The Brooklyn Cyclones, the Single-A short season affiliate of the Mets, open their season Friday night, with the team’s home opener scheduled for Saturday evening.
Just like last summer, I will be covering the team as the beat reporter for Mets Merized Online.
Last year, the Cyclones’ pitching staff raised a few eyebrows, with the starters amassing a combined 2.67 ERA.
The team’s hitting was a bit inconsistent, but that’s usually expected given that the young players are just getting their feet wet in minor league baseball.
Former big league coach Tom Gamboa will take over for Rich Donnelly as the team’s manager. Gamboa has over 40 years of coaching experience. He’s likely best know for an unfortunate incident in 2002, when he was attacked on the field by two fans while coaching first base for the Kansas City Royals.
Mets’ first-round draft pick Michael Conforto has yet to sign, but if he does soon, there’s a possibility he would begin at Brooklyn, in which case I’d provide the constant updates about the new first-rounder.
On the Mets current roster, Daniel Murphy, Jenrry Mejia, Lucas Duda, Wilmer Flores and Eric Campbell were all once Cyclones, as well as injured Mets Dillon Gee, Juan Lagares and Bobby Parnell.
With an organization that is very reliant on its future success, the stepping stones for the next crop of Mets prospects will be laid down this summer in Brooklyn, and I’ll be sure to provide all the insights, as well as game recaps and occasional features, straight from MCU Park in Coney Island.
Here is the team’s preliminary roster (subject to change). Of note, shortstop Amed Rosario, the team’s No. 7 prospect, will be a Cyclone this summer. Right-hander Octavio Acosta has been tabbed the Opening Day starter.
| Catchers » | |||||||||
| # | Name | Position | Bats | Throws | Height | Weight | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ABREU, Adrian | C | R | R | 6′ 0″ | 185 lbs | |||
| 7 | NIDO, Tomas | C | R | R | 6′ 0″ | 200 lbs | |||
| 15 | MOORE, Tyler | C | L | R | 6′ 2″ | 213 lbs | |||
| 26 | ARRIZURIETA, Luis | C | R | R | 5′ 8″ | 160 lbs | |||
| Infielders » | |||||||||
| # | Name | Position | Bats | Throws | Height | Weight | |||
| 1 | ROSARIO, Amed | IF | R | R | 6′ 2″ | 170 lbs | |||
| 3 | CHAVEZ, Anthony | IF | R | R | 6′ 2″ | 185 lbs | |||
| 13 | URENA, Jhoan | IF | S | R | 6′ 1″ | 190 lbs | |||
| 22 | PONCE, Dimas | IF | R | R | 5′ 11″ | 165 lbs | |||
| 24 | DIEHL, Jeff | 1B | R | R | 6′ 4″ | 195 lbs | |||
| Outfielders » | |||||||||
| # | Name | Position | Bats | Throws | Height | Weight | |||
| 5 | THARP, Tucker | OF | R | R | 5′ 10″ | 195 lbs | |||
| 9 | TUSHCAK, Joe | OF | L | R | 6′ 0″ | 185 lbs | |||
| 27 | BERNAL, Michael | OF | R | R | 6′ 1″ | 195 lbs | |||
| Pitchers » | |||||||||
| # | Name | Position | Bats | Throws | Height | Weight | |||
| 10 | OSWALT, Corey | P | R | R | 6′ 4″ | 200 lbs | |||
| 11 | URBINA, Juan | P | R | R | 6′ 1″ | 170 lbs | |||
| 12 | MEISNER, Casey | P | R | R | 6′ 7″ | 190 lbs | |||
| 17 | REYES, Scarlyn | P | R | R | 6′ 3″ | 190 lbs | |||
| 21 | WELCH, Brandon | P | R | R | 6′ 1″ | 185 lbs | |||
| 25 | BAY, Shane | P | L | L | 6′ 2″ | 225 lbs | |||
| 28 | BALDONADO, Alberto | P | L | L | 6′ 2″ | 160 lbs | |||
| 29 | MOLINA, Marcos | P | R | R | 6′ 3″ | 188 lbs | |||
| 31 | WIECK, Brad | P | L | L | 6′ 9″ | 240 lbs | |||
| 34 | VILLASMIL, Edioglis | P | R | R | 6′ 2″ | 164 lbs | |||
| 35 | ACOSTA, Octavio | P | R | R | 6′ 0″ | 165 lbs | |||
| 36 | BUMGARDNER, Gaither | P | R | R | 6′ 6″ | 210 lbs | |||
| 40 | HEPPLE, Mike | P | R | R | 6′ 6″ | 210 lbs | |||
