Mets Minors: P.J. Conlon continues to mow them down

At the end of May, P.J. Conlon had his worst game as a professional, as he allowed 3 ER in 6 IP to take his first loss. But he rebounded in spectacular fashion, hurling 10 IP and allowing just an unearned run. That outing lowered his ERA for the year to 1.21 to go along with a 0.925 WHIP. Despite getting a no-decision in his 10-inning game, Conlon sits with a 7-1 record.

The Belfast-born Conlon was a 13th-round pick from the 2015 Draft out of the University of San Diego. Conlon had a great freshman year for the Toreros, going 9-1 with a 2.16 ERA. But he slumped in his sophomore campaign. Conlon rebounded as a junior, putting up better peripherals than he did as a frosh, but he was unable to match his won-loss record, going 6-4.

The Mets sent him to Brooklyn for his professional debut. Not surprisingly, they had him pitch out of the pen, going an inning at a time. The results were impressive, as he did not allow an earned run in 17 innings. During that span, Conlon struck out 25 and walked just two batters. That got him a starting assignment in a full-season league, where he’s had nearly as much success.

Overall there’s nothing jaw-dropping about Conlon. He’s a 6-foot lefty who can reach 90 with his fastball. He does not have a killer off-speed pitch. But he throws multiple pitches for strikes and he’s simply more advanced than his Lo-A opposition. Generally, the Mets make promotions at or just after the minor league All-Star games. If you can find someone willing to make you a wager, bet the house on Conlon going to St. Lucie after he starts in the All-Star game.

Las Vegas – CF Brandon Nimmo has a .359/.445/.581 line over his last 137 PA. If Juan Lagares needs a DL stint, Nimmo is playing well enough to deserve a promotion … After suffering through a 1-22 stretch, 2B Dilson Herrera has hit safely in eight of his last 12 games. In his last dozen games, he’s batting .327 with a .390 OBP but has not produced enough power, with just five extra-base hits in that span … 3B T.J. Rivera had his 17-game hitting streak snapped on May 31 but then went on to hit safely in his next five games. He’s batting .377 in his last 31 games and has seen time at both 1B and LF in addition to third … Since coming off the DL on May 24, Gavin Cecchini is batting .353 over 54 PA. But it’s coming without either walks or power, as he has just an .801 OPS in this stretch.

Binghamton – After losing four straight decisions, RHP Robert Gsellman has now won back-to-back starts, going eight innings in his last game. Overall he has a 2.71 ERA, a 1.085 WHIP and a 3.2 K/BB ratio … Most hitting prospects in the Mets system can’t wait to get to Binghamton. But 1B Matt Oberste is not finding his new home very friendly, as he has a .588 OPS in home games compared to a .952 mark in road games … Caught up in a numbers game, RHP Logan Taylor has moved to the pen this year. There’s not much glory in being a middle reliever in Double-A but Taylor has fanned 47 batters in 33.1 IP … SS Phillip Evans may no longer be thought of as one of the system’s top middle infielders but he’s batting .385 over his last 20 games.

St. Lucie – RHP Chris Flexen has won back-to-back starts, allowing just two hits over 13.1 IP. Overall this season opposing batters have just a .627 OPS against him and he has a 1.135 WHIP. But after having an 8.8 K/9 last year in Lo-A, Flexen has just a 5.7 K/9 this year … After getting off to a dreadful start, 2B Luis Guillorme is batting .311 with a .391 OBP in his last 18 games. It’s been feast or famine for Guillorme, who has 14 multi-hit games and 22 times where he’s taken the collar … After looking like maybe he had turned the corner in mid-May, OF Champ Stuart has slumped badly, with a .469 OPS in his last 59 PA. He’s getting eaten alive with strikeouts, as he’s fanned 25 times in this span … SS Amed Rosario had a two-triple game on Friday. After slumping the last week of May, Rosario has come alive again in June and will be in line for a mid-year promotion.

Columbia – 3B David Thompson came off the DL this week and got into five games, hitting a homer and three doubles in his return … It’s been a tough road so far for 1B Dash Winningham but he had a good week, batting .350 with four of his seven hits going for extra-bases … RHP Tyler Badamo won back-to-back starts. In 13 IP, he did not walk a batter … RHP Andrew Church made his second appearance and it was another good outing, as he hurled 7.2 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 0 BB and 6 Ks.