Mets Minors: Perhaps you’ve never heard of Jordan Humphreys

Perhaps you’ve never heard of Jordan Humphreys. Frankly, there would be little reason to. The Mets drafted Humphreys in the 18th round of the 2015 draft. Just your average 6’2” righty who throws in the low 90s with a changeup and a curveball in the arsenal. You won’t question why you’ve never heard the name, but looking at the numbers… maybe that should change.

Last season, at 19, he split time between Kingsport and Brooklyn. He managed a 1.17 WHIP and a K/9 firmly above 9.0 through 75.1 IP (mostly in Kingsport). Those numbers are better than a typical 18th round pick.

To start off the 2017 season Humphreys pitched 5.2 innings against Augusta. In the game he surrendered only 3 hits and 1 walks while notching 9 strikeouts. This is one game… but it was one heck of a game.

AAA: Las Vegas

Dominic Smith starts steady – He’s started the year hitting .375 over the first four games. As a player who usually starts slow, that’s a good sign.

Amed Rosario is also hitting – Through his first four games of AAA he has a modest four game hit streak and not a single strikeout.

Ricky Knapp solid first start – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Ks and 0 walks. That’s nothing to sneer at.

AA: Binghamton

L.J. Mazzilli hopes to be relevant – If he can keep hitting and walking that’s going to happen but this pace cannot be kept up.

Matt Oberste needs to earn a promotion – He’s repeating AA despite solid numbers in 2016 and it going to have to cut the Ks if he wants to see AAA.

P.J. Conlon does well – It’s only one start but he’s still limiting the hits and walks and still has a K/9 around 9.0 which is pretty good.

A+: Port St. Lucie

Patrick Mazeika wishes to prove me right – Readers will know that I am a fan of this hitting catcher. Last year he was held back by injury and this year he seems to have started off well.

Wuilmer Becerra also healthy – Another player hampered by injury in 2016 is starting off well in 2017.

Jhoan Urena knows his time is now – If Urena doesn’t suddenly remember how to hit he’s not going to stay relevant.

Nabil Crismatt finally getting respect – He’s beginning the year as a starter and it seems he wishes to make the most of the opportunity.

Andrew Church is relevant again – For those who wrote him off in 2015, he made a case for us to think of him again in 2016 and seems to be all pistons firing for 2017.

Justin Dunn’s first start… not so good – It’s one start but 4.0 IP and 5 walks is pretty darn awful.

Kevin Canelon learns to relieve – Canelon had been a starter but he has begun a new path and one I think will take him to the majors.

A: Columbia

Anthony Dimino builds on a breakout year – Nobody knew Dimino prior to 2016 and it seems he wishes to prove that the year was not a fluke.

Jacob Zanon where have you been – In Brooklyn we saw that Zanon was fast. Suddenly Zannon has become an OBP machine, 4 hits and 4 walks in 8 at bats will do that.

Dash Winningham wants more than #50 – The player I ranked 50th amongst Met prospects has a four game hit streak and 9 RBI in this young season.

Merandy Gonzalez still looks sharp – New year and same Gonzalez. He’s off and running with a very solid 5.0 inning outing.