-winning three-run home run in the third inning in the second game of the series against Oregon (5/14). • Homered in the first inning and drove in three on the strength of a 2-for-3 day in the finale against Stanford (5/1). • His sixth home run of the season came in a 1-for-3 effort in the opener against Stanford (4/29). • Hit a three-run home run in the seventh that temporarily put the Beavers up in the second game of the series at Washington State (4/15). • Went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs on the strength of two triples and a double against Central Arkansas (4/8). • Extended his hit streak to 10 games with a 3-for-4 effort in the opener against UW, doubling once with two RBI (4/1). • Homered, scored two runs and finished 3-for-4 in the midweek opener against San Diego State (3/28). • Hit a solo home run in the first against California to extend his hit streak to five games (3/24). • Doubled home a run in the first and finished with a 2-for-4 effort in the series finale against Arizona State (3/20). • Hit a two-run home run in the fourth in the series-opening win over Arizona State (3/18). • Tripled and finished 2-for-4 with two walks in the opener at San Diego (3/4). • Doubled, tripled, finished with three hits and drove in two in the win over Kansas State (2/26). • Doubled twice, drove in two and finished with a 3-for-4 day against Utah (2/22). • Drove in two, doubled twice and walked against Utah Valley (2/20).

           

BA Keaton Kringlen, of, Brigham Young: Kringlen (4-for-5, 3 R, 7 RBIs) hit three home runs to lead BYU to a 14-5 victory against St. Mary’s to complete a sweep. The sophomore is hitting .356/.405/.584 with five home runs this season.

            BYU - 2017 | Sophomore Year - Selected as Male Rookie of the Year in the 2017 Y Awards

                       

BA Drew Lugbauer, 3b, Michigan: Lugbauer (3-for-4, 4 R, 4 RBIs) homered twice to help Michigan to a 15-2 victory against Penn State. The junior is hitting .288/.387/.577 with a team-high eight home runs and 32 RBIs this season.

Michigan - Junior (2017): • Recorded a season-high four runs against Northern Illinois (March 16) with a grand slam  • Knocked in the game-winner with a walk-off homer in the ninth inning against Northern Illinois (March 19)  • Leads Michigan with six home runs on the season  • Has four multi-hit games and six multi-RBI games on the season

           

BA David Banuelos, c, Long Beach State: Banuelos (4-for-5, 2 R, RBI) led Beach’s offense as it defeated UC Santa Barbara, 9-3, to even the series. The junior is hitting .329/.392/.576 with a team-high 18 RBIs this season.

LBS - (2016): Named First Team All-Big West as a catcher ... had a breakout sophomore season behind the plate, making 36 starts while appearing in 44 games total ... raised his batting average by over 180 points up to .299 for his sophomore season ... hit three home runs and was tied for fourth on the team with 26 RBIs ... his .404 on-base percentage was good for second-best on the team in 2016 ... committed just one error, resulting in a .997 fielding percentage ... opposing basestealers were just 12-for-31 (38.7%) running against him ... recorded his first RBIs of the season with a three-run home run vs. Columbia on Mar. 18 ... that kicked off a stretch of three multi-RBI games over a four-start stretch, including another three-RBI game at Fresno State (Mar. 29) ... hit home runs in consecutive Big West starts, Apr. 16 vs. UC Irvine and Apr. 22 at UC Riverside ... matched a career best with three hits in a win over Cal Poly (Apr. 29) ... recorded a hit in eight straight games during May ... recorded his first career triple in the final game of the NCAA Regional at Miami.

             

Press Release - Columbia Fireflies

MEDIA RELEASE

       

Sunday, April 2, 2017               

                        

Mets Reveal 2017 Fireflies Roster

Columbia’s Gene Cone, Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Tebow Highlight Loaded 2017 Roster

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The New York Mets released the Fireflies 2017 Opening Day roster on Sunday. The star-filled unit features six of the top 28 New York Mets prospects (as ranked by MLB.com and Baseball America), Columbia native and former University of South Carolina Gamecocks outfielder Gene Cone and two-time BCS National Champion Tim Tebow.

Outfielder Desmond Lindsay (#4, Baseball America), right-hander Merandy Gonzalez (#14, BA), infielder Luis Carpio (#16, MLB.com), catcher Ali Sanchez (#21, MLB), infielder Milton Ramos (#23, MLB) and right-hander Harol Gonzalez (#28, BA) make up the list of Mets prospects on the roster.

Furthermore, Jose Leger returns to manage a team that also features 10 former top-10 round draft picks and three Mets Sterling Award winners (given annually to the best player at each Mets minor league level). 

Cone – who led South Carolina to a Super Regional in last year’s NCAA tournament – returns to his hometown after being selected by the Mets in the 10^th round last June. Cone’s 31-game hit streak during the 2016 season was a USC school record and the longest streak in Division-I baseball last year. The 22-year-old played his high school ball at Spring Valley, just 20 minutes from Spirit Communications Park.

Another Palmetto State star joins Cone in Columbia this season. Infielder Michael Paez helped Coastal Carolina capture the 2016 College World Series last June, defeating Arizona in the best-of-three championship series. Paez’ walk-off base hit against LSU in the Super Regional punched the Chanticleers’ first-ever ticket to Omaha.

In addition to Cone and Paez, other former top-10 round draft picks include Lindsay (Out-of-Door Academy, 2015 – 2^nd round), infielder Blake Tiberi (Louisville, 2016 – 3^rd), Ramos (American Heritage HS, 2014 – 3^rd), right-hander Austin McGeorge (Long Beach State, 2016 – 7^th), infielder Dash Winningham (Trinity Catholic HS, 2014 – 8^th), righty Colin Holderman (Heartland CC, 2016 – 9^th) and right-hander Witt Haggard (Delta State, 2015 – 10^th). Left-hander Blake Taylor was drafted in the 2^nd round by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013 and was acquired by the Mets in a trade the following year.

After being selected by the Mets in the 2^nd round two years ago (New York’s first selection, though, in the 2015 draft), Lindsay posted two superb seasons. The Floridian hit .303 in 2016 with both Brooklyn and the Gulf Coast League Mets (rookie). Baseball America describes Lindsay as “already physically mature for a teenager” and projects him to be the Mets starting centerfielder in as soon as three years.

Both Harol and Merandy Gonzalez (no relation) anchor a stellar pitching staff. Harol was named a New York-Penn League All-Star after leading the league in ERA (2.01) and strikeouts (88). The 22-year-old’s seven wins were a team-high for Brooklyn. Baseball America predicts Merandy Gonzalez to be New York’s “breakout prospect” in 2017. Keep an eye on Joseph Zanghi out of the bullpen, too, after the right-hander led all Brooklyn relievers with a 1.23 ERA. His eight saves were tied for third in the New York-Penn League.

Brandon Brosher (Brooklyn-best five home runs in 2016), Anthony Dimino (Kingsport-best .325 batting average in 2016) and Ali Sanchez (2014 Dominican Summer League Sterling Award winner) create a more-than-capable trio behind the plate.

Winningham returns to Columbia after pacing the Fireflies with 12 home runs and 69 RBIs during the club’s inaugural season. Three other 2016 Fireflies – Ramos, Haggard and Brosher – will also call Spirit Communications Park home to start the year (not including left-hander Seth Davis and catchers Jose Garcia and Natanael Ramos who will begin the season on the disabled list).

In addition to Leger, pitching coach Jonathan Hurst (a Spartanburg, South Carolina, native) and hitting coach Joel Fuentesreturn to Columbia’s dugout this season, as does Athletic Trainer Kiyoshi Tada. Tanner Miracle joins the staff as the new Strength and Conditioning Coach.

The Fireflies open the 2017 season on Thursday, April 6 against the Augusta GreenJackets (San Francisco Giants). The four-game series continues through April 9 before the Fireflies welcome the Hickory Crawdads (Texas Rangers) to town for a three-game set from April 10-12.

2017 Roster Breakdown

Pitchers (14): Matt Blackham, Harol Gonzalez, Merandy Gonzalez, Cam Griffin, Witt Haggard, Taylor Henry, Colin Holderman, Jordan Humphreys, Max Kuhns, Gabriel Llanes, Austin McGeorge, Blake Taylor, Adonis Uceta, Joseph Zanghi

Catchers (3): Brandon Brosher, Anthony Dimino, Ali Sanchez

Infielders (5): Luis Carpio, Michael Paez, Milton Ramos, Blake Tiberi, Dash Winningham

Outfielders (4): Gene Cone, Desmond Lindsay, Tim Tebow, Jacob Zanon

Disabled List (3): Seth Davis (LHP), Jose Garcia (C), Natanael Ramos (C)

Top-30 Mets Prospects (7):

4. Desmond Lindsay (Baseball America)

14. Merandy Gonzalez

16. Luis Carpio

21. Ali Sanchez

23. Milton Ramos

28. Harol Gonzalez

Sterling Award Winners (3):

2016 – Desmond Lindsay (Brooklyn)

2015 – Adonis Uceta (Gulf Coast League Mets)

2014 – Ali Sanchez (Dominican Summer League Mets)

States/Countries Represented (15):  California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Dominican Republic, Venezuela

Drafted, Signed out of High School: 6

Drafted, Signed out of College: 12

International Signings: 5

Undrafted Free Agent Signings: 2

Acquired by Trade: 1

2013 Draft Class: 3

2014 Draft Class: 4

2015 Draft Class: 5

2016 Draft Class: 7

Right-Handed Pitchers: 12

Left-Handed Pitchers: 2

Right-Handed Hitters: 7

Left-Handed Hitters: 5

Switch Hitters: 0

Majority of 2016 Season In:

            Columbia (A) – 3

            Brooklyn (short season-A) – 14

            Kingsport (advanced-rookie) – 6

            DNP (injury) – 2

            DNP – 1