Comments on: MMO Top 20 Mets Prospects – #17 Juan Urbina, LHP – Exclusive Interview!

By: Metsie

Metsie — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:33:26 +0000

Pete just want to thank you for letting everyone know we actually HAVE prospects because if you read the other comments around here you would get the impression that our entire MiL system is made up of little leaguers!

By: Petey Pete

Petey Pete — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:28:09 +0000

Thanks agee, isn’t it ironic that his answer was the Atlanta rookie level team is very good and balanced? We, as Mets fans, know quite a bit about the Atlanta player development machine, and to hear Juan’s assessment that this years rookie league crop is no different, we can see how the model of consistency that that organization employs, is still the hallmark for success.

Urbina is the kind of guy that will have to be added to the 40-man, the first year he is exposed, or they would surely lose him.

G. G. is definitely somewhere on the list, although I can’t give away where he has landed yet. Also, I am trying, but it may be very difficult to get an interview with him in time for his feature. We’ll see.

By: Petey Pete

Petey Pete — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:14:47 +0000

Remember too Krane, he was playing in a foreign country as an 18-year-old. Have you ever been to Kingsport, Tennessee? That’s foreign enough. Now imagine living there, and traveling throughout Appalachia as you ply your trade. Eating strange food, being homesick. There are enough distractions where you can throw the bumpy start out the window. Not to worry, he’s a resilient kid.

By: Petey Pete

Petey Pete — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:06:41 +0000

Thanks MNJ!

By: Petey Pete

Petey Pete — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:05:51 +0000

Basically yes, that is what happened Hodges, due to rather slow development, Urbina has been passed by other prospects like Wheeler, Gilbert Gomez, Brandon Nimmo, Cory Mazzoni, Darin Gorski, Jefry Marte, Collin McHugh and Juan Lagares. It really says that the system is improving as far as depth of talent, rather than an indictment on Urbina.

By: t agee

t agee — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:27:50 +0000

Great interview Pete. Great question to about opposing teams in the Appalachain League. I didn’t realize that Urbina had reestablished himself somewhat this year I had thought it was a pretty down season overall. Appreciate the update.

Urbina does seem like he’s going to be a slow developing rule 5 roster problem though. First two years in the APP League, probably a bump to Savannah next year and at the very best St. Lucie in 2013, if he improves considerably. Even that means he’s a rule 5 candidate with NO chance of providing even AAA depth for at least one year and that’s under the best case scenario.

Clearly getting Urbina signed was the correct thought process and no one should complain but it does highlight the problem with attempting to build primarally through IFA’s. Even the most sought after IFA’s can cause a severe roster crunch if you have more than a few slower developing kids.

I think it’s completely unfair that 16 year olds get held to the same standard as 18 year olds and it actually lowers their value since some can be lost through rule 5 or even career minor leaguer status (7 years) before they fully develop.

Great job on these prospect interviews though Pete. Really enjoy them and I have one question? Gilbert Gomez?

By: steve

steve — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:24:18 +0000

Nothing wrong with keeping these Latin propects lower? It keeps the pressure off them,and the Front office? Maybe if Omar didn’t put F-Mart on such a pedostal,he would have not been rushed so fast,and fallen on his face?

By: Mr North Jersey

Mr North Jersey — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:25:49 +0000

Again good read Pete thanks.

By: Kranepool7

Kranepool7 — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:20:30 +0000

Nice interview Pete. He still has a very long road ahead of him and struggled mightily at such a very low level. Hopefully he can make some strides in ’12.

By: Hodges14

Hodges14 — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:28:01 +0000

I’ve seen Urbina on quite a few top ten lists in 2011, has he really fallen this much or did he just get passed up by this years draft picks plus Wheeler?