Buffalo Bisons (Triple A) Team Report

Surprise surprise, there won’t be any stretch-run for “the Herd” in 2011. Manager Tim Teufel and his staff have done a wonderful job, considering their roster has been raped and pillaged all season long by the major league team’s unquenchable thirst for replacement players.

With virtually the entire opening day starting line-up of the Bisons either on the Mets right now, or injured (Captain Kirk), Teufel has had to mix and match all season. At his disposal are a plethora of free agents signed over the last three months to be hole fillers at Buffalo. Guys like: Jason Botts, Luis Figueroa, Bubba Bell, Fernando Perez, Miguel Batista, Gus Chacin, and Brian Sweeney.

Those guys have had a tough time replacing: Dillon Gee, Justin Turner, Reuben Tejada, Lucas Duda, Nick Evans, Jason Pridie, Ryota Igarashi and Manny Acosta. This is why their record stands at 41-57, good for fifth place in a six team division. But there are some bright spots, and some disappointments.

Pitchers

Dillon Gee, is of course the story as far as pitching success at Buffalo. Called up to the Mets early on he has been a major contributor in the big league rotation. Chris Schwinden has been a pleasant surprise this year as he has
emerged as the ace of the Buffalo staff. Schwinnie has pitched consistently well all year as his 6-4 record, and 3.31 ERA attests. AAA opponents are hitting .221 against him and he has a 1.17 WHIP.

Dylan Owen has had a very uneven time since being added to the Buffalo rotation but has shown some positive development and has definitely stepped it up a notch. Overall his AAA numbers are 4-5 with a 4.35 ERA, but in his last 10 games he is 3-3 with a 3.83 ERA. In 70 IP he has 60 K, 25 BB, and opponents are hitting .246 against him.

Last years Organizational Pitcher of the Year, Mark Cohoon, was greeted rather rudely by the league, to the tune of a 3-5 record and an ERA of 6.29. But he has had a few good outings recently and seems to be figuring things out and making necessary adjustments. Here’s hoping, as they could use another young lefty, sometime next year.

The biggest disappointment is of course Jenrry Mejia, lost for the season to TJS after just 5 starts.

Position Players

Well you know all these guys. They are all on the Mets now. Of course Tejada was just returned to play SS for the herd. But with Captain Kirk on the DL with a bum shoulder (non-throwing), there is not much to get excited about here. Third baseman Zach Lutz recently returned to action and has picked up with the bat right where he left off. But with his injury occurring at the same time as DWright’s, he was unable to fill in for him with the big club. For the year,
Lutz his hitting .313. in 134 AB’s. 5 HR’s, 15 RBI’s and an OPS of .883.

The rest of the active roster are minor league journeyman and AA guys. Even FMart is on the DL again, and he was a big disappointment so far this year anyway.

There’s always next year.

Up next: Double-A Binghamton B-Mets

This Fan Post Was Submitted By One Of Our Readers, Pete.