26
2012
Talking Mets Minors With Mets Prospect Hub
An article by 
Coming Soon: SS Gavin Cecchini and C Kevin Plawecki.
A couple of weeks ago I had a chance to send out a few general questions to our old pal Tejesh of Mets Prospect Hub. Tej was kind enough to take some time to share his thoughts about the Mets with regard to the First Year Player Draft and some other minor league things I threw at him. Duck!
1. Let’s begin with the just completed draft. You have Courtney Hawkins, Lucas Giolito and Gavin Cecchini on the board. The Mets opted for Cecchini. Give me your thoughts on that. Was this about taking the player with the highest upside or strictly motivated by signability?
I’m 100% convinced this was motivated by signability, but to be somewhat fair, it seems every pick before the Mets was also a signability pick. Mark Appel fell from a projected No.1 selection to No. 8, for example. The No. 1 pick Carlos Correa took a deal that was significantly under slot, if I recall correctly. So while, yeah, it would’ve been amazing to go Hawkins and McCullers at No. 12 and No. 35, Cecch isn’t a BAD prospect, just not the upside we’d want at No. 12. I was a big Lance McCullers’ backer, I wanted him desperately.
Also – If the idea was to save money on the front end to go after some tough signs at the backend (rounds seven on…), well that’s OK, too. If I recall correctly, we took the second most Top 250 prospects (as ranked by BA) of any team in baseball.
2. What three prospects have taken huge steps forward so far in 2012?
Zack Wheeler’s walk rate is probably the single most encouraging thing that’s happened this season. Besides that? Jefry Marte and Wilmer Flores have taken big steps forward.
3. What three prospects have regressed the most so far this season?
Reese Havens. Reese Havens, and Reese Havens.
Also – Cesar Puello (before getting hurt) and Albert Cordero.
4. Are the Mets finally going to have some quality homegrown relievers that can serve as a setup man and closer in the not so distant future?
It sure looks that way, with a plethora of relievers and former starters already vey close to the majors. Josh Edgin, Elvin Ramirez, Jenrry Mejia (he should start, but whatever), Jeurys Familia (of the two, Familia’s the reliever), Robert Carson, Adrian Rosario (we got him in the KRod trade) are all in Binghamton or Buffalo, and should be close to the majors.
Beyond that, there’s Adam Kolarek and Jack Leathersich, a pair of promising lefties in St. Lucie. Leathersich, in particular, can BRING it, his minor league numbers to date are just stupid dominant (52 innings, 24 hits, 9/6 r/er, hr, 18/85 bb/k, .138 BAA).
5. Wilmer Flores has begun the shift to second base. What prompted the move? Considering his size can he stick there? Where will he ultimately wind up if and when he makes it to the majors?
I’m not sure if Wilmer is a second baseman, he played there some in the VWL with Margarita, and played three games there recently for St. Lucie, but I think he ultimately winds up at third base. I’m guessing, though, that when he’s promoted to Binghamton, he’ll be shifting around all four infield spots (yes, including some at shortstop). I’d personally try him some in left field, although he might be worse than Todd Hundley and Daniel Murphy were out there.
6. Assume that Wheeler, Harvey, Familia, Nimmo, Flores are currently our Top 5 Prospects in no particular order. Tell me who you think numbers 6-10 are?
Going off the given five, I’ll assume Mejia is ineligible. I got Michael Fulmer, Domingo Tapia (wondering if he ever pitches again this year, they want to limit his innings, but it’s been like a month), Matt den Dekker, Aderlin Rodriguez and…. Jordany Valdespin
7. We keep hearing about 2014 and how that’s when it’s all supposed to come together for the New York Mets. What will our starting rotation look like in 2014?
Santana, Dickey (because he will get a lifetime contract extension!), Niese, Wheeler, and Mejia.
Thanks, Tej… You can check out more from Tej at Mets Prospect Hub.
Note: These questions were asked and answered before some of the recent promotions.
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.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 24 | 18 | .571 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 20 | .535 | 1.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 23 | .465 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 32 | .256 | 13.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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He think Mejia will beat Harvey for a starting rotation spot?
I can’t say he is wrong as I also prefer he be made a starter but he must REALLY like him…
I don’t *think* I said that, but I do believe it. As of right now, I’d rank them Wheeler, Mejia, Harvey, Familia.
Seems like DePodesta and his minions have turned Brandon Nimmo into a walking machine 7 games 10 walks and 5 hits.
I agree with Tejesh on Mejia he should be groomed as a starter. And the Mets should have all 4 pitchers(Harvey,Familia,Mejia,Wheeler) fight it out for a rotation spot next year. Nothing better than tough competition to groom a young pitcher
All nimmo do is walk and I also like mejia as a starter
Speaking of Wheeler he is on the hill tonight for BMets.
I kow this might sound stupid but if we 4 players that can be above average starters to go with santana how about moving R.A. Dickey to the closer spot. I know it sound stupid but it’s not a bad idea.
A knuckleballer as a closer? I’ll give your props for thinking outside the box. I don’t see it happening but still interesting nonetheless.
I like some of the aspects of what you propose. You would think a knuckleballer can get ready quickly and can be reliable to pitch back to back games even at his age. Plus R.A. is one of the best knluckleballers when it comes to throwing strikes.
The biggest thing would be the 4 players that can be above average starters to go with Santana as you said.
Harvey wheeler mejia niese I think they are wasting mejia in the bullpen he’s been dominant starting for buffalo this year and last year.
Mejia doesn’t have the mechanics to stay a starter, unless you are ok with him turning into a Chris Young type. And R.A. Dickey is the best innings-eater we have had since Trachsel, except The Professor (Dickey) is a Cy Young calibur innings eater. He should stay in our rotation until one of this year’s draft picks, Chris Flexen, is major league ready. And if you don’t know that name, look him up. Best pickup of the entire draft.
How does Harvey not figure in a 2014 starting rotation?
I like Mejia better. Think he’s better suited in the rotation.
So Tej, do you think Harvey may be traded for a bat?
I don’t know, Bob. It depends on what the FO thinks of Mejia relating to Harvey, if Wheeler continues to develop as he is (another great outing tonight, 3 innings, of 1 hit shutout ball), if they see Familia as a reliever (as I do), etc…
The other thing is, Harvey’s been pitching better of late, and there IS a reason he was what, the 7th overall pick in 2010? Could he be traded for a similiar prospect at a position of need? Yeah, he could, but it really depends on how the other 3 perform/who gets hurt/who gets moved to the pen.
I certainly wouldn’t make any trades now, if that’s what you’re asking. Not with any of the Big Four.
Right, nor would i. Just thought that IF it played out that way: Santana, Dickey, Niese, Wheeler, Mejia, that HArvey might be ‘surplus’ (what a luxury) and be traded for a needed bat. Or whomever ‘loses’ teh comp in the rotation may be traded.
Then again, who know what Santana will be like in 2014?
Its unfortunate, but Mejia will never last as a starter. You can tell just by watching his mechanics. Here is a little experiment for you: Go watch clips of Mejia’s full wind-up. Look closely and keep it fresh in your mind. The second step is to watch clips of our old friend K-Rod when he was a young fireballer with the Angels. Then, you pick you’re jaw up off the ground after you realize that they are nearly identical. Both my father (METS6FAN) and I see Mejia as a dominant force in the ninth inning. Sorry to burst your bubble buddy, but in 2014, our rotation will look like this and mark my words.
1. Johan Santana (He will be the Opening Day starter out of respect and leadership)
2. Professor Robert Alan Dickey (And he will still be domininant)
3. Jon Niese (This one was tough for me. VERY TOUGH. I have this strong and strange feeling that we will deal Niese and prospects such as Jefry Marte, Cesar Puello, and maybe even Familia for a big power bat, which we need desperately. If this happens, Harvey will take the 3 slot.)
4. Matt Harvey (He should be in the 2013 rotation which gives him experience over who I believe will round out the rotation.)
5. Zach Wheeler (The start of the 2014 season will be the only time we will see our future Ace in the back end of the rotation.)
Just for kicks and giggles, lets say that I am right about the Niese trade. This is what I think the rotation would look like in that situation.
1. Johan Santana
2. R.A. Dickey
3. Matt Harvey
4. Zach Wheeler
5. Rafael Montero (In my opinion, we should be thinking of Famila as trade bait and think of Montero as a posible dominant pitcher…. Who at best would be our #3 starter. Scary stuff!)
I liked MCullers also and especially Hawkins. I dont care how the Mets try to dress this up right now, but in 5 years I bet Hawkins and McCullers are all-stars and Cecchini and Plawecki will be marginal players if they even make it. Oh and wasn’t Stryker Trahan a better catcher than KP?
Sorry Chris, but I think you are EXTREMELY wrong about Cecchini. He plays the game the right way and has a great attitude toward the game. I think Alderson and DePodesta drafted him because they knew he would work harder to become a better player than most in the draft. They did the same thing last year with drafting Nimmo. However, I also detest drafting Plawecki. A right handed Josh Thole with a better arm.
I can’t defend Plawecki. I detest that pick, absolutely LOATHE it. He’s a total non prospect to me.
Me too! Glad you agree.
I’m sorry Tej, but I can’t see Santana still here in 2014. That arm doesn’t make me confident it’ll hold up after this season. It would be best to put him out there this winter and see what we can get. If they don’t sell high, it can haunt them. Mejia before Harvey? Can’t see it, but I can understand your point of view.
Santana’s under contract til 2014, no? Who’s taking that committment on in a trade? 2 years at superhuge money?
No he has a club option for 2014.
Was told via Twitter (shameless plug: @MetsProspectHub) that 2014 is a club option for Santana, which it seems like a total no-brainer to turn down. $5.5m buyout. Still, you could see the Mets shopping for a legit ace to put atop the rotation, even if Wheeler/Mejia both pan out.
Hamels is a FA.
That sound you hear is Mets fans retching at that idea.
SOMEONE, PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY THERRE IS NO CLAMOR TO RECALL MY FELLOW XAVERIAN HS ALUM, PEDRO BEATO?
WITH 22.1 IP IN RELIEF HE COMMANDS A SUB 1(.986547) WHIP WITH JUST SHY OF A K/IP?
HE IS HEADS & SHOULDERS BETTER THAN ALDERSON FOLLY, RAUCH.
FOLLY? CONSIDERING RAUCH WAS BASICLY ASSUMING IZZY”S 2011 ROLE AND CONSIDERING IZZY IS CURRENTLY FAR OUT PERFORMING RAUCH & THEIR RESPECTIVE 2012 PAYCHECKS ARE:
RAUCH: 3,500,000
IZZY: 650,000
IZZY(’12): 27G, 26.0IP, 17H, 5ER, 1HR, 12BB,17K, 1.12WHIP, .170 BAA
RAUCH: 33G, 29IP, 28H, 14ER,3HR, 5BB, 19K, 1.15WHIP, .250 BAA
WHERE IS BEATO???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
How many times have I told you that we need to dump Rauch. Great idea in theory, but I believe the term you used to describe him was a “big softie”. And you know I absolutely LOATHE Bautista. He is def a better poet than pitcher…. and I have never even heard of, let alone read, his poems. You may hate him, but I actually like Ramon Ramirez. However, I would love to see Beato, Hampson, Elvin Ramirez, and your “so-called” closer of the future Jenrry Mejia holding down the late innings.
This is my favorite post that I have read in a long time. Ask my father (METS62FAN) and he will tell you that anything about prospects in the minor leagues is right in my ballpark. But, my real area of expertise and one of my favorite parts of the baseball season is the draft. I follow the draft for months and months; watching video clips, reading scouting reports, in fact a few players taken this year were former teammates of mine (Richie Shaffer, Ty Buttrey, Alex Wood). For at least a week before draft day, I would go on and on talking to my Dad about who I wanted the Mets to draft. I was excited for draft day to come, but on that day, my Dad, Uncle, and I went to a Charlotte Knights game. Luckily my Mom was nice enough to watch the draft and call me with updates while we were at the game. From the time my Dad, Uncle and I got into the car til the time my Mom called me, I was raving about a certain Shortstop and praying the Mets would draft him. Gavin Cecchini is already 6 foot 1. He is already 180 lbs. By the time he runs out onto Citi Field as our Shortstop, we will be around 6 foot 2 (possibly a bit taller, but not likely) and at least 190 if not 195. Now, there is this guy in Colorado who is built pretty much the same exact way as Gavin. OH! That’s right! His name is Troy Tulowitzski. So, I wouldn’t worry about the future of the ol’ 6 position for a while (Unless he is due to be a free agent and we DONT EVEN GIVE HIM A DAMN OFFER!).
Overall, this was a fantastic draft. I believe we got some great talent, and I haven’t been able to say that about a draft in a very, VERY long time. Here is a list of guys that were absolute steals and have the potential to fuel the imminant Mets DYNASTY. Yes. I just said that and believe it 100%.
Round 3: Matt Koch- Louisville’s closer so that is already a somewhat big stage. Good reliever for our future bullpen
Round 4: Branden Kaupe- Hawaiian kid who is not very tall at all and wont hit for power, but makes good contact. I also read somewhere that he runs a 4.1 second 40 yard dash…. Yeah…..
Round 5: Brandon Welch- This guy is a sure steal from all I have read. Throws hard with a 12-6 hook.
Round 8: Tomas Nido- FINALLY! A catcher with a bat! And a bit of power! But I woudn’t get my hopes up.
Round 14: Chris Flexen- This is our best pick of the draft. This 17 year old kid throws hard, could use some for his mechanics, has nasty offspeed, and can hit 94 on the gun. Lead his high school to win it all in his Senior year. In that year he had a 0.44 ERA in 12 starts and a WHIP under 1.00. I hope I am not the only one who sees the upside of this kid!