Good Morning, Mets fans. The New York Mets will begin their second half of the season tonight against the Wild Card leading Colorado Rockies. Jacob deGrom has the ball for the Mets and is set to face Jon Gray. The game is set to start at 7:10 PM on SNY.

Latest Mets News

Trade dominoes fell yesterday. Jose Quintana was traded to the Chicago Cubs for a package of prospects headlined by outfielder Eloy Jimenez. As teams search for controllable aces, it should be worth remembering the Astros have said to be interested in Jacob deGrom.

Kristie Ackert of the Daily News reported that the Mets expect Neil Walker back next week. This lines up with reports that say he is in Florida ramping up his rehab.

Keith Law of ESPN, ranked his mid-season prospects and had Amed Rosario at No. 1, where he had him prior to the season.

Latest NL East News

Mark Zuckerman of MASN goes over the latest storylines for the Nationals in the second half.

David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution talks about Julio Teheran‘s market.

Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald has the latest on Miami’s sale. It appears that Jorge Mas is the top candidate.

Matt Gelb of Philly.com writes about exciting young pitcher, Sixto Sanchez.

Latest on MMO

Joe D. has your MMO First Half Awards. 

Jared Berson writes about how the Mets went from World Series to unwatchable in 20 months.

This Day in Mets History

2001: Bobby Valentine records his 1,000th managerial win.

Birthdays: Jack Leathersich turns 27, Robin Ventura turns 50

The post Morning Briefing: Back to Business appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Congratulations to Logan Verrett, whose first major league start on Sunday was nothing short of fantastic. In a spot start for Matt Harvey, whom Verrertt is clearly better than, he went eight innings and gave up just one run on four hits and one walk, and logged eight strikeouts. You can read the full game recap here. I’ve always been a Verrett fan and was given permission and access to interview him two years ago when he was a member of the AA Binghamton Mets. We talked about his early baseball career and I was able to speak to some teammates and coaches about what makes Verrett so special. I wish him nothing but the best, not only because he’s a New York Met, but because he’s the kind of guy you want to root for. For a re-introduction to the Mets newest pitching weapon, below is the article I posted here on May 22, 2013.

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You hear it all the time: it isn’t about velocity, it’s about location. And no one exemplifies that old adage more than Logan Verrett. The 22-year-old Texas native was taken in the third round of the 2011 draft and has been impressive at all three minor league stops.

Verrett dominated A ball in 2012 in both Savannah and St. Lucie, combining to make 17 starts and finishing with an ERA of 2.70, a WHIP of 0.968, and a strikeout-to-walk rate of 7.15 over 103.1 innings pitched. Beginning the 2013 at AA Binghamton, Verrett has seen a slight regression in his numbers, but a slight regression from dominating is still excellent. After nine starts in the Eastern League, Verrett’s logged 60.1 innings pitched, his ERA sits at a 3.28 ERA and his WHIP is 1.044, good for fifth in the league, and his K/BB is 3.21.

And he’s doing it all with a 91 mph fastball.

“I know I’m not going to blow guys away,” Verrett acknowledges, “so I put a lot of effort into locating all my pitches and being able to throw all of them in any count. I like to keep them off balance and hitting spots helps me do that, especially with all four pitches.

Verrett’s repertoire consists of his fastball, both two-seam and four-seam, a slider, curve ball and change up His fastball has heavy sink on it and the slider is the out pitch. He has great command of all four pitches and can throw each for a strike at any time.

“You don’t have to throw 100 mph to get hitters out,” explains manager Pedro Lopez. “Guys who throw harder than he does get hit harder, because of his location. His fastball command to this point has been good. He’s also been able to throw his secondary pitches at any time in the count down in the strike zone.”

“He’s very aggressive and makes pitches when he needs to,” adds pitching coach Glenn Abbott. “He’s very competitive and likes the challenge.”

Lopez agrees. “He’s aggressive with all his pitches. He’s not afraid of contact and as a starting pitcher, when you do that, you find yourself pitching deep into ballgames. He’s been able to pitch deep into games just because he goes after hitters. That’s what he does best. He goes after hitters and he puts it in play early.”

Verrett’s 60.1 innings leads the Eastern League, as does his 6.7 IP per start (minimum six starts).

“Efficient” is how Coach Abbot describes Verrett. “You know what you’re going to get with him. When he pitched against the Yankees [AA affiliate Trenton Thunder], he got through 8.2 innings in his 100 pitches.”

Teammate Jack Leathersich sees the same thing, and from a pitcher’s perspective, adds that Verrett’s deceptiveness also plays a part in his success. “He’s not a 95 [mph] guy, but his fastball jumps out of his hand. I feel like as a hitter, it would look harder than what it actually comes in at. His slider is very, very sharp and looks exactly like his fastball coming out of his hand. That’s kind of his bread and butter.

“He’s really polished,” continues Leathersich, “and that’s how he was in college in the Cape league when I saw him there. He’s pitching really well and giving us a chance to win every time he goes out there.”

Catcher Blake Forsythe really enjoys catching Verrett. “He makes my job a lot easier than it is. He stays in the zone and is able to throw four different pitches for strikes. He’s got a lot of late movement, which forces contact, but not a lot of good contact. His slider is such a late breaking pitch, you have to try and go the other way with it. Hitters have to adjust to so many different things.”

When asked whether or not he expected to start this strong, Verrett offered a humble, if not sheepish, half-smile and shrug. “You always expect things to go well, until they don’t. But I prepared very intensely this off season I got to spring training a few weeks early. I was really able to get good one-on-one time with some pitching coaches. I was able to get an early jump on throwing. I think I took a really good approach during the off season and brought it with me to Spring Training and carried that into the season. That really helped with my confidence on the mound.

Verrett credits a high school pitching coach for helping plant the seeds that would eventually become a blossoming professional career. “He was only 10-15 years older than me and just recently got out of the game, so he was really young. It’s my senior year in high school and I have this new age approach to pitching that I’m being taught. He was always giving me tips and tidbits in my sides and bullpens, and that’s in high school. Just to be able to have a pitching coach in high school was amazing, especially one that had just left the game maybe three years before. He knew what it takes and what’s expected at the professional level and that’s the kind of approach he brought to our high school team. That carried over to my Baylor career and I felt like I was real mature for a freshman.

He finished his Baylor career seventh in strikeouts, and third among those who only pitched three years. He ranks second and third in conference-play K/BB and ERA, respectively.

Verrett knows there’s more work to be done. “What makes me successful is my ability to put the ball where I want it with all four pitches. I need to get better at doing that every single time. Not having the three or four mistake pitches that I leave up in a start. Like last night, for instance, I had four or five pitches that I could look back and say, “Yeah, I left that ball up.” If I’m going to be successful in the big leagues, it’s eliminating those mistake pitches and I think I’m on the right path.”

The post Logan Verrett’s Road to the Show appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, lefthanded reliever Jack Leathersich may have to undergo Tommy John surgery. He will be evaluated by team doctors who will make a final determination.

Leathersich, 25,  has not appeared in a game since June 29 when he threw 57 pitches during a relief outing with Triple-A Las Vegas a day after he was demoted from the big league team.

In 17 appearances this season for the Mets, Leathersich had a 2.31 ERA and 1.629 WHIP in 11.2 innings pitched with 14 strikeouts and seven walks.

The post Jack Leathersich May Need Elbow Surgery appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

New York Mets reliever Buddy Carlyle (5.63 ERA) may be headed to the disabled list according to Manager Terry Collins.

Carlyle was pulled from Monday’s game against the Chicago Cubs after his lower back tightened and he experienced spasms.

“He needed help to get down the steps when his back tightened up and his hamstring tightened up on him,” Collins said. (Adam Rubin, ESPN New York)

“As we’re seeing with someone else on this team, those are two injuries that go hand in hand. We’ll probably be very careful. We’ll have to check him again tomorrow, see what trainer Ray [Ramirez] thinks and make a determination where he is.”

Collins mentioned Triple-A relievers Chasen Bradford, Zack Thornton and Jack Leathersich as potential call-up candidates if Carlyle lands on the DL.

The post Carlyle Could Be Heading To DL appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Josh Edgin will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York,  the team announced. Edgin chose surgery over rest and rehab and will miss all of the 2015 season.

“It was the best decision for my future and my family. The Mets stood behind me 100 percent,” Edgin said in a statement.

“I’m disappointed, because we have a heck of a team. My mindset is to be ready to go on Opening Day, 2016.”

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson expects Edgin to return on a schedule similar to Bobby Parnell.

The Mets have Scott Rice, Dario Alvarez, Sean Gilmartin and Jack Leathersich all vying for the lefthanded relief job for now but they are monitoring the market.

Combined, Gilmartin, Alvarez, Leathersich, Rice have allowed 18 runs on 14 hits and 14 walks in 12.0 innings pitched this Spring.

“We’ll continue to look at all options,” Alderson said. “We know what we have internally at this point. We’ll hope that those options improve over the next couple of weeks, become more attractive and continue to look externally as well.”

March 13

Mets GM Sandy Alderson briefed reporters this morning and said reliever Josh Edgin has a stretched out ligament in his left elbow which may eventually require season ending surgery.

Edgin can choose to undergo surgery or rest and rehab.

If he chooses surgery, it would put him out for the year. If he chooses rehab, general manager Sandy Alderson says it would be a 2-3 week process.

“It’s disappointing, yes,” Edgin said. “Really disappointing. We’re going to have a great year this year, whether it’s with me or without me.”

The Mets will have to rely on Sean Gilmartin,Jack Leathersich, Scott Rice and Dario Alvarez for now, none of whom have distinguished themselves yet this Spring.

March 11

A source with knowledge of the situation told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York that reliever Josh Edgin may escape his current elbow issue with “rest and rehab.”

“A second source added that surgery — either Tommy John, or something more benign like the removal of the bone spur that Edgin was diagnosed as having last August — did not seem necessary.”

Officially, the team remains tight-lipped Wednesday evening, Rubin says, with one official saying the organization would have no comment until Thursday morning.

Earlier today the Mets confirmed that Edgin was headed to New York to meet with Dr. David Altchek and team doctors at Hospital for Special Surgery.

March 10

Adam Rubin of ESPN New York is now reporting that reliever Josh Edgin is getting  an MRI today after telling the team he had discomfort in his left arm.

“It’s elbow. It’s everything. Arm. It’s discomfort,” Edgin said.

Edgin’s fastball velocity has declined and he gave up consecutive-run scoring triples to lefty batters in Monday’s Grapefruit League game against the Marlins reaching only 88 to 91 mph with his fastball.

Pitching coach Dan Warthen told Rubin that last year’s issue is different from the current one. A year ago, “we felt like he was out of shape,” Warthen said.

Warthen said the Mets will back Edgin off pitching in games for an undetermined period. Edgin said the entire forearm is uncomfortable.

The Mets have no proven safety net if Edgin were to miss any significant time.

They  opted to bring in a couple of low-cost lefty-relief options and passed on an established complement for Edgin.

March 9

According to a report by Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, Terry Collins is worried about LHP Josh Edgin, whose velocity sat between 88-91 MPH during his outing on Monday when he allowed back to back hard hit triples to left-handed batters in his 1/3 inning of work.

“What you look for right now is not necessarily anything more than making sure his velocity gets up, Collins said. “That would be right now a concern — the fact that his velocity is not there yet.”

“That’s going to be something we’ve got to certainly work on long-toss-wise, arm-speed-wise, because that sets the tone for everything.”

“When Josh Edgin is pitching good, he’s throwing 93 mph. And that’s enough to throw it by somebody. And now his slider becomes more effective. If the hitter doesn’t worry about you getting your fastball by him, they settle on his offspeed stuff.”

The Mets have been banking on Edgin to be their primary lefty in the bullpen this year. In fact, confidence in him has been so high, that on three occasions Sandy Alderson said he may go with Edgin as the lone lefty in the bullpen if someone else doesn’t emerge in Spring Training.

And so far, nobody seems to be stepping up.

Jack Leathersich has a 33.75 ERA and 5.25 WHIP after two appearances with 5 walks in 1.1 innings. I love Leathersich… If he could just throw more strikes he could become another Billy Wagner. But I digress…

The Mets selected Sean Gilmartin in the Rule 5 draft believing he could be that second lefty. The knock on him is that he doesn’t really have outstanding stuff. On Monday he allowed a walk and 2 hits in an inning of work, unfortunately one of those hits was was a three run homer off Avery Romero. (Did you just scratch your head and say, who?)

Scott Rice could put himself into the conversation and has two scoreless innings this Spring. But coming off major reconstruction surgery on his elbow, and a 5.93 ERA in 2014 he’s a significant risk. And that was before he admitted yesterday, that sensation in his pinky and ring finger only returned late November, but that he is still waiting for it to come back on his elbow. Really?

So here’s the real kicker. After Mondays 13-2 loss Fred Wilpon met with Terry Collins and among other things, he expressed concern with our lefthanded relievers. Of course, he could have done something about it as over a dozen lefty relievers in free agency signed MLB deals with other teams one by one. Gee thanks Fred, for being such a sport.

Getting back to Edgin, he’s had these velocity issues before and what we know is when he’s throwing 94-95 he’s an incredible reliever. However when he’s throwing 89-91 he’s as dangerous (in a bad way) as a Bouncing Betty. One false move and… Well, you know.

Let’s just hope things straighten out and he gets that velocity where it needs to be. It’s only March 10, plenty of time for the situation to improve.

The post Josh Edgin Will Have Tommy John Surgery appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

No. 20 Jack Leathersich, LHP

Age: 24
Height: 5’11
Weight: 200
Bats/Throws: Right/Left
Last year: #21

Synopsis: Jack Leathersich has posted huge strikeout numbers at every level proven by his career 15.2 K/9, unfortunately he also walks more than his share as well. He has walked nearly a hitter per inning at Las Vegas while only 4.9 BB/9 in the lower levels. Throws his fastball in the low-mid 90’s but his deception and crossfire delivery are the key for his big strikeout numbers. He complements his fastball with a pretty good slider that sits around 79-82 with good movement but can’t always spot. Has only allowed 9 homeruns in 197 career innings with 4 of those coming in his time in AAA. May not be suited for a strictly loogy role as left handed hitters have hit him better the last 3 years with OPS against him of .733, .883, .707 respectively. While righties have had an OPS under .600 over that same span. The stuff is there to be a Major League reliever he just needs to cut the walks down and not be afraid of more contact.

ETA: 2015, will definitely get look in September if not called up before then.

Best Case: Learns to throw more strikes and carves out a permanent bullpen role like Mike Dunn has with Marlins.

No. 19 Casey Meisner, RHP

Age: 19
Height: 6’7
Weight: 190
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Last Year: Unranked

Synopsis: Casey Meisner was drafted by the Mets in the 3rd round in 2013 out of high school in Texas. Struggled to repeat his delivery early in the season which contributed to his 8.82 ERA in July. His season turned around in Augusta however and only allowed 6 earned runs over his last 6 starts. Over that span he pitched 35.2 innings allowing only 6 walks and striking out 38 batters. He finished the season strong winning his last 5 decisions. His fastball sits in the 92-93 range while occasionally hitting 95, not bad for a 19 year old kid. With his large and still developing frame it wouldn’t be shocking to see him add a couple MPH over the next year or two. Has already shown good control, only walking 18 batters in 67 innings last year. He also throws a changeup and curve with the latter being the better of the two offerings. Needs to work on the arm motion on the changeup because he tends to telegraph that the pitch is coming.

ETA: 2018, could be a big part of the next Mets wave of elite pitching prospects.

Best Case: Continues to develop off-speed offerings and turns into a middle of rotation starter ala Aaron Harang.

No. 18 Wuilmer Becerra, RF

Age: 20
Height: 6’4
Weight: 190
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Last Year: Unranked

Synopsis: Wuilmer Becerra came to the Mets in the R.A. Dickey trade basically as a lottery ticket and so far so good. Becerra was only 11 games into his Minor League career when he was hit by a pitch in the face in 2012. It was a scary scene that resulted in a broken and wired shut jaw and not playing again that year. He successfully rehabbed in 2013 but struggled with a .243/.351/.295 line in his first year with the Mets. However, 2014 was a complete turnover for him and he slugged his way to a .300/.351/.469 line in Kingsport. Becerra has a strong throwing arm (7 assists in only 58 games)and moves well in the OF, seems like a natural fit for RF. Becerra is still raw but the power potential is tantalizing and hopefully we will see it in Brooklyn at some point this year.

ETA: 2019

Best Case: Everyday right fielder with 20-25 homerun potential in Jayson Werth mold (minus the prison time).

No. 17 Cory Mazzoni, RHP

Age: 25
Height: 6’1
Weight: 200
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Last Year: #23

Synopsis: Cory Mazzoni is a former 2nd round pick that has missed big chunks of the last two seasons with injury. He made 14 starts across 4 levels last year finishing with a 7-2 record and a 4.68 ERA. The inflated ERA doesn’t tell the whole story though, he had a 4.18 FIP and 4.08 SO/W at Las Vegas. Cory looked to get more comfortable as the year progressed winning his last 4 decisions and producing a 41/2 K/BB over his last 41.2 innings. His fastball and slider are very good but some scouts question whether his splitter is a good enough 3rd pitch to stick as a starter. He hasn’t pitched in relief(besides Spring Training) since 2011 but the Mets obviously are pretty stacked when it comes to starters.

ETA: 2015, expect to see him make a spot start or relief appearance pretty early in the season.

Best Case: Middle of the rotation guy along the lines of Dan Haren.

No. 16 Matt Reynolds, SS

Age: 24
Height: 6’1
Weight: 198
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Last Year: Unranked

Synopsis: Former 2nd round pick Matt Reynolds had himself a breakout year that saw him go from a bust to a legitimate Major League prospect. Hitting .343/.405/.454 over two levels is the big reason why Reynolds has shot up the prospect lists. He credited his new found success to Rick Strickland a hitting coach and part time Mets scout who helped retool his swing allowing him to hit to all fields. Reynolds is a fantastic athlete and has impressed Mets officials with the shape he came to Spring Training in. He has a strong enough arm for SS and adequate range there as well. He’s not going to win any gold gloves at SS but could very well be average and according to one scout he is already a better fielder and hitter than Ruben Tejada. He also has experience playing 2B in the minors as well as 3B in college.

ETA: 2015, will be first middle infield call-up when someone gets hurt/struggles.

Best Case: Offensive minded everyday SS much like Michael Young.

(Photos: Becerra by Michael Baron, Meisner by Chris McShane, Others by USATSI)

The post 2015 MMO Top 25 Prospects: Numbers 20-16 appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Only one pitcher, Scott Rice, has any major league experience to speak off.  A feel good story, after 14 years of trying in the minor leagues, Rice finally got his shot at the big leagues in 2013 and made good of the opportunity.  Rice was a favorite option out of the pen for Terry Collins appearing in 73 games that year with a 3.71 ERA.

The magic was gone in 2014.  Rice made the cut out of camp in the spring but his ERA exploded rising to 5.93 in 32 appearances with an inflated 1.98 WHIP before the Mets demoted him to Triple-A.  No major league team took a flyer on Rice after the Mets removed the lefty reliever from the 40-man roster allowing the Mets to re-sign him to a minor league contract putting him in contention for a coveted bullpen spot this spring.

Darin Gorski is a long shot at best to make the Mets roster out of spring training.  Gorski  has dazzled in recent years as a starter in Binghamton but that success has not translated into success at Triple-A.  It seems unlikely Florida baseball will provide Gorski the kind of audition he would need to impress Met brass that he’s the guy who can make a difference in the Met pen.

Perhaps the most intriguing guy of the bunch, Sean Gilmartin was picked up by the Mets from Minnesota in this winter’s Rule 5 draft.  That means to keep Gilmartin, the Mets need to keep the left-hander in Citi Field during the entire 2015 season.  That in itself could give Gilmartin, a former number 1 draft pick of the Braves and a pitcher who profiles somewhat like Gorski, a slight edge.  Gilmartin might fill multiple roles as a spot starter when needed, a long reliever, and someone to face just one batter to end a late inning threat.

An other-worldly 2014 minor league campaign places Dario Alvarez in the mix.  Nothing in Alvarez’s minor league professional career would have predicted the success he attained last spring and summer.  In fact after three less than stellar years pitching in the minors for the Phillies, Alvarez dropped out of affiliated baseball for three years.

The Mets signed Alvarez in 2013 and he made 12 starts for Brooklyn in the NY/Penn League.  Alvarez opened some eyes this spring pitching in Savannah throwing 61.1 innings as both a starter and reliever compiling a 7-1 record with a 1.32 ERA.  Even more impressive was Alvarez’s 95 strikeouts against just 14 base-on-balls.  Those numbers saw Alvarez elevated first to St. Lucie and then to Binghamton where combined he pitched 12 innings without allowing a run, striking out 19 and walking just 3.  Next, in a dizzying summer, Alvarez arrived at Citi Field.  In a minuscule edition, Alvarez pitched only 1.1 innings, but it didn’t go well as he allowed two runs.  Where Alvarez stands on the depth chart is anybody’s guess.

Finally, enter Jack Leathersich either the wild card or the joker of the lefty relief deck.  Leathersich intrigues Met fans with his lively left arm, his deceptive delivery and his off the charts strikeout per nine inning ratio.  Over four years in the Met system as a professional pitcher, Leathersich has amassed a 15.2 SO9 average.  Those numbers have only once dipped below 15.0, that during a short stay in Las Vegas in 2013 when Leathersich struck out 14.6 batters every 9 innings.

But, Leathersich has battled to command the strike zone with a WHIP that swings up and down like a yo-yo.  Like Gorski, his best performances have taken place in Binghamton with Las Vegas proving to be a major obstacle.  An inability to command the strike zone minimizes the effectiveness of Leathersich’s fastball necessitating the need for improved secondary pitches  Leathersich is acutely aware of his need to get ahead of batters and cut down on his walk totals to make a run at the major league roster.

So, who will it be?  From my point of view, I’m hoping the Mets don’t fall back into the old Terry Collins ‘we have to go with someone who has been there before’ mode.  That simply hands Rice the job.  My gut tells me Rice has had his gig, and we need to move in another direction.

Of the remaining four candidates, Gilmartin is probably the favorite.  It might be prudent to give the former number one pick an extended look just to evaluate his long-term potential to the franchise.  I can’t argue that a nod towards the newcomer makes perfect business sense.

But, with the Mets on the cusp of potential upward movement that might place them into postseason contention, Jack Leathersich is the kind of loose cannon history has shown can turn a baseball team’s fortune’s around, that shot n the dark that every so often turns into a winning ticket.

Why not?  Leathersich’s strikeout potential is undeniable, a huge asset for a one-batter option entering a game in the late innings out of the bullpen.  Power pitching out of the pen is redefining baseball.  Leathersich can be electric on the hill providing the Mets with one more bullet in their power armed relief ammo.  Here’s hoping the Mets give Leathersich more than three or four innings in Florida to prove his worth.

May the best man win.  Who do you choose?

The post Assessing Mets Second Lefty Reliever Candidates appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

While former chief analyst Jason Parks now scouts future Cubs prospects for Theo Epstein & Co., Baseball Prospectus with their new minor league staff recently kicked off their off-season prospect coverage and is deep into the NL East. Today it was time for the Mets system with in-depth reports on what BP views as the “Top 10” in the system. As an add-on,  3 more prospects considered as “on the rise” but further away are mentioned just like 3 more “factors on the farm” that will likely have some sort of major league impact in 2015 but are ranked outside the Top 10. While BP does note that the Mets are seemingly being managed as a “small market” team in the large Metropolitan market of New York, they see a lot of promise & depth in the system plus among young major leaguers which are documented by a “Top 10 ages 25 and under” list near the end of the article.

“It’s a strong collection of both minor-league talent and young major leaguers that gives the Mets strong depth. The Mets may not have the best collection of prospects and young players in baseball, but you can make an argument for them having the most balanced farm system in the game.”

The Top Ten

1. Noah Syndergaard, RHP
2. Steven Matz, LHP
3. Brandon Nimmo, OF
4. Amed Rosario, SS
5. Kevin Plawecki, C
6. Dilson Herrera, 2B
7. Marcos Molina, RHP
8. Dominic Smith, 1B
9. Michael Conforto, OF
10. Jhoan Urena, 3B

In their extensive reports – only available to BP premium subscribers – on these 10, the BP staff notes strengths & weaknesses of the prospects, the current “upside” and a more conservative “realistic” outcome plus assesses the “risk factor” of reaching the ceilings while also grading out tools.   Syndergaard headlines the group as arguably the Top SP prospect in the upper minors heading into 2015 with raw stuff that matches that of Matt Harvey & Zack Wheeler and only some fine-tuning needed to reach his ceiling as a true frontline SP. Even in the more conservative “real case” scenario, he should become a quality # 2/3 SP in time which is quite a bullish outlook. As a positive,  the following 9 prospects all project as  1^st division regulars in terms of “upside” – with only Kevin Plawecki receiving a “high 5 solid average regular” upside but with a low risk profile. That already sets the Mets´ system apart from other systems that have been written on thus far.

It´s also apparent that BP is very much on board with the “upside” of lower level minor leaguers Amed Rosario, Marcos Molina, Dominic Smith, Michael Conforto and Jhoan Urena who are quite a bit away but do have several tools & factors working for them.

As for prospects on “the rise”, BP notes:

RHP Casey Meisner

OF Champ Stuart

RHP Gabriel Ynoa

These three are all candidates for the Top 10 list next year and received positive reports from the various BP staff members / scouts – Meisner mainly as a body projecting and growing in a positive direction, Stuart for his present-day tools and Ynoa for his pitchability profile.

As factors on the farm, BP expects 2015 contributions from:

RHP Rafael Montero

LHP Jack Leathersich

OF Cesar Puello

Montero just missed the top 10 but lacks true above average offerings to project as more than a back-end type SP for BP though he should be ready for that role right away. Leathersich could help in a setup role shortly while Puello´s loud tools are hampered by his poor approach and lingering Biogenesis doubts.

All in all, BP completes their outlook with their

Top 10 Talents 25 And Under (born 4/1/89 or later)

1. Zack Wheeler
2. Noah Syndergaard
3. Jenrry Mejia
4. Steven Matz
5. Jeurys Familia
6. Brandon Nimmo
7. Wilmer Flores
8. Amed Rosario
9. Kevin Plawecki
10. Dilson Herrera

Note that Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Juan Lagares and Travis d’Arnaud all weren´t eligible and BP in general went with the major leaguer over the prospect when players were viewed on an equal level.

Overall, it appears the Mets may have one of the deepest if not the deepest collection of young talent in the majors and minors overall right now. Beyond the young pitchers, there may be no future stars in there. But even a lineup loaded of first division, average to above average regulars would be quite a feat after essentially being barren in that spot for over a decade beyond stars Wright and Reyes.  Now, if only ownership could provide the funds to help not only take this to a top level but also sustain it…

The post Baseball Prospectus Unveils Mets Top 10 Prospects appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

For the past few seasons, the Mets bullpen has been a major weakness. They have consistently ranked among the league’s worst, and they did not perform much better this past season.

In 2013, the Mets bullpen finished in the bottom ten with a 3.98 ERA (21st), 1.324 WHIP (22nd), .256 BAA (27th), and their 6.96 K/ was the worst in the majors.

However, help is on the way. Despite these struggles, the relief corps can become a strength in the future for the organization. The Mets have many talented relief prospects who have the ability to become successful at the major league level and some are already knocking at the door and were invited to Big League camp.

Here are my top five relief prospects for the Mets:

#5: Beck Wheeler

Beck Wheeler was absolutely dominant for Low-A Savannah in 2013. His ERA settled in at 2.32, and his WHIP was a dazzling 0.93. He also struck out 74 batters in just 50 innings pitched.  While the 24-year-old is an older prospect for his level, his age is deceiving.  He’s still an inexperienced pitcher because he did not start his time on the rubber until his senior year of college.  He still has a lot to prove moving forward, but he has potential to be a fast riser in the Mets’ system.

#4: Bret Mitchell

After missing the entire 2012 season due to hip surgery, Bret Mitchell was fabulous in 2013. He posted a 2.35 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP in 30 innings first half innings with Savannah, and he was selected to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. Mitchell was rewarded for his strong showing and got promoted to St. Lucie, where he continued his success.  Mitchell’s ERA against Florida State League competition stands at 1.76, striking out 34 in 30 innings.  Although there are many reasons to like Mitchell, there are also some concerns. He walked 6.5 batters per 9 innings with St. Lucie, and he has yet to pitch above High-A.

#3: Adam Kolarek

Adam Kolarek, the Mets’ 11th round pick in the 2010 draft, was one of the key pieces in Binghamton’s fabulous bullpen this year. He owned a 1.71 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 63 innings of work, striking out 63 batters. The 6’3”, 215-pound lefty has a low 90’s fastball, and has been solid throughout his professional career. For the past three seasons, he’s owned a sub-3.00 ERA. If Kolarek can continue his success in 2014 with AAA Las Vegas, he could be a factor in the big league  bullpen next season.

#2: Jack Leathersich

Jack Leathersich has shown tremendous promise ever since the Mets drafted him in the fifth round in 2011. His career minor league ERA is 3.46, and he has struck out 241 batters in only 143 innings.  In 2013, Leathersich could not have started his season any better. His ERA was a brilliant 1.53, while striking out 16.9 batters per 9 innings with AA Binghamton. Leathersich’s terrific first half with the B-Mets earned him a promotion to Las Vegas, but he encountered a rough patch. The hard-throwing lefty posted an awful 7.76 ERA and a 2.10 WHIP in 29 innings pitched for Las Vegas. He struggled the most with his control, walking 9 batters per 9 innings. While his second half for Las Vegas was discouraging, I expect him to rebound next season. Leathersich is a deceptive southpaw, and he has an explosive fastball with good movement.

#1: Jeff Walters

Jeff Walters wasn’t on many people’s radar heading into 2013, but his terrific performance this year has earned him a lot of recognition. He posted a terrific.2.09 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP, and 60 strikeouts  in 56 innings pitched for Binghamton. Walters led the Eastern league in saves, and also shattered Binghamton’s all-time single season record in with 38 saves. The right-hander has a blazing fastball that can reach the mid 90’s and he isn’t afraid to pound the zone. Walters ranks as my number one relief pitcher because he has a high upside, and could potentially make his debut sometime in 2014.

In addition to these five pitchers, the Mets have more intriguing young relievers in the minors. Other notable minor league relief pitchers include Chasen Bradford, Chase Huchingson and Hamilton Bennett.

The New York Mets also have an excellent young reliever already at the major league level as well in Jeurys Familia. With this impressive arsenal, and two swing-and-a-miss pitches, it is very likely that he steps forward in a very big way this season and emerges as a shutdown reliever in the very near future.

(Photos: MiLB.com, Baltimore Sun)

The post Who Are The Top 5 Mets Relief Prospects? appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

In an article for MLB.com, Bernie Pleskoff took a look at how the current crop of Mets prospects may fit into the major league teams needs. It’s an interesting topic of discussion and here’s some of what Pleskoff had to say:

For this season, right-handed prospect Noah Syndergaard could potentially fill the roll as a fifth starter.

Syndergaard, a huge right-hander at 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, uses a high-velocity fastball and a devastating curveball to miss bats and control a game. Pitching downhill with his large frame, the ball reaches the hitter in a flash.

It’s no surprise that Noah was the first name brought up. With a potential open rotation spot the 6’6 righthander’s name is bound to arise, although it isn’t likely to happen until at least June. However, a prospect who could break camp with the Mets is Rafael Montero, who Pleskoff also touched on– as well as Jacob deGrom.

Right-handed pitcher Rafael Montero has a 2.51 career ERA in three Minor League seasons. His WHIP is 1.01, and he is an excellent starting pitching option.

Right-handerJacob deGrom may join Montero as a rotation starter. deGrom lost some development time to injury in the past, but his plus fastball and slider may work well in the future Mets rotation.

I think I speak for most Mets fan when I say that I hope Montero and deGrom get a fair look when it comes to cracking the opening day rotation. It appear Terry Collins is pulling for veterans John Lannan and Daisuke Matsuzaka. However, I think if Sandy Alderson feels either Montero or deGrom is ready he won’t hesitate to overrule Collins.

There are certainly some bullpen spots up for grabs, and there’s several young names who have the potential to step in and be effective.

The Mets’ bullpen has been successful at times and has been problematic as well. Adding Kyle Farnsworth could help.

Rookie right-handed relief pitcher Vic Black has the velocity and arm strength that can help get the game to the back end of the bullpen. But he has to be able to consistently throw strikes to be effective.

Pitcher Jeurys Familia is a big, strong right-handed pitcher with a limited repertoire that is best suited for the bullpen. Familia has trouble finding a consistent release point, resulting in spotty command and control. There is little question his arm is strong enough to be meaningful in the mid-to-late part of a game. Familia could claim a role in the Mets’ ‘pen this spring.

It appears that Black and Familia both appear headed for bullpen spots. Pleskoff could have touched on players like Jeff Walters and Jack Leathersich, who are also in competition for relief roles. Both have great seasons in the minors last year and can strike out batters at extremely high rates.

The article then went on to look at some other players who are further down the road. Players like Brandon Nimmo, Cesar Puello and Domingo Tapia. However I feel like since those players aren’t likely to see the majors this year (with perhaps the exception of Puello if all goes well) there’s no real way to tell how they fit into the teams needs since we don’t know what those needs will be.

You can read the rest of the article here.

Photo credits: Anthony J. Causi

The post Which Mets Prospects Can Fill Current Team Needs? appeared first on Metsmerized Online.