tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926151303693560222024-03-29T10:03:18.443-04:00Mack's MetsMack’s Mets – the premier site for information on the New York Mets talent pipeline and dialogue on Mets prospects, Mets news, and Mets opinions.Mack Adehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09730548449011685243noreply@blogger.comBlogger31101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-33752873796547381442024-03-29T09:00:00.056-04:002024-03-29T09:00:00.139-04:00Tom Brennan: Bring Your Shorts, Tank Tops, and Flip Flops?<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t03aoFSH_SI/YIAZmE-h1ZI/AAAAAAAAofU/ULnRhYf7zRclYGMMWV9ZLlISTSjOIxemACLcBGAsYHQ/s285/jack.jpg" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="285" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t03aoFSH_SI/YIAZmE-h1ZI/AAAAAAAAofU/ULnRhYf7zRclYGMMWV9ZLlISTSjOIxemACLcBGAsYHQ/w441-h223/jack.jpg" width="441" /></a><span> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>No…</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>BRING YOUR PARKAS, THERMALS, TOO </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>TO KEEP YOUR NOSES FROM TURNING BRIGHT BLUE!</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;">In the off season, we always have visions of warm, sunny baseball games with
peanuts, popcorn, and crackerjacks. Nostalgic.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;">Not so, in reality, in early season AAA Syracuse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Bring the parkas, the thermos, the thermals. If you’ve seen the movie Everest, dress like those folks.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;">The S-Mets open the season with 3 DAY games in Syracuse on
March 29, 30, and 31, which is like opening the baseball season in Queens on, say, February 29 or March 5:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"><b>Fri: </b></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Partly cloudy. High 44°F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25
mph. Higher wind gusts possible.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><b>Sat:</b> Partly cloudy. High 50°F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><b>Sun:</b> Morning clouds followed by afternoon sun. High 47°F. Winds WNW at
10 to 15 mph.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: verdana; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">My take? Clearly, baseball in March in Syracuse is for Frosty the Snowman and
Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. Wind chills in the 30s? Nah. Not for me.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;">Then, frozen Syracuse Metsies hop on dog sleds and head to Wilkes-Barre, Pa for 4 straight early
April <b><u>night</u></b> games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;">Weather forecast?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><b>Tues:</b> Rain. Low 43°F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Rainfall around 0.25 inch. (Beautiful, wouldn’t you say?)</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><b>Wed: </b>A mix of rain & <b>snow showers</b>. Low 34°F. Winds WNW 5 to 10 mph.
Chance of precipitation 50%. (Quite Lovely, said one Eskimo to the other)</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><b>Thurs:</b> Partly cloudy. Low 35°F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. (Beautifully Brisk and Blustery - for downhill skiing, that is)</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><b>Fri:</b> Partly cloudy. Low 38°F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. (Calm and Cool, relatively speaking, if you are a polar bear)</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">My take? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Simply insane to be playing <u>night games</u> in early April that far north.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">PLAY B..B..B..BALL! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Horsehide balls are
optional, of course…snowballs may be used i</span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">nstead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">It’s gotta be minor league TV money, I suspect.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Don’t worry, boys…the spring thaw will arrive before you know it.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><i>I hope JD Martinez enjoys his time up near the Arctic tundra, and let's hope Mark Vientos can go on a tear in games where the wind/chill factor is below freezing.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><b><i>Nolan Ryan (Schanuel)</i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">The 11th overall pick of the LA Angels last year, he played only a scant 22 games in the minors, had a Ted Williams-like .505 OBP and, like a blur, got promoted to the Angels shortly after being drafted as their starting 1B. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">In 29 MLB games in 2023, he compiled a .402 OBP. Amazing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Why don’t any Mets prospects over the decades ever do stuff like that? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Mets prospects take years, not months.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Ponder that.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p>Tom Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032383157195393857noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-79855031727637022272024-03-29T06:40:00.000-04:002024-03-29T06:41:10.520-04:00Reese Kaplan -- Starling Marte's Health Is More Important Right Now<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchAAW5c2DbMW8Mw9dRDzMPh3-6AWagtzd_sGKBZkpk1aKyfQvMCgLQ3JWrSgubthgiqxsx_hDNq2wFhnfXXfxwsDmQHMD9CaNjUvsyJRN6fT2YhTcSBEj3y9CClXIyKip-cJQ600uKwBkDVdZLuIUGwx45rnL78qmKGMBuxxsobGqUZ5qYc9LP9GBvIqN/s320/A%20Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="320" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchAAW5c2DbMW8Mw9dRDzMPh3-6AWagtzd_sGKBZkpk1aKyfQvMCgLQ3JWrSgubthgiqxsx_hDNq2wFhnfXXfxwsDmQHMD9CaNjUvsyJRN6fT2YhTcSBEj3y9CClXIyKip-cJQ600uKwBkDVdZLuIUGwx45rnL78qmKGMBuxxsobGqUZ5qYc9LP9GBvIqN/s1600/A%20Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Questions about Starling Marte flood any conversation between Mets fans and sportswriters given his health issues in 2023 that led to him plummeting from a borderline All Star level of performance in 2022 to output not suitable for a starter. Ironically his speed was even better last season than in the immediate past, but the various problems he was facing certainly curtailed his value to the Mets.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPI-QPy8ptmjdO8TvPJxcPbbyv0Pbbm3PGLNGgXxzDmd9nKKxOOtPGTg334zcyR4JsB_aRCVXc0kcqfRx_3H0D_CIz33ulGJHliB6j_akEmJ8c8i-6HN3rItau5r7Nzy9m76gRUdNpvFiVjDeYRD38V0PEPjxh7tC_SfandZi0NVtXEhHkJLmWls_G9Pry/s994/screenshot-external-content.duckduckgo.com-2024.03.26-09_29_00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="994" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPI-QPy8ptmjdO8TvPJxcPbbyv0Pbbm3PGLNGgXxzDmd9nKKxOOtPGTg334zcyR4JsB_aRCVXc0kcqfRx_3H0D_CIz33ulGJHliB6j_akEmJ8c8i-6HN3rItau5r7Nzy9m76gRUdNpvFiVjDeYRD38V0PEPjxh7tC_SfandZi0NVtXEhHkJLmWls_G9Pry/w400-h323/screenshot-external-content.duckduckgo.com-2024.03.26-09_29_00.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Spring forward to 2024 and oddly the story remains relatively the same. Folks are looking at his anemic batting average and questioning even if he belongs on the club, let alone to be playing regularly out in right field. Somehow lost in translation was the real story of this preseason tenure for Marte. He is completely healthy. He's playing steadily, running at full speed and working his way back to the level of productivity that made him a headline free agent in the 2021/2022 off-season. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's amusing to me that Francisco Lindor is hitting .145 yet no one raises a peep about how he's washed up or that he's overpaid or that they need to rush someone from the minors (or use one of the two spare shortstops on the roster going north) to replace him. Obviously such sentiment would be total lunacy, and as such it's understandable that veteran player results in a few weeks in the Spring are not indicative of what that performer is truly capable of doing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">With the extended preseason for J.D. Martinez people are already suggesting that Marte take the DH at-bats to ease him into the steady stream of playing every day. Now if he was having arm or leg issues that were impacting his ability to run and cover in the outfield, I could understand this idea. However, Marte was always among the upper echelon defensively and it seems somewhat odd to suggest keeping him off the field is a wise choice.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigszjxWvxjkE3tHGD8T7Qs1bhQEyr9StgaC9s3sCPMSizyGmExNd_3KdwRRHd1mvaWbFGdyY95m6WB-2cSqZabro6pFmaV_K1eZsY-DzJC6fT64_2jvRlwkqw5Bop0p0JYBmBy_nzUl5VTDqi10fJqfrGqwGYl5IJNL9ef318Ev1_BDT1sEx-kp3TbK1sG/s800/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigszjxWvxjkE3tHGD8T7Qs1bhQEyr9StgaC9s3sCPMSizyGmExNd_3KdwRRHd1mvaWbFGdyY95m6WB-2cSqZabro6pFmaV_K1eZsY-DzJC6fT64_2jvRlwkqw5Bop0p0JYBmBy_nzUl5VTDqi10fJqfrGqwGYl5IJNL9ef318Ev1_BDT1sEx-kp3TbK1sG/w400-h300/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />The other issue is who would take his place in the outfield? Well, there are a few ways to go here. Tyrone Taylor has impressed everyone with his athleticism and for his Milwaukee part time career he's aggregated roughly two full seasons worth of play which would show 20+ HR power along with decent RBI production. The down side is his career .239 average, though given what the Mets put out there in 2023 a .239 hitter might be an improvement.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The next option would be the likely northbound journey for D.J. Stewart. He is not hitting particularly well this year, but he was a steady performer for several weeks last year. Unfortunately swapping out Marte for Stewart would be an exercise in weakening the outfield defense, so that approach likely is not a good one.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The other obvious thing that could be done is to have Jeff McNeil stationed in one of the outfield positions while the substitute would be either Joey Wendle or Zack Short on the infield. What you'd lose in home run power and RBIs might be offset by solid defense. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In the long run, however, it is smarter to use Starling Marte much like they are using Harrison Bader. Leave him out there for his glove and enjoy whatever he can deliver with his bat. The potential for Marte's offensive output grossly exceeding that of Bader is a bet I'd take right now. </span></p>Reese Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12993445356545875409noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-83061472334866889782024-03-28T12:00:00.001-04:002024-03-28T12:00:00.144-04:00 SAVAGE VIEWS – Ready or Not<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1own9RG2en3ozn_FIk5iU1GBHY6fQdUyfdZTMoiO0BAW7d1dNhCw-Smjsc0GZCDng5V-HgOfjqiAsj7cfEIuwg4Cws6kKOCAoCeuFLIB1Ra12KtKaDTBbpLPdN6EL1h4YhUOIxGFgrVwYxupgjJvJ3s0QW3TcRvD90TFhduLeMbiVvA0BHrZhGYV6/s225/savage.png" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1own9RG2en3ozn_FIk5iU1GBHY6fQdUyfdZTMoiO0BAW7d1dNhCw-Smjsc0GZCDng5V-HgOfjqiAsj7cfEIuwg4Cws6kKOCAoCeuFLIB1Ra12KtKaDTBbpLPdN6EL1h4YhUOIxGFgrVwYxupgjJvJ3s0QW3TcRvD90TFhduLeMbiVvA0BHrZhGYV6/s1600/savage.png" width="225" /></a> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>READY OR NOT</i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Remember me? I’m the one who predicted the Mets would not only qualify for the playoffs this
season but actually get past round one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also, last year, around this time, I said the 2023 Mets were not a playoff
team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I make my forecasts, I try to
take a clear eyed approach by eliminating emotion whenever possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I am a passionate fan of the Mets,
Giants and Rangers and it’s hard to eliminate all biases.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To be honest,
I am a bit concerned as we enter the new season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My forecasts are based on the core group of
Mets improving on rather disappointing results in 2023.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of Lindor, Alonso, McNeil, Marte did not
live up to expectations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baty, Alvarez
and Vientos were all underwhelming although it’s evident that Alvarez is a
budding star.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I sensed there was a toxic
clubhouse that had a negative impact on Baty, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The position players underperformed in spring
training as nearly all of our core players were under the Mendoza line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wonder if they can turn it on once the opening
day bell rings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A number of
pundits are down on this team even suggesting the season will be over once we
hit July and that we will be massive sellers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Obviously, I disagree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I
was not in favor of signing JD Martinez and wanted Vientos to be given the
opportunity to shine, I understand the reasons for the move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mets lineup has the potential to be
formidable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Clearly the
Braves are the class of the division with the Phillies ranked second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, some suggest that Philly will
challenge the Braves for the title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
my opinion, the Mets match up well with Philly as shown below:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 311px;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Position<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mets <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Philly<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Edge<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1B<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alonso<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Harper<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2B<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">McNeil<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stott<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SS<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lindor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Turner<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3B<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Baty<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bohm<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Philly<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">C<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alvarez<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Realmuto<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">LF<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nimmo<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Castellanos<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mets<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CF<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bader<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rojas<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RF<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Marte<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Marsh<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mets<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">DH<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Martinez<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Schwarber<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mets<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SP1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Senza<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nola<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Philly<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #467886; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:SP@"><span style="color: #467886;">SP2</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Severino<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wheeler<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Philly<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SP3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Quintana<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Suarez<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Philly<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SP4<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Manaea<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sanchez<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SP5<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Houser<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Turnbill<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mets<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SP6<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MeGill<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Walker<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mets<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Closer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Diaz<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alvarado<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mets<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RP<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<tr style="height: 0.25in; mso-yfti-irow: 19; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bench<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 56pt;" valign="bottom" width="75"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 0.25in; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 48pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Philly<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A lot depends
on our guys remaining relatively healthy since there are few position player
options available at this time in our minor league system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, we have quite a bit of pitching
depth that few teams can match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s a
good bet that we will see the likes of Peterson, Butto, Lucchesi, Scott and
Lavender at some point this year with Hamil and Vasil in the wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously, the top three starters for Philly
are better than what the Mets have to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don’t be surprised if the Mets win the season series from Philly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ray<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">March 28
2024</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>RDS900http://www.blogger.com/profile/09258377907517968364noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-23511796068621261802024-03-28T10:00:00.000-04:002024-03-28T10:00:00.151-04:00Mets Daily Tidbits<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOxUX8xXTZANaVj2JIAc7ZaWVGxrm3vlEuouZU0l4f7NH5KuTdPQEEKYUv160rVGKRyT-gQY7GvCpTWqpDxJeIVLAnGBa_ORNI4s9zUtIw11qD-kKjR_oJ9gBp1F5xfavc0YMJ2XcI8dzONxX2BtUnwy60nVImJ_seb1iFKlx6zrNLJuL6bZCCawC-l4/s225/tidbits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOxUX8xXTZANaVj2JIAc7ZaWVGxrm3vlEuouZU0l4f7NH5KuTdPQEEKYUv160rVGKRyT-gQY7GvCpTWqpDxJeIVLAnGBa_ORNI4s9zUtIw11qD-kKjR_oJ9gBp1F5xfavc0YMJ2XcI8dzONxX2BtUnwy60nVImJ_seb1iFKlx6zrNLJuL6bZCCawC-l4/s1600/tidbits.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;">Mets </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;"> </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Mets Player Development</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">@MetsPlayerDev</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Did you know that </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Christian Scott</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> first learned his slider from </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Pitching</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Ninja</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">?</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> He discusses that and much more on the latest episode of Future of Flushing!</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><a href="https://t.co/Xmg9yB364q"><b><u><span class="15" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">https://t.co/Xmg9yB364q</span></u></b></a><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/WKgl6HdmPZ"><b><u><span class="15" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">https://t.co/WKgl6HdmPZ</span></u></b></a><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/BS9pdPm1eM"><b><u><span class="15" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">https://t.co/BS9pdPm1eM</span></u></b></a><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p><span style="color: red;"> A</span></o:p></span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">bbey Mastracco</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">@AbbeyMastracco</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">The Mets let </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">DJ Stewart</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> know he made the team. They still have to decide between relievers </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Yohan Ramirez</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> and </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Sean Reid-Foley</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Laura Albanese</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">@AlbaneseLaura</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">The Mets nutritionist has made </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Edwin Diaz</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> eat salads.</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Brian Recca</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">@brian_recca</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span> </span><span> </span>-</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Edwin Diaz</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> '22: Timmy Trumpets</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span> </span><span> </span>-Edwin Diaz '24: Timmy Thousand Island Dressing</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Will Sammon</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">@WillSammon</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Kodai Senga</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> is playing light catch at Citi Field.</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">QNS </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">@QNS</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Mets legend </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Dwight Gooden</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> to hold meet-and-greet at </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Murphy's Bar in Astoria</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> Apr. 19</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">SNY</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">@SNYtv</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">"Opening Day always feels special, it gives me the butterflies. I'm excited."</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">- </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Francisco Lindor</span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #4472c4; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #4472c4; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #4472c4; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">New York Daily News</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">@NYDailyNews</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Carlos </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Mendoza</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> is the Mets’ 6th manager since 2017 — counting </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Carlos </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Beltran</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Trust can be hard to come by with so much turnover, but heading into his first season at the helm, Mendoza has made himself as visible and as vocal as possible to establish it</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/WRCEGRhmfL"><b><u><span class="15" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">https://t.co/WRCEGRhmfL</span></u></b></a><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://x.com/NYDailyNews/status/1772975370943299649?t=NvJxhDii5H_ebuRsq4RU6w&s=0"><b><u><span class="15" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">https://x.com/NYDailyNews/status/1772975370943299649?t=NvJxhDii5H_ebuRsq4RU6w&s=0</span></u></b></a><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">) </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Abbey Mastracco</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">@AbbeyMastracco</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">I got in a reference about Love is Blind in this one and had to rewrite it after </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">J.D. Martinez</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> was signed, so definitely read it!</span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://x.com/AbbeyMastracco/status/1772984024669065534?t=yet-jtdP7ldIVBD9tSZ6PA&s=03"><b><u><span class="15" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">https://x.com/AbbeyMastracco/status/1772984024669065534?t=yet-jtdP7ldIVBD9tSZ6PA&s=03</span></u></b></a><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;">MLB</span></b><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Chris Hatfield</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @SPChrisHatfield Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Just learned that </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Noah Song</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, who went on the 60-day IL this morning, needs Tommy John surgery. More adversity for right-hander, who after his 2019 debut had a multi-year absence due to his military commitment, followed by a roller-coaster 2023 with the Phillies as a Rule 5 pick.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Buster Olney</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @Buster_ESPN Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Max Scherzer</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> progressing well. Chris Young says he’s guessing Scherzer won’t be placed on the 60-day IL. Which suggests a possible return in May.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Jeff Passan</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @JeffPassan Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Nobody writes about </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Shohei Ohtani</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> with the combination of precision, grace and insight like Tim Keown. Even before the gambling scandal, Ohtani was a man on an island, and this piece captures the separateness — which is now even more acute — wonderfully.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><a href="https://t.co/s31KT7lnbe"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/s31KT7lnbe</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">The Reds will be without second baseman </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Matt McLain</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> for an extended period after he had left shoulder surgery on Tuesday.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">It was not immediately known when McLain would be ready to return.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Ronald Acuña Jr.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @ronaldacunajr24 Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">I want you to understand the full picture. I want you to know about the whole person, and what’s important to me. About the things reporters never ask me about. Not just the baseball part.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">This is my story.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/DqKd216jtl"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/DqKd216jtl</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Chandler Rome</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @Chandler_Rome Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Alex Bregman</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> has evolved from the brash 22-year-old kid who stared into dugout cameras and brought his bat to first base after a World Series homer. He's an entrepreneur, businessman, the closest thing his clubhouse has to a spokesman and, now, "at peace" -</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/88DnWvp5Qf"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/88DnWvp5Qf</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;">College</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">D1Baseball</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @d1baseball) Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>D1Baseball Top 50 Second Basemen: Week 6</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">1. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Travis Bazzana</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, @BeaverBaseball</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">2. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Blake Barthol</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, @CoastalBaseball</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">3. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Christian Moore</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, @Vol_Baseball</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">4. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Brady Day</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, @KStateBSB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">5. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Christian Martin</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, @HokiesBaseball</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">FULL LIST</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/LqzVXXEtdT"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/LqzVXXEtdT</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><a href="https://t.co/H5VYvZpuH4"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/H5VYvZpuH4</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">D1Baseball</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @d1baseball Mar 26, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>D1Baseball Top 50 Shortstops: Week 6</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">1. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Colby Shelton</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, @GatorsBB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">2. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kaelen Culpepper</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, @KStateBSB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">3. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Griff O'Ferrall</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, @UVABaseball</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">4.</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> JJ Wetherholt</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, @WVUBaseball</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">5.</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Josh Kuroda-Grauer</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, @RutgersBaseball</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">FULL LIST</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/4h2SI0Aswl"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/4h2SI0Aswl</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><a href="https://t.co/F7njhRRYFm"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/F7njhRRYFm</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p>Mack Adehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09730548449011685243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-61455566004954729392024-03-28T08:00:00.000-04:002024-03-28T08:01:03.748-04:00Paul Articulates – Eat some innings, Jose!<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is a very brief post on opening day for the Mets. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It focuses on one topic – starting pitchers staying in the game. Last year one of the biggest factors in the Mets’ disappointing season was that the starting pitchers failed to go deep into ballgames early in the season. The burden on the bullpen burned them out and made the mid-season a disaster. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Buck wore himself out with trips to the mound, and the result of using 4-5 relievers was that one would always have a sub-par performance and give up the runs that lost the game.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This year with Kodai Senga on the injured list we have already lost one of our innings eaters as well as a fine pitcher that had very good success last year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQLd1WWx2Os_laygC4miirrCTrumFEbdLxZhbJdJ6gKn2aAzilS5RbgKEtNHWMZHyZT_Lq7fGOiKh4sAih6zjXK-gMv2qXqRUMFeg0s5JJLX9Q4hHbqZ7Gcxf1aIfYKhGJX3DBCFgkSP8m-IHxpXWT3p4Uf_J6EfkXE0AH-QkJTpmy2wGWbeVna0WFgs/s474/quintana.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQLd1WWx2Os_laygC4miirrCTrumFEbdLxZhbJdJ6gKn2aAzilS5RbgKEtNHWMZHyZT_Lq7fGOiKh4sAih6zjXK-gMv2qXqRUMFeg0s5JJLX9Q4hHbqZ7Gcxf1aIfYKhGJX3DBCFgkSP8m-IHxpXWT3p4Uf_J6EfkXE0AH-QkJTpmy2wGWbeVna0WFgs/s320/quintana.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Next up is Jose Quintana, who was a bright spot last year when he returned by being someone that could regularly pitch in the sixth and maybe seventh inning. Quintana needs to be a work horse this year, going deep in most of his starts. With rosters now finalized, the bullpen does not include any names that I would put in the category of “long reliever”. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That means that for every 4-5 inning start, Carlos Mendoza will need to use several relievers and that will soon lead to some fatigue. A fatigued bullpen is not your friend.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Here are the inning counts for the starting pitchers on the Mets roster including the injured Senga:</span></p><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Kodai Senga: 2023 innings: 166 ; Best year: 180</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Jose Quintana: 2023 innings: 75; Best year: 208</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Luis Severino: 2023 innings: 89 ; Best year:193</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sean Manaea: 2023 innings: 117; Best year: 179</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Adrian Houser: 2023 innings: 111; Best year: 142</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Tylor Megill: 2023 innings: 126 ; Best year: 126</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Given the still-underperforming bats the Mets displayed in spring training, this team will go as the pitching goes. The pitching success will be driven in large part by the longevity of the starters. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">C’mon, Jose, eat some innings!!</span></p><div><br /></div></div>Paul Articulateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11690651810296213424noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-17248457724952798812024-03-28T06:00:00.036-04:002024-03-28T06:00:00.152-04:00Tom Brennan: Opening Day, and The School of Hard Knocks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZYAzp86VaiEM8I2d1j14Uit9hJey2hM8kPjBnvQ1Po3QIyimhhIt8yDVRlpPSUB9JGjrXLys0PrYKpp5zvnC0o3mtWE3HCasNm3yHUB7G0SVssSeRMm4sCKRCJsJ7CFZ9poJuEy22hKn1hj1WvRhAGOVNPmVVHr7HqtOs95YGCt6b3OAUPkj5w5N/s227/observations.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="222" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZYAzp86VaiEM8I2d1j14Uit9hJey2hM8kPjBnvQ1Po3QIyimhhIt8yDVRlpPSUB9JGjrXLys0PrYKpp5zvnC0o3mtWE3HCasNm3yHUB7G0SVssSeRMm4sCKRCJsJ7CFZ9poJuEy22hKn1hj1WvRhAGOVNPmVVHr7HqtOs95YGCt6b3OAUPkj5w5N/s1600/observations.png" width="222" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: left;" /></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">OPENING DAY, AND LEARNING FROM BAD OUTINGS</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">OPENING DAY TODAY?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(NOPE - THE WEATHER IS “NOT PERMITTING”)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We all know that the Mets always win on opening day, when it doesn’t rain…it’s just the other 161 games we worry about. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So, Friday is the new opening day.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Jose Quintana will start today, and he is 9-16 previously, with “previously” being the last 4 seasons (2020-23). Remarkable stat. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That averages out to 2.25 wins a season for the O.D. starter.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In his final two spring outings, 7.1 IP, 11 runs. Yep, he’s ready. 100%.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Anyway, let’s get this season underway. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">ME? I won’t settle for less than 162-0.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><i>SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS:</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you are an </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">aspiring minor leaguer, you probably hope, particularly if you’re a pitcher, that you make a televised, spring training, game debut, go 2 innings and strike out all six batters on 18 pitches. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then send the ball to Cooperstown.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Well, it sadly doesn’t work that way in real life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sometimes, it’s the “school of hard knocks”. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Dominic Hamel, the other day, gave up 4 HRs in his brief 3.1 inning stint. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Then, Trey McLoughlin gave up 3 HRs in an inning a few days later against the Astros. Both pitchers to this point haven’t pitched higher than AA. They both faced significantly tougher hitters and found out the hard way that what works in AA may not work with major league caliber hitters.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hamel has very good breaking stuff, and he was occasionally hitting 97 on the gun. But to me, his offerings look straight. 97 MPH straight to major league caliber hitters can be dangerous if the location and mix of pitches is not optimal. Dom, if he was taking school notes, realizes he has to make some adjustments. I am pleased to note that in the minors, though, he has allowed just 17 homers in 246 career innings. They do say that trying too hard can straighten fastballs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I did not watch all of McLoughlin‘s pitches, but he seemed to be throwing 91, which is low velocity against voracious major league hitters. The pitches on which he surrendered the 3 home runs were not (to my eye) well located and did not show much movement. Hopefully, he was also taking school notes, and realizes he has to make some adjustments. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My thought (FWIW) was that he needs to have movement and change of location on his fastball like 40+ Bartolo Colon did so successfully. In the minors to date, McLoughlin has allowed 21 HRs in 123 innings, frankly too high a tater rate.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It might be a bit comforting for that pitching duo, though, to realize that Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito allowed a remarkable 82 HRs in 375 innings in 2023, so homers in the big leagues are inescapable.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The reality is, for these Mets minors pitchers, major league hitters are vastly better than AA hitters and the strategy for both in 2024 should be to pitch to minor-league hitters as if they were major league hitters, and seek to throw the stuff that would get major hitters out. Of course, that’s easier said than done. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">SCOTT DID WHAT??</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">On the other hand, it appears that dazzling Christian Scott has been taking plenty of notes and acting upon them. I saw the highlights of his seven strikeout, four inning game, the other day, and those strike outs showed great variety, location, and movement. It really almost felt like watching Greg Maddux pitch. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To my four eyes, Scott is ready right now - he just needs to keep working on becoming tougher and tougher. The pitches I saw look like number one starting pitcher caliber stuff. How did they look to you, folks?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And so it goes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It simply comes down to this: minor-league pitchers need to get to the point where they can effectively shut down major league hitters. Sometimes, lots of schoolwork be required. Pardon the grammer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Vientos, too. I think of the movie Warrior, where teacher turned fighter Brendan Connolly is about to lose his home due to huge medical bills for his child. He gets back into the ring to raise some dough, and miraculously gets added into a $5 million winner take-all fight tournament. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">His coach confronts him in between rounds in one round against an unbeaten killer fighter, and tells him bluntly, that he either wins that fight, or he loses his home. Well, he didn’t lose his home. He won that fight and won the purse. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Mark needs to be that relentless. They sent him down, they’re trying to “steal his home”, and he’s got to dig in, get the heck up off the mat, and not let them. Go through AAA pitching like a knife through butter.</span></p><p><br /></p>Tom Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032383157195393857noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-33178175120588298642024-03-27T11:00:00.048-04:002024-03-27T11:00:00.351-04:00Mets Daily Tidbits<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetH4O19DHFwazl50DFFUn2iDwIuuA85gFg2AGwV__v4wFZbZVrWvnTNJJt1Hu7d9cCTARM2yYqfixe43qdZtlZlJpa-PVcLJzf15vJye6qvZEhnGNZIyv_uPyA1uddff3QzEYlzrZ8eSyroLWrS-3eOoLwD4bclcr97m8wy4xTU6vI4UDiPUYPCgCSO4/s225/tidbits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetH4O19DHFwazl50DFFUn2iDwIuuA85gFg2AGwV__v4wFZbZVrWvnTNJJt1Hu7d9cCTARM2yYqfixe43qdZtlZlJpa-PVcLJzf15vJye6qvZEhnGNZIyv_uPyA1uddff3QzEYlzrZ8eSyroLWrS-3eOoLwD4bclcr97m8wy4xTU6vI4UDiPUYPCgCSO4/s1600/tidbits.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;">Mets </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;"> </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Brooklyn and St. Lucie will be released next Wednesday or Thursday.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mets Release</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Luke Voit</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Tim Britton </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@TimBritton Mar 26, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mets announce they've released reliever </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Phil Bickford</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, whom they DFA'd to make room for J.D. Martinez earlier in the week. Bickford, who won his arbitration case against the Mets for $900K, will only be owed termination pay of $217K, similar to what happened with </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">J.D. Davis</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kevin Kernan </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@AMBS_Kernan Mar 27, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Baseball needs a </span></b><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Pitching Czar</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> to begin to fix what has gone terribly wrong on the mound from injuries to the inability to get deep into games. I nominate </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">David Cone</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> who has proven himself on the mound and in the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball booth. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/swTE4s777y"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/swTE4s777y</span></u></b></a><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://x.com/AMBS_Kernan/status/1772960539322294568?t=cmPP-50H1rMXo8Oqbk8tTw&s=03"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://x.com/AMBS_Kernan/status/1772960539322294568?t=cmPP-50H1rMXo8Oqbk8tTw&s=03</span></u></b></a><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Will Sammon</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @WillSammon Mar 26, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Third base might be the Mets' most interesting position in 2024. The Mets are giving </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Brett Baty</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> a second chance at the job while carrying coverage. How much has he improved?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/m0Qum4TFFM"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/m0Qum4TFFM</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://x.com/WillSammon/status/1772691655549763868?t=N5gjm8FzZwe6TUeb5jQs5g&s=03"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://x.com/WillSammon/status/1772691655549763868?t=N5gjm8FzZwe6TUeb5jQs5g&s=03</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">FOX Sports</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">: MLB @MLBONFOX Mar 26, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Which players are you most excited to watch this year?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">FOX Sports' </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Deesha Thosar</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> & </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Rowan Kavner</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> picked one from each team in 2024.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/0hHIaCyG3B"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/0hHIaCyG3B</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://x.com/MLBONFOX/status/1772666086363718124?t=8Ii9_ujaB71_Oux7-T7Vtw&s=03"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://x.com/MLBONFOX/status/1772666086363718124?t=8Ii9_ujaB71_Oux7-T7Vtw&s=03</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mike Puma</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @NYPost_Mets Mar 26, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Starling Marte </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">entered and left camp healthy but had a quiet spring. He says he is ready for the season - including occasional turns at DH when J.D. Martinez isn't playing:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/sxdXx8CoKp"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/sxdXx8CoKp</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://x.com/NYPost_Mets/status/1772653229597188112?t=_qAgJ_XPFUhNP_VVl6WhQQ&s=03"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://x.com/NYPost_Mets/status/1772653229597188112?t=_qAgJ_XPFUhNP_VVl6WhQQ&s=03</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Matt Eddy </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @MattEddyBA Mar 26, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">The Baseball America MLB Preview would be incomplete without a power ranking.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">This year we ranked teams on the 20-80 scouting scale</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">80 Dodgers</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">80 Braves</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">. . .</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">20 Athletics</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">20 Rockies</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Also: next first-time all-stars and key rookies for all 30 clubs</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/jyE62T7kt7"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/jyE62T7kt7</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://x.com/MattEddyBA/status/1772619139460313099?t=lcMEs_QVnz25nM3493OIpw&s=03"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://x.com/MattEddyBA/status/1772619139460313099?t=lcMEs_QVnz25nM3493OIpw&s=03</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;">College</span></b><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">MLB Pipeline @MLBPipeline Mar 26, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">A dozen jacks for </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Jac Caglianone</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">!</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">MLB's No. 5 Draft prospect homers in his third straight contest.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">More on the two-way sensation</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Brian Recca</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @brian_recca Mar 26, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RJ Johnson </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">| '24 | CF</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Rutgers Baseball</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">.296/.436/.408 ; 1 HR/10 SB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">126 PA. 14 BB/20 K</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">From 3/22 v UConn: No stride swing w/ quick hands. Sneaky pop on fastballs at/below the belt. Really good runner who ranges well in CF w/ enough arm for the position</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Baseball America</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @BaseballAmerica Mar 26, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Travis Bazzana</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">’s been riding a hitting hot streak essentially since he started playing college baseball.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Last week he homered SIX times and leads our College Hot Sheet</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/wytuxhLIac"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/wytuxhLIac</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://x.com/BaseballAmerica/status/1772626107910545607?t=Mfk7Dize-r4Id5ZTzDi5SA&s=03"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://x.com/BaseballAmerica/status/1772626107910545607?t=Mfk7Dize-r4Id5ZTzDi5SA&s=03</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mike Wilson</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @ByMikeWilson Mar 26, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Billy Amick</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> is sidelined with an appendix issue.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">The Tennessee third baseman will continue to be evaluated. He will not play Tuesday against Tennessee Tech. Vols host Georgia in a weekend series starting Friday.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/LrW0JngvR2"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/LrW0JngvR2</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://x.com/ByMikeWilson/status/1772643850550481295?t=u-XmTiV9hzJK_7UcZ5SfsQ&s=03"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://x.com/ByMikeWilson/status/1772643850550481295?t=u-XmTiV9hzJK_7UcZ5SfsQ&s=03</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Mack Adehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09730548449011685243noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-9115278967000669052024-03-27T09:15:00.001-04:002024-03-27T09:15:56.940-04:00Tom Brennan - Rookies in Mets Spring Training<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-src="//t3.ftcdn.net/jpg/00/66/91/56/240_F_66915688_haOd3pGLs3b6NSMdg4p4xE5wwtMBBxpj.jpg" height="132" src="https://t3.ftcdn.net/jpg/00/66/91/56/240_F_66915688_haOd3pGLs3b6NSMdg4p4xE5wwtMBBxpj.jpg" style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 136, 211); color: #0a88d3; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px; width: 140px;" width="132" /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Which rookie hitters impressed this spring?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I wrote yesterday about Mark Vientos, who was sent down to the minors despite hitting 2 more HRs than anyone else in camp. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He actually hit 5 in 56 at bats, a HR every 11 ABs, while everyone else in 908 at bats hit 22, a HR every 41 ABs. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But today's story is about all the rookies in camp who have not yet made their MLB debut.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I counted 35 such players who came to the plate. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Their overall stats?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">164 at bats, 35 hits (.213), 7 doubles, <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">2 HRs</span></b>, 19 RBIs, 13 walks, 62 Ks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Not very good, by MLB standards, but in fairness: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1) they are not yet MLB caliber, and </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2) quite a few were very young, lower minors guys, although they compiled a relatively small portion of those 164 at bats.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Best hitters in the bunch?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Nick LoRusso was 2 for 2, with a 2 run double that barely missed going out, and 2 RBIs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">JT Schwartz, who was 4 for 8 and an RBI. (I hope to see JT, who added muscle this year, 1) play more games, 2) walk less and hence more official ABs, 3) build up his hitting stats, especially XBHs. Go, JT).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Carlos Cortes was 3 for 6, with 2 walks and 1 K.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Joe Suozzi was 2 for 7, both hits for doubles, 4 RBIs, 2 walks and a K.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">L.A. Acuna was 3 for 8 with an RBI, and 2 walks vs. 3 Ks. (Sharp as a tack in the field, too).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Jett Williams was 2 for 6 and a walk, with 3 Ks and an RBI, along with a very familiar .429 OBP.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">William Lugo was 2 for 5, including a HR and RBI, with a walk and 2 Ks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Omar De Los Santos was 2 for 5, including a double and RBI, and 2 Ks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yohairo Cuevas was 2 for 8 with a double and 3 Ks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Simon Juan was 3 for 6 with 2 RBIs and 2 Ks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">After that, it was slim pickings. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Drew Gilbert was 1 for 13 with a walk and 2 RBIs, but just 2 Ks, and he drove one to the track that was stopped by the wind and caught. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Kevin Parada was 1 for 5, with 3 Ks. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Ryan Clifford was 0 for 5 with 2 Ks. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hayden Senger hit a HR, but was just 2 for 13 with no walks and 4 Ks. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Stanley Consuegra was 1 for 5, with 2 Ks, but his one hit was a screaming 117 MPH double; Stanley has big time power. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Rhylan Thomas was 1 for 6 with a walk and 2 Ks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Other teams had some rookies who hit like the big boys, though.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Just as one example, a soon-coming headache to the Mets, 6'6", 21 year old Nationals outfileder James Woods, was .364/.509/.705 in 22 spring games. But I will stop there with comparisons to other team's prospects.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My concern, looking at the Mets' rookie stats above, was the complete absence of HR power that was exhibited. Hopefully, we see a lot more pop in 2024 from this cohort, and not just a reliance on speed.</span></p><p><br /></p>Tom Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032383157195393857noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-5701306661643210432024-03-27T06:00:00.001-04:002024-03-27T06:00:00.342-04:00Reese Kaplan -- Sometimes You Give Up on Players Too Soon<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-JISPGRYNzJC9FU3pdaQswnCnvi_psqNP22zkOvk6hoS584KUL30SZWH50bNFogqVqUk1dPa0TxUGTFky5pElNalbRpml2fpk28mqCJ6-B6jqFJAyd3fvk0qxerhkeD_bCicoaVFedAoBujSCX0c3_MY68RlsDcq1HH6YCAynW8yrcZ_9AUITUWWvwEi/s320/A%20Logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="320" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-JISPGRYNzJC9FU3pdaQswnCnvi_psqNP22zkOvk6hoS584KUL30SZWH50bNFogqVqUk1dPa0TxUGTFky5pElNalbRpml2fpk28mqCJ6-B6jqFJAyd3fvk0qxerhkeD_bCicoaVFedAoBujSCX0c3_MY68RlsDcq1HH6YCAynW8yrcZ_9AUITUWWvwEi/s1600/A%20Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Justin Turner's name came up for the Mets quite a bit during the offseason. The club was certainly short on hitting and had a very uncertain third base situation with Brett Baty having struggled mightily in 2023. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The thought was that Turner would provide capable DH offense while also being a backup solution at third base should Baty's struggles continue or if he needed a veteran pro's input on how better to play the position. Granted, Turner was more well known for his bat than his glove but he does have a great many years as a professional ballplayer.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Earlier this week when the Mets made the curious decision to cut their top home run hitter from the squad going north, Turner's name came up once again. This time, however, it had less to do with his suitability for the 2024 squad as a DH/3B option, but instead it was a painful reminiscence regarding the team's decision to cut the man loose when his career average with the Mets was certainly adequate with a .265 batting average. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hell, 3-6 Mets players from 2023 certainly would have loved to end the season with a batting average that high. Of course, once he emerged on the west coast and hit .291 as a member of the Dodgers with a lot more run production and home run power it underscored that poor decision to make a premature dismissal of someone who had talent and potential.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTesYoYlkCLa2xuEllAg05adJVzvr5l9T4QDU2iv2XiJpLOUi-KCCUZtENk13jxCPnC-22wD84XhfhuvihoQah5qL34bFjqwvyor2ad2XR1JkFnnv3JFPoMThEhkclAv_GSBWcSPKcqd6EigqdiumJLfeEh0Td5DNMG_55dK4NV-zMyQ9RgJbEj1D87L4/s1050/image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="722" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTesYoYlkCLa2xuEllAg05adJVzvr5l9T4QDU2iv2XiJpLOUi-KCCUZtENk13jxCPnC-22wD84XhfhuvihoQah5qL34bFjqwvyor2ad2XR1JkFnnv3JFPoMThEhkclAv_GSBWcSPKcqd6EigqdiumJLfeEh0Td5DNMG_55dK4NV-zMyQ9RgJbEj1D87L4/w275-h400/image.jpg" width="275" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />There were others in the Mets history that could also demonstrate this level of short term vision. Look no further than young ballplayers Amos Otis who was sent packing to Kansas City because the Mets felt they needed the veteran skills of one Joe Foy. I won't recite the statistics to underscore the flawed logic and judgment here. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsj0_QpgC6nFFHKdBikdZECBcqxtBW1MWuR1E7uV-gVCxe6aRehNPutw5moe0omLzbeTfwTFhQzPRm7AFbXowc-0lDVCdtMMfEf2sDx1qTFlKxb-6Z7tKJ6dSdou4lWx7yfpkZbkvekeytgbzmUWK7tA518nWOm8M_0tWQHuf_NgKVxTvGWdD1QN0qy8RO/s268/image%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsj0_QpgC6nFFHKdBikdZECBcqxtBW1MWuR1E7uV-gVCxe6aRehNPutw5moe0omLzbeTfwTFhQzPRm7AFbXowc-0lDVCdtMMfEf2sDx1qTFlKxb-6Z7tKJ6dSdou4lWx7yfpkZbkvekeytgbzmUWK7tA518nWOm8M_0tWQHuf_NgKVxTvGWdD1QN0qy8RO/w299-h400/image%20(1).jpg" width="299" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Then there was the time the Mets felt compelled to add Jon Adkins and Ben Johnson from the Padres and they dispatched a young reliever in whom they didn't see any future potential by the name of Heath Bell. Ummm...moving on...</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">How about when they sent young fireballer Nolan Ryan to the Angels to bring aging veteran third baseman Jim Fregosi to New York? In this particular case it seemed a little more understandable given the club's long pre-David Wright history at the hot corner but everyone now well knows what kind of pitcher Ryan became on his road to Cooperstown.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2dt4FTmSRA-5zUHRLGeb5M_29h_NcO7YfOSd-51B4r2r1TR35ofhtcZ1OLscwfzbJVa2k1oWSsTsvt0RmjtqMMz10qHuc_3d45-63f-uy6JxGyghiDSTI89sFi-3dksipdgygWQcPJMbQneIBEA9RlSgr_HHHyZZgrw3iTtIuFEmmQCkvNrumTnKoexr/s845/screenshot-external-content.duckduckgo.com-2024.03.25-09_07_39.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="594" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2dt4FTmSRA-5zUHRLGeb5M_29h_NcO7YfOSd-51B4r2r1TR35ofhtcZ1OLscwfzbJVa2k1oWSsTsvt0RmjtqMMz10qHuc_3d45-63f-uy6JxGyghiDSTI89sFi-3dksipdgygWQcPJMbQneIBEA9RlSgr_HHHyZZgrw3iTtIuFEmmQCkvNrumTnKoexr/w281-h400/screenshot-external-content.duckduckgo.com-2024.03.25-09_07_39.jpg" width="281" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />There are other similar young player banishments. In fact, one that is front and center in the mind of 1986 Mets fans is the prospect of facing scuff-ball extraordinaire pitcher Mike Scott who went from borderline in New York to All Star caliber once he learned how to use the tools that umpires rarely cited.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Going back in Mets history you can remember when gloveman sensation Rey Ordonez was injured and the Mets were not happy with what they got in a bit over a month of Melvin Mora, so he was sent to the Orioles for the not-so-great Mike Bordick. The rest, as they say, is history.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Low level minor leaguers are a crap shoot because you never know how they will develop as they ascend towards the majors. Ask the Mets. They gave up on both Nelson Cruz and Jose Bautista.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQESUJ3InRs3D_AnGEfoH5xRSm8CdAoSCeeHWrKoV0-3blh4cBSYtZUmI9oe11TGYxYZQaYcZN8WTpxPmpJug04rfDxjTvUidVJgB0g8sbN5-krw1alc4QoFONdCYewzVaDSVAndpEHyTyxSuv-Fk2s1x0R4BGXZYp2aHRgcuXRErS9d79D3cHSj44f5L/s1067/image%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="749" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQESUJ3InRs3D_AnGEfoH5xRSm8CdAoSCeeHWrKoV0-3blh4cBSYtZUmI9oe11TGYxYZQaYcZN8WTpxPmpJug04rfDxjTvUidVJgB0g8sbN5-krw1alc4QoFONdCYewzVaDSVAndpEHyTyxSuv-Fk2s1x0R4BGXZYp2aHRgcuXRErS9d79D3cHSj44f5L/w281-h400/image%20(2).jpg" width="281" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />This list could go on and on...Kevin Mitchell, Jeff Kent, Paul Blair, Ken Singleton, Scott Kazmir...lots of players were told to hit the road for returns that surely weren't commensurate with the abilities they would long demonstrate for their new employers. No club is immune to bad decisions. It's not exclusively a Mets thing. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This thought process evolved with the Mark Vientos demotion. Yes, he needs to cut down on his strikeouts. Yes, he does need to claim a defensive position by playing the field every day. Yes, a solid AAA year could make him into a future Met or future trade asset. Still, when J.D. Martinez was brought on board the handwriting was on the wall for Vientos. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Most felt he would get the initial week or so to play while Martinez continued his 2024 preparation, but Vientos had an option and others like Zack Short do not. Consequently the decision to cut Vientos came as a bit of a sur</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">prise. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">No one is predicting an MVP nor even an All Star appearance by Vientos, but nearly everyone wanted to see what he could do playing regularly in New York.</span></p></div>Reese Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12993445356545875409noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-82612062173243254332024-03-26T09:00:00.001-04:002024-03-26T09:00:00.130-04:00Mets Daily Tidbits<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrJfRYaGznqPO_JPqtSlUqvJKN6mgqS6mw1nLC-7d79KXgqYysyJpdVa7Rb0BIVnuz6YsLWUaBDEjjmxpHvfhu9iNdAzJ3lABSoeSie3TTJfdXf6nU_gqx1xJUXiiVAtUJ5ThfBf_1i_mwowoIuPS3sjQ4krw-hSKNgRZHEff989tQMBzNtxizIN_yxY/s225/tidbits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrJfRYaGznqPO_JPqtSlUqvJKN6mgqS6mw1nLC-7d79KXgqYysyJpdVa7Rb0BIVnuz6YsLWUaBDEjjmxpHvfhu9iNdAzJ3lABSoeSie3TTJfdXf6nU_gqx1xJUXiiVAtUJ5ThfBf_1i_mwowoIuPS3sjQ4krw-hSKNgRZHEff989tQMBzNtxizIN_yxY/s1600/tidbits.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;">Mets:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">SNY </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @SNYtv Mar 25, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">When </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Doc Gooden</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> got the call from </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Steve Cohen</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> that his number would be retired by the Mets, he was brought to tears: "I wanted to go back to the Mets to make it right with the fans. Now, I get an opportunity."</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">"Dr. K" premieres Thursday at 4:30 p.m. on SNY.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Nick Piecoro</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @nickpiecoro Mon, Mar 25, 2024:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Closer</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Paul Sewald</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> has a Grade 2 left oblique strain and will open the year on the injured list, Torey Lovullo said</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Matt Kawahara</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @matthewkawahara Mar 25, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Justin Verlander</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> will throw a two-inning live BP tomorrow at Minute Maid Park. If it goes well, he could start a rehab assignment next, </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Joe Espada</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> said.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Benny BKG</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@BennyGreenberg</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mar 25, 2024:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">My Take on Spring Training - mets look much better than expected in the Pitching Dept., and if they cannot score more than 3 runs/game (on average) it won't matter.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Brooklyn Cyclones</span></b><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@BKCyclones</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 25, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">D'Andre Smith</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> is ready for a banner 2024 season.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">The 2023 Cyclone sits down with </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Justin Rocke</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> to discuss his experience in the MLB az Fall League, playing with his college teammate, last summer in Brooklyn, and more!</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><a href="https://t.co/jaz41L6Wsx"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/jaz41L6Wsx</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">MetsMinors.Net</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@Mets_Minors</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mon, Mar 25, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Right-handed pitchers </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Dylan Ross</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> and </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Bryce Montes de Oca</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> have been placed on the 60-day injured list.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Abbey Mastracco</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@AbbeyMastracco</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mon, Mar 25, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Carlos Mendoza</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> might be the manager of the Mets but he’s still a dad.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Before he came to the ballpark in Tampa this morning he had to pick up homework for one of his kids at school.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Ernest Dove</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@ernestdove</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mon, Mar 25, 2024:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">It remains my opinion that </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mark Vientos</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> is not suited based on his skill set to be a bench piece. He needs to play everyday one way or another. I don't really want further debates with those who feel he's trash because I know your thoughts already. Daily or on another team IMO.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">SNY</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@SNYtv</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 25, 2024:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">"I love going to play every single night with this group and representing the city."</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Pete Alonso</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> says the Mets' success -- not his own -- will define his legacy in Queens</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Pete Alonso talks about the role past Mets legends had on their teams and how he wants to have that, as well:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">"Not their numbers, but what I look at is the role they played on each team. Obviously, David (Wright) was extremely influential here, being the captain and being on…</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mike Puma</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@NYPost_Mets</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mon, Mar 25, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mets are going to wear a uniform patch this season to honor </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Buddy Harrelson</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Ernest Dove</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@ernestdove</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://youtu.be/LY7YkUK_cNg"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://youtu.be/LY7YkUK_cNg</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Video following my report on X yesterday of Mets</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> minor leaguers learning their affiliate assignments & some top prospects set to repeat level due to Mets depth. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Dont forget to please like/subscribe & support your local prospect hugger</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;">College:</span></b><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">D1Baseball</span></b><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@d1baseball</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mar 25, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Blake Wright </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">| </span></b><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Clemson </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Baseball</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">.810 wOBA</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">13 H</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">6 HR</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">2 BB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">21 RBIs</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">D1Baseball</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Top 25:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Arkansas remains No. 1 as four teams enter rankings</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://d1baseball.com/top-stories/d1baseball-top-25-arkansas-remains-no-1-as-four-teams-enter-rankings/?utm_source=D1+Baseball+Members&utm_campaign=5dc8d3ed61-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_02_22_06_14_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-f89579fd9e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&goal=0_98c95d11a2-5dc8d3ed61-536911606&mc_cid=5dc8d3ed61&mc_eid=b3ee91b95b </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Jake Bargery</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@JakeBarg</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mon, Mar 25, 2024:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Nathan Arterbridg</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">e - '24 C, St. George's Tech HS, DE</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">MSU Bear Baseball commit</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Decisive hitter with high power potential. Good athlete at 6'1" 205 lbs. Physical defensive catcher with an accurate arm from behind the plate (2.08 pop).</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Aaron Fitt</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@aaronfitt</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 25, 2024:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">My impressions on </span></b><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Clemson</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Baseball and </span></b><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Florida State</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> after a truly wild weekend that saw the Tigers mount 2 manic, insane comebacks. The Noles need answers in the bullpen, but the lineup and rotation are Omaha-caliber. And Clemson has that "it" factor:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;">High School:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Joe Doyle</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@JoeDoyleMiLB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mon, Mar 25, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Hardee SS </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kellon Lindsey</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> is perhaps the biggest "pop-up" draft prospect in 2024. A two-sport star, Lindsey is an elite runner receiving Trea Turner comps. It's first round tools... but what makes Lindsey tick?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">"Thank goodness I don't have a girlfriend."</span></b></p>Mack Adehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09730548449011685243noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-52289628936056209152024-03-26T06:00:00.000-04:002024-03-26T06:00:00.150-04:00Tom Brennan: Mets’ Competitors: Pre-Season; Vientos, Objectively<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-src="//t3.ftcdn.net/jpg/00/66/91/56/240_F_66915688_haOd3pGLs3b6NSMdg4p4xE5wwtMBBxpj.jpg" height="132" src="https://t3.ftcdn.net/jpg/00/66/91/56/240_F_66915688_haOd3pGLs3b6NSMdg4p4xE5wwtMBBxpj.jpg" style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 136, 211); color: #0a88d3; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px; text-align: left; width: 140px;" width="132" /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>HEY! WHO ELSE IS DOING WHAT ELSE, ANYWAY?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Let’s not fall victim to Acute Myopia Syndrome…the malady of Metsville.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“METS, METS, METS.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">YADA. YADA, YADA. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">ENOUGH, ALREADY! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Just for a minute, please…if possible…forget the Mets!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">How the heck have our NL East competitors done this spring (thru Sunday)?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Well, surprise, surprise, the Washington Nationals have outscored Atlanta, the Marlins, Phillies, and Mets. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The Nationals have had 5 hitters raking over .350. The Mets have none of those. 21 year old CF James Woods has a .509 OBP! Trey Lipscomb is hitting .400 in 50 at bats. Victor Robles, Alex Call, and Juan Yepez all above .350. Lane Thomas hitting an impressive .306/.426/.490. And Joey Meneses with 9 RBIs and 6 XBH in 17 games. Those 7 dudes may be real “meneses” this year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For the Peach State Boys of Summer (And Fall), Ronald Acuna has no HRs in 10 games, but the Braves still hit well, with guys like Michael Harris raking. The Braves in 2024 will do 3 things well: hit, hit, and hit. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Matt Olson, though, is having a miserable spring. Forrest Wall (we could use one of those on the southern border) and Eli White have 22 hits, 14 walks, and 7 steals between them. Jar Head Kelenic, on the other hand, is 7 for 52, and wishing daily that he could hit like Mark Vientos.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Phillies? They get Whit Merrifield and naturally, he is hitting .390. Meanwhile, our batting champ Jeff McNeil is 0 for 11, leaving Mets’ fans at their Whit’s end.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Messrs. Castellanos and Schwarber are 9 for 76, though, and would both have been sent down by David Stearns, but Kody Clemens is .325/.391/.625, no doubt impressing dear old dad Roger. Messrs. Realmuto and Harper have 3 combined spring RBIs, and they’d be enjoying Syracuse soon, too, under Stearns, while keeping 5 HR Mark Vientos on the Phillies team. The world has simply gone mad.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Marlins? Do they ever hit? No. But a few do.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Arauz is hitting his typical .386, pretty normal there, and Jazz Chisholm, well, he's hitting very well as well, as well as you might well expect. Jake Burger, Tim Anderson and Jesus Sanchez demonstrated their absolute command of the strike zone by walking twice and fanning 40 times In 126 at bats. If Mark Vientos was on the Marlins, those 3 would all take a walk.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Pitching? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Well, Spencer Strider has 23 innings, an 0.79 ERA and 35 Ks. Is he getting too old to be Cy Young?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And Miami’s Ryan Weathers fanned 19 in 18 innings with a 3.00 ERA.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But team-wise, through Sunday, it shakes out this way:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Mets 3.49 ERA (best in baseball).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Marlins: 3.97</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Nationals: 4.32</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Atlanta: 4.46</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Phillies: </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">4.59</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I’d say the Mets can start printing playoff tickets. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Go ahead, start criticizing Tylor Megill’s 3.92 ERA…until you realize that his ERA is better than the ERA of the other 4 NL East teams. I mean, would you prefer the Giants’ Logan Webb and his 10.97 ERA, with 37 hits allowed in 21 innings? Didn’t think so.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So, quit yer yapping and start yer clapping. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The 2024 season is about to get underway.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The Nationals thru Sunday had the best record, 15-12. The Mets were oh-so close behind at 15-13, with the other 3 lug nut teams were under .500. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That’s my update, what’s yours?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>(P.S. The radioactive Trevor Bauer threw 3 scoreless innings against the Yankees in a Mexico game. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74); color: #48494a; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Aaron Boone: "I thought his stuff looked good to me. Obviously, he's got great stuff. I thought we were putting up pretty good at-bats against him. We couldn't break through.")</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74); color: #2b00fe; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><b>VIENTOS, OBJECTIVELY:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Many readers and fans in general are smacking down on Mark Vientos. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">May I try you give an objective perspective? Let's look at some facts.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Through Sunday:</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Vientos had 56 at bats and hit 5 HRs. The next highest 2 Mets (Alvarez and Baty) hit 3. Pete has 2. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Mark’s 5 home runs have him tied for 6th highest in the majors. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);"> - Ronald Acuna has no HRs this spring.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Vientos has had 7 extra base hits. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);"> - Baty just 4, in the same number of PAs.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Vientos was tied with Alvarez for the team RBI lead (nine). </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);"> - Alonso? 4 RBIs.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Vientos was .232/.259/.536, with 6 for his last 15. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);"> - Super fan favorite Alvarez was hitting .214 with a .500 slug %. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Everybody of course wants to hug Francisco Alvarez. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Lindor? A non-blistering .151/.190/.245. Compare to Vientos.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Phillies? Castellanos and Schwarber are a rip-roaring 9 for 76, and Messrs. Harper and Realmuto have 5 RBIs combined</span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74); color: #48494a; font-family: verdana;">. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74); color: #48494a; font-family: verdana;"> - Mark, as I noted, has 9.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Veteran Joey Gallo is “tearing it up”, with his 4 for 39 with the Cubs.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Jeff McNeil? 0 for 11. Hitless squirrel.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Starling Marte? 7 for 42, 1 double, 4 RBIs.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Nimmo? 10 for 40, 3 doubles, no homers.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #48494a; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(72, 73, 74);">Read the above over again, slowly. Let it sink in. Then:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Please….consider Mark’s spring accomplishments objectively. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Mark’s hit a whole lot better than many stars. Agreed?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He strikes out too much? So do 50% of major leaguers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He walks too little? Well, most hitters, unlike Mark, homer too little.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He is only sent down (IMO) because they signed JD Martinez to a small fraction of what JDM would have cost the Mets a month ago.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Otherwise:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1) Mark Vientos would have been the full time DH.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2) Mark would have put up big power numbers this year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Why then did the Mets send him down now? Here’s why…</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">While JDM is doing his compressed late spring training thru April 8, what if Mark got off HOT with the Mets and <u>then</u> they decided to send Mark down because JDM had arrived? Very painful and awkward. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What if JDM hits so-so in his minors stint, and Mark was tearing it up, and <u>then</u> they had to demote Mark?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So they did it <u>now</u>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">IMO, Mark got screwed. Plain and simple.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Mark” my words. Vientos will be doing major amounts of major league damage in the future. You know what they say about payback.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Oh...and Mark Vientos did not play Sunday - or Monday - or he might have 7 or 8 homers by now. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">On Monday, all of the remaining players managed 2 hits in a 3-0 loss. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Classic Mets dead-ball-dread-ball-era offense on full display. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The Mets are first in MLB batting average - whoops, I flipped the schedule by mistake - they are LAST with .225. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And, without his 5 HRs, they'd be 25th in that category as a team. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And runs scored per game? Only the Twins and Marlins are worse, and not by much.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yep, send down one of the few guys on the roster who was hitting. Makes total sense to me now. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"Am I being clear?" "CRYSTAL."</span></p>Tom Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032383157195393857noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-42848761425902520802024-03-25T11:00:00.051-04:002024-03-25T11:00:00.345-04:00Daily Tidbits<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRFwXRSirHpRhC_8OQMKcT-m9MXA0MgQqwifj5Hh_MFIbAGYcssckejKq5y7LB5CoIB96rvYTrGjHwWKy1aIhV4Gs9OxoKIZtudHOcKJw4svnzRGAkscvAMPbMYSA0u_MUl_ko0LYDRjbjbIWuuFgn3q_iiR0rCXaGU7YC2pOsV5l7BG6RS6gu6RvtBw/s225/tidbits.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRFwXRSirHpRhC_8OQMKcT-m9MXA0MgQqwifj5Hh_MFIbAGYcssckejKq5y7LB5CoIB96rvYTrGjHwWKy1aIhV4Gs9OxoKIZtudHOcKJw4svnzRGAkscvAMPbMYSA0u_MUl_ko0LYDRjbjbIWuuFgn3q_iiR0rCXaGU7YC2pOsV5l7BG6RS6gu6RvtBw/s1600/tidbits.jpg" width="225" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Mets:</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Question - 81.5 over/under wins…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Ernest Dove</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @ernestdove Mar 25, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Over. They have some star power. The arms obviously long way to go to be anything close to their spring success but they overall look good and Senga is to return. There's also multiple top 10 prospects itching to debut & it may finally be time to deal other prospects at deadline</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">SNY</span> @SNYtv Mar 25, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Which </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Starling Marte</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> will Mets get?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> How much does an ace matter?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Can </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Brett Baty</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> run with the third base job?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">5 big Mets storylines to watch as the 2024 season begins (via </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Danny Abriano</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><a href="https://t.co/P3YL4DwimM"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/P3YL4DwimM</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><a href="https://t.co/5dr9xl0IZT"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/5dr9xl0IZT</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Paul Articulates </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">– First in my mind</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Mack/Documents/WPS%20Cloud%20Files/179709269/Mack's%20Mets"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">www.macksmets.blogspot.com</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Anthony DiComo</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @AnthonyDiComo Mar 24, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">"It's something bigger than me, that's for sure."</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Shortly after learning of his grandmother's death, </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Zack Short</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> received the news that he had made the Mets' roster.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">On an incredibly emotional morning for Short, a New York native who grew up a Mets fan</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mike Mayer</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @mikemayer22 Mar 24, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Stanley Consuegra</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> has been known as a guy who hits the ball hard, this double was 117.2 mph.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">The Mets, as a team, have 4 balls hit that hard in the entire Statcast era.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mike Mayer</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @mikemayer22 Mar 25, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">The Mets have released right-handed pitcher </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Peyton Battenfield</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">The Mets claimed Battenfield off waivers last September, and he pitched in one spring training game this year.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Anthony DiComo</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @AnthonyDiComo Mar 24, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">First baseman</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Jiman Choi</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> did not exercise the opt-out clause in his minor league deal, per source. He will report to Triple-A Syracuse and remain part of the Mets organization.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Shortstop </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Jose Iglesias</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> said this morning that he will likely do the same.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">College:</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Carlos Collazo</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @CarlosACollazo Mar 25, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Arkansas remains in the top spot in this week's College Top 25, brought </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">to you by the great </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Ted Cahill </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">and </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Peter G Flaherty</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/tvaO92iifG"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/tvaO92iifG</span></u></b></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Oregon State Baseball</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @BeaverBaseball</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">TRAVIS BAZZANA</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> HAS HIT A LEADOFF HOME RUN IN FOUR CONSECUTIVE GAMES</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">TigerNet.com</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @ClemsonTigerNet Mar 24, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Clemson </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Blake Wright</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> has nine homers in his last 10 games. That is pretty good.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">TigerNet.com</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @ClemsonTigerNet Mar 24, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Clemson baseball media relations expert </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Brian Hennessy</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> says yesterday's ninth-inning comeback was probably the second-biggest in school history, topped only by the 13-run ninth to beat N.C. State, 17-15, in April 1995.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Former South Carolina coach and current AD </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Ray Tanner</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> was Wolfpack coach that day, and tells a humorous story. The next day, as he went out to get his newspaper, a neighbor said "Great win yesterday, coach." Tanner asked "When did you leave the game?"</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Ian Smith</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@IanSmittyGA</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 24, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Good look at 2024 C </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Luca Perriello</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> yesterday.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Syncs up well with present bat speed and good length through the zone. Showed easy carry off the bat.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Plus arm behind the plate in a physical, athletic frame.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Hokies Baseball commit.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p></p>Mack Adehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09730548449011685243noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-64895045169047735092024-03-25T09:00:00.022-04:002024-03-25T09:00:00.135-04:00Paul Articulates – First in my mind<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There are always many topics to discuss as spring training winds down. The players have had several weeks now to round into baseball shape, refine their swings or throwing mechanics, and renew their competitive spirits. The player development and coaching staffs have almost wrapped up their evaluation phases, and are ready to make the final roster adjustments from the majors down through the minors.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Until the dust settles, there are always many articles written speculating about what choices the management should make, and there are opinions, and that is a lot. The choices that come to my mind first are the one that involves the first base position. Here is what the Mets are faced with:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFV6I2LgVG_CAF753lWFbnTvVi7m7V3nDoo6QEbGqD9cYNlUuQYyccSuNQtbA1XZadws1fqAEvZTU_8oJfpILOLBFqY2AHv9F136jsn5nmYPUULq84-ncN4HBXulMpfkw-tb4phkKDnKqIb6VHOya8ainqAGenSEm6WiBspkZrbs49KRK3uGu8fsvaZM/s1920/alonso.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFV6I2LgVG_CAF753lWFbnTvVi7m7V3nDoo6QEbGqD9cYNlUuQYyccSuNQtbA1XZadws1fqAEvZTU_8oJfpILOLBFqY2AHv9F136jsn5nmYPUULq84-ncN4HBXulMpfkw-tb4phkKDnKqIb6VHOya8ainqAGenSEm6WiBspkZrbs49KRK3uGu8fsvaZM/s320/alonso.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Pete Alonso is entering his final season of team control under a $20.5M contract that was agreed upon prior to arbitration earlier this year. We have all heard the rumors about whether or not he has received an extension offer from the Mets or not, have heard directly from David Stearns that he “Hopes Pete makes his job harder by having a great season”, and heard all the negativism about Pete’s agent Scott Boras. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We will never really know what is going on behind the scenes, but we do know that if Pete has a monster season, it will take a boatload of cash to keep him in Flushing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I think everyone in the Mets organization wants him around (as I do) but things get very tricky when there are bidding wars going on. So unless there is a surprise announcement within the next three days, Pete will enter the season without an extension, forcing the Mets to choose to either trade him at the deadline for a generous reward of prospects or go to the auction house with everything they have to sign him for life.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Jose Peroza , Luke Voit, and Daniel Palka played the majority of games with the AAA Syracuse Mets at first base last year. Peroza and Palka chose free agency at the end of the season so they are no longer with the team. I don’t expect Voit to be around either after batting just .118 with two extra base hits in spring training as of yesterday. That leaves the position open to a few key prospects to vie for the heir apparent position if Pete leaves town at the trade deadline.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7fa_ayhPYHvFgkDAIG1zlgmPwe50m_fJz9MTqAcVbX0-YZ1DAQIkhbU63cjMXe5tainnkBXEZDg8n77x_7zKdD2SfPYvRjI5dzltPtZ4qF249AIqu81I8W6gcuGfSVhkdRYN-EfcfNn9nCs0qBYzgL8uGOp_K4H4lWcuceHAanjf83c34cOAZMDw7G0/s711/vientos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7fa_ayhPYHvFgkDAIG1zlgmPwe50m_fJz9MTqAcVbX0-YZ1DAQIkhbU63cjMXe5tainnkBXEZDg8n77x_7zKdD2SfPYvRjI5dzltPtZ4qF249AIqu81I8W6gcuGfSVhkdRYN-EfcfNn9nCs0qBYzgL8uGOp_K4H4lWcuceHAanjf83c34cOAZMDw7G0/s320/vientos.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Mark Vientos has played some first base with the big league club, and seemed slated for the DH role this year until the late signing of JD Martinez which got Mark assigned to AAA. One would expect that he would get most of the reps in Syracuse to be the insurance policy against injury or trade because frankly the Mets don’t have a backup first baseman right now.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRTvR_7w7bC9Qteg2GxqNjuoGJD0STQJnho72gCBWLnQhQG2T_N_ywNUoCudikSKdfDm901PqWDwZhrjbZXwkOg94DKpNdT3t9LffZEOKgDl3HaJAbQqebraP_RMUoCmk3pm_PLvzMG3Sm6Ywd3G_OJdFCekg7ewFGHdH6BS9lBj1EZUrad4bbgXuUhQ/s1200/clifford.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRTvR_7w7bC9Qteg2GxqNjuoGJD0STQJnho72gCBWLnQhQG2T_N_ywNUoCudikSKdfDm901PqWDwZhrjbZXwkOg94DKpNdT3t9LffZEOKgDl3HaJAbQqebraP_RMUoCmk3pm_PLvzMG3Sm6Ywd3G_OJdFCekg7ewFGHdH6BS9lBj1EZUrad4bbgXuUhQ/w358-h201/clifford.png" width="358" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Ryan Clifford came over to the Mets in the trade that sent Justin Verlander to the Astros last year. There was so much buzz about Drew Gilbert that not much was said about Clifford, but upon a deeper look Ryan could be the sleeper in that trade. Clifford is currently ranked as the Mets’ number 4 prospect (two spots behind Gilbert) in the MLB 2024 prospect rankings. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Ryan has shown some serious power with an .848 OPS in his minor league career, belting 24 home runs in A ball last year. He impressed the scouts in the Spring Breakout game as the starting first baseman and could soon be moving quickly up the ranks if the reports are accurate. Ryan recently spoke with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies’ Jacob Wilkins at the Mets’ spring training complex – click on the interview below to see what he has to say.</span><p></p><p><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_RJIdJPgOAhsWii4qVwfbtmoctxePYgU/view?usp=drive_web" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #202124; padding: 0in; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/docs/doclist/images/icon_10_generic_list.png" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-style: none; border-top-style: none; height: 20px; padding-right: 10px; vertical-align: text-bottom;" /> Ryan
Clifford Spring Training Interview.mp4</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgZ0WLf5pFBL1E41-RH60uI8LhbXMWQ4c46ulGk_88RBvgDpBW70eT3rke4csCdQ7HE2QW_ORDavpXBXX1FD1_p6ucfCfgyCbbvH8c0pAcsPnxRhqtiOtg418mBPUZrrE4ZuClzAzaH1NFJa4_NPmLKcbHXy8Kp8uD9IsLEpXmu_OQrVTTkq5clV1QiY/s270/schwartz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgZ0WLf5pFBL1E41-RH60uI8LhbXMWQ4c46ulGk_88RBvgDpBW70eT3rke4csCdQ7HE2QW_ORDavpXBXX1FD1_p6ucfCfgyCbbvH8c0pAcsPnxRhqtiOtg418mBPUZrrE4ZuClzAzaH1NFJa4_NPmLKcbHXy8Kp8uD9IsLEpXmu_OQrVTTkq5clV1QiY/s1600/schwartz.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />JT Schwartz is a talented hitter and an outstanding defensive first baseman in the Mets’ system. Schwartz played almost the full season last year with the AA Rumble Ponies and despite missing weeks with a quad injury he put up some very good numbers, slashing .302/.383/.437 and being a big piece of their playoff run. Schwartz also had the opportunity to play in the Arizona Fall League last year where he was selected to the all-star team. I have written about Schwartz before, calling him John Olereud without the batting helmet which is some pretty high praise. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Unfortunately Olereud played when it was acceptable for a first baseman to be hit first, power second. Current thinking is that 1B is a power hitting position so for Schwartz to break into the majors he may have to put some more lift in his swing. Can he do it? At 6’4” 225lb I think he can. Let’s watch how this plays out. Here is his interview with Jacob Wilkins below.</span><p></p><p><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kxWICuTjvddrDupJgJQ0_ElDlYXuR12n/view?usp=drive_web" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #202124; padding: 0in; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/docs/doclist/images/icon_10_generic_list.png" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-style: none; border-top-style: none; height: 20px; padding-right: 10px; vertical-align: text-bottom;" /> JT
Schwartz Spring Training Interview.mp4</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So the many decisions are upon the Mets’ player development and coaching staffs as well as the front office. Do we keep Pete and roll the dice on having the most attractive FA bid at the end of the year? Do we trade him at the deadline for another haul of prospects? If so, do we elevate Mark Vientos to the MLB first base job or would Schwartz or Clifford be ready for that spot?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Time will tell, but for now this is the toughest set of choices for the Mets’ organization.</span></p><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;"><b><i><By the way, do you like these prospect interviews that have been shared with us by the Binghamton Rumble Ponies? If so, I have posted all of them on the side bar for your viewing and listening pleasure.></i></b></span></div></div>Paul Articulateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11690651810296213424noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-24366074664332709472024-03-25T07:00:00.008-04:002024-03-25T07:00:00.161-04:00Reese Kaplan -- An Impressive Weekend for a Rookie POBO<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlG24JEQJCk3lGH_O5NTWp29Pg1C7Pw0URgCSKK3UsKe2tf-xnNFwl9lMNR-GVUiRyl9xQhW591z9oS1yQAXNOZ31s-y8K89YARl8A76yz6oe6pfYthnPABgIIYr2cGSaP-HXMb80y1ElM6DjU35BdPwK5FtjBHoodMrqy_Dkz4MqOAJTATaofkQ8MLQz/s320/A%20Logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="320" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlG24JEQJCk3lGH_O5NTWp29Pg1C7Pw0URgCSKK3UsKe2tf-xnNFwl9lMNR-GVUiRyl9xQhW591z9oS1yQAXNOZ31s-y8K89YARl8A76yz6oe6pfYthnPABgIIYr2cGSaP-HXMb80y1ElM6DjU35BdPwK5FtjBHoodMrqy_Dkz4MqOAJTATaofkQ8MLQz/s1600/A%20Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />During his first off season as the NY Mets President of Baseball Operations there have been a great many people questioning exactly what he has done other than pay lip service to building a competitive ballclub. Mets fans and media types understood the team's ineffective pursuits of the Japanese duo of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto who both instead landed with the Dodgers. Hey, it happens. You can't win every free agent pursuit.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">However, after the high end of the market pretty much collapsed we saw Stearns go off in a different direction, looking like a Wilpon era executive who was trying to uncover comeback candidates from the scrap heap or banking on injury recoveries from players who had a hard time staying on the field. Yes, some of the acquisitions were well known names like Luis Severino, Harrison Bader, Sean Manaea and Adam Ottavino. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Next came folks whose stat sheets were at best inconsistent but whose best days could indeed help. This group would include Jake Diekman, Adrian Houser and Tyrone Taylor. Still, what was conspicuously missing was that difference maker who would likely transport the club into a newer level of competitiveness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTJ0bybCAJzBHtFWYvRz16pLx0ghya2ynRnT32mS1N5pD01F2ZmftQMZRbryzDUK5NtGaJHhcvTus6w0yB-eW8VHzeUGkYZnHF0avTL_K4IMprw7JZ67r-itLi23spNlzoTcocPOPTVprnyz9fAwhLoF1LJo3rviFam3qj6A1xtd3He8OmHSfjrpsc-15/s580/screenshot-external-content.duckduckgo.com-2024.03.24-16_49_05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="454" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTJ0bybCAJzBHtFWYvRz16pLx0ghya2ynRnT32mS1N5pD01F2ZmftQMZRbryzDUK5NtGaJHhcvTus6w0yB-eW8VHzeUGkYZnHF0avTL_K4IMprw7JZ67r-itLi23spNlzoTcocPOPTVprnyz9fAwhLoF1LJo3rviFam3qj6A1xtd3He8OmHSfjrpsc-15/w313-h400/screenshot-external-content.duckduckgo.com-2024.03.24-16_49_05.jpg" width="313" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Of course, then came the late Spring acquisition of strangely still available slugger J.D. Martinez. Not only did the Mets bring in a guy coming off a 33 HR, 103 RBI season with a .271 average in only 113 games, they negotiated a deferred contract to minimize the impact on the 2024 payroll. We won't rehash the third base issue nor the DH issue nor the where do the kids play issue. Martinez strengthens the Mets lineup and gives protection to Pete Alonso, Fernando Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Fernando Alvarez and others.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">However, as refreshing as this move was for the New York Mets, perhaps a predicted but unexpected roster change when another David Stearns 26-man team flying north from Florida would not include his long shot flamethrower free agent Shintaro Fujinami. Going way back in team history, everyone recognizes that a magical arm like Nolan Ryan doesn't necessarily soar to the top in his first few years in the majors, history repeated itself. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVsAM1dypqlv8OxIIXlW1UQQncF3pyrJRLURXNMI9Od7qgIGqg-76wgObcJMxNtt81O200OS2Ohd1A9lyLFTIK2jwRdM5Ths9hjRT1P50-DCmFWwzeKjsu-06JrrjkNC79YeBxyPNJujDh9EB0VSOVlaS_pwfRMcb4bog9OtIDYZ22sUqwJksm8QnKgNy/s1353/screenshot-external-content.duckduckgo.com-2024.03.24-16_51_09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1353" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVsAM1dypqlv8OxIIXlW1UQQncF3pyrJRLURXNMI9Od7qgIGqg-76wgObcJMxNtt81O200OS2Ohd1A9lyLFTIK2jwRdM5Ths9hjRT1P50-DCmFWwzeKjsu-06JrrjkNC79YeBxyPNJujDh9EB0VSOVlaS_pwfRMcb4bog9OtIDYZ22sUqwJksm8QnKgNy/w400-h253/screenshot-external-content.duckduckgo.com-2024.03.24-16_51_09.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Fujinami had very limited opportunities in this Florida audition. In less than 4 innings, he racked up an ERA over 12.00, struck out nearly 13 per 9 IP, but also walked nearly 10 and threw 5 wild pitches while also plunking a batter. His WHIP was well north of 2.00, so while he very obviously deserved to use one of his minor league options to straighten himself out in Syracuse, Mets fans are far more accustomed to front office ego surpassing common sense and a desire to win. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The announcement today (along with Phil Bickford's DFA) helped narrow down the remaining pool of players less than a week from Opening Day. Bickford not having options was a tough but understandable move. The Fujinami decision reflected well on Stearns.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Of course, there are still other difficult moves that need to be made as well as trying to ascertain who else deserves to land in LaGuardia. It is understandable that a temporary move must be made while Martinez works his way into regular playing shape which at age 36 will take at minimum the 10 days required for the demotion to the working period in the minors. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFYKTCHACgpwzx6xldF39qXDermarRCV48oQh9tWD-i8YgOhD17iiUerv0F64gRhWhrIwV_9EC2vFcwzP-8USli2ehhy3lEul1hlY-6py-F8Y_v3aZHmpo8V27_DqiZgHAt8e8uRUinKnbMf_edoaCXBAghNIU-woINngFZjpiCA_jPENmv-uq9EwXR7o/s549/screenshot-external-content.duckduckgo.com-2024.03.24-16_54_46.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="549" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFYKTCHACgpwzx6xldF39qXDermarRCV48oQh9tWD-i8YgOhD17iiUerv0F64gRhWhrIwV_9EC2vFcwzP-8USli2ehhy3lEul1hlY-6py-F8Y_v3aZHmpo8V27_DqiZgHAt8e8uRUinKnbMf_edoaCXBAghNIU-woINngFZjpiCA_jPENmv-uq9EwXR7o/w400-h311/screenshot-external-content.duckduckgo.com-2024.03.24-16_54_46.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />On this day, however, let's tip our baseball caps to David Stearns who has had a good weekend for the club's present and future. </span><p></p></div>Reese Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12993445356545875409noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-13628490645890031172024-03-24T11:00:00.001-04:002024-03-24T11:00:00.248-04:002024 Draft - Mock - Bleacher Nation 2-21-2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kvJSaG6NBPRMi8IBeu1HdAvOlAx0WLX-enkubVkRSpp4EyK0iKj54Az-nPciwXUcnUWTs4j2wWQnX8G89l6HtYHIM8Jk4vtDDLxp3hjFc2bDhXxVEoQ9ftJJcdOOu52l_TSL2qpDIEoPgONWleXk9ijoby5RGyPcpQtD9XuWIPcaH8DSZcLXH8AHzX0/s318/2024%20-%20Mock%20Draft.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kvJSaG6NBPRMi8IBeu1HdAvOlAx0WLX-enkubVkRSpp4EyK0iKj54Az-nPciwXUcnUWTs4j2wWQnX8G89l6HtYHIM8Jk4vtDDLxp3hjFc2bDhXxVEoQ9ftJJcdOOu52l_TSL2qpDIEoPgONWleXk9ijoby5RGyPcpQtD9XuWIPcaH8DSZcLXH8AHzX0/s1600/2024%20-%20Mock%20Draft.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div><p class="p" style="margin-left: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Today, we </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">continue this mock series with the first draft by our friends at Bleacher Nation (2-21-2024).</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="p" style="margin-left: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjHqI1c5nPmHWH06LdnlcIIwAdNqdPjLFwZF_ixYrq3cWcnrnz3X9nemQi5JuehUuEwUAlkUgrFIXRi-398xU4tTO7lyyy_vvV8687qqWPFjlTiLAWwhR4XB3dTL1302VV5co_G0MALmRB3pOzley5kZUnafjdqPfUoKfgPqfTP-jSncO_Q4ril1AQ1E/s409/bleacher%20nation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="123" data-original-width="409" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjHqI1c5nPmHWH06LdnlcIIwAdNqdPjLFwZF_ixYrq3cWcnrnz3X9nemQi5JuehUuEwUAlkUgrFIXRi-398xU4tTO7lyyy_vvV8687qqWPFjlTiLAWwhR4XB3dTL1302VV5co_G0MALmRB3pOzley5kZUnafjdqPfUoKfgPqfTP-jSncO_Q4ril1AQ1E/s320/bleacher%20nation.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; letter-spacing: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">1. </span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">JJ Wetherholt 2B/3B West Virginia</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">2. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Nick Kurtz 1B/OF Wake Forest</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">3. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Charlie Condon 1B/OF Georgia</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">4. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Jac Caglianone 1B/LHP Florida</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">5. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Vance Honeycutt OF North Carolina</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">6. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Seaver King SS Wake Forest</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">7. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Brody Brecht RHP Iowa</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">8. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Chase Burns RHP Tenneesse</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">9. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Hagen Smith LHP Arkanses</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">10. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Josh Hartle LHP Wake Forest</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">11. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Tommy White 3B LSU</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">12. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Mike Sirota OF Northwestern</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">13. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Noah Franco 1B/LHP IMG Academy HS</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">14. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Thatcher Hurd RHP LSU</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">15. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Konnor Griffin SS/OF Jackson Prep HS</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">16. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">PJ Morlando OF Summerville HS</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">17. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Travis Bazzana 2B/SS Oregon ST</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">18. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Malcolm Moore C Stanford</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">19. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">(Mets)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Braden Montgomery</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><a href="https://futurestarsseries.com/mlb-draft-top-300-prospects-wetherholt-kurtz/"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Future Star Series</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> - </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="p" style="margin-bottom: 0.0000pt; margin-left: 0.0000pt; margin-right: 0.0000pt; margin-top: 0.0000pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span><b><span class="16" style="color: #363636; font-family: Calibri;">HOMETOWN</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: Madison, MS</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="p" style="margin-bottom: 0.0000pt; margin-left: 0.0000pt; margin-right: 0.0000pt; margin-top: 0.0000pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="16" style="color: #363636; font-family: Calibri;">HEIGHT</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: 6-2</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="p" style="margin-bottom: 0.0000pt; margin-left: 0.0000pt; margin-right: 0.0000pt; margin-top: 0.0000pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="16" style="color: #363636; font-family: Calibri;">WEIGHT</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: 201</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="p" style="margin-bottom: 0.0000pt; margin-left: 0.0000pt; margin-right: 0.0000pt; margin-top: 0.0000pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="16" style="color: #363636; font-family: Calibri;">BAT/THROW</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: S-R</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="p" style="margin-bottom: 0.0000pt; margin-left: 0.0000pt; margin-right: 0.0000pt; margin-top: 0.0000pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="16" style="color: #363636; font-family: Calibri;">DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: </span></b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLUswD-P_KU&t=83s"><b><span class="15" style="color: #3273dc; font-family: Calibri;">Watch video</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #3273dc; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="p" style="margin-bottom: 0.0000pt; margin-left: 0.0000pt; margin-right: 0.0000pt; margin-top: 0.0000pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"><b><span style="color: #3273dc; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">Braden Montgomery</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> is an absolute tool-shed with physical abilities very few in the 2024 class can match. He's been a stud prospect since his high school days, but signing a player away from a Stanford commitment always proves difficult. He's now at Texas A&M. A two-way guy, Montgomery likely best projects as a prototype right fielder with easy plus power and above average athleticism both on the base paths and in the field. He's shown tremendous barrel control, as well as a refined eye at the plate. He's cut down his swing-and-miss every year since arriving to Palo Alto and A&M and that's important as scouts would like to see the hit tool take off in 2024. Montgomery might have the best outfield arm in the class, a truly elite cannon with pinpoint accuracy. On the mound, Montgomery has struggled to command the fastball, but he's been up to 97 with a formidable cutter and a swing-and-miss breaking ball when he's in the zone.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 0.0000pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0pt;">20. </span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">OF/RHP</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Carson Benge</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Oklahoma State</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div>Mack Adehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09730548449011685243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-21860522311227866072024-03-24T09:00:00.086-04:002024-03-24T09:00:00.357-04:00Mack’s Weekly Draft Outlook<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu_PRlZ1pjbvdOijKf34_LCoSYtWgtA4DxC6mX52GalzQtbjlb5o-wIAdfI00U2T0mRLIaHHI8zGM5uWnnwz1ROreutjTma2Lw-Nwze4Z_qZvO-DRXzKNKPLw7bGWTE5bvEip89EQaya5OWZHO_yNGlgwT8hRPwYZnEmwbStAdnU7D-ZQiMpXfDiSA9M/s275/mlb%20draft.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu_PRlZ1pjbvdOijKf34_LCoSYtWgtA4DxC6mX52GalzQtbjlb5o-wIAdfI00U2T0mRLIaHHI8zGM5uWnnwz1ROreutjTma2Lw-Nwze4Z_qZvO-DRXzKNKPLw7bGWTE5bvEip89EQaya5OWZHO_yNGlgwT8hRPwYZnEmwbStAdnU7D-ZQiMpXfDiSA9M/s1600/mlb%20draft.png" width="275" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Brian Recca </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @brian_recca Mar 22, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Justin Sinibaldi</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> goes the distance for Rutgers Baseball. Complete game shutout for the big lefty. Final line:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">9 IP, 110 pitches</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">4 H</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">0 R</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">1 BB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">9 K</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Teddy Cahill </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @tedcahill) Mar 22, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Chase Burns</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> goes seven for the second week in a row. His day today against Louisville:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 12 K</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">His season: 1.69 ERA, 37.1 IP, 12 BB, 68 K</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Joe Doyle</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @JoeDoyleMiLB Mar 22, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Chase Burns</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> and </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Hagen Smith</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> are every bit on the level of </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Paul Skenes</span></b><b style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Teddy Cahill </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @tedcahill Mar 22, 2024</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">The strikeout race this year is absurd.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Chase Burns</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> (@WakeBaseball): 68 in 37.1 IP (16.39/9)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Hagen Smith</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> (@RazorbackBSB): 62 in 29 (19.24/9)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Riley Huge</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> (@WinthropBSB): 62 in 32 (17.44/9)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Brody Brecht</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> (@UIBaseball): 50 in 23 (19.29/9)</span></b><b style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Joe Doyle</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @JoeDoyleMiLB Mar 22, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Seaver King i</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">s having a banger weekend with a truckload of heavy-hitter scouts in the seats. Hit a ball 115 to the opposite field last night</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Joe Doyle</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@JoeDoyleMiLB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 21, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Want a draft sleeper?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">How about New Mexico State OF </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Titus Dumitru</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">. Kid is running a .397/.507/.603 slash with a 1:1 K/BB ratio. His 11.9% chase rate ranks inside the 99th percentile in college ball. His 93 mph average EV ranks inside the 93rd percentile.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kendall Rogers</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@KendallRogers</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 21, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Wake Forest preseason All-American LHP </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Josh Hartle</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> has allowed seven runs in four innings against Louisville tonight. That has pushed his ERA so far this season well north of seven. Pretty shocking to say the least. Louisville leads 7-5 in mid frames in W-Salem</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kendall Rogers</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@KendallRogers</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 21, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">INJURY NEWS:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Houston RHP</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Jaxon Jelkin</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> was not listed in the weekend rotation for this weekend against Kansas State. Jelkin will miss his usual Friday start because of fatigue but has not been ruled out for the entire weekend just yet, I’m told.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">MLB Pipeline</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@MLBPipeline</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 20, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">HR No. 10 for the No. 10 Draft prospect!</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Braden Montgomery</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> continues his torrid run for the Aggies, upping his slash line to .372/.505/.859 through 22 games</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Joe Doyle</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@JoeDoyleMiLB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 21, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Heat Check</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Guys who have touched 100 mph this year:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Greysen Carter</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, Vanderbilt</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Pierce George</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, Alabama</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Nate Snead</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, Tennessee</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Brock Moore</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, Oregon</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Chase Burns,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Wake Forest</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Brody Brecht</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, Iowa</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Chase Allsup</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, Auburn</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Bradley Wilson</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, Appalachian State</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Hunter Cranton</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, Kansas</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">MLB Pipeline</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@MLBPipeline</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 20, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">HR No. 10 for the No. 10 Draft prospect!</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Braden Montgomery </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">continues his torrid run for the Aggies, upping his slash line to .372/.505/.859 through 22 games</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Peter Flaherty III</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@PeterGFlaherty</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 20, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Make it 12 HRs for</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Jace LaViolette</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> as he drops the barrel on this shin-high fastball and drives it out to LCF. The HR race this season will be fascinating to follow.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: red;">J</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: red;">o</span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">e Doyle</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@JoeDoyleMiLB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 20, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">I was extremely bullish on Rutgers SS </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Joshua Kuroda-Grauer</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> entering the year. He's been unbelievable.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Currently running a .442/.500/.628 slash with 2 HR, 10 SB and more BB than K.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">One of the best blends of bat-to-ball and impact in the 2024 class. Kid is a really tough out</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Joe Doyle</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@JoeDoyleMiLB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 19, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Jac Caglianone</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> can do things to baseballs almost nobody else in college baseball can do. Kid end-capped one out LCF tonight.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">2 more bombs tonight.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Joe Doyle </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@JoeDoyleMiLB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 18, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">James Madison OF </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Fenwick Trimble</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> is up +172 spots in today's update. Fifth-most of any player. An aggressive bat who boasts impressive bat-to-ball skills. Sneaky juice too. He plays a polished CF and could be average out there as a pro.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Joe Doyle</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@JoeDoyleMiLB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 18, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">James Madison OF</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Fenwick Trimble</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> is up +172 spots in today's update. Fifth-most of any player. An aggressive bat who boasts impressive bat-to-ball skills. Sneaky juice too. He plays a polished CF and could be average out there as a pro.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">FULL BOARD: </span></b><a href="https://t.co/KQcNEAPGsm"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/KQcNEAPGsm</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><a href="https://t.co/64t7LzUIMA"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/64t7LzUIMA</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><a href="https://futurestarsseries.com/2024-mlb-draft-top-300-prospects/?s=03"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">FSS PLUS - 2024 MLB Draft: Top 300 Prospects</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> -</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mets Pick -</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">1.19 - </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">SS</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kaelen Culpepper</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kansas State</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">HOMETOWN: Memphis, TN</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">HEIGHT: 6-0</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">WEIGHT: 185</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">BAT/THROW: R-R</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Culpepper has been a staple in the Kansas State lineup providing thump and run production for two years now. He had a breakout 2023 campaign that earned him an invite to Team USA. He's gained good weight on campus and is now a twitchy, athletic, physical infielder with upside at both positions on the left side of the infield. There's budding impact at the plate too. Defensively, he'll get the opportunity to play shortstop at the next level after receiving the bulk of his play at Kansas State at the "6" in 2024. His plus throwing arm will be an asset at either shortstop or third base role. While Culpepper may not have a specific carrying tool, he does a lot of things average or a tick above and his athleticism points toward untapped upside across his game. He boasts solid average exit velocities and has a chance to hit for some power with a hit tool that feels unrefined and on the come up. Scouts would like to see his chase rates trend down, as well as show a greater ability to cover velocity at or above the letters as the draft approaches. Regardless whether that happens, someone is almost certainly going to buy high on the physical, athletic, and up-the-middle tools in a draft that dreadfully lacks that in round one.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Joe Doyle</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@JoeDoyleMiLB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 18, 2024:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Draft News: The 2024 High School All-American Game will NOT happen this year. It has been scrapped. The game had taken place during the All-Star Weekend going back to 2019 and featured the top draft-eligible high school juniors for the following year's draft.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Carlos Collazo</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@CarlosACollazo</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 18, 2024:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">There's a real lack of shortstops at the top of the class. Padres scouts in shambles.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">"If you scan this mock draft you’ll find perhaps three or four players with realistic chances to stick at shortstop and of those a majority might still be better off at other positions."</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><a href="https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/college-baseball-top-25-rankings/"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">A - Top 25 College Rankings - 3-18-2024</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> -</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">1. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Arkansas</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Previous ranking: No. 1</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Last week: 4-0</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Overall: 17-2, 3-0 in SEC (1-0 vs. Top 25)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Weekend record: 5-0</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Results</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">March 12: Oral Roberts: W 4-2</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">March 15-17: Missouri: W 8-0, W 6-0, W 9-1</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Arkansas beat Oral Roberts and swept Missouri to extend its winning streak to 13 games and remain No. 1 for another week. The Razorbacks had a 25-inning scoreless streak this week and shut out the Tigers until the seventh inning Sunday. Their 2.35 team ERA is the best in the nation. Arkansas will look to keep its impressive run going this week as it travels to Auburn.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">2. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Vanderbilt</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Previous ranking: No. 8</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Last week: 4-0</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Overall: 18-3, 3-0 in SEC (4-0 vs. Top 25)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Weekend record: 5-0</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Results</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">March 12: Indiana: W 13-5</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">March 15-17: (17) Auburn: W 11-1 (8), W 13-5, W 9-6</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Vanderbilt extended its winning streak to 13 games with a rout of Indiana and then a sweep of Auburn to open SEC play. The Commodores scored 46 runs on the week, led by catcher Alan Espinal, who went 10-for-16 with two doubles and a home run. After a crosstown matchup against Belmont, Vanderbilt this weekend hits the road to take on South Carolina.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">3. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Clemson</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Previous ranking: No. 9</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Last week: 4-1</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Overall: 17-2, 2-1 in ACC (4-1 vs. Top 25)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Weekend record: 5-0</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Results</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">March 12-13: Manhattan: W 13-1 (7), W 5-1</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">March 15-17: (3) Duke: L 5-2, W 8-7, W 8-6 (10)</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Clemson bounced back from a loss Friday against Preseason All-American Jonathan Santucci to win a tough series at Duke. The Tigers secured the series with a wild win in Sunday’s rubber game, throwing the would-be winning run out at home to end the ninth and then hitting two home runs in the 10th inning. Clemson has a busy week ahead, culminating with a series against Florida State, the last undefeated team in the country.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">4.</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Oregon State</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Previous ranking: No. 4</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Last week: 2-1</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Overall: 17-2, 2-1 in Pac-12 (1-1 vs. Top 25)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Weekend record: 5-0</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Results</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">March 15-17: @ Utah: W 7-5, W 8-1, L 14-11</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Oregon State got all it could handle at Utah, but came away with a road series win to open Pac-12 play. The Beavers scored five runs in the ninth Friday to score a comeback win and Saturday’s series-clincher was scoreless until they put up a seven-spot in the eighth inning. Oregon State jumped out to a big, early lead in the finale but couldn’t hold on for the sweep. They’ll return home this weekend to host Washington.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">5. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">LSU</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Previous ranking: No. 2</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Last week: 3-2</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Overall: 17-4, 1-2 in SEC (1-0 vs. Top 25)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Weekend record: 4-1</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Results</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">March 12-13: North Dakota State: W 6-1, W 7-0</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">March 15-17: @ Mississippi State: L 10-4, W 9-8, L 15-5 (8)</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">The Tigers faltered at Mississippi State, giving up 33 runs in a series loss. While the pitching faltered, LSU blasted seven home runs on the weekend, including three from All-American third baseman Tommy White. LSU returns home for a big week ahead, as it hosts Louisiana Tech and then Florida for a rematch of last year’s College World Series championship series.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">And Hail State BB jumps on </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Thatcher Hurd</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> for 3 in the first, as Amani Larry led off with a double on 95 mph heat, then Connor Hujsak (pictured) hit a 2-run double to LF corner and Aaron Downs hit an RBI double to same corner, both on sliders down in the zone. The Dude is fired up</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Aaron Fitt</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@aaronfitt</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 17, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Thatcher Hurd has settled in since allowing 3 runs in the first, retiring 7 of the last 8 batters for LSU baseball. Stuff is great as usual: 93-96 and flashing 2 plus breaking pitches in his 85-86 slider spinning in 2900s, and hammer curve at 80-82 spinning in 3000-3100 range</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Joe Doyle</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@JoeDoyleMiLB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 17, 2024:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Another day, another dinger for </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Braden Montgomery</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">. This one of the right-handed top-spinning variety.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">No. 9 on the year.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Up to .378 on the season</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">SPOILER: You won't have to scroll far to find his name in tomorrow's Top 300 Draft Board update</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Jake Hedberg</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@HedbergJake</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 17, 2024:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Have a day </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Travis Bazzana</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">. Second home run of the game scores three and OSU is up 8-0 in the top of the third. Bazzana is 3-for-3 with a double, 2 dingers and 5 RBI’s</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>MLB Pipeline</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@MLBPipeline</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 17, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Travis Bazzana, the No. 3 Draft prospect, had a game to remember:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">5 H (ties career high)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">2 HR (career high)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">2B</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">5 RBIs (ties career high)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">3 R</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Here's his full scouting report: </span></b><a href="https://t.co/hHgIMEBrHb"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/hHgIMEBrHb</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Joe Doyle</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@JoeDoyleMiLB</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 17, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">LSU 3B </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Tommy White</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> is certainly heating up. He’s homered in every game of the Mississippi State series, twice to the opposite field.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">White barely participated in fall ball and wasn’t a full go in spring scrimmages recovering from injury. He looks to be approaching 100% now.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p></p>Mack Adehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09730548449011685243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-52378083608134814922024-03-24T06:00:00.003-04:002024-03-24T06:00:00.343-04:00Mack - Sunday Morning Observations<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic78mtVlZpU1ITCns6pmMe6JdIeP5WTThEoBgZI_7HZMXTUxjMwYrRvRkZ8rNed_ogARzoBJIgjjX9_BSzfjKzAJUuRvyT5-KtBJXP3PBNWDdkgJ4OZHlPRWHrvRrFTgZeHaIUblfO6m_k63U1nwt5gpauzehu6IF4DXAkrWvVIho7imvQLO51JmEINFk/s264/sunday%20morning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="264" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic78mtVlZpU1ITCns6pmMe6JdIeP5WTThEoBgZI_7HZMXTUxjMwYrRvRkZ8rNed_ogARzoBJIgjjX9_BSzfjKzAJUuRvyT5-KtBJXP3PBNWDdkgJ4OZHlPRWHrvRrFTgZeHaIUblfO6m_k63U1nwt5gpauzehu6IF4DXAkrWvVIho7imvQLO51JmEINFk/s1600/sunday%20morning.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">MLB Pipeline </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> MLBPipeline Mar 22, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Approaching his 23rd birthday, </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Matt Allan</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> -- the Mets' third-round pick in 2019 -- still hasn't thrown a competitive pitch in four-plus years.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">In good spirits, the former top prospect is now on another long road back to the mound: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://t.co/0by73KomMT"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/0by73KomMT</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><a href="https://t.co/tV15jjczNI"><b><u><span class="15" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">https://t.co/tV15jjczNI</span></u></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Cleveland Guardians</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @CleGuardians Mar 22, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Carlos Carrasco </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">has made the 26-man roster for Opening Day!</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mike Puma</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> @NYPost_Mets Mar 22, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Luis Severino</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> on the Mets getting </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">J.D. Martinez</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">: "This lineup is now a lot better, not only with his bat, but with his mind. He's a smart guy. It's a great acquisition."</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Florida Complex League Mets</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@FCLMets</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 21, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Brandon Sproat</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">'s Thursday afternoon:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">3 hitless innings, 3 strikeouts, fastball up to </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">99</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> mph.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">SNY Mets</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@SNY_Mets</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">José Quintana</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> became an American citizen today!</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Abbey Mastracco</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@AbbeyMastracco</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 21, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Dom Hamel</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> on recovering after giving up three leadoff bombs: "That really could have been a situation where I was pissing into the wind, but I feel like I limited [the damage] and gave my team the best chance I could."</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Evocative!</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Ernest Dove</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@ernestdove</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 21, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Consistency IMO will always be key for Hamel. He's got </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">some devastating K stuff. Should very likely need all of </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">2024 to stay in minors and see how AAA level patient </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">hitters do against him.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Anthony DiComo</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@AnthonyDiComo</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 21, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Sean Reid-Foley</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> was back in action today, striking out multiple batters during a Minor League game. He seems to be beyond the arm fatigue that sidelined him for a bit earlier in March.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">John Harpe</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">r</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@NYNJHarper</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 21, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Spoke to a scout who was very impressed watching Mets' prospect </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Christian Scott</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> yesterday: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">"He's a fast riser. Command gimuy whose stuff has jumped to </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">another level over the last year. Sweeper reminded me of</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Jose </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Fernandez</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">. Could see him developing into a front-end starter."</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mack - Wow! Nice comp.</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Ernest Dove</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> and I have been touting on this guy since the Mets </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">drafted him.</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Now looks to be a future SP1 candidate and a probably next call </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">SP6.</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mets minor leaguers:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> placed on the</span></b><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> full-season injured list</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHP </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Jace Beck</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">LHP </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Eli Ankeney</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHP</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> John Valle</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHP </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Landon Marceaux</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">LHP </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Luis R. Rodriguez</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHP</span></b><b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Jean Calderon</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mack - the lass of Ankeney is a real bummer. Source said he felt soreness in camp this spring and was shut down. Probably TJS;</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> placed on the </span></b><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">60-day injured list</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHP </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Dylan Tebrake</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHP </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Matt Allan</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHP </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Raimon Gomez</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHP </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Roberto Dominguez</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHP</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Zebulon Vermillion</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHP </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Chris Santiago</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHP </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Ricardo Baptist</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHP </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Brian Metoyer</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mack - very sad about the Tebrake hiccup. Had a great season last year for the Cyclones</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Christopher Soto</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@SotoC803</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 20, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Approximately 25 personnel have been laid off which represents a "a single-digit percentage of the Mets’ overall business-side personnel."</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Alex Fast </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@AlexFast8</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Mar 19, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">2023 AAA Barrel/BBE leaders (min 25):</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">1. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Luke Voit</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">: 24.5%</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">2. Bobby Dalbec: 19.8</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">3. Jair Camargo: 17.1</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">4. Luken Baker: 16.9</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">5. Jerar Encarnación: 16.9</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">6. Kyle Stowers: 16.8</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">7. Jaylin Davis: 16.6</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">8. Trey Cabbage: 16.4</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">9. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mark Vientos</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">: 15.9</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">10. Estevan Florial: 15.5</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">(https://x.com/AlexFast8/status/1770085486410740115?t=_bIICUTnYXFI2sUZQ2CQBQ&s=03) </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">There was a time that I was physically present when Mets prospects offered up their game. This gave me the added advantage of reporting when I saw that certain players stood out from the others on the field.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">I’ve passed my torch to </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Ernest Dove</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> in St. Lucie and </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Paul Articulates</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> in Binghamton. Follow closely what they do there. They now have that added advantage.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">I finally got a chance to watch, on television, the first prospect game that the Mets kiddies were featured in. MTV… err… MLB-TV finally decided to rebroadcast it at some ungodly overnight time and thank Seaver that I had my DISH system setup to record anything that crossed its path regarding the Mets.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">What I particularly walk away with after watching and re-watching this game was a depth and talent of the starting pitching in this system. Small sample yes, but I walk away from this much more aware that the solutions of the future Mets rotation may just already be wearing Mets uniforms.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">A particular theme here seems to be velocity. These kiddies came to this game loaded for bear. Sure, they know they would be pitching for a limited amount of innings, so they could haul back like a closer, but still, there was some talent out there.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">I was particularly impressed with someone I wasn’t sure about in the past. </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Dom Hamel</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">. He pitched two innings and looked like the second coming of the arrival of </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Matt Harvey</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">. My hopes is his continued Mets career doesn’t go down the same path as Matt’s did. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Very few Mets are having a more productive spring than </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">José Iglesias</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">. The 34-year old has played in 1,096 major league games (.279 lifetime average), and has been flawless defensively at short for his entire career.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">This spring he is hitting over .300 and once again flourishing on short.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Did I say “short”</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Yeah, well, that’s the problem. He has never played any other position in his entire major league career and we all know who plays there on the Mets.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">What do you do, what do you do?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Latest Mets reassignments to the minor league camps - </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHRP</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kyle Crick</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">OF</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Ben Gamel</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHP</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Yacksel Rios</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">IF</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Yolmer Sanchez</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">RHRP</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Cole Sulser</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">OF</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Trayce Thompson</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Anthony DiComo</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">@AnthonyDiComo</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Mar 19, 2024:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Sean Reid-Foley</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> (arm fatigue) was throwing in the mid-90s during a bullpen session this afternoon. He should get into a game later this week and doesn't anticipate any issues being ready for Opening Day.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p></p>Mack Adehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09730548449011685243noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-30891726130388751262024-03-23T11:00:00.003-04:002024-03-23T11:00:00.235-04:00Mets Moves Today<p> DFAd:</p><p>RHP Phil Beckford </p><p><br /></p><p>Informed will not make club:</p><p>SS Julio Inglesias</p><p>C Tomas Nido</p><p>1B Luke Voit</p><p><br /></p><p>Reassigned:</p><p>RHP Austin Adams </p><p>RP Shintaro Fujinami </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mack Adehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09730548449011685243noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-29943992871204445722024-03-23T09:00:00.088-04:002024-03-23T09:00:00.131-04:00Tom Brennan: Some Minor Leaguer Spring Performance Thoughts<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-src="//t3.ftcdn.net/jpg/00/66/91/56/240_F_66915688_haOd3pGLs3b6NSMdg4p4xE5wwtMBBxpj.jpg" height="132" src="https://t3.ftcdn.net/jpg/00/66/91/56/240_F_66915688_haOd3pGLs3b6NSMdg4p4xE5wwtMBBxpj.jpg" style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(10, 136, 211); color: #0a88d3; display: block; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; height: auto; margin: 0px; text-align: left; width: 140px;" width="132" /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>HEY! WHO IS DOING WHAT, ANYWAY?</b></span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Not too many thoughts this morning, since it even remains to be seen which players with prior MLB experience this spring will stay in the Mets system in the minors. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Let’s take a peek at:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">FIRST BASE: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">in the Mets minors, there are as I see it two upcoming guys with near-term MLB potential. (Ryan Clifford, if he plays 1B, is a little further back).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Both of the nearly-ready duo started their minors careers in 2021. One went undrafted, the other one was a 4th rounder.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Player # 1 just turned 26 and hits righty. He played 99 games in 2023, 38 of those games in AAA last year, with a .270/.370/.397 slash line for Syracuse. He’s climbed hard.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Career…</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">841 PA, 26 doubles, 8 triples, 18 HR, 89 RBI, 30 of 36 in steals. Half his career at bats were in the park that stifles offense in Brooklyn, where overall he hit .225 (but hit a much better .283 there in early 2023). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Elsewhere, out of the windy beach park, he’s hit .275. He fanned 99 times in 99 games last year, a fairly decent rate.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(The opening day Star-Spangled Banner there will be sung by Gail Force. Some of her high notes are very long-winded, just my Gail Force Warning to all attendees). Anyway…</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Player # 2 hits lefty and turned 24 three months ago. His highest level to date is AA. Stats?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">851 PA, 741 AB, 47 doubles, 6 triples, 10 HRs, 108 RBIs, .275/.364/.395. 9 of 12 in steals, a lower 150 Ks in 206 career games.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Player # 1 is Joe Suozzi, who is 2 for 7 with 2 doubles and 3 RBIs this spring, while player # 2 is JT Schwartz, who is 4 for 8 with an RBI this spring. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Suozzi in his career has played more OF than 1B. Schwartz has played more 1B than outfield.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Seems neck-and-neck between those two. But, what do I know?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What do you think?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, some of the “better-but-on-the-fringe” minor league hitters who’ve gotten in some spring games right now are:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hayden Senger, 2 for 13, 4Ks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Alex Ramirez, looking to rebound from 2023 doldrums: 4 for 11.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Carlos Cortes is 3 for 6 with 2 walks and 3 runs scored. On base machine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Wyatt Young, Stanley Consuegra, Kevin Parada, and Brandon McIlwain, though, are a combined 1 for 18 and no RBIs with 11 Ks. Not impressing the bosses, even though each has been in admittedly limited official game action. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Let’s not jump to any conclusions, you might hurt yourselves. Move slowly and gently to the fridge instead.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But spring hitting can be tough. Let’s admit it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Five guys who have gone a mere 27 for 185 (.145)? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That’s Lindor, Marte, Choi, Voit, and Stewart. Quite the audition for the latter three, huh?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(Ex-Met and ex-Nat Dom Smith meanwhile has gone 9 for 26 with the Cubs this spring. Danged how that works, huh?)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Oh, yeah, supremely surprising Simon Juan has raked, going 2 for 2, with 2 RBIs, in his official spring appearances. Meanwhile, ex-Met first rounders Kelenic and Crow are a damaging 10 for 77 (.130). I hear 1:30 and I think “lunch time”.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Spring always has its surprises.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">No recap here on Drew Gilbert, Jett Williams, and Luisangel Acuna, as we all know they are the top hitter dawgs in the Mets minors. The trio did good. Let’s see them tear up the high minors once the minors regular seasons start. Then I’ll talk about them some more.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Tom Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032383157195393857noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-12729225415833959252024-03-23T06:00:00.000-04:002024-03-23T06:00:00.138-04:00Reese Kaplan -- What Does JD Martinez Arrival Do to the Roster?<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8h1J2oeNGN-OYmfEbgx3Le5cDHi1OXNNr2WcFgjr0wmKEU4wYJTFjHgE6AEt8elKtyJRCt2czqmjVIzvOlDeS48yr23jrLcfoCb1eBhvW2ugdyDD1lRy4rGMvt7jaz-O9NoS6rTVZ1uFPx3Maw15TxKLdl-UhwppNBN7IkWWixXQn8E3d7ycO4rnvUhyt/s320/A%20Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="320" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8h1J2oeNGN-OYmfEbgx3Le5cDHi1OXNNr2WcFgjr0wmKEU4wYJTFjHgE6AEt8elKtyJRCt2czqmjVIzvOlDeS48yr23jrLcfoCb1eBhvW2ugdyDD1lRy4rGMvt7jaz-O9NoS6rTVZ1uFPx3Maw15TxKLdl-UhwppNBN7IkWWixXQn8E3d7ycO4rnvUhyt/s1600/A%20Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Time is of the essence with Opening Day less than a week away and apparently the song and dance about giving in-house options the opportunity to prove themselves kind of flew out the window with Thursday evening's news that the Mets reached out to bring the big bat of J.D. Martinez to New York to play as their Designated Hitter. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXGjitX73NXuf5dN8k-yMYBPWK8qFqqCYMGZ6QuI0_lvuzYunRc4XsFKF61ccmd02uy5gKDBIWzmfgApi8Mh180ouIilUAtFnSZ2KFYl884vTKSbs768zJdRjGJeaRdtgcVHU_eCVuXvMWph8Xov3AKo2C4dosD_FsrJkV3gQEt1QzIGWQ8o1Y1rtbPLb/s465/screenshot-external-content.duckduckgo.com-2024.03.22-09_50_41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="465" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXGjitX73NXuf5dN8k-yMYBPWK8qFqqCYMGZ6QuI0_lvuzYunRc4XsFKF61ccmd02uy5gKDBIWzmfgApi8Mh180ouIilUAtFnSZ2KFYl884vTKSbs768zJdRjGJeaRdtgcVHU_eCVuXvMWph8Xov3AKo2C4dosD_FsrJkV3gQEt1QzIGWQ8o1Y1rtbPLb/w400-h394/screenshot-external-content.duckduckgo.com-2024.03.22-09_50_41.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">No one can deny the value Martinez can bring to the Mets as protection for some of the other hitters in the lineup, experience in the DH role, and having lived within some very solid organizations while his career unfolded. For the announced $12 million one-year deal, that's certainly a smart investment. How smart? Well, he will earn less than Starling Marte, less than Luis Severino, less than Jeff McNeil and less than some others. On a pure value basis take your cap off and tip it to the front office for waiting to obtain the best of the best remaining hitter who was still unsigned.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The flip side, of course, is what about Brett Baty and Mark Vientos specifically? Baty has cranked up his defense this Spring and recently clubbed his third home run. All of the sudden the balsa wood bat and paper quality glove from 2023 are starting to fade a little bit into bad memories. The glove is the thing that cements him in at 3rd base. The bat is still suspect despite a recent surge.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEAcCz7MndhcozG0gbD7Lu6RDlInPd9aTI0meHlWF9Eio_cXlCdV9b8gLxz0fkstdN1S6GSuW2riG2ApHj_sLvCqtb2kBP3NwLkf6cne9x5i4mcAUi4Ga5rIvHXb0l9BuKBke5zlVx9-aqI2m8A0-psnfL6ExuW6MIplFoi8J0muqaZvs579V3F9WQiC9/s519/screenshot-i.kinja-img.com-2024.03.22-09_52_41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="519" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEAcCz7MndhcozG0gbD7Lu6RDlInPd9aTI0meHlWF9Eio_cXlCdV9b8gLxz0fkstdN1S6GSuW2riG2ApHj_sLvCqtb2kBP3NwLkf6cne9x5i4mcAUi4Ga5rIvHXb0l9BuKBke5zlVx9-aqI2m8A0-psnfL6ExuW6MIplFoi8J0muqaZvs579V3F9WQiC9/w400-h395/screenshot-i.kinja-img.com-2024.03.22-09_52_41.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Now Vientos doesn't have the same clearly defined role anymore. With Martinez not likely to be asked to platoon like the one-sided Daniel Vogelbach and others, it wouldn't even matter if he did. He hits from the right side as does Vientos. So DH opportunities are clearly gone unless for the first week or two Martinez stays in Florida to get into playing shape as he has not been participating anywhere prior to this March 21st contract being signed. Even then, that would only give them a short look at Vientos and determine if his bat (and suspect glove) is a better option at third base than Baty. If I was Mark Vientos I wouldn't take out any long term leases in the New York area.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Of course, these folks are not the only ones likely to be impacted by the arrival of the All Star slugger. The Mets have room on the roster to add Martinez without having to kick anyone off immediately, but when push comes to shove on the 26-man roster it would likely be difficult to carry both Martinez and Vientos. D.J. Stewart showed absolutely nothing this Spring, but does have a hot streak in 2023 and a left handed bat in his favor. Fringe players not on the roster like Ji Man Choi and Luke Voit had some moments but not enough to warrant carrying a third DH type. Trayce Thompson has already been farmed out. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwOdEpBfCwIIbfbFL7d1jTHAR-BO6dhhemd-wgBgJTbvSCqUBiynOd7WuV05Y8aj55yCVOMqmpmveKMXaT3ubYjif6vBjSQxZhOrAjwZBXWXirkoKNbkHxKF8nfnwPR33GOJ2EyhAKoqULTQ-1McGT7e3F0qCjx9-JrQGC1ihXk4z5wU8lsXt_V9PmxEz/s800/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwOdEpBfCwIIbfbFL7d1jTHAR-BO6dhhemd-wgBgJTbvSCqUBiynOd7WuV05Y8aj55yCVOMqmpmveKMXaT3ubYjif6vBjSQxZhOrAjwZBXWXirkoKNbkHxKF8nfnwPR33GOJ2EyhAKoqULTQ-1McGT7e3F0qCjx9-JrQGC1ihXk4z5wU8lsXt_V9PmxEz/w400-h400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />So the question now is whether or not there will be some unexpected demotions of folks like Vientos or Stewart, are there more minor moves to be made to bring in a more athletic outfielder as a spare part, or could there actually be a thought about a pre-2024 season trade of Pete Alonso? The likelihood of that third option is probably slimmer than a blade of grass, but you do have to consider all of the alternatives. After all, trading Alonso now or mid-season brings back a relative haul as compared to a draft pick in refused QO compensation. </span><p></p>Reese Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12993445356545875409noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-89148500091806858632024-03-22T11:00:00.116-04:002024-03-22T12:53:36.876-04:00Mets Prospect Profile: SP Junior Santos<p><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; text-align: center;">This is the final post in a series intended to bring awareness to some of the lesser-known prospects in the Mets' organization This series has run each weekday for three weeks at 11:00am EST for the benefit of our fans. We covered 15 different prospects that were not "household names" (yet). Hope you enjoyed it!</i></p><p><i style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; text-align: center;"></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaUdWEkhb_jMjLBmbmxPAh-jTk_zMEcI9ziQ0iIECCew_zFiul9_6Bwt_scGZU4q6l-siPRmhdRmrh27kF6oT6yUvZmGNRllE53i-wTF3OcfAEDyCr17mjimbvBUqJ4CAd7i51Qt0ssMAwbw6pIjEAgnMnp1lm_ltd_3-m_AFLTjOtuEkYK4Q6VESDfE/s474/santos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="474" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaUdWEkhb_jMjLBmbmxPAh-jTk_zMEcI9ziQ0iIECCew_zFiul9_6Bwt_scGZU4q6l-siPRmhdRmrh27kF6oT6yUvZmGNRllE53i-wTF3OcfAEDyCr17mjimbvBUqJ4CAd7i51Qt0ssMAwbw6pIjEAgnMnp1lm_ltd_3-m_AFLTjOtuEkYK4Q6VESDfE/s320/santos.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Junior Santos is not in most lists of the top Mets prospects. He has been in the minor leagues for five seasons (did not play in the 2020 pandemic season) at levels topping at AA. His numbers are not the spectacular ones that jump off the page and make people write about him. But there is something there that is worthy of note so I chose him as the final writeup.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Santos is an imposing 22 year old 6'7" 244lb right-handed flame thrower that was born in the Dominican Republic. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2018 for $275,000.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">After signing on, he played on the Mets' rookie league team in the Dominican Republic before moving to the Mets' Golf Coast League team later that year. In 2019 he played the full season with the Kingston Mets in the Appalachian League. After the 2020 minors season was scrapped, he picked back up in 2021 with the low-A St. Lucie Mets, played in 2022 with the high-A Brooklyn Cyclones, and then spent 2023 with the AA Binghamton Rumble Ponies.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Santos has compiled a 19-33 record with a 4.68 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP over the course of those five seasons. His ERA has hovered in the 4.5-5.0 range most of the time and in Binghamton against some better bats he recorded a 5.94 ERA in 97 innings.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So with such pedestrian numbers in a game full of high performing prospects, why is Paul writing about Junior Santos? Well, the eye test said something different. I watched him last year completely dominate AA lineups the first time through the order. Then the second time around he got hit - hard. To me, that is some sort of adjustment; either another pitch to keep them guessing, or a mechanical change to keep "slider" from becoming "spinner", or just a mental approach change. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is a big, imposing guy that throws a mid-90's fastball and a 2300 RPM sinker that averages 16-29 inches of horizontal and 11-20 inches of vertical movement. Here is what the scouts say:</span></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><i>Fastball has slight arm-side movement but more importantly he can sink it. He was at 94-95MPH in 2019 but lost velocity in 2021, then recovered to 93-96.</i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The right-hander has become more confident with the sinker, and his ground ball rates have steadily increased from 29.4% in Kingsport (Appalachian league) to 58.7% with the Cyclones in 2022.</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Complementing his fastball are a slider (77-86MPH) and a changeup. The changeup lags behind in development as highlighted by the high variance in its movement.</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As you can see, this still-young pitcher has a lot of talent and a need to develop it more to realize its full effect. If he continues to dominate the first time through the lineup and suffer later, then he may be a better fit as a reliever. With his stuff, that could be a very effective role. Watch this guy in 2024.</span> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></blockquote>Paul Articulateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11690651810296213424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-45487412953468211392024-03-22T09:00:00.016-04:002024-03-22T09:00:00.241-04:00OPEN THREAD - JD<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi419RluGL1JB1GjaeHZa5Wm9e4Bt3vmH6dueV0LI3V24fXZLWgVWR38XHFMn4ShAoxwWrYbKdjqE8u53kyUcybZyQlho57b4tkbmrjNla0xgK64tzBkIyiYjf7DmNtdiOCudjG2SPQ83Vg2_9VvEh89cFASN9EZ-WcElas2XFjT63qd0c7_QfjGhcUZ1g/s300/jd%20martinez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi419RluGL1JB1GjaeHZa5Wm9e4Bt3vmH6dueV0LI3V24fXZLWgVWR38XHFMn4ShAoxwWrYbKdjqE8u53kyUcybZyQlho57b4tkbmrjNla0xgK64tzBkIyiYjf7DmNtdiOCudjG2SPQ83Vg2_9VvEh89cFASN9EZ-WcElas2XFjT63qd0c7_QfjGhcUZ1g/s1600/jd%20martinez.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Last night, the Mets signed designated RIGHT hand hitter <span style="color: red;">JD Martinez </span>to a one year deal that will cost them only $4.5mil against the 2024 payroll (plus any luxury tax addition applied). </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Martinez does play in the outfield, but at his advanced age, will probably be limited to RHDH, sending current Met spring training home run leader, <span style="color: red;">Mark Vientos</span>, to either ride the bench or go play regularly in Syracuse. </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Thoughts.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Me?</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Well, both the owner and General of the Mets have said publicly that they are committed to playing the youth on this team.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Really?</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">I know this is a good deal for a veteran power hitter that can still produce the pop needed from a bat that follows <span style="color: red;">Pete Alonso</span>, but once again, signs are being sent to the kids on the other side of camp that their future may lie playing for another team.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><br /></p>Mack Adehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09730548449011685243noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-33400528819148186582024-03-22T06:00:00.000-04:002024-03-22T06:00:00.128-04:00Reese Kaplan -- Options May Dictate Roster Decisions<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVj6hCYAK-Z2Uqqem32e5gmeIpoPLXxBLCZF3E_5eIObj8IhDI21RBLMEuJBbi06rtO-bJ8nVMt9krAJqN7KyUMphbN0VxeTcE-X71N3igFmQen9W9c6Y4HstAKkcpazvHG9MV2mBAiz_mYH2Wbmogu-G6WVs7md51JKk3B2vun0iBzInlmodz6Bb9TB5/s320/A%20Logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="320" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVj6hCYAK-Z2Uqqem32e5gmeIpoPLXxBLCZF3E_5eIObj8IhDI21RBLMEuJBbi06rtO-bJ8nVMt9krAJqN7KyUMphbN0VxeTcE-X71N3igFmQen9W9c6Y4HstAKkcpazvHG9MV2mBAiz_mYH2Wbmogu-G6WVs7md51JKk3B2vun0iBzInlmodz6Bb9TB5/s1600/A%20Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />It's getting to be that time of the year for yet another roster prediction for the New York Mets. Some of the folks coming north are no-brainers like Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Francisco Lindor, Francisco Alvarez and four of the five known starting pitchers as well as about four of what will likely be an eight-man bullpen. After that it gets a bit murkier.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PzOOcBep7HP-umweUt_6lsJdsfSsSOGBNRGrRTw-fA0BoprK3vSOu7SDdUDyDCLmKq2feuDLd7_bhWMwA5mVD28CSxWuuzZYOHeFhZ1nzU9vzUIKbBReGemFjDh534CdM4WvaToWmFn08NBsC-CpZ15JN61OLGBzJ16IE_eIgjkX5JHFaDo5qv0_OAhT/s2500/7238db0084cd1878e5de2273f84eb262-4230755003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1915" data-original-width="2500" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PzOOcBep7HP-umweUt_6lsJdsfSsSOGBNRGrRTw-fA0BoprK3vSOu7SDdUDyDCLmKq2feuDLd7_bhWMwA5mVD28CSxWuuzZYOHeFhZ1nzU9vzUIKbBReGemFjDh534CdM4WvaToWmFn08NBsC-CpZ15JN61OLGBzJ16IE_eIgjkX5JHFaDo5qv0_OAhT/w400-h306/7238db0084cd1878e5de2273f84eb262-4230755003.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Who Has Options Remaining?</b></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Despite all of the feel good talk about third base belonging to Brett Baty, the fact remains that he has an option remaining which would allow the team to send him to Syracuse if they were more doubtful than many of us are about Baty turning into a BATTY type of player given his rather dismal showing offensively thus far.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Similarly, the DH-in-Waiting, Mark Vientos, has got to show the powers that be the consistent power and batting average he produced in the minors. After a 4K game in which everyone was calling for his head, he followed it up the next day with a double and a home run. He now has four for the Spring season and it would seem that 20 HRs is a minimal reasonable expectation for him wedged around his too frequent strikeouts. He probably has 30 HR power but it might take a commitment for more than a few weeks to demonstrate it and develop the skill to show it at the big league level.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Last season's surprising slugger, DJ Stewart, has not followed it up with a solid Spring. He surprisingly still has a minor league option left and if for some reason the Mets felt it would be better for him to play every day to refine the good things in his offensive game, then the Mets would need to bring in an external resource as they aren't exactly spilling over with outfield prospects. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Not for the first time, but again folks need to realize that major league contract or not, Shintaro Fujinami is not showing the control necessary to succeed in the big leagues. He has an option available and he could even be slated as a closer in Syracuse to allow him to pitch regularly and in high pressure situations. Right now he's not showing enough to warrant a seat on the plane flying to LaGuardia. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In the starting pitching side of things, interestingly Tylor Megill still has an option available. Is he a reinvented hurler who approaching 30 has finally added the pitch he lacked to become more formidable out there, or was his last start reminiscent of what he's done in his major league career the real deal. Most folks dismiss giving up a single run and then a worse start as "just Spring Training" but others are starting to wonder if Megill makes sense to cover for Kodai Senga temporarily.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Pitching even better than Megill is heretofore mostly non-descript Jose Butto. Towards the end of the season as a starter he had a very nice 3.29 ERA and this Spring suggests it was not an illusion. He doesn't have the 100 MPH heater that makes scouts drool but then neither did Tom Glavine nor Greg Maddux. He'll not be in that level of skill but he is starting to make a case for himself over Megill or in the bullpen in case the 2023 and prior Megill resurfaces regularly.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Reed Garrett has an option so his fate is pretty much sealed, much like Joey Lucchesi. Grant Hartwig also has an option so his future starting the 2024 season is in Syracuse. Ditto Josh Walker who is still recovering from injury.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3CTyyhYcm6Q3Gjjhyw0gBhqnyYE3lz6DAeV45r7fdw5-UF1_LXus-O5DZCC2UPOf_DCY1g_IOAb3i-KVk24YvDL10qsJ4wWnjPD8qSSY3jsfe0qKwG-SZxFT_oxe-i6NS0aX58MWHPtCaev1Kf7hIy0qcvcKNBsMjE0p4lnMKe5m-8tnheadAlQuZclT/s400/image%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3CTyyhYcm6Q3Gjjhyw0gBhqnyYE3lz6DAeV45r7fdw5-UF1_LXus-O5DZCC2UPOf_DCY1g_IOAb3i-KVk24YvDL10qsJ4wWnjPD8qSSY3jsfe0qKwG-SZxFT_oxe-i6NS0aX58MWHPtCaev1Kf7hIy0qcvcKNBsMjE0p4lnMKe5m-8tnheadAlQuZclT/w400-h400/image%20(3).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Who Is Out of Options?</b></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">With the inability to send a player to the minors, it makes folks whose options have all been used up already the primary candidates to make the early season bullpen. Phil Bickford after a poor first outing has been very good. He is a veteran from the Dodgers prior to the Mets, so his pedigree bodes well for him.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Jorge Lopez has gone from stellar to stinker in his major league career. Given his past success most are writing his name in ink for the pen, but if they chose not to keep him on the big club they would likely lose him.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Much as been written about the work Yohan Ramirez has done with the Martinez brothers in South America. He is another arm who is interesting but doesn't have the solid resume of high level stats to guarantee anything.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sean Reid-Foley was temporarily shut down with "arm fatigue" but he has shown flashes of multi inning competency. Not promoting him means likely he finds work elsewhere, but the injury bug is going to work against him. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Ex Atlanta Brave Michael Tonkin is also out of options and his most recent work for the first place Braves suggests he is not averse to pressure situations nor preserving leads. He's pretty certain to get the ticket to Queens. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Infielder Zack Short is pretty short on his odds of making the team. Joey Wendle is hitting and has a higher level contract. The Mets cannot afford the luxury of two spare middle infielders without injuries forcing the issue. It's highly unlikely what little we've seen of Short is all we'll see of him associated with the Mets in 2024.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div><br /></div>Reese Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12993445356545875409noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-45039211394190880262024-03-21T11:00:00.016-04:002024-03-21T11:14:35.069-04:00Mets Prospect Profile: 3B/P Nolan McLean<p style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">This is the next post in a series intended to bring awareness to some of the lesser-known prospects in the Mets' organization This series will post a different prospect each weekday at 11:00am EST for the benefit of our fans.</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjRpxA4-fFBmCuyp18GiqMXqWpBuTXovFgYU254RkyKCCFiTNuDqfVnaUMVb2XcuQdIAscYZg_n2XJ_v1Q-XtKILMuyvEx0JPn5fqVAFxAx4EcNTwHXP8KofjxazxICdv0EwafcayNwz3B2-iBQLkOr-0CYdZcEtAmaGd06_gAa1y7KOHVGH_pXUZWCw/s300/Nolan%20McLean.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjRpxA4-fFBmCuyp18GiqMXqWpBuTXovFgYU254RkyKCCFiTNuDqfVnaUMVb2XcuQdIAscYZg_n2XJ_v1Q-XtKILMuyvEx0JPn5fqVAFxAx4EcNTwHXP8KofjxazxICdv0EwafcayNwz3B2-iBQLkOr-0CYdZcEtAmaGd06_gAa1y7KOHVGH_pXUZWCw/s1600/Nolan%20McLean.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Here is the Mets version of an enigma wrapped in a donut.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Nolan McLean is a 22 yr old (23 in July) RHB/RHP that played third, right field, and backend bullpen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The 6-4/215 high-school quarterback was the Mets 3rd round pick in 2023, out of Oklahoma State University. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">McLean is first known for his bat, that stat lined 19 HR, .285 as a sophomore, and 9 HR, .250 as a junior at OSU.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He ended last year with only 16 combined FCL/LUCY at-bats at below the Mendoza line.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He also came out of the Lucy pen for two appearances, posting 0-0, 2.70. 2-G, 1-ST, 3.1-IP, 2-K.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As a hitter, he has a huge physical presence at the plate. Stance is open with hands high. Very smooth swing through the zone. Above average raw power already creating +110 exit velo.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Below average runner. + arm could push him to RF.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As a pitcher... 3/4 slot with a 95-98 fastball. Good slider... change and curve... 3000 RPM on curve and slider.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">MACK'S SPIN -</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Call me crazy but I see this stud as a future DH/CL.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; text-align: center;">At least three seasons away.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Big Helium alert here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /><p></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nolan McLean, Disgusting 87mph Back Foot Slider. 🤮 <a href="https://t.co/aaThFLbUnz">pic.twitter.com/aaThFLbUnz</a></p>— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) <a href="https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1768739588061696416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nolan McLean impressed on the mound in last week's Spring Breakout game.<br><br>Yesterday, he crushed his first home run of Spring Training at the plate (113 EV) 🚀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LGM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LGM</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/MetsPlayerDev?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MetsPlayerDev</a> <a href="https://t.co/QfaeGaHNUW">pic.twitter.com/QfaeGaHNUW</a></p>— Florida Complex League Mets (@FCLMets) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCLMets/status/1770804050444890557?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Mack Adehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09730548449011685243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592615130369356022.post-73401479021334486082024-03-21T09:00:00.055-04:002024-03-21T09:00:00.133-04:00Paul Articulates – A wonderful dilemma<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Mets fans know that things don’t always go right. Even good news is often followed by bad news. So when the word started getting louder that the Mets had a ton of pitching talent in their minor league system, many just expected the other shoe to drop. Well, it hasn’t. We are in day 37 of a 41 day camp, and the Mets’ pitching has been just great. Yes, Kodai Senga went down early with an injury, but when you look at the battle for the slots from the back end of the rotation through the middle relievers through the AAA and AA pitching staffs, there are a ton of guys that can fill a role. This is a wealth of arm talent that only comes around once in a while.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Let’s take a look at the difficult choices that the front office, Carlos Mendoza, and Jeremy Heffner will be facing soon. It was announced yesterday that Quintana, Severino, Manaea, Houser, and Megill get the rotation spots. That leaves Jose Butto, Joey Lucchesi, an injured David Peterson, Mike Vasil, Dom Hamel, Christian Scott, Tyler Stuart, David Griffin, Blade Tidwell, and Joander Suarez in the battle for “next up”. The great news is that except for the recovering Peterson, all reports are that these guys are pitching well. Many have cited a new pitch or a mechanic they have been working on to improve consistency or movement.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> So how do you manage those choices? I am sure that the organization will start with the progress that was being made last year. If Butto and Lucchesi don’t make the MLB roster as middle relief and/or spot starters, then expect them to be SP1 and SP2 in Syracuse with the AAA Mets. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The next group is doing their best to shine up their resume for the other slots. Here’s some brief information on my favorites, along with some personal interviews during spring training by the media team of Jacob Wilkins and Matt Levine from the <a href="https://www.milb.com/binghamton" target="_blank">Binghamton Rumble Ponies</a> who shared these moments with us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz0tB9TXvOCGCiI6R6qjubQFLE0Sp24cPsQk0sBBM9mZv7dnNK-a9-wsR2QR4tpVp0D8-jA8d2AfbqrYekWgaHq7NE_0obkeZY6RdtHJk6F7BNqTDecodY0jG6h64xmcYwOz8-RXzW2arWi7S2J7T7IvU66xqPOX3BstSjw6CqxeeqjpF4bt8jI8XXpU/s760/vasil.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="760" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz0tB9TXvOCGCiI6R6qjubQFLE0Sp24cPsQk0sBBM9mZv7dnNK-a9-wsR2QR4tpVp0D8-jA8d2AfbqrYekWgaHq7NE_0obkeZY6RdtHJk6F7BNqTDecodY0jG6h64xmcYwOz8-RXzW2arWi7S2J7T7IvU66xqPOX3BstSjw6CqxeeqjpF4bt8jI8XXpU/s320/vasil.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Mike Vasil pitched with both Binghamton and Syracuse last year. The 11th rated Mets prospect started 26 games in 2023 with a combined ERA of 4.65 with 138 strikeouts in 122 innings and a 1.22 WHIP. The 6’5” 225 lb twenty-four year old throws a mid-90’s fastball mixed in with a mid-80’s slider plus a curveball and a change. He gets a lot of swing and miss, and his WHIP would probably be higher if not for the adjustment to the ABS (robo-ump) system he had to make in AAA ball. Vasil felt that he benefitted greatly from his Syracuse experience last year and although he may start the season there again in 2024, he is widely expected to get a call-up by mid-season. </span><p></p><p><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J3PCypU3T2FI2xORoKCxR3L7tgLtmrkk/view?usp=drive_web" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #202124; padding: 0in; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/docs/doclist/images/icon_10_generic_list.png" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-style: none; border-top-style: none; height: 20px; padding-right: 10px; vertical-align: text-bottom;" /> Mike
Vasil Spring Training Interview.mp4</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CqBhMIsU32rEcyb3aWQsdtJAxW0BDYxXtznQ65Gt7LCrzqCH27uFaSje4WYIZbhWaolBSBmK_U7HRh3OaBi6WzpNmfxpPJVVrbsd5AwFoTThpebX8MvNhsRY1QCA0YLEzbALDIWWriW_QbZqFuEGUdcRZh9F-YxDI7wzCw9wQUW_wT8GWbx4rgH_dC0/s270/scott.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CqBhMIsU32rEcyb3aWQsdtJAxW0BDYxXtznQ65Gt7LCrzqCH27uFaSje4WYIZbhWaolBSBmK_U7HRh3OaBi6WzpNmfxpPJVVrbsd5AwFoTThpebX8MvNhsRY1QCA0YLEzbALDIWWriW_QbZqFuEGUdcRZh9F-YxDI7wzCw9wQUW_wT8GWbx4rgH_dC0/s1600/scott.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Christian Scott was named pitcher of the year in the Mets’ minor system last year for good reason. He pitched at St. Lucie, Brooklyn, and Binghamton last year with a combined ERA of 2.57 over 87 innings where he fanned 107 and compiled an eye-popping 0.86 WHIP. Scott is another 24 year old pitcher with size, strength, and an incredible ability to manage the strike zone. Last year he had an 8.9 K/BB ratio which led all minor leaguers (at least 80 innings pitched) and was fourth with a 3.6% walk rate. His mid-to-upper 90’s fastball coupled with a splitter/change and a tight mid-80’s slider keeps batters guessing. As the fifth rated Mets prospect I would also expect to see him start the season in Syracuse and have a chance for a call-up if he continues to pitch as well.</span><p></p><p><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-J8UtZK_-iDArCEDfGqSLTlwnjTtpoxU/view?usp=drive_web" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #202124; padding: 0in; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/docs/doclist/images/icon_10_generic_list.png" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-style: none; border-top-style: none; height: 20px; padding-right: 10px; vertical-align: text-bottom;" /> Christian
Scott Spring Training Interview.mp4</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabbmLlZw6-phZVRGUh2sFz8OnRKw3xM959qGMd1C0euqsMpgmiiDoDtc3nkXWwcjnyvbnzxvC1_6vEkLU17BHSWceXDUOO584JhALq78RTEPB0gGlaAwcBHGDyjyhUgOAgsqd9iCCSoman89WGY0njCnKpMQhN1Qp9DHLOrcbzw8MrhHQcwSpY9Gewvw/s270/Hamel_head.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabbmLlZw6-phZVRGUh2sFz8OnRKw3xM959qGMd1C0euqsMpgmiiDoDtc3nkXWwcjnyvbnzxvC1_6vEkLU17BHSWceXDUOO584JhALq78RTEPB0gGlaAwcBHGDyjyhUgOAgsqd9iCCSoman89WGY0njCnKpMQhN1Qp9DHLOrcbzw8MrhHQcwSpY9Gewvw/s1600/Hamel_head.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Dom Hamel ranks as the #14 prospect in the Mets system. He was chosen to start the Spring Breakout game which shows the respect he has in the organization. Hamel pitched for the Dominican Republic team in the World Baseball Classic before the 2023 season and gained tremendous confidence there playing alongside major leaguers. His 2023 season in AA started out rough, but he came on in the second half of the season and pitched very well for the Rumble Ponies in the late season and the playoffs. He features a low-to-mid 90’s four seam fastball that has great carry up in the zone and complements it with a late biting slider with spin rates up to 3000 RPM. He also has the ability to use a curve, a changeup, and a cutter. </span><p></p><p><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L11VYmGgntq4iscMSimj4Sruc3A5k8xd/view?usp=drive_web" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #202124; padding: 0in; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/docs/doclist/images/icon_10_generic_list.png" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-style: none; border-top-style: none; height: 20px; padding-right: 10px; vertical-align: text-bottom;" /> Dom
Hamel Spring Training Interview.mp4</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4PQwgbyz4A0TBY06rd49_ZU1mxG-IOlqzkFjxnH0sxYpV7EpGB7e0fCklV1M35ID20sFjoi-ZKUb1re1uNLm5JcQlAOTskKa5lG0fv2dEu81qDTsmsK77jKs7mS0NvXCIyjzeUJ1eO17WWg2ugruMHMVdCctCL9JMjD26QUDlm1dnNC9yQW95Wb2u2g/s270/stuart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4PQwgbyz4A0TBY06rd49_ZU1mxG-IOlqzkFjxnH0sxYpV7EpGB7e0fCklV1M35ID20sFjoi-ZKUb1re1uNLm5JcQlAOTskKa5lG0fv2dEu81qDTsmsK77jKs7mS0NvXCIyjzeUJ1eO17WWg2ugruMHMVdCctCL9JMjD26QUDlm1dnNC9yQW95Wb2u2g/s1600/stuart.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Tyler Stuart is an imposing 6’9” 250 lb righty that dominated high-A pitchers last year with a 1.55 ERA before being called up to the AA Rumble Ponies. Stuart ranks as the 18th Mets prospect and threw a very impressive low pitch count inning in the Spring Breakout game. His sinking low-90’s fastball complements his excellent slider with its two-plane break. He had a low walk rate in both A and AA levels, and seems to be continuing that trend with his spring training outings. I expect to see him start the season at AA but will likely finish the season higher.</span><p></p><p><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/17YUns7W1iQpbtMpq_TvlKt5yI79Nxn1F/view?usp=drive_web" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #202124; padding: 0in; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/docs/doclist/images/icon_10_generic_list.png" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-style: none; border-top-style: none; height: 20px; padding-right: 10px; vertical-align: text-bottom;" /> Tyler
Stuart Spring Training Interview.mp4</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9z1o3LqGr-5NKO3J5ukM5Xx_5qbogHFni97UrXl7kJ7pTdhEbvjiQ8as7e6NUpPLwenf7ipVtTh1HAthNsYthCTqFIfGXF0a_VJt9ml7h9kJgwmCVfz86qmSSMVj04GLlCQEVeNpAS6ciCNO6CsCaH4dBRbOgFtFiMj-OnCZWvuD88PLfUDPLonDTEG0/s270/tidwell.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="180" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9z1o3LqGr-5NKO3J5ukM5Xx_5qbogHFni97UrXl7kJ7pTdhEbvjiQ8as7e6NUpPLwenf7ipVtTh1HAthNsYthCTqFIfGXF0a_VJt9ml7h9kJgwmCVfz86qmSSMVj04GLlCQEVeNpAS6ciCNO6CsCaH4dBRbOgFtFiMj-OnCZWvuD88PLfUDPLonDTEG0/s1600/tidwell.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Blade Tidwell had an impressive run last year, throwing a combined 116 innings for the Brooklyn Cyclones and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies that included a playoff start. The 22-year old Tidwell is the 10th rated prospect with some impressive pitches. He gets 18 inches of vertical break on his four-seam fastball and up to 20 inches of horizontal break on a sweeper. That fastball has been clocked as high as 98 MPH so good luck if you have a bat in your hands when Tidwell is on the mound. With improved consistency in locating his pitches, Tidwell is going to have great success. I think his greatest attribute is his competitiveness, which shows out when he has runners in scoring position - he has a way of turning it up a notch to get out of a jam.</span><p></p><p><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q_1F3yCZyw50n741cAZAZ87MPEm8qSkB/view?usp=drive_web" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #202124; padding: 0in; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/docs/doclist/images/icon_10_generic_list.png" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-style: none; border-top-style: none; height: 20px; padding-right: 10px; vertical-align: text-bottom;" /> Blade
Tidwell Spring Training Interivew.mp4</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I will be intently watching as this battle of arms plays out in the coming season. All of these guys are poised to make their mark and I look forward to see who gets there first. They need to move fast because there is another wave coming that is currently in the lower minors.</span></p><div><br /></div>Paul Articulateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11690651810296213424noreply@blogger.com7