I know the season hasn’t started yet and everyone is excited for opening day coming up. But I think we can all agree unless the Mets do what the Diamondbacks did last season it may be a long year in Met land. I obviously hope I am wrong, but what I am excited about is the future developments of this Met pitching staff along with what the rotation could look like in two years.
I know prospects don’t always work out, but you can tell with the pitchers the Mets have lined up for the future its hard for me not to be ecstatic about it. If you go on mets.com and under the roster section you can look at the 2012 top Met prospects. The three main guys that jump out at me are Zach Wheeler, Matt Harvey, and Jeurys Familia.
Wheeler as you know was the one the Mets got back last season for Carlos Beltran. Remember it was him and Gary Brown the Mets wanted and came away with Wheeler. The Giants may be regretting this deal with what they got out of Beltran last year. The situation is though you can’t say the trade worked yet until Wheeler gets to the Majors and shows what he’s got, but I hate to bring this up it kind of reminds me of the Zambrano Kazmir trade.
Being just 21 years old and coming straight out of high school Wheeler has been developed slowly and carefully not rushed like most prospects. His fastball can reach in the mid 90′s, he has a devastating curve ball, and he is working on a change up. The Mets have him in double A for now, but know they don’t want to screw up his psyche and put him ahead of the game only to see him get bashed around. The Mets need him to succeed and be what Tim Lincecum, Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, and David Price are. That is being a top prospect who is drafted early and become the ace of the team for many years to come. They tried to rush Pelfrey and Phillip Humber and that did not work out, so hopefully the Mets learned there lesson with that.
Matt Harvey is a guy who I know many Met fans wanted to make it out of camp this year, but I agree with Terry Collins. It also goes back to my last point you can’t rush a guy to the Majors. He still has parts of his game that need work like getting his WHIP down a bit, and adjusting on his command of the game. I noticed it in spring training with him and Familia that when things get rough they mentally break down. If you have that problem you aren’t ready for the Major yet no matter how upset Matt was. He bounced back after struggling to adjust in Double A, and his fastball is a plus along with his breaking stuff. I can see this pairing of Wheeler and Harvey being Lincecum, and Matt Cain. I hope I am right with that.
Jeurys Familia intrigues me. He has an excellent breathtaking fast ball, but he must still work on his breaking stuff and I have no doubt that he will get that down. He is only 22 so he has about maybe another year in the minors. His WHIP needs to improve a bit, and the hits need to come down as well. One thing I noticed this spring from Jeurys is he just always throws strikes. Fans may love it now, but he can’t be afraid to throw one outside and get a batter to chase. Pedro Martinez made a living off of that getting the pitches on the outside part of the plate instead of throwing it down the middle. If he can work on his outside pitches I have no doubt this 1-2-3 punch with these guys can work.
Jonathan Niese is one I have always been a fan of. When I heard he was being rumored in trades this off season I thought the Mets were insane to get rid of this guy, and keep Mike Pelfrey on the team. Niese has the most devastating curve ball I have seen since Tom Glavine’s. His endurance needs work since he has finished the last two years on the DL. What he brings is well rounded lefty pitcher who can solidify the middle of the rotation so it isn’t just right handed pitchers every time. He locates his pitches as good as anyone and it makes him a star in the making.
The last starting spot is tough because you always need a veteran in your rotation. Especially since I think Jenry Mejia will be the closer for the team in a year or two. But I would say go out and get a veteran because every staff needs that leader who the young guys can look up to. Who knows maybe R.A. Dickey will still be around and be pitching well like he is now. And he would only be your number five so it isn’t horrible to have that leadership.
Hopefully this is something Met fans can ponder and see the light at the end of tunnel from the last few years of suffering.
34 comments
Stick
3/29/2012-10:34am at 10:34 am (UTC -4)
Would be nice. Highly unlikely that all of them will make it, but if you can get one very good guy (say a #2), and another solid mid rotation guy (#3?) out of the bunch you did good.
Ceetar
3/29/2012-10:39am at 10:39 am (UTC -4)
That’d be better than good. I think that beats the odds.
Patrick Flood broke it down once, and deduced that ‘average’ expectancy for the 4 prospects would be like Mike Pelfrey and a pretty solid reliever.
Stick
3/29/2012-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
and that just goes to point out how important it is to stockpile high upside arms. And that you need to trade when the time is right.
ConnorUAF
3/29/2012-8:13pm at 8:13 pm (UTC -4)
When you look at the odds, they say none of them will project to what many are projecting them to be. The Mets are building up a few guys and praying they work out. But it’s not like they have much of a choice…
MetsFan4Decades
3/29/2012-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
Don’t rain on my parade this early. LOL.
Stick
3/29/2012-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
hey, I’m not as bad as Ceetar (thru Patrick Flood).
steve
3/29/2012-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
Im also excited about the kids that are behind those top 4. Akeel Morris,domingo Tapia, juan Urbina. Leathsich, Mazzoni,and Fulmer. Going to be fun in Buffalo if they keep the team ,for the next couple of years.
Stick
3/29/2012-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
yup. Jam enough live arms into the pipeline, and eventually a few work out.
Paul Festa
3/29/2012-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
I think it’s important not to rush these guys. I think rushing Pelfrey to the majors contributed to his stunted development. And going way back, rushing Tim Leary to the majors in 1981 led to an injury after which he was never the same.
Stick
3/29/2012-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
Pelf I agree. Get the tool set complete (or damned near) in the minors where you can actually develop time to do it (and can work on stuff during games).
leary? I seem to recall he was ready. Injury could happen anywhere, though maybe the cold in Chicago could have had something to do with it (but, not like it is warm in April in Buffalo!)
oleosmirf
3/29/2012-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
the development of our “big 4″ along with position players such as Vaughn, Valdespin, Havens, Kirk, Lagares and Den Dekker will decide where this franchise is going.
The Mets desperately need their young players in AA/AAA to take the next step and cannot afford any set backs. If Valdespin or Havens and Kirk become big league players by July, it allows the Mets to continue their rebuilding process and turn guys like Murphy and Torres into prospects.
David Wright, Josh Thole and Lucas Duda could very well be our oldest starting position players next season as Bay will not be back…
NJstuckinTX
3/29/2012-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
Agreed.
Stick
3/29/2012-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
I agree, that they really need to get lucky right now with establishing the “new” core to build around.
I can easily see Ike and Duda being 2 blocks. Can Tejada rise to the occasion to be a solid LT complimentary piece?
beyond that, maybe they hit a longshot like Valdespin becoming a stud at 2B. Kirk in CF or a corner? who knows.
But I don’t see Murphy as part of it, unless they do shock me by moving Wright soon.
so maybe by 2014 they are set with a core 5 (that seemed to be the magic # someone I saw recently, probably Agee at MMO, came up with) that is really good.
Ike, Duda, Valdespin, harvey, Wheeler, Neise? With another set of guys like tejada, maybe Familia or mejia closing, and some others serving support roles (Kirk/lagares platooning say?)
In any case, it is not inconceivable that they can build that young, sustainable, affordable (with some smart extended contracts like young guys get now) core, like what the Phils did, leaving them the financial resources to add the missing pieces to put it over the top.
But damned, the key is to get the foundation there. ANd a lot of that will be luck.
Oh, find a catcher someplace please.
oleosmirf
3/29/2012-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
It is also important that Duda, Ike and Niese become the players we expect. If those two guys are .275+ good OBP with 25+ HR then we slowly are creating a foundation.
Wright is not going anywhere so there are your 3 big power bats. You hope Tejada can be a plus plus defender, that is not a liability with the bat.
You then hope one of Valdespin or Havens is our 2B by seasons end (I’m hoping its Havens with Valdespin transitioning to CF).
Then you just need one of Kirk, Lagares, Vaughn, Den Dekker or even Valdespin to become a productive player and you’ll be set as the other OF position can be had externally.
Stick
3/29/2012-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
I’m not buying in yet on Spin in CF, but maybe the team doesn’t see him as a good option for 2B? if so, why not? he seems to have the speed for it.
Havens I am annoyed at. I was touting him big time, and evenpredicted he would make a serious run at the job in ST. Now, I am pretending he doesn’t exist until I seem him in a mets uniform.
I think we are in good hands with Ike and Duda, and Neise is my guy. this wil be his break out year.
Wright, I just don’t see him here past 2013. Tejada i am curious to see what his ceiling is, and if he can play stellar enough D to make up for an average at best bat with no power.
oleosmirf
3/29/2012-2:22pm at 2:22 pm (UTC -4)
Unless David requests a trade, he will be coming back. Its silly to even entertain the idea.
While I disagree with it, there was a legitimate baseball reason for letting Jose go to Miami. With no heir apparent in the system and no looming financial issues, there is no reason to move him.
Sure he might never be an MVP candidate again but he is still a franchise player with an image perfect for New York. He’s going nowhere…
Stick
3/29/2012-2:29pm at 2:29 pm (UTC -4)
I agree that he is likely going nowhere for the rest of his contract. that is when I said after 2013. I am much less sure that he will be signing a new deal with the team to start in 2014.
oleosmirf
3/29/2012-2:39pm at 2:39 pm (UTC -4)
Unless David wants a new team, he will be resigning with the Mets. Any idea that the Mets will choose not to part ways is ludicrous.
I know most think the same thing with Reyes will happen but its a completely different situation as Wright is the much more valuable player when you add the off the field worth as well…
Stick
3/29/2012-2:57pm at 2:57 pm (UTC -4)
if he wants to take the terms the FO will do then sure.
But what if that is 2 years, with a 3rd year option? And some other team comes in at 5 guaranteed)
and I am not discounting the chances that the FO makes a performance determination and decides to move on. Would be tough with him, but if they really feel it is in the best interest of the team? COuld happen.
I would not mind seeing a shorter extension done this year. Say pick up next years option, and add 3 more, with some kind of out for the last year? The could be a good compromise covering both sides.
MetsFan4Decades
3/29/2012-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
Niese certainly showcased some wicked curveballs in games this spring.
Agree with Stick about a catcher. Worst depth we have.
SA said yesterday while he’s not happy with the depth in the minor leagues, he is happy with some of the prospects we’ve got down there. I know not all will work out and/or make a contribution but there’s some nice talent down there.
We’ll be ahead of the game in 2-3 years if those 4 live arms all work out. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Stick
3/29/2012-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
they are going to have to try and make some trades to fill in the gaps.
Ceetar
3/29/2012-12:06pm at 12:06 pm (UTC -4)
Niese’s curveball is going to get Beltran looking to end the NLCS this year.
Hazmet
3/29/2012-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
Addition of the back door cutter could be huge for him. A little wrinkle off the fastball so when the batter looks to sit on the curve and adjust to the FB now he’s got something straight with enough little late movement to serve him well.
Stick
3/29/2012-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
the cutter was really working last year at times I think.
the real key? The nose job, and dedication to conditioning.
Lenny Randle
3/29/2012-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
You’re not old enough to remember Generation K and the fact that all three of them showed great promise even as starters in 1995 and 1996 before all of their arms essentially fell off. Paul Wilson was on his way. So was Isringhausen. Pulsipher was really never the same.
Above, Tim Leary was mentioned, and that was a beautiful thing- for 2 and and 7 batters on a 40 degree day at Wrigley Field in early April, 1981. He wouldn’t return to relevance but for one 17-11 season with the Dodgers in 1988 after being traded twice.
I remember hype attached David West, Julio Valera, Juan Acevedo, Chris Roberts, Kirk Presley, Geoff Goetz, Pat Strange, Neal Musser, Dave Proctor, Billy Traber, Mike Pelfrey and a cast of dozens and nothing panned out for the Mets as well as trades for Ron Darling, Bob Ojeda, David Cone, Al Leiter and taking a flyer on Rick Reed and R.A Dickey over the years.
So- I look at Harvey, Wheeler, Familia, and Mejia, and I assign them no value. The theory being, you don’t have anything until you have something.
So look around your major league rosters- one of those guys is more likely to be the Mets best pitcher in 5 years than anyone sitting in the minors.
trs86
3/29/2012-9:46pm at 9:46 pm (UTC -4)
But yet they do have value, their value is in terms of what their impact is on the franchise and the minor leagues.
It doesn’t matter that a start-up popular company goes bankrupt in 5 years if you as a stock owner I buy low and sell high. These guys are all obviously bought low as they were either draft picks or brought in for lame duck players. Their stock is rising, the challenge will be to determine if they are going to continue to rise and something you want to build your portfolio around or if they are just a fad idea that need to be traded for other assets.
MetsFan4Decades
3/29/2012-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
OT:
Now that the season has started – and thankfully the Mets weren’t involved in the overseas games – are you going to put the MLB standings widget back in? I found it very convenient here for checking the standings.
trs86
3/29/2012-9:47pm at 9:47 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, it’s over there and broken as we speak. The new site has an ESPN standings widget.
NJstuckinTX
3/29/2012-10:14pm at 10:14 pm (UTC -4)
And when is the roll out for the new place?
MetsFan4Decades
3/29/2012-1:46pm at 1:46 pm (UTC -4)
Lucas May, Rob Johnson, G. Olson and Loewen all reassigned.
Looks like we’re rolling with Nickeas, Baxter and Herrara (until Byrdak gets back).
MetsFan4Decades
3/29/2012-1:47pm at 1:47 pm (UTC -4)
Looks like Hu failed his physical so won’t be going to the Phillies after all.
Aw…..I was really looking forward to seeing him at 2nd base.
MetsFan4Decades
3/29/2012-7:49pm at 7:49 pm (UTC -4)
Wright with a GS tonight. Looking good.
I honestly have no idea who half this Astro roster is.
gategem
3/29/2012-8:15pm at 8:15 pm (UTC -4)
This post causes me to reminisce back to when Seaver, Koosman, Gentry and Ryan were the Mets wonder boys. It borders on the incredulous to think of all that young talent arriving at approximately the same time. Most people have not had the opportunity to witness the influx of such prodigious pitching talent. When Koosman first came up…. well think of Niese with a 95-98mph fastball. Gentry was the weak link and he had as much talent as any of the kids in the Mets system at the present time.
I was lucky enough to be at the ballpark on April 22, 1970, when Seaver struck out the last 10 Padres of the game. I later found out that he was throwing 98mph heat. I don’t believe we will see that feat replicated. It may very well remain up there with DiMaggio’s hit streak.
Hazmet
3/29/2012-10:04pm at 10:04 pm (UTC -4)
Koos was pheonomenal and nasty. Amazing stuff. When I look back in time I feel fortunate to have watched the incarnation of the staff with Seaver, Koos, and Matlack. The staff with Gentry & Ryan was just before I started watching.