A lot of recent talk about pitching in the Mets minor leagues has kind of forgotten about Blade Tidwell, but the right-hander put his name back in the conversation with a strong season debut on Wednesday for Double-A Binghamton.
Double-A
Erie SeaWolves (3-1) 2, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (1-3) 0
- SS Jett Williams 0-for-4, .498 OPS
- LF Rhylan Thomas 1-for-3, BB, 2B, .634 OPS
- CF Alex Ramírez 1-for-4, 3B, 1.271 OPS
- C Kevin Parada 1-for-3, BB, .990 OPS
- RF Brandon McIlwain 2-for-4, .432 OPS
Williams is off to a slow start to the season, with only three hits in 17 at-bats. Ramírez already has three extra-base hits on the season.
Blade Tidwell, Photo by Bronson Harris of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- RHP Blade Tidwell 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
- RHP Paul Gervase 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Tidwell was cruising into the sixth inning when two singles, a passed ball and a wild pitch hurt him for the only run (unearned) he allowed.
Right-hander Tyler Stuart will make his season debut for Binghamton on Wednesday.
High-A
Brooklyn Cyclones (1-3) 3, Asheville Tourists (2-2) 0
- 1B Ryan Clifford 1-for-5, HR (1), 3 K, .535 OPS
- SS William Lugo 0-for-1, 3 BB, .920 OPS
- 3B Junior Tilien 2-for-3, RBI, .481 OPS
Clifford has struggled to start the 2024 season, but launched his first home of the year in the Cyclones’ first win of the season. The 22-year-old Lugo has walked seven times in four games.
- RHP Brandon Sproat 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 5 K
- RHP Jordany Ventura 3.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, Win
- RHP Justin Lawson 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, Save
Sproat was making his first pro start (his second appearance, counting the Spring Breakout game), and his upper-90s arm struggled with throwing strikes. A double and two walks loaded the bases in the third inning, though Sproat recovered by striking out the next two batters and then Ventura got a strikeout to end the threat.
Lawson, a 15th round pick last year, was making his pro debut.
Two-way player Nolan McLean gets the start on the mound for Brooklyn on Wednesday.
Low-A
Jupiter Hammerheads (2-2) 9, St. Lucie Mets (1-3) 5
- SS Colin Houck 1-for-3, 2 BB, 2 RBI, .691 OPS
- 3B Jesus Baez 2-for-5, RBI, SB, .555 OPS
- C Ronald Hernandez 0-for-1, 3 BB, RBI, .984
- 1B Yohairo Cuevas 2-for-5, R, SB, .321 OPS
- 2B Diego Mosquera 1-for-3, 2 BB, R, .826 OPS
Baez had two balls in the game that he hit over 100 mph.
- LHP Zach Thornton 4 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 2 K,
- RHP Jimmy Loper 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
- RHP Juan Arnaud 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Thornton struggled in his pro debut after being selected in the fifth round last year. The 20-year-old Arnaud got three whiffs against his fastball that averaged 95 mph and over 2500 rpms of spin.
