Travis Taijeron was selected on the 18th round of the 2011 Draft, which means he faces an uphill climb to be a major leaguer. To make the climb even harder, he was selected as a college senior, putting him a year older than most college draft picks. And if that wasn’t enough, Taijeron faces extra doubts because he came from a Division II school, Cal Poly Ponoma. While not quite the same as Kirk Nieuwenhuis and his climb from an NAIA school, Taijeron will not be given the same leash as someone who came from Florida State or Baylor. Fortunately, Taijeron does not need any extra leeway, as he is doing quite well on the field.
In 56 games at Brooklyn in 2011, Taijeron managed 27 extra base hits: 13 2B, 5 3B and 9 HR. He struck out a lot but really seemed like he might be a powerful righty bat for the Mets if he could continue his success in higher levels of the minors. In 28 games for Lo-A Savannah in 2012, he’s managed 14 extra base hits: 6 2B, 1 3B and 7 HR. Instead of merely staying on track, Taijeron has taken things up a notch.
At 6’2” and 200 pounds, Taijeron has the height to put on a little more muscle but already seems to have the power to play a corner outfield spot. Thus far his eye is greatly improved from 2011 where his K:BB rate was about 3:1. Now he has that rate in the much more respectable 3:2 range. I actually expect that to balloon up considering the power he should be striking out twice as often as he walks but we’ll see over the next few weeks.
Speed is not a part of his game but on a team rife with errors, Taijeron is a shining bastion of defense… well … he doesn’t have any errors.
With a triple slash of .313/.434/.606 and an OPS over 1.000 Travis Taijeron is definitely someone to watch.
Around the Minors:
AAA:
What is Wrong with Matt Harvey and Jeurys Familia? – Harvey is… sorta back on track. He’s holding his own in AAA but his K-rate is down a ton from 2011 and that is troubling. I need to get up to Buffalo to actually see if something has gone wonky with his stuff or if it’s simply an adjustment period. Zack Wheeler might sneak back ahead of him on the rankings at this rate. Meanwhile Familia is REALLY troubling. Familia’s K-Rate is okay, but he’s giving up tons of walks and he was a starkly different pitcher in 2011. I think that Familia has until the end of the year or he’ll be shifted into relief.
AA:
Where’s the Power, Jefry Marte? – He keeps on hitting and hitting in AA and that’s great but his SLG is only .404 and his BA is .315. He needs to hit a few with power to really have a place as a third baseman.
Why Don’t We Talk More About Darin Gorski? – For all the talk of promoting Harvey, Hefner or McHugh… I’m starting to wonder if Gorski is the best internal option to replace the injured Mike Pelfrey. He’s been really consistent through his promotion to AA and might be a reliable option to go out and make some starts.
A+:
Wilfredo Tovar is Worth Knowing About – He’s not got the biggest bat but he’s definitely a guy who can handle himself at the plate. He’s got a little speed and has hit a few homers here and there. I’d call him Ruben Tejada MKII if they weren’t essentially the same age.
Wilmer Flores is Looking Like the REAL DEAL – Hey Met Fans! Get ready for the bandwagon it’s about to leave the station!
Cesar Puello Showing his Wheels – 7 stolen bases in 7 attempted. He’s getting his batting average back on track and I’m hoping the power comes next.
CLOSER WATCH: Adam Kolarek – ERA: 0.00, IP: 16.1, H: 10, BB: 2, K: 24. That is pretty darn impressive. I have limited information but in 2011 his fastball was supposed to live in the 93-94 MPH range which is pretty good for a closer.
A:
Dustin Lawley Showing Discipline – He’s hitting pretty well and might get more focus if he wasn’t on the same team as Taijeron, but he has 17 walks and only 18 K’s.
Tyler Pill Looks Sharp on the 4th – He threw 6 innings of no run baseball, giving up 8 hits 2 walks and striking out 8.
The Bisons and the Sand Gnats are coming my way this weekend. Hopefully will catch Harvey pitch in Charlotte (Sunday?) and will get to see the Gnats 2-3 X. Anything in particular you want me to pay attention to?
Lots of interesting pitchers for SAV – I’d be curious to whoever stands out for you. Not much hitting-wise — Taijeron, Aderlin Rodriguez and Camden Maron, I guess.
Thanks!
Last night Domingo Tapia was a precursar for Johan in game #8000 against Miami tonight. That’s right he had a no hitter. Unfortunately he tired and lost his command in the 6th inning walking three (he had a 4:1 k/bb ratio)and was rightfully removed even though he left having given up no hits! Sat near the guy with the radar gun and he confirmed his fastball at 95mph, and it does explode by the plate. His breaking balls usually resulted in long fly outs with little downward break. He throw one awesome change then followed it with another exploding fastball. He is only 20 and because of his good control (needs stamina) may have a future. The surprise of the night was Jeff Walters a 24 yoa relief pitcher who pitched a perfect, easy, ninth inning. He registered 92mph and had movement on the fastball. His k/bb is 7:1 and hasn’t given up a run in 12.1 innings on only 5 hits! Both should move up midseason to St Lucie.
Great stuff!
I knew about Tapia’s outing. Didn’t know anything at all about Walters. Too old for the level but a 7.0 K/BB ratio is pretty darn impressive.
Tapia is going to be something special. I think he’s going to go onto A+ Port St. Lucie before the end of the year opening a spot in Savannah for Akeel Morris or Urbina.
I think I saw in the report I read that Tapia was at 98 for his top speed pitch. I don’t know if I ever trust those reports fully.
David, he could have been because the stadium didn’t have a functioning clock. I just happened to have asked the guy with the gun after a K. He was consistent at that speed for 5 innings. I’ll planning to go Saturday night and I’ll get back to you on your hitters. BTY I enjoy your minors report.
I’d like to know what velocity Harvey is hitting. His lowered K-Rate is a concern to me.
With the Gnats I’d hope you get to see Aderlin at first because I hear he’s learning the position well and that is his future home. Taijeron and his hitting should be good but I want to know more about T.J. Rivera if you get the chance.
Aderlin did not play first but surprisingly made back to back defensive gems at third last night. I’m not sure what the scouts see in his hitting. I liked Taijeron and Rivera as hitters. They make solid contact and seemed disciplined enough. Defensively Rivera played second and seemed unsure of himself. Taijeron was above average defensively but maybe not a centerfielder in Citi. Both players have a chance to play in the majors. Small samples are hard to judge. Albert Cordero has 8 Savannah homers in the past two years and I have seen three of them. He has homered in evry game I have seen him start! So I think he is Mike Piazza. He would be in Citi Field if he hired me as his Man Friday. Fulmer looks like a solid, efficient pitcher and has a 4:1 K:BB ratio and avgs 1 K per inning. Leathersich struck out 4 in 2 innings and has 31K’s in 21 IP. Throws hard but did not really show any change of speeds. Unfortunately no accurate radar available. Edgin was better at this level. Mets seem stocked with both starting and relief pitchers at this level. Very encouraging.