Sep
23
2011

Thoughts On Rushing Pitching Prospects and Rule 5

An article by Joe D

One of our readers emailed me this post on MetsBlog a few minutes ago and asked me what my thoughts were on potentially adding Jeurys Familia, Zack Wheeler, Jenrry Mejia or Matt Harvey to the Mets 40-man roster.

Michael Baron wrote:

On Tuesday, Sandy Alderson said he might have to add some players from the lower levels of the minor leagues to the 40-man roster, and some might be in a position to contribute at the big league level sooner rather than later…I just hope that doesn’t mean they are going to rush any of these guys (Familia, Mejia, Harvey, Wheeler) to the big leagues.

For the most part I agree with Mike, I too do not want to see any of our best prospects rushed to the majors. We’ve seen that far too often as Mets fans and rarely does it ever work out for the team or the player.

That said, I believe Alderson was referring to the fact he might have to add some players to the 40-man roster who might otherwise be exposed to the Rule 5 Draft.

I could almost guarantee you that Alderson was not thinking about adding Wheeler or Harvey to the 40-man roster, but he was definitely referring to Jeurys Familia – who will be exposed to the Rule 5 Draft unless he is added to the 40-man roster.

As for Jenrry Mejia, he is already on the 40-man roster so there’s nothing to be concerned about there.

However, getting back to Matt Harvey, Alderson himself said that while it’s a long-shot, if Harvey continues to progress at the current rate there’s a chance that we could see him in 2012.

Would that be considered rushing him?

No, not at all, if a prospect is so good that he dominates at every level and pushes the envelope as Harvey has done so far, then I see no problem with promoting a prospect who is obviously ready to compete at this level.

Lets see how Harvey does in Triple-A next season, and yes I do hope he dominates and pushes that envelope… That should be all of our hopes…

About the Author: Joe DeCaro

I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.

11 Comments + Add Comment

Brandon Butler September 23, 2011 at 1:17 pm

I agree. We don’t need to rush players like Famillia, Harvey, and Wheeler. That would be the most dumbest thing in to world the Mets could do….
- t agee September 23, 2011 at 10:36 pm
  
  The rule 5 thing is very confusing but Mack’s Mets doesn’t show Familia as being eligible. I’m pretty sure he’s not. he was signed in 2007 (along with Puello, Flores, Marte) and as a 16-18 year old gets an extra year before he’s eligible.
  
  I wish we could get this thing cleared up.
Who September 23, 2011 at 2:26 pm

When did the Mets re-acquire Dan Wheeler?
- alan September 24, 2011 at 9:06 pm
  
  Mets did not reacquire Dan Wheeler…..but they did trade Carlos Beltran for Zack Wheeler who is considered a top flight pitching prospect!
OmarFan September 23, 2011 at 2:50 pm

If a player dominates a level, he should immediately be moved up. Rushing is an opinion. The scouts know as they watch these kids perform. You have a time frame with minor leaguers due to Rule 5 so it’s not like they have years to judge them at a certain level.
Metsie September 23, 2011 at 3:16 pm

Nope not yet!
IF we find that we are in the thick of it mid season and an injury knocks out a starter then MAYBE you see Harvey.

But their best destiny is to learn some more and be part of the picture in 2013.

We need to solidify the rotation thats going to play around them and I don’t discount getting a top Ace to guide them before they come up.
But we need to wait and see what Santana does and see where the Pelfrey situation and BullPen rebuild goes before we rush them up!
sarge September 23, 2011 at 4:08 pm

True about dominating before being brought up but times on other teams, Braves for one, they have brought up their young pitchers 21 and under and they seem to pitch well now though down the road is the thing you can’t predict; Jurjeens and Hanson have had problems the last two years so you wonder if they came up to soon or if their pitching mechanics cost them time.
- t agee September 23, 2011 at 7:52 pm
  
  I think Jurjens problem is with a knee, or maybe that’s the way it started. Hanson has a very jerky motion but the Braves do a very good job of developing pitchers and keeping them healthy as well. One thing they don’t do is let pitchers throw sliders before AA. Sounds weird but it seems to have worked for them.
  - Bayonne Mets Fan September 23, 2011 at 8:28 pm
    
    Your daily dose of sucking up to the Braves, huh? God I hope St. Louis wins You front runner
    - JoeSmith September 23, 2011 at 10:59 pm
      
      Do you really think the Braves read this blog?
      
      I love people that don’t know how to read and make up crap for their own agenda.
nathan September 25, 2011 at 7:47 pm

If you really want to see how bad the Mets have done at bringing up their young players start looking around the league at ex Met youngsters. Humber, Joe Smith, Even Mike Carp. I do believe that a guy needs to grow hi repotoire until he has at least three Good pitches before they start major league games. I know that doc only had two but take a look at Pelfrey.

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