7/5 Minor League Report! Evans, CARSON, PUELLO, CUAN, ADERLIN, GOMEZ, CONCEPCION (no it's not 2006!)

David will be taking over the Minor League Report starting tomorrow night, and as usual when he posts it, it will be EXCLUSIVELY on MetsProspectHub, apologies to those of you who read this thing on NYFS or MetsMerized. I should be back sometime around the week of the 26th.

AAA International League: Buffalo 6/9/1, Syracuse 8/10/0

2b Justin Turner 1 for 5, K, .270
ss Luis Hernandez 0 for 5, .320
cf Jorge Padilla 1 for 4, run, K, .328
1b Mike Jacobs 1 for 4, HR, RBI, .257
rf Val Pascucci 1 for 3, run, BB, .229
3b Mike Cervanek 3 for 4, run, RBi, K, .238
lf Lucas Duda 1 for 3, run, HR (7), 3 RBI (20), BB, K, .294 (.174/.269/.652/.921 off LHP in AAA)
c JR House 0 for 3, BB, K, .287
ph Fernando Martinez 1 for 1, run, HR (7), RBI (23), .261
Tobi Stoner 5.2 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 4/4 BB/K, 2 HR, 5.54 era, 110:69:41, 7:5:4
Mike O'Connor 0.1 IP, H, 3.15 era, 3:2:1, 1:
Adam Pettyjohn IP, 2 H, K, 4.81 era, 13:8:5, 2:0:1
Jose De La Torre IP, BB, 3.22 era, 16:8:8, 3:
Manny Acosta 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, K, HR, 3.60 era, L (1-3), 11:7:4

AA Eastern League: Binghamton 1/7/0, Altoona 6/15/0

Michael Antonini had a QS today, but Scott Shaw put the game out of reach by giving up 3 runs on 5 hits in 1.2 innings. The Mets offense was held to just a run on 7 hits and a 2/6 BB/K, while going just 1 for 4 with RISP and leaving 5 on base. Nick Evans and Josh Satin had multi hit games, while Jon Malo (0 for 4, K, .215), Sean Ratliff, Mike Nickeas (0 for 3, BB, .314), and Raul Reyes took 0-fers.

cf Kirk Nieuwenhuis 1 for 4, run, 2b (23), K, .286 (8 for his last 14, 7 XBH)
1b Nick Evans 2 for 3, RBI (43), BB, .289
lf Sean Ratliff 0 for 4, K, .302
2b Josh Satin 2 for 4, K, .295
rf Raul Reyes 0 for 3, .354
3b Michael Fisher 1 for 3, K, .400
Michael Antonini 6 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 1/9 BB/K, 4.08 era, L (5-7), 4:5:9
Scott Shaw 1.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, K, 7.14 era, 2:0:1
Dylan Owen 0.1 IP, H, 2.61 era, 1:

A+ Florida State League: St. Lucie 0/4/2, Charlotte 7/11/0 from yesterday

cf Carlos Beltran 1 for 2, BB, K, .375

As I said yesterday, Robert Carson took the loss despite pitching very well. The Mets were hitless in 2 ABs with RISP and left 4 on base.

2b Jordany Valdespin 0 for 4, .301
ss Wilmer Flores 1 for 4, .408
cf Carlos Beltran 1 for 2, BB, K, .375
>>lf Joey August 0 for 1, .295
1b Stefan Welch 1 for 4, 2 Ks, .298
c Michael Barrett 0 for 3
>>c Mike Moras
rf, cf JUan Lagares 0 for 3, .186
lf, rf Rafael Fernandez 1 for 3, K, .318
3b Richard Lucas 0 for 3, K, .202
dh Hector Pellot 0 for 3, .203
Robert Carson 7 IP, 7 H, 3/2 R/ER, 1/7 BB/K, 4.37 era, L (6-5), 8:3:7
Erik Turgeon 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, BB, K, 4.05 era, 0:1:1
Elvin Ramirez 1.1 IP, H, ER, 2/2 BB/K, 4.30 era, 2:0:2

A+ Florida State League: St. Lucie 3/6/1, Charlotte 7/12/0

cf Carlos Beltran 2 for 4, RBI (5), K, .389

Brad Holt got ripped again today, giving up 4 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks in 5 inings for his 2nd FSL loss. Kyle Allen again piggybacked and on the surface, wasn't good, but he had a 2:1 strike to ball ratio, and generated all his outs on the ground or via K. The Mets went 2 for 3 with RISP and left 1 on base, while tallying 6 hits and a 2/9 BB/K ratio. Carlos Beltran had the lone multi hit game, while Jordany Valdespin, Juan Lagares, Stefan Welch and Michael Barrett (0 for 3, K, .000) took 0-fers.

2b Jordany Valdespin 0 for 3, BB, 2 Ks, .296
rf Juan Lagares 0 for 4, K, .170
cf Carlos Beltran 2 for 4, RBI (5), K, .389 (14 for 36, 2 runs, 3 2b, 5 RBI, 4/3 BB/K, .389/.439/.472/.911)
ss Wilmer Flores 1 for 4, run, .396
1b Stefan Welch 0 for 3, K, .295
c Kai Gronauer 1 for 2, RBI, BB, K, .357
3b Richard Lucas 1 for 3, run, K, .203
lf Hector Pellot 1 for 3, run, K, .210
Brad Holt 5 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 4/5 BB/K, 5.79 era, L (1-2), 98:57:41, 2:8:6
Kyle Allen 4 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 4 Ks, 74:49:25, 8:0:4

A South Atlantic League: Savannah 5/11/5, Rome 6/9/2

The Gnats had 11 hits and a 2/8 BB/K, but it wasn't enough, as Marcos Tabata had his first rough SAL outing of the season, giving up 2 runs in the 8th inning (both IHR Michael Powers allowed to score). Armando Rodriguez gave up 4 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings for a ND. Pedro Zapata, Cesar Puello and Wilfredo Tovar had multi hit games, while RJ Harris (0 for 4, BB, K, .140) and Nick Santomauro took 0-fers.

dh Pedro Zapata 2 for 5, run, RBI (39), K, .286
rf Cesar Puello 3 for 4, run, 2b (16), 2 RBI (21), .263, CS (6)
3b Jefry Marte 1 for 4, 2b (14), RBI (31), .228
lf Nick Santomauro 0 for 3, BB, K, .170
c Juan Torres 1 for 4, run, 2b (2), 3 Ks, .190
1b Alex Gregory 1 for 4, .236
2b Alonzo Harris 1 for 4, run, 2 Ks, .230
ss Wilfredo Tovar 2 for 4, run, RBI (3), .405 (15 for 37, 4 runs, 2 2b, 3 RBI, 4/3 BB/K, .405/.476/.459/.936)
Armando Rodriguez 6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1/5 BB/K, 3 era, 7:5:5
Marcos Tabata IP+, H, 2 ER, BB, K, 4.50 era, L (0-1), 1:1:1
Michael Powers IP, H, K, 1.72 era, BS (1), 1:1:1
Guillaume LeDuc IP, 2 Ks, 4.50 era, 1:0:2

A- New York Penn League: Brooklyn 4/8/1, Jamestown 2/5/1

No 11 run meltdown today! Darrell Ceciliani, Cory Vaughn and Juan Centeno took 0-fers, but Angel Cuan pitched very well, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits in 7 innings, for a ND.

ss Rylan Sandoval 3 for 4, run, HR, 3 RBI, .339
dh Darrell Ceciliani 0 for 4, K, .380
cf Cory Vaughn 0 for 4, BB, K, .265
1b Jeff Flagg 2 for 5, 2b, 3b, 2 Ks, .366
3b Joe Bonfe 0 for 3, BB, K, .300
2b JB Brown 1 for 3, .176
>>ph, 2b James Schroeder 0 for 1, K, .227
rf Will Cherry 2 for 4, 2 runs, 2 2b, .245
c Juan Centeno 0 for 3, .259
lf Cody Holliday 0 for 3, .196
>>ph, lf Kurt Steinhauer run, BB, .188
Angel Cuan 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3/3 BB/K, 2.35 era, 9:8:3
Yohan Figuereo 2 IP, K, 3.68 era, 1:4:1

R Appalachian League: Kingsport 7/12/0, Greeneville 2/6/2

The middle 4 in the Mets order went a combined 11 for 17, while the bottom 4 were a combined 0 for 14. Overall, the Mets offense had 12 hits and a 3/3 BB/K, while going just 1 for 8 with RISP and leaving 7 on base. Justin Schafer, ZeErika McQueen, Lucas Stewart and Aderlin had multi hit games, while Albert Cordero, Nelfi Zapata, Charlie Hinojosa and John Semel (0 for 4, K, .162) took 0-fers. Hinojosa is now 0 for 18 on the season. Lachlan Hodge pitched 4.1 innings for a ND, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits with 6 Ks. Samuel Taveras picked up the win, Richard Pena the save.

2b Ray Van Gurp 1 for 4, run, 3b (1), BB, .281
ss Justin Schafer 4 for 5, run, 2b, 3b, RBI, .333
cf ZeErika Hall 2 for 5, run, 2b (6), RBI (3), 2 Ks, .400
1b Lucas Stewart 2 for 2, 2 runs, RBI, BB, .324
3b Aderlin Rodriguez 3 for 5, 2 runs, HR (5), 2 RBI (8), .245
dh Albert Cordero 0 for 3, .227
c Nelfi Zapata 0 for 3, BB, .205
lf Charlie Hinojosa 0 for 4, RBI (1), .000
Lachlan Hodge 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1/6 BB/K, HR, 10.38 era, WP, HBP, 3:4:6
Samuel Taveras 2.2 IP, H, 4 Ks, 2.08 era, (2-1), 4:0:4
Richard Pena 2 IP, 2 H, K, 2.25 era, SV (1), 3:2:1

R Gulf Coast League: GCL Mets 8/15/2, Astros 12/15/0

ss Robbie Shields 1 for 2, .281
>>ss Randoll Santana 0 for 2, .257, CS (1)
2b Yucarybert De La Cruz 1 for 5, run, HR (1), 2 RBI (4), 2 Ks, .190
3b Brian Harrison 3 for 5, 2b, 3b, K, .400
1b Alexander Sanchez 1 for 5, 2 Ks, .286
cf Dylan Brown 1 for 5, run, 3b, 2 Ks, .200
dh Josh Dunn 0 for 3, run, RBI (1), BB, .214
rf Gilbert Gomez 3 for 4, 2 runs, 2b (4), RBI (5), .294
lf Julio Concepcion 3 for 4, run, 2b (2), .282
c Cam Maron 2 for 4, 2 runs, 2b (1), 3b (1), 2 RBI (2), .400
Juan Urbina 3 IP, 7 H, 8/7 R/ER, 2/2 BB/K, 5.68 era, L (1-1), 3:2:2
David Frias 2 IP, 2 H, 3/2 R/ER, BB, K, 3.38 era, 1:4:1
Brant Rustich IP, 2 H, ER, 9 era, 2:1
Nick Carr IP, BB, K, 4.50 era, 2:0:1
Steve Winnick 2 IP, 4 H, 0. 00 era, 4:0:0

6/25 Minor League Report! PUELLO, CECILIANI, MCQUEEN, ADERLIN, VAN GURP!

AAA International League: Buffalo 2/5/2, Charlotte 5/11/0

ss Justin Turner 1 for 4, run, .269
2b Russ Adams 2 for 3, run, 2b, HR, RBI, BB, .236
cf Jorge Padilla 1 for 3, BB, K, .296
dh Mike Jacobs 1 for 4, RBI, K, .258
1b Val Pascucci 0 for 3, BB, .226
rf Fernando Martinez 0 for 4, K, .256
3b Mike Cervanek 0 for 4, .227
lf Lucas Duda 0 for 4, .256
c JR House 0 for 3, 2 Ks, .292
Tobi Stoner 7 IP, 11 H, 5/4 R/ER, K, 5.16 era, L (3-7), 93:59:34, 6:11:1
Jose De La Torre IP, 3 Ks, 4 era, 14:9:5

AA Eastern League: Binghamton 5/10/1, Akron 3/7/1

Michael Antonini had a meh outing, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits in 5.1 innings, but picked up his 5th win of the season. Eddie Kunz had another bad outing, giving up a run on a hit and 3 walks in 1.1 innings. Manuel Alvarez picked up his 3rd save with a scoreless 9th.

The Mets offense had 10 hits and a 0/6 BB/K, while going 2 for 7 (.286) with RISP and leaving 4 on base. Luis Hernandez and Mike Nickeas had multi hit games, while Marshall Hubbard (0 for 4, RBI, .255) and Jose Coronado (0 for 4, K, .221) took 0-fers.

ss Luis Hernandez 2 for 4, K, .302
cf Sean Ratliff 1 for 4, run, .279
1b Nick Evans 1 for 4, run, .280
2b Josh Satin 1 for 4, K, .333
c Mike Nickeas 3 for 4, run, 2b, HR, 2 RBI, .308
lf Brahiam Maldonado 1 for 4, run, HR (4), RBI (12), 2 Ks, .260
rf Raul Reyes 1 for 4, run, 2b, K, .286
Michael Antonini 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3/2 BB/K, 4.07 era, W (5-5), 9:3:2
Eddie Kunz 1.1 IP, H, ER, 3 BBs, 5.40 era, 3:1
Emary Frederick 0.1 IP, H, 1.59 era, 0:1
Derrick Ellison IP, K, 4.85 era, 1:1:1
Manuel Alvarez IP, K, 3.10 era, SV (3), 0:2:1

A+ Florida State League: St. Lucie 5/9/4, Palm Beach 10/13/1

dh Carlos Beltran 2 for 3, 2b, BB, .400 (2 for 5)

Eric Beaulac pitched decently today, despiting giving up 8 hits and 2 walks in 5.2 innings, he allowed 5 runs (2 earned, 4 errors, 3 on Wilmer Flores, one on Richard Lucas), but took the loss, his 2nd. The Mets offense had 9 hits and a 2/0 BB/K ratio, while going 2 for 6 with RISP and leaving 5 on base. Carlos Beltran DHed the whole game and had 2 hits. Juan Lagares and Kai Gronauer also had multi hit games, in their 2nd games at high A. Wilmer Flores, Richard Lucas and Rafael Fernandez took 0-fers.

2b Jordany Valdespin 1 for 5, run, .298, SB (7)
ss Wilmer Flores 0 for 3, BB, .125, 3 E (3)
dh Carlos Beltran 2 for 3, 2b, BB, .400
1b Stefan Welch 1 for 3, run, 2b (20), .306
lf Joey August 1 for 4, run, .294
cf Juan Lagares 2 for 4, run, 2b (1), RBI (1), .333
c Kai Gronauer 2 for 4, run, HR (1), 2 RBI (2), .375
3b Richard Lucas 0 for 4, .206, E (14)
rf Rafael Fernandez 0 for 4, .167
Eric Beaulac 5.2 IP, 8 H, 5/2 R/ER, 2/7 BB/K, 3.59 era, L (3-2), 8:1:7
Stephen Clyne 1.1 IP, H, 2/1 R/ER, 2/1 BB/K, 4.15 era, 1:2:1
Jimmy Johnson 2 IP, 4 H, ER, 1/3 BB/K, 5.06 era, 1:2:3

A South Atlantic League: Savannah 9/13/2, Asheville 0/6/2

Jim Fuller fired 6 shutout innings tonight to lead the Gnats to victory...or maybe it was the 13 hits and 4/5 BB/K, but either way, the Gnats rolled 9-0 tonight. The Gnats went 6 for 15 (.400) with RISP and left 9 on base. Pedro Zapata, RJ Harris, Nick Santomauro, and Cesar Puello had multi hit games, while Alonzo Harris took the only 0-fer.

dh Pedro Zapata 2 for 5, run, RBI (35), K, .292
cf RJ Harris 2 for 5, run, RBI, 2 Ks, .250
3b Jefry Marte 1 for 5, run, 2b (13), 2 RBI (28), K, .248
lf Nick Santomauro 2 for 5, 2 runs, 2 2b (5), K, .161
rf cesar Puello 3 for 4, 2 runs, 2 2b (14), 2 RBI (17), BB, .254
c Juan Torres 1 for 4, .250 (A debut)
1b Travis Ozga 1 for 2, run, RBI, 2 BBs (A debut)
2b Alonzo Harris 0 for 4, .235
ss Wilfredo Tovar 1 for 3, run, BB, .200
Jim Fuller 6 IP, 6 H, 1/4 BB/K, 1.81 era, W (7-2), 5:5:4
Gabriel Zavala IP, K, 0.00 era, 1:1:1
Luis Rojas IP, K, 0.00 era, 1:1:1
Sam Martinez IP, K, 3.86 era, 0:2:1

A- New York Penn League: Brooklyn 3/8/1, Hudson Valley 4/7/1

The Cyclones lost today but that's OK, because both prospects who played today had very very good games. Darrell Ceciliani had 3 more hits, including his 2nd triple, and Angel Cuan fired 5 innings of 3 hit, 1 run ball, but took a ND after Johan Figuereo blew the save good, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits.

lf Cody Holliday 0 for 4, K, .125
cf Darrell Ceciliani 3 for 4, run, 3b (2), .375, SB (2), CS (1)
rf Cory Vaughn 0 for 3, BB, .214
1b Jeff Flagg 2 for 4, RBI, K, .303
dh Will Cherry 1 for 4, K, .263
2b JB Brown 0 for 4, 3 Ks, .125
3b Joe Bonfe 1 for 3, run, K, .250
>>3b James Shroeder BB, .250
c Taylor Freeman 1 for 2, run, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BBs, .077
ss Rylan Sandoval 0 for 4, 2 Ks
Angel Cuan 5 IP, 3 H, ER, 3/4 BB/K, 1.64 era, 8:2:4
AJ Pinera 2 IP, 2 Ks, 2.25 era, 2:1:2
Nelson Pereira IP, K, 0.00 era, 0:2:1
Johan Figereo 0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 Ks, 7.36 era, BS (1), L (0-1)

R Appalachian League: Kingsport 15/16/4, Elizabethon 6/11/4

The Mets scored early (5 in the 3rd) and often (5 of 9 innings), just dismantling the Twins tonight, hammering out 16 hits and drawing 12 walks against 10 strikeouts. They were 6 for 20 with RISP and left 13 on base. The top 3 in the batting order (McQueen, Schafer and Aderlin) were a combined 8 for 15 with 5 RBI and 5 runs scored. Ray Van Gurp had the other multi hit game for the Mets.

cf ZeErika McQueen 4 for 5, run, RBI (2), 2 BBs, .450, 2 SB (2)
ss Justin Schafer 2 for 6, 2 runs, 3 RBI, K, .400
3b Aderlin Rodriguez, 2 for 4, 2 runs, HR (3), RBI (3), 2 BBs, .353, E (1)
dh Lucas Stewart 1 for 3, 2 runs, RBI, BB, K, .273
>>ph, dh Ismael Tijerina 0 for 1, K, .200
c Albert Cordido 1 for 4, run, 2b (2), RBI (1), K, .250
>>c Amauris Valdez 1 for 1, run, 1.000
rf Javier Rodriguez 1 for 2, 3 runs, RBI (1), 3 BBs, .267
1b Eddie Lora 0 for 4, run, 2 BBs, 3 Ks, .000
John Semel 1 for 6, 3 Ks, .200
2b Ray Van Gurp 3 for 4, 2 runs, 4 RBI (5), 2 BBs, .500
Brett Mitchell 5 IP, 4 H, ER, 1/8 BB/K, 1.80 era, W (1-0), 5:2:8
Jeff Walters 2 IP, 5 H, 5/3 R/ER, 1/3 BB/K, HR, 13.50 era, 1:1:3
Sam Taveras 2 IP, 2 H, 3 Ks, 0.00 era, 3:0:3

R Gulf Coast League: GCL Mets 9/11/0, Astros 5/13/6

ss Randoll Santana 0 for 3, RBI (2), BB, 2 Ks, .267
2b Yucarybert De La Cruz 1 for 5, RBI (1), 3 Ks, .188
cf Jason Pridie 2 for 4, 2 runs, 2b, K (rehab)
>>rf Miguel Tejada 0 for 1, .273
rf, cf Gilbert Gomez 1 for 5, run, 2b (2), 2 Ks, .235
1b Alex Sanchez 1 for 4, run, RBI (2), .214
dh Robbie Shields 1 for 4, run, 2b, .100
3b Josh Dunn 0 for 2, run, K, .222
>>3b Marinus Venooji 1 for 1, run, RBI (1), BB, .167
lf Julio Concepcion 2 for 3, run, RBI (4), K, .214
c Camden Maron 2 for 3, run, BB
Zach Dotson 3.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3/4 BB/K, 5.40 era, 2:2:4
Adam O'Neill 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2/1 BB/K, 10.80 era, 3:1:1
Carlos Muniz 2 IP, 3 H, 2 Ks, 6 era, W (1-0), 2:1:2
Tony Feliz IP, 2 H, ER, 4.50 era, 2:1
Daniel Carela IP, BB, K, 0.00 era, 0:1:1

6/12 Minor League Report! Fernando, Harris, FERNANDEZ, Marte, Puello!

AAA International League: Buffalo 2/5/0, Lehigh Valley 6/11/0

rf Russ Adams 1 for 4, run, K, .249
2b Justin Turner 1 for 4, 2b, RBI, .280
1b Mike Jacobs 1 for 4, run, HR, RBI, K, .270
3b Mike Cervanek 0 for 4, .229
cf Fernando Martinez 2 for 4, run, HR (3), RBI (10), K, .256
c Josh Thole 0 for 4, K, .254
lf Marshall Hubbard 0 for 3, .000
ss Andy Green 0 for 2, BB, .259
Bobby Livingston 5 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 2/1 BB/K, 4.90 era, L (2-7), 80:52:28, 4:9:1
John Lujan IP, BB, 5.56 era, 17:8:9, 2:0:0
Manny Acosta IP, 3 Ks, 4.12 era, 15:9:6
Bobby Parnell 2 IP, H, BB, K, 4.21 era, 27:15:12, 5:0:1

AA Eastern League: Binghamton 0/2/0, Trenton 6/4/0

Chris Schwinden had a decent outing today, but he did give up 4 runs on 2 hits and 4 walks in 6 innings, so took his 4th AA loss. The Mets offense had just 2 hits and 4 walks, while going hitless in 4 ABs with RISP, leaving 6 on, and striking out 5 times.

cf Kirk Nieuwenhuis 0 for 2, BB, K, .282, SB (11)
>>1b Omir Santos 0 for 1, .118
ss Luis Hernandez 1 for 4, 2 Ks, .288
1b, rf Nick Evans 0 for 4, K, .271
lf Lucas Duda 0 for 3, BB, .287
dh DJ Wabick 0 for 3, .257
>>ph, dh Juan Centeno 0 for 1 (???)
3b Eric Campbell 0 for 2, 2 BBs, .312 (7 for his last 30, 3 runs, 2b, 2 RBI, 4/3 BB/K)
c Mike Nickeas 1 for 3, .284
2b Jose Coronado 0 for 3, .226
rf, cf Jon Malo 0 for 3, K, .234
Chris Schwinden 6 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 4/5 BB/K, HR, 7.01 era, L (1-4), 1:11:5
Roy Merritt IP, 2 H, 2 ER, BB, HR, 3.98 era, 0:3
Emary Frederick IP, 2 Ks, 2.70 era, 1:0:2

A South Atlantic League: Savannah 11/12/0, Greensboro 2/6/4

Armando Rodriguez had a very good outing today, giving up just 2 runs on 5 hits in 6 innings to even his record at 4 and 4. The Gnats offense exploded with 12 hits and 5 walks, while going 5 for 14 (.357) with RISP, leaving 8 on base, and striking out 8 times. Alonzo Harris, Rafael Fernandez, Jefry Marte and Kai Gronauer had multi hit games, while Michael Fisher (0 for 4, RBI, K, .389) and Nick Santomauro took 0-fers.

2b Alonzo Harris 2 for 5, 2 2b (12), 3 RBI (29), BB, .248
ss Wilmer Flores 1 for 5, 2 runs, HR (7), RBI (42), K, .285
cf Juan Lagares 1 for 5, 2 runs, 2 Ks, .294, SB (15; home)
rf Rafael Fernandez 3 for 5, 2 runs, HR (2), RBI (13), K, .252, SB (6)
3b Jefry Marte 2 for 3, 2 runs, 2b (9), 2 RBI (22), 2 BBs, .233
lf Nick Santomauro 0 for 5, 2 Ks, .156
c Kai Gronauer 2 for 5, run, RBI (18), K, .259
dh Cesar Puello 1 for 3, 2 runs, 2 BBs, .245
Armando Rodriguez 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 Ks, HR, 3.26 era, W (4-4), 7:6:3
Darin Gorski 3 IP, H, 2 Ks, 2.94 era, SV (3), 3:3:2

FSL ASG

North 4, South 5

2b Josh Satin 3 for 5, run, HR, 3 RBI, K
1b Stefan Welch 0 for 2, K
rf Sean Ratliff 1 for 4, K

6/7 Minor League Report! Puello + Matt Harvey is a Met (7th pick)

AAA International League: Buffalo 0/3/1, Norfolk 6/10/0

In the last week, the Bisons have lost: starting SS (Mets), starting CF (Mets), starting 2b/1b (bastard), starting C (backswing/concussion) - that's rough.

cf Emmanuel Garcia 0 for 4, K, .216
ss Justin Turner 1 for 4, .280
dh Mike Jacobs 0 for 4, K, .280
rf Val Pascucci 1 for 2, 2 BBs, .259
3b Mike Cervanek 0 for 4, .225
2b Russ Adams 0 for 2, K, .261
lf Andy Green 0 for 3, K, .277
1b Saloman Manriquez 1 for 2, 2b, BB, .500
c JR House 0 for 3, .262
Bobby Livingston 7 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 3 Ks, 2 HR, 4.43 era, L (2-6), 95:61:34, 10:7:3
Mike O'Connor IP, 2 H, ER, 4.50 era, 13:8:5, 1:1:0

A+ Florida State League: St. Lucie 5/11/0, Dunedin 10/14/3

Jeurys Familia had another rough outing today, giving up 6 runs on 4 hits and 5 walks in 4.1 innings for his 3rd loss of the season. Jimmy Johnson and Stephen Clyne each gave up a pair of runs in their outings to seal the Mets fates.

Fernando Martinez surprised alot of people by appearing in a rehab game today, and he collected 2 hits in 3 ABs before being replaced in the 7th inning. He played right field. Brahiam Maldondo, Stefan Welch, Sean Ratliff and Joey August had multi hit games, while Raul Reyes (0 for 2, .197), Josh Satin (0 for 3, BB, K, .311), Richard Lucas and Mike Moras (0 for 4, K, .100) all took 0-fers.

rf Fernando Martinez 2 for 3, run, 2b
ss Jordany Valdespin 1 for 4, 2 runs, HR (4), 2 RBI (13), BB, .317, SB (3)
lf Brahiam Maldonado 2 for 5, run, 2 Ks, .284 (.393 K rate in St. Lucie, .365 in Binghamton)
1b Stefan Welch 2 for 5, run, 2b (16), HR (4), 3 RBI (41), K, .300
cf Sean Ratliff 2 for 3, 2b (13), BB, K, .278
3b Richard Lucas 0 for 4, K, .208
dh Joey August 2 for 4, K, .323
Jeurys Familia 4.1 IP, 4 H, 6 ER, 5/5 BB/K, 6.46 era, L (0-3), 3:4:5
Jimmy Johnson 1.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 Ks, 5.58 era, 1:1:3
Stephen Clyne 2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 Ks, 6 era, 2:1:2

A South Atlantic League: Savannah 4/8/1, Kannapolis 3/11/2 in 11 innings, Game 1

Brandon Moore had a very good outing tonight, giving up 2 runs on 7 hits in 7 innings with 12 Ks, but he took a ND. Darin Gorski gave up an UER in the top of the 11th (his own error), but the Gnats bailed him out with 2 in the bottom half of the inning, so he got the win with 4 innings of relief.

The Gnats had just 8 hits in 11 innings, but drew 7 walks and were 3 for 11 (.273) with RISP, left 10 on, and struck out just 5 times. Cesar Puello had the only multi hit game, while Wilmer Flores took another 0-fer, he's now down to .289, after May 16th, he was batting .364. Kai Gronauer took the only other 0-fer for the Gnats.

cf Pedro Zapata 1 for 5, RBI (23), BB, K, .262
lf Juan Lagares 1 for 5, K, .295
ss Wilmer Flores 0 for 4, BB, .289 (11 for his last 77, 2 2b, 9 RBI, 8/10 BB/K, .143/.224/.169/.392)
3b Jefry Marte 1 for 4, BB, K, .243
c Kai Gronauer 0 for 3, BB, .250
>>pr Luis Rivera run, .189
1b Michael Fisher 1 for 4, run, K, .294
dh Nick Santomauro 1 for 4, run, BB, K, .161
rf Cesar Puello 2 for 4, run, BB, .229
2b Alonzo Harris 1 for 4, 3b (5), 3 RBI (22), BB, .244
Brandon Moore 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2/12 BB/K, HR, 2.32 era, 6:2:12
Darin Gorski 4 IP, 4 H, R, 1/2 BB/K, 3.13 era, W (2-2), 3:4:2

A South Atlantic League: Savannah 7/13/0, Kannapolis 1/3/2 Game 2

The Gnats offense exploded for 7 runs on 13 hits and 2 walks, while striking out just 3 times, and going 5 for 10 with RISP, and leaving 6 on base. Pedro Zapata, Michael Fisher, Juan Lagares and Dock Doyle had multi hit games, while Jefry Marte took the only 0-fer. Armando Rodriguez started and was very effective, giving up a run on 2 hits in 5 innings for his 3rd win of the season.

dh Pedro Zapata 2 for 3, run, 2 2b (10), 3 RBI (26), BB, K, .268
1b Michael Fisher 3 for 4, run, 3b, RBI, .381
cf Juan Lagares 2 for 3, 2 RBI (36), BB, .299
3b Jefry Marte 0 for 4, .238
lf Rafael Fernandez 1 for 3, run, 2b (5), .232
rf Cesar Puello 1 for 2, 2b (10), K, .232
c Dock Doyle 2 for 3, run, RBI, .187
ss Luis Rivera 1 for 3, run, .196
2b Alonzo Harris 1 for 3, 2 runs, K, .245
Armando Rodriguez 5 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 Ks, HR, 3.28 era, W (3-4), 0:11:3
John Church IP, H, BB, K, 1.65 era, 2:0:1
Erik Turgeon IP, 1.16 era, 2:1

5/30 Minor League Report! EVANS, CAMPBELL, HAVENS, PUELLO! + FELICIANO >>>>>> gmj

AAA International League: Buffalo 7/13/0, Toledo 8/11/3

cf Jesus Feliciano 5 for 5, run, 2 2b (11), .403 (HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
2b Justin Turner 1 for 5, run, RBI, .268
1b Daniel Murphy 2 for 5, run, HR (1), 4 RBI (5), .261
3b Mike Hessman 0 for 4, BB, 2 Ks, .301
dh Mike Jacobs 2 for 5, run, 2b, .271
lf Mike Cervanek 1 for 4, run, HR, 2 RBI, .250
rf Russ Adams 0 for 4, K, .276
c Josh Thole 1 for 4, run, 2b (14), K, .242 (2 for his last 12, 3/2 BB/K)
ss Ruben Tejada 1 for 3, run, .293
Dylan Owen 5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2/5 BB/K, 2 HR, 4.76 era, L (1-1), 86:54:32, 3:7:5
Mike O'Connor 0.1 IP, 2 H, 4/2 R/ER, 2 BBs, HR, 4.34 era, 17:8:9, 0:1
Bobby Parnell 1.2 IP, 4.45 era, 20:13:7, 2:2 (it's time to send Mejia down where he belongs - AA)
Manny Acosta 2 IP, 3 H, BB, K, 1.26 era, 28:17:11, 2:0:1

AA Eastern League: Binghamton 5/10/1, Akron 2/5/0

Josh Stinson's first start of 2010 was pretty decent, he went 4.1 innings, allowing a run on 2 hits and 2 walks, getting a ND. Manuel Alvarez, coming off his first dreadful outing of the season, bounced back with 1.2 scoreless innings for his first AA victory.

The Mets offense had 10 hits and drew 4 walks, while striking out 9 times, and going 0 for 5 with RISP, and leaving 8 on base. Nick Evans, Eric Campbell and Reese Havens had mulit hit games, while the bottom 4 in the order combined to go 0 for 13 with 5 Ks.

cf Kirk Nieuwenhuis 1 for 5, K, .291
ss Luis Hernandez 1 for 4, run, K, .291
1b Nick Evans 3 for 4, 3 runs, 2 HR (10), 3 RBI (32), .286
3b Eric Campbell 3 for 4, 2b (3), K, .432
2b Reese Havens 2 for 3, run, HR (1), RBI (3), BB, K, .385
c Mike Nickeas 0 for 3, BB, K, .299
rf Carlos Guzman 0 for 4, 3 Ks, .266
dh Jose Coronado 0 for 3, RBI, BB, K, .240
lf Jon Malo 0 for 3, BB, .247
Josh Stinson 4.1 IP, 2 H, ER, 2/2 BB/K, 3.09 era, 8:2:2
Manuel Alvarez 1.2 IP, 2 H, K, 4.50 era, W (1-0), 0:3:1
Clint Everts IP, 7.82 era, 2:1
Roy Merritt 2 IP, H, ER, 3 Ks, HR, 4.41 era, 2:1:3

A+ Florida State League: St. Lucie 3/6/1, Clearwater 2/8/1

Wes Wrenn was decent today, but had a very short outing, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits in 4 innings for a ND. Elvin Ramirez picked up the win with 2 scoreless in relief, though he did walk 3 in his outing. Jose Bierd picked up his 4th save.

The Mets offense had just 6 hits and 3 walks, and were hitless in 4 ABs with RISP, left 6 on base, and struck out 8 times. Joey August (0 for 3, .326), Stefan Welch, Richard Lucas and Jean Luc Blaquiere (0 for 3, .189) took 0-fers. Josh Satin had the only multi hit game.

ss Jordany Valdespin 1 for 4, run, .305 (wonder when they'll figure out he's a second baseman, not a shortstop...)
2b Josh Satin 2 for 3, run, HR, RBI, BB, K, .322
cf Sean Ratliff 1 for 4, K, .280
1b Stefan Welch 0 for 3, BB, 2 Ks, .301
dh Brahiam Maldonado 1 for 4, run, HR (4), RBI (10), 3 Ks, .259
3b Richard Lucas 0 for 2, BB, .216
rf Raul Reyes 1 for 3, K, .202
Wes Wrenn 4 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, K, 1.80 era, 5:6:1
Marcos Tabata 2IP, H, 3 Ks, 3.97 era, 2:1:3
Elvin Ramirez 2 IP, 2 H, 3/1 BB/K, 4.36 era, W (1-2), 3:2:1
Jose Bierd IP, H, 1/2 BB/K, 4.18 era, SV (4), 1:0:2

A South Atlantic League: Savannah 8/11/0, Rome 2/6/0, suspended from 3/29

The Gnats opened the game up with 5 in the 7th today, after the game was suspended at 1-1 in the 5th yesterday. The Gnats had 11 hits and drew 5 walks in the game, with 3 players (Alonzo Harris, Juan Lagares and Jefry Marte) having multi hit games. Wilmer and Kai Gronauer took the only two 0-fers. The Gnats went 5 for 12 (.417) with RISP, left 7 on, and struck out 5 times.

2b Alonzo Harris 3 for 5, RBI (16), 2 Ks, .256
cf Juan Lagares 2 for 5, run, RBI (32), .282
ss Wilmer Flores 0 for 5, RBI (36), K, .304
3b Jefry Marte 2 for 5, 2 runs, RBI (16), .221
lf Rafael Fernandez 1 for 4, 3b (3), RBI (11), K, .237
c Kai Gronauer 0 for 3, run, BB, K, .250
rf Cesar Puello 1 for 1, 2 runs, 2b (8), 3 BBs, .232
dh Nick Santomauro 1 for 3, run, RBI (5), BB, .134
1b Luis Rivera 1 for 3, run, 2 RBI, .204
Jim Fuller 5 IP, 2 H, ER, 2/5 BB/K, 1.90 era, 6:3:5
Taylor Whitenton 4 IP, 4 H, ER, 4/4 BB/K, 2.70 era, W (3-2), 3:3:4

A South Atlantic League: Savannah 4/8/0, Rome 8/9/1

Darin Gorski got ripped for 5 runs on 5 hits in 4.1 innings to take his 2nd loss of the season, and John Church put the game out of reason by giving up 3 runs in his 2.1 innings of work.

The Gnats had 8 hits and 2 walks, while going 2 for 8 with RISP, leaving 6 on, and striking out just 4 times.

cf Pedro Zapata 1 for 5, run, .254
lf Rafael Fernandez 1 for 3, run, BB, K, .240, SB (5; home)
dh Wilmer Flores 1 for 2, RBI (37), BB, .306
3b Jefry Marte 1 for 4, run, HR (3), RBI (17), K, .221
rf Cesar Puello 1 for 3, run, .234, 2 SB (19)
ss Michael Fisher 1 for 4
1b Alex Gregory 1 for 4, RBI, .255
c Dock Doyle 1 for 4, 2b, .164
2b Alonzo Harris 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .250
Darin Gorski 4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 2/3 BB/K, HR, 3.64 era, L (1-2), 4:6:3
John Church 2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2/2 BB/K, 1.76 era, 2:1:2
Michael Powers 1.1 IP, 3 Ks, 2.95 era, 0:1:3

5/26 Minor League Report! Puello! + 5/27 10:30am Links

The first ever regular season post combining Gameday Links and a MLR...

Buffalo Boxscore
Binghamton

Buffalo Gameday
Binghamton

AA Eastern League: Binghamton 9/12/1, Richmond 1/2/3

Five Met players had multi hit games, as the Mets crushed Richmond 9-1 today. The Mets had 12 hits and a walk, while going 6 for 14 (.429) with RISP, leaving 6 on base, and striking out just 4 times. Kirk Nieuwenhuis had a second straight multi hit-homer game. Luis Hernandez, Marshall Hubbard, Eric Campbell and DJ Wabick also had multi hit games. while Nick Evans, and Omir Santos (0 for 4, 2 RBI, .000) took 0-fers.

Eric Niesen made his first start off the DL (concussion), and was effective, going 3.1 innings allowing an UER on 3 walks. Edgar Ramirez went 3.2 innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out a pair to pick up the win.

cf Kirk Nieuwenhuis 2 for 5, 2 runs, 2b (13), HR (7), RBI (27), K, .302 (9/48 BB/K)
ss Luis Hernandez 3 for 5, run, 2b, HR, RBI, .318
1b Nick Evans 0 for 5, 2 runs, RBI (28), .273
lf Marshall Hubbard 2 for 2, BB, .282
>>lf Jon Malo 0 for 1, .229
3b Eric Campbell 2 for 4, run, 2 RBI (6), .350
rf DJ Wabick 2 for 4, run, K, .239
2b Jose Coronado 1 for 4, RBI, K, .236
rf Carlos Guzman 0 for 1, .260 (inserted in a double switch)
Eric Niesen 3.1 IP, R, 3/1 BB/K, 3.12 era, 3:5:1
Edgar Ramirez 3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 Ks, 2.51 era, W (2-0), 4:5:2
Emary Frederick IP, BB, K, 0.00 era, 2:0:1
Manuel Alvarez IP, K, 0.00 era, 0:2:1 (27.2 scoreless innings between A+/AA, 13 hits, 2 UER, 5/26 BB/K, 24 1/2 years old)

A+ Florida State League: St. Lucie 2/10/4, Jupiter 8/9/1

Jeurys Familia was victimized by 4 Met errors (Satin, Tovar, Welch, Raul Reyes) and gave up 4 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits and 2 walks in 4 innings for his 2nd loss of the season. Brian Needham made his high A debut and gave up 3 UER of his own (again due to the defense) in 2 innings. Combined with the horrible defense, the Mets had 10 hits and a walk, but struck out 14 times and were just 1 for 12 (.083) and left 10 on base. Brahiam Maldonado and Raul Reyes had multi hit games, while Sean Ratliff took the only 0-fer.

lf Joey August 1 for 5, RBI, K, 346
1b Stefan Welch 1 for 5, 2 Ks, .307
2b Josh Satin 1 for 5, run, HR, RBI, 3 Ks, .313
dh Brahiam Maldonado 2 for 4, 2 Ks, .250
cf Sean Ratliff 0 for 3, BB, 2 Ks, .274
3b Richard Lucas 1 for 3, 3b (1), K, .220
rf Raul Reyes 2 for 4, K, .204
c Tony Maccani 1 for 4, run, 2 Ks, .235
ss Wilfredo Tobvar 1 for 4, .273
Jeurys Familia 4 IP, 5 H, 4/1 R/ER, 2/6 BB/K, HR, 5.58 era, L (0-2), 3:3:6
Brian Needham 2 IP, H, 3 R, 2 BBs, 0.00 era,
Rhiner Cruz 2 IP, 3 H, R, K, 4.88 era, 5:0:1
Jimmy Johnson IP, 6.56 era, 3:

A South Atlantic League: Savannah 5/11/1, Kannapolis 4/12/3 in 14 innings

By my count, this is the 4th Gnats game to go 13+ innings this season, and they're 2-2 in such games, including 1-1 in 18 inning games (would that be 2-2?). Brandon Sage picked up the win with 2 scoreless innings, after Collin McHugh had an OUTSTANDING piggyback effort, with 6 innings of 4 hit 1 run ball. Armando Rodriguez started and was meh, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits in 5.1 innings, he took a ND.

The Gnats offense had 11 hits and 3 walks in 14 innings, and struck out just 10 times, while going 4 for 13 (.308) with RISP, and leaving 10 on base. Pedro Zapata (walkoff single) and Cesar Puello had multi hit games, while Nick Santomauro and Rafael Fernandez took 0-fers.

cf Pedro Zapata 2 for 7, run, HR (1), 2 RBI (20), K, .266
dh Juan Lagares 1 for 6, 2 Ks, .290
ss Wilmer Flores 1 for 6, 2 RBI (35), 2 Ks, .313
3b Jefry Marte 1 for 5, BB, K, .209
c Kai Gronauer 1 for 6, run, .263
lf Nick Santomauro 0 for 3, .117
>>ph, lf Rafael Fernandez 0 for 2, 2 Ks, .245
rf Cesar Puello 3 for 6, run, 2b (7), 2 Ks, .224
1b Luis Rivera 1 for 4, 2 runs, RBI, BB, .247
2b Alonzo Harris 1 for 5, BB, .247
Armando Rodriguez 5.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 4 Ks, HR, 3.44 era, 6:5:4
Erik Turgeon 0.2 IP, 2 Ks, 1.08 era
Collin McHugh 6 IP, 4 H, ER, 2/7 BB/K, 2.95 era, 11:0:7
Brandon Sage 2 IP, H, 1/3 BB/K, 1.69 era, W (2-2), 2:1:3

MPH System Audit IV, Part I: Introduction and Outfielders

MPH System Audit IV

Welcome to the 2010 MetsProspectHub System Audit. This year, I consulted 3 other people to get their opinions and feelings. Of course, David, my cowriter (well, you know) and co-founder of MPH, and then a couple of very good friends, Joey DeMayo of NYbaseballdigest.com, and Daniel Wexler (http://www.nleastchatter.com/realdirtymets/)

2009 was a total mess...on the major league side. Mess really doesn't even begin to cover what happened to the New York Mets in 2009, but that's in the rearview mirror. On the minor league side, however, 2009 was one of the best seasons in a long time, and 2010 promises to be significantly more exciting. For the first time in what seems like forever, the Mets did not strip off any prospects during 2009, leaving a nice stable of VERY exciting prospects. Talking to Joe, Dan and David, none of them can remember the last time the Mets had this many prospects across the top 3 levels. Below are writeups on most of them.

MPH's Position by Position Prospect Analysis and Ranking
-featuring contributions from David, Dan and Joe, written by Tejesh
-thanks to NYFS (www.nyfuturestars.com) for having up to date player profile capsules with relevant information handy!
-B/T is next to age and is in that order
-prospect eligibility for MPH is hitherto defined as 200 ABs or 100 IP in the majors, without regard to days spent on the roster

Affiliate Guide (2009):

Buffalo: AAA International League (new)
Binghamton: AA Eastern League
St. Lucie: A+ Florida State League
Savannah: A South Atlantic League (Sally)
Brooklyn: A- New York Penn League (Penn)
Kingsport: R Appalachian League (Appy)
GCL Mets: R Gulf Coast League
DSL Mets: R Dominican Summer League
VSL Mets: R Venezuelan Summer league

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OUTFIELDERS
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1. AAA/MLB OF Fernando Martinez L/R 10/10/88 (AAA Buffalo .290/.337/.540/.877, 51 for 176, 24 runs, 16 2b, 2 3b, 8 HR, 28 RBI, 11/33 BB/K, 2/3 SBs, MLB New York .176/.242/.275/.517, 16 for 91, 11 runs, 6 2b, HR, 8 RBI, 5/14 BB/K, 2 SBs)

Total 2009 Stats: .251/.304/.449/.754, 67 for 267, 35 runs, 22 2b, 2 3b, 9 HR, 36 RBI, 4/5 SBs, 16/47 BB/K

The Mets signed Fernando out of the Dominican in the IFA signing period of 2005 for 1.3 million, and since then, he's made a slow trek through the system (due to injuries), but last season cracked through to the major leagues. He started off in Hagerstown in 2006, spent two seasons (2007, 2008) in Binghamton, and last season played in Buffalo, and had a 91 AB stint with the Mets.

Fernando got hurt again in 2009, but managed to make his major league debut after having a torrid month of May in Buffalo (.337/.378/.663/1.041, 31 for 92, 17 runs, 7 2b, 3b, 7 HR, 20 RBI, 6/12 BB/K). He injured himself trying to make a diving catch in Milwaukee, playing CF, and did not appear in a game again.

Fernando still has a very high ceiling, despite being around forever, he will play all of 2010 at the age of 22, which is right on target for AAA, which is where he should play the entire season. Fernando still has considerable power projection left to all fields, as he displays during BP. As we saw in 2009, Fernando is faster then we we led to believe, and he can definitely play center field, something we were told he couldn't do (ok, ok, one epic fall/slide aside), he was solid filling in for Beltran. He should also steal between 15 and 25 bases in a season, definitely not a slouch. He still projects as an above average offensive player, no matter what OF spot he ultimately ends up playing.

THE FUTURE: Fernando made his MB debut in 2009, but should open 2010 in Buffalo, and hopefully will spnd all of the upcoming season there, before being permanently inserted into the lineup in 2011.

2. A+/AA OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis L/R 8/7/87 (A+ St. Lucie .274/.357/.467/.824, 132 for 482, 91 runs, 35 2b, 5 3b, 16 HR, 71 RBI, 53/118 BB/K, 16/20 SBs, AA Binghamton .406/.472/.656/1.128, 13 for 32, 8 runs, 3 2b, 3b, HR, 2 RBI, 4/9 BB/K, 1/2 SBs)

Total 2009 Stats: .282/.364/.479/.843, 145 for 514, 99 runs, 38 2b, 6 3b, 17 HR, 73 RBI, 57/127 BB/K, 17/22 SBs, .247 K rate, .4488 BB/K ratio

The Mets drafted Nieuwenhuis out of Azusa Pacific University in the 3rd round of the 2008 draft, and he spent his rookie season with Brooklyn, before being bumped up to St. Lucie for 2009, where he got off to an uneven beginning.

Nieuwenhuis had one of the hottest stretches in all of minor league ball during the second half of 2009. Between July 8th and September 2nd, Kirk hit a blistering .340/.411/.602/1.013 (70 for 206, 47 runs, 20 2b, 5 3b, 8 HR, 40 RBI, 24/48 BB/K). He ended his season in Binghamton where he didn't slow down, hitting .406/.472/.656/1.128 in 32 ABs.

Nieuwenhuis, as we saw in 2009, hits tons of XBH. Of his 145 hits, 61 of them (42.06%) were for extra bases (38 2b, 6 3b, 17 HR). He hits the ball well to all fields, and is a gap to gap hitter , but he struggles against LHP (just .233/.297/.346/.642 in 2009 in St. Lucie), and he also Ks a ton (127 Ks in 514 ABs), but provides good production from the outfield to make up for it, and is a possible 20-20 or 25-25-25 player. Nieuwenhuis has a good arm and probably profiles best as a right fielder, but for at least 2010, he will play center.

THE FUTURE: Kirk had a 32 AB cameo in Binghamton at the tail end of 2009, and this is where he will play most (if not all) of 2010. He should end his season in Arizona, and that sets him up to be a callup sometime in 2011.

3. R OF Cesar Puello R/R 4/1/91 (R Kingsport .296/.373/.423/.796, 58 for 196, 37 runs, 10 2b, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 10/51 BB/K, 15/20 SBs)

The Mets signed three IFAs in 2007, Wilmer Flores, Jefry Marte, and this guy, Cesar Puello. The other two were rushed further then Puello, who's been handled carefully, with good results. Puello played the 08 and 09 seasons in short season rookie ball, 08 in the GCL, and 09 in Kingsport.

Puello spent the 2009 season in short season rookie ball, playing for the Kingsport Mets of the Appalachian League, where he hit .296/.373/.423/.796 in 196 ABs. As he did in 2008, Puello got off to a slow start in 2009, hitting just .265/.324/.294/.618 in 34 June ABs, before coming on strong. From July 1st to the end of the season, Puello hit extremely well, .302/.383/.451/.833, though he was hit by 12 pitches in that span, inflating his OBP by 44 points.

Much of Puello's offensive game is still projection, as he's a) just 18, and b) has yet to cross the 200 AB barrier. He does have some pop in his bat, as evidenced by the .423 SLG and 127 IsoP, but he needs to refine his strike zone discipline in order to maximize his tools (again, he's just 18, so he has time to do that). Unlike most hitters, Puello can recognize offspeed/breaking pitches, which should help him transition to fullseason this season. Puello has good speed, as evidenced by his 15/20 success rate in steals in 2009. Puello also has a strong arm, so much so that the Mets used him exclusively in RF in 2009, and will do so again in 2010. He has very good range, owing to his speed.

THE FUTURE: Puello should open 2010 in Savannah, and he most likely will spend the whole season there (at age 19), but it wouldn't be a shock to see him end in St. Lucie. Conservative promotions from there should have him spend his age 20 season there, age 21 in Binghamton, age 22 in Buffalo, and then age 23 breaking into the majors (2014).

4. A+ OF Brahiam Maldonado R/R 9/18/85 (A+ St. Lucie .273/.348/.466/.813, 112 for 410, 62 runs, 19 2b, 3 3b, 18 HR, 73 RBI, 43/126 BB/K, 13/17 SBs)

The Mets drafted Brahiam Maldonado in the 10th round of the 2004 draft out of St. Francis High in Puerto Rico. After being drafted, Maldonado spent two seasons in the GCL, then Kingsport (2006), Savannah (2007), then the last two seasons in St. Lucie (08 and 09).

Maldonado enjoyed a second half rebirth of his prospect status, after for all the world looking like a total flameout. After hitting a pathetic .226/.277/.377/.653 over the first two months of the season, Maldonado EXPLODED, blistering the FSL to the tune of a .299/.384/.515/.900

Maldonado still strikes out at an extreme clip, over .300 again this season, and it will be this flaw which permanently puts the kabosh on his resurrected prospect status in 2010. He's got good speed and a good enough arm to play the corner outfield spots, but neither is anythign special.

THE FUTURE: Maldonado will definitely open 2010 with the BMets, and as I said, his fatal K rate will serve to permanently destroy his resurrected prospect status, unless, of course, he can bring it under control somehow. If he does, he should be poised to make his major league debut sometime in late 2011 or 2012.

5. A+/AA OF Carlos Guzman L/R 5/24/86 (A+ St. Lucie .290/.347/.453/.800, 137 for 472, 59 runs, 28 2b, 2 3b, 15 HR, 64 RBI, 39/95 BB/K, 6/11 SBs, AA Binghamton .130/.200/.261/.461, 3 for 23, 2 runs, HR, 3 RBI, 1/7 BB/K)

Total 2009 Stats: .283/.340/.444/.785, 140 for 495, 61 runs, 28 2b, 2 3b, 16 HR, 67 RBI, 40/102 BB/K, 6/11 SBs

Guzman was signed as a UDFA out of Brookdale Community College in 2006, and since has been mostly unheralded, first in the GCL in 2007, then Savannah (08), before exploding onto the scene in 2009 with a terrific first two months in St. Lucie.

Guzman launched himself onto prospect lists with a vengence in 2009, setting career highs in every offensive category, all while playing a good corner outfield. Guzman started off hot in St. Lucie, hitting .300/.354/.498 through the first two months of the season before falling into a deep slump (.220/.282/.370) over his next two months, before having the best month of his season in August, a blistering .396/.446/.523 which earned him a 23 AB cameo in Binghamton, where he should play all of 2010.

Guzman is a fastball hitter who has trouble with advanced breaking pitches, which should hamper him in 2010, unless he improves. He began switch hitting this year, and that is a definite work in progress, as he hit just .202/.305/.219/.525 from the right side of the plate. Guzman is a decent runner and athlete, and also has decent range, but he has a good arm, his best asset on the defensive side of the ball.

THE FUTURE: Guzman, as we said, will open 2010 in Binghamton, where his fringy prospect status will be put to the test by advanced offspeed pitches. If he passes the test, he will face another in 2011 at the AAA level, and if he passes that, he will make his MLB debut in 2012, likely as a power bat off the bench.

6. A/A+ OF Sean Ratliff L/L 2/24/87 (A Savannah .265/.312/.451/.763, 124 for 468, 64 runs, 28 2b, 7 3b, 15 HR, 68 RBI, 31/131 BB/K, 11/17 SBs, A+ St. Lucie .286/.286/.357/.643, 8 for 28, 3 runs, 2 2b, 6 RBI, 10 Ks)

Total 2009 Stats: .266/.311/.446/.756, 132 for 496, 67 runs, 30 2b, 7 3b, 15 HR, 74 RBI, 11/17 SBs, 31/141 BB/K, .284 K rate, .2199 BB/K ratio

Ratliff was drafted in the 4th round of the 2008 draft out of Stanford, and spent his rookie season in Brooklyn, before opening 2009 in fullseason ball, with Savannah.

Ratliff spent the vast majority of the season in Savannah where he had bursts of great production (.346 thru his first 26 games, .552 in the final week of April, .321 in May), but he was also ICE cold for long stretches of time, ending up with pedestrian numbers at age 22 in the Sally League.

Ratliff needs to cut down on his strikeouts, and also find a more consistent approach, as his wild fluxuations in production last season show. Ratliff profiles best as a left fielder, since he doesn't have the range for center (even though he spent most of 2009 playing center for Savannah), or the arm for right. He's got average speed at best, and the 11 steals he had last season should be close to his max output.

THE FUTURE: Ratliff should open 2010 in St. Lucie, and a level per season after means he should be in position to make the majors sometime in 2012. However, his high K totals may serve to derail him, much as Brahiam Maldonado.

7. 7. A- Nick Santomauro L/R 6/13/88 (A- Brooklyn .241/.368/.441/.809, 35 for 145, 18 runs, 5 2b, 3 3b, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 28/38 BB/K, 1/5 SBs)

Santomauro was drafted in the 10th round of the 2009 draft out of Dartmouth, and spent his rookie season in Brooklyn, where he didn't hit for much of an average, but showed very good periphials (127 IsoP, 200 IsoD).

Santomauro has good natural power (as his 200 IsoP indicates), but he does need to work on hiting for average. His eye is good (127 IsoD), and that should help him when he makes the jump to high A in 2010. He has good speed, but isn't a basestealer, he's more of a 1st to 3rd on a single type runner. His speed helps him cover ground in the outfield, but he sometimes takes bad routes to the ball. Santomauro, like Ratliff, is best profiled as a left fielder.

THE FUTURE: Santomauro should open 2010 in St. Lucie, and I expect him to have a breakout much like Kirk Nieuwenhuis did (although Kirk is definitely much more toolsy then Nick). A level per season after that puts him in the majors sometime in 2012/2013.

8. 8. A- Luis Rivera R/R 10/12/86 (A- Brooklyn .297/.402/.441/.844, 66 for 222, 38 runs, 14 2b, 3 3b, 4 HR, 34 RBI, 37/53 BB/K, 13/16 SBs)

9. R Darrell Ceciliani 6/22/90 (R Kingsport .234/.313/.310/.623, 37 for 158, 29 runs, 6 2b, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 13/31 BB/K, 14/16 SBs)

Ceciliani was taken in the 4th round of the 2009 draft out of Columbia Basin College in Washington State, and after signing, was sent to Kingsport where he showed flashes of the type of player he could be in the future, hitting .303/.361/.447/.809 in 76 July ABs, with 5 2b, 2 HR and 8 steals. However, outside of that one month, he was abysmal.

Ceciliani is a slap hitter who uses his speed to his advantage, he won't hit for much power, but he will be a threat on the bases. Ceciliani also uses his speed to be a plus defender in center field, and he's got the arm for the position, too. Ceciliani's best comp would be Juan Pierre.

THE FUTURE: Ceciliani should open 2010 with Savannah, and ascending a level per season after that puts him on track for a debut sometime in 2013.

10. R Chase Greene R/R 4/22/90 (R GCL .286/.361/.397/.758, 18 for 63, 7 2b, 5 RBI, 7/10 BB/K, 2 SBs)

The Mets took Greene in the 16th round out of West Boca Raton High in Florida, and assigned him to the GCL, where he performed very well. Greene projects much as Ceciliani does, a speedy slap hitter who profiles best as a leadoff hitter and centerfielder with plus range.

THE FUTURE: Greene should open 2010 with either Savannah, or Kingsport, and depending on which it is, that will determine when he's in a position to make his MLB debut. It will either be in 2013 or 2014.

8/31 Minor League Report! STONER, NIEUWENHUIS, TEJADA, Harris, PUELLO!

INT AAA: Buffalo 6/11/1, Rochester 1/5/1

SS Argenis Reyes 2 for 4, run, RBI, .284
2b Andy Green 1 for 5, K, .250
cf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 4, run, .301
1b Mike Lamb 1 for 3, run, 2b, BB, .256
rf Chip Ambres 2 for 4, run, HR, 2 RBI, K, .258
lf Jason Dubois 1 for 3, 2b, BB, K, .192
3b Javier Castillo 0 for 4, K, .254
c Robinson Cancel 1 for 4, run, 2b, .250
dh Josh Petersen 2 for 4, run, .270
Tobi Stoner 9 IP, 5 H, ER, 1/3 BB/K, HR, 3.93 era, W (6-7), 106:68:38, 14:10:3
-----
lf Justin Huber 1 for 4, .268
rf Dustin Martin 0 for 3, .254
Phil Humber 6 IP, 6 H, 4/2 R/ER, 1/3 BB/K, HR, 5.17 era, L (7-8), 87:58:29, 11:4:3

EL AA: Binghamton 7/15/1, Akron 10/11/1

Kirk Nieuwenhuis saw AA pitching tonight, and was not impressed. Nieuwenhuis had 3 more hits, including a triple, in his Binghamton debut, leading a 15 hit, 3 walk attack, but it was in vain, as Michael Antonini got shelled into oblivion, allowing 8 runs in 5.2 innings on 10 hits and 4 walks. The Mets were 5 for 14 (.357) with RISP and left 10 on base. Zach Lutz took the only 0-fer, also in his AA debut.

cf Kirk Nieuwenhuis 3 for 5, run, 3b, 2 Ks
ss Ruben Tejada 3 for 4, 2b (22), 3 RBI (42), .289
1b Ike Davis 2 for 5, run, HR (13), 2 RBI (43), 2 Ks, .309
rf Caleb Stewart 2 for 3, run, 2 BBs, K, .233
dh DJ Wabick 1 for 5, run, 3 Ks, .288
3b Zach Lutz 0 for 5, 2 Ks
2b Jose Coronado 2 for 5, run, RBI, 3 Ks, .269
lf Emmanuel Garcia 1 for 5, run, RBI, .245
c Salvador Paniagua 1 for 3, run, BB, K, .203
Michael Antonini 5.2 IP, 10 H, 8 ER, 4/4 BB/K, 5.25 era, L (7-4), 4:9:4
Emary Frederick 0.2 IP, H, 2 ER, 3/1 BB/K, 6.31 era, 1:0:1
Edgar Alfonzo 1.2 IP, BB, 4.01 era, 1:4

NYPL A-: Brooklyn 5/10/2, Lowell 8/10/0

The Cyclones were down 8-0 heading to the 8th, then exploded for 5 runs, but fell short in their comeback, falling 8-5 to the Spinners. Darin Gorski got oblierated for 7 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits and 3 walks in 3 innings for his 4th loss of the season.

The Conies offense had 10 hits and 6 walks, while going 3 for 10 with RISP and leaving 11 on base. Matt Gaski (3), and Ralph Henriquez (2) had multi hit games, while Jordany Valdespin (0 for 2, .296), Dock Doyle (0 for 4, BB, .256), Luis Rivera (0 for 2, 2 Ks, .301), and John Servidio (0 for 3, BB, K, .181) took 0-fers.

>>ph, 2b Matt Gaski 3 for 3, RBI, .258
3b Richard Lucas 1 for 4, run, BB, 2 Ks, .333
>>cf RJ Harris 1 for 3, 2 Ks (A- debut)
dh Ralph Henriquez 2 for 4, run, BB, K, .243
1b Sam Honeck 1 for 3, run, 2 RBI (26), 2 BBs, .252
lf Alex Gregory 1 for 5, run, .286
ss Robbie Shields 1 for 4, run, 2b, 2 RBI (9), K, .176
Darin Gorski 3+ IP, 8 H, 7/5 R/ER, 3/4 BB/K, 5.24 era, L (3-4), 2:1:4
Manuel Olivares 2 IP, 2 H, R, 1/4 BB/K, 1.50 era, 1:1:4
Tim Chism 2 IP, 1/2 BB/K, 0.00 era, 4:0:2
Bobby Gagg IP, 3.52 era, 2:1

APPY R: Kingsport 12/16/0, Danville 2/6/2

The top 6 players in the Kingsport lineup had multi hit games, combining to go 14 for 29. Luis Nieves (0 for 5, 2 Ks, .265) took the only 0-fer. The Mets overall had 16 hits and 7 walks, while going 8 for 25 (.320) with RISP and leaving 15 on base.

Zach Von Tersch benefitted from the offensive explosion, he went 7 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits (2 homers) and 4 walks for his 3rd win, while lowering his ERA under 4.

2b Alonzo Harris 3 for 6, 2 runs, 3b (5), K, .273
cf Kurt Steinhauer 2 for 4, 3 runs, 2b, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BBs, K, .370
3b Joe Bonfe 2 for 6, run, 2 2b, RBI, 2 Ks, .333
1b Jeff Flagg 2 for 6, run, 2b, 2 Ks, .301
dh Ryan Mollica 2 for 2, 2 runs, 2b, 3 BBs, .288
rf Cesar Puello 3 for 5, run, 2 RBI (23), K, .293
c John Freeman 1 for 4, run, 2b, 2 RBI, BB, 3 Ks, .221
lf Pedro Zapata 1 for 4, run, 2 RBI (21), BB, .324
Zach Von Tersch 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 4/3 BB/K, 2 HR, 3.92 era, W (3-0), 11:6:3
Tyler Howe IP, H, K, 0.00 era, 1:1:1
Travis Babin IP, K, 3.63 era, 0:2:1

8/27 Minor League Report! Ar. Rod, Hilliard, Puello!

INT AAA: Buffalo 1/6/2, Pawtucket 7/11/0

2b Argenis Reyes 1 for 4, .284
ss Andy Green 0 for 4, .254
rf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 4, K, .306
1b Mike Lamb 0 for 4, .249
cf Chip Ambres 1 for 3, .252
c Rene Rivera 0 for 3, .240
dh Jason Dubois 1 for 3, K, .158
3b Javier Castillo 1 for 3, run, HR, RBI, .254
lf Josh Petersen 1 for 3, .272
Kyle Snyder 5 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, BB, 3.90 era, L (3-7), 102:64:38, 7:8
Atuaro Lopez 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2/1 BB/K, 4.10 era, 39:27:12, 2:2:1
Jim Warden 0.1 IP, H, 2 ER, 2 BBs, 2.77 era, 22:10:12, 1:
Derrick Ellison IP, 3 Ks, 0.00 era, 15:11:4

EL AA: Binghamton 7/8/2, Portland 8/13/1

Jenrry Mejia had a very rough outing tonight, giving up 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks in just 3.2 innings, but a Shawn Bowman 3 run HR in the 8th got him off the hook. Edgar Alfonzo gave up a run in the top of the 9th (Julio De La Cruz allowed an IHR to score), to take his 5th loss of the season.

The Mets offense had 8 hits and 3 walks, while going 2 for 6 with RISP and leaving 4 on base. Jose Coronado and Shawn Bowman hit HRs, while Ruben Tejada (2)had the only multi hit game, and Caleb Stewart (0 for 3, run, BB, 2 Ks, .224) and Rafael Arroyo (0 for 3, K, .000) took 0-fers.

ss Ruben Tejada 2 for 5, 2b (21), .283
2b Jose Coronado 1 for 4, 2 runs, HR, RBI, .268
1b Ike Davis 1 for 4, run, .307
3b Shawn Bowman 1 for 4, run, HR (9), 3 RBI (44), K, .296
dh DJ Wabick 1 for 3, run, BB, .285
cf Emmanuel Garcia 1 for 3, run, .248
lf Jon Malo 1 for 3, RBI, .241
Jenrry Mejia 3.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3/2 BB/K, 4.72 era, 7:2:2
Emary Frederick 3.1 IP, 5 H, 3/2 R/ER, 4 Ks, HR, 5.68 era, 2:3:4, 1/3 IHRs
Edgar Alfonzo 1.1 IP, 2 H, ER, K, 4.11 era, L (4-5), 2:1:1
Julio De La Cruz 0.2 IP, H, K, 5.40 era, 0:1:1, 0/1 IHRs

SAL A: Savannah 5/11/0, Augusta 1/3/1

Armando Rodriguez' A debut was stellar, until he ran into 6th inning control issues, issuing 3 walks in the inning. Only one run scored against him, though (an IHR Rhiner Cruz allowed to score), and he earned his first win. Rodriguez allowed just a hit and that one run over 5.2 innings, with 9 Ks.

The Gnats offense had 11 hits and 3 walks, while going 4 for 11 (.364) with RISP and leaving 7 on base. Raul Reyes (2), Nick Giarraputo (2), Mike Moras (2), and Joey August (2) had multi hit games, while Josh Satin (0 for 3, BB, 2 Ks, .285) and Evan LeBlanc (0 for 2, RBI, K, .181) took 0-fers.

ss Wilmer Flores 1 for 3, RBI (35), BB, .261
cf Sean Ratliff 1 for 4, 2b, K, .269
3b Eric Campbell 1 for 4, run, 2b, .245
rf Raul Reyes 2 for 4, run, 3b (8), RBI (42), K, .251
1b Nick Giarraputo 2 for 4, run, 2b (1), RBI (8), .405
c Mike Moras 2 for 3, run, BB, .500
dh Joey August 2 for 4, run, K, .224
Armando Rodriguez 5.2 IP, H, ER, 4/9 BB/K, 1.59 era, W (1-0), 3:5:9
Rhiner Cruz 2.1 IP, H, BB, K, 1.82 era, 2:4:1
Jimmy Johnson IP, H, 2 Ks, 0.60 era, 1:0:2

NYPL A-: Brooklyn 4/9/1, Oneonta 3/10/1

Chris Hilliard's Brooklyn debut was a success, he allowed an UER on 5 hits and 2 walks in 6 innings for the win. Michael Powers allowed a run in the 9th, but escaped with his 16th save (boy, he's dicey, huh?).

The Conies offense garnered 9 hits and 5 walks, while going 3 for 13 (.231) with RISP and leaving 10 on base. Jordany Valdespin (2) and Luis Rivera (2) had multi hit games, while Robbie Shields (0 for 4, BB, K, .171), and Ralph Henriquez (0 for 4, .241) took 0-fers.

2b Jordany Valdespin 2 for 4, 2 runs, HR (1), 2 RBI (4), 2 Ks, .324
3b Richard Lucas 1 for 4, 2b (5), BB, K, .344
rf Luis Rivera 2 for 4, run, RBI (31), BB, K, .299
lf Alex Gregory 1 for 3, 3b, BB, K, .285
1b Sam Honeck 1 for 3, RBI, K, .255
cf John Servidio 1 for 3, run, 2b, BB, .187
c Juan Centeno 1 for 3, .165
Chris Hilliard 6 IP, 5 H, R, 2/2 BB/K, 0.00 era, W (1-0), 9:7:2
Manuel Olivares IP, 3 H, ER, HR, 2.25 era, 3:
Jacob Goldberg IP, K, 0.00 era, 0:2:1
Michael Powers IP, 2 H, ER, 2 Ks, 3.77 era, SV (16), 0:1:2

APPY R: Kingsport 9/12/1, Elizabethon 10/15/2

Haven't had one of these games in a while. The KMets bullpen imploded in the 7th inning, with Tim Chism and Sam Taveras combining to give up 6 runs in the inning, turning a 7-4 lead into a 10-7 deficit. Single runs in the 8th and 9th brought Kingsport within 1, but they fell short in their comeback attempt. Angel Cuan started and was not good, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits in 5 innings, but he was in line for the win before the 7th inning implosion.

The Mets had 12 hits and a pair of walks, while going 2 for 7 (.286) with RISP and leaving 3 on base. Alonzo Harris (2), Cesar Puello (2), Juan Torres (2) and Luis Nieves (2) had multi hit games, while Joe Bonfe (0 for 3, run, BB, K, .319) took the only 0-fer.

cf Darrell Ceciliani 1 for 5, .237
2b Alonzo Harris 2 for 4, 2 runs, 3b (4), HR (10), 2 RBI (39), .268
1b Jeff Flagg 1 for 4, run, HR, 3 RBI, 2 Ks, .303
dh RJ Harris 1 for 4, run, HR (5), RBI (25), 2 Ks, .301
rf Cesar Puello 2 for 3, 2 runs, BB, .285 (15 for 35, 12 runs, 4 2b, HR, 5 RBI, 5/2 BB/K, 4/9 SBs last 10 games, .429/.500/.629)
c Juan Torres 2 for 4, run, 2 2b (5), 2 RBI (10), .340
lf Pedro Zapata 1 for 4, RBI, K, .341
ss Luis Nieves 2 for 4, run, 2b (2), .281
Angel Cuan 5 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1/5 BB/K, HR, 4.53 era, 4:5:5
Tim Chism 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 Ks, 4.91 era, 2:0:2
Sam Taveras 0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, HR, 6.86 era, BS (3), L (1-3), 2:
Zach Rosenbaum IP, 2 H, K, 4.50 era, 1:1:1

GCL R: Mets 1/6/2, Astros 3/2/2

ss Wilfredo Tovar 0 for 4, .239
2b Ray Van Gurp 1 for 4, run, .264
rf, cf Juan Lagares 1 for 4, .273
cf Javier Rodriguez 0 for 3, BB, K, .233
>>rf Miguel Tejada .141
3b Aderlin Rodriguez 0 for 4, .229, E (10)
lf Charlie Hinojosa 0 for 2, 2 Ks, .323
>>1b Giovanni Ortiz 0 for 1, BB, .175
c Amauris Valdez 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .286
1b, lf Travis Ozga 2 for 3, K, .183
dh Camden Maron 2 for 3, 2b (2), .303
Brian Valenzuela 5 IP, 0 H, 2 ER, 6/5 BB/K, 6.33 era, L (0-5), 9:1:5
Jimber Mueses IP, H, ER, BB, 8.64 era, 1:1:0
Marcos Tabata 2 IP, H, 2/2 BB/K, 2.86 era, 1:3:2

8/25 Minor League Report! PUELLO!

INT AAA: Buffalo 4/11/1, Scranton 0/5/0

ss Argenis Reyes 2 for 5, 2b, RBI, K, .283
rf Jesus Feliciano 3 for 5, 2b, K, .306
cf Chip Ambres 0 for 4, K, .252
1b Mike Lamb 0 for 4, K, .256
3b Javier Castillo 1 for 4, run, K, .251
lf Jason Dubois 1 for 4, run, 2b, 2 Ks, .157
c Rene Rivera 2 for 4, run, 2b, RBI, .244
dh Josh Petersen 1 for 4, RBI, .257
2b Luis Rivera 1 for 3, run, RBI, BB, .307
Chris Mason 7 IP, 5 H, 1/3 BB/K, 3.27 era, W (1-0), 93:54:39, 17:1:3
Adam Bostick 0.2 IP, BB, 2.12 era, 14:7:7, 1:1
Jim Warden 1.1 IP, K, 1.42 era, SV (2), 17:9:8, 1:2:1

EL AA: Binghamton 1/4/1, Portland 3/13/0

Eric Brown got a spot start and lost his 14th of the season, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits in 4.2 innings. The Mets mustered very little on offense, with 4 hits and 4 walks on the game. They went just 1 for 4 with RISP and left 6 on base. Josh Thole (0 for 4, .324), DJ Wabick (0 for 3, BB, .282), Mark Kiger (0 for 3, BB, K, .244), Emmanuel Garcia (0 for 2, RBI, BB, K, .249), and Jon Malo (0 for 3, .243) all took 0-fers.

ss Ruben Tejada 1 for 4, .282
rf Caleb Stewart 1 for 4, run, 2b, 3 Ks, .233
3b Shawn Bowman 1 for 3, BB, .296
dh Salvador Paniagua 1 for 4, .207
Eric Brown 4.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 5 Ks, 6.38 era, L (5-14), 3:4:5
Jacob Ruckle 2.2 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 Ks, 6.34 era, 0:5:2
Julio De La Cruz 1.2 IP, H, 1/2 BB/K, 5.50 era (first game action since 6/19)

SAL A: Savannahc 3/6/1, Augusta 4/10/5

Jeurys Familia had a semi rough outing tonight, allowing 3 runs (2 earned, Nick Giarraputo's 2nd error) on 7 hits in 5 innings, while striking out 6 (on the bright side). Rhiner Cruz picked up his 3rd loss after allowing a run in the 10th.

The Gnats offense managed 6 hits and 3 walks on the day, while going just 3 for 15 with RISP and leaving 11 on base. Josh Satin (0 for 5, 3 Ks, .288), Eric Campbell (0 for 4, run, BB, 2 Ks, .248), Raul Reyes (0 for 3, 2 Ks, .245), Luis Alen (0 for 2, K, .149) and Imbewer Alvarez (0 for 4, 2 Ks, .189) all took 0-fers, while Giarraputo (2) had the only multi hit game.

3b Jefry Marte 1 for 4, run, K, .231
ss Wilmer Flores 1 for 5, run, K, .262
1b Nick Giarraputo 2 for 5, RBI (7), 2 Ks, .429
c Jean Luc Blaquiere 1 for 1, 2 RBI, .234 (according to a poster on NYFS, he was carted/ambulanced off the field)
rf Evan LeBlanc 1 for 3, 2 BBs, K, .184
Jeurys Familia 5 IP, 7 H, 3/2 R/ER, 6 Ks, 2.79 era, 4:5:6
Phillips Orta 2 IP, H, BB, 4.50 era, 2:4
Jimmy Johnson 1.2 IP, BB, 0.62 era, 3:2
Rhiner Cruz 1.1 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BBs, 1.89 era, L (3-3), 3:1

NYPL A-: Brooklyn 3/8/0, Vermont 1/4/0

Collin McHugh had another strong outing tonight, scattering 3 hits and 2 walks over 6 innings while allowing a run, to pick up his 8th win of the season. Michael Powers rebounded off a nightmare outing yesterday to pick up his 15th save with a scoreless 9th inning.

The Conies offense had 8 hits and a walk in the game, but were 0-fer (0 for 8) with RISP and left 5 on base. Jordany Valdespin (2) had the lone multi hit game for the Cyclones, while Sam Honeck (0 for 2, RBI (22), BB, K, .256), and Robbie Shields (0 for 3, .174) took 0-fers. Shields is having a simply disasterous rookie campaign, he is 21 for 121.

cf Justin Garber 1 for 4, 2b, K, .264
2b Jordany Valdespin 2 for 4, run, 2b (1), K, .267
3b Richard Lucas 1 for 4, K, .348
rf Luis River 1 for 4, 3b (2), RBI (30), K, .303
dh Ralph Henriquez 1 for 3, K, .248
lf Nick Santomauro 1 for 3, K, .242
c Dock Doyle 1 for 3, run, 3b (2), K, .245
Collin McHugh 6 IP, 3 H, ER, 2/5 BB/K, 2.84 era, W (8-2), 6:6:5
Jacob Goldberg 2 IP, 3 Ks, 0.00 era, 3:0:3
Michael Powers IP, H, K, 3.60 era, SV (15), 2:0:1

APPY R: Kingsport 13/13/1, Bristol 5/10/3

Well, St. Lucie had their game rained out, so the offense flowed north to Connecticut, where the Kingsport Mets hammered out 13 hits and drew 6 walks while going 8 for 20 with RISP, and leaving 8 on base. Darrell Ceciliani (2), Jeff Flagg (3), RJ Harris (2), and Cesar Puello (3) had multi hit games, while Alonzo Harris (0 for 5, run, BB, 2 Ks, .265), Joe Bonfe (0 for 5, run, K, .323) took 0-fers. Pedro Zapata was removed from the game after 1 AB, no reason given.

Jhonathan Torres, sadly, was knocked out of the box after 3 innings, having given up 5 in the first, he did settle in and not allow any further damage, but he did not pick up the win. Zach Rosenbaum did with 2 perfect innings of relief, and Guillaume LeDuc had his best outing of the season, finishing off the game with 4 shutout innings for his 1st save.

cf Darrell Ceciliani 2 for 6, 3 RBI (13), .238
1b Jeff Flagg 3 for 3, 2 runs, 3 2b, 2 RBI, 2 BBs, .304
dh RJ Harris 2 for 4, 3 runs, 2b, RBI, BB, 2 Ks, .305
rf Cesar Puello 3 for 4, 3 runs, RBI (19), BB, .277
c John Freeman 1 for 5, run, 2b, 3 Ks, .218
lf Pedro Zapata 0 for 1, K, .344
>>lf John Semel 1 for 2, run, 3 RBI (15), BB, .218
ss Luis Nieves 1 for 5, run, RBI (7), K, .265
Jhonathan Torres 3 IP, 8 H, 5/4 R/ER, 1/2 BB/K, 5.40 era, 5:1:2
Zach Rosenbaum 2 IP, 2 Ks, 4.71 era, W (1-3), 0:3:2
Guillaume LeDuc 4 IP, 2 H, 1/5 BB/K, 5.88 era, SV (1), 6:1:5

GCL R: Mets 2/3/1, Nationals 6/11/1

ss Wilfredo Tovar 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .246
2b Ray Van Gurp 0 for 2, run, 2 BBs, K, .265
lf Charlie Hinojosa 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .328
cf Juan Lagares 1 for 3, .286
>>rf Travis Ozga 0 for 1, .165
>>rf, cf Javier Rodriguez 1 for 4, RBI, K, .238
3b Aderlin Rodriguez 0 for 3, run, BB, .250
c Amauris Valdez 1 for 3, 2b, RBI, K, .311
1b Giovanni Ortiz 0 for 3, 3 Ks, .177
dh Orlando Rodriguez 0 for 3, K, .275
Michael Hebert 6 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1/6 BB/K, 3.38 era, L (1-3), 8:4:6
Jose Bierd IP, H, ER, 2 Ks, HR, 9 era, 1:0:2
Mitch Houck IP, BB, 0.00 era, 2:0:0
Daniel Carela IP, 2 H, 2 ER, BB, K, 5.79 era, 1:1:1

6/30 Minor League Report! NIESE, Puello!

Buffalo 3, Charlotte 4

Jon Niese had a GREAT outing today, he gave up just 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits over 8 innings, his longest outing of the year. He had his new 2 seamer working, as he generated 14 of his 24 outs via the groundball, and ran his ERA under 5, at 4.85. Brandon Knight allowed an UER to take the loss, his 8th.

dh Cory Sullivan 0 for 3, run, BB, .287
lf Jesus Feliciano 0 for 4, .304
cf Chip Ambres 0 for 4, .244
rf Emil Brown 1 for 4, .310
1b Michel Abreu 1 for 3, run, BB, .241
3b Javier Castillo 1 for 4, 2b, .271
c Rene Rivera 0 for 2, BB, .231
ss Wilson Valdez 1 for 2, run, RBI, BB, .200
2b Luis Rivera 1 for 3, .290
Jon Niese 8 IP, 5 H, 3/2 R/ER, 1/4 BB/K, HR, 4.85 era, 102:70:32, 14:6:4
Brandon Knight IP, R, BB, 4.95 era, 17:9:8, 2:0:0

Binghamton 2, New Hampshire 3

Eric Niesen had a rough outing tonight, giving up 3 runs on 2 hits and 4 walks in just 2.2 innings to take the loss, his 4th in the EL. On the bright side, he did strike out 5. Jake Ruckle and Stephen Clyne fired 6.1 innings of 1 hit relief, but the Mets couldn't push the tying run across. They had 8 hits and a walk in the game, but were just 1 for 7 (.143) with RISP and left 6 on base.

Josh Thole left the game with a left hand/wrist injury after being charged with his 8th passed ball of the season in the 4th inning (told you guys he had a future with us). Jose Coronado had the only multi hit game, while Mike Nickeas (0 for 2, BB, .120), Lucas Duda (0 for 4, K, .265) and Ruben Tejada (0 for 3, .279) took 0-fers.

cf Emmanuel Garcia 1 for 3, K, .274
c Josh Thole 1 for 1, .346
1b Ike Davis 1 for 4, 2 Ks, .333
rf Josh Petersen 1 for 4, K, .296
dh DJ Wabick 1 for 4, run, .291
3b Shawn Bowman 1 for 4, run, 2 Ks, .279
2b Jose Coronado 2 for 3, 2 RBI, K, .260
Eric Niesen 2.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 4/5 BB/K, 7.64 era, L (0-4), 1:2:5
Jacob Ruckle 4.1 IP, 2/4 BB/K, 0.00 era, 9:0:4
Stephen Clyne 2 IP, H, K, 4.78 era, 5:0:1

Savannah 1, Asheville 4

Chris Schwinden gave up all 4 Asheville runs on 10 hits in 7 innings for his 4th loss of the season, and the Gnats went just 1 for 11 with RISP, despite 9 hits and 3 walks, dropping to 37-39 on the season. Raul Reyes (0 for 4, 2 Ks, .245) and Sean Ratliff (0 for 4, 3 Ks, .279) took 0-fers, while Jefry Marte and Wilmer Flores had multi hit games.

3b Jefry Marte 2 for 5, run, 2 Ks, .230
ss Wilmer Flores 2 for 4, 2b, RBI, .280
2b Josh Satin 1 for 4, .293
1b Stefan Welch 1 for 3, BB, K, .234
c Kai Gronauer 1 for 4, .244
lf Evan LeBlanc 1 for 3, BB, .235
dh Jose Jimenez 1 for 3, 2b, BB, K, .103
Chris Schwinden 7 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 1/3 BB/K, 3.86 era, L (4-4), 12:5:4
Manuel Olivares 2 IP, 3.27 era, 3:3

Brooklyn 3, Hudson Valley 1

Jim Fuller had a second straight dominant outing in Brooklyn, giving up just a run on 8 hits in 7 innings for his 2nd win. Michael Powers picked up his first save with a scoreless 9th.

The Cyclones offense had 9 hits and 5 walks, but were just 1 for 7 with RISP and left 8 on base. John Servidio (0 for 4, K, .200) took the only 0-fer, while Nick Giarraputo had the only multi hit game.

2b Matt Bouchard 1 for 3, K, .422
1b Sam Honeck 1 for 3, run, RBI, .270
3b Nick Giarraputo 2 for 4, run, 2b, RBI, K, .237
dh Dock Doyle 1 for 3, BB, K, .235
lf Alex Gregory 1 for 4, K, .313
rf Nick Santomauro 1 for 1, 3 BBs, .300
c Juan Centeno 1 for 4, .357
ss Luis Nieves 1 for 2, run, BB, K, .219
Jim Fuller 7 IP, 8 H, ER, 1/6 BB/K, 0.69 era, W (2-0), 11:4:6
Matias Carrillo IP, 2 Ks, 0.00 era, 1:0:2
Michael Powers IP, H, K, 0.00 era, SV (1), 0:2:1

Kingsport 8, Danville 5

Eduardo Aldama allowed 3 runs (1 earned, Gered Mochizuki error) on 3 hits and 3 walks in 5 innings, but got the win, despite Luis Rojas allowing 2 runs in 2.2 innings. Travis Babin got the save with 1.1 scoreless innings, he stranded 2 runners in the 8th.

The Mets offense had 9 hits and 5 walks, and were a very good 5 for 14 (.357) with RISP, despite leaving 9 on base. Darrell Ceciliani (0 for 4, BB, 3 Ks, .100), Alonzo Harris (0 for 3, 2 Ks, .300), Ryan Mollica (0 for 2, K, .250), and Gered Mochizuki (0 for 4, K, .176) all took 0-fers, while Jeff Flagg, Cesar Puello and Mike Moras had multi hit games.

lf RJ Harris 1 for 4, run, 3b, BB, .211
3b Joe Bonfe 1 for 4, 2 runs, 2 Ks, .375
1b Jeff Flagg 2 for 4, 3 runs, 2b, 2 RBI, BB, K, .333
rf Cesar Puello 2 for 3, 2 runs, 2b, RBI, .265
c Mike Moras 2 for 5, 2b, 3 RBI, K, .333
dh John Semel 1 for 3, RBI, 2 BBs, .278
Eduardo Aldama 5 IP, 3 H, 3/1 R/ER, 3/1 BB/K, 0.90 era, W (1-0), 5:9:1
Luis Rojas 2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4/2 BB/K, 22.09 era, 2:4:2
Travis Babin 1.1 IP, H, 2 Ks, 11.57 era, SV (1), 2:0:2

GCL

Mets 7, Cardinals 1

ss Wilfredo Tovar 2 for 5, 2 runs, 2b, .222
2b Ray Van Gurp 0 for 4, run, .286
rf Kurt Steinhauer 3 for 3, run, 2b, RBI, BB, .381
lf Julio Concepcion 0 for 3, run, K, .333
c Neifi Zapata 1 for 2, run, 3b, .533, 2 HBP
1b Juan Torres 1 for 2, run, RBI, BB, .429
dh Charles Hinojosa 2 for 4, RBI, K, .429
3b Travis Ozga 1 for 4, RBI, 2 Ks, .167
cf Ruben Martinez 0 for 2, RBI, BB, 2 Ks, .143
Jhonathan Torres 6 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 Ks, 0.82 era, W (2-0), 8:6:3
Tony Feliz IP, 0.00 era, SV (1), 3:

MPH System Audit III - Part I

OK, well - I realized that outside of 2 SP writeups, I'm done with the Audit, so rather then continue my silence, and the blogs downtime, I decided to post this now. Here is the introduction to the Audit, and Part I - Outfielders. Expect Part II to be posted on 3/1.
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MPH System Audit III

Over the past year, we've seen our blog explode onto the scene and really take on a legitimacy that we never could have envisioned, and we hope that is reflected in this Audit, a comprehensive look at not only the 2008 season, but the farm system as a whole. It was a VERY crucial, some would say pivotal, year for the system, with 4 of our top 10 prospects deleted in one fell swoop (for Johan), everyone knew the lower levels would have to step up, and boy did they ever do just that. Of course, the year was pretty much bookended with prospects being traded away, with 3 more prospects being deleted (for Putz), 2 more in the revised top 10.

We'll be doing something a little different this year, we'll post a section every 4 days, to allow you time to read through everything. Six official sections means it'll take roughly a month, so we hope you enjoy this look at our farm system.

MPH's Position by Position Prospect Analysis and Ranking
-cowritten by David and Tejesh (something something Dock Doyle)
-with contributions from Charlie aka The Man formerly of MetsProspectus and now MPH (YAY!)
-thanks to NYFS (www.nyfuturestars.com) for having up to date player profile capsules with relevant information handy!
-ages are in paranthesis next to the players name, and are as of 2/1/09
-B/T is next to age and is in that order
-prospect eligibility for MPH is hitherto defined as 200 ABs or 100 IP in the majors, without regard to days spent on the roster
-winterball stats cutoff at 2/1/09

Affiliate Guide (2009):

Buffalo: AAA International League (new)
Binghamton: AA Eastern League
St. Lucie: A+ Florida State League
Savannah: A South Atlantic League (Sally)
Brooklyn: A- New York Penn League (Penn)
Kingsport: R Appalachian League (Appy)
GCL Mets: R Gulf Coast League
DSL Mets: R Dominican Summer League
VSL Mets: R Venezuelan Summer league

Outfielders

A strength of the farm system just 2 seasons ago, outfield prospects are now very hard to find. Fernando tops the list, but it's very thin after him.

1. Fernando Martinez 10/10/88 (20.33) L/R (AA Binghamton .287/.340/.432/.772, 101 for 352, 48 runs, 19 2b, 4 3b, 8 HR, 43 RBI, 27/73 BB/K, 6/8 SBs, DWL Escogido .314/.376/.542/.919, 48 for 153, 26 runs, 7 2b, 5 3b, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 14/32 BB/K, 4/5 SBs, VWL Caracas .160/.250/.320/.570, 4 for 25, 4 runs, 2b, HR, RBI, 3/7 BB/K)

Total 2008 Stats: .289/.347/.458/.805, 153 for 530, 78 runs, 27 2b, 9 3b, 15 HR, 70 RBI, 10/13 SBs, 44/112 BB/K, .211 K rate, .3929 BB/K ratio

Splits courtesy www.minorleaguesplits.com

Fernando Martinez signed with the Mets during the IFA signing period of 2005 for a $1.4 million signing bonus. He started his pro career all the way in full season A ball, in Hagerstown, where he absolutely ripped it up, hitting .333/.389/.505/.894 (64 for 192, 24 runs, 14 2b, 2 3b, 5 HR, 28 RBI, 15/36 BB/K), for an excellent .4167 BB/K ratio, and a great .188 K rate (remember he was just 17 years old)

Fernando had just 24 ABs against LHP in Hagerstown, hitting a putrid .167/.310/.292/.602 (4 for 24, 3 2b, 4/4 BB/K), a very good 1.00 BB/K ratio, and an equally good .167 K rate. Against RHP, he hit a blistering .353/.404/.532/.936 (55 for 156, 9 2b, 2 3b, 5 HR, 12/29 BB/K), for a .4138 BB/K ratio, and a .186 K rate.

FMart was incredibly consistent in his rookie season, hitting .300+ in every month of the season (although he missed considerable time due to injury, getting just 94 ABs from May 1st to July 31st).

Martinez was sent to St. Lucie in August, finishing off his first year in pro ball at high A, where he hit just .193/.254/.387/.641 (23 for 119, 18 runs, 4 2b, 2 3b, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 6/24 BB/K), for a .2500 BB/K ratio, and a still very good .202 K rate. Martinez, by some metrics, outperformed his Hagerstown numbers (a .194 IsoP in St. Lucie vs a .172 in H-Town, for one). Nando hit .216/.259/.392/.651 vs LHP in St. Lucie (11 for 51, 3 HR, 2/14 BB/K), a .143 BB/K ratio, and an alarming rise to a .275 K rate. However, he controlled the zone better against RHP, as evidenced by his a .3637 BB/K ratio, and a very good .151 K rate. His other numbers, though, were not good, he hit .192/.259/.384/.643 (14 for 73, 4 2b, 2 3b, 2 HR, 4/11 BB/K).

Overall in 2006, Martinez hit .276/.336/.451/.787 (85 for 308, 16 2b, 4 3b, 10 HR, 22/59 BB/K) for a .3729 BB/K ratio, and an excellent .192 K rate. Against LHP, he hit .195/.271/.351/.622 (15 for 77, 3 2b, 3 HR, 6/19 BB/K), a .3157 BB/K ratio, with a corresponding .247 K rate. Versus RHP, he hit .303/.358/.485/.843 (70 for 231, 13 2b, 7 HR, 16/40 BB/K), with a .40 BB/K ratio, and a very good .173 K rate.

Despite posting extremely subpar numbers in St. Lucie (age/level aside), Martinez was promoted to Binghamton for the 2007 season, where he hit .271/.336/.377/.713 (64 for 236, 32 runs, 11 2b, 3b, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 20/51 BB/K), with a .3922 BB/K ratio, and a .216 K rate. HIs numbers improved a good deal versus LHP, he hit .263/.311/.368/.679 in 2007 (15 for 57, 3 2b, HR, 2/16 BB/K), with a very bad .125 BB/K ratio, and an equally bad .280 K rate. However, his improvement vs LHP came along with a vast reduction of his numbers against RHP. Martinez hit just .270/.342/.374/.716 (47 for 174, 7 2b, 3b, 3 HR, 18/33 BB/K), with a .5455 BB/K ratio, and a good .190 K rate.

Thankfully, the Mets let Fernando repeat AA in 2008, and he did put up better numbers across the board, with a .287/.340/.432/.772 line (101 for 352, 48 runs, 19 2b, 4 3b, 8 HR, 43 RBI, 27/73 BB/K, 6/8 SBs), for a .3699 BB/K ratio, and a corresponding .207 K rate. However, his IsoD was down from 65 in 2007 to 53 in 2008, but his IsoP (isolated power, SLG-AVG, or ((TB-1b)/ABs) did increase sharply from 106 in 2007 to 145 in 2008.

Fernando struggled mightily against LHP, hitting just .217/.298/.368/.665 (23 for 106, 15 runs, 5 2b, 3b, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 12/31 BB/K), with a .3871 BB/K ratio and a very very alarming .292 K rate. Against RHP, Fernando did much better, hitting .317/.360/.459/.819 (78 for 246, 33 runs, 14 2b, 3 3b, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 15/42 BB/K), with a .3571 BB/K ratio and a .171 K rate.

Fernando missed about 5 weeks with a hamstring injury this year, the third consecutive year he's missed time with injuries. While concerning, the one thing in his favor is his age, he's still just 20 years old, and will play all of the 2009 season at age 20, likely in Buffalo, the new AAA affiliate of the Mets. And don't forget, our very own franchise shortstop battled leg injuries for the better part of 3 years before turning into an iron man.

He finished off his 2008 season playing for Escogido in the Dominican Winter League, and excelled to the tune of a .314/.376/.542/.919 line in 153 ABs, flashing off the raw power that makes many salivate over his future. He also, for the first time in his career, displayed vastly above average platoon splits, hitting .318/.362/.591/.953 in 44 ABs vs LHP, and hitting .312/.382/.523/.905 in 109 ABs vs RHP.

Fernando has yet to remain healthy for a full minor league season, so despite having 3 seasons worth of experience in the system, much of his value remains projection. He did show off what he can do when healthy and in a groove during the 2008 Dominican Winter League season, where he hit a blistering .314/.376/.542/.919 with 18 XBH in just 153 ABs, but then he injured his right elbow during the CWS and had to be shut down. Still, it can be considered a good season for the still 20 year old, he blasted 15 HRs and 27 2b in 520 ABs. As he matures and fills out, it wouldn't be out of the question for him to develop 30+ HR power, along with hitting for a high average. Even if his numbers don't show it, Fernando can control the strike zone very well.

Fernando, who played a majority of LF for Escogido, profiles there as a major leaguer. His arm is above average, but not suited for right field, and he does not possess the range to play CF. He also does not possess blazing speed, most, if not all, of his steals will come due to smarts. Martinez will develop into a good+ offensive force, capable of hitting in the middle of a lineup, but the hype has reached such proportions that he'll be hard pressed to ever meet expectations.

THE FUTURE: Martinez should open 2009 in Buffalo (the Mets new AAA affiliate), hopefully playing a corner OF position since he won't be playing CF in the majors. Fernando, as we saw in ST, can stay in on lefties, but the numbers speak for themselves, and he must improve that .665 OPS vs LHP, lest he be labelled as a future platoon player. And keep in mind, Fernando will only be 20 as he begins AAA, he can safely repeat the level twice, and still be on pace to make his MLB debut at age 22 in 2011 (but we'll say he makes it up at some point in 2009).

2. Cesar Puello 4/1/91 (17.83) R/R (R GCL .305/.350/.364/.714, 46 for 151, 24 runs, 6 2b, HR, 17 RBI, 5/32 BB/K, 13/18 SBs, .212 K rate, .1563 BB/K ratio)

Puello was signed in the International Free Agent class which produced Wilmer Flores and Jefry Marte, and while yes, a lot of the press went to Flores, and then Marte, make no mistake, Met officials are very high on this young outfielder.

After a disasterous June in which Puello hit .242/.265/.273/.537 with 14 Ks in 33 ABs (.424 K rate), he turned around to hit .322/.372/.390 the rest of the way, with just 18 Ks in 118 ABs (a very good .153 K rate, and an equally impressive .2778 BB/K ratio (for a 17 year old))

Puello is a physical prospect who projects to have average tools across the board. He's an instinctive player who learns quickly. He fits best as a right fielder with a strong arm and the requisite power for the position.

Puello's obviously very raw in all facets of his game, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Puello needs to work on his timing, especially on breaking pitches, as he chases too many out of the zone. He has a good swing on balls in on him, and his swing is also conducive to hitting balls the other way (in time). He is still young, but his frame (6'2/195) should be conducive to power as he grows and fills out. Puello has some of the best raw speed in the system, and he stole 13 bases in 18 tries in 2008. That speed enables him to cover a plethora of ground in the outfield, and his plus plus arm makes him a perfect candidate for RF, where he played in the GCL.

It is much too soon to predict what type of player Puello will ultimately become, we should get a better sense of that after the 2009 season, which he will play at 18 years old, likely in Savannah. A level per year after that should put him on track for a 2013 debut, at age 22.

3. Kirk Nieuwenhuis 8/7/87 (21.5) L/R (Azusa Pacific .400/.496/.724/1.220, 90 for 225, 84 runs, 20 2b, 4 3b, 15 HR, 68 RBI, 34/34 BB/K, 8/11 SBs, A- Brooklyn .277/.348/.396/.744, 79 for 285, 34 runs, 15 2b, 5 3b, 3 HR, 29 RBI, 29/70 BB/K, 11/18 SBs)

Total 2008 Stats: .331/.415/.541/.956, 169 for 510, 118 runs, 35 2b, 9 3b, 18 HR, 97 RBI, 19/29 SBs, 63/104 BB/K, .204 K rate, .6057 BB/K ratio

Nieuwenhuis was drafted by the Mets in the 3rd round, 100th overall, out of Azusa Pacific University, where as a junior, he hit .400/.496/.724/1.220 in 225 ABs. After signing (for $360,000), he was sent to Brooklyn, where he hit .277/.348/.396, showing a decent eye at the plate (.4143 BB/K, .246 K rate), and decent power (keep in mind he bats lefty and Keyspan Park is death on lefty hitters, especially powerwise).

Nieuwenhuis should be opening 2009 in the St. Lucie outfield, potentially playing a corner, depending on if the Mets move Greg Veloz to center field.

Despite 70 Ks in 285 ABs, Nieuwenhuis has good plate discipline (he had a 1:1 BB/K in college). The reason for his high K rate is tied to his swing, which he needs to adjust for pro ball. As with most college players, he has some holes which metal bats covered up - and wood bats exposed. He has the frame for additional power (23 XBH in Brooklyn), which will come when he adjusts his swing to pro ball. He is a good runner who has above average speed, but needs to hone his instincts in steals (11 for 18). There's no reason why he couldn't eventually blossom into a 25+ SB man.

Due to his speed and athleticism, Nieuwenhuis can remain in CF for the time being, but it would behoove the Mets to get him experience in both corner OF spots to prepare him for an Endy Chavez like utility role in the majors. He has the arm and accuracy to play RF, and did so rarely in Brooklyn. If all breaks right, Nieuwenhuis could become a hitter (once again) in the Daniel Murphy/Josh Thole mold, high average, good OBP, line drive gap power, but unlike Murphy and Thole, Nieuwenhuis can also steal 25+ bases in a season. He should open 2009 in St. Lucie, then ascend a level per year, breaking into the majors on opening day 2012 as a backup.

4. Javier Rodriguez 4/4/90 (18.83) R/R (R GCL .193/.258/.237/.495, 26 for 135, 17 runs, 3 2b, HR, 20 RBI, 10/27 BB/K, .200 K rate, .3704 BB/K ratio)

The Mets took Rodriguez in the 2nd round of the 2008 draft, 68th overall, out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy. After signing (for $585,000), he was sent to the GCL, where he had a miserable third of a year, hitting for an OPS under .500, driving just 4 XBH in 135 ABs. Here is a predraft scouting report on Rodriguez:

Considered one of the better prospects in Puerto Rico heading into the Excellence Tournament that annually draws scouts to see the island's best talent each May, Rodriguez elevated his status after his strong showing there. He is the best pure hitter from Puerto Rico and has good bat speed. With a lean, athletic body, Rodriguez should have the ability to add muscle to his long frame. He shows above-average raw power to the pull side, though there is some length to his swing. Rodriguez is an average to above-average runner, clocking in at 6.7 seconds in the 60-yard dash. Reviews of his fielding are mixed, though his arm is above-average for both the length and carry he gets on the ball and for its accuracy.

It really would behoove the Mets to hold him back in extended ST and then place him either back in the GCL, or move him up to Kingsport (and even that may be too aggresive considering his line in the GCL), but knowing the Mets, there is a very good chance he ends up in Savannah to start the season.

5. Brahiam Maldonado 9/18/85 (23.43) R/R (A+ St. Lucie .232/.284/.327/.611, 63 for 272, 18 runs, 11 2b, 5 HR, 30 RBI, 15/76 BB/K, 6/7 SBs, .279 K rate, .1973 BB/K ratio)

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.

6. Raul Reyes 12/30/86 (22.08) L/L (A Savannah 14 for 47, 2 runs, 3 2b, 3b, HR, 5 RBI, 2/15 BB/K, .298/.327/.468/.795, .319 K rate, .1333 BB/K ratio)

The Mets signed Reyes prior to the 2005 season, then sent the 18 year old to the Dominican Summer League, where he hit .263 in 71 games, with 33 runs scored, 30 RBI, 12 2b, 3 3b, 4 HR, and 6 SB. In 2006, Reyes played for the Kingsport Mets of the Appalachian League, hitting .273/.393/.413 in 37 games. He had 10 2b, 2 3b, HR, 18 RBI, 20/34 BB/K, and 3 steals in 5 tries.

For the 2007 season, Reyes was bumped up to the New York Penn League, where he struggled, hitting .233/.321/.423, and striking out an alarming 94 times in just 253 ABs. In twice the ABs he got in Kport, Reyes had 13 2b, 4 3b, 9 HR, 33 RBI, and 9 steals in 15 tries. He projects best as a .265-.280 hitter with considerable power at the top of the order. Reyes has very good speed, which like the other parts of his game, is still raw and unrefined (career 60% SB success rate (12 of 20)). He uses his speed to cover huge swaths of ground in the outfield.

Despite struggling mightily in Brooklyn, the Mets saw fit to promote Reyes to Savannah for the 2008 season, where he got off to a good start, hitting .298/.327/.468/.795 in 47 ABs before fracturing his right ankle on April 16th, and missing the remainder of the season.

7. Dan Stegall 9/24/87 (22.33) L/R (A Savannah .196/.252/.308/.561, 21 for 107, 13 runs, 2b, 4 3b, HR, 9 RBI, 6/33 BB/K, 2/4 SBs, R Kingsport .295/.365/.418/.783, 36 for 122, 16 runs, 6 2b, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 13/26 BB/K)

Total 2008 Stats: .249/.313/.367/.680, 57 for 229, 29 runs, 7 2b, 4 3b, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 19/59 BB/K, 3/6 SBs, .257 K rate, .3220 BB/K ratio)

The Mets drafted Stegall in the 7th round of the 2006 draft, 214th overall, out of Greenwood High School in Arkansas, after hitting .500 his senior year. A two sport star in high school, Stegall featured a low to mid 90s fastball from the right side, but the Mets were drawn to his outfield abilities, not the power arm.

Upon drafting him, they sent him to the Gulf Coast League, where he hit .214/.324/.262/.586 in 40 games, 145 ABs. He split the 2007 between full season A ball Savannah, and short-season rookie ball Kingsport, hitting a combined .213/.293/.280/.573, 130 games, 103 for 483, 55 runs, 16 2b, 8 3b, 41 RBI, 20/29 SBs, 51/122 BB/K, with a decent enough .253 K rate, and a acceptable .4180 BB/K ratio.

8. Rafael Fernandez 8/3/88 (20.5) L/L (R Kingsport .259/.332/.399/.731, 59 for 228, 41 runs, 10 2b, 5 3b, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 24/69 BB/K, 4/8 SBs, .303 K rate, .3478 BB/K ratio)

The Mets signed Fernandez as an international free agent during the 2006 International Free Agent signing period. He played in the DSL in 2006, hitting .216/.316/.320/.636 (50 for 231, 30 runs, 7 2b, 3b, 5 HR, 43 RBI, 34/53 BB/K, 6/8 SBs, .229 K rate, .6415 BB/K ratio.

He missed virtually all of the 2007 season, getting just 8 ABs in the GCL, before returning to action in 2008 with Kingsport at age 19/20, where he hit .259/.332/.399/.731 in 228 ABs, with a much too high .303 K rate, and a significantly lowered .3478 BB/K ratio.

9. Gabriel Zavala 5/14/87 (21.75) R/R (R Kingsport .250/.289/.475/.764, 30 for 120, 18 runs, 13 2b, 3b, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 3/48 BB/K, .400 K rate, .0625 BB/K ratio)

The Mets signed Zavala as an International Free Agent in 2004, and after spending 2 seasons with the VSL Mets, he came stateside in 2007, playing for the Gulf Coast League Mets, and having a very good "rookie" season. He showed good tools with his bat, hitting .285, and also flashed very good power, hitting 8 doubles, 3 triples, and 6 hr in only 165 AB.

10. Pedro Zapata 10/3/87 (21.33) R/R (R Kingsport .221/.257/.248/.505, 50 for 226, 24 runs, 4 2b, 3b, 15 RBI, 8/56 BB/K, 12/14 SBs, .248 K rate, .1429 BB/K ratio)

Zapata was signed prior to the 2007 season out of the Dominican Republic. While playing in the DSL, Zapata displayed his excellent speed and ability to hit for average. We should know more about Zapata once he starts playing in the states.

Top 9 potentially aggresive and-or stupid promotion candidates for 2009

The WLR for today is pretty irrelevant, it'll be up around 7pm tonight. I'll try and crank out some articles for you between now and then.

Also - a quickie update on the third annual System Audit - I've been thinking of moving it permanently to a March 1st release date. So we'll do that this year, and see how it goes.
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1. Jenrry Mejia to St. Lucie (FSL, A+)

Where he was in 2008: Split season between the GCL and Brooklyn, NYPL

What he did: 2-0, 0.60 in 15 innings (GCL), 3-2, 3.49 in 56.2 innings (NYPL)

Why it would be aggresive: Mostly due to age, as Mejia will not turn 20 until AFTER the 2009 season. His performance certainly dictates a promotion to St. Lucie wouldn't be foolish, but with the age cushion, I'd rather see the Mets err on the side of caution here. They like will not.

2. Francisco Pena St. Lucie (FSL, A+)

Where he was in 2008: Savannah, SAL

What he did: Absolutely nothing. .264/.308/.380/.688 in 397 ABs

Why it would be aggresive: Because in his two seasons in Savannah, his combined line reads like a horror show: .238/.286/.334/.620 in 764 ABs. However, the chances of Pena repeating Savannah for a third time are ridiculously slim to none, so expect him to be in St. Lucie, putting up more of the same awful offensive numbers.

3. Greg Veloz to Binghamton (EL, AA)

Where he was in 2008: Savannah mostly SAL, A, St. Lucie for a month;

What he did: Savannah .286/.339/.402/.742 in 455 ABs, St. Lucie .234/.298/.247/.544

Why it would be aggresive: Look at those St. Lucie numbers. Now consider his "breakout" consisted of a .742 OPS in the Sally League. But we've seen the Mets jump toolsy guys with little offensive numbers behind them before (see: Gomez, Carlos) - so it's not a stretch to imagine Veloz in BInghamton. It would be highly stupid, but not a stretch. Oh yeah, he hit just .207/.281/.230/.511 in Hawaii in 87 ABs, bringing his numbers above Savannah to a scintillating .220/.289/.238/.527 in 164 ABs.

4. Ruben Tejada to Binghamton (EL, AA)

Where he was in 2008: St. Lucie FSL, A+

What he did: .229/.293/.296/.588 in 497 ABs

Why it would be aggresive: Because the performance was putrid, and because he also doesn't turn 20 until just before the end of the 2009 season (9/1/89). If that isn't enough for you, how about because he spent 2007 between the VSL and GCL, then spent 2008 in St. Lucie milling around the Rey Ordonez line? But again, there's precedent for moving him up (see Coronado, Jose).

5. Wilmer Flores to St. Lucie (FSL, A+)

Where he was in 2008: Kingsport (vast majority of the season), 5 ABs in Savannah, 30 ABs in Brooklyn

What he did: .310/.352/.490/.842 in 245 ABs (Kingsport).

Why it would be aggresive: Because he doesn't turn 18 until August 6th 2009. Age is very much on his side, the Mets should definitely err on the side of caution here, and thankfully, with the middle infield logjam in St. Lucie (Veloz, Tejada, Havens, potentially Lagares) - Wilmer should start in Savannah.

6. Nick Carr to Binghamton (EL, AA)

Where he was in 2008: St. Lucie living through a nightmare

What he did: 2-10, 5.70 era in 94.2 innings.

Why it would be aggresive: Well, first of all, because he didn't get his first win until August 16th, second of all because his ERA was well over 6 until his final 4 starts, and third of all, because he'll play all of 2009 at age 22. He had a year to play with, and the Mets should use it right here, and not allow a bad situation to get much worse with a premature promotion to Binghamton.

7. Brad Holt to Binghamton (to begin the season)

Where he was in 2008: UNC Wilmington (NCAA), Brooklyn (NYPL, A-)

What he did: 11-1, 3.18 era in 93.1 innings (NCAA), 5-3, 1.87 era in 72.1 innings (NYPL)

Why it would be aggresive: Because he's basically got one plus pitch and then several less then stellar offerings. Also, there is no harm in letting him go to the lower level and demolishing it for a month or two before moving him up.

8. Cesar Puello to Savannah (SAL, A)

Where he was in 2008: GCL

What he did: .305/.350/.364/.714 in 151 ABs with 13/18 SBs

Why it would be aggresive: It's less aggresive then it looks on the surface, mostly due to Puello's nightmare June in which he struck out 14 times in 33 ABs and compiled a .242/.265/.273/.537 line. Still, with him not putting up the numbers of a Flores or a Marte, it would be advisable to be conservative with Puello, who will play all of 2009 at age 18. However, it's very likely the Mets will push Puello to Savannah, and then have to move him to Kingsport when the short season opens.

9. Javier Rodriguez to Savannah (SAL, A)

Where he was in 2008: PR Baseball Academy, GCL (R)

What he did: .193/.258/.237/.495 in 135 ABs (GCL)

Why it would be aggresive: Because that line sucks, and unlike Puello, Rodriguez' best month was July where he hit an off the charts .215/.276/.278/.554. It really would behoove the Mets to hold him back in extended ST and then place him either back in the GCL, or move him up to Kingsport (and even that may be too aggresive considering his line in the GCL).