Sep
24
2012

Mets Minors: Steven Matz Update, Instructional League Roster Set, Las Vegas 51′s Make It Official

An article by Craig Lerner

Toby Hyde of Mets Minor League Blog had this update on Mets pitching prospect Steven Matz who ended the season with shoulder soreness:

Matz is not on the official instructs roster. However, he is in St. Lucie and on a throwing program. The lefty was shut down at the end of July with discomfort in his shoulder area, but the Mets’ doctors did not believe his injury was “severe.” Matz lit up Appalachian League radar guns with mid-high 90s gas, touching 98 on his way to a 1.55 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 29 innings.

The Las Vegas 51′s have officially revamped their official site to reflect their new affiliation with the New York Mets. There were some rumors that a name change might be in the offing, but that’s not happening.

It looks like most of the short-season minor leaguers are heading to Port St. Lucie. Here is the official Mets Instructional League Roster:

I’m actually glad to see Wilmer Flores is getting some much needed rest. However, I wonder if he’ll be playing any Winter League Ball again this offseason.

About the Author: Craig Lerner

I'm a data analyst and researcher for a leading news agency who loves life and is hooked on the Mets. I love following the Amateur Draft and have a particular fondness for the Mets Minor Leagues who I follow each day. Give me a cold beer, a summer day, and a Mets game, and I'm good to go.

9 Comments + Add Comment

JetsMets13 September 24, 2012 at 1:57 pm

Hey Craig, two questions if you dont mind.

Is there any chance that some of the Brooklyn pitchers will skip Savannah and go to St. Lucie? Seems like there is going to be quite a log jam at Savannah the way it’s looking now.

Also, I saw Wilmer Flores being compared to a young Miguel Cabrera this morning on another Mets site. What are your thoughts on that?

Thanks and I appreciate your minor league coverage.
Petey Pete September 24, 2012 at 2:07 pm

If I may throw my two cents in…. no, none of the Brooklyn pitchers will skip Savannah and open in Lucie, Lucie’s rotation will be packed as it is.

Also, Flores has drawn comparisons to Cabrera for at least a few years now. Cabrera is bigger, but otherwise if you go by what they were at the same age, the similarities as players are definitely there.
- JetsMets13 September 24, 2012 at 2:27 pm
  
  Thanks for the response. I read on Mets360 and a on twitter exchange with Toby Hyde that Mateo will most likely skip Savannah because of a numbers crunch and because it’s a “more age appropriate level” for him. I wouldn’t mind it if they really believe he’s capable of handling it, but at the same time I dont want to see someone who looked this good rushed. With regards to Flores, you would think someone with that kind of a comparison would be ranked much higher that 76 on Baseball America. That’s why I asked.
- Superhero September 24, 2012 at 4:59 pm
  
  Who do we know is going to be in the St. Lucie rotation? As far as I’m concerned, the only sure things are Fulmer, Tapia, and Panteliodis. Pill should be a lock to start in Binghamton; he made fewer starts in Savannah than he did in St. Lucie, and he pitched better in St. Lucie as well. I think Montero will likely start in Double A as well, considering how much he dominated A+ ball (and that would also be supported by the fact that he isn’t in the Instructional League, since Hyde says that most players who are going to be at St. Lucie or below will be there). deGrom and Verrett are questionable, but considering their age and how well they pitched in St. Lucie, it wouldn’t shock me if they made the jump as well despite not getting a ton of time in A+ ball. So I definitely think there will be room for one or two of the Brooklyn guys in that rotation. I think Mateo will definitely skip a level, and probably Robles as well.
  - Stick September 24, 2012 at 5:56 pm
    
    well, just looking at the roster crunch, and from what Sandy has said, the odds are a couple of these guys could go in trades in the off season. One way of eliminating the problem! And of course, bringing in some much needed talent at other positions.
kevin September 24, 2012 at 2:50 pm

Much like Reese Havens I’m getting really tired of hearing about this guy Matz, he’s always hurt.
Tim B. September 24, 2012 at 2:55 pm

51′s (or more than likely MiLB) changed the top of the page to reflect the new affiliation with the Mets – hopefully they’ll change the banner across the top of the page too (since that’s still emblanzoned with the Toronto Blue Jays logo).

Craig with the name change potential being debunked, any idea if the 51′s will add a little orange to their unis this season to come a little closer to their parent club?
Met Fan Lou September 24, 2012 at 4:52 pm

Here is the problem with the Las Vegas 51s. With the Mets’ budget if they have a callup from Vegas, instead of putting the guy on Southwest, they’ll give him a 40 dollar ticket for the Mega Bus. Hopefully it will be the express and won’t stop in Phoenix, Tucson, El Paso, Amarillo, etc., etc. etc. I’ve been everywhere man, I’ve been everywhere man! “Hey Joe where iks that kid Brown, we put him on the bus last Thursday?” “Oh yeah, the last we heard he was still in Myrtle Beach waiting on a transfer.”"Well it’s too late now, when he gets here give him a return ticket back to Vegas and an extra 15 bucks for food money.”
PA Met fan September 24, 2012 at 5:51 pm

My problem with Vegas is that it’s way too hot there to develop pitching. You can’t have a guy like wheeler, if he can’t make the big club out of camp pitch in 105 degree heat every fifth day. Buffalo was hot but not oppressive and that is why it was perfect for the Mets.

Whats the deal with resse havens anyway? is he gonna hit the big leagues before his 27th birthday?

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

MMO Mets Chat

Need Tickets To The Mets Game?

Check Out These Great MLB Links!

For wholesale prices on New York Mets gifts and equipment, check these stores out!
Mets Autograph Signings
Mets Fan Apparel
Mets Autographed Baseballs
Baseball Card Supplies
Baseball Equipment

For the best seats and lowest MLB ticket prices, go to PurchaseSeats.com. Get your Mets Tickets now and follow them on the road with Yankees Tickets, Phillies Tickets, Nationals Tickets and Braves Tickets!