Prospect Focus: Jose Coronado

Splits courtesy www.minorleaguesplits.com

*Jose Coronado is a switch hitter*

The New York Mets signed shortstop Jose Coronado as an International free agent out of Venezuela back in August of 2003. He started him Mets career with the VSL team, and batted .242/.351/.363 in 34 games. Jose made his stateside debut in 2005 with the GCL Mets, where in 11 games, he proved he outclassed the league, hitting .404/.429/.468/.897 (19 for 47, 9 runs, 2b, 3b, 4 RBI, 1/9 BB/K, 1/2 SBs). Obviously, in such a small sample size, subsets of said sample size would be equally tiny (14 ABs vs LHP, 33 vs RHP), and offer up no real statistical meaning.

Coronado spent the bulk of the 2005 season with rookie level Kingsport, where he hit .266/.382/.338/.720 (37 for 139, 24 runs, 5 2b, 3b, HR, 8 RBI, 6/10 SBs, 22/27 BB/K), with a very good .8148 BB/K ratio, and an equally good .194 K rate. He hit .324/.432/.432/.864 vs LHP (12 for 37, 2 2b, 3b, 6/7 BB/K), with a .8571 BB/K ratio, and a .189 K rate. Against RHP, he hit .260/.374/.317/.691 (27 for 104, 3 2b, HR, 16/20 BB/K), a BB/K ratio of 0.80, with a K rate of .192.

Coronado ended his 2005 season with an 18 game cameo in Hagerstown, where he struggled mightily, hitting just .225/.295/.282/.577 (16 for 71, 4 runs, 2 2b, 3b, 4 RBI, 7/17 BB/K), with a dramatically lowered BB/K ratio of .4118, and a correspondingly raised K rate of .239. He had just 14 ABs against LHP, and 55 vs RHP, again, very small sample sizes which do not have any statistical value.

Despite his struggles in Hagerstown, the Mets aggresively pushed Coronado to St. Lucie for his age 20 season, where he predictably struggled, hitting just .226/.283/.278/.561 (123 for 544, 61 runs, 20 2b, 4 3b, 37 RBI, 41/119 BB/K), with a very bad (for a non power hitter) .3445 BB/K ratio, and an equally high .218 K rate.

Coronado hit just .208/.282/.291/.573 vs LHP (31 for 148, 8 2b, 2 3b, 14/35 BB/K), with a .4000 BB/K ratio, and a .236 K rate. Against RHP, he hit .233/.283/.275/.558 (93 for 400, 13 2b, 2 3b, 27/86 BB/K), a woeful .3140 BB/K ratio, and a .215 K rate.

Despite this, the Mets saw fit to push Coronado to Binghamton for the 2007 season, where of course, he struggled even more, hitting just .212/.284/.257/.541 (65 for 307, 31 runs, 7 2b, 2 3b, HR, 15 RBI, 31/84 BB/K, 7/10 SBs), with a .3690 BB/K ratio, and a ridiculously high K rate of .274. Coronado hit equally poorly from both sides of the plate, hitting .212/.281/.225/.506 vs LHP (batting righty; 17 for 80, 2b, 8/22 BB/K), with a .3636 BB/K ratio, and a .275 K rate. Against RHP, batting lefty, Coronado hit .217/.288/.261/.549 (49 for 229, 5 2b, 3b, HR, 22/60 BB/K), with a .3667 BB/K ratio and a .265 K rate.

Thankfully, the Mets let Coronado repeat AA in 2008 with much "better", though still severely below average, results. Coronado hit .260/.335/.314/.649 (132 for 507, 56 runs, 24 2b, HR, 39 RBI, 57/79 BB/K, 9/12 SBs), with vastly improved strize zone and plate discipline. His BB/K ratio was .7215, while his K rate plunged to .156 from 2007's rate of .274. Coronado hit a respectable .285/.333/.370/.703 vs LHP (47 for 165, 25 runs, 11 2b, HR, 18 RBI, 12/27 BB/K), with a .4444 BB/K ratio, and a very good .164 K rate. Against RHP, he hit .249/.336/.287/.622 (85 for 342, 31 runs, 13 2b, 21 RBI, 45/52 BB/K, 7/9 SBs), with an excellent .8654 BB/K ratio, and a very good K rate of .152.

THE FUTURE: Coronado is likely ticketted for AAA Buffalo for his age 23 season, right in line age/level wise for a prospect. However, he didn't hit for any power in Binghamton this year (54 IsoP), and that does need to improve somewhat, or else he needs to become a .300 hitter while maintaining his newfound BB/K ratio. Contrary to popular belief, I do not hate the player Luis Castillo was (I hate the player he is now), which is probably Coronado's ceiling.

12/30 Winter League Report! Coronado

Oh yes - I put up a new banner, at the request of the artist, it's an updated version of the original. Please vote on this new banner in the poll over there ------------------------>

ss Jose Coronado 2 for 4, RBI, .308
Roy Merritt IP, H, 0.90 era, 0:3:0

c Rene Rivera 2 for 5, run, HR, 2 RBI, K, .245
2b Pornstache 1 for 2, run, HR, RBI, BB, .216
c Yasmil Bucce 0 for 4 (winter debut)
cf Endy Chavez 1 for 3, .279
3b Edgardo Alfonzo 0 for 1, run, BB, .322
Pedro Feliciano 0.2 IP, H, ER, HR, 2.70 era, 2:0:0
Ivan Maldonado IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2/2 BB/K, HR, 2.57 era, ChSV (7), 0:1:2

cf Jesus Feliciano 0 for 3, 2 runs, 2 BBs, .357
1b Raul Casanova 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .314
c Robinson Cancel 1 for 3, BB, 2 Ks, .244
ph, dh Saloman Manriquez 0 for 2, K, .125
Ruddy Lugo 3 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 4 BBs, 15 era, L (0-1), 4:4:0

12/29 Winter League Report + 12/30 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 4pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Arecibo Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore @ 6pm
Gameday

12/28 Winter League Report + 12/29 Linkss

ss, 3b Jose Coronado 0 for 3, RBI, BB, K, .313
c Juan Centeno 1 for 1, run, 3b, .333
ph, lf Brahiam Maldonado 0 for 1, .235
Dillon Gee 2 IP, BB, K, 2.22 era, 3:2:1
Michael Antonini 2 IP, 1/4 BB/K, 3.45 era, W (2-0), 1:1:4
Jose Rojas H, BB, 2.14 era
Emary Frederick IP, K, 7.71 era, 2:0:1
Edgar Alfonzo 0.1 IP, H, 5.09 era, 0:1:0

2b Pornstache 0 for 2, 2 BBs, .204
cf Endy Chavez 1 for 4, .271
3b Edgardo Alfonzo 2 for 5, run, 2b, RBI, .322
Pedro Feliciano IP, BB, K, 0.00 era, 1:1:1

dh Robinson Cancel 1 for 6, RBI, .241
cf Jesus Feliciano 2 for 5, 2 runs, K, .365
c Rene Rivera 0 for 3, BB, .236
1b Raul Casanova 0 for 3, run, .325
1B Michel Abreu 0 for 3, run, BB, .400
Eude Brito IP, H, ER, K, HR, 13.50 era, BS (1), 1:1:1
Eddie Camacho 0.2 IP, K, 4.96 era
Tim McNab 2.2 IP, 4 H, 3/2 R/ER, BB, HR, 3.48 era, 5:3:0

12/29 Links
Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

Arecibo Boxscore
Gameday

Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Input needed from readers/followers...

So I mentioned in passing (I think on the chat box) that I'd be updating our guys stats in the winter leagues for the playoffs, since mlb.com won't be. I'll be using Excel to keep up - but we have a ton of players in the winter leagues, and only a few that pertain to this blog, so I've created a list of those (+ veterans who normally wouldn't fall under our jurisdiction, but why the hell not?), and a list I won't be updating. I need input from you guys as to who to place in what category. So I'll post the lists below, and you guys can pick additions, subtractions. Here it is:

Guys I will update

Fernando Martinez (AA), Fernando Tatis (MLB), Jose Coronado (AA), Brahiam Maldonado (A+), Francisco Pena (A), Dillon Gee (AA), Michael Antonini (AA), Tobi Stoner (AA), Jose Rojas (R), German Marte (A+), Pedro Feliciano (MLB), K Rod (MLB)

Guys I will NOT update

Victor Mendez, Jesus Feliciano, Rene Rivera, Robinson Cancel, Michel Abreu, Gustavo Molina, Rogelio Del Campo, Michael Hernandez, Hector Pellot, Juan Centeno, Cesar Cordido, Roy Merritt, Nelson Figueroa, Carlos Muniz, Junior Guerra, Edgar Alfonzo, Jose Sanchez, Eddie Camacho, Matias Carrillo, Julio Polanco, Juan Padilla
Eric Brown

12/27 Winter League Report + 12/28 Links

3b, ss Jose Coronado 0 for 4, BB, .325
Jose Rojas 0.1 IP, BB, 2.14 era, 0:1:0
Emary Frederick 0.1 IP, H, 9.82 era, 0:1:0
German Marte 0.2 IP, 0.00 era, W (1-0), 0:2:0

cf Endy Chavez 2 for 3, 2 runs, HR, 3 RBI, .272
3b Edgardo Alfonzo 2 for 5, 2b, RBI, .320
KRod IP, K, 4.50 era, 2:0:1

1b Michel Abreu 1 for 4, RBI, BB, K, .571
1b Raul Casanova 1 for 3, 2b, 2 BBs, .333
c Robinson Cancel 1 for 4, run, 2b, .247

12/28 Links
Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 4pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Arecibo Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore @ 6pm
Gameday

12/26 Winter Report + 12/27 Links

Question for you guys: I'm going to start an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of the regular season + playoff numbers for our guys - the question is, should I do so for all our guys, or just the prospects + veterans we care about? Like - is anyone interested in the Jesus Feliciano/Raul Casanova's of the world? (cause I'm certainly not).

Late additions:
3b Jose Coronado 2 for 4, BB, .342
Jose Rojas 0.1 IP, 2.18 era, 0:1:0
cf Endy Chavez 3 for 6, run, .258

rf Brahiam Maldonado 1 for 1, run, .250
Tobi Stoner 5 IP, 5 H, R, 4 Ks, 2.25 era, 7:4:4
Roy Merritt 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1/2 BB/K, 1 era, 0:1:2

Claudio Vargas 0.1 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 2 BBs, 108.11 era
Pedro Feliciano 0.1 IP, K, 0.00 era

1b Michel Abreu 3 for 3, run, 2 2b, 6 RBI, BB
1b Raul Casanova 1 for 3, run, 2 BBs, .333
cf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 3, BB, K, .364
c Rene Rivera 1 for 5, 2b, RBI, .244
Tim McNab 1.1 IP, H, K, 2.35 era, 2:0:1
Eude Brito 0.1 IP, H, ER, BB, 27.03 era

12/27 Links
Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 730pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

12/26 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 730pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

12/23 Winter League Report! CORONADO!

Happy Holidays.

ss Jose Coronado 4 for 5, 2 runs, 2b, 3b, BB, K, .333
Roy Merritt 1.2 IP, 3 H, K, 1.17 era, 1:2:1
Edgar Alfonzo H, 5.19 era

cf Endy Chavez 1 for 3, BB, K, .241
3b Edgardo Alfonzo 2 for 4, 2b, 2 Ks, .319
Pedro Feliciano 0.1 IP, 2 H, 0.00 era, 1:0:0

c Ninja Turtle 2 for 4, 2b, 2 RBI, .247
1b Raul Casanova 0 for 4, K, .333
cf Jesus Feliciano 3 for 4, 2 runs, 2b, RBI, .364
c Rene Rivera 2 for 5, 3 Ks, .247
Ivan Maldonado IP, K, 1.50 era, SV (6), 1:1:1

BTW - I believe all the winter league regular seasons are now over. So, I will redo the offensive stats banner and repost it sometime tomorrow, after all the stats have been compiled. Pitching stats will be up on 12/27. And - please tell me via comment/chat box what you would like the stats sorted by (League, Name, ABs, OPS, AVG, etc...IP, ERA, W, WHIP...)

12/22 Winter League Report + 12/23 Links

ss Jose Coronado 1 for 4, run, 2b, RBI, BB, 2 Ks, .299

cf Endy Chavez 1 for 5, .237
3b, 1b Edgardo Alfonzo 1 for 5, run, 2b, K, .315

Ivan Maldonado IP, H, BB, 1.64 era, 0:3:0

12/23 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 730pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

12/21 Winter League Report! Coronado!

lf Fernando Martinez 1 for 5, 2 runs, 2 Ks, .314
3b Jose Coronado 2 for 4, run, K, .295 (Game 1)
3b Jose Coronado 1 for 2, BB, .302 (Game 2)
Michael Antonini 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2/2 BB/K, HR, 3.60 era, 8:6:2
Roy Merritt 2 H, BB, 1.50 era
Emary Frederick 0.1 IP, H, 2 ER, BB, 10.80 era, L (1-1)

rf Fernando Tatis 0 for 3, 2 Ks, .338
cf Endy Chavez 0 for 4, run, .240
3b, 1b Edgardo Alfonzo 0 for 3, BB, .310
Carlos Muniz 2 IP, H, K, 3.27 era, 4:1:1

cf Jesus Feliciano 0 for 5, K, .352
1b Salvador Paniagua 1 for 5, run, HR, 2 RBI, 2 Ks, .250
1b Raul Casanova 1 for 3, run, BB, .347
dh Michel Abreu 2 for 4, run, RBI, .314
Ruddy Ludo IP, 4.09 era
Joselo Diaz IP, H, K, 7.36 era
Eude Brito IP, 2 H, ER, K, 2.60 era

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

12/20 Winter League Report + 12/21 Links! FERNANDO, GEE!

lf Fernando Martinez 2 for 6, 2 runs, 2b, HR, RBI, K, .318
pr, dh Argenis Reyes 0 for 1, 2 BBs, K, .219
Dillon Gee 7 IP, 5 H, 1/5 BB/K, 2.31 era, W (4-0), 8:6:5 (now at 201 IP for the season)
Eric Brown 0.1 IP, H, 3.97 era, 1:0:0 (allowed 2 IHR to score)
Tobi Stoner 5 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2/1 BB/K, 3.86 era, L (0-1), 6:7:1 (1st winter start, either in Zona or PR)
German Marte 1.1 IP, K, 1.80 era

rf Fernando Tatis 1 for 3, K, .345
c Ninja Turtle 0 for 5, .232
cf Endy Chavez 1 for 4, run, RBI, BB, 2 Ks, .254
3b, 1b Edgardo Alfonzo 0 for 3, run, 2 BBs, .322
Pedro Feliciano IP, 0.00 era, 2:1:0

cf Jesus Feliciano 0 for 2, BB, K, .367
1b Raul Casanova 2 for 4, RBI, BB, K, .347
1b Michel Abreu 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .290
Tim McNab 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 Ks, 2.84 era, 2:0:2
Ivan Maldonado IP, H, K, 1.80 era, 1:1:1
Eddie Camacho 2 IP, 2 H, 5.17 era, 1:5:0

12/21 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 4pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore @ 6pm
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

DWL: Escogido @ Licey Boxscore - 5pm
Gameday

12/19 Winter League Report + 12/20 Links

lf, cf Fernando Martinez 1 for 4, K, .317
Emary Frederick 0.1 IP, 6.00 era, 0:1:0
Edgar Alfonzo 0.1 IP, H, 5.19 era

cf Endy Chavez 0 for 3, run, BB, .254
dh Ninja Turtle 0 for 4, K, .250
Carlos Muniz IP, K, 3.60 era, 2:0:1 (8 consecutive scoreless outings, spanning 7.2 innings (4 hits, 1/8 bb/k)

1b Raul Casanova 0 for 3, run, BB, 2 Ks, .240
cf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 5, RBI, .373
c Rene Rivera 1 for 4, BB, K, .230
1b Michel Abreu 2 for 3, RBI, .333
Eude Brito 1.2 IP, 2.20 era, 4:1:0
Tim LaVigne IP, 3 BBs, 1.61 era, 3:0:0

12/20 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 730pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

12/18 Winter League Report + 12/19 Links

3b Jose Coronado 0 for 2, .281
Roy Merritt 1.2 IP, 1/2 BB/K, 1.50 era, 2:1:2

cf Endy Chavez 3 for 5, run, 2 RBI, .266
3b Edgardo Alfonzo 1 for 4, run, 2b, 2 RBI, .325

cf Jesus Feliciano 0 for 4, BB, K, .372
c Rene Rivera 1 for 3, BB, 2 Ks, .229

12/19 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 730pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

12/17 Winter League Report + 12/18 Links! Fernando!

2b Hector Pellot 0 for 1, .000
lf Fernando Martinez 2 for 4, run, RBI, BB, .319
ss Jose Coronado 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .291
Jose Rojas 1.1 IP, 1/2 BB/K, 2.21 era, 1:1:2

cf Endy Chavez 1 for 4, run, 2 RBI, .237
3b, 1b Edgardo Alfonzo 2 for 3, run, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K, .327
c Robinson "Ninja Turtle" Cancel 0 for 3, K, .267
c Salvador Paniagua 1 for 1, .255

1b Raul Casanova 2 for 4, run, 2b, 3 RBI, BB, K, .352
1b Michel Abreu 1 for 5, RBI, K, .292

12/18 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 730pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

12/16 Winter League Report + 12/17 Links! Fernando!

lf Fernando Martinez 2 for 6, run, HR (5), RBI (24), 3 Ks, .313
ss Jose Coronado 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .314
ph, lf Brahiam Maldonado 0 for 1, .200
Michael Antonini 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1/6 BB/K, HR, 3.63 era, 3:6:6 (he surpassed 200 IP with this start)
Roy Merritt 0.2 IP, 2.08 era, 1:1:0
Jose Rojas 1.2 IP, 1/2 BB/K, 2.37 era, 1:2:2

cf Endy Chavez 2 for 5, 2b, K, .236
3b, 1b Edgardo Alfonzo 1 for 4, .322
Eddie Camacho 0.1 IP, H, ER, HR, 5.93 era, L (1-1), 1:0:0
Carlos Muniz IP, K, 3.79 era, 1:1:1

1b Raul Casanova 2 for 4, 3 RBI, K, .345
1b Michel Abreu 1 for 2, run, 2 BBs, .316
cf Jesus Feliciano 2 for 5, run, K, .385
ph, c Rene Rivera 0 for 2, K, .224
Ruddy Lugo 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2/3 BB/K, 4.22 era
Eude Brito IP, 2 H, R, 2.45 era, L (1-1)
Tim McNab 0.2 IP, BB, 3.60 era, 0:1:0

12/17 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 730pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

My Top 15 Mets Prospect List + 1

Top 15 Mets Prospect List + 1

#1) Fernando Martinez

#2) Wilmer Flores

#3) Dan Murphy

#4) Jon Niese

#5) Jefry Marte

#6) Brad Holt

#7) Reese Havens

#8) Nick Evans

#9) Jenrry Mejia

#10) Bobby Parnell

#11) Ike Davis

#12) Scott Moviel

#13) Eddie Kunz

#14) Dillon Gee

#15) Francisco Pena

+1

#16) Cesar Puello

12/16 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 730pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

EXCELLENT Jon Niese analysis

Link

John at Metsgeek performs a complete breakdown on Jon Niese's 2008 MLB season (all of 3 starts). Really some great stuff here, although I have to disagree with his conclusion. I think it would be a good idea to have Niese at least start the 2009 season in the Mets rotation, give him 2 months of experience, and then re-evaluate then.

12/14 Winter League Report!

lf Fernando Martinez 1 for 3, K, .315
ss Jose Coronado 1 for 4, run, .340
Dillon Gee 4 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1/3 BB/K, HR, 2.72 era, 6:2:3
Tobi Stoner 2 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 Ks, 4.50 era, 1:3:2
Roy Merritt 0.1 IP, H, ER, K, 2.45 era
Jose Rojas 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, K, 2.60 era, 1:0:1

c Ninja Turtle 2 for 7, RBI, 4 Ks, .281 (does this count as a Golden Sombrero?)
cf Endy Chavez 1 for 4, BB, K, .220
1b Edgardo Alfonzo 2 for 3, 2b, 2 RBI, BB, .323
c Gustavo Molina 0 for 2, .167
Ivan Maldonado IP, H, 2.00 era, SV (4), 1:2:0
Carlos Muniz IP, H, 4.00 era, 0:3:0

cf Jesus Feliciano 2 for 5, run, K, .385
dh Raul Casanova 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .337
1b Michel Abreu 0 for 5, RBI, 4 Ks, .294
Juan Padilla IP, K, 7.71 era, W (2-2)

12/13 Winter League Report + 12/14 Links! Coronado!

lf Fernando Martinez 1 for 4, 3b, RBI, .312
ss Jose Coronado 2 for 4, run, .349 (last 6 games: 10 for 22, 4 runs, 2 2b, 3b, HR, 3 RBI, 1/4 BB/K)
ph, lf Brahiam Maldonado 0 for 3, K, .214
Edgar Alfonzo 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, BB, K, HR, 5.29 era, 2:1:1
German Marte 0.2 IP, BB, K, 2.08 era, 1:0:1

rf Fernando Tatis 2 for 3, 2b, BB, .345
3b, 1b Edgardo Alfonzo 2 for 5, RBI, .318
dh Saloman Manriquez 1 for 4, run, 2 Ks, .136
dh Ninja Turtle 1 for 4, run, .280
Claudio Vargas 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1/3 BB/K, HR, 4.44 era, W (2-1)
Eddie Camacho 0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, BB, K, 5.40 era

cf Jesus Feliciano 5 for 6, 2 runs, 2b, RBI, .384
1b Raul Casanova 0 for 3, run, 2 BBs, K, .354
1b Michel Abreu 2 for 4, 2b, RBI, BB, .417
Eude Brito 0.1 IP, 2.63 era

12/14 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 4pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore @ 6pm
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

DWL: Escogido @ Licey Boxscore - 5pm
Gameday

Scouting Reports on Rocky Road Cherry and Darren O'Day

**************
*Rocky Cherry*
**************

Cubs Hub Link (April 2007)

CubsHub? Well, it rhymes...thought I'd come up with a totally unique name, oh well...

Entering the 2006 season, 39 of 48 Cherry’s career appearances were as a starting pitcher. But following Tommy John surgery after just three starts in 2005, Cherry was put in the AA bullpen to regain his arm strength. Not only did Rocky’s velocity comeback but in short bursts, he was able to throw harder and his slider became even more devasting.

Pitching: Cherry has always had a strong fastball but now as a reliever, he’s able to cut it loose and give it his all. It’s usually around the mid 90’s with reports that he topped the gun at 97 mph last year in West Tennessee (AA), so far in his stint with the Cubs, he’s been around 89-91 mph. To complement his fastball, Cherry sports a great biting slider (79-81 mph) that is one of better ones in the system. Like many young pitchers, Rocky does have a changeup but it was only in early stages of development as a starting pitcher, and he’s reportedly scraped it all together now that he’s a one inning guy. As a reliever one can get away with having just two pitches, as long as one the two is a plus pitch, Cherry has two of them. In terms of his control, Rocky limited his walks this past season, turning in his lowest walk rate of his career (professional or college). Being able to throw the fastball for strikes is key to Cherry’s success.

Biggest Strength: Groundballs
When watching Rocky pitch the first thing that is noticeable is that slider but watching him closer, one becomes in awe of how many groundballs this man produces. Throughout his career, it’s one of his his biggest trends, keeping balls out of the air and onto the ground. By doing so, Cherry induces doubleplays and keeps his homeruns allowed low, vital for any reliever to survive.

**************
*Darren O Day*
**************

Angels Win Blog Link (February 2008)

Darren posted a sparkling 0.75 ERA with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in 24 games with his submarine delivery, baffling opposing CAL League hitters. He was promoted mid-season to Arkansas where he found it to be a little tougher, but still posted a respectable ERA (3.99) and when the season was over he finished with a .195 BAA.

O'Day describing his stuff: Last year I worked at 86-89, occasionally touching 90 or 91. I throw a 2 and 4 seam fastball, slider, and changeup.

O Day is hurt and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2009 season. Rule V rules for injured players are:

To prevent the abuse of the Rule 5 draft, the rule also states that the draftee must be active for at least 90 days. This keeps teams from drafting players, then placing them on the disabled list for the majority of the season. For example, if a Rule 5 draftee was only active for 67 days in his first season with his new club, he must be active for an additional 23 games in his second season to satisfy the Rule 5 requirements.

12/12 Winter League Report + 12/13 Links! Coronado

lf, cf Fernando Martinez 1 for 4, K, .314
ss Jose Coronado 2 for 5, run, .333
Junior Guerra 0.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 15.75 era
Roy Merritt 0.2 IP, BB, K, 0.00 era, 0:1:1

cf Endy Chavez 0 for 4, .217
1b Edgardo Alfonzo 0 for 3, K, .316
c Ninja Turtle 2 for 3, 2 runs, 2b, HR, RBI, BB, .283
Edgar Alfonzo 0.1 IP, H, 4.60 era, 0:1:0
Nelson Figueroa 6 IP, 10 H, 3/2 R/ER, 3/4 BB/K, HR, 2.42 era
Carlos Muniz IP, K, 4.24 era, 0:2:1

1b Michel Abreu 1 for 4, run, HR, RBI, BB, K, .375
dh Raul Casanova 2 for 6, 2 runs, 2b, HR, RBI, K, .368
cf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 4, BB, .355
Tim McNab 2 BBs, 4.15 era
Eddie Camacho 0.1 IP, 3 BBs, 3.46 era, 0:0:0

12/13 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 7pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

12/11 Winter League Report + 12/12 Links

lf Fernando Martinez 1 for 4, run, RBI, .316
2b Argenis Reyes 0 for 4, K, .219

1b Michel Abreu 2 for 4, RBI, K (DWL debut, was playing in the VWL)
Ruddy Lugo 5.1 IP, 9 H, 5/4 R/ER, 1/3 BB/K, 4.33 era, L (1-3), 8:5:3

Late additions:

ss Jose Coronado 2 for 6, run, HR, 2 RBI, K, .324
cf Endy Chavez 1 for 2, .238
1b Edgardo Alfonzo 1 for 4, run, 2b, .321

12/12 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 7pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

12/10 Winter League Report + 12/11 Link! Antonini!

Michael Antonini 6+ IP, 7 H, ER, 3/3 BB/K, 3.15 era, 5:10:3
Emary Frederick 0.0 IP, H, 6.75 era
Eric Brown 0.2 IP, 3 H, ER, 4.09 era, 2:0:0
Roy Merritt 1.2 IP, 3 Ks, 0.00 era, 2:0:3

lf Pornstache 0 for 4, .213
Carlos Muniz 0.2 IP, H, K, 4.50 era, 0:1:1

dh Raul Casanova 3 for 4, run, 2 2b, 2 RBI, BB, .371
cf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 5, K, .360
Tim McNab 0.1 IP, 3 H, 2/1 R/ER, 4.15 era, 0:0:0
Eddie Camacho 1.2 IP, 1/2 BB/K, HBP, 1:2:2
Juan Padilla 0.1 IP, H, ER, HR, 8.64 era, BS (2), W (1-2)

Late additions:

lf Mike Carp 1 for 4, run, HR, 3 RBI, K, .260 :(
cf Endy Chavez 1 for 4, 2 runs, BB, K, .225 :(
1b Edgardo Alfonzo 0 for 3, RBI, .322


Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

Mets working on a trade?

I usually don't do the rumor mill thing (Metsblog, Rubin's blog, they all cover the winter hotstove stuff so much more effectively) - but, the Mets are rumored to be involved in advanced talks to acquire JJ Putz from Seattle. Some combination of Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, MPH favorite Mike Carp (I'll shed a tear or two) OR Joe Smith are involved. There's also a third team, the Indians.

UPDATE - FINAL TRADE IS IN

Mets get: RP JJ Putz, RP Sean Green, OF Jeremy Reed
Indians get: IF Luis Valbuena (Mariners), RP Joe Smith
Martiners get: OF Franklin Gutierrez (Indians), RP Aaron Heilman, OF Endy Chavez, OF Ezequiel Carrera, 1B Mike Carp, RHP Maikel Cleto, LHP Jason Vargas

It's JJ Putz, so you absolutely had to do it, there probably isn't a more overqualified setup man in baseball. The only loss here (not counting Mike Carp) is Maikel Cleto, who was a raw raw arm, but a very powerful raw arm. Cleto hit upper 90s with regularity this season, and he once generated 17 groundball outs in a game. I'll have more analysis on this trade tomorrow, for now, I bid you all adieu.

Tej, signing off.

12/9 Winter League Report + 12/10 Links! Gee!

Dillon Gee 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3/2 BB/K, HR, 2.27 era, W (3-0), 9:7:2

3b Pornstache 0 for 5, K, .233
c Ninja Turtle 0 for 3, .256

dh Raul Casanova 2 for 5, run, 2b, HR, 2 RBI, 2 Ks, .348
cf Jesus Feliciano 2 for 4, 2 runs, HR, RBI, BB, .369
Ivan Maldonado IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BBs, 2.25 era, 2:1:0

12/10 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 7pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Arecibo Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

12/9 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 7pm ish unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

12/7 Winter League Report! Coronado!

lf Fernando Martinez 1 for 4, run, BB, .319
2b Argenis Reyes 1 for 1, RBI, .227
ph Ezequiel Carrera BB, .182
ss Jose Coronado 2 for 3, run, 2b, BB, K, .321
lf Mike Carp 2 for 4, 2 Ks, .261
Jose Rojas IP, BB, K, 1.62 era, 14:7:7, 2:0:1

cf Endy Chavez 0 for 4, run, BB, K, .222
3b Pornstache 1 for 4, 2 Ks, .263
Edgar Alfonzo 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4.70 era, L (1-1), 0:1:0
Roy Merritt IP, 2 Ks, 0.00 era, 0:1:2

cf Jesus Feliciano 2 for 3, run, 2b, 2 BBs, .362
dh Raul Casanova 3 for 4, 3 runs, 2b, HR, 4 RBI, BB, K, .344
Tim McNab 0.1 IP, H, ER, K, 2.25 era, 0:0:1
Ivan Maldonado 1.1 IP, 2 H, BB, 1.29 era, BS (2), 3:1:0
Eude Brito IP, BB, K, 2.77 era, 2:0:1

Right now, the scoreboard is showing no games for today, I'll check back around 530ish, and if there are any, make a new post with links...

12/6 Winter League Report + 12/7 Links

No injuries or anything to report on Endy Chavez, but once more, the babelfished translation of the article is absolutely hilarious. Highlights include Jesus Flores being beaten by the pitcher ;) One of these days...lol

ph, cf Ezequiel Carrera 0 for 1, .182
lf Mike Carp 0 for 3, K, .231
Jose Rojas IP, K, 1.72 era, 7:6:1, 0:2:1
ss Jose Coronado 2 for 4, 2b, RBI, 2 Ks, .280
lf, rf Mike Carp 1 for 3, 2 Ks, .238
2b Argenis Reyess 1 for 4, .220
lf Fernando Martinez 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .321
ph, lf Brahiam Maldonado 0 for 2, K, .231

cf Endy Chavez 1 for 3, run, .250
c Ninja Turtle 1 for 3, run, 2b, BB, .275
3b Pornstache 0 for 3, K, .265
Carlos Muniz IP, H, K, 4.70 era, HBP, 2:0:1

cf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 3, BB, .351
c Rene Rivera 0 for 3, 3 Ks, .220
Eddie Camacho 1.1 IP, 2 H, BB, 4.09 era, 2:2:0
Tim McNab 0.2 IP, BB, 0.00 era, 2:0:0

12/7 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

Mayaguez Boxscore @ 4pm
Gameday

Caguas Boxscore @ 4pm
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore @ 4pm
Gameday

VWL: Caracas Boxscore @ 6pm
Gameday

12/6 Links

I'm uber confused. Apparently the DWL and PRWL are playing against each other tonight? Or else the scoreboard is massively wrong. Either way...tons of links for y'all...

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 730pm unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday
Santurce Boxscore
Gameday
Ponce Boxscore @ 930pm
Gameday
Mayaguez Boxscore @ 930pm
Gameday
Caguas Boxscore @ 930pm
Gameday
Arecibo Boxscore
Gameday

VWL: Caracas Boxscore @ 530pm (Game 1)
Gameday
VWL: Caracas Boxscore (Game 2)
Gameday

12/5 Winter League Report! ANTONINI, FERNANDO!

I'd like to apologize for the lack of links yesterday, I was under the impression there were no games, however, I've learned you can't check the mini scoreboard I post the link to, before probably 930am (it was blank when I looked at 8). So my bad.

The links for tonight's very weird slate of games will be up around 5pm.

New format for the WLR:

(1) Prospects, (2) Veterans we care about, (3) Veterans/Younger Guys we don't care about

lf Fernando Martinez 2 for 3, 2 runs, 2b, 3b, RBI, 2 BBs, K, .333
ph Brahiam Maldonado 0 for 1, K, .273
Michael Antonini 7 IP, 4 H, ER, 1/4 BB/K, 3.49 era, W (1-0), 7:10:4
Edgar Alfonzo 0.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3.60 era

3b Pornstache 1 for 4, run, K, .290
c Robinson "Ninja Turtle" Cancel 1 for 4, run, 2b, 2 RBI, .270
rf Fernando Tatis 1 for 4, run, .333
cf Endy Chavez 1 for 4, 2 runs, BB, .241
3b Edgardo Alfonzo 1 for 4, .328
Carlos Muniz IP, H, BB, 5.02 era, 3:0:0

1b Raul Casanova 0 for 1, BB, .316
cf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 4, 2b, .351
c Rene Rivera 0 for 3, 2 Ks, .232
Emary Frederick IP, K, 6.75 era, W (1-0), 2:0:1
Tim McNab IP, H, 0.00 era, 2:1:0
Ivan Maldonado IP, 1.59 era, 2:1:0

12/4 Winter League Report! No Games Today!

New format for the WLR:

(1) Prospects, (2) Veterans we care about, (3) Veterans/Younger Guys we don't care about

RF Mike Carp 0 for 2, RBI, .257
pr-lf Mike Carp 0 for 1, BB, K, .250
Junior Guerra 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, BB, HR, 17.18 era, 2:0:0

cf Endy Chavez 1 for 3, BB, .240
3b Edgardo Alfonzo 1 for 4, run, .329

12/3 Winter League Report + 12/4 Links! GEE!

New format for the WLR:

(1) Prospects, (2) Veterans we care about, (3) Veterans/Younger Guys we don't care about

Dillon Gee 6.2 IP, 7 H, 3/2 R/ER, 2/7 BB/K, 1.82 era, W (2-0), 9:4:7
lf Fernando Martinez 1 for 3, 2b, RBI, BB, .324
lf Mike Carp 0 for 3, run, BB, 2 Ks, .273
ss Jose Coronado 0 for 2, BB, .238

3b Pornstache 2 for 4, run, 2b, HR, 3 RBI, BB, K, .296 (would anyone be opposed to resigning him to a MnL deal and a ST invite?)
cf Fernando Tatis 4 for 4, 3 RBI, .338
cf Endy Chavez 1 for 4, 2 runs, HR, RBI, BB, .227
3b Edgardo Alfonzo 1 for 4, RBI, .331

1b Raul Casanova 2 for 5, run, 2b, HR, 2 RBI, 2 Ks, .321
c Robinson Cancel 2 for 4, 2 RBI, K, .273
cf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 4, 2 runs, K, .357
Eddie Camacho 0.1 IP, H, BB, 4.66 era, 1:0:0
Jose De La Torre 2 IP, H, ER, 2 Ks, 6.23 era, 2:2:2
Nelson Figueroa 6 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 1/4 BB/K, HR, 2.25 era, W (3-0), 7:7:4
Ruddy Lugo 5 IP, 4 H, R, 4/2 BB/K, 3.74 era, 9:3:2

12/4 Links
Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

12/2 Winter League Report + 12/3 Links

lf Fernando Martinez 1 for 3, run, BB (32 for 99, 16 runs, 4 2b, 3 3b, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 9/20 BB/K, 4/5 SBs, .323/.382/.545/.927)
ph, lf Brahiam Maldonado HBP
1b Mike Carp 0 for 3, K, HBP (9 for 30, 5 runs, 2 2b, 2 HR, 9 RBI< 7/5 BB/K, .300/.475/.567/1.042)
**CF???** Fernando Tatis 0 for 3, run, BB, .318
cf Endy Chavez 1 for 4, 2b, RBI, K, .222
German Marte 2.1 IP, H, ER, 2/1 BB/K, 2.25 era, L (0-1), 0:5:1
Jose Rojas 0.2 IP, H, 1.84 era, 1:1:0

dh Pornstache 1 for 4, run, K, .261
cf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 2, run, RBI, BB, .364
c Rene Rivera 1 for 3, run, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K, .245 (13 for 53, 8 runs, 6 2b, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 5/13 BB/K, .245/.322/.528/.850)
lf Robinson Cancel 2 for 5, run, 2b, HR, 3 RBI, K, .241
1b Raul Casanova 2 for 5, 2 runs, HR, 2 RBI, K, .314
3b Edgardo Alfonzo 1 for 4, K, .333
Carlos Muniz IP, 3 Ks, 5.40 era, SV (1)
Eude Brito 0.1 IP, 2 H, 3.00 era, 0:1:0
Jose De La Torre 0.1 IP, K, 6.75 era, W (1-0)
Willie Collazo 6 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2/4 BB/K, HR, 6.35 era, L (0-2), 6:8:4
Tim McNab 0.2 IP, H, K, 0.00 era, 1:0:0
Emary Frederick 0.1 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, HR, 10.80 era, 0:0:0

12/3 Links

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 7pm unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

12/2 Lanks

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

PRWL (all games @ 7pm unless noted)
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Santurce Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

VWL: Caracas Boxscore @ 730pm
Gameday

Nick Evans Update

So, yeah, it's an injury, he's not being traded, he's not home for thanksgiving, he's hurt.

Meanwhile, Nick Evans was diagnosed with a right quadriceps strain at the Hospital for Special Surgery this morning and is expected to rehab the next three to four weeks in his hometown of Phoenix. He played 10 winter-league games in Puerto Rico.

Prospect Focus: Brahiam Maldonado

Maldonado was drafted out of St. Francis High, in Puerto Rico, in the 10th round of the 2004 draft. He was sent to the GCL Mets as an 18 year old, and struggled, hitting .185/.272/.238/.510 (28 for 151, 21 runs, 3 2b, 3b, HR, 12 RBI, 15/49 BB/K, 8/10 SBs), with a decent .3061 BB/K ratio, but an absurdly high .325 K rate.

Maldonado repeated the GCL in 2005, and posted markedly better numbers, hitting .256/.355/.359/.714 (30 for 117, 23 runs, 7 2b, 3b, HR, 21 RBI, 17/36 BB/K, 8/9 SBs), with a much better .4722 BB/K ratio, and an improved, but still much too high, .308 K rate. He hit .259/.382/.407/.789 (7 for 27, 2b, HR, 5/12 BB/K) vs LHP, with a .4167 BB/K ratio, and an absurd .444 K rate. Against RHP, he hit .250/.336/.333/.669 (24 for 96, 6 2b, 3b, 12/27 BB/K), with a .4444 BB/K ratio, and a .281 K rate.

Maldonado was promoted to Kingsport of the short season Appalachian League, where he hit .281/.363/.500/.863 (52 for 185, 29 runs, 17 2b, 4 3b, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 23/49 BB/K, 5/7 SBs), with a .4694 BB/K ratio, and a vastly improved (but still moderately high) .265 K rate (159 K pace in 600 ABs). Against LHP, he hit .246/.338/.574/.912 (15 for 61, 4 2b, 2 3b, 4 HR, 8/14 BB/K), with a .5714 BB/K ratio, and a .230 K rate. Against RHP, he hit a robust .298/.376/.508/.884 (37 for 124, 13 2b, 2 3b, 3 HR, 15/35 BB/K), with a .4286 BB/K ratio, and a very high .282 K rate. Maldonado hit markedly better at home (.362/.425/.628/1.053) then on the road (.198/.302/.429/.731)

2007 saw Maldonado in full season ball for the first time in his career (minus a 16 AB cameo for St. Lucie in 2005). He was in Savannah, where he hit extremely well, putting together a .310/.349/.500/.849 line (95 for 306, 40 runs, 20 2b, 4 3b, 10 HR, 39 RBI, 19/79 BB/K, 11/15 SBs), with a severely declining .2405 BB/K ratio, but a slightly improved .258 K rate. Strangely, Maldonado continued to struggle mightily against LHP, hitting just .224/.286/.395/.681 (17 for 76, 5 2b, 3b, 2 HR, 7/27 BB/K), with a .2593 BB/K ratio, and an abysmal .355 K rate. Against RHP, Maldonado fared much better, hitting .339/.370/.535/.905 (78 for 230, 15 2b, 3 3b, 8 HR, 12/52 BB/K), with a .2308 BB/K ratio, and a much better .226 K rate. For the second straight season, Maldonado hit much better at home (.338/.379/.606/.985), then on the road (.287/.322/.409/.731).

Maldonado spent his age 22 season with the St. Lucie Mets of the Florida State League, where he had a dreadful year, hitting just .232/.284/.327/.611 (63 for 272, 18 runs, 11 2b, 5 HR, 30 RBI, 15/76 BB/K, 6/7 SBs), with a not good .1974 BB/K ratio, and an equally bad .279 K rate. This year, Maldonado hit better against LHP (.262/.340/.333/.674, 22 for 84, 5 runs, 3 2b, HR, 6 RBI, 7/22 BB/K), and struggled against RHP (.218/.258/.324/.582, 41 for 188, 13 runs, 8 2b, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 8/54 BB/K). Maldonado's BB/K ratio was .3182 against LHP, and a woeful .1481 against RHP. He struck out at a .262 clip vs southpaws, and a .287 clip against righties.

THE FUTURE: A disappointing year for Maldonado certainly clouds his future considerably. We'll say the Mets keep him in St. Lucie for his age 23 season, which puts him about a half year or so behind the optimal age/level curve (21-22 A+, 22-23 AA). This is not to say he's not a good prospect, just that he lost a considerable amount of his luster with his subpar 2008.

*This is the last Focus I had in "reserve" - I don't know when the next one will be up, but it'll be a Jose Coronado focus.

Prospect Focus: Lucas Duda

Splits courtesy www.minorleaguesplits.com

Lucas Duda is a 6'4/225 first baseman the Mets drafted in the 7th round (243rd overall) of the 2007 draft.

He got sporadic playing time in his freshman year at USC, only 77 ABs in 34 games. He hit just .208 with a .322 OBP and .299 SLG. We can throw those numbers out the window due to the lack of consistent PT.

In 2006, his sophomore season, he played everyday, getting 191 ABs in 56 games. He hit much better, .298/.391/.398, but with a decided lack of power. He only showed a 1/63.66 HR/AB rate, and had just 12 XBH in 191 ABs. He did, however, show a very good eye at the plate, with a 0.82352 BB/K ratio (walks per strikeout).

In 2007, Duda again played everyday, and hit .280/.378/.468, showing a burgeoning power stroke, increasing his HR/AB ratio to 1/26.57. He had 18 XBH in 186 ABs, with the increase in HR (4) and triples (2) driving his slugging higher. While in college, he had a 0.83333 BB/K ratio, virtually staying the same as in 2006.

In Brooklyn after getting drafted, Duda hit .299/.398/.462, vastly improving the number of doubles he hit. Duda hits lefty, and Keyspan park is death on left handed sluggers, so much so, that Mike Carp was sent to the GCL in 04, then Hagerstown in 05, skipping the deathly confines of Keyspan.

Duda, however, thrived at Keyspan. He hit 20 doubles, 3 triples and 5 homers in 248 ABs. While his BB/K ratio did decline slightly from his USC 07 season, from 0.83333 to 0.7347, it was more then offset by the 18 point increase in average.

Duda's Brooklyn splits are very interesting, as far as lefty/righty goes. Versus lefties, Duda hit .283/.377/.500/.877 with 7 2b and 1 HR in 46 ABs. He struck out 15 times and walked 6 times. Versus righties he batted .302/.401/.455/.856 with 13 2b, 3 3b and 4 HR in 202 ABs. He struck out 34 times and walked 30 times. We'll have to see if this trend continues at the higher levels, but so far, it is extremely promising. His K rate vs LHP was very high at .289, but the sample size (46 ABs) is too low to draw many conclusions. His K rate vs RHP was .151.

Duda's our 3rd best first base prospect, and 4th best corner infield prospect (3rd base is kind of filled for the foreseeable future). I would probably rank Duda somewhere between 9 and 15 on our prospect lists.

THE FUTURE: Duda should be opening his first full season in St. Lucie, manning first base for a completely new look Mets infield. Duda, at least so far in his pro career, has shown the ability to handle lefthanders. If this trend continues in St. Lucie, and Carp/Murphy scuffle in Binghamton vs LHP, Duda might vault all the way to the top spot in corner infielders. But that's a long long way off. For now, Duda fans should focus on his developing power, and his ability to control the strike zone.

UPDATE 2008: Lucas Duda started off the 2008 season with a bang in St. Lucie, hitting .330/.415/.447/.862 in April (34 for 103, 14 runs, 6 2b, 2 HR, 19 RBI, 14/25 BB/K), but from May 1st to July 31st, he struggled badly, hitting just .230/.333/.362/.695 (65 for 282, 28 runs, 16 2b, 3 3b, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 40/76 BB/K). He ended up bookending his season with solid months, hitting .286/.368/.449/.817 in August (28 for 98, 16 runs, 4 2b, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 12/28 BB/K).

Duda's overall line in 2008 wasn't all that bad (outside of the power numbers), .263/.358/.398/.755 (127 for 483, 58 runs, 26 2b, 3 3b, 11 HR, 66 RBI, 66/129 BB/K). Duda's K rate was vastly elevated from 2007, he struck out at a .267 clip, compared to the .198 clip he struck out at last season, and his BB/K is .5116, as compared to the .7347 at Brooklyn.

One of the biggest changes from his season in Brooklyn (and even Hawaii) is that he put up simply disasterous numbers vs LHP: .187/.281/.247/.527 (28 for 150, 11 runs, 4 2b, 3b, HR, 13 RBI, 18/55 BB/K), a 0.3273 BB/K ratio, and a K rate that is much much too high: .367. Of course, that means he's hitting very well against RHP, which he is: .297/.392/.465/.857 (99 for 333, 47 runs, 22 2b, 2 3b, 10 HR, 53 RBI, 48/74 BB/K), a BB/K ratio of .6486, and a much better K rate of .222.

THE NEW FUTURE: There has to be some consideration given to Duda's repeating St. Lucie, but a pretty good prediction would be that the Mets won't, and he'll be in Binghamton to open 2009. Duda's slipped from 3rd to possibly 5th or 6th on the depth chart at corner infielder, behind the Trinity of Binghamton, and maybe behind Ike Davis and/or Jefry Marte. He'll have to perform much better versus LHP to reclaim some of his glory, but he is already well behind the 8 ball, with, as I said, the Trinity well ahead of him on the depth charts. Duda's best bet to make the majors may well be in another organization, which is too bad, as I believe his bat is better then what we saw in 2008.

11/30 Winter League Report! No Links ;)

cf Endy Chavez 0 for 3, 2 BBs, .214
lf Fernando Martinez 0 for 4, run, BB, K, .323
2b Argenis Reyes 2 for 4, r un, .220
lf Mike Carp 0 for 2, 2 BBs, 2 Ks, .333
ss Jose Coronado 1 for 1, .263
rf Fernando Tatis 1 for 4, run, .326

Edgar Alfonzo 0.0 IP, HR, 2.40 era, 2:1:1

3b Edgardo Alfonzo 1 for 5, run, RBI, K, .335
1b Raul Casanova 1 for 3, run, RBI, BB, 2 Ks, .304
c Robinson Cancel 2 for 4, 2b, BB, .208
cf Jesus Feliciano 0 for 2, BB, .359
Emary Frederick 0.0 IP, BB, 6.75 era