Tagged: MLB Draft
Mets Wild Card Postseason Roster
The Mets released their Wild Card Postseason Roster for tonight’s game. The roster can be seen below. A couple of notable names left off the roster include first baseman Lucas Duda and starting pitcher Seth Lugo.
Pitchers (9)
Jerry Blevins
Bartolo Colon
Josh Edgin
Jeurys Familia
Robert Gsellman
Addison Reed
Hansel Robles
Fernando Salas
Noah Syndergaard (Starting Pitcher)
Catchers (3)
Travis d’Arnaud
Kevin Plawecki
Rene Rivera
Infielders (7)
Asdrubal Cabrera
Eric Campbell
Kelly Johnson
Ty Kelly
James Loney
Jose Reyes
T.J. Rivera
Outfielders (6)
Jay Bruce
Yoenis Cespedes
Michael Conforto
Alejandro De Aza
Curtis Granderson
Juan Lagares
Mets Can Clinch Today!
With last night’s 5-1 defeat of the Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Mets have put themselves in prime position to clinch a Wild Card birth with a victory this afternoon. That is something we couldn’t imagine thinking about back in August when we were in a complete tailspin. It’s amazing what a complete reversal this team has made with contributions from their regulars and some unlikely players such as Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman, and T.J. Rivera.
The Mets current magic number to clinch is one, however the Mets can also clinch a Wild Card birth with a St. Louis Cardinals loss this afternoon as well. The Mets are guaranteed at least a tiebreaker play-in game no matter what happens the next two days, with last night’s victory. Which basically means we are guaranteed game number 163.
Let’s hope the Mets handle their own business this afternoon and seal this thing so we can pop champagne this afternoon! Let’s Go Mets!!
The Finish Line Is In Sight
Here we go Mets fans! The Mets will know by the end of this final weekend of the baseball season if they have clinched a Wild Card birth, and if they will be playing that Wild Card game at home. What is still unknown is how the Mets pitching staff will shape up for Sunday and beyond, and whether or not the Mets actually clinch a postseason birth as there is still plenty of baseball left to be played.
Back on August 19 the Mets were 5.5 games behind four teams in the Wild Card race and were a disappointing 60-62. But if I would’ve told Terry Collins that day that he would lose both Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz down the stretch, as well as sign Tim Tebow to a baseball contract, but he still controls his own postseason destiny the last week of the season, he would take it. The Mets were also given a boost to their lineup with the return of both Yoenis Cespedes and Asdrubal Cabrera and they took absolutely took off as they have gone 25-12 since that day. Their .676 winning percentage is best in the Majors since August 19th. They now hold the top Wild Card seed and will control their own destiny this weekend as they battle the Phillies.
The Mets are eleven games over .500 and it is tied for their best mark of the season, as they have not been twelve games over since the last game of last season when they finished 90-72. There is no better opponent however for the Mets to be playing to put themselves in the postseason, and match last season’s twelve games over .500 mark. The Mets have taken 13 of their past 15 series against the Phillies and hold a dominant 24-11 record since the beginning of last season against their division rival.
The Mets have already also set the franchise record for home runs in a season with 216 and there is still three games to go against a team they love hitting them against. The Mets have hit 35 home runs in their last 16 games in Philadelphia. One of the biggest contributors has been Yoenis Cespedes, as he has slugged five of them in his ten career games at Citizens Bank Ballpark. The Mets also hold a 14-2 record after an off-day this season, which is another number trending in their favor heading into this series.
But once again there is still the game to be played in between the lines and anything can happen at any given moment. We’ve learned not to take anything for granted as fans of the Mets, but I can assure you this isn’t the same ol’ Mets we have been accustomed to. This is one of the most resilient teams I have ever watched, and they have all the momentum in the world to make a legitimate run at the postseason. I will be rooting hard all weekend for our club to have the opportunity to play Wednesday night for a spot in the NLDS. After the season long marathon we can all finally see the finish line, but let’s keep our pace up to see how much farther past the finish line it can take us.
Mets select 1B Peter Alonso at #64.
The New York Mets selected University of Florida first baseman Peter Alonso with the 64th overall pick in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Alonso who is considered Florida’s best hitter, has hit .364 with 12 home runs and 55 RBI’s despite missing ten games this season with a broken hand. Last weekend in the Gainesville Regional of the NCAA Baseball Tournament the 21-year old earned Most Outstanding Player honors, as he went 8 for 14 in three games with three home runs and eight RBIs. Alonso’s power potential and hitting prowess is something that has had scouts buzzing all season long, and is why he was selected so highly. MLB.com had Alonso ranked as the 65th draft-eligible prospect and he fell right where many mock drafts had him going. I provided a scouting report below from MLB.com:
“Alonso was making consistent, hard contact for the Gators as his junior season progressed. He’s always had raw power, but didn’t always look like he could tap into it consistently. Lately, however, he’s shortened his swing and begun to use the whole field more effectively, showing extra-base pop to the opposite field. Much of his success stems from a more open stance which has helped him get his hips through more consistently. He’s a first baseman only with well below-average speed, though his hands and footwork at the corner infield position should be adequate.”
The Mets did a great job on the first night of the draft taking two projectable arms and a slugging first baseman oozing with power potential. The Mets still have plenty of picks over the next couple of days, but it is hard not to argue that the Mets had one of the best haul’s on the first night of the draft. It was surprising that the Mets didn’t take a high-school player on the first night as they have been accustomed to doing, but it looks like they are looking for players who are going to move quickly through the system. I give the front office an A+ for the picks they made tonight, based on the potential each of these players carry.
Mets select LHP Anthony Kay at #31
The New York Mets selected UCONN left-handed pitcher Anthony Kay with their 31st pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. The 21-year old left-hander was UCONN’s top starting pitcher this season and went 9-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 119 innings this season for the Huskies. Kay has previous ties with the Mets as he was drafted by the Mets back in the 2013 MLB Draft in the 29th round. Kay also is a Long Island native who attended the same high school of current Mets lefty Steven Matz. MLB.com has Kay ranked as their 43rd draft-eligible prospect for this year’s draft. A scouting report provided by MLB.com regarding Kay is provided below:
“Kay fits the mold of the advanced pitchability college lefty, one with a track record of success, not only at UConn, but also in the Cape Cod League in 2014 and with Team USA in 2015. Kay succeeds by filling the strike zone and keeping hitters guessing, albeit with the lack of a true out pitch. He’ll top out at 94-95 mph with his fastball, though he pitches more effectively at around 91 mph. He has a consistently reliable changeup, though he telegraphs it at times by lowering his arm slot. His breaking ball is fringy.”
The Mets went with two straight college pitchers in the first round of the draft and it is clear that upper management is intent on rebuilding the pitching in their farm system. Kay was a great selection who many project to rise rapidly through the Mets system with his advanced feel for pitching. Kay was recently named the American Athletic Conference pitcher of the year, and the MVP of the AAC tournament. Kay also broke the UCONN career record for strikeouts with 263 this season. It was another solid pick for the Mets as you never can be faulted with going in the direction of pitching in the draft. Kay is not the tallest pitcher on the mound as he barely stands at six feet, but he has drawn comparisons to Mark Buehrle.
The Mets 31st pick was a compensation pick for Daniel Murphy signing with the Washington Nationals.
Mets select RHP Justin Dunn at #19
With the 19th pick in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft the New York Mets selected Boston College right-handed pitcher Justin Dunn. Dunn has reportedly been one of the fastest risers over the past couple of months after being inserted into Boston College’s starting rotation in April. The Freeport, New York native, has a 1.49 ERA in 60.1 innings this season for the Eagles. MLB.com has Dunn ranked as their 29th ranked draft-eligible prospect for this year’s draft. A scouting report from MLB.com regarding the 20-year old Dunn is provided below:
“Dunn has always had a plus fastball and he maintained it in his early starts, lighting radar guns up to 98-99 mph and sitting in the 92-95 mph range. He utilizes two breaking balls, both of which are Major League average: a three-quarters curve and a solid hard slider. His changeup will also flash average, though he didn’t need it much as a reliever. His command is fringy at present, but his outstanding stuff helps make up for it.”
It is a solid pick for the New York Mets as Dunn has electric stuff on the mound and he would fit well with their current rotation of electric arms. There is huge potential surrounding Dunn with the type of stuff he possesses, and you can bet pitching coach Dan Warthen will have a hand in helping his slider develop, as he has with many of our current pitchers. The only downside concerning Dunn is he hasn’t been a regular fixture in the Boston College rotation and could use some time to develop into a full fledged starting pitcher. Dunn also stands at 6’2 and 170 lbs, and many worry how his frame will hold up in the majors. I believe if he puts on some extra muscle he will be fine and even if he doesn’t, many scouts project his frame to current Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura. It was a great pick by the Mets who need to begin to replenish their farm with power arms, and this pick was a step in the right direction.
Potential 2016 Mets Draft Picks
The 2016 MLB Amateur Player Draft is a month away, and the New York Mets possess two draft picks inside the top-31 picks. I decided I would list some players that might interest the Mets in the draft next month. The draft is 4 weeks away and anything can happen on draft night, but I believe these are a few players that may catch the Mets eye, and who I believe would be great fits for the organization. Continue reading
Above The Mendoza 