Weather continued to be an issue as another affiliate’s game was postponed.

Triple-A

Worcester Red Sox (4-8), Syracuse Mets (7-5) PPD

The Syracuse Mets/Worcester Red Sox game was postponed due to inclement weather conditions. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday, April 14, beginning at 12:05 pm ET.

Kevin Parada. Steven Wojtowicz-MMO

Double-A

Game 1: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (3-3) 9, Erie SeaWolves (3-3) 2 In 7 Innings

BOX SCORE

• C Kevin Parada: 1-for-2, HR, (1), RBI (3), (1.062 OPS)
• LF Brandon McIlwain: 2-for-3, 3B, 3 RBI (3), BB, SB (1), K (.804 OPS)
• 1B Jose Peroza: 2-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI (3), K (.869 OPS)
• CF Alex Ramirez: 1-for-4, K (.915 OPS)

In the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader, Binghamton displayed their offensive potential in a 9-2 victory. After falling behind 2-0 in the second inning, the Rumble Ponies scored nine unanswered runs, powered by Kevin Parada and Jose Peroza’s home runs and three runs batted in by Brandon McIlwain.

After posting an underwhelming .752 OPS between Brooklyn and Binghamton, Parada has come out the gates hot as he hopes to show off his potential as a former first-round draft selection.

• RHP Joander Suarez: 4 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K (52 of 86 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Nolan Clenney (W, 1-0): 1 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 K (14 of 25 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Paul Gervase: 1 IP, 0 ER, 2 BB, K (9 of 19 pitches for strikes)

Joander Suarez’s impressive 30-inning scoreless streak ended on Saturday. Suarez faced some adversity after he allowed six baserunners in his 4 2/3 innings of work, but he managed to limit most of the damage.

Nolan Clenney and Paul Gervase closed out the abbreviated seven-inning game by allowing three base runners and no runs in the final two frames. 

Game 2: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (3-4), Erie SeaWolves (4-3) in 8 Innings

BOX SCORE

• SS Jeremiah Jackson: 2-for-4, HR (1), 4 RBI (6), SB (1) (.530 OPS)
• LF Alex Ramirez: 1-for-3, RBI (4) BB, SB (5), K (.917 OPS)
• RF Rylan Thomas: 1-for-3, 2B, BB (.916 OPS)

The nightcap of the doubleheader proved to be an exciting game as it stretched to extra innings. The Rumble Ponies opened the game with a run after a wild pitch scored Jett Williams. The SeaWolves responded in a big way in the bottom of the inning as Jake Holton sent one out of the park, scoring two.

Erie added to their lead in the following frame after a Daniel Cabrera sacrifice fly, making the score 3-1. Binghamton would fight back in the third inning with three runs after an Alex Ramirez fielder’s choice ground out and Jeremiah Jackson’s two-run single.

A fifth-inning Jeremiah Jackson home run would extend the Rumble Ponies lead to 6-3, but Erie countered with a three-run shot, tying the ball game at 6-6 in the bottom of the sixth. 

The game was tied after seven innings and headed to extras, where Binghamton failed to bring the runner on second home. After a Jake Holton ground out, the SeaWolves walked off the game on a Carlos Guzman wild pitch. 

• RHP Troy Miller: 4 IP, 2 ER, H, 2 BB, 5 K (41 of 72 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Junior Santos (L, 0-2): 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, H, BB, 2 K (16 of 32 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Trey McLoughlin: 1 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, K (15 of 27 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Carlos Guzman (L, 0-1): 2/3 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 0 H, K, WP (6 of 12 pitches for strikes)

After early troubles, Troy Miller settled in and pitched a solid outing. The 27-year-old right-hander finished the day with one hit allowed, two earned runs, and five strikeouts in four innings pitched. Bullpen arms failed to keep the SeaWolves off the board in their combined three and two-thirds pitched, ultimately giving up the game-ending wild pitch.

Nolan McLean. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

High-A

Game 1: Asheville Tourists (4-3) 2, Brooklyn Cyclones (2-5) 6 In 7 Innings

BOX SCORE

• DH Nolan McLean: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 K (1.143 OPS)
• LF Stanley Consuegra: 2-for-3, HR (1), 3 RBI (3) (.752 OPS)
• RF Ryan Clifford: 0-for-3, R, BB, K (.570 OPS)

Brooklyn broke out of their hitting slump in the first game of their Saturday doubleheader, scoring eight runs on seven hits. Stanley Consuegra led the way for the Cyclones, bringing in three runs and hitting this monstrous homer off the Maimonides Park scoreboard.

Two-way prospect Nolan McLean made his second consecutive start as the designated hitter position and delivered another extra-base hit, a double. On Wednesday, McLean pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings for Brooklyn.

• LHP Felipe De La Cruz: 4 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, BB, 4 K (46 of 67 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Dakota Hawkins: 2 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 5 K (33 of 55 pitches for strikes)

Felipe De La Cruz gave Brooklyn another fantastic outing – going 4 1/3 innings, allowing only three hits, a walk, and no runs. Dating back to last season, De La Cruz has given up only five earned runs in 25 1/3 innings in High-A Brooklyn, good for a 1.79 ERA.

Dakota Hawkins picked up where De La Cruz finished, maintaining Brooklyn’s lead through the final two innings. Hawkins gave up two earned runs but struck out five Asheville batters. 

Game 2: Asheville Tourists (4-4) 1, Brooklyn Cyclones (3-5) 3 In 7 Innings

BOX SCORE

• C Drake Osborn: 1-for-3, R, HR, (1), 3 RBI (3) (1.159 OPS)
• 1B Ryan Clifford: 1-for-3, 2B (.615 OPS)
• CF Omar De Los Santos: 1-for-3, 2 SB (7), K (.513 OPS)

Brooklyn managed to sweep the doubleheader behind excellent pitching from Jordan Geber and the Cyclones’ bullpen. Though they did not have many baserunners, a three-run Drake Osborn home run was all the Cyclones needed to win the second game of the day.

Top Mets prospect Ryan Clifford also delivered an extra base as he continues to find his footing in High-A ball. 

• RHP Jordan Geber: 4 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 7 K (43 of 59 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Alan Perdomo (W, 1-0): 1 2/3 IP, 0 ER, H, BB, 2 K (17 of 31 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Joshua Cornielly (S, 1): 1 1/3 IP, ER, H, 2 K (16 of 20 pitches for strikes)

Geber was superb for Brooklyn- allowing five hits, no earned runs, and seven strikeouts in only four innings pitched. Geber’s ability to earn double plays and strikeouts after allowing early-inning hits saved him from serious trouble.

Alan Perdomo and Joshua Cornielly were just as great out of the bullpen, allowing a combined two hits and one earned run to stymie the Asheville offense.

Nick Morabito. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Low-A

St. Lucie Mets (3-5) 14, Jupiter Hammerheads (4-4) 1

BOX SCORE

• CF Nick Morabito: 2-for-4, 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI (4), 2 BB (.959 OPS)
• 3B Jesus Baez: 2-for-5, HR (1), 3 RBI (8), BB (.897 OPS)
• C Ronald Hernandez: 1-for-3, R, 3 BB, K (.848 OPS)
• RF Yohairo Cuevas: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI (3), BB, K (.395 OPS)

St. Lucie would own this game from the start and never relent. Dominant outings from the pitching staff and the lineup guided the Mets to a 14-1 rout of the Jupiter Hammerheads.

Specifically, 2022 second-round pick Nick Morabito continued his hot streak for PSL after he brought in three runs and upped his OPS to .959. Jesus Baez left the park for the first time this season with a three-run shot, which was part of St. Lucie’s seven-run fifth-inning.

• RHP Jonah Tong: 4 IP, R (0 ER), H, 3 BB, 10 K (49 of 80 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Austin Troesser (W, 1-0): 4 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 6 K (45 of 65 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Juan Arnaud: 1 IP, 0 ER, H, BB, 2 K (11 of 20 pitches for strikes)

Jonah Tong was electric, to say the least. He earned ten strikeouts in four innings while only allowing one hit. Tong has an absurd 21 strikeouts through two starts (8 1/3 innings) this season. The pitching prospect will have to continue to work on command and pitch efficiency (only 61% of pitches are thrown for strikes), but he has become extremely entertaining to watch and follow.  

Austin Troesser and Juan Arnaud held down the sizeable St. Lucie lead, each with three hits and no runs allowed.

The post Jonah Tong, Kevin Parada Continue Hot Starts appeared first on Metsmerized.

Stanley Consuegra, Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

Triple-A: Syracuse Mets (16-21) 6, Buffalo Bisons (16-21) 8  Box Score 

• SS Ronny Mauricio 1-for-3, R, RBI (23), 2 BB, .965 OPS
• 3B Mark Vientos 0-for-3, RBI (33), BB, 1.090 OPS
• DH Gary Sánchez 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI (4), BB, 1.389 OPS
• RF Jaylin Davis 1-for-4, R, HR (6), RBI (17), .796 OPS

The Syracuse Mets suffered a brutal loss Friday night as the Buffalo Bisons won in walk-off fashion.

The Mets’ offense rallied early on in the game, trailing 4-0 after two innings. In the third inning, with the bases loaded, Ronny Mauricio drew a walk to bring in a run. Then Mark Vientos followed with an RBI sacrifice fly for his 33rd of the season.

Switch-hitting Mauricio walked two times in the contest. Since April 12th, Mauricio previously walked just two times. Over his last five games, Mauricio is 8 for 22 with four doubles and four runs batted in. He continued hitting the ball hard as his ground out in the seventh clocked a 115 mph exit velocity.

Heading into the fourth, outfielder Jaylin Davis led off the inning and crushed his sixth homer with Syracuse. Davis has hit back-to-back homers in games. Later in the inning, the Mets tied the game when catcher Nick Myer scored on a wild pitch. Myer reached base on all four of his plate appearances and scored three runs.

In the ninth inning, with the game still tied at 4-4, Gary Sánchez stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and two out. On a 2-0 count, he smoked a line drive two-run double off the top of the left field wall that barely missed being a home run. Sanchez is off to a sizzling start with Syracuse. In three games, he’s slashing .455/.571/.818 with a 1.389 OPS.

Gary Sánchez just missed a grand slam, but still hit a two-run double in a tie game with outs in the 9th inning.

The former Yankee is 5-for-11 in three games with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets.

pic.twitter.com/iSrCftl2B1

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) May 13, 2023

• RHP Denyi Reyes 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 K, 5.91 ERA
• RHP John Curtiss (L, 0-1) 1.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, BB, K, 5.06 ERA

The Bison’s lineup jumped all over Mets starter Denyi Reyes early on. He surrendered four runs on six hits through two innings. Clean-up hitter Jordan Luplow supplied two of the runs as he took Reyes deep for a two-run bomb.

Luplow would be the villain of this game as he came up in the ninth inning and delivered the crushing blow with a three-run walk-off bomb that John Curtiss served up.

The 26-year-old Dedniel Núñez pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in relief for Reyes, punching out three batters. Last night was Núñez’s fifth appearance for the Mets, and he has yet to allow a run. He has a ten-strikeout to nine-walk ratio.

Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats (16-14) 10, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (13-17) 9  Box Score

• DH Matt Rudick 1-for-3, 2 R, RBI (13), 2 BB, SB (5), .877 OPS
• LF JT Schwartz 2-for-2, RBI (20), SB (1), .676 OPS
• 2B José Peroza 2-for-4, R, 2 2B, 3 RBI (19), .960 OPS
• CF Rowdey Jordan 1-for-3, R, 2B, 2 RBI (11), BB, .613 OPS

The Binghamton Rumbles Ponies looked like they would coast to an easy win Friday night. Leading 7-2 heading into the sixth inning, the Hartford Yard Goats came roaring back, and the Ponies were outscored 8-2 in the final four frames. Overall, Binghamton’s offense had a ton of base runners and plenty of scoring chances. They went 5-for-20 with runners in scoring position and left ten men on base.

José Peroza continued to rake for the Ponies and plated the first run with an RBI sacrifice fly in the first inning. He also struck a pair of doubles in the contest. Peraza’s double in the fourth inning drove in two runs and put the Ponies up 6-2. In May, Peroza is slashing .294/.366/.765 with four home runs, 13 runs batted in, and a 1.131 OPS.

Playing left field for the ninth time this season, JT Schwartz knocked in a run in the second inning to give him a team-leading 20 runs batted in.

In the seventh inning, switch-hitting outfielder Rowdey Jordan broke the 7-7 tie with an RBI sacrifice fly that looked like it would seal the victory for the Ponies. Jordan finished the game with two runs batted in to give him eleven on the season.

Binghamton rallied in the bottom of the ninth but fell one run short. With the tying run on third base, shortstop Wyatt Young flew out to end the game.

• RHP José Chacin 6 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 K, 6.00 ERA
• RHP Justin Courtney (L, 0-2) 2 IP, H, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 7.04 ERA

The 6-foot-4 righty José Chacin pitched his longest outing of the season. He tossed a solid six innings, allowing three earned runs and recording four punch outs on 75 pitches.

Justin Courtney entered the game in the eighth inning and retired all three batters on 11 pitches with two strikeouts. He returned to the mound in the ninth and blew the save as he walked a pair of batters and then served up a three-run blast to Bladimir Restituyo.

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (11-17) 7, Wilmington Blue Rocks (15-15) 8 Box Score 

• SS Kevin Kendall 2-for-5, R, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI (8), .643 OPS
• CF Stanley Consuegra 2-for-4, R, HR (5), 2 RBI (18), .876 OPS
• RF Omar De Los Santos 1-for-3, 2 R, RBI (5), .502 OPS

The Brooklyn Cyclones clawed their way back into this game after trailing most of the night, but the Blue Rocks crushed their comeback as they won on a walk-off against Brooklyn.

Outfielder Stanley Consuegra started the scoring Friday night for Brooklyn. In the first inning, he smacked a 383-foot two-run dinger to left center and put the Cyclones up 2-0. Consuegra hit his first homer since April 25th and currently leads the team with five.

Jaylen Palmer led off in the fourth inning with a line-drive double to left field. The next batter Omar De Los Santos, knocked in Palmer with a single back up the middle on an 0-2 pitch. De Los Santos was in a 2-for-28 slump in his previous eight games.

Heading to the ninth inning trailing 6-4, the Cyclones rallied for three runs as Kevin Kendall delivered the big hit in the inning with the go-ahead two-run double. Kendall finished the contest 2-for-5 with a double, triple, and two runs batted in.

Highly rated-prospect Alex Ramírez was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game.

• RHP Joander Suarez 2.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 4 BB, 3 K, 9.00 ERA
• LHP Daniel Juarez 2.1 IP, H, BB, 4 K, 0.00 ERA
• RHP Trey McLoughlin 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, K, 2.38 ERA

Right-hander Joander Suarez lasted just 2.2 innings as he surrendered six runs on four hits and issued four walks. His ERA jumped to 9.00 with a 1.88 WHIP in 17 innings.

22-year-old lefty Daniel Juarez continues to impress this season. He hurled 2.1 scoreless innings and punched out four Blue Rocks. Juarez has 17 strikeouts across 11.2 innings with a 0.00 ERA.

Trey McLoughlin blew the save and took the loss for Brooklyn, allowing two runs in the ninth after retiring the first two batters. He gave up a game-tying jack to Jared McKenzie, and three batters later, he yielded the walk-off single.

Low-A: St. Lucie Mets (8-23) 1, Daytona Tortugas (12-19) 8 Box Score 

• SS Jett Williams 0-for-3, BB, .759 OPS
• LF Scott Ota 2-for-3, BB, .495 OPS
• 2B Junior Tilien 2-for-4, .704 OPS

The Daytona Tortugas quieted the St. Lucie Mets bats Friday night. The Mets scored just one run on five hits.

Outfielder Scott Ota and second baseman Junior Tilien recorded multi-hit games. Ota finished 2-for-3 with a walk. The 20-year-old Tilien was 2 for his last 18 coming into last night’s contest and broke out going 2-for-4.

With the game out of reach, the Mets finally got on the scoreboard when third baseman Luis Castillo slugged his first home run of the year in the seventh inning.

Jett Williams returned to the lineup last night for St. Lucie after missing a week of action since getting hit by a pitch on his left elbow

• RHP Saul García 4IP, 5 H, 2 R, BB, 5 K, 4.86 ERA
• LHP Luke Bartnicki 1.2 IP, H, 4 K, 7.20 ERA

19-year-old Saul García took the mound last night for his third start of the year. García yielded two runs in four innings and struck out five Friday night.

The Tortugas busted the game open in the sixth and seventh innings against relief pitcher Benito Garcia. He was ineffective and surrendered six runs on six hits in 1.1 innings.

Southpaw Bartnicki had his best outing of the season. He tossed 1.2 innings, permitting one hit, and fanned four batters.

The post Mets Minors Recap: Consuegra Mashes Fifth Home Run appeared first on Metsmerized.

St. Lucie Mets. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Down on The Farm, a newsletter focused on minor-league coverage, just released their Minor-League Ballpark Park Factors from the 2022 season.

Park Factors have helped analysts and fans comprehend the value of specific batted-ball events, relative to the venue, for the last 20 years. Understanding the specific park factors behind each stadium can help determine whether a ballpark is either one that favors hitters or pitchers. They can allow one to strip the quality of each player and determine if a stadium is naturally inflating or deflating a player’s final line.

Each stadium’s Park Factor is measured by a value close to one. If that value is over one, that stadium is favored towards pitchers, while conversely, if it is under one, the stadium is more ideal towards hitters. These measurements are calculated by aggregating the value and recurrence of each group of hits (single, double, triple, home run).

MLB’s Park Factors, which can be found here, are the backbone of sabermetrics such as wOBA, wOBACON, and wRC+. By aggregating each park’s factors, each stadium can be categorized as a pitcher haven or a hitter’s paradise.

For example, MLB’s park factors devalued triples during Citi Field’s early years, given the park’s spacious outfield and the multitude of three-baggers smacked. Unique atmospheric characteristics of a stadium, such as the wind of Brooklyn’s Maimonides Park and the altitude of Colorado’s Coors Field, can also play a role in calculating park factors as it can give each batted ball event (BBE) an innate physical advantage. Park Factors can also show a stadium bias’ towards a certain type of hitters, such as the short right field in Yankee Stadium leading to more home runs from left-handed batters.

In the context of Mets’ Minor-League stadiums, the former Las Vegas 51s’ venue of Cashman Park sat at 1,995 feet above sea level, naturally inflating the offensive hitters’ performance. Despite the 51’s hitters’ impressive on-paper offensive performances, the air in the high elevation allowed their BBEs to have more innate carry.

According to Down on the Farm, Maimonides Park (home of the Brooklyn Cyclones) was rated as the toughest park to score runs in 2022, with a park factor of .79. Despite four of the Mets’ top prospects spending significant time with the Cyclones, Brooklyn finished as the second-worst team in the South Atlanta League in runs, hits, and home runs. A trio of Brooklyn’s most notable pitchers, Junior Santos, Daison Acosta, and Dominic Hamel, combined for a 3.64 ERA at home, compared to a 5.46 mark on the road. It should be noted that those results should be taken with a grain of salt as there are many confounding variables, but it is still noteworthy.

In terms of total Park Factor, the St. Lucie Mets’ Clover Park ended up 44th, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies’ park of Mirabito Stadium 66th, and the Syracuse Mets’ NBT Bank Stadium 76th. Clover Park and Mirabito Stadium were each rated as pitcher’s parks while NBT Bank Stadium was narrowly classified as a hitter’s park. Maimonides Park was assessed as the 10th most difficult stadium to hit a home run at. Mirabito Stadium finished as the 15th-hardest park to land a single, but the 12th easiest stadium to smack a double.

Overall, looking at a player’s final line can be a good guide to evaluate their performance, but including park factors in your analysis can help paint a clearer picture of their performance. Now, when evaluating Mets’ prospects, based off where they have been played, now you have more information.

The post A 2022 Park Factors Analysis Of The Mets’ MiLB Stadiums appeared first on Metsmerized.

Alex Ramirez, Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

Alex Ramirez flashed his impressive power twice on Sunday afternoon. For just the second time in his career, he hit two home runs in a game and led the Cyclones to a 7-0 victory.

AAA: Syracuse Mets (45-54) 4, Omaha Storm Chasers (49-49) 1  Box Score

• Francisco Álvarez DH: 1-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, K, .173/.366/.423
• Mark Vientos 1B: 2-for-3, 2B, BB, .267/.350/.524
• Gosuke Katoh 2B: 2-for-4, R, 3B, RBI, K, .222/.318/.452

The Mets went just 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position during Sunday’s game, but Álvarez provided all the offense they needed right off the bat. With nobody out in the bottom of the first inning, he blasted a two-run shot to right-center field. That was his third home run in his last seven games, and, despite posting a .194 BABIP so far in Triple-A, he still is managing a very respectable .789 OPS since his promotion. Vientos finished July with a .316/.353/.595 slash line.

Francisco Álvarez is heating up, he’s homered 3 times in his last 7 games and his Triple-A OPS is up to .831.

pic.twitter.com/eXyHDPTemF

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) July 31, 2022

• LHP David Peterson (2-1, 3.60 ERA) 4.1 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 7 K
• RHP Trevor May (0-0, 6.00 ERA) 1.0 IP, BB, K
• RHP Bryce Montes de Oca (S, 1-2, 3.43 ERA) 1.0 IP, 2 K

Peterson made his first start since his demotion back to Triple-A and was solid, albeit with the occasional control issue (he through only 42 of 71 pitches for strikes). May made his first rehab appearance with zero days rest and declared himself ready to rejoin the big league team in a post on Instagram. Thomas Szapucki pitched one inning out of the bullpen for the second time in three days, perhaps indicating that he may be shifting to the bullpen on a permanent basis. Motes de Oca was incredibly dominant during the month of July: he had a 1.64 ERA and a 24:5 K:BB ratio during 11.0 innings pitched for the month.

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats (44-52) 9, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (35-60) 6  Box Score

• James McCann DH: 1-for-5, R, HR, 2 RBI, K, .281/.343/.438
• Brett Baty 3B: 2-for-5, 2B, SB, .306/.397/.524
• Ronny Mauricio SS: 2-for-5, R, .249/.290/.475

The Rumble Ponies had 13 hits and struck out just four times in Sunday’s game, but they let multiple opportunities go to waste by going just 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position. After playing seven innings at catcher on Saturday, McCann took five at bats as the designated hitter on Sunday’s game. Baty finishes his incredible month of July with a .365/.435/.688 slash line and eight home runs. Mauricio has had multiple hits in three of his last four games.

• RHP Jose Chacin (0-7, 7.04 ERA) 4.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
• RHP Jordan Yamamoto (L, 1-1, 5.11 ERA) 2.1 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, BB, 3 K
• RHP Grant Hartwig (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 1.0 IP, 2 BB, 2 K

Chacin struggled in his start against the Fisher Cats but largely kept the Rumble Ponies in the game. The game was broken open, however, when Yamamoto came into the game. After being moved into the starting rotation for his last two appearances, Yamamoto return to the bullpen on Sunday and struggled mightily. His ERA has jumped from 2.25 to 5.11 over his last three appearances. Hartwig has not allowed a run since June 15 (11 1/3 innings). He has a 13.38 K/9 and .520 OPS against so far this season.

A+: Brooklyn Cyclones (48-48) 7, Hudson Valley Renegades (50-45) 0  Box Score

• Alex Ramirez RF: 2-for-5, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, .300/.360/.575
• Joe Suozzi 1B: 2-for-4, R, 2B, HR, RBI, .230/.324/.416
• Jaylen Palmer CF: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K, .180/.315/.302

Ramirez’s two-homer night carried the Cyclones to victory on Sunday afternoon. Ramirez’s power has really started to come around since his promotion to Brooklyn; he has five home runs in just 89 plate appearances with Brooklyn after hitting six homers in 306 plate appearances with St. Lucie. He has seven multi-hit games over his last eleven games. Palmer has struck out 39.7% of the time this season, which has caused his average to crater, but he still manages to get on base at a fairly decent rate thanks to a 13.7% walk rate and .307 BABIP.

Mets center field prospect Alex Ramirez had two more home runs for Brooklyn tonight.

He has 5 doubles, 1 triple, and 5 home runs in 20 games with the Cyclones. pic.twitter.com/F3sd12G4dV

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) August 1, 2022

• RHP Junior Santos (W, 5-10, 4.35 ERA) 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 7 K
• RHP Daison Acosta (1-6, 6.32 ERA) 2.0 IP, 4 K
• RHP Brendan Hardy (1-0, 3.32 ERA) 1.0 IP, BB, 2 K

Four pitchers combined to shut out the Renegades on Sunday afternoon. Santos’ ERA in July was inflated by a terrible start his last time out, but he went at least five innings and allowed two runs or less in each of his other four starts during the month. Acosta has a 1.90 ERA over 10 appearances out of the bullpen after struggling with a 9.93 ERA as a starter. Hardy has a 14.82 K/9 so far this season.

A: Palm Beach Cardinals (47-47) 8, St. Lucie Mets (55-40) 7  Box Score

• Junior Tilien SS: 2-for-5, R, 2 RBI, K, .261/.306/.457
• Omar De Los Santos CF: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, SB, .261/.327/.462
• Jack-Thomas Wold 1B: 1-for-4, R, K, .210/.270/.338

The Mets had just five hits in Sunday’s game – all of which were singles – but still managed to push across seven total runs. They scored a run each on a walk, a hit by pitch, and wild pitch, while Tilien and De Los Santos brought home two runs apiece on singles in the fifth and fourth innings, respectively. De Los Santos stole his 50th base of the season, a total which leads the league by a large margin.

• RHP Jeffrey Colon (2-0, 3.40 ERA) 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, BB, 6 K
• RHP Jace Beck (0-0, 0.84 ERA) 1.0 IP, H, BB, 3 K
• RHP Michael Krauza (L, 1-2, 13.50 ERA) 1.0 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, BB, K

Colon had another solid start on Sunday and now has an excellent 53:9 K:BB ratio over 42 1/3 innings pitched this season. Beck has been great over his eleven relief appearances this season and saw a considerable velocity boost in his most recent outing. Normally sitting in the low-90s, Beck averaged 95.5 MPH and topped out at 96.9 MPH on his fastball on Sunday. He had a 46% whiff rate on all his pitches.

The post Mets Minors Recap: Alex Ramirez Blasts Two Home Runs appeared first on Metsmerized.

Photo by MMO’s Ed Delany

Daniel Palka has frequently been mentioned as a possible in-house option to be the major league designated hitter until an external replacement is acquired at the trade deadline. Those murmurs were put on pause when Palka was placed on the injured list at the end of June, but he returned to the lineup with a bang – blasting his 16th home run of the year – after missing just 10 days.

AAA: Syracuse Mets (37-47) 4, Buffalo Bisons (43-41) 2  Box Score 

• Mark Vientos 3B: 1-for-4, 2 K, .251/.337/.489
• Daniel Palka 1B: 1-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, K, .267/.352/.534
• Gosuke Katoh 2B: 2-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, .211/.330/.433

Palka and Katoh drove in all four of Syracuse’s runs on Sunday afternoon, with Katoh’s seventh-inning shot to right center field ending up as the game-winning hit. Vientos has been collecting his fair share of hits since the start of July (10 in 37 at bats), but his plate discipline has regressed over the last couple of weeks: since the start of the month, he has struck out 13 times and has not walked once in 37 plate appearances. Palka returned to lineup after a brief, 10-day stint on the injured list. Francisco Álvarez had Sunday afternoon off.

• RHP Connor Grey (4-3, 5.45 ERA) 5.0 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 6 K
• LHP Rob Zastryzny (W, 1-4, 3.86 ERA) 2.0 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 3 K
• RHP Yoan López (S, 1-2, 5.48 ERA) 2.0 IP, BB, 5 K

After having a 9.00 ERA in June, Grey is starting July off right by posting a 2.70 ERA across his first two starts of the month. Zastryzny has been significantly better as a reliever (2.14 ERA in 21 innings) than as a starter (6.06 ERA in 16 1/3 innings) this season.

AA: Portland Sea Dogs (40-41) 3, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (31-50) 1  Box Score

• Luke Ritter DH: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, K, .254/.362/.452
• Brett Baty 3B: 0-for-4, K, .273/.368/.462
• Jeremy Vasquez 1B: 1-for-4, K, .251/.344/.347

The Rumble Ponies were held to just four hits in Sunday’s game and were shut out until the ninth inning. Ritter’s double in the ninth inning drove in the team’s lone run in the game. Ritter is hitting .316/.381/.632 since his demotion from Syracuse. Baty has just one hit in his last 20 at bats.

• RHP Jose Chacin (L, 0-2, 6.87 ERA) 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 9 K
• RHP Josh Hejka (4-1, 3.28 ERA) 2.0 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 K

Chacin has struggled quite a bit since his promotion to Binghamton in early May, but he recorded one of his best starts of the year on Sunday. His nine strikeouts and seven innings pitched both tied his season highs.

A+:Aberdeen IronBirds (52-29) 7, Brooklyn Cyclones (37-44) 2  Box Score

• Nic Gaddis 2B: 1-for-4, R, 2B, K, .216/.325/.377
• JT Schwartz 1B: 1-for-3, R, HR, RBI, BB, .260/.351/.366
• Alex Ramirez CF: 0-for-3, BB, K, .208/.269/.417

The Cyclones had just four hits in Sunday’s game. Even when they were able to get runners into scoring position, they could not come up with the big hit, as they went just 1-for-9 in those situations. Ramirez was hitless in a game for the first time since his Brooklyn debut on July 4.

• RHP Junior Santos (L, 3-9, 4.31 ERA) 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, HBP, 5 K
• RHP Daison Acosta (1-6, 7.33 ERA) 1.0 IP, 2 K
• RHP Sammy Tavarez (2-0, 1.90 ERA) 0.1 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB

Santos worked around trouble all night, but the only blow that left a significant mark on the scoreboard was the home run he gave up in the fifth inning. None of Santos’ numbers are flashy, but he has quietly been solid since April: has an ERA under four in each of the last three months. The walks finally came back to bite Tavarez on Sunday, as he gave up just his fifth earned run of the season despite walking 7.54 batters per nine innings. A 13.9 K/9 and .111 opponents batting average have led to his exceptional ERA in spite of his extreme wildness.

A (Game 1): Daytona Tortugas (34-45) 4, St. Lucie Mets (47-32) 0  Box Score

• Daniel Johnson CF: 1-for-2, BB, .571/.625/.857
• Raul Beracierta 1B: 1-for-3,  K,.295/.354/.452

The Mets offense consisted of just two singles and two walks in the first game of Sunday’s double header. Worst of all, Mets hitters struck out 14 times in what was just a seven-inning game. Johnson was making his second rehab appearance after ending up on the injured list in mid-June and played the full seven innings in center field.

• RHP Franklin Sanchez (1-1, 3.46 ERA) 1.0 IP, K
• RHP Robert Colina (L, 0-4, 7.85 ERA) 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, K
• RHP Jace Beck (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 1.0 IP, H, BB, K

Sanchez has pitched only sporadically this season due to a couple of trips to the injured and development lists, but, when he has been on the mound, he has been excellent at missing bats. He currently has a 13.85 K/9 through his first 13 innings of the season. Colina has given up tons of runs this year, but his 11.3 K/9 is the best of his career. Beck has not given up a run in his first seven appearances of the season.

A (Game 2): St. Lucie Mets (48-32) 2, Daytona Tortugas (34-46) 1  Box Score

• Warren Saunders 2B: 1-for-3, R, HR, RBI, .125/.176/.375
• Eduardo Salazar LF: 1-for-3, R, 3B, .250/.400/.500
• Raul Beracierta RF: 2-for-3, .295/.354/.452

The Mets had only five hits in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader, but three of those hits went for extra bases. After falling behind 1-0 in the third inning, they tied the game on Saunders’ home run and took the lead when Salazar scored on a wild pitch. Beracierta is hitting .393/.433/.786 so far in July.

• RHP Jeffrey Colon (W, 2-0, 2.93 ERA) 5.0 IP, H, ER, BB, HBP, 8 K
• RHP Saul Gonzalez (S, 2-0, 1.45 ERA) 2.0 IP, H, 2 K

Colon was dominant in this start; the home run he gave up in the third inning was the only hit he allowed all game. He has struck out 16 batters over his last two starts and has an outstanding 40:6 K:BB ratio over 30 2/3 innings pitched this season. Gonzalez has not allowed an earned run in any of his last six appearances.

The post Mets Minors Recap: Palka Homers In Return From Injured List appeared first on Metsmerized.

On Sunday afternoon, Jacob deGrom made his first appearance in a regular-season game since July 7 of last year. In his first rehab start with St. Lucie, he looked as good as ever, averaging nearly 100 MPH on his fastball and striking out five of the six batters he faced.

AAA: Syracuse Mets (32-45) 5, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (42-36) 4  Box Score

• Khalil Lee LF: 1-for-3, 2B, K, HBP, .199/.328/.348
• Mark Vientos DH: 2-for-5, 2B, RBI, K, .251/.346/.502
• Johneshwy Fargas CF: 2-for-4, R, 2B, 3 RBI, .198/.271/.377

The Mets were just 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position during Sunday’s game, but a four-run inning that featured a bases-clearing double by Fargas provided them with all the offense they needed. Lee left the game after being hit by a pitch in the seventh inning; no update was given on whether he was removed for precautionary reasons or whether a more significant injury resulted from the pitch. Vientos has four extra base hits over his last five games.

• RHP Nate Fisher (0-1, 3.27 ERA) 5.0 IP, 4 H, BB, 2 K
• RHP Michel Otanez (W, 3-0, 4.22 ERA) 1.1 IP, 3 K
• RHP Eric Orze (2-2, 5.63 ERA) 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, BB

With a 6.14 K/9 and a 1.64 WHIP over six starts since his promotion to Triple-A, Fisher has not been particularly dominant, but he has been excellent at preventing runs from scoring. He has allowed one earned run or less in four of his six starts with Syracuse. Otanez has settled in a bit since his rocky start in Triple-A and has not given up a run in his last three appearances. After a strong June, Orze’s ERA jumped back above five when he allowed a three-run home run in the ninth inning. He has given up as many home runs as walks (9) so far this season.

AA: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (31-44) 7, Hartford Yard Goats (46-29) 1  Box Score

• Ronny Mauricio SS: 1-for-5, R, HR, 3 RBI, .250/.284/.482
• Brett Baty LF: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 2B, BB, .283/.384/.481
• Jeremy Vasquez 1B: 3-for-4, 2 2B, RBI, BB, K, .252/.342/.354

The Rumble Ponies pushed across two runs in the third inning, but it was Mauricio’s three-run homer in the fourth that really put the game out of reach. That was Mauricio’s 15th home run of the season, which ranks sixth in the Eastern League and ties him for third among all minor league shortstops. Baty has been on fire since the start of June, but his power has really started to come through over the last week: he has six extra-base hits in his last six games. Vasquez had three hits in back-to-back games.

Ronny Mauricio. Crushed.

The third-ranked @Mets prospect launches a three-run blast for @RumblePoniesBB! pic.twitter.com/Fwk2xkuvSm

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 4, 2022

• RHP Justin Lasko (W, 3-1, 5.79 ERA) 5.0 IP, 6 H, ER, BB, 3 K
• RHP Hunter Parsons (0-0, 4.05 ERA) 3.0 IP, 2 BB, 4 K
• LHP Andrew Mitchell (0-1, 3.86 ERA) 1.0 IP, K

Lasko had a 9.92 ERA at the end of April, but he has been much better since returning from the injured list in early June: he has given up one run or less in five of his six starts since that point. Parsons has also begun to settle into Double-A, as he has struck out 10 batters and not allowed a run over his last four appearances (7.0 innings pitched).

A+: Hudson Valley Renegades (38-37) 6, Brooklyn Cyclones (35-40) 2  Box Score

• Matt Rudick LF: 2-for-4, R, 3B, K, .214/.333/.359
• Jose Peroza 3B: 2-for-3, R, HR, RBI, K, .206/.291/.299
• Jaylen Palmer CF: 1-for-4, 2 K, .184/.308/.308

The Cyclones had just six hits and were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position during Sunday’s game. Peroza’s solo shot in the fifth inning got the Cyclones on the board, but they were already down by four runs at that point, a deficit that would prove insurmountable. This was only Peroza’s third home run of the season, which is a major drop in power from the previous two seasons; he had hit double-digit home runs in both 2019 and 2021. Most of Palmer’s struggles this season have been due to his ballooning strikeout rate, an issue which has not improved as the season has progressed. His strikeout rate is over 40% for the season, and he struck out 39 times in June alone.

• RHP Carson Seymour (L, 0-4, 4.40 ERA) 3.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 7 K
• RHP Dylan Hall (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 2.2 IP, 3 K
• RHP Grant Hartwig (1-0, 0.59 ERA) 1.0 IP, 2 BB, K

Seymour had mixed results during his Sunday start. On the one hand, he doubled his season total of home runs allowed by giving up two in the fourth inning. On the other hand, he was able to miss bats on a regular basis and came only one strikeout shy of his season-high despite this being his shortest start of the year. Hartwig was uncharacteristically wild, walking two batters in one outing for the first time this season, but he still managed to get out of his inning unscathed.

A: St. Lucie Mets (44-30) 8, Jupiter Hammerheads (38-35) 2  Box Score

• Alex Ramirez CF: 0-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, 3 K, .284/.359/.443
• William Lugo 3B: 2-for-2, R, HR, 4 RBI, HBP, .266/.358/.403
• Tzu-Wei Lin SS: 1-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K, .238/.407/.429

St. Lucie’s offense on Sunday was defined by a plethora of walks and a couple of timely home runs. Regarding the former, the Mets drew nine walks in this game, including a stretch of five straight walks to begin the second inning (the opposing starter threw just 15 of 46 pitches for strikes). Ramirez did not put the ball in play once, but he did draw a walk for the fourth straight game and, in an unexpected turn of events, is fourth in the Florida State League in walks over the last month. Lin continued his rehab stint with St. Lucie by hitting his first home run since May 21.

• RHP Jacob deGrom (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 1.2 IP, 5 K, HBP
• RHP Dominic Hamel (W, 5-2, 3.84 ERA) 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 6 K
• RHP Raimon Gomez (3-1, 2.84 ERA) 1.0 IP, BB, K

It was certainly a welcome sight to see deGrom back on a mound after missing nearly a year with several different injuries, and it was even better to see him flashing his usual dominant stuff. He threw 24 pitches and struck out five of the six batters he faced. He primarily relied on his fastball (averaged 99.4 MPH, topped out at 100.9 MPH, and had a 2440 RPM average spin rate), but also mixed in his slider (averaged 93.8 MPH and had a 2557 RPM average spin rate) and one changeup. All velocities and spin rates were right in line with his averages from a year ago. He had a ridiculous 75% whiff rate on all of his pitches. Hamel piggybacked deGrom and mostly picked up where he left off, albeit with much less velocity. Hamel averaged 92.6 MPH on his fastball and had a 38% whiff rate on all his pitches. He has been outstanding over his last four appearances, giving up just five runs over 21 1/3 innings pitched. Gomez is typically the hardest throwing pitcher on the St. Lucie staff, but his 97 MPH fastball (topped out at 98.8 MPH) would have to settle for second-best on Sunday.

Jacob deGrom of the St. Lucie Mets.

IMO, he has potential to be a solid starting pitcher at the next level. pic.twitter.com/EdUAzZ6WrM

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 3, 2022

The post Mets Minors Recap: DeGrom Dominates In First Rehab Start appeared first on Metsmerized.

Mike Vasil, Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

It was an exciting day for several Mets prospects, but perhaps none more so than Ronny Mauricio and Mike Vasil. Mauricio smashed his fifth home run of the season in Binghamton’s Tuesday afternoon loss. Meanwhile, Vasil had the best start of his professional career to lead St. Lucie to victory.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons (21-16) 9, Syracuse Mets (13-23) 3  Box Score

• Nick Plummer DH: 1-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, .275/.326/.563
• Mark Vientos 3B: 1-for-4, 2B, .204/.306/.441
• Travis Blankenhorn 2B: 2-for-4, 2B, .193/.239/.358

The Mets were held without a run for the first six innings of Tuesday’s game and, when they finally got their first run in the seventh, the game was already 8-0, well out of hand. Plummer contributed the rest of the team’s offense with his two-run homer to right center field. Never a massive power hitter in his career, Plummer has been an extra-base machine in the first month of the season, as half of his 22 hits have gone for extra bases (five doubles; six home runs). Vientos has also found his extra-base stroke in May, as he has six extra-base hits in his last 11 games. However, his high strikeout rate has prevented him from getting on base at a consistent rate: with two more strikeouts on Tuesday, he now has a 31.5% K% on the season.

• LHP Rob Zastryzny (L, 4.84 ERA) 3.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 2 K
• RHP Tommy Hunter (0-0, 40.50 ERA) 0.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 3 ER,
• RHP Eric Orze (0-2, 7.71 ERA) 1.2 IP, H, ER, BB, 3 K

It was a rough night for Syracuse’s pitching staff, as each of the four pitchers used in this game allowed at least one run. Zastryzny was solid until the fourth inning, in which he allowed a two-run home run and was removed for Hunter. Hunter was making his return to the Mets organization after a strong cameo with the big league team last year. His return was not auspicious, to say the least, but poor fielding did not help his cause. Orze entered the season as the Mets top relief prospect and many thought he could help the big league team at some point this season, but he has struggled mightily early this year.

AA: Akron RubberDucks (19-15) 5, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (11-22) 2  Box Score

• Francisco Álvarez C: 1-for-3, RBI, K, SF, .248/.339/.438
• Brett Baty 3B: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K, .277/.363/.454
• Ronny Mauricio SS: 1-for-4, R, HR, RBI, 3 K, .267/.307/.475

It was a rough day at the plate for the Rumble Ponies, as they went just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and struck out an absurdly high 19 times. Mauricio got them on the board early with a long second-inning home run to right field, but that and a fifth-inning sacrifice fly by Álvarez constituted the totality of the scoring for Binghamton. Four out of Mauricio’s five home runs of the year have come from the left side of the plate, but he has been solid from both sides of the plate this year (.764 OPS from the left side; .846 OPS from the right side). Álvarez extended his hit streak to six games as he continues to break out of his slump. Baty’s strikeout rate has increased recently to 31.1%, which would be a career high if maintained over a full season.

Geez, this ball from Ronny Mauricio went a long way.

Hit his 5th home run of the season for Double-A Binghamton. OPS currently at .802.

pic.twitter.com/UIr06Iugof

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) May 17, 2022

• RHP Alex Valverde (L, 1-3, 7.07 ERA) 4.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
• RHP Michel Otanez (0-1, 1.54 ERA) 1.1 IP, H, BB, 3 K
• RHP Mitch Ragan (0-1, 5.91 ERA) 3.0 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 2 K

Valverde has struggled this season, but his control hadn’t been a problem before Tuesday: he had only walked three batters total in his first six appearances of the season. On Tuesday, however, he just could not find the plate, walking four batters and throwing only 48 of his 88 pitches for strikes. Otanez continues to be dominant out of Binghamton’s bullpen and has perhaps seen one of the most impressive single-season improvements in control in recent memory. After walking 9.15 batters per nine innings a year ago, he has a 2.31 BB/9 so far this year, a number which is actually skewed slightly higher as one of his three walks was intentional. All the while, his strikeout rate has remained elite at 12.34 K/9.

A+: Brooklyn Cyclones (14-17) 5, Hudson Valley Renegades (15-18) 3  Box Score

• Jaylen Palmer CF: 1-for-4, R, HR, RBI, 3 K, .145/.278/.211
• Shervyen Newton SS: 1-for-2, R, 2B, RBI, K, .188/.381/.313
• Matt O’Neill C: 2-for-4, 2B, 3B, RBI, K, .261/.414/.478

The Cyclones only had seven hits in Tuesday’s game, but they made the most of them, with five of those hits going for extra bases. A Newton double got them on the board in the third, while Palmer’s solo home run in the fifth put them permanently ahead. Palmer has gotten off to a terrible start to the season and his much-celebrated power had been non-existent before Tuesday’s home run, an impressive opposite field shot that was the first of his season. Still, even with the promising show of power, his three strikeouts raise his strikeout right to an incredibly high 45.6%. For a catcher, O’Neill has been excellent at legging out triples, and his three triples are tied for second in the league.

Brooklyn's own Jaylen Palmer got on the board with his first home run of the year for the Cyclones.

It's been a tough start to the season for Palmer but he's not too far removed from a strong summer in St. Lucie last year. #Mets pic.twitter.com/s2TKTuQzSG

— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) May 18, 2022

• RHP Nolan Clenney (1-2, 5.71 ERA) 4.0 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 K
• RHP Colby Morris (W, 1-1, 7.59 ERA) 2.0 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 K
• RHP Hunter Parsons (2-0, 0.00 ERA) 2.0 IP, BB, 3 K

Clenney was very efficient in his first start of the season: he needed just 48 pitches to make it through four shutout innings. Parsons has a 20:2 K:BB ratio and has not allowed a run in 14 2/3 innings to start the season.

A: St. Lucie Mets (24-10) 4, Tampa Tarpoons (14-19) 3  Box Score

• Alex Ramirez CF: 2-for-5, 2B, .363/.394/.563
• Stanley Consuegra LF: 2-for-4, R, 2B, 2 K, .254/.323/.390
• Omar De Los Santos DH: 2-for-4, 3 RBI, K, 3 SB, .302/.345/.481

De Los Santos has come out of nowhere to have a very impressive 2022 season, and he was the main offensive contributor in Tuesday’s victory. His groundball singles up the middle in the sixth and eighth innings brought home a combined three runs. Perhaps most impressive about De Los Santos’ season, however, is not what he’s been doing with his bat (although his .302 average is 6th in the league), but rather what he’s doing with his legs. His 20 stolen bases tie him for fifth in the entire minor leagues and he has only been caught once. Ramirez’s line is again impressive, but seeing multi-hit games are beginning to feel mundane from him this season with how typical they’ve been. He has had at least two hits in 13 of the 31 games in which he’s played; by comparison, he has only gone hitless in five games this season.

• RHP Mike Vasil (W, 3-1, 1.85 ERA) 7.0 IP, 2 H, R, 11 K
• RHP Grant Hartwig (3-0, 4.30 ERA) 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, BB, 4 K
• RHP Joshua Cornielly (2-1, 3.60 ERA) 0.1 IP, K

Throughout his brief Mets career, Vasil has generally looked more like the first-round pick he was expected to be out of high school than the college arm who fell to the Mets in the 8th round. If there was one critique that could be leveled against him, it was that he didn’t strike out a ton of batters this year: he entered the game with only 24 strikeouts in 27.0 innings pitched, a solid but not elite number. Vasil certainly put those concerns to rest by flashing his ability to miss bats in this start. He needed just 88 pitches to make it through a career-high seven innings and nearly doubled his previous career-high of six strikeouts. He had 23 swings and misses and his fastball was up to 96 MPH. Through 34 innings pitched, he has not allowed a single extra base hit; the slash line against him is .172/.239/.172.

The post Mets Minors Recap: Mauricio Homers, Vasil Strikes Out 11 appeared first on Metsmerized.

Photo by Allen Greene Photography

Columbus Clippers (9-3) 4, Syracuse Mets (1-10) 3  Box Score

• Khalil Lee CF: 1-for-2, 2 BB, .103/.235/.138
• Patrick Mazeika 1B: 2-for-3, R, BB, .226/.333/.226
• Travis Blankenhorn 2B: 1-for-5, R, HR, 2 RBI, K, .233/.258/.533

Despite only recording six hits, the Mets’ offense had plenty of opportunities in Sunday’s game, but they went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Following a phenomenal 2021 season, Lee has struggled to start 2022, but he reached base three times in this game and has had a hit in the last three games. Interestingly, he had predominantly played center field this year when he was mostly in right field last year, although this may be because there is no other clear option in center on the current roster. Blankenhorn has had an impressive power surge to start the season as he now has three home runs in the first seven games of the year. Mark Vientos was hitless with four strikeouts.

• LHP Mike Montgomery (L, 0-2, 3.00 ERA) 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 K
• RHP Colin Holderman (0-0, 1.93 ERA) 1.1 IP, H, ER, BB, KÁ
• RHP Stephen Nogosek (0-0, 1.69 ERA) 1.0 IP

The Mets have only won one of their first eleven games, and the pitching staff is mostly to blame for this. They have the worst ERA in the league and have allowed 7.3 runs per game. In this context, only allowing four runs feels like a victory, even if that wasn’t the game’s ultimate result. Montgomery continues to have a solid season with Syracuse; he has an excellent 12:1 K: BB ratio through 12 innings pitched. Holderman gave up his first run of the season on a sixth-inning home run. Nogosek has struck out seven batters without walking anyone over 5.1 innings to start the season.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies (3-5) 9, Bowie Baysox (4-4) 6  Box Score

• Francisco Álvarez DH: 2-for-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 3 K, .375/.429/1.000
• Brett Baty 3B: 1-for-3, BB, K, .400/.419/.667
• Ronny Mauricio SS: 0-for-4, 2 K, .276/.323/.483

The Rumble Ponies’ offense only had one run through the first four innings but would explode for eight more runs over the final four offensive frames of the game. Six of the team’s ten hits in Sunday’s game went for extra bases, including home runs by Álvarez, Jake Mangum, and Luke Ritter. With two extra-base hits in this game, Álvarez’s power numbers in the early days of the season are indeed something to behold. He has only played six games, but seven of his nine hits have gone for extra bases, and his four home runs rank him second in the league. Perhaps the only minor issue one could take with the early part of his season is that he has struck out 25% of the time. Baty’s performance has been lost a bit in the hype, but even with an unsustainable .550 BABIP, he has been fantastic.

Francisco Álvarez hit his fourth home run of the year.

No idea how he muscled this one out. #Mets pic.twitter.com/bKoRqsEWJQ

— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) April 17, 2022

• RHP Alec Kisena (1-0, 4.26 ERA) 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 3 K
• RHP Brian Metoyer (1-0, 3.38 ERA) 1.0 IP, BB, 3 K
• RHP Bryce Montes de Oca (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 1.0 IP, K

Kisena started on Sunday, and while he did allow several baserunners and threw 39 pitches before exiting, it was not immediately clear why he was removed from the game. He had two runners on in the second but had not yet allowed a run to score. It may have just been a pitch count issue, or it could have been due to injury. Montes de Oca has not allowed a single hit over the four innings he has pitched this year. The sample size is too small to make much of his improved control, but it is good to see his walk rate drop from 7.2 to 4.5 BB/9 while his strikeout rate has increased.

Brooklyn Cyclones (6-3) 6, Jersey Shore BlueClaws (1-8) 1  Box Score

• Brandon McIlwain RF: 1-for-3, R, HR, RBI, BB, K, .353/.450/.647
• Tanner Murphy LF: 1-for-3, 3B, RBI, K, .222/.200/.444
• Jose Peroza 2B: 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, K, .192/.214/.192

Everyone contributed to the Cyclones’ win on Sunday: each player in the lineup reached base at least once, and the team’s ten hits were spread out among seven different players. McIlwain has emerged from being a relatively obscure minor league free agent signing a year ago to now becoming the early star for the Cyclones. He has had success getting hits and stealing bases over the first week of the season but flashed his power for the first time with a big home run to left field to get the Cyclones on the board in the second inning.

B-Mac said B-Gone to this baseball. Brandon McIlwain’s first home run of the year gives Brooklyn a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd here on Coney Island.#AmazinStartsHere #MiLB pic.twitter.com/6WvAUOM0R6

— Brooklyn Cyclones (@BKCyclones) April 17, 2022

• RHP Carlos Ocampo (0-1, 8.10 ERA) 3.0 IP, R, 5 BB, 2 K
• RHP Garrison Bryant (W, 1-0, 3.18 ERA) 2.0 IP, H, BB, K
• RHP Josh Hejka (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 1.0 IP, H, 2 K

A week after a disastrous first start of the season, in which he was knocked out of the game in the first inning, Ocampo was unhittable over three innings on Sunday. While not allowing a hit is an improvement, Ocampo was plagued by walks during his outing, and just half of his 56 pitches were strikes. Hejka has looked strong over the first week of the season, striking out five and walking none over three scoreless innings.

St. Lucie Mets (7-2) 5, Clearwater Threshers (1-8) 4  Box Score

• Alex Ramirez CF: 1-for-4, RBI, K, .485/.528/.697
• Stanley Consuegra LF: 2-for-4, R, 2B, RBI, 2 K, .333/.389/.424
• William Lugo DH: 2-for-4, R, HR, RBI, 2 K, .250/.357/.458

Home runs by Lugo, and Omar De Los Santos powered the Mets to victory on Sunday. Lugo has struggled with strikeouts throughout his career, and despite his solid slash line so far, he has still struck out in exactly half (14 of 28) of his plate appearances. On the other hand, Ramirez struggled with strikeouts last year but has dramatically improved in that category this year. He has struck out in just 13.9% of his plate appearances in 2022. He also has an eight-game hitting streak, having recorded a hit in each game he has played this season. Consuegra has also impressed so far, even though his well-regarded power has not shown up yet outside of a few doubles, including one on Sunday.

• RHP Calvin Ziegler (0-1, 3.86 ERA) 3.1 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, 7 K
• RHP Carson Seymour (W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA) 1.0 IP, 2 K
• LHP Nathan Lavender (S, 1-0, 0.00 ERA) 2.0 IP, 4 K

2021 draft picks Ziegler, Seymour, and Lavender shone in Sunday’s game for St. Lucie. Ziegler, picked in the second round of last year’s draft, was nearly flawless in his second start of the year. His lone blemish came on a home run in the fourth inning, against the last batter he would face before coming out of the game with 60 pitches. He struck out rehabbing major leaguer Odubel Herrera twice in his start. Seymour’s first appearance of the season was a four-inning start, but he was much more dominant in his single-inning appearance on Sunday. He only needed eight pitches to strike out two batters and finish a perfect inning. Lavender followed with two perfect innings himself, in which he threw 19 of 22 pitches for strikes.

The post MMN Recap: Álvarez Blasts Fourth Home Run Of The Season appeared first on Metsmerized.

Calvin Ziegler, Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

AAA: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (4-1) vs. Syracuse Mets (1-4)

Syracuse’s game was postponed for the second time in their opening series against the RailRiders due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Wednesday, June 8. The Mets will begin their next series at Columbus on Tuesday, April 12.

AA: Hartford Yard Goats (2-1) 10, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (1-2) 8  Box Score

• Brett Baty 3B: 2-for-5, R, 2 K, .357/.357/.643
• Ronny Mauricio SS: 2-for-5, R, 2B, .286/.286/.357
• Matt Winaker 1B: 1-for-4, 2 R, HR, 5 RBI, K, .286/.400/.714

One day after being blown out 13-2, the Rumble Ponies’ offense returned to form, even if the pitching left plenty to be desired. Six of the team’s eight runs came off two big swings: a two-run blast to left-center field by Johneshwy Fargas and Winaker’s grand slam to right field in the fifth inning. Francisco Álvarez was out of the lineup during Sunday’s game, but this gave Binghamton’s other two top prospects a chance to shine. Both Baty and Mauricio had multi-hit games, and, after striking out six times over the first two games of the season, Mauricio was able to put the ball in play in all five of his at bats. Every player in the lineup except Jeremy Vasquez had at least one hit in the game.

• RHP Alex Valverde (0-0, 23.14 ERA) 2.1 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, BB, 4 K
• RHP Willy Taveras (L, 0-1, 9.00 ERA) 1.0 IP, H, 2 R, ER
• RHP Brian Metoyer (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 1.0 IP, K

Valverde’s first appearances in the Mets organization – he was selected in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft this offseason – did not quite go as planned. Working primarily out of the bullpen since 2019, except for a brief 10-start run at the end of 2021, it was surprising to see him in the Binghamton starting rotation to start the season. As a full-time reliever, Taveras had a solid 2021 season but struggled in his 2022 debut. The two-run homer he gave up in the seventh inning drove in the deciding runs of the game. Metoyer, who impressed with his high spin rate curveball during the Arizona Fall League, had the best outing of any Binghamton pitcher as he needed just 12 pitches to get through a perfect eighth inning.

Wilmington Blue Rocks (2-1) 4, Brooklyn Cyclones (1-2) 1  Box Score

• Jaylen Palmer CF: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, .100/.100/.200
• JT Schwartz 1B: 1-for-3, R, BB, K, .111/.200/.111
• Brandon McIlwain RF: 1-for-3, 2B, .200/.200/.400

In Sunday’s game, Brooklyn’s offense struggled mightily as Wilmington shut out the lineup until the ninth inning. They especially struggled with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-6 in those rare situations when a runner made it to second base. The lone run in the game came when Schwartz singled with two outs in the ninth, and Palmer drove him home with a double in the next at bat. Schwartz and Palmer are among the more promising hitters on the Cyclones this season, but these were just the first hits for both of them.

• RHP Carlos Ocampo (L, 0-1, 81.00 ERA) 0.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, BB, K
• RHP Oscar Rojas (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 4.0 IP, H, BB, 6 K
• RHP Reyson Santos (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 1.0 IP, BB, 2 K

Like Valverde with Binghamton, Ocampo was taken by the Mets in the minor league Rule 5 draft this past offseason, primarily worked as a reliever in his former organization, and was penciled into the starting rotation to start 2022. And, like Valverde, he had a rough go of it in his first start in the Mets organization. Ocampo only got one out before being pulled from the game; he threw 32 pitches before being removed. Nevertheless, the bullpen largely limited the damage over their eight and two-thirds innings and kept the Cyclones in the game. Rojas, who was probably scheduled to piggyback Ocampo on Sunday, was the best of the bunch, allowing just two baserunners over the four innings he pitched.

Daytona Tortugas (1-2) 9, St. Lucie Mets (2-1) 2  Box Score

• Alex Ramirez DH: 2-for-4, R, 3B, RBI, K, .462/.500/.615
• Stanley Consuegra CF: 2-for-4, RBI, K, .385/.429/.385
• Raul Beracierta 1B: 1-for-3, R, .333/.333/.333

The Mets’ offense couldn’t get much going in Sunday’s loss, scoring just two runs on five hits. However, the entire offense came from the lineup’s two top prospects: Ramirez and Consuegra. Back-to-back hits by the two of them in the eighth inning brought home St. Lucie’s only two runs. Both have gotten off to strong starts in the opening series, and Ramirez, considering he spent most of last season with St. Lucie, may be in line for a quick promotion to Brooklyn if he keeps this up. Consuegra, a former top international signing, has had injury issues but is still 21 years old and impressed in minor league spring training, so it’s good to see him with a strong opening weekend.

• RHP Calvin Ziegler (L, 0-1, 4.91 ERA) 3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
• RHP Joshua Cornielly (0-0, 13.50 ERA) 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, BB, 3 K
• RHP Brendan Hardy (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 1.0 IP, H, BB, 3 K

Ziegler, the Mets’ 2nd round draft pick in 2021 and one of the top pitching prospects in the system, made his professional debut in Sunday’s game. He had a rough first inning, in which he walked two batters and gave up both of the runs he allowed before he was pulled with 56 pitches in the fourth inning. His fastball was reportedly sitting 94-96 MPH in the game. Cornielly was making his first appearance since 2019 after missing all of last season following shoulder surgery.

The post Mets Minors Recap: Calvin Ziegler Makes Professional Debut appeared first on Metsmerized.

Good morning, Mets fans!

Another deadline come and gone. It is now Wednesday morning. The new deadline is now Wednesday afternoon for the two sides to reach an agreement before #MLB cancels another week of games.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 9, 2022

After continuing talks well into the night, the two sides were unable to come to an agreement and once again moved the deadline back. As a result, the new rough deadline is now this afternoon, as Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported.

The negotiations finally ended past 3 a.m. ET. The latest update from Evan Drellich of The Athletic:

MLB official says the Players Association requested to speak to its board again early tomorrow before coming back with a proposal, and the PA will be getting back to MLB tomorrow morning. So, to be clear, MLB is not canceling games at this moment right now.

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 9, 2022

Latest Mets News

Mets minor leaguers have been getting some reps in Port St. Lucie, and the team posted footage of 2021 draft pick Keyshawn Askew.

I had a blast at last night’s Thurman Munson Awards, and I really enjoyed talking to Mookie Wilson and Jeff Nelson who were both delightful. Here’s my story on the event for MLB dot com! https://t.co/ehSHjjyZtZ

— Elizabeth Muratore (@nymfan97) March 8, 2022

Former Met Mookie Wilson was one of the attendees at Monday night’s Thurman Munson Awards.

Latest MLB News

In case you were wondering who most people blame for the MLB lockout, according to a Morning Consult Poll, most fans blame ownership.

The MLB Players Trust launches $500,000 fund to support non profit programs in spring training communities pic.twitter.com/kZVseaXNC9

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 8, 2022

The MLB Players Trust announced it had launched a $500,000 fund to support non-profit programs in spring training communities amidst the lockout.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that MLB is partnering with Apple TV to carry a Friday Night Baseball doubleheader on Apple TV+ starting this season. Apple will exclusively broadcast games on the streaming service.

MLB kickstarted an initial $1 million fund to support ballpark workers affected by missed spring training games.

Lindsey Adler of The Athletic detailed how Yankees’ Anthony Volpe used a trip to Wake Forest to improve his throwing motion this offseason.

P.E. Moskowitz of Mental Hellth shared her thoughts regarding the current MLB lockout situation.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Hess announced he is cancer free. He credits the support he received from Trey Mancini, and Daniel Bard helped him during this critical time.

Brusdar Graterol built a bullpen mound and a miniature golf course in the backyard of his Arizona home. He also faced hitters today at the facility that was set up by the MLBPA.

“I’m bored,” he said.

— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) March 8, 2022

Dodgers pitcher Brusdar Graterol has found a way to pass the time during the MLB lockout.

Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the latest offer from MLB.

Latest on MMO

Matt Musico reminisces about former Mets’ first baseman Lucas Duda‘s 2015 season.

Sal Manzo released his latest episode of the “Get Metsmerized” podcast. Manzo is joined by Long Island native, former St. John’s pitcher, and current Mets minor leaguer Tom Hackimer.

Nate Mendelson celebrates Mets’ historic hires on International Women’s Day.

On This Date in Mets History

Birthdays: C.J. Nitkowski (49)

Let’s go, Mets!

The post Morning Briefing: Yet Another New Deadline Wednesday Afternoon appeared first on Metsmerized.