21
2013
Domingo Tapia and Jacob deGrom Shine In Minor League Tune-Up
An article by 
The Binghamton Mets and Springfield Cardinals played to a scoreless tie today in minor league action. While there may not have been much offense in the game, the pitching was very impressive, as Domingo Tapia and Jacob deGrom combined efforts in the shutout.
Tapia got the start, going four innings and allowed just one hit. MMO had both Tapia and deGrom pegged to start the season at High-A ball with the St. Lucie Mets. However, they were both named to the “Group 2″ starters, who traditionally start the season with the Binghamton Mets (AA).
DeGrom (17) and Tapia (8) were both listed in the most recent top 25 prospect list by MMO, and are two reasons why the Mets are boasting that they have the one of the strongest crop of young right-handed pitchers in baseball. Neither Tapia nor deGrom were listed on the recent list of top right-handed pitching prospects by Baseball America, but if they keep pitching the way they did today, it won’t be long before the men or women that make these lists start taking notice.
With names like Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard, Luis Mateo, Rafael Montero and Michael Fulmer already giving the Mets a reason to be excited about some young and promising right-handed pitchers, deGrom and Tapia are just two more reasons why the Mets are smiling. You will never hear anyone complain about having too much pitching, and the Mets are definitely stocked in that category right now. The biggest problem will be trying to figure out what to do with all these great arms if they all pan out.
The Binghamton Mets have six more games scheduled in spring training before they kick off their regular season action on April 4th, against the Akron Aeros.
About the Author: Mitch Petanick
Mitch is currently an Editor and Minor League Analyst for Mets Merized Online. His baseball experience includes being a former All-Conference collegiate baseball player who had numerous professional tryouts, and he is currently a hitting instructor. He has been involved with the game of baseball for over 30 years now as a player, coach, and consultant. Mitch is also a former Featured Columnist on Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @FirstPitchMitch.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 23 | 18 | .561 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 19 | .548 | 0.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 22 | .476 | 3.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 23 | .410 | 6.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 31 | .262 | 12.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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Hey Mitch– love the minor league updates! Toby isn´t posting much lately, so I feel a bit starved for news (though it is only ST…).
Any news on how Fulmer´s surgery went? Haven´t seen anything anywhere…
Nothing official on Fulmer but no news is good news, right?
DeGrom is expected to be in AA because of his age. Tapia will likely be in St. Lucie as it would be a little strange to have him skip a level.
Nice to see the Mets have a great compliment of arms up and down the organization. Finally the success we’ve seen in Brooklyn, Savannah and St. Lucie should make its way into Binghamton and Las Vegas…
Just from reading this comment, I just had a thought. The fact that guys like Panteliodis & Tapia are getting early promotions to AA instead of going to PSL gotta be credited to their development by Frank Viola. From the way Savannah’s entire pitching staff performed very well last season, clearly there is something Viola is doing that’s advancing them beyond A ball. If that is truly the case, it should come to nobody’s surprise why these young guys are getting these quick jumps.
I have went to watch a few gnat games and it 100% feels like Viola is the coach.
can we please have him to replace Warthen? now? please?
Originally, I’ve called for Viola to be the next Mets pitching coach, but the more I think about it, he’s perfect where he needs to be at this moment in time. With the abundance of young arms coming through from Brooklyn or are still around in Savannah due to a current logjam in PSL, it really could work to our favor and push these guys beyond PSL, preparing themselves for the true challenge in Binghamton.
You may be right but like I said he commanded so much presence and allege players seemed to look to him all game.
Exactly why you should keep him there for the time being. When the right time comes, then maybe consider him as a future pitching coach for the Mets.
Good for the organization but not good for Viola.
You know it sucks when you’re so good at your job, the organization doesn’t want to lose you in that position and drags their feet on a promotion, even though you’re more than deserving.
How so? The Mets could use a lot more young talent developing at a more advanced pace as it is right now, and Viola is doing just that. Like I said, he’s not gonna be there for a prolonged period of time the way things are going.
actually, has he ever expressed an interest? It is possible that he would rather work at the level he is, more of a teacher. And of course, maybe he lives down there?
all speculation, but can’t really say he is being passed over.
just because someone is listed as “AA” doesn’t mean they will actually be there.
Remember that a good portion of the AAA team is still in Mets camp so the AAA camp has AA players and AA camp has A+ players…
Never enough arms.
definitely a change Degroom could make the Mets this year if he is dealing at Bingo.
I’m very bullish on Tapia! The guy appears to be a flat out stud from all I hear. I just hope he’s another in the long list of over hyped Met’s pitching prospects.
I suspect 2015-16 will be our sweet spot, when Harvey, Wheeler, Niese, Fulmer & Syndergaard are in full MLB, mode, supported by a bullpen consisting of Parnell, Familia, Mejia, Burke & co., with guys like Tapia, deGrom, Montero & Mateo banging on the door.
Well, it really won’t go like that, and I do hope that we use some prospects judiciously in acquiring some OF talent.
Nonetheless, its exciting to watch these prospects unfold.
hopefully they do have a few position players to go with all those pitchers. But if they pan our like you are predicting, you won’t need much!
I’ll be down there, (flying in this morning)
Will try to give in as many updates as I can.
Group 2 usually consists of starters that are evaluated as possible additions to a team that is higher than their level.
Tapia will be staying in St. Lucie to start the year though.
This is great news. I’ve got my ticket for the Welcome Back Dinner on the first Tuesday in April and can’t wait for the season to start. Of course, we have to get rid of this ridiculous snow. It would be great if these guys started in Binghamton this season. All the young pitching talent should make following the Met minor league teams even more fun than usual.