So how did Sandy and DePodesta do tonight? More importantly, what did they do? Without any Jets-esque freaking out, let’s take a look
Brandon Nimmo, East HS Cheyenne WY, OF
While Nimmo might not have been the sexiest name available when the Mets made their first pick, they clearly had been watching him for a while and had a game plan. Asst. GM Paul DePodesta stated in a call earlier that the Mets were not looking for the safest pick, but rather the player they felt could have the biggest impact. The word is that Nimmo could blossom into a great ballplayer, but he will need time to develop. In addition, he is committed to the University of Arkansas (not a bad baseball program) and wants $2.5MM to sign (if the Mets were under financial constraints, this probably would have scared them off).
Was he an overdraft at 13? Maybe. But the Mets liked him, more so than other teams, and felt he was not going to be around at #44. For good or ill, they targeted their man and got him
Michael Fullmer, Deer Creek HS, Edmond, OK, RHP
Incidentally, the Mets took Michael Fullmer, another Arkansas signee. He’s a righty with a 96 MPH fastball that got lost in a deep Oklahoma prep class. Also armed with an 85 MPH slider and a 6’2” 200 lb frame, he stands to be a workhorse. He’ll need to refine a changeup which, as with most elite HS pitchers, he never really had to use before.
Overall, I like this draft. It’ll take years to see how it plays out, but they were clearly impressed with Nimmo and made sure they got their man. Personally, I think Fullmer is a great choice. The new regime had a plan – not safe picks that would get to Queens quickly, but rather high ceiling guys who would, when ready, make a significant impact. Time will tell if it pays off.
19 comments
Dirtysanchez
6/6/2011-11:21pm at 11:21 pm (UTC -4)
What are you sensing in regard to their sign ability?
From what it seems in media outlets..its 50/50 at best
stickguy
6/6/2011-11:29pm at 11:29 pm (UTC -4)
pay them enough, and they are very sign able.
from the reports, neither one seemed to be in the NFW catagory.. But odds are, neither one is signing soon.
probably best for Fullmer, since most HS pitchers seem to have been overworked anyway by the end of their season.
Bryan
6/6/2011-11:40pm at 11:40 pm (UTC -4)
true, if you’re willing to show them the money, you can sign them, but for a team that could have a significant decrease in payroll, it seems odd to take two guys right away that could have a big price tag to sign.
stickguy
6/6/2011-11:27pm at 11:27 pm (UTC -4)
if nothing else, the new regime has no problem putting their reputations on the line..
kingman 26
6/6/2011-11:29pm at 11:29 pm (UTC -4)
Nice, appreciated recap.
Prismo
6/6/2011-11:42pm at 11:42 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for the recap and analysis Peter!
My personal thoughts are that the Mets will 100% sign both players, unless the players decide that they just don’t want to play in the bigs yet.
metsfan4decades
6/7/2011-9:36am at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
I just read the tweets MC put out after the draft on his blog.
I know it’s a very small sample but I like what I’m hearing from this kid. He’s got a lot of confidence in himself for a HS player. Here’s hoping that serves him well when he climbs through the system.
I really hope now they are able to sign him. Since he was ‘blown away’ that the Mets took a chance on him when it was apparent so many other teams would not, sounds like signing shouldn’t be a problem.
stickguy
6/7/2011-9:48am at 9:48 am (UTC -4)
as long as they show him the money (and even at slot, a #13 pick gets pelnty), it does not sound like a problem to get him to sign, maybe even quickly.
Who knows, maybe he can become the next Trout.
njstuckintx
6/7/2011-10:00am at 10:00 am (UTC -4)
Steve? I thought he was a pitcher…
TRS86
6/7/2011-10:05am at 10:05 am (UTC -4)
Mike.
stickguy
6/7/2011-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
actually I meant rainbow, but Mike works too.
Prismo
6/7/2011-10:18am at 10:18 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, hopefully it’s not catch and release.
kistics
6/7/2011-10:35am at 10:35 am (UTC -4)
When does the round 2 start?
Also, does anyone know whatever happened to Sean Ratliff and Matz?
Bryan
6/7/2011-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
Round 2 starts today at noon and goes until round 30. Rounds 31 – 50 are tomorrow at noon. Sean Ratliff was hit in the eye by a foul ball back in spring. I don’t believe he will be playing this year, but his career may not be over. Matz had TJ right after being drafted, and the last I heard he was making progress and may be ready to pitch for a short season team this year, probably Brooklyn, although opening day may not be a certainty, but I’d be surprised if we didn’t see him at some point this year.
metsfan4decades
6/7/2011-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
I read about that injury to Ratliff. That’s was some bad luck there.
Does anyone know how many picks, if any, Mets have in the rounds today?
kistics
6/7/2011-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
Look like the Mets only have 1 pick per round.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/2011_preview.shtml
11th picks in rounds 2 and 3.
metsfan4decades
6/7/2011-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
Thanks.
Wasn’t sure where to find that information.
kistics
6/7/2011-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
Thank you!
Now I remember Ratliff getting hurt. Hope he recovers well. His numbers were looking promising…
Bryan
6/7/2011-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
He def has some power, 36 home runs over the past 2 years. It’d be a shame not to see him back.