Starting Pitchers
23. Dylan Owen 7/12/86 (22.54) R/R (A+ St. Lucie 12-6, 3.43 era, 24 GS, 2 CG, CGSO, 133.2 IP, 135 H, 55/51 R/ER, 12 HR, 33/116 BB/K, 1.30 GO/FO, .265 BAA, 1.26 WHIP, AA Binghamton 1-1, 5.51 era, 3 GS, 16.1 IP, 20 H, 10 ER, 3 HR, 9/15 BB/K, 1.06 GO/FO, .299 BAA, 1.78 WHIP)
Total 2008 Stats: 13-7, 3.66 era, 27 GS, 2 CG, CGSO, 150 IP, 155 H, 65/61 R/ER, 15 HR, 42/131 BB/K, 1.27 GO/FO, .269 BAA, 1.31 WHIP
The Mets selected Owen with their 20th round pick in the 2007 draft, 633rd overall, out of Francis Marion College, where he went 10-1, 1.14 as a junior. Owen was sent to Brooklyn where he put up insane numbers, going 10-1 with a 1.40 era. Overall in 2007, Dylan Owen put together an altogether ridiculous year, with 20 wins and a 1.25 era over 179.2 innings. Owen will no doubt be in St. Lucie to open the 2008 season, and it wouldn't be shocking to see him end up in Binghamton.
Owen did start the season in St. Lucie, and performed very well in 24 starts, posting a 12-6 record with a 3.43 era in 133.2 innings. A late season promotion to Binghamton didn't go as well, as he posted a 5.51 in 16.1 innings over 3 starts.
Owen throws 5 pitches, a 2 and 4 seam fastball, curve, slider and change. He doesn't have much in the way of velocity, his 4 seamer tops out in the low 90s, Owen gets by on smarts and guile. Owen's best pitch is a nasty slider he throws in the low 80s, he uses this pitch to get swings and misses. He also features an upper 70s curveball, and rounds out his arsenal with a mid 70s changeup, which is a WIP.
Owen is pretty much a finished product, he may tinker around with his pitches, tightening some up in an effort to get through to the majors, but in my opinion, he likely will top out in AAA, perhaps eventually becoming a Carlos Muniz esque quad A pitcher. His first cup of coffee is likely to come in 2011.
24. Brant Rustich 1/23/85 (24) R/R (A Savannah 3-4, 3.62 era, 20 G, 8 GS, 49.2 IP, 42 H, 26/20 R/ER, HR, 16/48 BB/K, 1.22 GO/FO, .231 BAA, 1.17 WHIP)
The Mets took Rustich in the 2nd round of the 2007 draft, 93rd overall, out of UCLA, where as a senior, he went 3-2, 6.67 in 20 games, over 29.2 innings. A finger injury (more specifically, recovery from finger surgery in 2006) contributed to the poor season, and also contributed to his dropping stock. Expected to go somewhere in the first round proper, Rustich fell into the Mets' laps at 93, where they scooped him up. After signing, Rustich was sent to Kingsport, and then Brooklyn, where he totalled 27 innings over 17 games, putting up a 1.33 era, with a .63 WHIP. Rustich played winterball in Hawaii, where he struggled due to poor mound conditions, putting up a 5.82 era in 17 innings.
Rustich, as we found out after the season ended, was all kinds of messed up during the 2008 season, pitching with variou serious injuries. He pitched this past season with a fractured humerus bone in his upper right arm that wasn't detected until afterward. Suggestions that Rustich had simple arm soreness clearly were unwarranted. Rustich is expected to pitch in 2009 without the need for surgery. He also has labrum and UCL tears, but rehab is the prescribed course of action. The Mets are taking a big chance with Rustich' future that he won't need surgery, but what else do you expect from an absolutely inept medical staff which allowed this situation to develop in the first place? Rustich should open 2009 in St. Lucie, with an outside shot of endidng up in Binghamton, assuming he doesn't end up under the knife first.
25. Raul Batis 3/5/89 (19.92) L/L (R Kingsport 2-4, 4.15 era, 12 G, 8 GS, SV, 52 IP, 58 H, 35/24 R/ER, 5 HR, 13/41 BB/K, 1.27 GO/FO, .278 BAA, 1.37 WHIP
Batis was signed during the International Free Agent signing period in 2006, and he spent that season in the DSL, pitching 45 innings and producing a 1-6 record with a 4.20 era. Batis was brought stateside for the 2007 season, and sent to the GCL, where he pitched only 26.2 innings, with a 2-1 record and 4.73 era.
26. Michael Olmsted 5/2/87 (21.75) R/R (R GCL 0-0, 3.86 era, 2 GS, 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4/2 R/ER, HR, 2/3 BB/K, 0.50 GO/FO, .333 BAA, 1.71 WHIP, R Kingsport 1-1, 1.83 era, 4 GS, 19.2 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, HR, 5/23 BB/K, 1.75 GO/FO, .164 BAA, .81 WHIP, A Savannah 1-0, 3.86 era, 2 GS, 9.1 IP, 12 H, 4 ER, HR, 3/11 BB/K, 0.89 GO/FO, .293 BAA, 1.61 WHIP)
Total 2008 Stats: 2-1, 2.67 era, 8 GS, 33.2 IP, 29 H, 12/10 R/ER, 3 HR, 10/37 BB/K, 1.19 GO/FO, .230 BAA, 1.16 WHIP
The Mets drafted Olmsted in the 9th round, 303rd overall, out of Cypress College, where as a junior, he posted the following line: 9-4, 4.19 era, 24 G, 7 GS, 73 IP, 80 H, 24 BBs, 63 Ks, BAA .280. After signing, he appeared at 3 levels (Brooklyn, GCL, Kingsport), posting a
His fastball sits 90-93 as a reliever, and 88-92 as a starter. He also throws a slider, curveball and changeup. His changeup is in a developmental stage, while his curveball is a pitch he can throw at anytime. He feels his best secondary pitch varies nightly, between his curve and slider. Olmstead's pitching coach used to be Trevor Hoffman's pitching coach, so Olmstead uses the same grip on his changeup as Hoffman. He would most compare himself, however, to John Lackey.
27. Guillaume Leduc 7/28/87 (21.5) R/R (R Kingsport 3-4, 4.24 era, 13 G, 9 GS, CGSO, SV, 57.1 IP, 58 H, 38/27 R/ER, 9 HR, 9/41 BB/K, 0.92 GO/FO, .264 BAA, 1.17 WHIP)
The Mets drafted LeDuc in the 6th round, 213th overall, of the 2007 draft, out of Edouard Montpetit College in Montreal, and after signing, he was sent to the GCL, where he pitched sporadically, getting into 6 games, half of them starts, totalling 20.1 innings. In those 20.1 innings, he posted a 1-1 record with a 2.21 era.
LeDuc throws 3 pitches, a fastball, curveball, and changeup. His fastball is a boring 2 seamer which sits in the low 90s and it dives down and in to righties. His best secondary pitch is a down breaking plus changeup sitting in the mid 70s. His finishes up his arsenal with a fringy (at best) curveball which he spins up in the upper 70s.
LeDuc doesn't have the arsenal to run deep counts, his game is all about trying to get you out within the first 3-4 pitches. He doesn't have the velocity to challenge hitters, so must pitch to contact, which is difficult with only two pitches which he has confidence in. Right now, LeDuc is a starter, and it's likely that despite his limited arsenal, he'll remain in the rotation at least through the 2009 season, which he should open in Savannah. After that, it will depend on his curveball and the strides he makes with it. His debut date as a reliever is probably sometime in the mid 2011 season, as a starter, it would be late 2012.
28. Eduardo Aldama 12/23/89 (19.08) R/R (R GCL 1-5, 4.75 era, 12 G, 9 GS, 47.1 IP, 48 H, 36/25 R/ER, HR, 13/42 BB/K, 1.51 GO/FO, .265 BAA, 1.29 WHIP)
The Mets signed Aldama as an international free agent from Venezuela in July 2006. He made his pro debut with the VSL Mets in 2007, where he was 2-2 with a 2.81 era over 25.2 innings. In 2008 he came stateside to pitch in the GCL, where he went 1-5 with a 4.75 era over 47.1 innings.
29. Eric Niesen 9/4/85 (23.42) L/L (A+ St. Lucie 6-12, 4.64 era, 26 G, 24 GS, 118.1 IP, 136 H, 75/61 R/ER, 10 HR, 46/77 BB/K, 1.51 GO/FO, .286 BAA, 1.54 WHIP)
The Mets selected Niesen in the 3rd round of the 2007 draftt, with their 99th overall pick, out of Wake Forest University, where he was 6-5, with a 3.00 era in 84 innings. After signing, the Mets sent him to Brooklyn, where he got into 9 games, all starts, but only totalling 30 innings. He ended his season with the St. Lucie Mets as they made a push to the playoffs, and he got into 2 games for them, one start during the regular season (3 innings), and one relief outing during the playoffs (1 inning). Overall, he had an ERA a shade under 3 in 118 innings split between 3 "levels" as it were.
We would expect Niesen to open 2008 right where he ended 2007, in St. Lucie. Whether it be in a starting role or relief role remains to be seen. We would hope Niesen remains in the bullpen where his fastball can be used as a true plus pitch.
Instead, Niesen spent the season as a starter, much to his overall detriment, as he posted a 6-12 record with a 4.64 era, which for much of the season was over 5.00. He went 1/3 of an inning over his previous career high (set last year at 118).
Niesen throws a 2 and 4 seam faster, slider, and changeup. While the Mets had him working as a starter in 2008, and probably will do so again in 2009, his ultimate role in the majors will be a reliever, probably a LOOGY, given that righties absolutely TORCHED him in 2008 to the tune of a .305 average and a 6.02 era and 9 HR in 83.2 innings. Lefties hit just .232 off him, with a 1.30 era and 1 HR in 34.2 innings.
With that in mind, his 4 seam fastball, which sat 90-92 starting, should gain a tick or two, bumping it into the low/mid 90s and making it a plus pitch, as it was when he relieved in college. Niesen also throws a 2 seamer in the upper 80s, a slider in the 78-81 range which he uses as a putaway pitch, and a 72-74 MPH changeup which he gained a good amount of confidence in during the season.
Despite averaging 4.76 innings per start, Niesen did a good job of going right after hitters, issuing just 46 walks in 118.1 innings, an average of 3.50 per 9. His problem was that his stuff just does not translate well to a starting role. Niesen should be in Binghamton for 2009, likely in the rotation, but as I said, his ultimate fate is in the bullpen, whether he makes the move there after the 2009 season, or after the 2010 season is unknown, but he will be in line to crack the majors sometime in late 2010, and definitely by 2011.
30. Mark Cohoon 9/15/87 (21.38) L/L (R Kingsport 1-1, 5.89 era, 6 G, 3 GS, 18.1 IP, 17 H, 13/12 R/ER, 10/22 BB/K, 2.67 GO/FO, .239 BAA, 1.47 WHIP, A Savannah 2-2, 3.82 era, 7 GS, 33 IP, 29 H, 17/14 R/ER, 2 HR, 18/21 BB/K, 0.74 GO/FO, .242 BAA, 1.42 WHIP)
Total 2008 Stats: 3-3, 4.56 era, 13 G, 10 GS, 51.1 IP, 46 H, 30/26 R/ER, 2 HR, 28/43 BB/K, 1.08 GO/FO, .241 BAA, 1.44 WHIP
The Mets drafted Cohoon in the 12th round, 374th overall, out of North Central Texas College, and then sent him first to Kingsport, and then Savannah, where he put up a combined 3-3 record with a 4.56 era over 51.1 innings. Interestingly, he pitched much better at Savannah (3.82) then Kingsport (5.89), but that may have something to do with the fact he was used both as a starter and reliever in Kingsport, whereas he was used exclusively as a starter in Savannah.
31. Josh Stinson 3/14/88 (20.92) R/R (A Savannah 3-6, 3.52 era, 21 G, 6 GS, 3 SVs, 71.2 IP, 78 H, 36/28 R/ER, 7 HR, 32/46 BB/K, 1.67 GO/FO, .280 BAA, 1.54 WHIP, A+ St. Lucie 0-2, 6.14 era, 7 G, 2 GS, 14.2 IP, 17 H, 12/10 R/ER, 5/14 BB/K, 0.93 GO/FO, .293 BAA, 1.50 WHIP, HWL Honolulu 2-2, 4.50 era, 9 G, 5 GS, 1/2 SVs, 22 IP, 19 H, 13/11 R/ER, 2 HR, 13/13 BB/K, 1.45 WHIP, .235 BAA, 1.17 GO/FO)
Total 2008 Stats: 5-10, 4.07 era, 37 G, 13 GS, 108.1 IP, 114 H, 61/49 R/ER, 50/73 BB/K, 1.47 GO/FO, .273 BAA, 1.51 WHIP
The Mets drafted Stinson in the 37th round of the 2006 draft, and sent him to the rookie level Gulf Coast League, where he went 1-2 with a 2.00 era in 9 games (4 starts), totalling 27 innings. A late season promotion to Hagerstown of the South Atlantic League didn't derail the righty, as he put up a 0-1 record, but an outstanding 1.35 era in 3 starts, 13.1 IP. He combined between the two levels to go 1-3 with a 1.79 era. The Mets found themselves another steal with Stinson, since he was projected to go around rounds 8 to 10. Instead, he dropped to the 37th round, but signed for 7th round money.
We said this about Stinson in the 07 audit: Expect Stinson to open the 2007 season as a 19 year old in the South Atlantic League, with the new class A affiliate Savannah. A promotion to the Florida State League wouldn't be out of the question.
However, that didn't come to frutition, as Stinson struggled to find himself in Savannah, and spent the entire season there, barely managing to get his ERA under 5. Stinson's stock has dropped a bit in the last year, but he is still young enough to turn that around. He needs to gain a few ticks on his fastball, and strengthen his curve and change. He should spend all of 2008 in St. Lucie, affording him a friendly ball park to make adjustments to his game. It looks like he will still need another three years of minor league baseball until he breaks into the bigs.
Stinson, however, was held back in Savannah, where he pitched much better in long relief/spot starter duty, posting a 3.52 era in 71.2 innings, spread over 21 games, including 6 starts. Overall he posted an ERA of 4.07 over 108.1 innings spread over 3 levels, including Hawaii. Stinson should open 2009 right where he ended 2008, with the St. Lucie Mets.
32. Gonzalez Germen 9/23/87 (21.33) R/R (R DSL 5-2, 1.34 era, 15 G, 14 GS, 74 IP, 41 H, 21/11 R/ER, 15/70 BB/K, 1.47 GO/FO, .159 BAA, .76 WHIP)
Obviously the risk for flameout is extremely high for any players in the VSL/DSL, which is why Cuan, Mendez and Germen are all so low on this list, but the potential for reward is also high.
Here is a partial scouting report from "Superpitcher" on NYFS.
Gonzalez Germen, throws 89-93 tops at 94,
has a nasty Slider, i think, i'm not quite sure...
His changeup is his K pitch, straight up, nasty change.
33. Angel Cuan 5/29/89 (19.66) L/L (R VSL 1-8, 3.13 era, 14 GS, 72 IP, 71 H, 36/25 R/ER, 2 HR, 11/74 BB/K, 1.01 GO/FO, .254 BAA, 1.14 WHIP)
Cuan gave up 68% of his runs in a 4 start span (4 GS, 16 IP, 23 H, 17 ER, 6/16 BB/K). Outside of that stretch, he put up an off the charts line. 1-4, 1.29 era, 10 GS, 56 IP, 48 H, 8 ER, 5/58 BB/K). Obviously the risk for flameout is extremely high for any players in the VSL/DSL, which is why Cuan, Mendez and Germen are all so low on this list, but the potential for reward is also high. One thing working against Cuan is his build (he's only 5'11/150). Of course, you can't make any inferences about velocity or the like from that, but chances are he doesn't throw hard.
34. Ismael Mendez 5/23/90 (18.66) L/L (R DSL 6-1, 1.07 era, 15 G, 14 GS, 75.2 IP, 38 H, 16/9 R/ER, 2 HR, 29/62 BB/K, 1.26 GO/FO, .151 BAA)
Obviously the risk for flameout is extremely high for any players in the VSL/DSL, which is why Cuan, Mendez and Germen are all so low on this list, but the potential for reward is also high.
Why 34 and not 35? Maikel Cleto was traded away, and we didn't fill in his spot. So there ;)
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