6/8 Minor League Report! Havens, LUCAS, CARSON!

AAA International League: Buffalo 0/1/1, Durham 7/10/0

cf Emmanuel Garcia 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .195
ss Justin Turner 0 for 3, BB, .273
dh Mike Jacobs 1 for 4, 2 Ks, .280
rf Val Pascucci 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .241
3b Mike Cervanek 0 for 3, .220
2b Russ Adams 0 for 2, BB, K, .257
lf Andy Green 0 for 2, BB, .271
1b Saloman Manriquez 0 for 3, 2 Ks, .200
c JR House 0 for 3, K, .244
Dillon Gee 4.1 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 4/4 BB/K, 2 HR, 4.37 era, L (6-3), 102:61:41, 5:3:4
Jose De La Torre 2.2 IP, BB, K, 2.70 era, 39:23:16, 3:4:1
John Lujan IP, 2 H, ER, K, 6.20 era, 19:11:8, 1:1:1

AA Eastern League: Binghamton 0/4/0, Bowie 5/8/0, Game 1

Scott Shaw got a spot start today and wasn't good at all, giving up 4 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in 5 innings for his 5th loss. The Mets offense had just 4 hits and drew 5 walks, while going 0 for 8 with RISP, leaving 8 on base and striking out 7 times.

cf Kirk Nieuwenhuis 0 for 3, BB, 2 Ks, .282
2b Reese Havens 1 for 4, 2 Ks, .322
1b Nick Evans 0 for 2, BB, K, .281
lf Lucas Duda 0 for 3, K, .289
dh DJ Wabick 1 for 3, .267
ss Luis Hernandez 1 for 1, BB, .280
3b Eric Campbell 1 for 3, .338
rf Carlos Guzman 0 for 3, K, .255
c Mike Nickeas 0 for 1, 2 BBs, .287
Scott Shaw 5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3/4 BB/K, 7.32 era, L (4-5), 5:5:4
Eddie Kunz 2 IP, 2 H, ER, 5.77 era, 6:

AA Eastern League: Binghamton 6/7/1, Bowie 3/8/1

Brad Holt had another mediocre outing today, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits in 4.2 innings, but his offense got him off the hook, as did Manuel Alvarez, got got one big out for his 3rd AA victory. Roy Merritt worked 2 scoreless for his 5th save.

The Mets offense had 7 hits and drew 2 walks, while going 3 for 7 (.429) with RISP, leaving 3 on, and striking out just 3 times. Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Reese Havens had multi hit games, while Nick Evans, Jose Coronado (0 for 3, .235), Mike Nickeas (0 for 2, BB, K, .282) and Jon Malo (0 for 3, .237) took 0-fers.

cf Kirk Nieuwenhuis 2 for 3, 2 runs, 2b (16), .286
dh Reese Havens 2 for 2, 2 runs, .344
1b Nick Evans 0 for 2, RBI (37), K, .279
lf Lucas Duda 1 for 2, run, 2b (16), RBI (34), BB, .292 (.143/.279/.229/.508 vs LHP)
rf DJ Wabick 1 for 2, run, 2 RBI, .272
3b Eric Campbell 1 for 3, RBI (13), K, .338
Brad Holt 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1/6 BB/K, 8.79 era, 3:5:6
Manuel Alvarez 0.1 IP, 2 H, K, 4.82 era, W (3-0)
Roy Merritt 2 IP, H, K, 3.73 era, SV (5), 4:1:1

A+ Florida State League: St. Lucie 4/8/3, Dunedin 3/8/0

Robert Carson pitched excellent baseball tonight, giving up just 2 runs on 6 hits and a walk in 7+ innings, but after Jose Bierd allowed his IHR to score, plus one of his own, Carson took a ND. Bierd blew the save and picked up a cheap win. Emary Frederick picked up his 2nd save.

Jordany Valdespin left in the 7th inning after striking out. He was HBP earlier in the game. The Mets offense had 8 hits and a walk, while going 2 for 5 with RISP, leaving 5 on base, and striking out 9 times. Since Valdespin was removed from the game, the Mets moved Josh Satin, the DH, into the field, thus losing the DH, and having the pitchers go into Valdespin's spot, the 2 hole (I think, it's so rare, and I've never seen it, lol). It doesn't matter, since none of the pitchers came up to bat, anyway.

rf, lf Fernando Martinez 0 for 4, K, .286
ss Jordany Valdespin 0 for 3, run, 3 Ks, .306, HBP (K total went from 7 to 10, lol)
1b Stefan Welch 1 for 4, .300
lf, rf Brahiam Maldonado 2 for 4, run, HR (7), 2 RBI (18), .292
dh, 2b Josh Satin 1 for 3, run, BB, .312
cf sean Ratliff 0 for 3, .274
3b Richard Lucas 3 for 4, run, HR (7), 2 RBI (26), K, .219
c Juan Torres 1 for 4, 2b (1), K
2b, ss Luis Nieves 0 for 4, 3 Ks, .143, 2 E (4)
Robert Carson 7+ IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1/7 BB/K, HR, 5.07 era
Jose Bierd IP, 2 H, ER, BB, K, 4.50 era, BS (3), W (3-3), 1:1:1
Emary Frederick IP, 2 Ks, 2.45 era, SV (2), 0:1:2

A South Atlantic League: Savannah 8/12/1, Kannapolis 7/9/4 in 10 innings

I'd wager at least HALF of the games between these two teams have gone extra innings. It's nutso. Today, it was the offense that was front and center, with the Gnats putting together 12 hits and 3 walks, while Kannpolis put up 9 hits and 7 walks. Kai Gronauer, Rafael Fernandez, Cesar Puello and Luis Rivera had multi hit games, while Wilmer took the only 0-fer. Wilmer is now 11 for his last 81.

Jim Fuller and Sam Martinez got ripped for 7 runs on 7 hits in a combined 5.1 innings, but John Church and Michael Powers worked a combined 4.2 scoreless, with Powers getting the win, his 3rd.

dh Pedro Zapata 1 for 4, RBI (27), K, .267
1b Michael Fisher 1 for 3, run, 2b, RBI, 2 BBs, K, .375
ss Wilmer Flores 0 for 4, RBI (40), BB, .284
cf Juan Lagares 1 for 4, run, .302, SB (14)
c Kai Gronauer 2 for 5, 2 rns, RBI (17), K, .255
lf Rafael Fernandez 2 for 4, run, 2b (6), RBI (12), K, .240
rf Cesar Puello 2 for 4, 2 runs, RBI (11), K, .237 (6 for his last 16, 4 runs, 2 2b, RBI, 1/2 BB/K, .375/.412/.500)
3b Luis Rivera 2 for 4, run, RBI, K, .217
2b Alonzo Harris 1 for 3, RBI (23), 2 Ks, .246
Jim Fuller 3+ IP, 5 H, 5 /4 R/ER, 4/3 BB/K, 2.13 era, 2:3:3
Sam Martinez 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, BB, K, 7.71 era, 2:4:1
John Church 1.2 IP, H, 1/2 BB/K, 1.57 era, 2:0:2
Michael Powers 3 IP, H, BB, K, 2.30 era, W (3-3), 5:2:1

5/20 Minor League Report! LUCAS!

AAA International League: Buffalo 3/7/0, Charlotte 1/6/0

Pat Misch had an outstanding outing tonight, and it may turn out to be extremely crucial, with the ... scary gun readings and slow windup/delievery of John Maine today in Washington. Misch went 7, allowing a run on 3 hits and 4 strikeouts for his 4th win of the season. Ryota Igarashi threw a scoreless 8th on 19 pitches, continuing his rehab.

Josh Thole and Ruben Tejada both had multi hit games for the Bisons today, Thole vaulting back over the Mendoza line, and Tejada approaching .300.

lf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 3, 2b, 2 RBI, K, .367
2b Russ Adams 1 for 3, run, BB, .302
dh Mike Jacobs 1 for 3, BB, K, .273
1b Mike Hessman 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .311
rf Val Pascucci 0 for 3, BB, K, .179
c Josh Thole 2 for 3, 2b (10), .208
3b Andy Green 0 for 3, .263
ss Ruben Tejada 2 for 3, 2 runs, 2b (6), .299
cf Emmanuel Garcia 0 for 1, K, .200
Pat Misch 7 IP, 3 H, ER, 1/4 BB/K, HR, 3.02 era, W (4-0), 93:62:31, 11:3:4
Ryota Igarashi IP, H, 0.00 era, 19:13:6, 2:1
Elmer Dessens IP, 2 H, K, 2.12 era, 19:14:5, 2:0:1

AA Eastern League: Binghamton 4/7/5, Bowie 8/15/2

Eddie Kunz had a very rocky outing today, giving up 5 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits and 3 walks in 5 innings for his 3rd loss, though it was Josh Stinson who gave up 2 of Kunz' IHR to take a BS.

The Mets offense had 7 hits and a walk, while going 3 for 10 with RISP, leaving 4 on base, and striking out just 5 times. Nick Evans and Zach Lutz took 0-fers, no Met had a multi hit game.

cf Kirk Nieuwenhuis 1 for 4, run, .301
1b Nick Evans 0 for 4, .280
dh Marshall Hubbard 1 for 4, 2b, 2 RBI, .268
3b Zach Lutz 0 for 4, run, 2 Ks, .262
rf Carlos Guzman 1 for 4, K, .286
c Mike Nickeas 1 for 3, RBI, BB, .328
ss Jose Coronado 1 for 4, run, 2b, .248
lf Brahiam Maldonado 1 for 4, 2b (3), RBI (6), K, .259
2b Hector Pellot 1 for 3, run, 3b, K, .154
Eddie Kunz 5+ IP, 8 H, 5/4 R/ER, 3/3 BB/K, 6.34 era, L (3-3), 8:2:3 (1.71 GOFO, 24 Ks in 38.1 IP)
Josh Stinson IP, H, R, K, 3.31 era, BS (2), 2:1:1
Clint Everts 1.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 4 Ks, 9 era, 1:0:4
Roy Merritt 1.1 IP, 2.60 era, 3:0:0

FIELDING
E: Lutz (3, fielding), Coronado (6, missed catch), Stinson (1, throw), Guzman, C (3, fielding), Pellot (2, fielding).

A+ Florida State League: St. Lucie 4/9/0, Lakeland 5/14/1 in 11 innings

Eric Beaulac, coming off his best outing of the season, had a poor outing tonight, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks in 5.1 innings. Jose Bierd gave up the winning run in the 11th for the loss. The Mets offense had 9 hits and drew 2 walks, while going 1 for 6 (.167) with RISP, leaving 7 on base, and striking out 15 times. Sean Ratliff, Stefan Welch and Richard Lucas (game tying HR in the 9th) had multi hit games, while Wilfredo Tovar, Eric Campbell, Raul Reyes (0 for 4, BB, 3 Ks, .202) and Rylan Sandoval (0 for 4, 3 Ks, .214) all took 0-fers.

ss Wilfredo Tovar 0 for 5, 3 Ks, .302
cf sean Ratliff 2 for 5, K, .294
lf Eric Campbell 0 for 4, run, BB, K, .336
2b Josh Satin 1 for 5, K, .331
1b Stefan Welch 2 for 5, run, 2b (11), 2 Ks, .310 (10/33 BB/K in 155 ABs)
3b Richard Lucas 3 for 5, 2 runs, HR (5), 3 RBI (18), K, .209
c Jean Luc Blaquiere 1 for 5, .193
Eric Beaulac 5.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 4/1 BB/K, 4.28 era, 11:3:1
Elvin Ramirez 1.2 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, K, 5.40 era, 1:3:1
Emary Frederick 2 IP, 2 H, BB, 0.50 era, 5:0:0
Jose Bierd 1.2 IP, 3 H, ER, K, 5.01 era, L (1-3), 2:1:1

A South Atlantic League: Savannah 5/7/0, Charleston 2/11/2

The Gnats had an offensive explosion, putting up 5 runs, the equivalent of their last 3 games combined. The Gnats had 7 hits (none by Wilmer), with Alonzo Harris and Cesar Puello having multi hit games. Wilmer, Alex Gregory (0 for 4, .263), Dock Doyle (0 for 4, .157) and Luis Rivera (0 for 3, 2 Ks, .094) took 0-fers. The Gnats also drew a walk (Pedro Zapata), while going 3 for 5 with RISP, leaving 3 on base, and striking out 8 times. Darin Gorski pitched well, but got a ND, Taylor Whitenton blew the save and picked up the win, his 2nd.

2b Alonzo Harris 2 for 4, run, 2b (9), RBI (14), 2 Ks, .243
cf Pedro Zapata 1 for 3, run, 3b (4), RBI (14), BB, K, .258
ss Wilmer Flores 0 for 4, K, .343
lf Juan Lagares 1 for 4, 2 RBI (30), .301
dh Rafael Fernandez 1 for 4, run, HR (1), RBI (10), 2 Ks, .281
rf Cesar Puello 2 for 4, 2 runs, .225
Darin Gorski 5 IP, 8 H, ER, 3 Ks, 3.12 era, 3:8:3
Taylor Whitenton 4 IP, 3 H, ER, 7 Ks, 2.70 era, BS (1), W (2-1), 3:2:7

4.25 Minor League Report! LUCAS, FAMILIA!

Song of the day: Jellyhead by Crush (laugh allllllll you want)

AAA International League: Buffalo 10/19/0, Pawtucket 3/7/1

The Bisons exploded for 19 hits, 3 walks and 10 runs, with the top 3 in the order (Pridie, Feliciano, Jacobs) combining to go 9 for 16 with 5 runs, 2 HR and 7 RBI), accounting for all 10 of the runs. 6 of the 9 hitters had multi hit games, led by Jesus Feliciano's 4. Ruben Tejada took the only 0-fer. The Bisons were just 4 for 15, though (.267) with RISP and they left 11 on base, while striking out 3 times.

Pat Misch was the beneficiary of the offense, he worked 7 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits for his first win of the season.

cf Jason Pridie 2 for 5, run, 2 RBI, BB, .306
rf Jesus Feliciano 4 for 5, 3 runs, HR, 3 RBI, BB, .368
1b Mike Jacobs 3 for 6, run, 2b, HR, 2 RBI
3b Mike Hessman 1 for 5, RBI, .293
dh Chris Carter 2 for 5, .306
lf Mike Cervanek 3 for 5, run, 2b, .242
2b Russ Adams 3 for 5, 2 runs, 2b, K, .324
c Josh Thole 1 for 3, run, RBI, BB, K, .149
ss Ruben Tejada 0 for 3, run, K, .217
Pat Misch 7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, BB, 3.09 era, W (1-0), 101:65:36, 10:8
Adam Pettyjohn 2 IP, H, K, 4.09 era, 19:12:7, 1:3:1

AA Eastern League: Binghamton 4/8/1, New Hampshire 2/6/1

Scott Shaw had his first good outing of the season, going 6.2 innings, while allowing 2 runs on 5 hits for the win. Roy Merritt picked up the rare 7 out save with 2.1 scoreless innings. The Mets offense had 8 hits and drew a pair of walks, while striking out 5 times, and going 2 for 10 with RISP, leaving 4 on base. DJ Wabick had the only multi hit game, while Nick Evans, Zach Lutz, Luis Hernandez and Luke Montz all took 0-fers.

cf Kirk Nieuwenhuis 1 for 4, run, K, .321, SB (2)
1b Nick Evans 0 for 2, RBI (16), .318
>>ss Jose Coronado 1 for 2, .246
lf, 1b Lucas Duda 1 for 3, RBI (18), BB, .281
3b Zach Lutz 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .281
dh DJ Wabick 2 for 4, run, 2 2b, .233
ss Luis Hernandez 0 for 2, .313
>>2b Hector Pellot 0 for 1, K, .190
c Luke Montz 0 for 3, .171
rf Brahiam Maldonado 1 for 2, 2 runs, BB, .176
2b, lf Jon Malo 2 for 3, K, .320
Scott Shaw 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2/4 BB/K, HR, 7.11 era, W (3-0), 8:7:4
Roy Merritt 2.1 IP, H, K, 2.38 era, SV (2), 3:2:1

A+ Florida State League: St. Lucie 5/10/0, Bradenton 4/10/2 in 11 innings

Stefan Welch and Richard Lucas hit back to back homers in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game at 4, and then Lucas stroked a walkoff single in the bottom of the 11th to win it for the Mets, 5-4. Sean Ratliff, as well as Welch and Lucas, had multi hit games, while Matt Bouchard (0 for 5, K, .192), Eric Campbell (0 for 5, .250), Raul Reyes (0 for 3, BB, .176), and Jean Luc Blaquiere (0 for 4, K, .225) took 0-fers. Nice, huh? Jean Luc is hitting .225, and Kirk is hitting .321, further proving that Kirk > Jean Luc ;)

Jeurys Familia started today and had his best outing of the season, going 6 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits in 6 innings, but he took a ND. Manuel Alvarez escaped 10th inning trouble, then pitched a scoreless 11th to pick up the win, his 2nd. Rhiner Cruz allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks in back of Familia, Cruz has struggled mightily, posting an ugly 6.55 era through 6 APPs (10.1 innings).

rf Emmanuel Garcia 1 for 5, 2 runs, 2b, 3 Ks, .271
2b Josh Satin 1 for 4, 2 RBI, K, .321
cf Sean Ratliff 2 for 5, K, .258
1b Stefan Welch 2 for 4, run, HR (2), RBI (12), BB, K, .317
dh Richard Lucas 4 for 5, run, HR (3), 2 RBI (10), K, .228
Jeurys Familia 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2/4 BB/K, 7.71 era, 12:0:4
Rhiner Cruz 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BBs, 6.55 era, 1:1
Jimmy Johnson 1.1 IP, K, 3.48 era, 1:2:1
Emary Frederick 1.1 IP, 2 H, K, 0.00 era, 1:2:1
Manuel Alvarez 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 Ks, 0.00 era, W (2-0), 3:0:2

A South Atlantic League: Savannah 6/11/0, Hickory 5/11/6

Jeff Flagg had a walkoff single today, after Wilmer Flores was walked with 1st and 3rd, 1 out in the 9th to load the bases. The Mets need to get someone behind Wilmer to prevent this sort of thing, because Jeff Flagg's .217 isn't cutting it. Pedro Zapata, Flagg, Dock Doyle and Alex Gregory had multi hit games, while Jefry Marte, Cesar Puello and Alonzo Harris took 0-fers. The Gnats were 3 for 11 (.273) with RISP, left 9 on base, and struck out 7 times, while walking thrice. Mark Cohoon started the game and was pretty good, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings, but he got a ND after Brandon Sage blew the game. Sage picked up a vulture win.

cf Pedro Zapata 2 for 4, 3 runs, BB, .279
lf Juan Lagares 1 for 5, run, RBI (13), .273
ss Wilmer Flores 1 for 4, run, RBI (17), BB, .361
1b Jeff Flagg 2 for 5, RBI, K, .217
3b Jefry Marte 0 for 4, K, .053
c Dock Doyle 2 for 4, RBI, .238
rf Cesar Puello 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .262
dh Alex Gregory 3 for 4, K, .286
2b Alonzo Harris 0 for 3, run, BB, 2 Ks, .270
Mark Cohoon 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1/6 BB/K, HR, 1.90 era, 7:4:6
John Church 1.2 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, K, 0.96 era, 2:2:1
Brandon Sage 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, K, 2.70 era, BS (1), W (1-0), 1:2:1

MPH System Audit IV: Part II: Corner Infielders

--------------------
CORNER INFIELDERS
--------------------

1. A+/AA 1B Ike Davis L/L 3/22/87 (A+ St. Lucie .288/.376/.486/.863, 64 for 222, 28 runs, 17 2b, 3 3b, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 31/52 BB/K, AA Binghamton .309/.386/.565/.951, 64 for 207, 30 runs, 14 2b, 13 HR, 43 RBI, 26/60 BB/K, BWC .333/.444/.767, 10 for 30, 10 runs, 2 2b, 3b, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 6/11 BB/K, AFL Surprise .341/.394/.565/.958, 29 for 85, 13 runs, 7 2b, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 8/23 BB/K)

Total 2009 Stats: .307/.387/.544/.931, 167 for 544, 81 runs, 40 2b, 4 3b, 27 HR, 92 RBI, 71/146 BB/K, .268 K rate, .4863 BB/K ratio

Ike Davis was the Mets first pick in the 2008 draft, 18th overall, out of Arizona State, and he was sent to Brooklyn after signing, where he endured a miserable season, hitting a pathetic .256/.326/.326/.652 in 215 ABs, with just 15 2b and 0 HR.

However, Davis exploded in 2009, mashing the cover off the ball no matter where he was, St. Lucie, Binghamton, the Baseball World Classic, or Arizona. He ended up with one of the best overall seasons a Mets prospect has had in a long time, with 40 2b and 27 HR.

Ike has tremendous power (um, as we saw on his absurd BOMB to right field in St. Lucie), and especially to the pull side. He has issues hitting lefties (.200/.234/.283/.518 in the FSL, but he did turn that around to hit .268/.342/.465/.807 in the EL). Davis is a very good first basemen, but as we've seen this spring, he does have some kinks to work out. His arm is very good, and it's likely he could man left field if he needed to (he doesn't have the range for RF, especially @ Citifield).

THE FUTURE: Davis, despite his big spring so far, should open 2010 in the minors, likely in Buffalo, though a return to Binghamton wouldn't be a total shock. What also wouldn't be be a total shock is Ike taking 1b from Daniel Murphy by midseason. Still, we'll say he'll be the 2011 opening day 1b.

2. AAA/AA/MLB 1B/OF Nick Evans R/R 1/30/86 (AAA Buffalo .211/.280/.414/.693, 50 for 237, 27 runs, 12 2b, 3 3b, 10 HR, 30 RBI, 23/55 BB/K, AA Binghamton .276/.350/.467/.817, 29 for 105, 16 runs, 9 2b, 3b, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 10/22 BB/K, 2 SBs, MLB New York, .231/.275/.385/.660, 15 for 65, 5 runs, 5 2b, 3b, HR, 7 RBI, 4/20 BB/K, AFL Surprise .171/.216/.371/.588, 6 for 35, 4 runs, 2b, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2/11 BB/K)

Total 2009 stats: .226/.289/.419/.708, 100 for 442, 52 runs, 27 2b, 5 3b, 16 HR, 50 RBI, 39/108 BB/K, .244 K rate, .3611 BB/K ratio

Nick Evans was drafted in the 5th round of the 2004 draft out of St. Mary's High in Arizona. After toiling through the system for 5 years, Evans made his MLB debut in 2008, but opened 2009 in BUffalo.

EVans endured a tumultuous 2009, after getting off to a sub .100 start in Buffalo, he was demoted to extended spring, then Binghamton, where he recovered his stroke (.817 OPS). Still, for whatever reason, as the major league season progressed to the point of absurdity, Evans did not receive any meaningful playing time, in favor of stiffs like Cory Sullivan and Fernando Tatis. Evans, despite his terrible season, did hit 16 HR and 27 2b in 442 ABs, showing very good power.

THE FUTURE: He should open 2010 in Buffalo playing LF/RF/1b, and hopefully he gets another real crack at the majors. Keep in mind he hit .329/.390/.529/.919 against lefties in 2009 in the majors.

3. A+/AA 3b Zach Lutz R/R 6/3/86 (A+ St. Lucie .284/.381/.441/.822, 101 for 356, 46 runs, 19 2b, 2 3b, 11 HR, 62 RBI, 50/72 BB/K, AA Binghamton .207/.324/.241/.565, 6 for 29, 2b, 2 RBI, 5/7 BB/K)

Total 2009 Stats: .278/.376/.426/.802, 107 for 385, 46 runs, 20 2b, 2 3b, 11 HR, 64 RBI, 55/79 BB/K

Lutz was drafted in the 5th round of the 2007 draft out of Alvernia University, and injuries have severely hampered him throughout his minor league career, but when he's been healthy, he's hit. For the majority of the 2009 season, he was healthy, and showed what he could do.

Lutz was healthy for the first time in his career in 2009, and after a slow start in St. Lucie (.230/.370/.391/.761 thru the end of May), Lutz took off thereafter, ripping the FSL to the tune of .301/.384/.457/.842 and earning a cup of coffee with Binghamton.

Lutz can hit, he is a very disciplined hitter (50/72 BB/K in St. Lucie, 5/7 in Binghamton), who sprays the ball gap to gap and has good HR power. Due to concurrent ankle injuries in 2007 and 2008, Lutz' speed, such that it was, is not an asset at all. As with his hitting, he's an intelligent runner who won't run himself into many outs. Lutz is a decent defender at 3b, with good range to his left (backhand) side. Overall, Lutz should be a very good player, but it likely will not be with the Mets (Wright/Davis).

THE FUTURE: Lutz ended 2009 in Binghamton and that's where he wants to go (not way down in Kokomo) in 2010 (I apologize for the horrible joke). Figuring 2011 will be spent in Buffalo, we'll say he makes his MLB debut sometime in 2011. Lutz will have to be put onto the 40 man roster at the end of this season, or be eligible for the Rule V draft (it's 2006 HS and 2007 college this year).

4. R/A- Richard Lucas 11/2/88 R/R (R GCL .333/.400/.500/.900, 6 for 18, run, 3 2b, 3 RBI, 2/5 BB/K, R Kingsport .357/.471/.622/1.094, 35 for 98, 28 runs, 12 2b, 3b, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 20/20 BB/K, A- Brooklyn .250/.319/.400/.719, 15 for 60, 4 runs, 5 2b, 2 3b, 6 RBI, 7/14 BB/K)

Total 2009 Stats: .318/.414/.534/.948, 56 for 176, 33 runs, 20 2b, 3 3b, 4 HR, 30 RBI, 29/39 BB/K, 3/6 SBs

Lucas was drafted in the 4th round of the 2009 draft, out of Wolfson High in Florida. After struggling through his first two seasons with the Mets, he turned it on big time in 2009.

Lucas had a terrific 2009 season, his 3rd in the organization. He was injured to start, and then received the bulk of his playing time this season in Kingsport, where he oblierated the Appy League and showed tremendous plate discipline (20/20 BB/K) and outstanding power (.622 SLG, 17 XBH in 98 ABs).

Lucas has natural ability to hit the ball to all fields, and shows good power doing so. As mentioned, he's got very good plate discipline, which allows him to wait for his pitch and then hit it hard somewhere. Defensively, Lucas is an average 3rd baseman, with a steady arm.

THE FUTURE: Coming off a terrific season, Lucas will likely open 2010 in Savannah manning 3rd base (hopefully with Jefry Marte at 1st!), and then a level per season should have him in position to make his debut sometime in 2013, or 2014 at the latest.

5. AA 1B Lucas Duda L/R 2/3/86 (AA Binghamton .281/.380/.428/.808, 111 for 395, 49 runs, 29 2b, 3b, 9 HR, 53 RBI, 61/91 BB/K, AFL Surprise .400/.500/.600/1.100, 2 for 5, run, 2b, 2 RBI, BB)

Total 2009 Stats: .283/.381/.430/.811, 113 for 400, 50 runs, 30 2b, 3b, 9 HR, 55 RBI, 62/91 BB/K, .228 K rate, .6813 BB/K ratio

Duda was drafted in the 7th round of the 2007 draft out of USC. He spent the remainder of the 2007 season in Brooklyn, before moving to the FSL in 2008, where he had a very down year.

Duda rebounded off a down 2008 season to post career highs in 2b and HR, but he still hasn't shown off the power one would expect from someone as big as he is (6'4/225). Duda vastly improved his BB/K ratio from 2008 (.5516 to .6703). Duda cannot hit lefty pitching to save his life (.192/.283/.225/.508 in 120 ABs)

As seen throughout his minor league career, especially in 2007 and 2009, Duda's got a very good notion of the strike zone. Duda is a line drive gap to gap hitter, but he did start hitting for more power late in the season in Binghamton. Duda's an average defensive 1b, and adequate in LF, but he won't win many (if any) games with his defense.

THE FUTURE: Duda likely could handle being the lefty part of a MLB platoon right now, but he will instead attempt to gain a clue against LHP in AAA in 2010. He's not on the 40 man roster, so he likely won't be called up this season, and he doesn't have to be put on the 40 man roster until the end of this season.

6. A 3b Jefry Marte R/R 6/21/91 (A Savannah .233/.279/.338/.617, 113 for 485, 58 runs, 21 2b, 6 3b, 6 HR, 41 RBI, 25/117 BB/K, 5/10 SBs)

The Mets signed Jefry Marte in the IFA signing period of 2007, along with OF Cesar Puello and SS Wilmer Flores. He was sent to the GCL in 2008 and had a banner rookie season, and then endured an awful 2009.

Marte had a dismal season in 2009, both offensively and defensively. Besides hitting for just a .617 OPS, Marte made 49 errors in 123 games, and keep in mind he DHed a few games, too. However, also keep in mind he played the season at age 17/18. And, for his age relative to level, he had an OK offensive season, and there were points where he was downright impressive. Combining his April, June and July numbers, roughly half his season, he hit .271/.315/.385/.700 (81 for 299, 42 runs, 15 2b, 5 3b, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 17/71 BB/K). However, the downside to that, of course, is that in the other 186 ABs, Marte hit .172/.222/.263/.486.

Marte, as we saw last year (.532 SLG, 21 XBH in 154 ABs), Marte's got impressive raw power, which should be enhanced as he physically matures. However, the lack of any approach curtailed his power numbers significantly (.2136 BB/K). He mostly pulls the ball, which leaves him vunerable to breaking balls away. Defensively, he's a mess, with not much lateral movement, and a strong, but unpredictable, arm at third.

THE FUTURE: Marte likely will open 2010 back in Savannah, this time either outright as the teams 1b, or in a 1b/3b platoon with Richard Lucas. Assuming some growth as a hitter, Marte should open 2011 in St. Lucie, and ascend a level per year, making his MLB debut sometime in 2013. A more conservative approach would give him time to repeat a level along the way (again), pushing his debut back to 2014.

7. A/A+ 1b/3b Stefan Welch L/R 8/12/88 (A Savannah .239/.271/.359/.630, 22 for 92, 7 runs, 3 2b, 3b, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 4/19 BB/K, A+ St. Lucie .278/.350/.412/.762, 60 for 216, 38 runs, 10 2b, 2 3b, 5 HR, 37 RBI, 20/37 BB/K)

Total 2009 Stats: .266/.327/.396/.724, 82 for 308, 45 runs, 13 2b, 3 3b, 7 HR, 47 RBI, 24/56 BB/K

8. R 1b/3b/LF Charlie Hinojosa R/R 1/16/89 (R GCL .323/.387/.441/.828, 41 for 127, 10 runs, 12 2b, HR, 15 RBI, 9/30 BB/K)

9. R 3b Aderlin Rodriguez R/R 11/18/91 (R GCL .290/.389/.387/.776, 18 for 62, 5 runs, 3 2b, HR, 10 RBI, 9/15 BB/K, 12 errors in 17 games (he also DHed some))

Aderlin Rodriguez made his pro debut in 2009, playing in the GCL. He had an OK offensive season, and showed off some good plate discipline (.6000 BB/K at age 17), but no power and was a total mess in the field.

Aderlin is a big kid (6'3/210), and should show off more power as he gains strength and grows into his frame. Aderlin has a strong arm and should develop into a good defensive 3b, but he's extremely raw right now.

THE FUTURE: Aderlin will likely open 2010 in Kingsport (since he's blocked in Savannah), although there is a possibility he could open in Brooklyn, which would shorten his development schedule by one season (the Mets like jumping prospects from Kingsport to Savannah, and from Brooklyn to St. Lucie). If he opens 2010 in Kingsport, his MLB debut will likely occur in the 2014 season, if he opens in Brooklyn, it would be in 2013 (assuming no setbacks with performance)

10. AA 3b Shawn Bowman R/R 12/9/84 (AA Binghamton: .294/.346/.458/.804, 102 for 347, 42 runs, 24 2b, 3 3b, 9 HR, 44 RBI, 25/101 BB/K, .291 K rate, .2475 BB/K ratio, BWC: .291/.381/.491, 16 for 55, 9 runs, 2 2b, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 8/18 BB/K)

Total 2009 Stats: .294/.351/.463/.813, 118 for 402, 51 runs, 26 2b, 3 3b, 12 HR, 59 RBI, 33/119 BB/K, .296 K rate, .2773 BB/K ratio

Bowman was drafted in the 12th round of the 2002 draft, and by 2005, was one of the Mets top prospects, and was rumored to be "moving David Wright to first base". That never happened, as Bowman instead succumbed to a series of debilitating back injuries over the next 3 years. He made a comeback over the last 2 seasons, and has landed back onto the radar, but time is against him, unfortunately, as is Ike Davis at 1b. However, Bowman is still the best defensive 3b in the organization, and he was placed on the 40 man roster to protect him from the Rule V draft. Bowman has...or had, terrific power, but his injuries have somewhat curtailed that.

THE FUTURE: Bowman should open 2010 in Buffalo, and is a phone call away from the majors. His story is one of endurance, and MPH feverently hopes he makes the majors at some point this season, we're all rooting for him.

8/11 Minor League Report! LUTZ, Lucas, Hinojosa!

INT AAA: Buffalo 8/11/0, Buffalo 6/14/1

2b Argenis Reyes 1 for 4, BB, K, .271
dh Andy Green 2 for 4, run, BB, .233
lf Nick Evans 2 for 5, 2b (9), .190
1b Mike Lamb 1 for 5, run, 2b, 2 RBI, K, .254
rf Jason Dubois 0 for 5, K, .100
cf Chip Ambres 3 for 5, run, 2b, RBI, .246
3b Javier Castillo 1 for 4, 2 runs, K, .251
c Robinson Cancel 1 for 3, RBI, K, .240
ss Wilson Valdez 3 for 4, 2b, RBI, .236
Tobi Stoner 4 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 1/3 BB/K, 2 HR, 5.01 era, L (3-7), 65:45:20, 2:7:3
Eddie Kunz 3 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, BB, K, 4.59 era, 39:27:12, 6:2:1
Jim Warden 2 IP, 4 Ks, 1.80 era, 32:21:11, 2:0:4
---
dh Justin Huber 1 for 5, RBI, .266
Kevin Mulvey 5.2 IP, 11 H, 6 ER, 1/3 BB/K, 4.39 era, W (5-7), 83:58:25, 8:5:3

EL AA: Binghamton 4/5/1, Harrisburg 5/8/3

Eric Niesen had a decent outing tonight, giving up 5 hits and 4 runs in 6 innings, (2 earned, Ruben Tejada error (18)), and struck out 8, continuing his vastly improved K rate post-jump to Binghamton (49 in 57.2 innings in St. Lucie (7.65 per 9), 58 in 52.2 innings in Binghamton (9.91 per 9) - although it has come with an dramatic and alarming increase in walks (16 in St. Lucie (2.50 per 9), 30 in Binghamton (5.13 per 9). Jose De La Torre took the loss, giving up a run in the top of the 9th on a hit and walk.

The Mets offense had just 5 hits and 2 walks, while going just 2 for 10 with RISP, leaving 5 on base. Josh Thole (0 for 3, .330), DJ Wabick (0 for 4, .293), and Emmanuel Garcia (0 for 4, K, .249) took 0-fers. No Met had a multi hit game.

ss Ruben Tejada 1 for 4, .293
2b Jose Coronado 1 for 4, K, .262
1b Lucas Duda 1 for 4, run, K, .281
rf Caleb Stewart 1 for 2, 3 runs, HR, RBI, 2 BBs, .200
3b Jon Malo 1 for 4, 2 RBI, K, .250
Eric Niesen 6 IP, 5 H, 4/2 R/ER, 2/8 BB/K, 6.15 era, 6:4:8
Eric Brown 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 Ks, 6.50 era, 0:2:2
Roy Merritt 0.1 IP, 4.03 era, 1:
Jose De La Torre 1.1 IP, H, ER, BB, K, 1.89 era, L (2-1), 3:0:1

FSL A+: St. Lucie 4/8/2, Charlotte 6/9/4

Salvador Aguilar's second FSL outing of the season went awfully, he gave up 5 runs (4 earned, Carlos Guzman error) on 6 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings to take his first loss in the FSL.

The Mets rallied late, with 3 in the 7th, but fell short, accumulating a total of 8 hits and a walk, while going 3 for 10 with RISP, leaving 8 on base. Zach Lutz (3) and Stefan Welch (2) had multi hit games, while Reese Havens (0 for 5, K, .228), Francisco Pena (0 for 4, run, .222), Brahiam Maldonado (0 for 4, RBI, 2 Ks, .247), and Seth Williams (0 for 4, .267) all took 0-fers. Maldonado is now 0 for his last 15, and 3 for his last 24. Williams is 0 for his last 14, and 6 for his last 34. Lutz has hit 11 2b, 2 3b, and 6 HR in July and August, in just 107 ABs, with a staggering line of approximately .350/.435/.590 (eyeballed). I would say the man is locked in something fierce.

cf Kirk Nieuwenhuis 1 for 4, run, .254
3b Zach Lutz 3 for 5, run 2b (15), HR (10), 3 RBI (56), K, .297
1b Stefan Welch 2 for 4, 2b (7), K, .303
rf Carlos Guzman 1 for 4, K, .270
2b Hector Pellot 1 for 3, run, BB, K, .260
Salvador Aguilar 5 IP, 6 H, 5/4 R/ER, 2/2 BB/K, 6 era, L (0-1), 8:4:2
Tim Stronach 3 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 Ks, 3.73 era, 5:2:2

SAL A: Savannah 4/9/1, Lakewood 8/10/1

Kyle Allen had a very good outing tonight, giving up just a run on 3 hits in 5 innings to lower his season's ERA to 3.88, and factoring out April, it stands at a sterling 3.23 in 86.1 innings (35/69 BB/K, 1.27 WHIP). Phillips Orta and John Church, however, combined to be awful tonight and give up 6 runs in 2.1 innings to blow the game for Allen, with Church getting the BS and L.

The offense had 9 hits and 2 walks, but were just 2 for 11 (.182) with RISP, and left 8 on base. Jefry Marte (2), and Evan LeBlanc (3) had multi hit games, while Wilmer Flores, Jean Luc Blaquiere (0 for 3, BB, K, .216), and Joey August (0 for 4, RBI, K, .205) took 0-fers.

3b Jefry Marte 2 for 5, .237, E (44)
ss Wilmer Flores 0 for 4, .270
1b Eric Campbell 1 for 5, .248
cf Sean Ratliff 1 for 4, 2b, .272
2b Josh Satin 1 for 4, run, 2b, .291
dh Raul Reyes 1 for 3, 2 runs, BB, .245
rf Evan LeBlanc 3 for 4, run, 2b, 2 RBI, K, .173
Kyle Allen 5 IP, 3 H, ER, 3/4 BB/K, 3.88 era, 74:43:31, 3:7:4
Phillips Orta 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3/2 R/ER, 2/3 BB/K, 4.74 era, 1:1:3
John Church 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 3/1 BB/K, 6.06 era, BS (1), L (0-2), 1:0:1
Brad Burns 1.2 IP, 3 H, R, 1/2 BB/K, 2.70 era, 1:2:2

NYPL A-: Brooklyn 4/7/0, Mahoning Valley 2/4/1

Brandon Moore had an excellent outing tonight, giving up just 2 runs on 4 hits in 7.2 innings, but he was in line for the loss before the Conies forged ahead with 3 in the top of the 9th, the game winner coming off the bat of Scott Grimes. Dock Doyle singled Grimes in with an insurance run to provide the final margin of victory. Michael Powers picked up the win with 1.1 hitless innings of relief.

The Conies had 7 hits and drew 2 walks while going 2 for 8 with RISP, leaving 5 on base. Jake Eigsti (2), Grimes (2), and Robbie Shields (2) had multi hit games, while Justin Garber (0 for 3, BB, .237), Sam Honeck (0 for 4, K, .287), Luis Rivera (0 for 4, 2 Ks, .307), Tyler Vaughn (0 for 3, run, 3 Ks, .282) and Nick Santomauro (0 for 3, run, BB, .245) all took 0-fers.

2b Jake Eigsti 2 for 4, .250
lf Scott Grimes 2 for 4, run, RBI, K, .313
c Dock Doyle 1 for 4, RBI, .256
ss Robbie Shields 2 for 4, run, 2b (2), HR (1), RBI (5), K, .161
Brandon Moore 7.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2/3 BB/K, HR, 2.39 era, 7:12:3
Michael Powers 1.1 IP, BB, K, 2.55 era, W (2-1), 3:0:1

APPY R: Kingsport 5/8/3, Burlington 10/14/3

Angel Cuan snapped a string of 4 consecutive good outings (20 innings, 4 runs 1.80 era), by getting bent over and served to the tune of 9 hits and 7 runs (6 earned) in 4 innings, for his 2nd Appy loss.

The Mets offense had 8 hits and 2 walks, while going 3 for 9 with RISP and leaving 7 on base. Ryan Mollica (3; first game since 7/23), Richard Lucas (2), RJ Harris (2) had multi hit games, while Darrell Ceciliani (0 for 5, K, .236), Joe Bonfe (0 for 4, 2 Ks, .326), Cesar Puello (0 for 3, BB, K, .254), Mike Moras (0 for 4, run, K, .245), Luis Nieves (0 for 4, K, demoted from Brooklyn) all took 0-fers.

2b Ryan Mollica 3 for 5, 2 runs, 2b, HR, 2 RBI, 2 Ks, .277
3b Richard Lucas 2 for 4, run, RBI (18), BB, .406
dh RJ Harris 2 for 4, 2 Ks, .297
lf Pedro Zapata 1 for 4, run, 2b (6), RBI (11), .313
Angel Cuan 4 IP, 9 H, 7/6 R/ER, 4 Ks, 4.76 era, L (1-2), 3:4:4
Zach Von Tersch 3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 6/4 BB/K, 6.41 era, 2:3:4
Tim Smith IP, BB, K, 7.50 era, 2:0:1
Brian Needham IP, H, K, 6.26 era, 1:1:1

GCL R: Mets 1/6/2, Nationals 6/11/0 (from 8/10)

rf Chase Greene 2 for 4, 2b (3), .241
2b Ray Van Gurp 0 for 4, K, .243
3b Aderlin Rodriguez 1 for 3, BB, .250, E (4)
dh Julio Concepcion 0 for 4, 3 Ks, .312
cf Javier Rodriguez 0 for 4, K, .235
c Nelfi Zapata 1 for 4, K, .284
lf Charlie Hinojosa 2 for 3, run, 2b (9), HR (1), RBI, BB, .350
1b Giovanni Ortiz 0 for 4, K, .250
ss Miguel Tejada 0 for 3, K, .080
Orlando Tovar 5 IP, 4 H, ER, 1/3 BB/K, 4.35 era, 7:3:3
Brian Valenzuela 3 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 1/2 BB/K, 5.79 era, L (0-3), 4:3:2

8/8 Minor League Report! TEJADA, DUDA, MARTE, LUCAS!

INT AAA: Buffalo 2/10/1, Columbus 1/8/1

2b Argenis Reyes 2 for 4, run, RBI, .270
cf Jesus Feliciano 3 for 4, RBI, .308
lf Nick Evans 1 for 4, 2b, .179
1b Mike Lamb 1 for 4, 2b, .252
rf Chip Ambres 0 for 4, K, .241
c Rene Rivera 1 for 4, 2 Ks, .243
dh Josh Petersen 1 for 4, K, .244
3b Andy Green 0 for 4, K, .198
ss Wilson Valdez 0 for 1, K, .221
>>ss Javier Castillo 1 for 3, run, 2b, .256
Adam Pettyjohn 8 IP, 6 H, 7 Ks, 4.16 era, W (3-7), 113:74:39, 7:9:7
Tim McNab IP, 2 H, ER, 1/2 BB/K, 2.53 era, SV (3), 22:16:6, 1:0:2

EL AA: Binghamton 6/10/1, Reading 2/6/1

Ruben Tejada is not impressed by Kyle Drabek. The first pitch Tejada saw from the Philly prospect was deposited in the seats for a homer by the Met shortstop, opening the door on a 10 hit, 7 walk night for the BMets, as they beat the Phils 6-2. Tejada (3), Jose Coronado (3), and Lucas Duda (2) all had multi hit games, hitting 1-2-3 in the order, combining to go 8 for 13 with 2 walks, and 4 RBI. Salvador Paniagua (0 for 3, BB, 2 Ks, .194), Jon Malo (0 for 4, .251), and Emmanuel Garcia (0 for 4, K, .246) took 0-fers for the Mets, who went a poor 3 for 18 with RISP, and left 11 men on base.

Jose De La Torre picked up the win with 2 innings of relief in back of Chris Mason, who allowed 2 runs (1 earned) over 4.2 innings in his BMets debut.

ss Ruben Tejada 3 for 5, 2 runs, 2b (20), HR (4), RBI (32), .286
2b Jose Coronado 3 for 5, 2 runs, 2 RBI, K, .259
1b Lucas Duda 2 for 3, run, 2b (29), RBI (52), 2 BBs, K, .283
rf Caleb Stewart 1 for 2, 3 BBs, .200
lf DJ Wabick 1 for 5, RBI (44), 2 Ks, .297
Chris Mason 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2/1 R/ER, 2/1 BB/K, 1.93 era, 12:1:1
Jose De La Torre 2 IP, H, BB, K, 1.53 era, W (2-0), 3:2:1
Roy Merritt 1.1 IP, 2 Ks, 4.17 era, 1:1:2
Connor Robertson IP, 2.39 era, 1:2

FSL A+: St. Lucie 3/5/2, Jupiter 6/10/0

Billy Wagner threw another scoreless inning on his rehab from TJS. He allowed a hit, struck out one, and had a flyout.

Scott Moviel had yet another very unimpressive outing, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in 5 innings for his 5th FSL loss. Nick Waechter followed Wagner with 2 ineffective innings of relief, giving up 3 hits and 3 runs (2 earned).

The Mets had just 5 hits, but drew 4 walks while going 2 for 7 (.286) with RISP, leaving 6 on base. Carlos Guzman (0 for 2, run, BB, K, .267), Seth Williams (0 for 4, K, .287) and Brahiam Maldonado (0 for 4, .252) took 0-fers, no Met had a multi hit game.

cf Kirk Nieuwenhuis 1 for 3, run, BB, K, .253
ss Reese Havens 1 for 3, run, BB, K, .239
3b Zach Lutz 1 for 2, RBI, BB, .299
1b Stefan Welch 1 for 4, RBI, .292
2b Hector Pellot 1 for 4, RBI, .257
Scott Moviel 5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3/7 BB/K, 5.35 era, L (0-5), 5:2:7
Billy Wagner IP, H, K, 0.00 era, 0:1:1
Nick Waechter 2 IP, 3 H, 3/2 R/ER, 2 Ks, HR, 6.75 era, 4:0:2

SAL A: Savannah 2/7/1, Rome 5/12/2

Jefry Marte had 3 of the Gnats 7 hits out of the leadoff spot tonight, but it wasn't enough, as the Gnats fell, 5-2. Manuel Olivares was horrific out of the pen, giving up 4 runs in just 0.1 innings, to take his 4th loss, after Lance Hoge went just 4 innings, allowing 5 hits and an UER. The Gnats went 2 for 10 with RISP and left 9 on base.

3b Jefry Marte 3 for 4, RBI, (39), BB, .237, CS (5), E (41!!!!)
dh Josh Satin 0 for 4, BB, K, .294
lf Eric Campbell 0 for 4, K, .248
cf Sean Ratliff 0 for 4, 3 Ks, .275
ss Wilmer Flores 1 for 4, 2 Ks, .273
c Jean Luc Blaquiere 0 for 4, run, .212
rf Evan LeBlanc 1 for 3, BB, .147
1b Jose Jimenez 2 for 4, run, 2b, RBI (ONE!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOO - I'm not kidding. It was his first RBI of the season), 2 Ks, .136
2b Imbewer Alvarez 0 for 4, K, .227
Lance Hoge 4 IP, 5 H, R, 4 Ks, 3.86 era, 4;3:4
Manuel Olivares 0.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 4.03 era, L (2-4), 0:0:0
Phillips Orta 2.2 IP, H, K, 4.30 era, 4:3:1
Rhiner Cruz IP, H, K, 1.79 era, 1:1:1

NYPL A-: Brooklyn 1/6/2, Jamestown 2//11/0 in 13 innings

Brandon Sage, pushed into his longest outing of the season, and already pitching awfully (4 hits, 4 walks, 1 run in 3 innings), gave up an UER in his 4th inning of work, though he wasn't completely absolved, he allowed 3 hits in the inning, to take his 1st NYPL loss. Sage faced 22 batters, the equivalent of pitching 7.1 perfect innings, his previous high in innings had also been 4, on July 9th, when he allowed a hit and struck out 1. Obviously this outing was vastly different. Collin McHugh started and was excellent tonight, giving up just 3 hits in 7 innings, and striking out a dozen along the way, but he got an ND.

The Conies offense had just 6 hits and 4 walks in 13 innings, while going just 1 for 5 with RISP, leaving 7 on base. Tyler Vaughn (2 for 4, run, BB, .293), Dock Doyle (2 for 4, 2b, .257), and Ralph Henriquez (2 for 5, RBI, .210) had the hits for the Conies, everyone else took 0-fers.

cf Justin Garber 0 for 4, BB, 2 Ks, .247
>>cf John Servidio 0 for 1, .185
2b Jake Eigsti 0 for 5, 2 Ks, .222
1b Sam Honeck 0 for 4, BB, .276
rf Luis Rivera 0 for 4, BB, K, .315
lf Scott Grimes 0 for 5, .250
ss Robbie Shields 0 for 5, K, .154
Collin McHugh 7 IP, 3 H, 1/12 BB/K, 3.33 era, 5:3:12
Michael Powers 2 IP, H, 2/2 BB/K, 2.70 era, 2:2:2
Brandon Sage 4 IP, 7 H, 2/1 R/ER, 4 BBs, 1.61 era, L (2-1), 9:3

APPY R: Kingsport 5/13/1, Johnson City 6/12/2 in 10 innings

Yohan Almonte have up 5 runs on 9 hits in 5 innings, but the Mets got him off the hook with 2 in the 5th and 3 in the 7th, tying the game at 5 thru 7 innings. However, Brian Needham took the loss after giving up a run in the 10th, his second inning of relief.

The Mets offense had 13 hits and drew a pair of walks, and went a stellar 5 for 13 (.385) with RISP, leaving 9 on base, and also stole 6 bases without being caught once, all in a losing cause.

cf Darrell Ceciliani 0 for 4, run, BB, .250, 2 SB (11)
2b Alonzo Harris 1 for 4, RBI (29), BB, 2 Ks, .287, SB (13)
3b Richard Lucas 3 for 5, run, 2b (8), RBI (16), .397
dh Jeff Flagg 1 for 5, run, RBI, K, .325
1b Joe Bonfe 1 for 4, 2 Ks, .342
rf Cesar Puello 1 for 5, K, .268, SB (7)
c Mike Moras 1 for 5, K, .267
lf Pedro Zapata 2 for 5, run, 2b (4), 2 Ks, .315, SB (8)
ss Gered Mochizuki 3 for 4, run, 2b, RBI, .278
Yohan Almonte 5 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 4 Ks, HR, 7.20 era, 7:2:4
Tim Smith IP, BB, K, 9 era, 1:1:1
Jonathan White IP, BB, 7.36 era, 2:1
Samuel Taveras IP, 2 Ks, 6.14 era, 1:1:2
Brian Needham 2 IP, 3 H, ER, 1/2 BB/K, 6.55 era, 1:2:2

GCL R: Mets 5/8/2, Marlins 1/1/2

rf Chase Greene 0 for 4, run, BB, K, .200
2b Ray Van Gurp 1 for 2, 2 runs, 2 BBs, K, .262
3b Aderlin Rodriguez 1 for 3, run, 2b, RBI, BB, 2 Ks, .200, E (3; throw)
lf Julio Concepcion 2 for 4, run, RBI, K, .314
cf Javier "Problem Child" Rodriguez 1 for 3, 2b, 2 RBI, 2 Ks, .260
c Nelfi Zapata 1 for 3, BB, .286
dh Charlie Hinojosa 1 for 4, K, .342
1b Travis Ozga 1 for 3, BB, K, .154
ss Miguel Tejada 0 for 3, BB, 2 Ks, .085 (28 Ks in 47 ABs = .596 K rate)
Michael Hebert 5 IP, H, ER, 4/4 BB/K, 1.06 era, W (1-0), 5:4:4
Daniel Carela 2 IP, 1/2 BB/K, 4.91 era, 2:2:2
William Rackle 2 IP, 5.06 era, 4:2

8/1 Minor League Report! SHAW, Ratliff, LUCAS!

INT AAA: Buffalo 10/15/1, Toledo 11/17/3

2b Argenis Reyes 3 for 6, run, 3b, 2 RBI, K, .261
cf Jesus Feliciano 3 for 6, 2 runs, RBI, .315
lf Nick Evans 1 for 4, 2 runs, RBI, BB, .160
1b Mike Lamb 3 for 4, run, 2 2b, 3 RBI, .252
dh Javier Castillo 0 for 3, 2 BBs, K, .259
c Rene Rivera 1 for 5, 2b, RBI, 2 Ks, .245
rf Josh Petersen 2 for 5, run, .233
3b Andy Green 1 for 4, run, BB, .210
ss Wilson Valdez 1 for 5, 2 runs, .218
Kyle Snyder 3.2 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 1/4 BB/K, 3 HR, 4.32 era, 77:54:23, 5:1:4
Adam Bostick 2 IP, 2 H, 4/3 BB/K, 1.13 era, 54:28:26, 0:3:3
Tim McNab 2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, K, HR, 2.22 era, 26:19:7, 3:2:1
Jon Switzer 0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 2/1 BB/K, HR, 3.52 era, BS (4), L (0-3), 31:13:18, 0:1:1

EL AA: Binghamton 4/9/1, Akron 8/11/1

Dylan Owen got blasted for 6 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks in just 3 innings, easily his worst outing since returning to AA, taking his 7th loss as Binghamton lost 8-4. The Mets had 9 hits and 2 walks, while going 5 for 13 (.385) with RISP, leaving 7 on base. The top two in the order (Emmanuel Garcia and Ruben Tejada) both were 0 for 4 with a run scored and a walk, Garcia added a strikeout to his night, and is batting .256 on the season. Tejada is hitting .277. Mark Kiger (0 for 4, 2 Ks, .226) and Jon Malo (0 for 4, 2 Ks, .253) also took 0-fers, while each of the 3456 hitters (Josh Thole, Ike Davis, Caleb Stewart, Lucas Duda) had 2 hit games.

c Josh Thole 2 for 4, run, 2b, RBI, .349
1b Ike Davis 2 for 4, run, 2b, RBI, K, .310
rf Caleb Stewart 2 for 4, 2b, 2 RBI, 2 Ks, .209
dh Lucas Duda 2 for 4, .279
lf DJ Wabick 1 for 4, K, .296
Dylan Owen 3 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 4/2 BB/K, HR, 5.65 era, L (3-7), 1:6:2
Jose De La Torre 2.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2/1 BB/K, 2.13 era, 4:3:1
Jim Warden 1.1 IP, H, K, 1.42 era, 1:2:1
Edgar Alfonzo IP, 3.67 era, 2:1
Connor Robertson IP, K, 2.91 era, 0:2:1

FSL A+: St. Lucie 5/8/0, Lakeland 1/4/2

Scott Shaw had his finest pro outing, giving up just a run on 4 hits while going the distance, for his 5th win. The Mets did all their scoring against the Tigers starter, putting up 5 runs on 8 hits and a walk, and it's a good thing they did, as the two Tiger relievers were perfect over the final 3 innings of the game. St. Lucie went 3 for 7 (.429) with RISP, leaving 5 on base. Reese Havens (0 for 4, 2 Ks, .226), and Greg Veloz, dropped further into the 7 hole (0 for 3, BB, .231) both took 0-fers.

cf Kirk Nieuwenhuis 1 for 4, run, .251
1b Stefan Welch 2 for 4, 2 runs, 2b (6), RBI (19), .344
3b Zach Lutz 1 for 4, run, HR (8), 3 RBI (44), .283
rf Carlos Guzman 1 for 4, RBI, K, .258
c Francisco Pena 1 for 4, K, .219
lf Seth Williams 1 for 3, .292
2b Hector Pellot 1 for 2, run, .261
Scott Shaw 9 IP, 4 H, ER, 7 Ks, 3.72 era, W (5-7), 11:8:7

SAL A: Savannah 2/7/0, Bowling Green 3/5/0

Chris Schwinden had a very good outing tonight, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits in 7+ innings, and left with a 2-1 lead, but Jacob Goldberg allowed his IHR to score in the 8th, and then allowed another run of his to score, taking the loss. Schwinden, despite a) being semi-old for the league, and b) not having any sort of arsenal, has put up a very respectable season, with 8 wins and 3.38 era in 96 innings.

The Gnats offense managed just 7 hits, but did draw 5 walks, but were 0 for 8 with RISP, and left 10 on base. Raul Reyes (0 for 3, 2 BBs, K, .247), Jefry Marte, Josh Satin (0 for 5, K, .297), Wilmer Flores, and Eric Campbell (0 for 4, .255) all took 0-fers, while Sean Ratliff (2), Jordan Abruzzo (2) and Jean Luc Blaquiere (2) had multi hit games.

3b Jefry Marte 0 for 5, .236
cf Sean Ratliff 2 for 3, run, 2b (24), HR (14), RBI, BB, K, .284
ss Wilmer Flores 0 for 3, BB, K, .278
dh Jordan Abruzzo 2 for 4, 2b (4), .225
c Jean Luc Blaquiere 2 for 3, run, 2b (9), BB, .214
lf Joey August 1 for 3, 2b (1), RBI (7), K, .226
Chris Schwinden 7 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1/4 BB/K, 3.38 era, 3:14:4
Jacob Goldberg 2 IP, 2 H, ER, 2.97 era, BS (1), L (1-1), 1:4:0


NYPL A-: Brooklyn 0/4/2, Staten Island 5/8/1, Game 1

Jim Fuller went the distance (6 innings), giving up all 8 hits and 5 runs (4 earned) to take his 4th loss of the season. The outing pushed his ERA over 2, to 2.16.

The Cyclones had just 4 hits on the day, and were 0 for 2 with RISP, leaving 3 on base. Each of the front 4 in the order had a hit, the back 5 all went hitless.

cf Justin Garber 1 for 3, 2 Ks, .245
2b Jake Eigsti 1 for 3
1b Sam Honeck 1 for 3, .315
rf Luis Rivera 1 for 3, 2b, K, .305
3b Tyler Vaughn 0 for 3, .309
lf Nick Santomauro 0 for 3, K, .232
dh Nick Giarraputo 0 for 2, .194
ss Robbie Shields 0 for 2, .161
c Juan Centeno 0 for 2, .167

Jim Fuller 6 IP, 8 H, 5/4 R/ER, 2/5 BB/K, HR, 2.16 era, L (3-4), 8:4:5

NYPL A-: Brooklyn 1/4/0, Staten Island 3/4/0, Game 2

A waste of a day for the Cyclones offense, over the two games, they gathered just a run on 9 hits, and one walk (in this game). Brandon Moore started for the Cyclones in the nightcap, and he gave up 3 runs on 4 hits over 5 innings to pick up his 2nd loss. Erik Turgeon pitched a perfect 6th, but the Cyclones mustered little to no offense, managing just 4 hits and a walk, while going 0 for 4 with RISP and leaving 4 on base. Luis Rivera (1 for 3, run, K, .306), Nick Giarraputo (2 for 3, K, .208) and Alex Gregory (1 for 3, K, .271) had the hits for the Cyclones in the nightcap.

2b Luis Nieves 0 for 3, 3 Ks, .142
ss Jacob Eigsti 0 for 3, K, .167
1b Sam Honeck 0 for 2, BB, .311
c Dock Doyle 0 for 3, .250
dh Ralph Henriquez 0 for 3, RBI, K, .206
cf John Servidio 0 for 2, K, .185
Brandon Moore 5 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1/9 BB/K, 2 HR, 2.50 era, L (4-2), 4:1:9
Erik Turgeon IP, 0.87 era, 3:

APPY R: Kingsport 17/21/0, Greeneville 7/9/0

Tip: If you're going to give up runs in bunches, score 15+, you'll win alot. Every member of the Mets lineup had at least one hit tonight, with 7 recording multi hit games, and 2 recording 4 hit games. 7 different players drove in at least a run tonight, and 7 scored at least 2. In short, it was a party.

Yohan Almonte had a good (if short) outing tonight, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits in 5 innings for his first Appy victory (in his best start).

lf John Semel 2 for 5, 2 runs, 2 BBs, K, .233
2b Alonzo Harris 2 for 6, 2 runs, HR (8), 3 RBI (27), K, .306
3b Richard Lucas 2 for 4, 2 runs, 3 RBI (12), 2 BBs, .425
1b Jeff Flagg 1 for 4, 2 RBI, 3 Ks, .328
>>ph, 1b Juan Torres 2 for 2, 2b (1), 3 RBI (5), .476
cf RJ Harris 1 for 4, 2 runs, 2 BBs, .273
rf Cesar Puello 2 for 5, 3 runs, K, .294
c John Freeman 4 for 5, 2 2b, 2 RBI, BB, K, .202
dh Pedro Zapata 1 for 6, 3 runs, RBI, K, .329
ss Gered Mochizuki 4 for 5, 3 runs, 2b, 2 RBI, BB, .240
Yohan Almonte 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1/2 BB/K, 6.60 era, W (1-1), 6:5:2
Chris Hilliard 3 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2/2 BB/K, 2.90 era, 3:4:2
Brian Needham IP, H, 2 ER, BB, K, HR, 6.75 era, 2:0:1

7/31 Minor League Report! LUCAS!

INT AAA: Buffalo 3/9, Pawtucket 4/5

2b Argenis Reyes 0 for 4, .255
cf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 4, run, .312
lf Nick Evans 1 for 4, K, .157
rf Chip Ambres 2 for 4, run, 2b, K, .244
1b Mike Lamb 3 for 4, RBI, .245
c Rene Rivera 0 for 4, .247
dh Javier Castillo 1 for 3, .262
3b Andy Green 1 for 3, run, HR, RBI, .207
ss Wilson Valdez 0 for 3, .219
Tobi Stoner 7 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3/2 BB/K, HR, 4.39 era, L (3-5), 97:63:34, 6:11:2
Eddie Kunz 0.2 IP, H, ER, BB, HR, 3.95 era, 15:8:7, 1:0:0
Atuaro Lopez 1.1 IP, BB, 5.59 era

EL AA: Binghamton 3/7/3, Akron 16/18/2

Jacob Ruckle was the first of 4 BMet pitchers, and all 4 gave up multiple runs, as the Mets got oblierated 16-3 tonight. Ruckle gave up 8 hits and 7 runs (6 earned) in 4.1 innings for his 3rd loss, but he wasn't alone in the carnage tonight. In total, Met pitching walked 4, and allowed 18 hits.

The Mets went 3 for 9 with RISP, leaving 7 on base. Lucas Duda (2) had the only multi hit game, while Ruben Tejada (0 for 4, K, .280), Salvador Paniagua (0 for 4, K, .198) and Emmanuel Garcia (0 for 4, run, .259) took 0-fers.

2b Jose Coronado 1 for 5, RBI, 2 Ks, .261
c Josh Thole 1 for 3, run, 2b (25), RBI (39), .347
1b Ike Davis 1 for 4, 2b (9), RBI (28), K, .304
rf Caleb Stewart 1 for 3, BB, .198
lf Lucas Duda 2 for 4, 2b (24), K, .277
3b Jon Malo 1 for 4, run, K, .259
Jacob Ruckle 4.1 IP, 8 H, 7/6 R/ER, 2/4 BB/K, 2 HR, 8.26 era, L (1-3), 2:6:4
Emary Frederick 2 IP, 2 H, 2/1 R/ER, BB, 5.40 era, 2:4
Edgar Alfonzo 1.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1/2 BB/K, HR, 3.74 era, 1:2:2
Roy Merritt IP, 4 H, 4/2 R/ER, 4.11 era, 2:1

FSL A+: St. Lucie 3/4/3, Lakeland 5/5/4

The big story tonight was Billy Wagner pitching an inning of relief, he threw 10 pitches, 8 strikes, and struck out a pair in a perfect 7th. The bounceback is almost as important, so how Wagner feels tomorrow will be a key test.

Wagner relieved Tim Stronach, who since his near perfect game/no hitter has turned in 2 less then stellar starts, tonight giving up 5 hits and 4 runs (2 earned) in 6 innings for his 3rd loss. Josh Stinson finished up with 2 innings of hitless relief, around an UER.

The Mets had just 4 hits and 3 walks in the game, while going 0 for 9 with RISP, leaving 7 on base. Kirk Nieuwenhuis (1 for 4, run, K, .251), Zach Lutz (2 for 4, .283) and Francisco Pena (1 for 4, run, .219) had the hits for the Mets.

Hector Pellot 0 for 4, RBI, .259
>>ph Greg Veloz 0 for 1, .233
ss Reese Havens 0 for 3, BB, K, .229
1b Stefan Welch 0 for 4, RBI, .337
rf Carlos Guzman 0 for 2, run, 2 BBs, .258
lf Seth Williams 0 for 3, K, .291
dh Brahiam Maldonado 0 for 3, RBI, K, .248
Tim Stronach 6 IP, 5 H, 4/2 R/ER, 3/3 BB/K, HR, 3.97 era, L (1-3), 8:7:3
BILLY WAGNER IP, 2 Ks, 0.00 era, 1:0:2
Josh Stinson 2 IP, R, 2 Ks, 2.50 era, 3:1:2

SAL A: Savannah 2/7/3, Bowling Green 11/11/1

Lance Hoge got oblierated for 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits in 4 innings for the loss tonight, his 2nd, as Savannah gave up 11 runs on 11 hits, 4 walks and 3 errors.

The Gnats had 7 hits and 5 walks, while going just 2 for 11 with RISP. Jefry Marte, in addition to going an 0-fer, also committed his 38th and 39th official errors of the season. Josh Satin (0 for 3, run, 2 BBs, K, .302), and Jordan Abruzzo (0 for 4, 2 Ks, .212) also took 0-fers, while Wilmer had the only multi hit game.

rf Raul Reyes 1 for 3, 2b, 2 BBs, K, .250
ss Wilmer Flores 2 for 4, run, 2 2b (17), RBI (29), K, .281
cf Sean Ratliff 1 for 4, RBI (62), K, .281
1b Eric Campbell 1 for 4, 2b, K, .259
c Jean Luc Blaquiere 1 for 4, 2b, K, .207
lf Joey August 1 for 3, BB, K, .220
Lance Hoge 4 IP, 5 H, 5/4 R/ER, 3 Ks, HR, 6.75 era, L (0-2), 5:4:3
Phillips Orta 2 IP, 2 H, 3/2 R/ER, 2/2 BB/K, 4.66 era, 1:3:2
Tim Smith 2 IP, 3 H, 3/1 R/ER, BB, K, 5.87 era, 3:2:1
Rhiner Cruz IP, H, BB, K, 1.86 era, 0:2:1

Kingsport 10/18/0, Greeneville 2/3/5

This is what happens when the pitching for the Mets shows up, when combined with their powerful offense. Blowout. The Mets, along with their 18 hits, drew 4 walks while going 9 for 19 (.474) with RISP, leaving 9 on base. Alonzo Harris (0 for 5, .305) took the only 0-fer. He, John Semel (1) and Gerad Mochizuki (1) were the only Mets to fail registering a multi hit game.

The beneficiary of the offensive explosion tonight was Eduardo Aldama, who picked up his 3rd win with 5 innings of 3 hit, 2 run ball. Angel Cuan pitched 3 hitless innings in relief, with 6 Ks.

lf John Semel 1 for 5, run, BB, .224
3b Richard Lucas 2 for 2, 3 runs, HR (2), RBI (9), 3 BBs, .417
1b Jeff Flagg 2 for 5, run, RBI, 2 Ks, .331
dh RJ Harris 4 for 5, run, HR (3), 3 RBI (17), .274
rf Cesar Puello 2 for 5, run, RBI (13), .289
c John Freeman 3 for 5, run, 2b, RBI, K, .165
cf Pedro Zapata 3 for 5, run, 2b (3), 2 RBI (7), K, .343
ss Gerad Mochizuki 1 for 5, run, 2b, RBI, 2 Ks, .209
Eduardo Aldama 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1/7 BB/K, HR, 5.17 era, W (3-0), 6:2:7
Angel Cuan 3 IP, 1/6 BB/K, 3.64 era, 1:2:6
Zach Von Tersch IP, K, 6.75 era, 0:2:1

7/18 Minor League Report! NIESE, Holt, Beaulac, HONECK, HARRIS, LUCAS

Buffalo 1, Toledo 0

Jon Niese is a straight up PIMP. He fired another complete game shutout (OK, so this one was of the 7 inning variety), allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks, and lowering his season's ERA underneath 4. Over his last 8 starts, Niese has gone 5-1, with a 0.96 era. Spanning 56.1 innings, Niese has allowed just 40 hits, with 12 walks and 46 strikeouts.

2b Argenis Reyes 0 for 3, .300
lf Jesus Feliciano 0 for 3, .305
cf Cory Sullivan 1 for 3, run, .290
ss Javier Castillo 1 for 3, 2b, K, .277
dh Emil Brown 1 for 2, BB, .256
1b Nick Evans 1 for 2, RBI, .126 (4 for 12 since returning to Buffalo)
3b Mike Lamb 0 for 2, K, .230
rf Chip Ambres 0 for 2, .231
c Rene Rivera 0 for 2, K, .242
Jon Niese 7 IP, 2 H, 2/2 BB/K, 3.82 era, W (5-6), 87:56:29, 15:4:2

Buffalo 2, Toledo 0

Two CG shutouts today for Buffalo, Nelson Figueroa does the honors in the night game.

2b Argenis Reyes 0 for 3, .294
lf Jesus Feliciano 2 for 3, .309
cf Cory Sullivan 1 for 3, .291
dh Javier Castillo 0 for 3, K, .274
rf Emil Brown 1 for 3, run, .258
1b Nick Evans 0 for 2, K, .124 (4 for 14)
3b Mike Lamb 2 for 2, run, 2 2b, RBI, .237
c Robinson Cancel 0 for 2, K, .217
ss Wilson Valdez 0 for 1, RBI, .206
Nelson Figueroa 7 IP, 7 H, 5 Ks, 2.32 era, W (6-4), 92:69:23, 6:10:5

Binghamton 4, Erie 2

Brad Holt had a very good outing today, giving up just 2 runs on 6 hits with 7 strikeouts in 6.2 innings for his second EL victory. Connor Robertson pitched a scoreless 9th for his 4th save in Binghamton.

The Mets offense had 11 hits and 2 walks, while going just 2 for 10 with RISP, leaving 6 on base. Ike Davis (2), Caleb Stewart (2), and Jon Malo (2) had multi hit games, while Josh Thole (0 for 3, BB, .342) took the only 0-fer, in his first game off the DL (he's been out since 6/30).

cf Emmanuel Garcia 1 for 4, .272
1b Ike Davis 2 for 4, run, HR (4), RBI (18), .278
dh Lucas Duda 1 for 4, run, HR (6), RBI (43), K, .284
rf Caleb Stewart 2 for 4, run, 2b, .212
lf DJ Wabick 1 for 3, BB, .291
3b Jon Malo 2 for 4, run, RBI, .261
ss Ruben Tejada 1 for 3, .272
2b Jose Coronado 1 for 2, RBI, .247
Brad Holt 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2/7 BB/K, HR, 5.02 era, W (2-3), 3:8:7
Edgar Alfonzo 1.1 IP, 2 H, K, 3.28 era, 1:2:1
Connor Robertson IP, H, 3 Ks, 3.38 era, SV (4)

St. Lucie 0, Daytona 3

St. Lucie was 2 hit tonight, and despite a decent outing from Scott Moviel, 3 runs in 6 innings, he took the loss, his 3rd without a win. Zach Lutz (1 for 3, K, .275) and Rafael Arroyo (1 for 3, 2 Ks, .098) had the only hits for the Mets, who struck out 14 times tonight, and were 0 for 10 with RISP, leaving 8 on base (4 walks, 2 errors, 2 hits account for the runners).

2b Hector Pellot 0 for 3, BB, K, .272
3b Greg Veloz 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .249
cf Kirk Nieuwenhuis 0 for 3, BB, 2 Ks, .240
rf Carlos Guzman 0 for 4, 3 Ks, .263
1b Stefan Welch 0 for 3, BB, K, .422 (snapped an 11 game hitting streak)
lf Brahiam Maldonado 0 for 3, BB, 2 Ks, .243
ss Jake Eigsti 0 for 4, 3 Ks, .227
Scott Moviel 6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, BB, 5 HBP, 6.05 era, L (0-3), 9:8:0
Stephen Clyne 2 IP, 2 H, 1/3 BB/K, 1.83 era, 2:1:3
Manuel Alvarez IP, H, 2.25 era, 0:3

Savannah 5, Hickory 2

Eric Beaulac was in command today, allowing just a hit and 2 UER (Rafael Fernandez, Jefry Marte, Jean Luc Blaquiere errors, Marte's 35th) over 5.2 innings for his 6th win of the season. Rhiner Cruz worked 1.2 innings to pick up his 18th save of the season.

The Gnats offense had 9 hits and drew 5 walks (3 of them off our old farmhand Corey Ragsdale, who's pitching now), while going 4 for 13 with RISP (.308), leaving 10 on base. Jefry Marte (2) and Wilmer Flores (2) had multi hit games, while Rafael Fernandez (0 for 5, 3 Ks, .254) and Raul Reyes (0 for 4, .257) took 0-fers. It was Fernandez' first game since 6/28.

3b Jefry Marte 2 for 4, run, 2b, BB, .239
dh Jordan Abruzzo 1 for 5, run, 2b, .211
ss Wilmer Flores 2 for 4, 2 runs, RBI, .278
cf Sean Ratliff 1 for 2, run, 2 BBs, .271
1b Eric Campbell 1 for 3, RBI, .266
2b Josh Satin 1 for 2, 2 RBI, 2 BBs, .291
c Jean Luc Blaquiere 1 for 4, .212
Eric Beaulac 5.2 IP, H, 2 R, 2/7 BB/K, 2.44 era, W (6-5), 4:7:7
Manuel Olivares 1.2 IP, 1/2 BB/K, 3.17 era, 2:1:2
Rhiner Cruz 1.2 IP, H, K, 1.96 era, SV (18), 1:3:1

Brooklyn 11, Auburn 3

The Cyclones hammered out 11 hits and drew 4 walks en route to an 11-3 pasting of Auburn tonight. The Conies were just 4 for 8 with RISP, and left 4 on base, but blasted 4 homers, 2 by John Servidio, accounting for 5 of their 11 runs. Sam Honeck, Tyler Vaughn and Sevidio had multi hit games, while Luis Rivera (0 for 3, BB, .310), Robbie Shields (0 for 4, .071) and Juan Centeno (0 for 4, 2 Ks, .194) took 0-fers.

Mark Cohoon was the beneficiary of the offensive outburst, he picked up the win, his 5th, going

cf Justin Garber 1 for 4, 2 runs, 2 Ks, .357
2b Andy Green 1 for 2, 3 runs, HR, 2 RBI, 3 BBs, .304
1b Sam Honeck 3 for 5, run, 2b, 3 RBI, .337
dh Dock Doyle 1 for 4, RBI, .261
3b Tyler Vaughn 3 for 4, 2 runs, HR, 2 RBI, .500
rf John Servidio 2 for 3, 3 runs, 2 HR, 3 RBI, K, .218
Mark Cohoon 6 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 1/5 BB/K, 2.48 era, W (5-1), 7:4:5
Brandon Sage 2 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 Ks, 0.90 era, 1:3:2
Lance Hoge IP, BB, 2.31 era, 2:1

Kingsport 15, Greeneville 5

The Mets overwhelmed Greeneville tonight, scoring in 6 consecutive innings (2 to 7, 2-3-3-4-1-1), and adding 1 in the 9th for good measure. Darrell Ceciliani (2), Richard Lucas (1), and Kurt Steinhauer (1) all homered and had multi hit games. For Steinhauer, it was his first professional homer. Alonzo Harris (3) also had a multi hit game, as every regular contributed with a hit. The Mets were 5 for 14 (.357) with RISP, and left 6 men on base. Eduardo Aldama picked up a cheap win, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks in 5 innings.

cf Darrell Ceciliani 2 for 6, 2 runs, 2b, HR, 3 RBI (6), K, .222
2b Alonzo Harris 3 for 4, 3 runs, 3b (3), RBI (20), 2 BBs, .290
1b Jeff Flagg 1 for 5, run, RBI, K, .351
rf Cesar Puello 1 for 5, run, 2b, 2 RBI (9), K, .291
ss Ryan Mollica 1 for 4, run, RBI, .274
3b Richard Lucas 3 for 5, 2 runs, 2b, HR, 2 RBI, 2 Ks (season debut)
lf John Semel 1 for 4, run, RBI, BB, .258
c Tyler Howe 1 for 2, 2 ru ns, 2 BBs, .286
dh Kurt Steinhauer 3 for 5, 2 runs, HR, 2 RBI, .417
Eduardo Aldama 5 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 3/1 BB/K, 5.18 era, W (2-0), 8:4:1
Jonathan White 2 IP, 2 H, 2 Ks, 7.71 era, 3:1:2
Sam Taveras IP, H, ER, BB, 6.30 era, 1:2
Bobby Gagg IP, 3 Ks, 0.00 era

GCL
Mets 1, Astros 4

ss Wilfredo Tovar 0 for 4, .267
2b Ray Van Gurp 1 for 4, .255
3b Mark Kiger 0 for 2, 2 BBs, .000
lf Julio Concepcion 2 for 4, K, .294
c Nelfi Zapata 0 for 4, K, .340 (Zapatawwwwwww)
cf Javier Rodriguez 0 for 4, K, .063
dh Charlie Hinojosa 2 for 3, 2b, .405
pr, dh Chase Greene run, BB, .000
1b Marinus Vernooij 2 for 4, K, .233
rf ZeErika Hall 3 for 4, RBI, K, .316
Orlando Tovar 6.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1/5 BB/K, 3.80 era, L (1-1), 10:3:5
Daniel Peralta H, 2 BBs, 3.46 era
William Rackel 1.2 IP, BB, 5.40 era, 4:1

MPH System Audit III - Part II (Corner Infielders)

Corner Infielders

1. Dan Murphy 4/1/85 (23.83) L/R (AA Binghamton .308/.374/.496/.870, 110 for 357, 56 runs, 26 2b, 3b, 13 HR, 67 RBI, 39/46 BB/K, 14/19 SBs, MLB New York .313/.397/.473/.871, 41 for 131, 24 runs, 9 2b, 3 3b, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 18/28 BB/K, AFL Peoria Saguaros 25 for 63, 22 runs, 8 2b, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 13/6 BB/K, .397/.487/.619/1.106)

Total 2008 Stats : .319/.394/.505/.898, 176 for 551, 102 runs, 43 2b, 4 3b, 17 HR, 102 RBI, 70/80 BB/K, .145 K rate, .8750 BB/K ratio,

Murphy was selected in the 13th round of the 2006 draft out of Jacksonville University, where as a junior, he hit .398/.470/.534/1.004 with 10 2b, 3b, 6 HR in 221 ABs. He also stole 15/22 bases, and had a ridiculous 34/13 BB/K ratio. His K rate was an absurdly low .0588, and his BB/K ratio was an equally absurd 2.6154. He throws right and bats lefty.

He has shown a history of vast improvement in his plate discipline. His freshman year at Jacksonville, he hit .377/.455/.506/.961, with 5 2b, 3b, HR, in 77 ABs. He struck out 13 times, a K rate of .168, and a 9/13 BB/K ratio, or 0.6923. His sophomore season, he hit .329/.381/.429/.810, with 12 2b, 2 3b, 2 HR in 219 ABs, and a 11/23 BB/K ratio. His K rate was .105, and his BB/K ratio was 0.4783.

After the Mets took him, he played at 3 levels, Kingsport, Brooklyn, and the GCL. Overall, he batted .213/.315/.300/.615 in 80 ABs. He had a 12/7 BB/K ratio, and a 0.0875 K rate, and a 1.7143 BB/K ratio.

In 2007, Murphy was in St. Lucie, and he batted .287/.342/.429/.771 in 513 ABs, with 34 2b, 3 3b and 11 HR. He had a BB/K ratio of 44/63, or 0.6984. His K rate was .123. His lefty/righty splits show that he is more adapt at hitting RHP.

Murphy hit .257/.314/.362/.676 vs LHP, 39 for 152, with 5 2b, 3b, 3 HR, and an 11/19 BB/K ratio, or 0.5789. His K rate vs LHP was .132. Versus RHP, he hit .299/.353/.457/.810, 108 for 361, with 29 2b, 2 3b, 8 HR and a 33/44 BB/K ratio, or 0.7500. His K rate vs RHP was .122.

THE FUTURE: Murphy should be manning third base for the Binghamton Mets in 2008, and as with Mike Carp, how well he hits lefties will determine his future. Both Carp and Murphy can abuse RHP, however, how they fare vs LHP will determine whether they truly emerge as serious contenders to man 1b for the Mets in 2009.

UPDATE 2008: Murphy's enjoyed a meteroic rise through the farm system in 2008, and is in a LF platoon (with Nick Evans) for the Mets. As predicted (really it wasn't that much of a guess), Murphy opened the year in Binghamton, manning 3b. However, in late June, as Murphy emerged as a legit bat, the Mets opted to try Daniel at 2b, with mixed results (5 errors in 15 games). Then in August, Marlon Anderson's hamstring, which had never fully healed, flared up, which cleared the way for Murphy's callup. Since arriving in New York (Houston, actually), he has not stopped hitting, putting up a ridiculous .404/.491/.617/1.108 line through 47 ABs. What has really impressed Mets brass (and fans, for that matter) is Murphy's extraordinaryly advanced batting eye, he's got an 8/7 BB/K in the majors.

As we said, Murphy started out in Binghamton, where he put up a great .308/.374/.496/.870 line in 357 ABs. Counting his 14 AB rehab stint in Brooklyn, and his 4 AB cameo in New Orleans, Murphy's hitting .315/.379/.493/.872 (117 for 372, 26 2b, 3b, 13 HR, 39/48 BB/K) in the minor leagues this year, with a .8125 BB/K ratio, and a .129 K rate). As we highlighted last year, Murphy fared much better against RHP then LHP (.676 OPS vs LHP, .810 vs RHP). Well, Murphy turned that around in a big way this season. Against LHP this year, he hit .305/.363/.481/.844 (40 for 131, 9 2b, 3b, 4 HR, 10/18 BB/K), with a .5556 BB/K ratio, and a .137 K rate. Versus RHP, he hit .320/.385/.502/.887 (77 for 241, 17 2b, 9 HR, 29/30 BB/K), with a great .9667 BB/K ratio, and .125 K rate. As you can see from the numbers, Murphy's also improved his power this season, he hit 11 HR all of last year, and has 15 this season between the minors and majors. Also good, this improvement in power has not come at the expense of his K rate (.123 in 2007, .129 in 2008).

Over Murphy's 2+ seasons in the minor leagues, he's gotten just under 1000 ABs (965), and put up a decent line: .291/.353/.444/.797 (281 for 965, 61 2b, 4 3b, 26 HR, 95/118 BB/K), and has hit better versus RHP then LHP (.300/.364/.468/.832 vs RHP in 643 ABs, .273/.331/.394/.725 in 322 ABs vs LHP)

By now, we all know what the Irish Hammer (as I've seen him called on occasion) can do with the bat. Straight out of AA and into the heat of a pennant race, Daniel Murphy batted .313/.397/.473/.870 in 131 big league ABs, and showed absolutely none of what you'd expect out of a rookie, instead looking like a chiseled 10 year veteran from AB #1. With a smooth level lefty swing and power to all fields, Murphy is a line drive hitter with good patience at the plate. Murphy won't steal many bases in the majors (14 of 19 in AA), but he is an intelligent runner who won't run himself into outs.

Murphy's defense is the one question mark in his game, whether it be at third, second, first or left. He played third base all throughout his minor league career, but obviously will not be manning that position in the majors. Right now, he is expected to be the fulltime left fielder, but an eventual move to first base after the season is definitely in the realm of possiblities. Murphy is a finished product at the plate, although he may learn to hit for more power as he learns the pitchers around the league, he likely won't ever crack more then 20 homers in a season. Murphy's in the majors, and likely to stay for a long long time, at whatever position the Mets eventually stick him at. The bottom line is Daniel Murphy will hit, and that will keep him in the majors.

THE NEW FUTURE: The Mets have indicated they will be sending Murphy to winterball to play LF, which means that they view him as an answer to the LF spot in 2009. And as we've seen in his brief time in the majors, he stays in very well against lefties. This would afford top prospect Fernando Martinez a full season in AAA, too.

2. Nick Evans 1/30/86 (23) R/R (AA Binghamton .311/.365/.561/.926, 92 for 296, 52 runs, 18 2b, 7 3b, 14 HR, 53 RBI, 26/64 BB/K, MLB New York .257/.303/.404/.706, 28 for 109, 18 runs, 10 2b, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 7/24 BB/K)

Total 2008 Stats: .296/.348/.519/.867, 120 for 405, 70 runs, 28 2b, 7 3b, 16 HR, 62 RBI, 33/88 BB/K, 217 K rate, .3750 BB/K ratio,

Splits courtesy www.minorleaguesplits.com

Evans was drafted in the 5th round out of St. Mary's High in Phoenix, in 2004. He signed and went to the Gulf Coast League, where he hit .258/.311/.462 in 50 games. He opened 2005 with Kingsport in the Appalachian League, and hit .344/.382/.734 in 15 games, before being promoted to Brooklyn, where he hit .252/.302/.407/.709 (57 for 226, 30 runs, 11 2b, 3 3b, 6 HR, 33 RBI, 17/34 BB/K) in 57 games, for a 0.50 BB/K ratio, and a very good .150 K rate. Evans hit pretty evenly against both lefties and righties, in terms of average, but performed better in the OBP and SLG departments against LHP. He hit .260/.373/.440/.813 (13 for 50, 5 2b, 2 3b, 9/9 BB/K) against LHP, a 1.00 BB/K ratio, and an equally good .180 K rate. Against RHP, he hit .250/.280/.398/.678 (44 for 176, 6 2b, 3b, 6 HR, 8/25 BB/K), with a 0.32 BB/K ratio, not so good, but with a very good .142 K rate.

Overall in 2005, Nick hit .272/.319/.479/.798 (79 for 290, 41 runs, 18 2b, 3 3b, 12 HR, 55 RBI, 21/51 BB/K), for a .4118 BB/K ratio, and an excellent .176 K rate. Nick hit .269/.355/.493/.848 against LHP (18 for 67, 5 2b, 2 3b, 2 HR, 9/13 BB/K), with a BB/K ratio of 0.6923, and a K rate of .194. Against RHP, he hit .274/.308/.475/.783 (61 for 223, 13 2b, 3b, 10 HR, 12/38 BB/K) with a BB/K ratio of .3158, and a K rate of .170. Extremely good K rates for a 19 year old playing the majority of his games in the pitching friendly confines of Keyspan Park, not to mention against kids 2-3 years older then he was.

2006 saw Nick promoted to full season A ball, in Hagerstown of the Sally League, where he hit .254/.320/.419/.739 (130 for 511, 55 runs, 33 2b, 3 3b, 15 HR, 67 RBI, 45/99 BB/K), for a .4545 BB/K ratio, and a still very good .193 K rate.

His L/R splits were very evenly distributed in 2006, with a .739 OPS against LHP and a .740 against RHP. He hit .254/.307/.432/.739 (30 for 118, 8 2b, 2 3b, 3 HR, 9/20 BB/K), with a 0.45 BB/K ratio, and a .169 K rate. Against RHP, he hit .258/.321/.419/.740 (99 for 384, 24 2b, 3b, 12 HR, 31/77 BB/K), with a .4026 BB/K ratio, and a still very low .201 K rate. Evans started off very slowly in full season ball, hitting just .226 over the first two months (43 for 190), with a woeful 7/46 BB/K ratio, but picked it up tremendously over the 2nd half of the season, hitting .278 from June 1st on (84 for 302, including a .364/.430/.705 clip in June), with a very good 33/51 BB/K ratio.

And now we come to Evans' breakout 2007 campaign in St. Lucie (high A, FSL). Evans hit .286/.374/.476/.850 (108 for 378, 65 runs, 25 2b, 3b, 15 HR, 54 RBI, 53/64 BB/K), setting career highs in virtually every major offensive category (AVG, OBP, SLG, OPS, tying in HR, BBs, and least Ks). Most impressivee about Evans 2007 season was his vastly improved plate discipline. He had a sterling .8281 BB/K ratio, easily the highest of his career, while his K rate of .169 was the second lowest of his career (Brooklyn 05).

Evans obliterated LHP to the tune of .343/.431/.581/1.012 (36 for 105, 13 2b, 4 HR, 17/12 BB/K), a great 1.4167 BB/K ratio, and an equally great .114 K rate. Against RHP, he hit a still very solid .271/.361/.454/.815 (77 for 284, 17 2b, 3b, 11 HR, 38/54 BB/K), for a BB/K ratio of .7037, and a K rate of .190.

Evans began the 2008 season in Binghamton, and he was mashing from the season opener, ending April with a .904 OPS. Evans received a surprise callup in May, and went 3 for 4 with 3 2b in his first major league game, before a deep slump, concluding with him being sent back down, where he mashed in June to the tune of a .999 OPS. Evans played 7 games in July before being recalled for a second time, and is right now the righthanded platoon partner of Daniel Murphy in LF.

Evans hit .311/.365/.561/.926 in AA over 75 games (92 for 296, 52 runs, 18 2b, 7 3b, 14 HR, 53 RBI, 26/64 BB/K), and if he had enough ABs, he would've finished in the top 5 in AVG, SLG and OPS in the Eastern League. Evans did regress slightly in his plate discipline, with a .4063 BB/K ratio in AA, and a .216 K rate. However, when he was getting consistent playing time in the minors, he put up a 17/32 BB/K ratio (.5313 BB/K, .189 K rate), and his BB/K was 1.00 in May (10/10), his K rate was .133.

Evans crushed LHP in AA, hitting an absurd .366/.438/.699/1.137 (34 for 93, 22 runs, 4 2b, 3 3b, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 12/20 BB/K), a 0.600 BB/K ratio, and a .215 K rate. Against RHP, Evans improved significantly, hitting .286/.330/.498/.828 (58 for 203, 30 runs, 14 2b, 4 3b, 7 HR, 34 RBI, 14/44 BB/K), with a .3182 BB/K ratio and a .217 K rate.

Evans, who had improved his month to month consistency in 2007, advanced markedly in that department during the 2008 season (.904 April, .880 May, .999 June, .882 July). He has a very good opposite field approach, as we saw in the majors, and struggles to pull at times, although he became more proficient at it later in the season. Despite relapsing some in the plate discipline department (53/64 in St. Lucie, 26/64 in Binghamton), he compensated with a much higher SLG, (.476 in St. Lucie, .576 in Binghamton). It remains to be seen how well Evans hits RHP, that will determine if he ends up as a lefty killer in the majors, or a full time regular.

Evans is a gold glove caliber first baseman, with soft hands and good range to both sides. In left field, he does not have good range, and his arm, while strong enough for first base, becomes a major liabilty due to very poor throwing mechanics.

Evans, who made his debut in 2008, should find himself playing 1b and LF in Buffalo this season, unless he goes 3 for 4 in every spring training game (as he did in today's opener).

THE FUTURE: The future very much is up in the air for Evans, depending on where he fits in with the future plans of the Mets. His surprise call up, and his continued mashing of LHP in the majors (23 for 70, 15 runs, 8 2b, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 6/15 BB/K, .329/.390/.529/.919) could make him a very attractive platoon partner in some sort of OF combination in 2009, but the Mets may want him in Buffalo to become more proficient against RHP (5 for 37, 3 runs, 2 2b, 4 RBI, 1/9 BB/K, .135/.150/.189/.349). Of course, he hasn't exactly been given a prolonged chance to hit RHP in the majors. My best guess would be Evans is either traded, or in Buffalo for the 2009 season.

3. Jefry Marte 6/21/91 (17.58) R/R (R GCL .325/.389/.532/.930, 50 for 154, 29 runs, 14 2b, 3 3b, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 13/30 BB/K, .195 K rate, .4333 BB/K ratio)

Marte was signed in the same International Free Agent class that produced Wilmer Flores and Cesar Puello, however, unlike Flores, he spent the 2008 season in the GCL, where he tore shit up, hitting .325/.389/.532/.930 in 154 ABs.

Marte already has shown the ability to hit for average and power and seems to only have scratched the surface of his capabilities. Advanced for his age mentally, but with plenty of maturing to go physically, the 6-foot-1, 187-pounder has huge projection.

"He already has a good swing and a strong body, but I can see him growing and getting even bigger and stronger," GCL Mets manager Bobby Floyd said. "He is going to have some real power."

Marte showed a good approach at the plate, as he rarely chased curveballs out of the zone. An average runner with good instincts, he'll steal an occasional base. While he made 19 errors at third base, he projects as an average defender with average arm strength.

Marte has excellent power, due to his frame (6'1/187), and should add more power as he fills out over time. As it is, he blasted 21 XBH in just 154 ABs in the GCL, posting a .930 OPS. Despite posting a .320+ average, he does need to work on his swing, as it is very long, which means a majority of his power is to the pull side. Marte did not strike out at an alarming rate despite his long swing, just a .195 K rate, but as he advances through the system, he may have trouble with advanced offspeed pitches.

Marte's defense is as raw as his offense. He made 19 errors in just 44 games, but as he gets time to work on it, his defense should improve, as well. He definitely has the arm for third, but he struggles on the backhand side. It is a long way off, but even with Marte, he is blocked by David Wright and as he gets closer to the majors, he will be moved to either first, or a corner outfield spot, where he will definitely hit enough to justify his position. Marte should open 2009 in Savannah, and then ascend one level a season, factoring in a half season for struggles/repetition leaves us with a debut of mid 2013.

4. Ike Davis 3/22/87 (21.88) L/L (Arizona State .385/.457/.742/1.200, 82 for 213, 64 runs, 26 2b, 3b, 16 HR, 76 RBI, 31/34 BB/K, A- Brooklyn .256/.326/.326/.652, 55 for 215, 17 runs, 15 2b, 17 RBI, 23/43 BB/K)

Total 2008 Stats: .320/.393/.533/.926, 137 for 428, 81 runs, 41 2b, 3b, 16 HR, 93 RBI, 54/77 BB/K, .180 K rate, .7013 BB/K ratio)

Davis was drafted with the Mets first pick in the 2008 draft, 18th overall, out of Arizona State where he hit .385/.457/.742/1.200 in 213 ABs. After signing for $1,575,000, the Mets sent Davis to Brooklyn, where he had a disasterous half season, slumping mightily and hitting just .256/.326/.326 with 0 homers and 15 2b in 215 ABs.

There is some talk within the organization that Davis will/should/could open the 2009 season in Savannah, not St. Lucie as is customary for high round college players in their first full season. That would certainly speak to exactly how concerned the Mets are with Davis' performance in Brooklyn.

Davis, despite a terrible showing in Brooklyn, has very good raw power, especially to the pull side. He is not adept at going the other way, which explains why he struggled so mightily at Keyspan Park (.244/.280/.311/.591) vs road games (.271/.377/.344/.721). Keyspan, as we've mentioned many times, is death on lefty power hitters, due to the wind coming in off the ocean to the pull side (right field). Intriguingly, he hit markedly better against LHP (.317/.369/.383/.753) then RHP (.232/.310/.303/.614).

Davis is a good defender at first, he has soft hands and quick feet, enabling him to snare groundballs in the hole. As evidenced by his pitching and playing outfield in college, he has a strong arm. Davis should open 2009 in St. Lucie, although there is some talk within the organization that Davis will/should/could open the 2009 season in Savannah, not St. Lucie as is customary for high round college players in their first full season. That would certainly speak to exactly how concerned the Mets are with Davis' performance in Brooklyn.

5. Lucas Duda 2/3/86 (23) L/R (A+ St. Lucie .263/.358/.398/.755, 127 for 483, 58 runs, 26 2b, 3 3b, 11 HR, 66 RBI, 66/129 BB/K, 2/9 SBs, .267 K rate, .5116 BB/K ratio)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Duda works very deep counts, resulting both in a high number of walks, and a high number of Ks. In Brooklyn (2007), he posted a 36/49 BB/K ratio, and in St. Lucie (2008), he posted a 66/129 BB/K ratio. Duda, who handled LHP very well in Brooklyn, absolutely did not in St. Lucie, something he must improve this upcoming season in Binghamton. Duda has very good power, which he is still developing (.465 SLG vs RHP in 2008). Due to drawing deep counts, there are times Duda is too passive, he needs to learn when to attack his pitch, should he get it.

Duda is a little reckless on the bases, getting caught stealing 7 times in 9 attempts, but given his frame, he runs better then one would expect. This isn't a big area of his game, though, and he shouldn't be counted on for steals. His defense is average, he has a good arm (as evidenced by him playing outfield in college, and early in the season for St. Lucie). He, like Ike Davis, needs to work on his backhand side.

Duda, as we stressed with Mike Carp and Daniel Murphy, needs to find some sort of ability to hit LHP. Even if he were to put up a Carp 08 line in Binghamton vs LHP (.268/.354/.438/.792), or even a little worse, he would automatically become a .285+ hitter due to his prowess against RHP. Duda, as we said, will open 2009 in Binghamton. Figuring all of 09 in AA, and all of 10 in AAA, he should be ready for his MLB debut on opening day in 2011.

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

6. Stefan Welch 8/12/88 (20.46) L/R (R Kingsport .281/.316/.447/.763, 71 for 253, 33 runs, 14 2b, 8 3b, 4 HR, 34 RBI, 11/40 BB/K A Savannah .263/.364/.474/.837, 5 for 19, 4 runs, 2b, HR, 3 RBI, 2/5 BB/K)

Total 2008 Stats: .279/.320/.449/.768, 76 for 272, 37 runs, 15 2b, 8 3b, 5 HR, 37 RBI, 13/45 BB/K, .165 K rate, .2889 BB/K ratio

Welch was an International Free Agent signing by the Mets during the 2006 season. He made his stateside debut the following year, hitting .288/.346/.353/.699 (40 for 139, 16 runs, 9 2b, 12 RBI, 11/22 BB/K) in the GCL. Welch was promoted to Kingsport for his age 19 season, and he did well, hitting .281/.316/.447/.763 in 253 ABs.

7. Zach Lutz 6/3/86 (22.67) R/R (A- Brooklyn .333/.442/.514/.956, 24 for 72, 9 runs, 4 2b, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 14/12 BB/K, .167 K rate, 1.1667 BB/K ratio)

2007: Drafted by the New York Mets in the 5th round (183rd overall) of the 2007 First Year Player Draft...Started in 40 games for the Crusaders...finished 7th in DIII with a .454 batting average...finished 8th in DIII with 12 home runs...ended 2nd in DIII in slugging percentage with a .858 mark...ended 4th in DIII in RBI's per game with 1.49/game...finished 27th in DIII in walks per game with .82/game...also finished 30th in runs per game (1.26) and 91st in doubles per game (.38/game)...had a team season-high 6 hits against Montclair State (3/15 07)...had 17 multiple RBI games...also went 4-2 from the rubber, with a 5.18 ERA in 5 starts...NBCWA National Position Player Of The Year...D3baseball.com National Player of the Year...PAC Player of the Year...Second Team All-American (Utility)...All-PAC First Team infielder...Named PAC Player of the Week (3/19) batted .536 (15-28) with 10 runs scored, three doubles, two triples, and 15 RBIs as the Crusaders started the season 5-3.

Zach compares himself to David Eckstein. He says he may not have the tools other players have, but he always hustles. Sometimes to a fault, as even after games, he will work out, sometimes to excess, causing him to fatigue. The Mets will be using him around the field, from 3rd, to 1st and the OF. He has also played 2nd in his HS and college career.

The one major issue for Lutz has been health, he has not been able to stay on the field (as was the case for Daniel Murphy prior to 2007). When healthy, Lutz was tearing it up this year, hitting .333/.442/.514/.956 in 72 ABs, with 7 XBH and a 14/12 BB/K ratio. By all rights he should be higher up on this list, and were it not for his injury issues, he would be.

Lutz hasn't been healthy enough in his 2 "seasons" in the system to really compile much of a scouting report. From the limited time he has played, he's put up really good numbers: .324/.432/.500/.932 (24 for 74, 9 runs, 4 2b, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 14/12 BB/K). From these numbers, compiled in the NYPL, we can ascertain that he is a good line drive hitter, and runs deep counts, showing patience. He also has good power the other way, leading to higher batting averages. In summary, when healthy, Zach Lutz can rake.

Lutz is a good enough defender at third, with a very strong arm, but obviously the Mets don't need any 3b, so a move to 1b, or 2b (where he's played 3 games in his career), or even OF, is certainly in the offing. We would expect Lutz to open 2009 in St. Lucie, and if he performs as expected, he should find himself in Binghamton very quickly. Given that, his MLB debut could occur in the latter half of 2010, but we'll give it half a year more and say opening day 2011.

8. Shawn Bowman 12/9/84 (24.16) R/R (A+ St. Lucie .340/.369/.485/.853, 33 for 97, 12 runs, 4 2b, 2 3b, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 4/23 BB/K, AA Binghamton .248/.263/.363/.626, 28 for 113, 12 runs, 7 2b, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 2/35 BB/K, 3/4 SBs, AFL Peoria Saguaros 11 for 37, 6 runs, 3 2b, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2/5 BB/K, .297/.333/.541/.874)

Total 2008 Stats: .291/.315/.437/.753, 72 for 247, 30 runs, 14 2b, 2 3b, 6 HR, 28 RBI, 8/63 BB/K, .255 K rate, .1270 BB/K ratio

Bowman was taken in the 12th round of the 2002 draft out of Charles Best High in Coquitlam, British Columbia, and assigned to Kingsport of the Appy League, where he struggled mightily. In fact, his rookie season was a complete failure, as he batted under .200 with no homers and 9 XBH in 171 ABs.

However, he bounced back very nicely for Cap City in 2004, hitting .258/.338/.449 with 17 doubles and 19 homers in 396 ABs. And then injuries took their toll on the 19/20 year old third baseman. For three seasons, beginning in 2005, Bowman broke the L-7 vertebrae in his back, and after opting to rehab it each time, he finally succumbed to the inevitable and underwent back surgery in 2007.

Bowman returned from the Phantom Zone in 2008, and did so with a vengence in St. Lucie, hitting .340/.369/.485/.853 in 97 ABs (although he still has problems with Ks).

Bowman, through no fault of his own, has been around forever, and yet, will be just 24 years old next season. After finally (hopefully) putting to rest his checkered past with regards to injury, Bowman played the final half of the season, first with St. Lucie, and then Binghamton. Combined over the two levels, he hit .290/.312/.419/.731, with 17 XBH in 210 ABs. However, despite showing no ill effects of the time off with regards to power, Bowman still has not learned to effectively control the strike zone, as evidenced by a terrible 6/58 BB/K ratio. It can be considered a very good sign that in 37 ABs in the AFL, he only struck out 5 times and drew 2 walks. Despite the back injuries, the power is still there, and Bowman, with a full spring training under his belt and a full season of baseball, could still become a very productive major leaguer.

As with his power, his defense did not suffer with the long layoffs and injuries. Of course there will always be questions about how he will hold up over a full season, something he has never had to endure before (his career high in games is 116, in 2004). Obviously ANY chance of Bowman replacing David Wright at 3b have long since gone flying out the window (at warp speed), and so Bowman will need to learn 1b or LF if he is to have any chance with the Mets. Bowman should open 2009 back in Binghamton, and should be in position to make his MLB debut in the middle of the 2010 season.

9. Jose Jimenez 5/9/87 (21.75) R/R (A Savannah .253/.316/.426/.742, 85 for 336, 46 runs, 23 2b, 3b, 11 HR, 48 RBI, 28/75 BB/K, 2/5 SBs, A- Brooklyn .212/.272/.333/.605, 28 for 132, 11 runs, 4 2b, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 6/42 BB/K, 1/4 SBs)

Total 2008 Stats: .241/.304/.400/.704, 113 for 468, 57 runs, 27 2b, 3b, 15 HR, 64 RBI, 34/117 BB/K, 3/9 SBs, .250 K rate, .2906 BB/K ratio

Jimenez was originally signed by the Brewers, and played for their Arizona League team in 2005 (equal to the GCL), and did very well, hitting .299/.361/.439/.800 as an 18 year old. For some inexplicable reason, the Brewers let him go at the end of the 05 season, and the Mets picked him up, sending him to the DSL for the 06 season, where he hit .309/.437/.455. A return stateside in 07, to the rookie level Appy League proved to be equally fruitful for the now 20 year old, as he set a career high in slugging percentage at .521. Overall, Jimenez hit 309/.379/.521/.900, 51 games, 58 for 188, 32 runs, 17 2b, 3b, 7 HR, 41 RBI, 17/43 BB/K in Kingsport during the 2007 season.

Jimenez struggled big time in 2008, hitting for a .742 OPS in Savannah, and then after being sent to Brooklyn, hitting just .212/.272/.333/.605 there in 132 ABs. Jimenez will still have time on his side, but he must make strides offensively in 2008 to regain any luster prospect wise (nevermind the fact that we don't know where he'll be playing).

10. Richard Lucas 11/2/88 (20.25) R/R (A Savannah .185/.252/.311/.563, 22 for 119, 15 runs, 5 2b, 2 3b, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 1/4 SBs, 11/41 BB/K, R Kingsport 5 for 27, 2 runs, 2b, HR, 3 RBI, 3/11 BB/K)

Total .185/.255/.315/.570, 27 for 146, 17 runs, 6 2b, 2 3b, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 14/52 BB/K, .356 K rate, .2692 BB/K ratio

The Mets picked Lucas in the 4th round of the 2007 draft out of Wolfson high school in Florida, where as a senior, he batted .338 with 7 homers.

Lucas is naturally very raw, having been drafted out of high school. However, he did take several strides forward in his rookie season, including showing an ability to take pitches the other way. For now, he is more comfortable with pitches down in the strike zone as his slightly long swing leads to an inability to handle pitches that are up. In terms of plate discipline, he had a 0.2273 BB/K ratio, and a .311 K rate this season. His long swing led to the strikeouts, but as his knowledge of the strike zone improves, the holes in his swing should close. Lucas is a good fielder, but is a bit scatter armed (does that remind you of another third baseman in the organization?). He moves and reacts very well to the ball and has good range to both sides. He has soft hands and picks the ball cleanly but his problems arrive when he makes his throws. He is still trying to find a consistent release point from which to make his throws, which led to several of his throws sailing on him in 2007.

It is much too early to project anything about Lucas, as he's just a summer (and some change) removed from high school. Suffice to say that his ability to remain at third base is directly tied to his power projection. As he does not play another position, as of right now, it's third base or bust. Lucas should be held in extended spring training until one of the short season teams start up, whether it be the rookie level Gulf Coast League or Appalachian League, or the low A New York Penn League. There is a very outside chance of him opening in Savannah, but it is unlike with Nick Giarraputo and Jose Jiminez ahead of him on that particular depth chart (as they've spent more time in the minors).

Of course, the Mets opened Lucas in Savannah, where he put up a pitiful .185/.252/.311/.563 line in 119 ABs. Lucas got only 27 ABs in Kingsport before tearing his meniscus and missing the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair it.