Sep
5
2011

Brooklyn Cyclones: Play-off Preview

An article by Petey Pete

As the Cyclones prepare for their 2011 NYPL Divisional Series clash with the Staten Island Yankees, that begins on Tuesday in Brooklyn, the team has made several “tweaks” to the roster in hopes of fielding the best group of players for the best-of-three series. Regardless, the team is very hot right now, winning 10 of their last 11 games for manager Rich Donnelly.

“Ringers”

To bolster the hitting attack, the Cyclones recently added 2011 15th round draft pick, SS Phillip Evans to the infield mix. Evans only turns 19 next week, so the fact that the Mets want to see him in the play-offs against much older competition, bodes well for their confidence in his abilities, and estimation of his talent level. The Clones also activated slugging catcher Nelfi Zapata from the D.L.

To give the pitching staff a shot-in-the-arm for the play-offs, the Clones added RHP Rafael Montero and RHP Domingo Tapia. Montero is a 20-year-old fire-baller who routinely reaches the mid-nineties with his fastball and mixes in a slurve, and a change-up. He picked up the win Sunday, going 4 IP, striking out 4, and allowing only 1 run on a solo HR. Tapia is a 6’4″ 19-year-old who went 5-5 with a 3.78 ERA in 11 GS for Kingsport. He made his New York Penn League debut Friday, pitching 6 shutout innings, and getting the win, with 6 K’s, 0 BB’s and 5 hits, to help beat the Yankees 4-0.

Who’s Hot?

SS Daniel Muno is 15 for 29 in his last 10 games, hitting a robust .517 over that time, with an OBP of .650, a SLG% of .690, for an OPS of 1.340. For the year, Muno is first in the NYPL in BA .355, OBP .466, OPS .980, and tied for first in 2B’s with 23. CF Tillman Pugh is hitting .409 with an OBP of .519, and a SLG% of .636, for an OPS of 1.155, in his last 10 games. Lefty-hitting OF Charles Thurber, over his last 10 games, is hitting .343, with an OBP of .439.

Rocket Watch:

LHP reliever Jack “The Rocket” Leathersich, has one of the most awesome pitching lines you will ever see, and here’s the latest:

9 games, 12.2 IP, 6 hits, 1 ER, 26/3 K/BB ratio, his K/9 is 18.5/9, with opponents batting .136 against him, and a WHIP of .071. He has a 0-0 record and a .071 ERA.

Game One Starter:

The probable pitcher for the series opener, for the Cyclones, will be RHP Marco Camarena, 3-3, 3.13 ERA.

About the Author: Peter Shapiro

The first time I went to Shea was not for a Mets game, it was for the Beatles concert there in August of '66. My first Met game was '67, a guy named Salty Parker was the interim-manager then. My first pennant race was 1969. As a 12 year-old that summer and fall, I managed to get to the park for 3 games. The first was the beginning of the Miracle which actually started on Tuesday July 8, 1969 with a day game against the Cubs. I was there a lot in '73. I saw games 3 & 5 of the 1973 NL Playoffs against the "Big Red Machine", from the upper deck behind home plate. It was from there that I witnessed the fight between Bud Harrelson and Pete Rose, and the mayhem that ensued. And that sweet victory in game 5! I saw a couple of WS games at Shea that year against that legendary Oakland A's club. I was there in 1985 for every single game Dr. K pitched including his two 16 strikeout performances, and the day he one-hit the Cubs on an infield single and the Mets won 1-0. I loved being a Met fan in those days. Hopefully we are once again preparing to emerge from the darkness.

3 Comments + Add Comment

Hodges14 September 5, 2011 at 12:19 pm

Wow, how legit is Muno? I honestly never heard of him. Is he a highly regarded prospect?
Petey Pete September 5, 2011 at 2:51 pm

Muno was the Mets’ 8th round pick (252nd overall), in this years draft out of Fresno State. He is a 2B-SS who was considered to be an advanced college player, coming out of the draft. As you see he has had an eye-popping year statistically, as he has simply been on fuego all season long. The great thing about Muno, is that he has a great head for the game. He is a very smart player, who has worked hard on all aspects of his game. He is a good base-runner, fields well, bunts, does all the little things to help his team win. Where is his ceiling? No one knows. All that can be done is to keep giving him challenges, one after another, and see how far he climbs. I think it’s very likely he will skip low A Savannah next year and go straight to the Florida State League. Go Clones!
G Man September 6, 2011 at 9:01 pm

I watched this Kid play for 4 years at Fresno State . He holds like 6 or 7 Records there. He is a throw back player. Old School. Does it right from the gate. He is a true Lead Off Man. This Kid is already advanced. He gets on Base , Scores Runs and Creates excitement. Switch hitter with power. Should see him with the Mets next fall.

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	24	18	.571	-
Nationals	23	20	.535	1.5
Phillies	20	23	.465	4.5
Mets	16	24	.400	7.0
Marlins	11	32	.256	13.5

Last updated: 05/18/2013

MMO Mets Chat

Need Tickets To The Mets Game?

Check Out These Great MLB Links!

For wholesale prices on New York Mets gifts and equipment, check these stores out!
Mets Autograph Signings
Mets Fan Apparel
Mets Autographed Baseballs
Baseball Card Supplies
Baseball Equipment

For the best seats and lowest MLB ticket prices, go to PurchaseSeats.com. Get your Mets Tickets now and follow them on the road with Yankees Tickets, Phillies Tickets, Nationals Tickets and Braves Tickets!