After a spot start in AAA Rafael Montero was returned to AA where I feared he might get sloppy and stumble. Frankly it’s been the opposite. It’s as if he’s said, “I’ve seen better, these AA guys don’t offer me any challenge.” Since coming back down he’s thrown 13.0 scoreless innings, given up only 9 hits and 3 walks and struck out 12. Ordinarily I would be elated by a pitcher doing this in AA, especially one who was only 23, but I’m just sorta yawning and asking “What’s next?”
We know what’s next. When the Mets promote Zack Wheeler later this month, Rafael Montero will be promoted to take his place (Syndergaard up to AA to take Montero’s) and potentially by August, Montero will be in the majors.
Frankly, we’d be more excited if he were more useful in relief.
With Harvey, Niese, Gee, Hefner and Marcum all pitching relatively well, there isn’t a spot for Wheeler, let alone Montero. So while I’m sure Leathersich will be in the majors in 2013… I can’t say the same for Montero.
AAA:
Josh as smooth as Satin – .312/.423/.500, he does everything except play the outfield and will find a team willing to use him off the bench next season… because the Mets seem inclined to pass.
Wilmer Flores OPS on the Rise – Credit the multi-hit games more than the 7 doubles in 10 games. He’s hit all season, now… he’s hitting more.
Zack’s more like it – Wheeler settles down with a solid outing: 6.0 IP, 3 Hits, 1 ER, 1 BB and 6 K’s.
AA:
Allan Dykstra heating up – Dykstra has little to no future as anything for the Mets but he’s proving that AA no longer is a challenge.
Jacob deGrom settling in – It took a while but deGrom is looking to be getting the hang of AA.
Jack Leathersich waiting on a call – In his last 10 games he has an ERA of 0, gave up only 5 hits and 3 walks and struck out 25 in 12.1 IP.
A+:
Travis Taijeron is hitting again – He’s doing enough to be the man called to AA when Puello and Vaughn are promoted to AAA but he’s pretty old for the FSL.
Full Season A:
Jayce Boyd needs to show some power – He’s still hitting but it’s a middle infielder’s line.
Kevin Plawecki’s worst 10 game sting – A .653 OPS isn’t awful but it’s worth noting.
Brandon Nimmo starting to get back up to speed – He has a modest 4 game streak going and will hopefully start getting us excited again.
Player development, right? I heard Montero was still working on bringing his slider up to Major League quality. I remember when Harvey in 2012 gave up three long homers to Nats hitters on fastballs in an ST start – they were just teeing off. If you are locating your fastball in the zone and it’s pretty straight, like Montero’s, you’re going to need a good breaking pitch to change eye levels and therefore improve FB effectiveness. Apparently the air in Vegas isn’t good for developing breaking pitches.
Really excited about DeGrom and Leathersich – DeGrom looks like he may be a starting pitcher yet, though obviously he still needs to work on quite a bit. That we got anything out of him is awesome. And I’m waiting for the Leather Rocket’s call up to AAA – guy looks like he could be very useful for the big club.
Taijeron with 3 homers in a double-header? Sign me up – we’ve always liked his power but he had a rough go of it in St. Lucie last year and Ks far too much. Worth giving him a shot, though, and exciting to see the improvement.
I hope Nimmo shows enough to spend at least 20-30 games in St. Lucie this year, although that’s a lot less likely now than it would have been without the injury. Still though, progression could see him in AA a year from now – I’ll take it if that’s the case.
Just a note on Taijeron, he’s 25 playing in a league where 21 is the average age. He’s nothing but org filler.
Also a note on Montero, according to those who have seen him pitch (I believe it was Jeff Paternostro from Amazin’ Avenue), Montero’s secondary offerings need to improve greatly. His fastball is advanced beyond AA which is why he can be successful there but at the major league level, the results would not be very good right now. But I do believe he as nothing left to prove in AA and he’ll deservedly get the call to AAA when Wheeler comes up in two weeks or so.
In his first taste of pro ball, he slugged .577 in the worst hitting stadium in our organization … maybe all of baseball with an OPS north of 900. His OBP is north of 370.
That he is old for his league is not a fault of his; its a fault of the organization. You can only hit the pitchers you are facing.
In three of his four stops, he’s been one of the best performers of his league.
I know I’ve been banging this drum for a bit here, but back to the control thing. Is there anyway to see if this has become a competitive advantage compared to other teams?
Sidenote: Micheal Wacha came up (*from AA, mind you*) and tossed a 2 hit, 7 IP gem (albeit against the Royals). Up to that point, he had completed all of 73 innings in his two years of minor league baseball. You see, that’s a great organization in St. Louis.
How likely do you suppose it would be that St. Louis would allow their best (only) LH relief pitcher, in his first year in the majors, get to the point where he was leading the league in appearances when they had a 17K/9IP rookie down on the farm?
Because Mike Matheny can manage a bullpen?