Mar
29
2012

Spring Training Update: Buffalo Bisons

An article by Petey Pete

With just three days remaining in Spring Training for the Mets minor league clubs, contributions by certain players in yesterday’s Buffalo Bisons spring training game caused me to do a double-take. Say what?

First up, the winning pitcher in today’s game for the Bisons was left-hander Mark Cohoon. Cohoon had a great year in 2009 followed by a spectacular year in 2010, but in 2011 the wheels fell off. Last year in 18 starts for the Herd he went 4-11 with a 6.11 ERA. Overall in 27 starts between AA and AAA, he was 5-14 with a 5.29 ERA. But today he pitched five innings against the New Orleans Zephyrs, giving up just an unearned run, and earning the win in a 3-1 victory. A return to form by Cohoon would be very welcome in an organization that only has one lefty starter who has made it as high as AA, Darin Gorski.

Outfielder Sean Ratliff, who missed all of last season with a horrendous eye injury after being struck with a foul ball, went 2-3 with an RBI single. Last year before he was injured Ratliff was one of the Mets’ top outfield prospects, ranked right there with Captain Kirk, Cory Vaughn, and some guy named FMart. The injury occurred at a bad time, about a week before the start of the 2011 season. So after a lost year for the young man it’s good to see him back at work, squaring up fastballs.

Infielder Matt Tuiasosopo delivered the big blow in this afternoon’s game, a two-run home run, which was the game-winner. Outfielder Raul Reyes chipped in a 1-3 day. Buffalo opens their regular season a week from today, with a Thursday night game at Pawtucket. The projected opening night starter for the Herd is right-hander Matt Harvey.

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.

14 Comments + Add Comment

stick March 29, 2012 at 9:08 am

will be nice to see Bingo and Buffalo having strong season, and both teams actually featuring some exciting prospects. Good for the teams, and very good for the future of the Mets.
Metstheory22 March 29, 2012 at 9:31 am

I have a question regarding rule 5 players. Yankees have a rule 5 player (Rule 5 selection Cesar Cabral) they might have to return. according to paper they would have to put him through waivers to return. If Mets pick him up, do they have to keep him in majors as if they would a rule 5 pick or can they send him to minors.
- Metstheory22 March 29, 2012 at 9:34 am
  
  Just looked it up:
  
  Any player chosen in the Rule 5 draft may be traded to any team while under the Rule 5 restrictions, but the restrictions transfer to the new team. If the new team does not want to keep the player on its 25-man roster for the season, he must be offered back to the team of which he was a member when chosen in the draft.
  - stick March 29, 2012 at 9:58 am
    
    pretty sure once they get the guy back (the original team) he is like any other guy that either has to go on the 40 man roster (in which case you can send him down, no questions asked) or put through waivers (so anyone can grab him, and the rule 5 no longer applies).
srt March 29, 2012 at 9:42 am

Happy to see Sean Ratliff made his way back. Read an interview from him on that eye injury. Kid endured some surgeries and worked hard to make his way back.
- Petey Pete March 29, 2012 at 9:47 am
  
  Here’s the link to that Sean Ratliff interview: http://metsmerizedonline.com/2012/01/mmo-exclusive-interview-mets-minor-league-outfielder-sean-ratliff.html
  - srt March 29, 2012 at 9:49 am
    
    I should have known I read that interview here on MMO. You do a great job with these Pete, and I enjoy reading them.
- Metstheory22 March 29, 2012 at 2:11 pm
  
  Stick,
  
  restrictions transfer to the new team.
  - stick March 29, 2012 at 2:16 pm
    
    but not when he goes back to the old team. they can try to put him through wiavers if they want.
Hoegy March 29, 2012 at 12:42 pm

It is quite interesting that you hear nothing about Cohoon and Ratliffe at all given the show’s team glaring needs for help in both pitching and outfield. Are these guys suited to get a cup of coffee, be significant off the bench, or just coffee sippers at the big league level?
- Even Flow March 29, 2012 at 2:31 pm
  
  Hoegy, if Cohoon steps up, rebounds from last season and pitches like he did in AA, Pelf can kiss his rotation spot goodbye.
Hoegy March 29, 2012 at 12:43 pm

ooops too much coffee or not big leaguers in the long run.
steve March 29, 2012 at 2:48 pm

think the mets would be wise to let harvey start in AA. give him some confidence, 10 starts in AA. Then 10 in AAA. Familia would be alright as a opening day starter for Buffalo?
Des March 29, 2012 at 3:22 pm

The Mets have their two highest minor league teams in very cold areas — Buffalo and Binghamton. Most games for both these teams start in the early evening. And the same times are used for teams they visit. Is this good for rehabs on the mound? I don’t think so.

P.S.: Temps is Buffalo at this time of the year can dip into the ’30′s. For example, the lowest overnight temp predicted this week is 32 degrees. In Binghamton the lowest this week is 31 degrees. Terrible.

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