May
29
2012

The Difference Between Mejia And The Big Three

An article by Joe D

Interesting article on ESPN New York by Adam Rubin who differentiates how the organization vies Jenrry Mejia as compared to Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and and Jeurys Familia.

Terry Collins already has stated Mejia is expected to contribute in the Mets’ bullpen in 2012. And Sandy Alderson has differentiated Mejia from fellow prospects Matt Harvey,Jeurys Familia and Zack Wheeler. That trio will develop at their own paces and not be forced into the Mets’ bullpen. In Mejia’s case, though, the needs of the organization will play a major factor in determining the role.

What’s a little curious to me is that while pitching at St. Lucie and Binghamton thus far, it’s been exclusively as a starting pitcher and now with his promotion to Buffalo he’ll continue to be used in that role. He is slated to start fro the Bisons on Wednesday.

My guess is that once Colin McHugh or Zack Wheeler get bumped to Buffalo, they will slide Mejia over to the bullpen and thus begin his transition from starter to reliever.

“He has a little more experience,” Alderson said, separating Mejia from the other highly regarded arms. “He’s coming off an injury. He’s pitched at the major league level before. And if we were to move him to the bullpen, in that scenario, we think he can help us perhaps in a way the other guys are not ticketed for.”

That said, this doesn’t exactly mean Mejia will be stuck in the bullpen, because according to Paul DePodesta, the Mets might be taking a page out of the Texas Rangers playbook. The Rangers of course made headlines when they took closer Nefatali Feliz out of the bullpen and put him into the rotation.

As for Mejia, he just wants to pitch in the majors and will take whatever opportunity he can get.

So look for the big three to pitch and develop at their own pace, while Mejia gets groomed for a quick return to the majors as soon as he is deemed ready.

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.

6 Comments + Add Comment

Mr North Jersey May 29, 2012 at 1:16 pm

With Mejia I believe it was about if he could develop a secondary pitch that he could throw for strikes constantly enough to be a starter. If any of “The Incredibles” (so funny to even say that) plan on doing an interview with Mejia or any of the coaches it would be interesting to hear what their thoughts are in that regard.
MetsMan86 May 29, 2012 at 1:23 pm

I see Mejia as a bullpen guy. The important thing for the organization is to not jerk him around like the Yankees did with Chamberlain.
Metsie May 29, 2012 at 4:27 pm

Here is what I take from all the talk about Mejia…

Right now he is a starter and they are going to keep him starting.
Hefner gets his shot while they wait for Young to rehab.
If Hefner fails amd Young has a setback they may actually give Mejia a shot but that probably won’t play out till July the earliest.

In the meantime if Hefner can hold the line til Young comes back and Young is effective, then Mejia might be a replacement for the Pen if they still have issues at that point.

Thats about the time you would expect them to promote Wheeler if he continues mowing down the AA crowd (No DUI pun intended!) and by then Beato should be back in the MLB pen to replace Acosta/Schwinden.
So Unless there is another body they give up on from Ramirez (unlikely) Francisco (may lose the closer job if he doesn’t keep up his recent success), and Parnell (who has had some ups and downs but on the whole much better), I don’t see where they need Mejia in the Pen at all on the MLB squad.
In that case keeping him extended as a starter would make Mejia a good Long Relief guy who you could use for an inning or two when long relief isn’t needed.

The lines of confluence all seem to join sometime around mid july and after the ASG.
And by then we could even see a trade or two that would change the entire complexion!
And don’t think Mejia as a possible trade chip doesn’t have something to do with the fact they have kept him as a starter. You get more for a starter in return than you do for a reliever!
Unless he is a full blown closer type!
and Mejia isn’t that yet.
Des May 29, 2012 at 7:19 pm

I like Sandy because I think he’s don a good job.
His explanation of why Jenrry is different than the other prospective aces is muddled at best. Since it is, I think what is more important is what Sandy is not saying. No numbers were provided and the fact that he was injured is not a reason why he’s being treated. So what’s up, Sandy?
Hazmet May 29, 2012 at 8:15 pm

When Mejia started his comeback the FO words were that he was going to start to stretch out his arm and build up arm strength in game situations as a starter. Hard to build up arm strength coming off an injury just in the bullpen. Also, building up in non game situation bullpen sessions is nowhere nearly as compelling or stressful as game situations. While my memory may not serve me well I believe they stated at least 4 starts at AAA then they’d reasses where he’s at and might move him to the pen then. That could very well tie into the timing you mention for Wheeler moving up, would be about right.

For me, I just assume they groom him for the closer role. When he emerged under Jerry’s last year the rave was about how Mariano like his late break was on his stuff. Long term I’d like to see a Parnell in the eighth and Mejia in the ninth when the time comes that the big 3 prospects hopefully stick in the rotation in the bigs. I know, way long term planning but I think that would be ideal to have a long term back end of the pen with a young rotation when the time comes in 2013/14.
METS62FAN May 31, 2012 at 9:43 am

PESONALLY I’VE VIEWED MEJIA AS A CLOSER CANDIDATE FROM DAY #1 HIS BODY STYLE, VIOLENT DELIVERY, DEMEANOR ALL DEFINE A SHUTDOWN CLOSER, TO ME ALONG THE LINES OF A YOUNG K-ROD; MANY OF U MAY RECALL THE SUPERLATIVE COMPARISONS USED BY BOTH JERRY MANUEL & DARYL STRAWBERRY IN CLAIMING HE HAD RIVERA TYPE “STUFF” COMBINE THAT WITH HIS K-ROD NEAR CLONENESS & U HAVE, IMO, A NECESSARY COMPONENT TO A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM, A FEARED 9th INNING APIRITION NO OPONENT WANTS TO SEE.

ESPECIALLY AFTER HARVEY, FAMILIA, WHEELER HAVE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE FIRST INNINGS. BEING THE CLOSER OF THAT KIND OF FUTURE SHOULD NOT BE SCOFFED AT AS UNDERACHIEVMENT BY ANY MEANS.

WHERE WOULD THE VAUNTED 86ers HAVE BEEN WITHOUT JESSE & ROGER?

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