While the majority of the discussion the last few days has been about Ike Davis (and absolutely rightfully so) I think the potential emergence of Niese is just as exciting. Last night Niese didn’t look “dominant”, his pure stuff isn’t “great” but what he did do is look like a legit MLB starting pitcher which is something we have clearly had trouble producing over the last decade plus.
Niese threw 89-91 but the key to me is his “new” cutter. The first few times we saw Niese he was essentially a 2-pitch pitcher…. “ok/solid” fb for a lefty starter and a good 12-6 curve. The problem with this was when Niese wasn’t getting his curve over (the 12-6 traditionally has been a pitch that starters sometimes lose the feel for entire starts) and it appeared like Niese would be a Jekyll and Hyde type of pitcher where his entire success was based on a) getting his curve over or b) facing a team that would swing at his curve out of the zone. Last night Niese showed off how much stronger he can potentially be with the cutter acting as his third (or even second pitch).
Now everything wasn’t “perfect” in last night’s start. 1) Niese got some calls on pitches up in the zone that pitchers normally don’t get 2) The Cubs hitters don’t look very disciplined/good and his cutter may not be as dominant vs more patient teams 3) and probably the most important… Niese got away with a lot of fb’s right over the middle of the plate which in the future could spell disaster (Ronnie discussed this last night). All of that said…. Niese will have bumps in the road going forward as he doesn’t have the pure stuff of some other guys but last night gave us a glimpse of a guy who can be a VERY nice pitcher going forward for the Mets. I think Niese closely resembles one of the most underrated pitchers in the game= Ted Lilly.
PS I’m excited to see what Ricky Bones can do with Holt considering the cutter he helped Niese develop.
Buffalo-
c Josh Thole 2 for 4, run, 2b
lf Fernando Martinez 1 for 4
3b Mike Cervanek 1 for 4, run, HR, RBI
ss Ruben Tejada 1 for 4, .103
RA Dickey 8 IP, 7 H, 2 ER
Bobby Parnell H, 4 ER, 3 BBs, 6.35 era (Yuck)
Travis Blackley IP, H, ER, 2/1 BB/K,
Bing-
cf Kirk Nieuwenhuis 1 for 4, 2 Ks
3b Zach Lutz 3 for 4, run, 2b (2), RBI (8)
lf, 1b Lucas Duda 0 for 4
rf DJ Wabick 2 for 4, run
Dylan Owen 5 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 6/1 BB/K, HR, 3.38 era (Yuck)
Clint Everts IP, K, 9 era
St. Lucie-
ss Jordany Valdespin 0 for 4, run, BB, .283
cf Sean Ratliff 2 for 5, run, 3b
1b Stefan Welch 2 for 4, RBI (7), .282
dh Josh Satin 1 for 4, RBI, K, .333
rf Emmanuel Garcia 2 for 4, run, .261
Eric Beaulac 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4 BBs, 5.06 era
Elvin Ramirez 1.2 IP, H, ER, K,
Chris Schwinden 3.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3/3 BB/K, 2.35 era
Jimmy Johnson 0.1 IP, 4.50 era
Rhiner Cruz 2 IP, 2 H, 2 BBs
Savannah-
lf Juan Lagares 2 for 4, 2 runs, 3b, HR, RBI, .286
ss Wilmer Flores 1 for 4, .356
c Kai Gronauer 1 for 4, run
rf Cesar Puello 1 for 4, run
Jim Fuller 6.2 IP, 6 H, ER, 1/3 BB/K, 0.87 era, W (2-1), 7:8:3 (hes been flat DOMINANT)
John Church IP, BB, K, 0.00 era
Michael Powers 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 Ks, 2.45 era, SV (1)
69 comments
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
I think you balanced the positive with the negative well in your description of Niese. As a strong follower of the minor league system I’m sure you noticed (perhaps with some pride) that last night’s game included:
Pagan – originally drafted by the Mets
Wright
Reyes
Davis
Niese
Mejia – all “born and raised” Mets
add Pelf to the mix, then stretch the rules a bit to include Takahashi and Igarashi and you’ve got 9/25 “Mets system” products
trs86
4/20/2010-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
Can we count Valdes? He only pitched one year in the Cubs minors before being released and signed by the Mets.
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
Precisely because of that I wasn’t going to, but you can.
stickguy
4/20/2010-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
I actually like Neise’s stuff. While any guy making his what, 6th MLB start is still going to be working on fine tuning control. location, the little nuances, his pitches are actually pretty good, especially sinc ehe has 4 he can use effectively.
He has at least the raw ‘stuff” of a wolf, petite, etc. and probably more pitches than Happ does.
SO, even if he stays at the wolf/petite level, that is still a solid #3 SP, that can put up a #2 game on a good day, and for minimum wage, hugely valuable.
Wouldn’t that be a kick in the teeth to all the nabobs that thought the mets rotation was Johan and 4 pieces of driftwood, if they end up at the ASB with Johan, and solid #2 and #3 Sps in Pelf and Neise? Something to dream about at least!
Oh, and if the ollie so far is what you get, he is even better than a #5, so that would make 1-4 that was pretty solid.
Now if they can just get the Maine spot in the rotation figured out?
Wonder if the Nats will trade us Livan? He actually pitched better in his 2nd game (so maybe it wasn’t just the mets that first game against him). Threw a CG shut out I think.
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
Continuing your driftwood metaphor:
I stand by that they are 4 pieces of driftwood so I won’t consider my teeth kicked in even if they all win 20 games, because that in itself is so improbable but not impossible and I’ve acknowledged that all along. The thing with driftwood is it drifts. I never said it couldn’t drift in the right direction, just that it was unlikely that enough of them would and so I asked for some insurance against that reasonable possibility.
If they all get caught in the same current and drift toward success that would be truly wonderful. Let’s just hope they don’t encounter a rip tide along the way, because as of right now the team has no lifeboats and one of their life jackets is in the ML bullpen slowly deflating.
stickguy
4/20/2010-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
driftwood was actually a nice word on my part. And not directed at you, but at some of the fans that pretty much said none of the SPs were qualified to be a #5, they all sucked monkey balls, shold all be DFA’s, etc.
and yes, I know that they all had some level of ? coming into the season.
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
Driftwood was indeed a nice word on your part, kudos. Sucked monkey balls on the other hand…
CaseStreet
4/20/2010-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
Niese for ROY!
Seriously, LHP w/ strong curve and control.
If Niese can continue to have 7K/3BB starts, while going at least 6 innings, the Mets will have their first ROY since Doc Gooden.
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)
Oh yeah? Well if Davis can continue to go 2 for 4 with an RBI, he’ll bat .500 and lead the league in RBI with 150 despite not having even one extra base hit!
CaseStreet
4/20/2010-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
I Like Small Ball!
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
That’s not what she said!
stickguy
4/20/2010-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
who, the monkey?
stickguy
4/20/2010-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
And, at least 1, if not 2 (I think) of those walks were intentional.
Reminding me that one of the many things about Jerry tat drives me nuts is walking a weak hitting 8 hole guy to get to the pitcher, especially early in the game. That and bunting over the lead off guy, especially in the 1st inning. OK, I will stop now.
ceetar
4/20/2010-12:06pm at 12:06 pm (UTC -4)
It’s hard to stop hating it when he keeps doing it. And never learns.
It’s one thing with a pitcher that’s struggling to walk the 8th guy. It’s quite another to do it with Santana (which he’s done)
Mr North Jersey
4/20/2010-12:06pm at 12:06 pm (UTC -4)
Nice post Metro I agree that cutter Niese is throwing is really fooling hitters right now. I am still hoping he can get that curve-ball under control for strikes but if he ever did that he would be scary.
I was happily surprised at how many hitters were swinging and missing in last nights game vs Niese. As the season goes it will be interesting what adjustments hitters make on him and how Niese adjusts to hitters. More reason for him to get that curveball over for strikes more consistently I suppose.
I see that you noted Fuller’s start down in a-ball. He indeed deserves watching as his pitching coach Marc Valdez I wonder how much credit goes to him for his work with last years gnats pitchers? If this years team has the same success it will be interesting to see if he climbs the ranks of the Mets farm system also.
saltygary
4/20/2010-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
Just ordered my Davis Jersey, here’s hoping he doesn’t rupture his spleen or get into a cab accident.
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
Frontrunner!
Mr North Jersey
4/20/2010-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
Dude you read my mind.
saltygary
4/20/2010-1:02pm at 1:02 pm (UTC -4)
LOLZ
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/20/2010-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
Not sure if anyone heard Boomer & Carton show this morning, but apparently this player who has been caught with PED plays for the NY team and is slumping.
The context sounded like it’s the Mets and I got a sick sense that it could be Reyes. Perhaps that’s why he took the day off? And he did seem really down yesterday when he was at the plate and on the base. I really really pray and hope it’s not any of the Mets players because the last thing they need is more controversy.
stickguy
4/20/2010-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
can you even get caught with HGH? Since there was that issue in ST. Of course, some Yankees were caught up in that too.
Any Yankees slumping? Teix? Vazquez?
I swear, if it is Reyes, I may just give up on baseball and wait for the Giants season to start.
ceetar
4/20/2010-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
Also, Reyes was blood tested by the Mets pretty thorougly, if there was something in there that would’ve gotten flagged, you’d have to hope they’d have kept hi mon the DL until it cleared.
ceetar
4/20/2010-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
Relax.
A. the caller supposedly blamed Tex in his ‘blog’ or ‘twitter’ or something.
B. It’s been reported since that’s it’s specifically not a NY player.
also, I’m pretty sure they’re gonna give us the first letter of the name soon. And another letter every 30 minutes after that. This insures that people will continue to talk about it and pay attention. It’s possibly also a “semi-big name, not huge”
Mr North Jersey
4/20/2010-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
What are you talking about?
stickguy
4/20/2010-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
thee was a tweet this Am (from that guy that is the big name in injuries) that a palyer failed the PEDs test, and the appeals were done, and the suspension would be announced today. But, no name mentioned.
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
This is his latest tweet about a half hour ago but when I click on the linked article I can’t connect, I assume he’s being inundated.
All the info I have is in this article up at bp. http://bbp.cx/article.php?articleid=10613
Mr North Jersey
4/20/2010-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
thx stick
stickguy
4/20/2010-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
and I would not be surprised in this case if he really did not know that he had gotten something from the doc that was against the rules. Not that it makes any difference.
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-12:26pm at 12:26 pm (UTC -4)
Well Teixeira is in a rather deep slump too.
I heard that (not from B&C but later on J&E) but nothing’s been substantiated so until it is I’m not going to make myself sick over it.
Apparently Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus (aka @injuryexpert on twitter) said that “a semi-big name will be suspended for PED soon” but that’s all he said. He noted this morning that “I never said NY.” So I don’t think we need to get too concerned until a report actually officially comes out, and anyway I consider Jose Reyes “big” not “semi-big” which helps me think it’s not him (or Tex for that matter).
stickguy
4/20/2010-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
let’s all hope that it is GM jr.!
Mr North Jersey
4/20/2010-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
Ahh thx Grave for expanding I am so out of the loop on this.
ceetar
4/20/2010-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
I think Craig..calterra or whoever it was confirmed not NY.
I tend to ignore Will Carroll’s idea of “semi-big” though. he continues to lose credibility with me.
some idiot made a fake twitter account and accused just about every Mets player as well.
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
Yes, and to add to the falsity of this situation, the only person who ever at any point specifically said a “NY” player WAS involved in this was a caller to the Boomer & Carton show who goes by the name of Incarcerated Bob, and according to Joe & Evan “Bob” did name a name but the station used their 7 second delay to cut him off so it didn’t air, because they don’t need the legal headache of an attention seeking radio caller (who may or may not be in prison) who likely has no clue suggesting he knows who in MLB uses PEDs or not.
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/20/2010-12:32pm at 12:32 pm (UTC -4)
Now this blogger from NBC (who got hammered by Carton the other day) is saying that it’s not a player from NY area.
stickguy
4/20/2010-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
at this point, if there are really people that know, hwo long can it possbily be kept under wraps?
Might as well just release the name officially once the horse is out of the barn.
Kingman 26
4/20/2010-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
Hey Kistics–
This may not be helpful, but sometimes when I consider listening to WFAN when anyone but Steve Somers is on, I instead jab myself in the eyes with a sharpened fork repeatedly while pouring hot wax in my ears.
I find this to very closely simulate the experience of listening to WFAN, but unlike when listening to WFAN, when I stop it feels good!
Mr North Jersey
4/20/2010-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
wow u really like WFAN that little?
Kingman 26
4/20/2010-12:42pm at 12:42 pm (UTC -4)
No, just people like Francesa really.
Just certain talkers.
Love the Met pre- and post-games, love Somers, just cannot stand Mike F and what he is and represents.
Mr North Jersey
4/20/2010-1:00pm at 1:00 pm (UTC -4)
What he is and what he represents?
Forgive me for asking but I can’t resist. What is he and what does he represent in your opinion?
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/20/2010-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
I bet you haven’t heard Michael Kay show yet…Kay makes MF much much bearable.
Kingman 26
4/20/2010-2:15pm at 2:15 pm (UTC -4)
LOL! I don’t need to listen to him to know what he is like!
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/20/2010-12:33pm at 12:33 pm (UTC -4)
you don’t like to listen to Wayne Hagen and Howie Rose?
Kingman 26
4/20/2010-12:41pm at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)
Well, of course I like to listen to Met games!
I just meant when certain talk show bloviators are on, I generally prefer not to listen, but hey, that’s just me.
Love Howie Rose, love Somers, and I don’t know if he ever hosts these days, but love Net broadcaster Ian Eagle when he is on too.
Mike F, Carton, Boomer usually, Beningo, and most of the rest just aren’t my type of sports guys.
metro
4/20/2010-12:33pm at 12:33 pm (UTC -4)
craigcalcaterra
I have learned that the PED suspension is NOT a New York player. WFAN is reporting otherwise. They should go to journalism school.
about 1 hour ago via web
Retweeted by you and 13 others-twitter
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/20/2010-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
This is the same guy that was hammered by Carton last week.
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-12:43pm at 12:43 pm (UTC -4)
Yup, that’s specifically why he mentions “journalism school” in the tweet, because Carton’s main rag on him was that he was acting as a “reporter” even though he hadn’t attended “journalism school.” The funniest thing is Calcaterra, while not a journalism school graduate, IS a law school graduate. I give Calcaterra the benefit of the doubt on this way before I give it to Craig “I wish I was Howard Stern but I’m not and never will be” Carton.
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/20/2010-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
How mature these journalists are…. no wonder Ike has labeled them as “you guys”
trs86
4/20/2010-12:48pm at 12:48 pm (UTC -4)
Lutz is lighting up the sportspyder over there. I saw he is on fire. Anyone got anything on him?
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-12:51pm at 12:51 pm (UTC -4)
3 of those are from NYFS which I think would be Metro’s area of expertise (doesn’t he write there as well?)
stickguy
4/20/2010-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
world of talent (at least with the bat) but had suffered somw injury set backs. Also blocked at 3B, and probably a tad old for his level. Not considered a plus defender.
With DW in place, unless he can learn 2B quick (my idea of course!), best bet is he keeps this up and can be trade bait.
Toby had him as #27 prospect overall.
Mr North Jersey
4/20/2010-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
Baseball America just referenced Zach Lutz also today in a report.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=8346
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-12:49pm at 12:49 pm (UTC -4)
By the way, more related to the “Minors” theme of this post, AA has a thorough post up about Ike Davis’ service time which clarifies that he will not be eligible for free agency until “2017 at the earliest” (their words) but that he will be eligible for Super Two arbitration status.
AA article
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/20/2010-12:59pm at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
If he qualifies for the Super Two status, I bet you Wilpons will be more than able to pay him the big bucks.
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-1:13pm at 1:13 pm (UTC -4)
Although I gather you’re just dissing the Wilpons nonetheless I will say they have a couple of options.
They can believe he’s the real deal and sign him to a longterm contract, exchanging some savings on their part for some security on his part, like they’ve done with Wright and Reyes.
They can trade/cut Francoeur and put FMart in RF who will cost the ML minimum and use the savings to pay Ike his Super 2 money.
They can suck it up for 1 year knowing that Castillo’s, Beltran’s and Reyes’ contracts will be up after 2011.
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/20/2010-1:52pm at 1:52 pm (UTC -4)
I didn’t mean to diss the Wilpons.. I’m just saying that if Ike puts up the super-two type of numbers at the end of 2011 season, I would not be surprised to see Ike signed for long term contract rather than going through the arbitration processes for 3 years.
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-3:39pm at 3:39 pm (UTC -4)
Then I owe you an apology. I assumed you were taking a pot shot at “cheap owners” and I’m sorry for doing so.
I have been so inundated by people calling them “Coupons” and so forth that I lumped you in with that unfairly.
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/20/2010-3:44pm at 3:44 pm (UTC -4)
not a problem. Personally, I don’t think Wilpons are cheap. They don’t seem to make the right personnel decisions at times, but I don’t think they are cheap.
On the other hand, IF they are in a financial trouble and can’t spend, I understand business decisions based on $$. But I would like them to come out and say that they have budget restrictions though.
stickguy
4/20/2010-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
OK, continuing with the Mejia should be in Aa theme, I saw this comment over on the minors blog. If true, shouldn’t Jerry be fired for this? And didn’t everyone know that he would get ridden like a mule by Jerry if he had any immediate success?
Comment by theperfectgame
2010-04-20 09:48:06
is it too early to sound the Jenrry Mejia overuse alarm? He’s pitched in 5 games over the last 7 days and 8 games over the last 13 days. Additionally, he’s been used in back-to-back games 3 times already this season.
GravediggerHebner
4/20/2010-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
Yes and no. Is anyone really surprised that Jerry is overusing a bullpen?
Nieve has been in 9 of 13, Mejia 8 of 13 and Pedro F in 7 of 13 so all are on pace to appear in more than 81 games (Nieve 112, Mejia 100 and Pedro 87).
Games are one thing, innings with Mejia may be the more relevant thing (not sure, just suggesting the possibility). If so, he’s thrown 9 innings and at this pace he will throw 112 innings. How that fits into building up his inning count I’m not sure.
trs86
4/20/2010-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
Not likely that any of these guys continue at their current pace. 112 games, LOL.
Mr North Jersey
4/20/2010-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
It’s true you have to be cautious with Mejia in that this bullpen thing is all new to him we don’t know what effects this may have on him if any at all.
Mejia will hopefully be protected as he gets acclimated to pitching out of the pen.
trs86
4/20/2010-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
If he is in the pen, Jerry is gonna use him.
Mr North Jersey
4/20/2010-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
Francesa was at game last night. wow
Ike Davis is amazing!
IKESTANDING!!!
Mr North Jersey
4/20/2010-1:48pm at 1:48 pm (UTC -4)
OFF TOPIC:
I notice how many people were interested in today’s back pages of the local papers because of the whole Ike hoopla.
If you ever are interested in having Hi-Res Front Pages for most major newspapers throughout the country you can go here and they will post each days front page. They also have some of the Historical Front Pages like 9/11 for example.
http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/default.asp
ceetar
4/20/2010-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
cool site, but it’s a shame it doesn’t have the back pages. I couldn’t care less about the front pages of newspapers.
Mr North Jersey
4/20/2010-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
You will when the Mets win the World Series and it has a picture of the Parade down the Canyon Of Heroes.
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/20/2010-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
JJ Putz have been pitching well last couple outings.
metsfan4decades
4/20/2010-2:21pm at 2:21 pm (UTC -4)
Again, thanks Metro for posting these stats frequently. It’s great to be able to look at a glance how our baby Mets are doing.
Mr North Jersey
4/20/2010-3:35pm at 3:35 pm (UTC -4)
Oh boy Chris Carter is just having a terrible series vs the SW Yanks.
He is hitless so far including today’s game he is 0 for his last 16 with 0 walks and 2 k’s