Comments on: What Are The Ceilings On Fulmer and Tapia?

By: Trs86

Trs86 — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 22:56:51 +0000

I hope you are right but I didn’t see his best outings when I saw him in person.

By: TJ

TJ — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 22:02:42 +0000

Taskmaster,
Good points. We all get enamored with the potential and possibilities of prospects, but as the field thins very few actually make it. Yes, Fulmer may have a high ceiling, as does Wheeler, and Harvey, and Tapia could be a close, like Familia, but does anyone this these 5 will actually turn into 3 #1 or #2 starters and two quality closers? Possible, but the odds of that are close to hitting powerball.

By: taskmaster4450

taskmaster4450 — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 13:07:18 +0000

Few people actually take the time to look at the draft results from years ago and see how many quality players are actually drafted. I went through the Braves from 1990-1999, a period back far enough where the results are in. In that time period, the Braves drafted 6 quality major league players. During that same time period, Cardinals drafted 7. These are known as two of the best teams for drafting and developing talent. And that is all they produced. Alderson, from 1987-1997 produced 5, a total that doesn include McGwire who was drafted the year before (I used those years because someone asked for them).

It is a major coup if you can get a guy in the draft who ends up with 3000 or 4000 at bats or pitches in 300 games. Anyone who looks through the records knows this is the case.

If Fulmer and just one of the other players he drafted in the last two years eventually make it to the Mets and stick, then Alderson is already ahead of the curve. Couple that with the fact that he acquired Wheeler, if who is as good as advertised, and Alderson is improving this tremendously.

Of course, he still needs to hit on some of his international players, find some diamonds in the rough like the Marlins did with Uggla and the Twins with Johan, and, when some money is available, add in key pieces through free agency.

By: DrDooby

DrDooby — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 05:34:18 +0000

A # 3 Starter actually is a compliment in scouting terms.
Except for Jon Niese, the Mets haven’t produced a “# 3 Starter” in 15 years, though Harvey looks like a good bet to reach or significantly exceed that projection.

Sometimes # 3 starters win 18 games, make the All Star team and pitch at the front of rotations.
Pitchers such as Chad Billingsley, James Shields, Dan Haren, Max Scherzer, Matt Garza or Jordan Zimmerman seem to fall under that profile. Not dominating enough to be considered a #1 like Verlander, Kershaw, Strasburg or Felix Hernandez.
Not consistent enough to be considered a # 2 like Matt Cain, Mat Latos, Johnny Cueto, Madison Bumgarner or Yovany Gallardo.

Of course, Fulmer could well exceed that current projection if he improves his changeup into an above average pitch or his K totals suddenly jump and maybe the fastball ticks up a notch or he refines the slider & curve into a plus pitch.

Fulmer basically is similar to Matt Harvey who seems capable of exceeding the #3 starter projection as well.

Of course, considering the general mood on this site, Fulmer’s upside can barely be middle reliever, considering he was drafted by the supposedly inept Alderson front office…

By: DrDooby

DrDooby — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 05:33:18 +0000

Fulmer basically is similar to Matt Harvey who seems capable of exceeding the #3 starter projection as well.

Of course, considering the general mood on this site, Fulmer’s upside can barely be middle re

By: taskmaster4450

taskmaster4450 — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 01:16:21 +0000

Fulmer might be a gem of that draft. Everything I read about him excites me. I hope to see him some at St Lucie this year.

By: srt

srt — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:37:27 +0000

I like your assessment better.

By: Hitman

Hitman — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:30:47 +0000

Here’s a brief analysis:

-Domingo Tapia has all the tools and the makings to be a big time CLOSER. Mark my words. You can talk about Edgin or Familia, but Tapia is the one.

-Fulmer? I really like this kid and I’ll go as far to say he’ll be a cornerstone among the starting pitching we possess. A future #3? No. I see a much higher ceiling than that.

By: Joe D

Joe D — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:13:54 +0000

I totally disagree with Newman’s assessment of Fulmer He’s only 19 otherwise he would have gotten promoted to St. Lucie and probably dominated there as well. He is cut out of the same fabric as Harvey and is so polished for his age. I see him as strong #2 with a 4-5 17+ win seasons in him,

By: stick

stick — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:02:06 +0000

he is one of those recurring hammy guys.

By: taskmaster4450

taskmaster4450 — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 23:02:10 +0000

Ceciliani is one who seems to be struck by the injury bug. I believe he missed most of this season with a leg issue (hamstring?).

We shall see what he develops into.

By: this is stupid

this is stupid — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 22:01:36 +0000

I’m a huge fan of Tapia. I saw him once and he sat 96-98 without even overthrowing. Hell, he’s about 6’4 180 right now; if he fills out and gains 20-30 pounds of muscle he might throw even harder than that.

By: Vinny B

Vinny B — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 21:48:55 +0000

They are both very nice prospects. Fulmer has very good stuff and had a very impressive season this year. I believe he was top 5 in the league in ERA, and he’s only 19 years old.

Tapia has a great arm, and I agree if he doesn’t work out as a starter, he could be a very good reliever.

But with that being said, I’d have no porblem with making them available if the Mets could use them to upgrade catcher and CF – I’d hate to trade them, but if they are what other teams want back, then the Mets should make them available.