The Mets just announced they have signed C Landon Powell to a Minor League contract with an invite to Major League Spring Training.
Powell spent some time in the majors and in 406 plate appearances with the Oakland Athletics he posted a .207/.284/.328 batting line. He also was behind the plate for Dallas Braden’s perfect game last season.
In Triple-A Oklahoma City, he batted a .251/.353/.377 in 279 plate appearances and posted a 12.9% walk rate. Defensively he threw out 39% of would be base stealers and posted a .992 fielding percentage.
In 2010 Powell was diagnosed with “autoimmune hepatitis, a rare liver disease with no known cure.” Essentially his body mistakes good cells for bad cells in the body and attacks them. The symptoms of that disease are, Abdominal distention, dark urine, fatigue, general discomfort, itching, loss of appetite and nausea among others. According to one report, his medical condition is manageable but eventually he’s going to need major surgery.
