I spent most of the day on the backfields at Port St. Lucie yesterday and had some fun watching many of the minor leaguers already in camp, many of whom are reporting early. I made a few small notes I wanted to share with the readers on MMO, but mostly wanted to pass along a significant health update on one of our top prospects.
As most of the readers here know, 19-year old righthander Michael Fulmer injured his knee two weeks ago while working out at PSL.
The Mets’ supplemental pick from the 2011 First year Player Draft, had to undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
Meniscus injuries can be tricky sometimes especially for pitchers and even more so when it’s on the leg you land on after you deliver a pitch. Recovery times can range from three to six to ten weeks, and every case is unique.
While there has been no official update from the team, I saw Michael Fulmer today and I’m happy to report that by all accounts, the surgery went well.
As Fulmer walked around the team’s complex this afternoon, the stitches on his leg were still very visible, but it looks as though he’s doing fine and I’m hearing a timetable for his return is about a month and a half. That sounds about right, and there’s no point to rushing him back.
Fulmer posted a 2.74 ERA in 21 starts for Low-A Savannah last season and showed great confidence in his pitches and good command. In 108 innings pitched he struck out 101, while walking 38. It was good to see such a top talent in good spirits and recovering just fine.
Notes:
There were two games on the backfields yesterday, both A-Ball teams, Groups 3 & 4 were playing games right alongside each other so I had the opportunity to watch both games, and key in on some of the players that I really wanted to get a closer look at.
For Group 4 (Savannah), I watched Miller Diaz throw today. Diaz had great poise on the mound, and his pitches looked great. Also playing for Savannah today were Vicente Lupo who everyone is very curious about, but come away impressed. Wuilmer Becerra, who was the other prospect the Mets got back for R.A. Dickey got an at-bat and grounded out. Branden Kaupe looked solid defensively at second, but didn’t get to see Gavin Cecchini. All of these players are unlikely to start at Savannah, except for possibly Cecchini.
I also caught a glimpse of Rainy Lara who pitched for Group 3 (St. Lucie) and I liked what I saw, this kid is solid.
There was some nice buzz and excitement during that game as it drew to an end. The score was tied at 1-1 in the 8th and Phillip Evans came to the plate with the bases loaded. Evans slashed a single which brought home one run to break the deadlock. Brandon Brown followed Evans with a bases-clearing triple that he laced into the left field corner. With the score now 5-1, heavy rains suddenly poured down and both games were called.
I hope you enjoyed the update and you can look forward to more updates like these in the coming days. I’m hoping to make some time for a few exclusive interviews as well…
Update 3/23
I’m actually watching Zack Wheeler right now as all four minor league groups are playing a pair of intrasquad games today. Groups 1 vs 2, and Groups 3 vs 4.
They’re clocking Wheeler at 94-98 and he’s already broken two bats. Two of the MLB scouts who are here told Adam Rubin the following:
Scout 1 said: “He’s got four pitches.”
Scout 2 said: “And they’re all plus, plus, plus, plus.”
“He’s really good … and we’re not getting him,” one scout said with a laugh, noting the Mets would never trade the future ace.
Full recap later, heading to major league camp now…
