Meet The Mets….The St. Lucie Mets

Yesterday the St. Lucie Mets (A) of the Florida State League announced their “official” 2012 opening day roster. Their season begins on the road tonite against the Bradenton Marauders, the Pittsburgh Pirates single A affiliate. Although nothing has been announced, the probable starting pitcher for St. Lucie will be fire-balling right-hander Cory Mazzoni, who figures to anchor the staff. Let’s take a look at how the roster shakes out.

PITCHERS

Kyle Allen (RHP)

Yohan Almonte (RHP)

Eric Beaulac (RHP)

Hamilton Bennett (LHP)

John Church (RHP)

Angel Cuan (LHP)

Ryan Fraser (RHP)

James Fuller (LHP) D.L.

Gonzalez Germen (RHP)

Erik Goeddel (RHP)

Chase Huchingson (LHP)

Jeffrey Kaplan (RHP)

Adam Kolarek (LHP)

Cory Mazzoni (RHP)

Adrian Rosario (RHP)

Tyler Whitenton (RHP)

Projected starting rotation: Cory Mazzoni, Taylor Whitenton, Erik Goeddel, Chase Huchingson, Johan Almonte.

Petey’s Projected closer: Hamilton Bennett

The lights just got turned up a lot brighter for this young, untested pitching staff. 2011 2nd round draft pick, 22 year-old Cory Mazzoni is the “ace” of this staff, and has pitched only 7 innings in the Florida State League at the very end of last season.

Taylor Whitenton had a very good season last year at Savannah where he led the South Atlantic League in ERA. He’s not a hard thrower, but knows how to pound the lower part of the zone and and throw off a hitter’s timing.

Erik Goeddel a 24th round pick in 2010, has a huge upside with three advanced pitches, but has been unable to log more than 78 innings in a season so far in his career due to a balky shoulder. This year pitching in the Florida sun, should help as the Mets try to stretch him out to get him through an entire season healthy.

Huchingson was an awesome swing-man last year at Savannah in his first year as a pro after going undrafted at the end of his college season. Making 8 starts and 19 relief appearances, Chase put up a record of 7-2 with a 1.82 ERA. He also has one of those funky lefty deliveries which makes the ball very hard to pick up out of his hand. It will be fascinating to see what he can do as a starter from the get-go.

Almonte has a lot of talent but has struggled with his command early in his professional career. The Florida State League should be an excellent test for him this year. The bullpen is loaded with hard-throwers, and Bennett brings a competitive, no nonsense attitude to the closer’s role.

CATCHERS

Francisco Pena

Blake Forsythe

Jean Luc Blaquiere

INFIELDERS

Joe Bonfe

Wilmer Flores

Richard Lucas

Danny Muno

Rylan Sandoval

Robbie Shields

Wilfredo Tovar

OUTFIELDERS

Darrell Ceciliani

Rafael Fernandez

Alonzo Harris

Cesar Puello

Cory Vaughn

STAFF

Ryan Ellis – Manager

Phil Regan – Pitching Coach

Benny Distefano – Hitting Coach

Jose Carreno – Coach

This squad exhibits a very interesting and deep pitching staff. If a pitcher were to falter, there are plenty of talented arms to step in and fill a void. The pitching should carry this team far. There is an interesting mix at catcher, and those guys can play a little “D”. The outfield really makes you sit up and take notice, with Vaughn, Ceciliani and Puello representing all-star quality throughout the FSL. The infield starts a couple of highly regarded prospects in Danny Muno and Wilfredo Tovar, and a pair of potential power guys in Lucas and Bonfe. All in all, I like this squad for making another run at an FSL Championship this season.

LGM!