Spring training is a time for newbies and newcomers to make an impact on their team and the fans. For the first time since October, rookies and veterans put on their uniforms, and play in front of a crowd in order to make their mark and reserve a roster spot. So, without any furthered ado, here are player profiles for four players hoping to become household names by the end of the regular season with them Mets.
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 200 lbs.
Born: May 29, 1991
Position: SP
Bats/Throws: Right/Left
Matz has been a part of the New York Mets’ organization since he was drafted back in the second round of the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft. Matz was the 72nd overall pick in the draft, and has excelled in the minor leagues so far sporting a 2.32 career ERA. Ranked the 33rd best overall prospect in Major League Baseball by Baseball America in their pre-2015 projections, Matz is estimated to make the big leagues within the next two seasons. As a left handed pitcher, he could almost guarantee himself a spot in the Mets starting rotation, because Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jacob deGrom, and Noah Syndergaard are all right handed pitchers. With the capability to win 10+ games a season, Matz will be a force to be reckoned with when he makes the big league roster…just ask Ichiro, who praised Matz to the media after facing him during a Spring Training game.
John Mayberry Jr.
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 230 lbs.
Born: December 21, 1983
Position: OF/1B
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Mayberry broke into the big leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009, and has spent all but 11 games with ball club (he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014). A career .241/.305/.429 hitter with a total of 53 home runs, Mayberry is not the best player the Mets will have on their roster this season, but will be great when utilized off the bench. In 2015, Mayberry is projected to have a batting average in the .220’s, and hit 7-10 home runs. This may be hard to achieve while playing off the bench for the majority of this coming season, but Mayberry will certainly be a successful acquisition by Sandy Alderson.
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 220 lbs.
Born: March 27, 1979
Position: OF/1B/3B
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Early this offseason, Alderson went against his usual General Manager oath, and spent big money on a player who will help the Mets in 2015. Cuddyer made his debut in 2001, and has since been a two-time All Star. In 2013, he won the National League batting title with a .331 batting average, and hit .332 in an injury struck 2014. Cuddyer is not expected to do much in 2015, and is projected to hit in the mid-.200’s with a home run count in the mid-teens. He also will not be winning any gold glove awards for the Mets anytime soon, but he is definitely going to help improve the team’s chances of making the post season over the next couple of seasons.
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 198 lbs.
Born: December 3, 1990
Position: 2B/SS
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
In the second round of the 2012 First Year Player Draft, the Mets chose a 21 year-old college infielder: Matt Reynolds. Since 2012, Reynolds has hit .283/.352/.393 with 14 home runs in the minors, and has done great so far this spring. According to mlb.com, Reynolds is expected to make the big leagues at some point this season, and that does not seem too far-fetched. The Mets are still looking for a shortstop, and instead of trading for one or signing a big name free agent after the season, they could simply call up Reynolds from Las Vegas, adding a legit shortstop to the lineup.
So, a guy who hits in the .220s “will certainly be a successful acquisition by Sandy Alderson.”
I knew the bar was set low but c’mon