I wish there was a way we could make better sense of what's going on at Syracuse. While it's possible that the pitchers are simply not that good, I'm not quite ready to throw in the towel on them. So, as a start, I'm going to focus on K/BB ratio.
Last year, Sproat, Hamel and Tidwell each had a K/BB ratio under 2, while Kranick (2.65), Megill (2.85) and Scott (4.58) were comfortably above that.
This year, Sproat has a 1.30 K/BB ratio but the others are better. So far. Waddell (3.0), Tidwell (3.70) and Hamel (5.0) all have good marks here early.
B-R doesn't have FIP but FG does. Here are their FIPs:
I like Keith Law and he's my primary guy when it comes to prospects. When he said this, "Celesten might be a superstar, if he can stay on the field and make the most of his prodigious physical abilities," I drafted Felnin Celesten in my keeper league and I'm very happy that I did, as he has an .884 OPS while being young for the Cal League. Law knows his stuff.
But he said that about Sproat before the season started, when his 7 games in Triple-A could be sort of ignored. But now it's 12 games in Triple-A and he has a 6.85 ERA and a 1.542 WHIP. By no means should anyone give up on him. But it's really tough to think he'll be a major asset in an MLB rotation right now.
One issue for AAA pitching is that they switch to a major league ball at that level. The ball used in AA and below has stitching that is more raised, allowing the pitchers a better grip. I've seen it said that the ball is also a tiny bit smaller, and has a slightly rougher surface, but I've never found any "seconding" of those claims.
That said, every org team has that issue. The consistency with which so many Met pitchers struggle, and the starkness of the contrast between their AA and AAA performances stands out as more than just strange. Hard to imagine that every org is having this profuse a problem with it. If that is, indeed the cause of the Syracuse pitching issues, then the Mets need to address it. Some coaches in some orgs know how to teach these kids how to make that adjustment. If the Met coaches don't then get people in who can.
Love the minors updates - some of my favorite posts. Any thoughts about Gomez and his 104.5 mph fastball? Do we have our own Ben Joyce coming up the pipeline?
Also - good timing mentioning Lambert who was promoted to AA yesterday and looks like a stud.
Vargas, Ewing, and Lambert were all promoted today (as was Chandler Marsh).
The Mets already seem to be using Suarez more as non-prospect/roster filler at this point, jockeying him back and forth between AAA and AA, pen and rotation wherever there's a need. he actually reached free agency last year, but the Mets eventually re-signed him.
Zach Thornton was also promoted from Brooklyn to Bing today. He had his good and bad stretches last year while being transitioned from pen to starter. But he's been absolutely stellar this year and that deserves some attention, even if he's not on anyone's top prospect taro card lists.
Thanks Dave. Always love the minor league update on future possibilities. Where will Mauricio play? When will another prospect force his way on to the big league roster like Vientos did last year. Is our farm system considered strong yet?
I think Mauricio profiles as a DH with upside of being able to play an infield position if needed. If he can return to his hitting form, I think he'd be a nice piece to consider next year at that spot.
Ryan, you and I agree. It's a shame for someone with so much range. Having watched him a lot he seems to have issues with grabbing the ball off the infield cleanly and I've long wondered why he wasn't moved to the outfield.
I wish there was a way we could make better sense of what's going on at Syracuse. While it's possible that the pitchers are simply not that good, I'm not quite ready to throw in the towel on them. So, as a start, I'm going to focus on K/BB ratio.
Last year, Sproat, Hamel and Tidwell each had a K/BB ratio under 2, while Kranick (2.65), Megill (2.85) and Scott (4.58) were comfortably above that.
This year, Sproat has a 1.30 K/BB ratio but the others are better. So far. Waddell (3.0), Tidwell (3.70) and Hamel (5.0) all have good marks here early.
B-R doesn't have FIP but FG does. Here are their FIPs:
3.12 - Tidwell
3.24 - Waddell
3.36 - Hamel
4.36 - Sproat
Keith Law blurbed Sproat as a 2/3 starter with chance for more. He gave McLean front of rotation grades. It’s playing out that way.
Is it Gus? McLean is walking a lot of batters and Sproat hasn't looked like a 2/3 starter since he reached AAA.
I like Keith Law and he's my primary guy when it comes to prospects. When he said this, "Celesten might be a superstar, if he can stay on the field and make the most of his prodigious physical abilities," I drafted Felnin Celesten in my keeper league and I'm very happy that I did, as he has an .884 OPS while being young for the Cal League. Law knows his stuff.
But he said that about Sproat before the season started, when his 7 games in Triple-A could be sort of ignored. But now it's 12 games in Triple-A and he has a 6.85 ERA and a 1.542 WHIP. By no means should anyone give up on him. But it's really tough to think he'll be a major asset in an MLB rotation right now.
One issue for AAA pitching is that they switch to a major league ball at that level. The ball used in AA and below has stitching that is more raised, allowing the pitchers a better grip. I've seen it said that the ball is also a tiny bit smaller, and has a slightly rougher surface, but I've never found any "seconding" of those claims.
That said, every org team has that issue. The consistency with which so many Met pitchers struggle, and the starkness of the contrast between their AA and AAA performances stands out as more than just strange. Hard to imagine that every org is having this profuse a problem with it. If that is, indeed the cause of the Syracuse pitching issues, then the Mets need to address it. Some coaches in some orgs know how to teach these kids how to make that adjustment. If the Met coaches don't then get people in who can.
Love the minors updates - some of my favorite posts. Any thoughts about Gomez and his 104.5 mph fastball? Do we have our own Ben Joyce coming up the pipeline?
Also - good timing mentioning Lambert who was promoted to AA yesterday and looks like a stud.
Gomez is striking out a sick number of batters. We'll see if it all translates well as he goes up through the system.
Vargas, Ewing, and Lambert were all promoted today (as was Chandler Marsh).
The Mets already seem to be using Suarez more as non-prospect/roster filler at this point, jockeying him back and forth between AAA and AA, pen and rotation wherever there's a need. he actually reached free agency last year, but the Mets eventually re-signed him.
Zach Thornton was also promoted from Brooklyn to Bing today. He had his good and bad stretches last year while being transitioned from pen to starter. But he's been absolutely stellar this year and that deserves some attention, even if he's not on anyone's top prospect taro card lists.
Thanks Dave. Always love the minor league update on future possibilities. Where will Mauricio play? When will another prospect force his way on to the big league roster like Vientos did last year. Is our farm system considered strong yet?
I think Mauricio profiles as a DH with upside of being able to play an infield position if needed. If he can return to his hitting form, I think he'd be a nice piece to consider next year at that spot.
Ryan, you and I agree. It's a shame for someone with so much range. Having watched him a lot he seems to have issues with grabbing the ball off the infield cleanly and I've long wondered why he wasn't moved to the outfield.
Our farm is accurately rated as middle of the pack.