Baty homers twice as Syracuse offense explodes in first win of 2023 season with 16-6 victory over Worcester

 

                                                    PC - Matt Kipp

Worcester, MA – The Syracuse Mets put on an offensive clinic at Polar Park on Saturday, plating 16 runs on 20 hits as Syracuse rolled to a 16-6 win over the Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A Boston Red Sox) on a sunny afternoon and early evening in the middle of Massachusetts. Brett Baty, Francisco Álvarez, and Mark Vientos all hit home runs, while Ronny Mauricio chipped in a two-run double. Those four players are all ranked within the top eight prospects in the New York Mets’ minor league system and combined for five extra-base hits and ten runs driven in.  

  

The party got going early on Saturday, as Brett Baty began his electric day at the dish with a solo home run to center field to power Syracuse (1-1) to a 1-0 lead right out of the starter’s blocks in the top of the first inning.  

 

However, Worcester (1-1) would bounce back right in the bottom of the second to take its only lead of the afternoon. With Niko Goodrum on first base and one out, Caleb Hamilton launched a two-run home run over the center-field fence to give the WooSox a brief 2-1 lead. It was the first at-bat for Hamilton as a member of the Red Sox organization. He had spent the entirety of his professional career in the Minnesota Twins organization. 

  

In the third inning, the parade to home plate truly began for the Mets. A two-run single from Jonathan Araúz with the bases loaded plated Danny Mendick and Baty (who had both singled earlier in the inning) to make it a 3-2 game. From there, the road team could just not stop scoring. The Mets would score at least one run in every inning the rest of the game except for the seventh, highlighted by multiple runs in the third, fourth, sixth, and ninth innings. 

  

Highlights from the offensive bonanza include Brett Baty with a truly blistering day at the plate. By the end of the contest, he finished 4-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, five runs driven in, a walk, a stolen base, and four runs scored. The highlight of his night came in the sixth, when Baty lined an opposite-field grand slam over the left-field fence. The blast from Baty came with two outs in the inning and and two strikes in the count. 

  

Not to be outdone, Ronny Mauricio chipped in a two-run double earlier in the sixth inning as the shortstop finished the day with two hits, a walk, two runs driven in, and a run scored. The other two premier prospects in the Syracuse lineup joined the party late too. On consecutive pitches in the top of the ninth inning, Francisco Álvarez and Mark Vientos launched no-doubt home runs that sailed over the center-field fence with ease. Álvarez has reached base six times in the first two games this season, while Vientos reached base four times on Saturday and also has reached six times in the first two games. 

  

While the top prospects notably grabbed the headlines on Saturday, other hitters in the Syracuse Mets lineup certainly deserve praise. Every single member of the lineup had at least one hit and eight of the nine starters scored at least one run. Danny Mendick had two hits, walked, and scored three runs. Jonathan Araúz finished the game 3-for-6 at the plate with two singles, a double, and four runs driven in. Khalil Lee was splendid as well, going 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, and two runs scored. Lee also made a diving catch in right-field to save at least one run from scoring and end the bottom of the fourth inning.  

  

While the Syracuse offense exploded, the pitching remained steady to put the Mets comfortably in position to win the ballgame. Joey Lucchesi made his first start of the season, allowing three runs (all earned) on five hits in four innings with two walks and four strikeouts. From there, William Woods, Grant Hartwig, and Jimmy Yacabonis pitched the final five innings of the game out of the bullpen. Hartwig was particularly impressive, tossing an inning and two-third scoreless innings with three strikeouts. The right-hander from Michigan has been a fast riser through the Mets’ minor-league system. Hartwig, who was undrafted out of the University of Miami (OH), pitched for four teams in the Mets’ minor-league system last season.  

  

Syracuse wraps up its season-opening series at the Worcester Red Sox on Sunday afternoon. The third and final game in the series is set for a 1:05 p.m. first pitch. Right-hander José Butto is scheduled to start for the Mets, opposed by right-hander Norwith Gudiño for the WooSox. 

The Mack Report - Ernest Dove, Prediction on Improved OPS, Denyi Reyes, Mets Outfielders, Layonel Ovalles

 

Ernest Dove, Prediction on Improved OPS, Denyi Reyes, Mets Outfielders, Layonel Ovalles

 

 Ernest Dove joined Mack’s Mets “back in the day” He stayed with us until he left when I first retired. After a stint on MetsMinors.com he started his own pod cast, became a regular on Mets Twitter, and rejoined us around a year ago. 

Have a day, Ernest. I’m sure rubbing elbows with Mr. Axelrod on opening day was your biggest Mets friggin moment. 

I’m proud to have him as a writer as well as a good friend.

 

 Tim Britton and Will Sammon - Mets predictions - 

Which Mets hitter will outperform his 2022 OPS? 

Britton: Brandon Nimmo (.800). Nimmo’s 2022 might have been his best all-around season, given his improvement in center field defensively and his ability to stay on the field for 151 games. But while he was quite good at the plate, he’s been better in the recent past, twice running his OPS above .880. The path isn’t even that complex for Nimmo: He just needs to get on base closer to his career track record than he did last season in posting a career-worst .367 OBP. 

Sammon: Tomás Nido (.600). Will Nido’s impressive spring training translate to gaudy statistics during the regular season? His track record (career .580 OPS) says no. But Nido remains a sneaky pick to outperform some offensive numbers — even if not by a whole lot. He has worked with hitting coach Jeremy Barnes since the winter on some adjustments that helped him unlock a bit more power. Also, he doesn’t lack motivation, with the Mets bringing in Omar Narváez and with prospect Francisco Álvarez lingering on the 40-man roster. 

Mack - my guess here remains Francisco Lindor. 

 

Denyi Reyes cracked the opening day Syracuse roster. 

The 26-year old right handed starter was 2014 international sign, by the Red Sox, out of the D.R. 

He has pitched in parts of seven minor league seasons, for Boston and Baltimore, with a combined 45-28, 3.29-ERA, 3.3% walk rate. The Mets signed him as a free agent on 11-23-22. 

His only MLB experience was last season for the Orioles:  0.2-WAR,0-0, 2.35 

Mack - could be a steal… won’t become a free agent until 2029.

  

Tim Britton and Will Sammon - 40 Mets, 40 observations: What camp taught us about every guy on the roster - 

Outfielders 

Mark Canha: Always in impressive physical shape, Canha switched up his workout routine in an effort to produce more power. Typically a slow starter in the spring, his zero home runs shouldn’t be considered alarming. Canha’s hope is that his regimen translates to more home runs and doubles, and it was a good sign that he was lifting the ball in the air with authority toward the end of spring. In addition to left field, Canha saw action at center field and first base, two areas where he might provide some depth in case of injuries. 

Starling Marte: Despite coming off double groin surgery in the winter, Marte routinely hit balls hard, producing a .924 OPS in 36 plate appearances in Grapefruit League action. Marte said he feels healthy and could look to steal more bases (he stole 18 last year after leading MLB with 47 a year earlier). Defensively, Marte said he prefers things to look the way they did last year with him staying in right field and not occasionally moving to center field at all. 

Brandon Nimmo: After a deliberately slow build-up toward playing games in an effort to preserve his health, Nimmo suffered low-grade sprains to both his knee and ankle because of an awkward slide into second base. However, he returned to the lineup about a week later and seems on track to be ready for Opening Day. 

Tommy Pham: One thing rival executives wondered about Pham was how he’d take to a part-time role. However, Pham said he’s embraced the idea of staying ready, being prepared and having open communication with the coaching staff. Pham played some games in center field, where he looked OK tracking balls. He should also see some at-bats at DH against lefties without Darin Ruf around. 

Tim Locastro: Though not yet technically on the 40-man roster, a major-league source confirmed that Locastro would make the team. Locastro demonstrated his elite speed — six stolen bases without getting caught — and an ability to play all three outfield spots. With the Mets, he showed he should fit right in; he racked up six HBPs in just 54 plate appearances. 

Mack - This is it, fans. Jeff McNeil if there is an injury and no one until 2024 (Alex Ramirez). 

Pray for health here. 

 

Joe DeMayo - Mets' updated Top 20 prospects for 2023 MLB season -

18. RHP Layonel Ovalles

Ovalles is one of my breakout candidates for this year. He struggled upon being promoted to Low-A St. Lucie, but the stuff is really intriguing. He has a fastball that will touch 97 mph with spin rates in the 2,700 rpm range, which gives hope that it can be a true plus pitch. His slider gets a lot of swings and misses, but he needs development with his curve and changeup. He bounced between starting and relief in 2022, but the Mets plan to push him as a starter in 2023. If he can really begin to refine his stuff, he could be someone  who jumps up this list next year. 

MLB ETA: 2025 

Mack - Layonel will start this season in the Lucy rotation. We’ll keep an eye out.

OPEN THREAD: Old Timers’ Day 2023?

Baseball players sometimes get old overnight.

Mets are paying Messrs. Pham and Escobar $16 million for 2023. 

Which is about $30 million including luxury tax.

They average close to 35 years old right now.  

Old for hitters. 95th percentile?

In spring training and regular season 2023, they are 12 for 90, no HRs. Awful.

Are they finished, and we are just waiting for the axe to fall? 

Or about to start hitting productively?

To add recent historical perspective, Escobar had a major stay unproductive 2022, including an .295 OBP,  and Pham’s last 3 seasons, he hit .211, .229, and .236.

OLD TIMERS’ DAY, EACH AND EVERY DAY THEY PLAY?

OR ARE THEY STILL OK?

FIRE AWAY.

Top 20 RHP on Draft - #2 - Paul Skenes - LSU

 

Paul Skenes

RHP LSU

2022 Air Force stat line - 15-ST, 10-3, 2.73, 1.17, 85.2-IP, 96-K

2023 LSU stats as of 3-31:  7-ST - 4-0, 0.81,0.77

Mack - This has been the year of Skenes and his teammate, OF Dylan Crews. Both are now favorite to go 1.1 and 1.2 in this draft. Chase Dolanger was the odds on favorite to be the first pitcher picked in this draft but that's old news now. Only four players have scores against Skenes this season. Amazing. 

 3-4-23 - https://d1baseball.com/roundup/d1-digest-mean-skenes-deals-fgcu-gets-upset-program-record/ -

Pitcher Of The Day: Paul Skenes, LSU

The Air Force transfer was phenomenal yet again. He needed just 80 pitches to mow through the Butler lineup for six innings. Skenes gave up a single with two outs in the first inning and proceeded to strike out 10 of the next 12 batters he faced. He retired the final 16 hitters to step in the box against him.

 Skenes is now 3-0, 0.50 with 36 strikeouts in 18 innings.

 HE HAS STRUCK OUT FOUR TIMES AS MANY HITTERS AS HE’S ALLOWED TO REACH BASE.

 

 3-3-23 - Keith Law’s MLB Draft 2023 Rankings: -

#9 Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU

LSU worked that transfer portal this winter, landing Skenes from Air Force, where he may not have faced SEC-caliber competition but he did have to pitch at 6,000 feet above sea level. He’s been 94-100 mph, sitting 97-98, with a short arm stroke that hides the ball until very close to release. His slider and changeup aren’t as advanced, probably 55s but both inconsistent, with the changeup needing more separation from the fastball and the slider just too variable in shape from pitch to pitch.

 

3-1-23 - The Scouting Trail: Round Rock Prospect Breakdown -

No. 10 Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU– Nine spots behind Crews is the Tigers’ mound ace. The 6-foot-6 right-hander started slow with three of the first four Kansas State batters reaching base. He threw 33 pitches in the first inning alone, struggling to control his lively 97-99 mph two-seam fastball that typically has greater than a foot of horizontal movement, and up to 18” at times to his armside (1” more than the width of home plate). He did not record an out until pitch No. 20. However, it was all easy-going from there as he made a between-innings adjustment with what looked to be an improved direction to the plate. Skenes shoved for the remainder of his six-inning, 11-strikeout start. He finished the game retiring 12 in a row and 16 of the last 17. His fastball settled in at 95-97 and used it primarily as a chase pitch up in the zone for strike three. Skenes also featured a hard 89-90 mph changeup to left handed hitters and a sweeping slider to right handed bats. The change-of-pace showed good bottom and so much life at times that it made it difficult to land in the zone. Early in the game K State spit on the borderline offering, but Skenes developed more feel as the game progressed and it too, became a swing/miss offering, grading out as solid average to plus. His slider is a bit lower quality than his change, grading out as average at 83-87 mph. With continued good health, stuff and performance as he displayed this past weekend at Round Rock, Skenes is a lock to go in the top 10 overall picks this July. A MLB comparison to Andy Benes (who went No. 1 overall in 1988) is currently popular in the industry.

 

2-17-23 - Cody Worsham @CodyWorsham

Paul Skenes 98th pitch was 98 miles per hour.

Might be it for him after 6.

6.0 IP

12 K

1 BB

0 runs

3 hits

98 pitches

64 strikes

You can live with that

                         2-17-23 - Greg Zumach @IvyFutures

Yeesssssh. That was a loud day for Skenes. You never want to put too much weight on how a guy looked in the fall which is why I’ll have him in the teens next week, but if he keeps doing this it’s definitely Top 5 overall talent.

 

2-6-23 - Prospect Live - Top 100 Prospects -

8. Paul Skenes

Right-Handed Pitcher, LSU

While he has some two-way potential, Skenes has more upside on the mound working from a three-quarter arm slot with smooth mechanics, a short-arm action, hiding the ball on his back hip and creating a lot of deception. Skenes’ velo sits in low-to-mid 90s, though when he rears back he's been up to 99. He generates plenty of carry on the heater, with spin rates in the 2400 RPM range. Primary secondary offerings include a fall-off-the-table split-change and a devestating breaking slider, both in the low-to-mid 80s, the latter featuring extreme sweep when he wants to grab it. Skenes has shown the ability to manipulate the shape of his slider, and it's paid dividents depending on the handedness matchup. As far as the two-way potential goes, offensively Skenes has some contact issues but really excels at finding the barrel and has legitimate slugging potential. Evaluators certainly prefer the arm, but there’s two-way upside.

 

1-17-23 - Top 25 Breakdown: No. 1 LSU

https://d1baseball.com/season-preview/top-25-breakdown-no-1-lsu/ 

Star Power: This is the only team in America that can put three guys on the Star Power watch list — Tommy White, Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes.  Then, there’s Skenes, who was up to 102 mph with his fastball in the fall, showed a changeup in the low-90s, and flashed an improved slider in the upper-70s. Stars galore in Red Stick.

 

12-14-22 - Sox Machine

WAY-TOO-EARLY 2023 MLB MOCK DRAFT

https://soxmachine.com/2022/12/way-too-early-2023-mlb-mock-draft/

10. Miami Marlins: Paul Skenes, RHP/DH, LSU

The 6-foot-6-inch, 235-pounder has true two-potential as a slugger and pitcher. The LSU transfer pitched for Team USA this summer and has shown plus power potential with the bat as well.

 

12-9-22 - 2023 MLB MOCK DRAFT 1.0

https://throughthefencebaseball.com/2023-mlb-mock-draft-1-0-pirates-taking-who/

13. Chicago Cubs: Paul Skenes, RHP/1B, LSU

While his fastball and slider are his most notable pitches, there’s something about his cutter that intrigues me. He can place it anywhere he wants and has a certain confidence when he throws it that I would imagine it will be come his finisher. He’s dynamic at the plate too, and has a pretty solid glove in the field, so whoever drafts him will have to have a plan in place. Most believe he’s a future mid-rotation horse, but with his 6’6″ 235 pound frame, and the way he barrels the ball, it’s hard to contain this talent to just the pen.

 

12-7-22 - MLB DRAFT 2023: WINTER'S MOCK DRAFT - https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/news/PBR/MLB-Draft-2023-Mock-Draft-First-Edition-4397815602?s=03 -

 10

Marlins

Paul Skenes

RHP/C

Louisiana State; El Toro (CA)

The top two-way college prospect, Skenes profiles better on the mound with power stuff and an imposing 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame.

 

12-6-22 - 2023 MLB DRAFT - MOCK DRAFT 2.0 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022-mlb-mock-draft-n78w7-st9r4-wa35p-2n5ls-8addg-ed27s?s=03 -

 16. San Francisco Giants

Paul Skenes, RHP/1B, LSU

 The Giants put so much stock into leadership qualities, makeup and attitude. It may not get any better than Skenes. A transfer out of Air Force, Skenes is an explosive righty with an upper-90s fastball and a hard, mid-80s slider that can induce a ton of whiffs. He mixes in a fringier cutter and a changeup, both of which has proven to be potential future weapons. Skenes has a premium body and big athleticism with more projection ahead of him. He’s been a dynamo on offense for the past few seasons as well, though most believe he’s a future mid-rotation horse.

 

12-6-22 - Carlos Collazo  @CarlosACollazo

 Paul Skenes, RHP/DH, LSU baseball

 Probably the best college two-way player since Brendan McKay in 2017? Career .367/.453/.669 hitter with Air Force, with 24 HR. Posted a 2.72 ERA in 112.1 IP. Power on the mound, power with the bat. He'll try the SEC in 2023. https://t.co/hqSiMjzNMh 

                         11-4-22 - 2023 MLB Mock Draft 1.0 - https://www.perfectgame.org/articles/View.aspx?article=21422 -

18. Milwaukee Brewers | Paul Skenes, RHP/1B, LSU 

Skenes possesses the strongest two-way ability in the class, providing both big time right-handed thump and power stuff on the mound. It is 80-grade raw power that profiles for the middle of the order if he can hit enough. The fastball on the bump works into the upper-90s and pairs with a split-change that can miss bats. Skenes could turn into a legit power threat who could also handle high-end reliever duties if it all clicks. -TH

PRESS RELEASE - Minor League Baseball Announces 2023 International League Playoff Format and Triple-A National Championship Game

 

International League Championship Series to feature first-half and second-half winners followed by single-game Triple-A National Championship against Pacific Coast League Champ in Las Vegas 

 

 

SYRACUSE, NY – Minor League Baseball™ announced the 2023 Triple-A playoff format on Tuesday. The 2023 Triple-A National Championship Game, which will feature the winners of the International League and Pacific Coast League meeting in a single-game format, will be played on Saturday, September 30th in Las Vegas.   

 

The Triple-A National Championship Game, which will follow the best-of-three League Championship Series of the two leagues, will crown an overall winner of the highest level of the Minor Leagues. 

Each Triple-A season will be split into two halves (75 games each), with the first half ending on June 25th and the second half commencing on June 28th.  The regular season will conclude on Sunday, September 24th.  The first-half winners will serve as the hosts of the pair of best-of-three LCS, which are slated to begin on Tuesday, September 26th.  The winners of the two LCS will advance to Las Vegas Ballpark, which also hosted last season’s Triple-A Triple Championship Weekend, for Saturday’s decisive matchup. 

 

Sun., Sept. 24th	Final Day of the Championship Season
Mon., Sept. 25th	Travel Day (OFF)
Tues., Sept. 26th	Game 1	League Championship Series (at First-Half Champion)
Wed., Sept. 27th	Game 2
Thurs., Sept. 28th	*Game 3 (if necessary)
Fri., Sept. 29th	Travel Day (OFF)
Sat., Sept. 30th	Single-Game	2023 Triple-A National Championship Game  (Las Vegas, NV)

 

“The Triple-A National Championship Game is a jewel event for so many across the game, and this format will be great for fans,” said Morgan Sword, MLB’s Executive Vice President, Baseball Operations. “We look forward to celebrating the conclusion of the 2023 Minor League season at one of the top ballparks in the sport.” 

 

“We’re very pleased to host the Triple-A Championship Game here at Las Vegas Ballpark and crowning a champion in a venue made for events of this magnitude,” said Aviators President & Chief Operations Officer Don Logan. “After last year’s successful Triple-A Championship Weekend, we look forward to hosting the best teams in Triple-A baseball and adding to the growing list of championship events held here in Southern Nevada.” 

PRESS RELEASE - St. Lucie Mets announce initial 2023 roster

 

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (March 31, 2023) – The St. Lucie Mets are pleased to announce their preliminary roster for the upcoming 2023 Florida State League season. The roster features five of the Mets top 30 prospects according to MLB.com, including last year’s 14^th overall draft pick Jett Williams.

 

Williams, 19, is the Mets No. 5 prospect. The Texas high school shortstop debuted in the Florida Complex League last year and slashed .250/.366/.438 with a .804 OPS in helping lead the FCL Mets to the playoffs. 

Jacob Reimer (No. 17), the Mets fourth round selection from Yucaipa High School (Calif.) in 2022, will join Williams on the infield. Reimer posted a .892 OPS in seven games with the FCL Mets in his organizational debut last summer.

 

Pitchers Layonel Ovalles (No. 16), Jordany Ventura (No. 20) and Javier Atencio (No. 25) will anchor the rotation. Ovalles and Atencio were key contributors down the stretch of the Mets 2022 championship run.

 

The Mets initial roster includes 17 pitchers, three catchers, six infields and five outfielders. The Mets will open the season at Clover Park on Friday, April 7^th at 6:10 p.m.

 

Overall the Mets return 18 players who made it into a St. Lucie game last year and 11 who were on the postseason roster. Slugger Carlos Dominguez, who led the FSL with 20 home runs in 2022, is back for another stint in the outfield. Dominguez became the first FSL player since former St. Lucie Met Cory Vaughn in 2012 to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a season.

 

Joining Dominguez in the outfield are Rhylan Thomas (11^th round USC), Jefrey De Los Santos, Adrian Hernandez and Dyron Campos. Campos was a mid-season Dominican Summer League All Star in 2022.

 

On the infield with Williams and Reimer will be Junior Tilien, Eduardo Salazar, Kevin Villavicencio and Luis Castillo. Tilien impressed over 84 games in St. Lucie in 2022. He hit .248 with a .718 OPS and slugged 12 home runs and 13 doubles. He became the first St. Lucie Met ever to hit three homers in a game, a feat he accomplished on May 29^th at Dunedin. 

Villavicencio played 26 games with St. Lucie as an 18-year-old in 2022. He was the Mets Dominican Summer League Player of the Year in 2021.

 

In the pitching department, Jawilme Ramirez, Felipe De La Cruz and Douglas Orellana all logged time with St. Lucie towards the end of 2022 and will vie for spots with Ovalles, Ventura and Atencio in the rotation. Ramirez and De La Cruz combined for 7.1 scoreless innings and 13 strikeouts in limited action with the Mets last season. Christopher Vasquez and Saul Garcia are other rotation options.

 

The bullpen features a handful of returning pitchers and a host of newcomers. Benito Garcia, Miguel Alfonseca, Joe Joe Rodriguez and Robert Colina all took the mound for St. Lucie at various points in 2022. Garcia struck out 28 batters in 20.2 innings. Alfonseca was fourth on the team with 23 appearances. Lefty Luke Bartnicki, Jean Calderon, Joey Lancellotti, Elliot Johnstone and lefty Brian Gursky round out the pen.

 

The Mets are led by first-year manager Gilbert Gomez, who served as the team’s bench coach in 2022 and was a St. Lucie Mets outfielder for parts of four seasons from 2011-2014. Dan McKinney joins the staff from the college ranks as pitching coach. 

Eduardo Nunez is the hitting coach, Yucarybert De La Cruz is the bench coach and Regan Saulnier is the development coach. Saulnier is the first female coach in St. Lucie history.

PRESS RELEASE - Missed opportunities doom Mets in rain-soaked Opening Day loss at Worcester

 

Worcester, MA – The Syracuse Mets started the 2023 season off in frustrating fashion, stranding 13 runners on base in an 11-2 loss at the Worcester Red Sox on a gloomy March afternoon in the heart of the commonwealth of Massachusetts. The game was marked by on-and-off rain throughout and chilly temperatures – the thermometer at first pitch read 51 degrees and dropped ten degrees by the final pitch of the ballgame.  

  

Early on, things got off to an excellent start for Syracuse (0-1) both offensively and on the mound. First, Tony Dibrell tossed two scoreless innings to begin his Triple-A debut on the mound for the Mets. Then, the bats for the Mets got rolling in the top of the third inning. Carlos Cortes and Danny Mendick both slapped singles into left field to start the frame, putting two runners on base with nobody out. 

Brett Baty then grounded into a double play, advancing Cortes to third and leaving Syracuse in danger of going scoreless once again. It wouldn’t happen as Francisco Álvarez smacked a double off the 22-foot-high wall in right field, plating Cortes and giving the Mets an early 1-0 lead. Álvarez finished his 2023 debut 2-for-4 at the plate with a single, a double, a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. The 21-year-old even stole a base in the top of the fifth inning. Álvarez did not steal a base last season.  

  

From there, Worcester (1-0) took command of the game, scoring two runners in the third and four fateful runs in the fourth to grab a 6-1 lead seemingly in the blink of an eye. In the third, the pair of runs came at a dramatic time. With Jarren Duran on base and two outs, David Hamilton smacked a two-run home run over the right-centerfield wall to boost the WooSox to a 2-1 lead. Hamilton was making his Triple-A debut after spending the entirety of the 2022 season with Double-A Portland. The shortstop would finish the game 3-for-5 at the plate with a stolen base and a run scored.  

  

In the fourth, a slow drip of runs made it a 6-1 game and knocked Dibrell off the mound. After Enmanuel Valdez struck out to start the inning, consecutive singles from Jorge Alfaro and Daniel Palka put two runners on base with one out. Then, Niko Goodrum lined a sharp single off the base of the center-field wall, scoring Alfaro and advancing Palka to second. It was now a 3-1 game, and it was about to get worse. First, Álvarez threw poorly to first base on an attempted pickoff throw, with Palka prancing all the way home and Goodrum moving to third on the error. 

Then, a wild pitch from Dibrell allowed Goodrum to score and make it a 5-1 lead for the home team. Finally, Greg Allen completed the painful inning for Syracuse by crushing a home run to right-center field, making it a 6-1 game and officially sending Dibrell to an early shower.  

  

From there, the frustration would mount for the Mets. Syracuse put at least one runner on base in every single inning but the eighth, yet they would only score one more time in the game. Jonathan Araúz provided an RBI groundout in the seventh that scored Álvarez, but that would be the only other tally the Mets would get in the game. 

Syracuse left multiple runners on base in four different innings, highlighted by leaving the bases loaded in the sixth inning while down, 6-1. Brett Baty came up with the bags full and two outs, yet he struck out to end the frame and end the Mets’ best chance to get back in the game.  

  

Worcester added single runs in the sixth and seventh, followed by three runs in the eighth to officially put the game in the win column. By the end of the game, seven different WooSox players drove in runs en route to victory. While the Mets could not take advantage of all their runners on base, the Red Sox certainly did. Worcester stranded just three runners on base in the game as they cruised to their first victory of the season. 

  

Garrett Whitlock started for the Red Sox, making a rehab assignment start as the Big Leaguer prepares to return to Boston. The lanky right-hander allowed six hits and one earned run in four innings, walking just one batter while fanning six. Five of his six strikeouts were swinging.  

  

Syracuse continues its season-opening series at the Worcester Red Sox on Saturday afternoon. The second game in the series is set for a 4:05 p.m. first pitch on Saturday afternoon. Left-hander Joey Lucchesi is scheduled to start for the Mets, opposed by left-hander Brandon Walter for the WooSox. 

Reese Kaplan -- Two Cy Young Winners' Seasons Do Not Start Well

In the realm of be careful what you wish for, everyone who is a legitimate Mets fan probably was hoping to see former multi Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom face plant on his opening start for his new employer, the Texas Rangers. After all it was an unexpected departure that left the Mets, their fans and the media all wondering why after getting nothing but support for several years that deGrom opted out of his contract here and fled south. Consequently people were a bit miffed and hoping for less than the best outing for deGrom's Opening Day Texas start.

Of course, quite a bit of that hostility flew out the window when Steve Cohen and Billy Eppler snagged Justin Verlander to replace him. Currently the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, the 40-year-old Verlander came in at Max Scherzer money to fill deGrom's shoes. With a season in 2022 that included a record of 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA and a WHIP of just 0.830, it was not as if the Mets were going to suffer much with deGrom's departure.

On Opening Day for the Rangers deGrom was surprising healthy but did not deliver ace-level pitching. He went 3.2 innings and struck out seven while walking none. That is unfortunately where the good news ends. He gave up six hits and five earned runs including one over the fence. His ERA to begin his Rangers reign is a ghastly 12.57. While folks were expecting injury woes to derail his career, they were not predicting this type of pitching line.

For the Mets, however, it was an injury that shelved Verlander pushing him quickly onto the IL and bringing back a return of a home opener by Tylor Megill. The injury is not considered major and the quick trip to the IL for a 40 year old pitcher is the prudent thing to do. It is doubly ironic that while Mets fans expected all kinds of IL-time for deGrom, it was not part of the foresight people saw for Verlander. A 12.57 ERA start is certainly not good but playing at all is better than not playing.

As this parallel 2023 history continues to unfold, it's entirely possible that deGrom hits the shelf at some point himself as he has not exactly been an iron man when it comes to his physical well being. It's also entirely possible that a brief delay to Verlander's Mets career is just that and he will go on to pitch at a pre-Cooperstown level. 

The point is that both of these stellar pitchers are under the microscope for their new teams and people will draw ongoing comparisons to determine who was better off with their personnel, the Rangers or the Mets. The Texas folks are on the hook for 5 years and $185 million guaranteed. The Mets are on the hook for 2 years and $86 million. A lot of it is going to come down to the two pitchers' health. Right now it's too soon to tell, but we are indeed watching how these deals measure up.