Mack’s Mets – the premier site for information on the New York Mets talent pipeline and dialogue on Mets prospects, Mets news, and Mets opinions.
3/29/12
Binghamton 10, Jacksonvile 6
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – The Binghamton Mets collected a dozen hits and snapped a three-game losing streak with a 10-6 win today over the Jacksonville Suns, theDouble-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
Cesar Puello, just four days shy of his 21st birthday, finished a triple short of the cycle. The outfielder went 3-for-4 and swiped two bases. Puello hit .259 in 117 games with the St. Lucie Mets (High-A) last year.
Darrell Ceciliani chipped in with a pair of doubles and Travis Ozga launched a two-run home run.
Left-hander Darin Gorski made the start and logged five innings. The Pennsylvania native allowed two runs on five hits and struck out five.
Brad Holt struck out the side in his one inning of work.
The B-Mets (3-5) will play an intrasquad game tomorrow before wrapping up their Spring Training with three games in as many days. They will travel to Jupiter,Fla to take on the Springfield Cardinals on Friday at 1 PM.
D1 Game Notes
Kendall Rogers - @KendallRogersPG - Telling you, would have no issue with MLB org taking Mike Zuninio No. 1
Rio Ruiz could be released today from hospital
CJ Hinojosa is having shoulder surgery and will be sidelined for 4-6 months
A struggling Chris Beck got a save for his Georgia Southern team Tuesday against Georgia Tech.
Russell County’s Rock Rucker tossed a no-hitter over the weekend, striking out 11
South Carolina’s Joey Pankake - pectoralis strain in left shoulder
Tom Murphy, C, University of Buffalo: Hitting .361/.462/.736 with six homers, 16 walks, 20 strikeouts in 72 at-bats. Has caught seven of 14 runners and has made just one error. Junior, a very intriguing power hitter from a northern school who has a good eye at the plate but also strikes out some. Runs well for a catcher and has defensive tools but needs more polish. Draft position will depend on how teams evaluate his chances to stick behind the plate, but I can't see him getting past the second round if he continues to hit well
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/3/27/2904552/some-college-catchers-to-watch-for-the-2012-draft
Speaking of stuff, Arizona State’s Jake Barrett sure isn’t short on it. If the righty is going good on the mound, he has first-round stuff by most accounts. Barrett is capable of running his fastball up to the upper 90s, although mid 90s is to be expected on a more consistent basis. As far as his secondary stuff goes, it might not always be there, but when it is the Sun Devils’ closer can certainly miss a lot of bats with it. The 6-foot-3, 230 lbs. pitcher can lean on his fastball right now because it has great life to go with that premium velocity. More than anything, he needs to concentrate on commanding his top two pitches. If Barrett can be a better strike thrower within the zone, there’s no telling what he can do. Not to mention it will convince a number of teams that his recent move to the bullpen is only a temporary one. With his stuff, it seems rather likely that whichever team drafts him will try him out in the rotation first. - link
Speed Checks:
o Mitchell Traver - 91-93
o Tucker Simpson – 88-90, 71-CB, 78-SL, 73-CH
o Hertiage H.S. Shaun Anderson - 86-90, 74-CB, 78-CH
o Harvard-Westlake (2014) Jack Flaherty - 83-85, 78-slurve
o Russell County H.S. RHP Jesse Nelson 86-88
o Highlands Ranch H.S. RHP Ryan Burr – 90-92, 84-85-CH, 75-CB
o Brookwood H.S. Luke Sims – 91-93, 85-CH
Vanderbilt Sam Selman – 92-95
3/28/12
Scouting Report - C - Mike Zunino
Player: Mike Zunino
Position: C
School: Florida
Date of Birth: 3/25/1991
Height/Weight: 6’2/215
Bats/Throws: R/R
Class Of: 2013
Previously Drafted: 2009, 29th Rd, A’s
Scouting Report:
Mike Zunino plays catcher at a Major League level and is a likely first round choice in the 2012 draft. Zunino has a solid, disciplined approach at the plate. He has a quick bat and solid pull power. Many point to holes in Zunino’s swing and he is likely to have a high strikeout rate at the next level. His willingness to take a walk should help offset the strikeouts. Zunino truely shines defensively. He moves well and does a good job of blocking balls in the dirt. Zunino’s arm is strong and accurate. He has good hands. Zunino’s father, Greg, is a scout for the Reds which is one of the reasons he is such a good student of the game. Zunino received catching gear for Christmas when he was 6 years old and plays like he has been behind the plate since that day.
The Keepers - OF-1B - Travis Ozga
Travis Ozga
Ozga was drafted by the Mets in the 41st round of the 2009 draft.
7-8-10: - I know the last thing that Mets fans think they need right now is a new first base prospect, but trust me, no one is safe in the baseball world. The Yankees are considering trading Jesus Montero for Cliff Lee which makes one realize that there surely is a price out there for Ike Davis. I’m sure he’s not going anywhere, but it’s nice to know that they Mets seem to striking gold right now is Savannah with Travis Ozga. Ozga is a 41st round 2009 draft pick that played a little for the GCL Mets last season, and hit a little less than that: .194/.279/.226/.505. Frankly, I didn’t think he’d be back this season, what with Alex Gregory, Jeff Flagg, Eddie Lora, Luke Stewart, Alexander Sanchez, and Marinus Vernooij in the system; but I was wrong again, and Ozga reported to Kingsport… for one game. Savannah was looking for someone to spell Gregory, and the obvious move would have been to bring back Flagg, who was banished to Brooklyn after a slow start in April. Flagg has put his game together and I guess Mets brass like what they see in Coney Island… so up comes Ozga to Savannah. So far, this looks like a killer move. Ozga’s stats for the season for the Gnats are: .371/.425/.514/.939, with only 6-Ks and 4-BB.
10-7-10: - 2011 Forecast: - It's far too early to project out Ozga, and we really need to see him for another season to see what the Mets have here. Logic says he will move on the St. Lucie come the spring of 2011 and I hope they keep him there for the entire season.
6-28-11: - Ozga was promoted today to Binghamton from St. Lucie. He fills the slot that Jon Malo left open earlier when he went up to Buffalo. Malo is one of your super-AAAA players that bounces around where needed. The assumption here is that 3B Zach Lutz’s recovery from his beaning continues to be slow (failed tests yesterday saying he had headaches). But why promote a first baseman when Allan Dykstra (.255) is already there? Ozga (.288 in 80-AB, 0-HR) has been a backup to Stefan Welsh (.262 in 229-AB, 9-HR) so, frankly, I have to assume he was “promoted” for play time there… ???
9-3-11: - 70 – 1B/OF Travis Ozga – A different version of the Alonzo Harris saga. Ozga is way down the pecking order at first base , so he tried this year to light a spark in the outfield. Zero home runs isn’t going to hack it though. I have him as a utility outfielder in Binghamton in 2012.
Hello Readers!
Hello All.
My name is Anthony Carnacchio and I will now be contributing to the blog! I've been a die hard Mets fan for all 23 1/2 years of my life. I was a former college baseball player and truly miss the ins and outs of being between the lines. Coaching just couldn't do it for me, as the intensity of being on the sideline could never really cut it for me. I look forward to this opportunity and hope you all enjoy!
Press Release - Televised Bisons Games
March 27, 2012 –The MLB NETWORK announced that they will carry the live broadcast of two Buffalo Bisons games during the 2012 season.
The MLB Network will air the team’s annual School Kids Day Game on Thursday, May 31 (10:35 a.m.) against the Columbus Clippers as well as the Herd’s road game on Monday, June 25 (12:05 p.m.) in Durham against the Bulls.
The addition of the June 25 game in Durham means that 50 of the Bisons’ 144 games during the 2012 season will air live on television.
Earlier this month, the Bisons announced a 49-game television schedule on Time Warner Cable.
The MLB Network will also be in Buffalo on Wednesday, July 11 for the live national-television broadcast of the 25th Triple-A All-Star Game from Coca-Cola Field. A complete broadcast schedule can be found on Bisons.com.
There are just 16 days until the Bisons Home Opener on Wednesday, April 11 against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (2:05pm). All tickets and ticket packages for the 2012 season are on sale now at Bisons.com.
Baseball and Stuff
Baseball and Stuff
The Milwaukee Brewers did a very smart thing on Monday. They locked up their young catcher, Jonathan Lucroy, to a new 5-year extension. Lucroy, 25, batted .265 with 12 HR and 59 RBI in 136 games in 2011. A smart move. It’s tough to find a star catcher.
@BusterPosey - and I’m looking forward to finishing strong as we head into the season. –Buster
Jeremy Barfield @Baseclogger - So pumped to be playing meaningful baseball again next week. Hurry up regular season!
The Astros have released Zach Duke and Jack Cust.
The Red Sox option shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias to Triple-A Pawtucket
Rockies release third baseman Casey Blake
New York Yankees release Preston Mattingly, son of Don Mattingly
Wonderful Willie Smith, one of the last truly 2-way players
With the Angels in 1964, Willie Smith- Played 87 games in the outfield, LF, batting .301 with 11 HRs in 373 PAs and a 125 OPS+; in the field, he made just 2 errors and had a positive dWAR.
On Opening Day 1969, Willie Smith pinch-hit for Jim Hickman in the bottom of the 11th with the Cubs down by a run, and smacked a 2-run HR off Barry Lersch for the walk-off win
Smith came up with Detroit. In his last minor-league season before his MLB debut, Smith went 14-2 in 17 starts at AAA, with a 2.11 ERA in 145 IP, and batted .380 in 50 games (31 of them as a nonpitcher). http://seamheads.com/2012/03/27/a-best-of-collection-of-favorite-obscure-baseball-players/
Speed Check:
Jamie Moyer – One Mississippi… two Mississippi…
Mack and Company – 2012 Prediction
Mack - Well, it's that time again... What is your prediction for win-loss and divisional position for the Mets in 2012? ( 70 – 92 - 5th Place)
Teddy Dziuba - The Mets will lose 100+ games. Last place in the division
Wally Murphy - I predict the Mets will finish 4th, but hope they finish higher.
Brian Berness - Unfortunately, after all I've seen this spring, I have nothing to really be encouraged by. We almost have to hope things work out at every position on the field. Two of the more steady places on the field are actually negatives. Pelfrey's been awful- unless this is the best rope-a-dope since Muhammad Ali, he trends down. Bay has shown nothing. I hope for Santana's healthy return, but I don't see it.
This could get ugly and fast..which could actually be a good thing as the kids can just settle in and learn. It'll be fun following and hoping for Ike and Duda, but not much else. Attentions will be quickly turned to the minor league box scores and early anger on the airwaves will steady into irrelevance by the time July 4 hits and then nothing after the trade deadline.
Some people have expressed optimism of the 1984 and 1997 sort. I see more of a 1982 or 2003 output.
I hope I'm wrong, but 67-95.
Conrad Youngren - Mets finish 3rd at 83-79, 8G behind the Braves and Phillies who tie at 91-71 and have to enter a 1G play-off to see who meets the loser of the 91-71 Rockies-Giants NLW play-off to determine who plays the 2nd place 92-70 NLC Reds in the Wild Card Round. Book it.
Michael Scannell - 80-82, 3rd place
Jack Flynn - The Mets can keep their noses above .500 for a good part of the season, but injuries and general ineffectiveness will expose the lack of depth on the bench and major-league ready players in the farm system. I see another 78-84 finish. General predictions: * Johan Santana is never Johan Santana again, but settles into a decent mid-rotation starter. * Mike Pelfrey regresses even further to the point that he becomes the fifth starter or is dropped from the rotation entirely. * Jon Niese takes one step closer to becoming a reliable #3 starter on a playoff-quality team. * Jon Rauch struggles and is ultimately released. Frank Francisco and Ramon Ramirez are by no means dominant, but prove to be surprisingly effective. Bobby Parnell mercifully gets released. * Everyone hits. Josh Thole cracks singles, Daniel Murphy cracks doubles, Ike Davis cracks homers. David Wright and Jason Bay hit closer to career norms but do not regain superstar status. Lucas Duda becomes a Luke Scott-type producer at the plate (on his good years, not on his bad ones.) Ruben Tejada struggles, but shows enough with the glove that the Mets bat him eighth and endure his growing pains. * Nobody goes to Met games. Attendance hovers around 25,000, Banner Day is a disaster when all anti-Wilpon banners are confiscated and the Jackie Robinson Rotunda continues to taunt Met fans who have the temerity to believe their own team's history deserves more respect than a Dodger who played 60 years ago (Editor’s Note: BTW… this is the MOST positive Jack has been in years…)
Michael Jawitz - All I ask is that the team plays hard and learns from their mistakes.
They will be the best last place team in baseball this year. I think they'll win 72 games. Maybe.
It's a rebuilding year.)
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