While the signings grabbed all of the attention, let’s take a moment to see the early returns from the 2011 Draft picks who came to terms earlier and are already playing in professional ball.
The Mets are being conservative with their top pitching selections. Michael Fulmer (supplemental), Cory Mazzoni (2nd round), Tyler Pill (4th round) and John Leathersich (5th round) are all pitching on a regular rotation but are limited to around one inning per outing to keep their pitch counts under control after participating in full collegiate seasons.
Pennsylvania native Joe Tuschak (6th round) is struggling in the Gulf Coast League, where after 93 PA he has a .179/.290/.205 line. Other 2011 picks playing in the Gulf include Matthew Budgell (10th round) who has 10 IP, 5 ER, 2 BB and 8 Ks and Robert Gsellman (13th round) who has 8 IP, 5 ER, 2 BB, 7 Ks.
University of Arizona product Cole Frenzel (7th round) is off to a slow start at Brooklyn, with a .229/.336/.309 line. But the Cyclones have received a nice boost from other 2011 picks, including Daniel Muno (8th round/Fresno State) who has a .341/.447/.491 line after 200 PA. Travis Taijeron (18th round/Cal Poly Ponoma) has a .303/.400/.558 line while fellow outfielder Charles Thurber (39th round/Tennessee) checks in with a .269/.319/.347 ledger.
Those three made the mid-season All-Star team for the Cyclones, along with reliever Tyson Seng (33rd round/Oklahoma). Seng was drafted after his senior season. He had some issues during his junior season, and even briefly gave up baseball. But he’s been lights out with Brooklyn. In 30 IP, he’s allowed just 3 ER and he has 5 BB and 32 Ks.
Dustin Lawley (19th round) from Wallace State Community College is having a fine season at Kingsport, where he has a .313/.347/.533 line with 32 RBIs in 44 games. But that’s not the most impressive season from a 2011 pick. That honor belongs to Gregory Pron (42nd round/West Alabama), who’s posted a .329/.393/.529 line with 7 HR and 6 SB in seven tries.
The stats that these players are putting up are impressive, but perhaps the most important thing is the Mets were able to sign 35 of their 51 picks, including their first 12 selections. A few years ago, the Mets received criticism for not paying their draft picks above the commissioner’s recommended slot bonus. This year, they went above slot for Nimmo ($2.1 million vs. $1.656 million), Fulmer ($937.500 vs. $776,700) and Verrett ($425,000 vs. $324,900).
The Mets did not shy away from taking high school players in the middle rounds with firm college plans. The big get was Evans and his $650,000 bonus was reported by Baseball America to be the largest amount given by the Mets to a player picked after the first two rounds.
However, the Mets did not come to terms with Kent Mathews (11th round), Mason Robbins (20th round) and A.J. Reed (25th round).
Mathews was a two-way player, although the Mets viewed him as a LHP. He’ll go to Cal State Fullerton.
Robbins was the Gatorade’s Player of the Year in Mississippi and will be going to Southern Miss. Thought to be a second-rounder on talent, Robbins allegedly turned down big money offers from two different clubs who offered pre-draft deals.
Reed, another two-way star that the Mets thought was a pitcher, chose the University of Kentucky .
While the Mets were unable to come to terms with this trio, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. These guys fell for a reason and some kids are going to college regardless of when they are picked and what bonus they are offered. But you never know unless you try and with the Mets ponying up the cash for Evans, they showed a willingness to spend money to get talent.