April 25, 2008                               

"Our phenoms ain't phenominating." -LEFTY PHILLIPS, Angel manager (1969-71)

Mets News:

                Mets 5^th in ESPN power rankings:

                                2008 Power Rankings April 18:

1.       Arizona

2.       Cubs

                                          3.       Mets
                                          4.       White Sox
                                          5.       St. Louis

 

Mosies Alou went 2-7 in an extended game yesterday.

                Ramon Castro caught 4 innings and went 2-3, with an RBI.           

                New York Sun:

                                So Luis Castillo is hardly the Mets’ only problem, but he’s the most obvious, a ghost of himself who can’t hit or field well enough to play his position. He was in the lineup last night, batting second, wearing a glove behind Johan Santana, and serving as a living reminder of the old Bill James axiom that no matter who is on the mound, much of what we perceive to be pitching is in fact defense. In other words, one man’s single in the hole is another’s 4-3 putout, but the Mets don’t have that function right now.

                From Hardball Times:

                                Top 5 Teams Worth:

1.        Yankees   1,200,000,000       

                                          2.       Mets             736,000,000

3.       Red Sox        724,000,000

4.       Dodgers       632,000,000

 

Harold Reynolds, formerly of the Alaska Goldpanners, Seattle Mariners and ESPN, and currently of MLB.com, has joined SNY as a part-time studio analyst, the network will announce this morning.

 

Willie Randolph would be the first to tell you that Carlos Delgado is struggling. It's part of the reason he demoted him in the lineup. But the Mets manager cautioned against piling onto his first baseman, who he still believes is bound for a home run binge or two. "Everyone needs to be guarded about talking about guys being finished or done, or slumps of that nature," Randolph said. "We've said before, it's not always about end results, or 0-for-this or 0-for-that. He's hitting the ball pretty well." -- Newak Star-Ledger

 

               

Mets Contracts:

                Duaner Sanchez rhp - 1 year/$0.85M (2008) - re-signed 1/7/08 (avoided arbitration) - 1 year/$0.85M (2007) - re-signed 1/07 (avoided arbitration) - $0.1M in performance bonuses ($25,000 each for 50, 55, 60 & 65 g) - 1 year/$0.3995M (2006), re-signed 3/06 - 1 year/$0.332M (2005), re-signed 2/05 - 1 year/$0.305M (2004), re-signed 11/03 - agent: CSMG - ML service: 4.075

 Zephyrs

                The New Orleans Zephyrs have taken a liking to Round Rock pitching. After having their most successful offensive series in Round Rock two weeks ago, the Zephyrs recorded a new season high by scoring 11 runs and tied their previous best with 14 hits in a 11-5 rout of the Express on Thursday night. The Zephyrs stormed out of the gate, scoring five times off Round Rock starter Runelvys Hernandez in the first inning, and had four extra-base hits in a span of five at-bats. Caleb Stewart, Jesus Feliciano and Mike Nickeas delivered RBI doubles, and Chris Aguila had a two-run triple. Stewart added a two-run homer in the fourth inning, and Aguila tacked on a two-run shot of his own in the sixth as the Z's built a 11-1 lead. New Orleans left-hander Adam Bostick went six innings, and allowed one run on just two hits with three strikeouts and three walks to improve to 2-1. Hernandez took the loss after allowing nine runs on 11 hits in 3.1 innings.

 B-Mets

                From Project Prospect: 

                                The Top 25 “non-Prospect” prospects:

                                                #5 – P Jon Niese – “off to great start in '08 ( 0.93 ERA, 6.2 BB%, 21 K%, 55% GB), always posted good FIP”

                                                #14 -  1B Nick Evans – “solid season in '07, great start in '08 (.271 isoP, .412 w-OBA), must improve K and BB%”

                 Jonathon Niese tossed six shutout innings and Fernando Martinez scored a run and drove in another, helping the Binghamton Mets to a 2-0 win over the Portland Sea Dogs at Hadlock Field Thursday.  The win snaps Binghamton’s two-game losing streak.        

The B-Mets’ (10-11) bats were silent through the first five innings, as spot starter Kyle Jackson held the B-Mets to one hit over four before Miguel Asencio tossed a hitless fifth.  Binghamton broke through against Asencio (1-1) in the sixth when Martinez singled, stole second and scored on Daniel Murphy’s two-out single to right for a 1-0 B-Mets lead.  The first two B-Mets were retired to start the seventh before Ambiorix Concepcion walked and Rafael Arroyo and Martinez singled, the latter scoring Concepcion from second base with Binghamton’s second run. Niese (2-1) limited Portland (14-6) to five hits, striking out five.  Salvador Aguilar followed with two scoreless innings before Eddie Kunz tossed a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out one, for his fourth save in as many chances. 

Lucy:                 Activated P – Tobi Stoner from DL and send P Matias Carrillo to Brooklyn 

Gnats:

                The Rome Braves used three home runs, including a solo shot in the eighth from Freddie Freeman that gave the Braves a 5-4 win at Historic Grayson Stadium on Thursday night. Savannah led 1-0 in the sixth when Samuel Sime hit the first pitch from Michael Antonini out to left to tie the game. After Michael Fisher reached on an error by Greg Veloz, Jason Heyward singled to right. Next, Cody Johnson hit a deep home run to center field to give Rome a 4-1 lead. Savannah rallied in the seventh when Brandon Kawal led off with a double down the right-field line off Braves reliever Yeliar Castro. After a wild pitch, Daniel Stegall earned a base on balls to put runners on the corners. After Veloz popped out, Matt Bouchard tripled to the gap in right-center to pull the Gnats within a run. With Jordan Abruzzo batting, the Gnats tied the game when Braves catcher Javier Dominguez allowed a passed ball that scored Bouchard from third. Gnats reliever Edgar Ramirez (2-1) retired the first two Rome hitters in the eighth before Freeman took him deep to right for the deciding run. Ramirez was charged with the loss. Lost in the home run barrage were two strong outings from the starters. Savannah’s Michael Antonini cruised through the first five innings, allowing just 2 hits and no runs. His final line was 5.2 innings, 6 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), and 6 strikeouts.

 Minor League Bios                       

Adam O’Neil    P

O’Neil was signed by the Mets in January 2007 as an international free agent. He’s from Australia. Mets scount Tony Harris commented:

 " I watched him pitch and I was immediately interested.   He had a great arm action, was fluid, had that perfect pitcher's body and kept the ball low with a hard curve that was fooling the hitters.   I am standing next to his agent thinking - not only do I want him at the Academy but I want him for the Mets," said Tony at Adam's home where he was inking in the professional contract that made him a Met.   "I was tempted to make  an offer there and then but thought it best to wait till he played in Perth."

O’Neill said at the time of the signing:"Now that I have signed with the Mets it’s a great feeling, but I know that the hard work is just beginning. I know I have 12 months of dedication to the Mets now getting ready for the 2009 season, but i'm over whelmed with excitement and i'm ready for the challenge. I am happy with my decision to become a Met and cannot wait for 2009 when I get to put the uniform on as a professional baseball player for the New York Mets."

 Phillips Orta   SP   R   R   6’2”   175   Western Nebraska C.C./Venezuela

Orta was drafted in the 10^th round of the 2006 draft, by the New York Mets. He decided to play his freshman year instead at Western Nebraska Community College, leading them to a regional championship and almost single-handedly pitched them to the College World Series. He made 13 pitching appearances for WNCC, pitched 62 innings and produced an ERA of 2.78. In addition, he posted 77 K’s for an average of 9.1 per start.He decided to sign a 7-year deal with the Mets as soon as his freshman year was over."A Mets scout for the midwest said Orta could end up as a No. 2 or No. 3 starter in the major leagues in a few years." "I think you'll see him as one of our bright spots in the New York Mets organization in the next few years." His fastball averages in the 90-92 MPH range. Orta started the 2007 season pitching for the VSL Mets (0-0, 1.29 in 4 games, 3 starts) while he was waiting for his visa to come through. His next stop was Kinsport where he pitched well (2-2, 4.58, 1.57 in 11 starts). In late August, Orta was called up to A-Savannah (0-0, 27.00 in 1 appearance), where he will most probably play the 2008 season.In late January 2007, Baseball America ranked Orta as the 22^nd overall Mets prospect, adding:-scout larry chase says he has the ceiling of a #2 or #3 starter  

Ex-Mets:

                According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Carlos Gomez will remain in the majors and continue in his role as the Twins' leadoff man despite going 6-for-44 (.136) with zero walks over the past 10 games.

                Tom Glavine (hamstring) thew a bullpen session Wednesday and remains on track to return from the disabled list Tuesday against the Nationals

                Houston released P Mike DeJean and added to the 40-man roster OF David Newhan.               

                Minnesota reinstated from the DL P Danny Graves.

                Jason Bay hit a home run, drove in 2 runs and scored 2 runs, and Doug Mientkiewicz added 2 RBI as the Pirates rallied to defeat the Cardinals, 7-4

                Don’t expect Tampa Bay starting pitcher Scott Kazmir to be requesting morning games at Tropicana Field anytime soon. The left-hander gave up four earned runs and worked into the fifth inning on Wednesday in the Class A Advanced Vero Beach Devil Rays’ 4-3 loss to the Palm Beach Cardinals in a game that started in the morning and ended with Kazmir going back and forth from the mound to the bullpen due to a pitch-count misunderstanding.

 

This Day in Mets History:

                1977  -  George Foster has seven RBIs, scores five runs times, bangs out four hits (two home runs, double and a single) as the Reds rout the Braves 23-9. Cincinnati ties a National League record by scoring 12 runs in one inning.

                2000  -  Honoring the work stoppage called by Cuban-Americans work stoppage over the Elian Gonzalez situation, Marlins Alex Fernandez, Vladimir Nunez, Michael Tejera and Mike Lowell, Devil Rays' Jose Canseco and Mets' Rey Ordonez and Cookie Rojas do not participate in major league action.

                2001 Padres' outfielder Rickey Henderson, 42, breaks the career walks record established by Babe Ruth when he receives his 2,063rd base on balls.

April 24, 2008 

Mets News:

                Through Tuesday’s game, Carlos Beltran is 1-19 in this road trip.

                Pedro Martinez (left hammy) will be cleared in around 10 days to throw off the mound. Not so lucky for Orlando Hernandez, who is still shut down and in a boot.

                Both Moises Alou and Ramon Castro played yesterday in an extended game.

 

New Mets:

Eude Brito    SP    L    L    6-0    160    8-19-81    Sabana De La Mar, D.R.

Brito was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Phillies in 1998. Until signing with the Mets, he has spent his entire 9 year career as a Philly.

He rose to the MLB level twice and his combined major league stats are 2-4, 5.36 in 11 games (7 starts).

Brito was signed by the Mets in April 2008 and assigned to Binghamton.

 Arthur Santos    P    R    R    6-0    175    2-20-82    Florida International University

Santos was drafted by the Red Sox in the 34^th round of the 2003 draft. He has played his entire 5 year career in the minors, for 3 teams (Boston, Atlanta, Kansas City). His combined stats are: 16-16, 3.29, 140 Games, 22 started, 178K/290 IP, 1.39.

Santos was signed by the Mets in April 2008 and assigned to St. Lucie.

 Kai Achim Gronauer (Flutschi)    C    R    R    6-1    196    11-28-86    Solingen, Germany 

Kai Gronauer has been a regular on the German national team since he was 18 years old.

Gronauer debuted in Bundesliga when he was only 16, hitting .371/.437/.452 for the 2003 Solingen Alligators and tying for 4th in the northern division with 19 RBI. In the 2004 World Junior Championship, he batted .385/.429/.538 for an 0-4 German squad, getting 5 of the team's 16 hits and both of its extra-base hits (two doubles). He threw out 3 of 5 would-be base-stealers as well. He was named to the tournament's All-Star team as the top catcher.

In Bundesliga in 2004, Gronauer hit .347/.420/.417 and threw out 60% of attempted base-stealers. The next year, his batting line was .382/.457/.491 and he led the Northern division in runs (35) and steals (15), while only getting caught running three times. In the playoffs, he batted .423/.492/.500 in 52 AB. In the 2005 European Championship, Gronauer hit .243/.324/.300 in nine games for the German national team.

Gronauer produced at a .403/.471/.583 clip as a 19-year-old in Bundesliga in 2006. He batted .384/.520/.589 in 2007 and led the Bundesliga North in steals (20) and walks (20, tied for the lead) while placing second in runs (33) and fifth in OPS. He threw out half of attempted base stealers. In the 2007 European Cup, Gronauer hit .400/.400/.550 for Solingen, which went 1-4. He hit a solid .296/.400/.630 with 8 RBI in eight games in the 2007 European Championship as Germany finished 4th. In the 2007 Baseball World Cup, he had a 2-run homer against Vladimir Banos in a surprisingly close game against Cuba and doubled home both of Germany's runs against Australia while hitting cleanup. Overall, he hit .167/.231/.375 in the World Cup and was second on the team in slugging behind Jens Heymer. His 4 RBI not only led the team but were one-third on their total for the event. Through 2007, Gronauer's .992 fielding percentage was the best in German national team history, .004 ahead of anybody else.

Mets Contracts:

                Damion Easley inf - 1 year/$0.95M (2008) - re-signed 10/31/07 - 1 year/$0.85M (2007) - signed as a free agent 11/06 - 1 year/$0.7M (2006), signed as a free agent 12/05 - 1 year/$0.75M (2005), re-signed 11/04 - 1 year/$0.3M (2004) - signed as a free agent 1/04 (minor-league contract) - 4 years/$26.5M (2001-04), plus $8M 2005 club option ($1.3M buyout) - released 3/03 with $14M left ($6.5M 03 & 04, $1.3M 05 buyout) - agent: Paul Cohen - ML service: 14.117

 Zephyrs

                Fernando Tatis leaded the league with 8 home runs.

                Upcoming pitchers:  Thursday:  Adam Bostick (1-1), Friday: Tony Armas (1-0), Saturday: Ruddy Lugo (2-1), and Sunday: Jose Diaz (1-2).

B-Mets

                Mike Carp ended his hitting streak Tuesday night at 14.

                RP Eddie Camacho has retired 21 straight batters through Tuesday night

Upcoming starters:  Thursday:  Jon Niese (1-1, 0.93) – Friday: Jose Sanchez (2-1, 4.66) – Saturday: Bobby Parnell (0-1, 5.89).

 Mike Carp had three hits and two RBIs and Jake Ruckle threw five strong inning, but the Trenton Thunder scored three times in the eighth to pull out an 8-5 win over the Binghamton Mets at NYSEG Stadium Wednesday.  Trenton took two of three in the series.  The B-Mets dropped six of seven on the homestand. After Trenton (12-9) took a 1-0 lead on Matt Carson’s first-inning RBI double, the B-Mets (9-11) responded with two in the bottom of the inning off Chase Wright.  Binghamton loaded the bases with no outs on base hits by Fernando Martinez, Jose Coronado and Daniel Murphy before Nick Evans grounded into a double play that scored Martinez.  Coronado came in on Carp’s base hit to center for a 2-1 B-Mets lead. Cody Ehlers homered off Ruckle in the fourth to tie the score before Binghamton bounced back with two more runs in the bottom of the inning.  Evans and Carp began the frame with back-to-back singles before Emmanuel Garcia singled in Evans.  Carp scored on a throwing error for a 4-2 Binghamton advantage. The Thunder tied the game 4-4 in the sixth on back-to-back, two-out RBI hits by Jose Tabata and P.J. Pilittere off Eude Brito.  Brito (0-1) departed after Ehlers’ RBI double in the eighth gave Trenton the lead.  Pilittere and Chris Malec added run-scoring singles later in the inning, padding Trenton’s lead to 7-4. Binghamton got a run back in the bottom of the eighth.  After Evans drew a one-out walk off Michael Gardner (2-1), Carp followed with a double to right-center that brought in Evans and cut Trenton’s lead to 7-5.  Trenton’s Colin Curtis doubled in a run in the top of the ninth to cap off the scoring.               

Lucy:                

Trailing 5-1 going into the bottom of the eighth, the St. Lucie Mets fought back but could get no closer than 5-4 as they were tagged with their ninth straight loss. Ruben Tejeda singled in Luis Rivera in the bottom of the eighth to make it 5-2, and Rivera came back to hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to close within 5-4. But Daytona closer Casey Lambert got Ezequiel Carrera to fly out to end the game. St. Lucie now stands 2-18 on the year.                 

Gnats:

                Starters Angel Calero and Zach McAllister pitched masterfully for six innings each, but the RiverDogs found ways to score and Savannah was held to four hits in a 4-0 Charleston win on Wednesday night. Calero (0-3) was perfect through five innings and retired the first 16 Charleston batters before Walter Ibarra doubled and scored the game’s first run on a sacrifice fly from Taylor Holiday. Savannah (6-14) had the bases loaded in the eighth after Daniel Stegall was hit by a pitch before Richard Lucas and Jose Jimenez both walked. Jordan Abruzzo broke his bat grounding out to end the threat. McAllister (2-1) was just as dominant as Calero, allowing just 2 hits and a walk in 6.0 innings before Wilkins de la Rosa, Jason Stephens and Craig Heyer pitched the final three frames to complete the shutout. Heyer recorded the final four outs for his first save.  In the eighth, Jesus Montero doubled to left to score Wady Rufino to make it 2-0 Charleston. Jose Bierd relieved Calero and allowed a hit and a walk before Carmen Angelini singled passed a diving  Lucas at third to stretch the RiverDogs (17-3) lead to 4-0. While scratching out just four hits, Savannah still managed to strand eight on the bases.

 Minor League Bios               

Manuel Olivares    P   R   R   6-2   170   5-22-86   Maracay Aragua, Vz.

Olivares was signed by the Mets on 11-4-03 by their Venezuelan scout, Gregorio Machado.He played for Tronconero of the VSL league in both 2004 (3-2, 3.91) and 2005 (3-5, 5.36). Mets scout Gregorio Machado signed him for the Mets and he then played 2006 for the VSL Mets, where he had an outstanding year (6-3, 2.14 in 12 starts). Olivares was also tied for the VSL league lead in shutouts, 2^nd in complete games, and 4^th in ERA.2007 brought a trip to the USA and a season with Kingsport, where he went 3-3, 4.56, 1.38 in 13 games (6 starts). 

Michael Omstead   RP   R   R   6-5   240   Cypress College

Olmstead pitched 73.0 innings in 2007 for Cypress, giving up 80 hits, walking 24, striking out 53, and posting a 4.19 ERA.The Mets drafted Omstead in the 9^th round of the 2007 draft. He signed, pitched in 2 games for the GCL Mets (0-0, 0.00, 8 Ks/3.0 IP), and was promoted to Kingsport.At Kingsport in 2007, he went 1-1, 1.93, 1.00 in 6 starts, including 22 Ks in 28.0 innings. He ended the season with Brooklyn (0-0, 7.71 in 2 appearances). 


 Ex-Mets:

                Lastings Milledge doubled twice and scored twice as the Nationals blanked the Braves, 6-0.

     Xavier Nady drove in 2 runs as the Pirates hooked the Marlins, 3-2  
             
Carlos Gomez went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts and committed an error in the outfield on Tuesday. Gomez is 1-for-18 with no runs scored in his last four games, and his OBP for the year is all of the way down to .247.

                Kaz Matsui delivered a two-run single in the eighth inning Tuesday night to break a 7-7 tie, helping lift the Astros to an 11-7 victory over the Padres.

                Braves pitcher Tom Glavine doesn't plan for his first-ever disabled list stint to go any longer than necessary. He's eligible to come off Tuesday when the team is in Washington, and Glavine is gearing up to start that night. He's given his sore right hamstring nine days' rest, and other than some soreness where there was bruising, he said it's feeling much better. Glavine said flexibility is still an issue but is not something he thinks will prevent him from getting back on the mound. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

  

This Day in Mets History:

                1962 -  Met manager Casey Stengel is fined $500 dollars by Commissioner Ford Frick for appearing in a beer ad.

                1994  -  White Sox sluggers Julio Franco and Robin Ventura homer back to back twice in a 7-6 defeat to the Tigers.

                1998  -  Dodger backstop Mike Piazza ties a major league record hitting his third grand slam of the month. The blast highlights a nine-run second inning which leads Los Angeles to 12-4 victory over the visiting Cubs

 

April 23, 2008 

Mets News:

                Newsday reports that Moises Alou (groin) might not return until next week. The New York Daily News said Monday that he appeared set to join the team on Friday, but the Mets are hesitant to set a return date and are backing off their original assertion. Still, the team wouldn't rule out a return over the weekend

                Ramon Castro (hamstring) caught five innings in an extended spring training game on Monday. Castro went 2-for-3 and threw out a runner attempting a steal, but he probably won't be back until May. "He's not at the point where he's running 100%," assistant GM John Ricco said.

 

Mets Contracts:

                Pedro Feliciano -  lhp  -  1 year/$1.025M (2008) - re-signed 2/1/08 (avoided arbitration, $1.2M-$0.88M) - performance bonuses: $15,000 for 60 games, $10,000 for 65 games - 1 year/$0.602M (2007), re-signed 3/07 - signed as a free agent from Japan 12/05 - 1 year/$0.735M (2005), signed 1/05 with Fukuoka of Japan - 1 year (2004), re-signed 12/03 - 1 year (2003), signed as a free agent by NY Mets 4/03 1 year (2002) - signed as a free agent by Cincinnati (from LA Dodgers) 11/01 - acquired by NY Mets in trade (from Cincinnati) 8/02 - claimed off waivers by Detroit (from NY Mets) 10/02 - released (by Detroit) 12/02 - drafted 1995 (31-863) - ML service: 3.059

 Zephyrs

                Damon Hollins drove in a season high five runs for the Omaha Royals in the Omaha 12-4 victory of the New Orleans Zephyrs on Tuesday afternoon at Rosenblatt Stadium.    Omaha starting pitcher Kyle Davies worked seven innings allowed no runs on two hits and earned his second win of the season.  The Zephyr starting pitcher Brian Stokes struggled walking the first two batters he faced and allowed a season high 11 runs in the loss.  The Zephyrs scored a pair of runs in the eighth inning and Gustavo Molina blasted a two run home run in the ninth inning.  The Z’s and Royals split the four game series.

 B-Mets                RHP Joe Hietpas placed on the Disabled List with a low back strain, retroactive to 4/21. NY Mets sign LHP Eude Brito as a Minor League free agent and assigned him to Binghamton.                 Josh Petersen two-out, bottom-of-the-ninth RBI single tied it, but the Trenton Thunder scored five runs in the top of the 13th for an 8-3 win over the Binghamton Mets at NYSEG Stadium Tuesday.  The loss is Binghamton’s fifth in their last six games.                The B-Mets (9-10) took a 1-0 lead in the second when Salvador Paniagua reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and scored on Emmanuel Garcia’s base hit up the middle.  Trenton (11-9) tied the game on Jose Tabata’s sacrifice fly in the fourth and took a 2-1 lead on a Colin Curtis RBI single in the fifth.                Binghamton rallied for another run in the fifth when Garcia singled, moved to third on an error and scored on Petersen’s base hit to center, tying the score 2-2.  However, a Chris Malec RBI fielder’s choice in the sixth put the Thunder ahead 3-2.                Trenton reliever Steven Jackson retired the first two hitters in the bottom of the ninth before Paniagua singled to right.  Garcia’s base hit moved pinch-runner Rafael Arroyo to second before Petersen lined a base hit to left, tying the score 3-3.  Jackson was replaced by Eric Wordekemper (1-1), who tossed two scoreless innings.

                The score remained tied until the 13th, when Malec singled in a run off Eddie Kunz (1-1).  Austin Jackson had a two-run single later in the frame before Matt Carson picked up an RBI single of his own.  The final run of the inning scored on an error.

 Lucy:                 Lucy places P Nick Abel on the DL and adds P Arthur Santos. 

Gnats:

                Jesus Montero went 3-for-5 with a home run and three Charleston relievers held the Sand Gnats hitless for the final four innings as the RiverDogs beat Savannah 6-3 on Tuesday night. Trailing 2-0 with two out in the sixth, Jesus Montero hit a deep home run to center field that turned out to be an omen for the rest of the night. Charleston scored two more in the seventh and three times in the eighth, and the bullpen did the rest as the RiverDogs (16-3) earned a comeback win. Lance Pendleton, Chace Vacek (2-0) and Jonathan Ortiz combined to hold the Gnats hitless after the fifth inning to preserve the lead. Vacek earned his second win. Gnats starter Elvin Ramirez (1-1) pitched great through 4.2 innings, but was relieved by Nick Waechter after throwing 96 pitches. Ramirez allowed no runs and just 1 hit while walking 1 and striking out a season-high 6. Savannah (6-13) took the lead in the first when Bouchard doubled to lead off the first for the Gnats. He scored when Jose Jimenez singled to right. The Gnats added runs in the fourth on a Daniel Stegall ground out and in the sixth when Justin Snyder’s error allowed Francisco Pena to score. John Holdzkom (0-1) was tagged with the loss, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits and a walk in a third of an inning.

 Minor League Bios

                Jon Niese  P   L   L   6' 3"   190   10-27-1986

Niese was voted Gatorade High School Baseball Player of the Year for two straight years. The Mets drafted him in the 7th round in 2005, and Niese got his feet wet at the GCL Mets, going 1-0 in 7 games, posting a 3.65 ERA and throwing 24 Ks in 24.2 IP.  

Scouting report at the time:  This then-19 year old lefty shows promise, but he's not a fastball pitcher and a portrait of a young Tom Glavine comes to mind. He has an excellent curve, and needs to work on the placement of his fastball and change before he can be declared a major league prospect. 2006 started strong at Low-A, where he posted a 3.93 ERA, but faded by the end of the year at St. Lucie (High-A), where his ERA went up to 4.50. Niese averaged more than a strikeout per inning thanks to his 88-91 mph fastball, which Mets officials feel will go higher as he matures. On the down side, his mechanics need refinement. He also consistently loses snap on his curveball.

OnDeck has Niese listed as the 18th Mets prospect. John Sickles pre-season rating of Niese was a C and was ranked the 19th Mets prospect. Possesses an 88-92 mph fastball that’s described as “sneaky fast.”

Gotham Baseball updated their Mets prospect list in August 2006 and Niese was ranked 6th.  The Mets named Niese as co-MVP (along with Fernando Martinez) of the 2006 Hagerstown Suns (A) of the South Atlantic League.  InsidePitch lists him as the 8th top Mets prospect. 

In December 2006 Scout.com listed Niese as one of the top 10 Mets prospects going into 2007 and the 133rd best pitching prospect in all of baseball.  Baseball Prospectus updated their top Mets prospect list in December 2006 and listed Niese as #6, with the tag of “average prospect”.  John Sickles has him as the 5th top 2007 Mets prospect, with a B- rating, and the comment:  “projectable lefty is a personal favorite”.

In Janaury 2007, Rotoworld ranked Niese as the 9th top Mets prospect in 2007, stating “he should be able to avoid a trip to the bullpen, but at least he does have a fallback after limiting left-handed hitters to a .317 slugging percentage last year. “

Niese is ranked high on the list of most strikeouts per batters and delivering the most ground balls per batters.

In February 2007, Scout.com ranked Niese as the 7th top Mets propect, his highest ranking to date.

In March 2007, ‘Met Heads” broke out their Top 6 Mets Pitching Prospects…  Their #6 was: “Jon Niese rounds out the list at #6.   Jon is another young pitcher in the Mets farm system.  At age 19 Jon had a solid season in A ball.  In 123 innings he had a 9.6 K/9, 4.5 BB/9, 3.93 ERA, 3.11 to mature and improve in the minor leagues.”

Niese played the entire 2007 season for St. Lucie and posted stats of 11-7, 4.29, 1.35 in 27 starts. He also had 110 Ks in 134.1 IP.

In September 2007, Baseball America ranked Niese the 21st best Florida State League pitcher in “strikeout percentage”, 24th in ‘groundout-to-flyout ratio, 5th in “top command”, and 5th in “big seasons”. In November 2007, both BA and Scouts.com named Niese as the 8th top Mets prospect.

In December, Jonathan Mayo/MLB.com wrote:

                 To be fair, he was probably on the radar after leading the organization in strikeouts in 2006, his first full season, but he jumped on it a little more firmly with in 2007. His overall numbers may not look all that exciting -- a 4.29 ERA and .285 opponents' batting average -- but it's how he responded to his struggles that was impressive. After a first half that saw the then-21-year-old post a 5.31 ERA, Niese improved to 3.52 in the second half -- and 2.62 in six August starts.

In late January 2008, Baseball America ranked Niese as the 8th overall Mets prospect.

In February 2008, Baseball Prospectus named Niese a 3-star prospect and the #2 Mets prospect overall.

Also in February 2008, Rotoworld ranked  Niese as the #5 Mets prospect, saying:

                Niese struggled initially in the Florida State League, but he finished up with a 3.52 ERA and a 66/16 K/BB ratio in 76 2/3 innings after the All-Star break. His command has already come a long way, and improved conditioning allowed him to maintain his stamina deep into the season. It's important that Niese keep hitting his spots with his 88-90 mph fastball, as his big curve isn't likely to result in as many strikeouts at higher levels. He also needs to perfect his changeup. A future as a No. 4 starter could be possible.

ProjectProspect also came out, in February 2008, with their revised Top 150 Prospect List, and Niese made his first national prospect list, coming in at #142, adding: “substantial BB% improvement from '06 to '07, though he couldn't sustain K%; No. 4-5?”.  

In March 2008, BA wrote an article on the top 10 prospects to watch out for in 2008:

Jonathan Niese, LHP - Niese showed up to Spring Training a year ago about 30 pounds overweight and paid the price for much of the season in St. Lucie as he tried to get in shape and then readjust to his body. He took better care of himself as the season wore on and had the results to show for it (a 2.62 ERA in six August starts). Now taking conditioning and, more importantly, nutrition seriously, Niese was in tip-top shape this spring and has looked very sharp. He's got a very smooth delivery and repeats his mechanics well. That enables him to throw his fastball, changeup and his best pitch, a 12-to-6 curve, for strikes at any point in the count. With the lesson learned, Niese could step up and help fill the void left by the departures of Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra. He'll begin the year in Binghamton's rotation.

 Ex-Mets:

                Yorvit Torrealba doubled, homered, and knocked in 3 runs for Colorado

                Xavier Nady had 2 hits and 2 RBI for Pittsburgh. 

This Day in Mets History:

                1962 -  In the team's tenth attempt, the Mets win their first game in franchise history defeating the Pirates, 9-1 at Forbes Field. Jay Hook's five-hit complete game snaps Pittsburgh's record-tying winning streak of 10 games from the start of the season without the loss.

                1999   -  Fernando Tatis becomes the first player in major league history to hit two grand slams in one inning. The Cardinal third baseman hits both off Dodger starter Chan Ho Park in an 11-run third setting the major league mark. His eight RBIs in one inning also breaks the old record of six.

                2006  -   Keith Hernandez is reprimanded by Sportsnet New York, the Mets' television network for comments made last night about the female in full uniform sitting in the Padres dugout. Spotting Kelly Calabrese, the Padres' full-time massage therapist, the Mets broadcaster remarked women "don't belong in the dugout" and apologized for his insensitive comments during the today's telecast.

April 22, 2008 

Mets News: 

                Baseball Digest’s analysis of the Mets so far:

                                Carlos Delgado’s lack of power hitting both last season and thus far this season has to be concerning for the Mets. He slugged .548 in 2006 and has a career average SLG of .547, yet in ’07, he lost a full 100 points, dropping to .448. In 53 at-bats so far in ’08, Delgado has 13 hits, only four of which have gone for extra-bases (three doubles, one homer).

Delgado has an option for the ’09 season that will likely be a club option (the option vests based on his rank in MVP voting; I think we can all assume he won’t be an MVP candidate) worth $16 million. Paying that much money for a sub-.800 OPS shouldn’t be in the Mets’ plans. I’ve mentioned a lot in my FDTP articles that there are a few AL teams begging for a DH – Delgado should be available.

What could Delgado bring back for the Mets? It depends on how much of his salary they’re willing to pay. Given his age, declining power, and mediocre defense, Delgado might only command the Mets a B-level prospect or two, or a mediocre relief pitcher. The Mets’ starting rotation appears to be decent even without Pedro Martinez, but the bullpen is a minefield. If the Mets can land a decent reliever, let’s say Justin Duchscherer, to set up for Billy Wagner, they plug the only blatant weakness on the roster.

Moises Alou predicted he would return to the Mets by May 1. Looks like he may beat his own estimate. Barring a setback, Alou appears poised to join the Mets on Friday, when they open a home series against the Braves. Alou's return would be just 50 days after hernia surgery, a rapid recovery for anyone, much less a 41-year-old. "It depends on how he feels," Mets VP Tony Bernazard said about the timetable for Alou's return. "But it's good. It's very good." -- NY Daily News

 

Mets Contracts:

                Marlon Anderson of - 2 years/$2.2M (2008-09) - re-signed as a free agent 11/6/07 - 08:$1.05M, 09:$1.15M - 1 year (2007) - contract purchased 7/18/07 - signed as a free agent 7/12/07 (minor-league contract) - 2 years/$1.85M (2006-07) - DFA 6/29/07, released (by LA Dodgers) 7/11/07 - acquired in trade (from Washington) 8/06 - signed as a free agent 11/05 - 06:$0.925M, 07:$0.925M - 1 year (2005), contract purchased 4/05 - signed as a free agent 11/04 (minor-league contract) - 1 year/$0.6M (2004)- 1 year/$0.6M (2003) - 1 year/$0.4M (2002) - 1 year/$0.28M (2001) - ML service: 8.076

 Zephyrs

                Mike Nickeas drove home a pair of runs and Jose Diaz pitched a gem as the New Orleans Zephyrs defeated the Omaha Royals 6-2 on Monday night.  Diaz pitched seven innings, allowed two runs on two hits.  The 28 year old right hander pitched his third quality start in four games.  He did not allow a hit until the fourth inning and made just one mistake allowing a two run home run to Chris Lubanski in the fifth inning.  The Zephyrs pounded out eight hits led by outfielder Victor Mendez’s three hits.  The Z’s also drew seven walks in the game.  Omaha starter Mike Maroth lasted two innings and suffered the loss.  Former Z Brandon Duckworth pitched three innings for the Royals.  The Zephyrs scored a pair of runs in the second, a pair in the fourth and two additional runs in the 8th inning.  The Z’s lead the series two games to one.

Argenis Reyes returned to the line up after missing three games with a sore left ankle.   


B-Mets               

Nick Evans singled in Fernando Martinez in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Binghamton Mets a 5-4 win over the Trenton Thunder at NYSEG Stadium Monday.  The win ends Binghamton’s losing streak at four games.                Binghamton (9-9) went ahead with a big third inning.  Salvador Paniagua began by drawing a walk off Phil Coke before Martinez singled.  Jose Coronado bunted both runners into scoring position before Daniel Murphy singled up the middle, scoring Paniagua and Martinez.  Murphy moved to third on a single by Evans before scoring on Mike Carp’s base hit to center.  Emmanuel Garcia put Binghamton ahead 4-0 with a double to left that brought in Evans.                Trenton (10-9) responded with four of their own off Bobby Parnell in the fourth.  After Parnell retired the first two hitters, Colin Curtis doubled and scored on Matt Carson’s two-run homer, Cody Ehlers tripled and scored on a wild pitch and P.J. Pilittere homered, tying the score 4-4.               

Salvador Aguilar (1-0) replaced Parnell to start the sixth and kept Trenton at bay for the next four innings, allowing two hits, setting the stage for the bottom of the ninth.               

The inning began with Paniagua’s single to left off Bo Hall.  Martinez then reached on a fielder’s choice that forced out pinch-runner Jonathan Malo at second before Hall (0-1) walked Coronado.  Murphy’s groundout moved both runners into scoring position before Evans ripped a single to left-center that brought Martinez in with the winning run. 

Mike Carp has hit safely in 14 straight games.      


Lucy:

                Ruben Tejada (4/8-4/20) 17 for 51, 11 runs, 3 2b, 3b, 6 RBI, 1/2 SBs, 4/7 BB/K, .333/.382/.431/.813

                The Palm Beach Cardinals scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back as they beat the St. Lucie Mets 6-4 on Monday at Roger Dean Stadium. The Mets finally got on the board in the fifth inning as Brahiam Maldonado singled and scored on a Leivi Ventura ground out. St. Lucie added a run in the eighth on a ground out and two more in the ninth on a two-run single by Luis Rivera. The loss went to Dillon Gee (0-2). St. Lucie's record dipped to 2-16 on the season, while first-place Palm Beach now stands 12-6.

  

Gnats:

                The Braves scored five runs in the first four innings to cruise to a 7-2 win in front of 2,541 fans at State Mutual Stadium. The Braves took an early 1-0 lead in the first when Cole Miles led off with a single to left, stole second, and moved to third on a wild pitch. Jason Heyward then grounded out to first and Miles came around to score.

The next inning Savannah’s Jordan Abruzzo (1) led off with a solo homerun to left, tying the game 1-1.  In the bottom of the second Concepcion Rodriguez walked and Rome Braves newcomer Benji Johnson moved him to second on a groundout. Adam Coe then doubled to left scoring Rodriguez and putting the Braves back on top 2-1.

The Braves would add to their lead with one run in the third and then two more in the fourth to make the score 5-1. The two innings were highlighted by a Cody Johnson double scoring Fisher and then a Michael Fisher two run homerun (1).

In the fifth Savannah’s Jake Eigsti doubled and Daniel Stegall singled to score Eigsti and cut the lead to 5-2.  Rome added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth highlighted by a Cody Johnson mammoth homerun (4) and the Braves take the game by a final of 7-2. 

Rome’s Scott Diamond picks up his first win of the season (1-0) going six innings, allowing only one run, and striking out six. Edgar Osuna gets the save (2) and the loss goes to Scott Moviel (1-3).

 Minor League Bios               

  Luis Nieves   2B   R   R   5-11   160   12-15-88   Valencia, Venezuela

Nieves played the 2006 season with the VSL Mets and hit .215/.278/.239 in 205 at bats.He returned to the DSL Mets in 2007, hitting .235/.313/.310 in 226 at bats. He also had 27 SBs. 

Mike Nickeas   C   R   R   6-0   205    2-13-83   Georgia Tech University

Nickeas attended college at Georgia Tech. He was selected in the 5th round of the 2004 draft by Texas. In 2005, He batted .202 (49-242) with 7 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs and 24 RBI in 68 games with Frisco in 2005. He also, hit .286 (6-21) with 1 double, 1 home run and 1 RBI with the rookie-level Arizona Rangers. 

Nickeas was named the best defensive catcher in the Rangers' organization by Baseball America in 2005. In 2006, Nickeas appeared in 17 games with Bakersfield (A) of the California League this year, batting .297 (19-64) with 6 runs scored, 4 doubles and 6 RBI. Mike missed three weeks of action in May with a pulled hamstring before he was promoted to Frisco (AA) of the Texas League on May 28th. Nickeas hit .248 (28-113) with 15 runs scored, 7 doubles, 2 home runs, 15 RBI with 21 walks and 22 strikeouts in 39 contests with Frisco.

The Mets acquired Nickeas from Texas in exchange for OF Victor Diaz. He was assigned to the B-Mets after the trade and managed to get in 12 at bats before the season ended. Nickeas is a fundamentally sound defender with average catch-and-throw skills and an athletic background. Born in Canada and raised in California, his English-born father was a professional soccer player.  Despite his international background, Nickeas caught for Team USA last summer and as a prep player on the junior national team. He has average tools across the board, though he's a below-average runner. He struggled at the plate this season, with his average and slugging numbers down considerably from 2003. He isn't afraid to draw a walk, but scouts say he's been passive at the plate this season.

In January 2007, www.GothamBaseball.com surprisingly (IMO) listed Nickeas as the 10th top Mets prospect.  Also in January, Rotoworld had him as the 15th top Mets prospect. Nickeas started the 2007 season ‘extended’, but was transferred to Binghamton in late April (.271/.281/.278 in 212 at bats). In September 2007, Nickeas was assigned to play in the Arizona Winter League (which is always a sign that the organization wants to invest more time and money in you).

 Ex-Mets:               

  the Kansas City Royals have released right-hander Hideo Nomo

               
According to the St. Petersburg Times, Mike DiFelice will be designated for assignment Tuesday when Dioner Navarro returns from the disabled list.

 

This Day in Mets History:

                1970  -  On the day he presented with his Cy Young award, Mets'  Tom Seaver ties a major league record by whiffing 19 Padres, including the last ten he faces, to gain a 2-1 win

                2000  -  Homers by Mark McGwire and Fernando Tatis help to establishes an National League record for the most team home runs in April as the Cardinals go yard 42 times. The Braves had hit 41 home runs in April of 1998.

                2000  -  Angels Mo Vaughn, Tim Salmon and Troy Glaus all go deep in the fourth inning against Devil Rays' hurler Dwight Gooden, and then they again all homer off Roberto Hernandez in the ninth. It is the first time in major league history that the same three players homered in the same inning twice in a game.

 

And lastly:

                Legend of Mets Home Run Apple - The apple is a nine-foot mass of fiberboard slathered in red paint that, whenever a Met blasts a homer at Shea, pops out of a 10-foot, upside-down black top hat made of plywood. The Mets logo on the apple lights up and blinks. The phrase "Home Run," which replaced the original "Mets Magic," an offshoot of the Mets' old "The Magic is Back" campaign, is visible on the top hat. The apple, all 582 pounds of it, appeared behind the fence, to the right of the 410-foot mark in center field, during the 1980 season. No one can remember exactly when it made its debut, but Joe Donohue, one of those responsible for inventing it, guessed its debut was around late May. The Joe Torre-led Mets were awful back then. Tom Seaver was gone, Strawberry and Dwight Gooden were a few years away and the 1980 Mets finished fifth in the NL East at 67-95. -- NY Daily News

April 19, 2008 

Mets Contracts:

                Endy Chavez of - 2 years/$3.85M (2008-09) - re-signed 1/22/08 (avoided arbitration, $2.025M-$1.725M) - 08:$1.8M, 09:$2.05M - 2008 performance bonuses: $25,000 for 100 games, $50,000 each for 110, 120, 130 games, $25,000 each for 350, 375, 400 Pas - 2009 performance bonuses: $50,000 for 100 games, $75,000 each for 110, 120, 130 games, $25,000 each for 325, 350, 375, 400 Pas - 1 year/$1.725M (2007) - re-signed 1/07 (avoided arbitration) - $0.1M in performance bonuses: $12,500 each for 120 & 130 games, $25,000 each for 400, 450 & 500 plate appearances - 1 year/$0.5M (2006) - signed as a free agent 12/05 after being non-tendered - 1 year (2005), re-signed 2/05 - 1 year (2004) 2/04 - 1 year/$0.3M (2003) 2/03 - selected in Rule 5 draft 12/01 - agent: Chris Leible - ML service: 5.065

 Zephyrs

The New York Mets have sent Zephyrs right-handed relief pitcher Robert Paulk to Double-A Binghamton, it was announced today. Paulk, 27, started the season with the Zephyrs and appeared in four games and 5.1 innings, recording a 3.38 ERA. Paulk also spent some time with the Zephyrs in 2007, appearing in two games in relief with an 8.10 ERA in 3.1 innings of play. Paulk played in 34 games for the Binghamton Mets last season, registering a 2-5 record with a 4.12 ERA. Paulk came to the Mets via the 2002 draft, where he was selected in the 24th round. Paulk's roster spot on the Zephyrs will likely be taken by RHP Claudio Vargas, who was claimed off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers but is currently conditioning in Extended Spring Training in Port St. Lucie, FL. 

The Iowa Cubs utilized the home run a little better than the New Orleans Zephyrs on Friday, and were rewarded with a series split for their efforts. Todd Richie, Casey McGehee and Andres Blanco all hit their first home runs of the season for Iowa, who powered their way past the Z's, 5-2. Richie hit a high fastball from Zephyrs starter Adam Bostick over the center field fence in the second inning to give the I-Cubs an early 2-0 lead. But Bostick settled down and kept the Z's close, and New Orleans tied the score at 2-2 on Shawn Wooten's first home run of the season in the seventh. Bostick walked Blanco to lead off the eighth, and was removed after a sacrifice bunt by Bobby Scales. Tim McNab came on in relief, and McGehee greeted him by drilling a two-run home run to left to give the Cubs a 4-2 lead. Blanco homered off Ivan Maldonado in the ninth for the final margin. Bostick (1-1) took the loss after allowing three runs on five hits in 7.1 innings. The left-hander struck out one and walked two. The Z's missed a scoring chance in the second inning when, after loading the bases with one out, Victor Mendez flied out to right, and with Gustavo Molina trying to tag up and score on the play, Scales threw a perfect strike to the plate to get the inning-ending double play. Mendez later drove in the Zephyr's first run on an infield single in the fifth.

 B-Mets

                The B-Mets assigned P Nick Abel to Lucy and added P Robert Paulk (from New Orleans) to the roster.

 

                Dustin Richardson allowed two runs over six innings and Bubba Bell hit a grand slam, helping the Portland Sea Dogs beat the Binghamton Mets 9-3 on Friday night.  The loss is Binghamton’s second in a row to Portland. Portland (11-3) took a 2-0 lead off Jake Ruckle in the first on back-to-back two-out singles by Andrew Pinckney and Mark Wagner.  However, the B-Mets (8-7) got a run back in the bottom of the frame when Fernando Martinez led off with a double, moved to third on a groundout and scored on Daniel Murphy’s sacrifice fly, cutting Portland’s lead in half. The Sea Dogs put the game away against Ruckle (1-1) in the fourth when Bell hit a two-out grand slam for a 6-1 Portland lead.  Ruckle was pulled after four innings. Binghamton got a run back off Richardson (3-0) in the fifth when Emmanuel Garcia singled, moved to third on Ambiorix Concepcion’s base hit and scored on a Martinez sac fly.  Iggy Suarez hit a two-run single in the sixth to make it 8-2 before Josh Petersen reached on an seventh-inning fielder’s choice and later scored on Garcia’s groundout.  A Suarez fielder’s choice in the ninth brought in Portland’s final run.

 Lucy:

                 Lucy added P Nick Abel to the roster and sent P Will Morgan to extended spring

  

Gnats:

                The Rome Braves took game one of a four game set with the Savannah Sand Gnats 3-1 before 3,120 fans. The Braves scored first and never looked back when Michael Fisher walked in the bottom of the third and Concepcion Rodriguez followed with a single to center. Jason Heyward then singled to score Fisher.  The ball got by the Savannah centerfielder Daniel Stegall which allowed Rodriguez to score giving Rome a 2-0 lead. The Sand Gnats would attempt a comeback in the sixth when Jake Eigsti led off with a triple and later scored on a ground out  by Greg Veloz making the score 2-1. The Braves would add some insurance in the bottom of the eighth inning as Cody Johnson singled and scored on a Freddie Freeman double for the 3-1 advantage. The Rome bullpen shutdown the Sand Gnats in the ninth inning to preserve the victory. Stephen Evarts picked up the win (2-0) with a stellar outing going six innings, allowing only one run, and striking out three. Bunito Pruneda gets the save (1) and Angel Calero takes the loss (0-2).

 Minor League Bios               

Jacobo Neguilis   P   R   R   6-3   180   4-25-84   San Pedro de Macoris, D.R.

In 2006, Neguilis pitched for A-Hagerstown and went 0-1, 5.68 in 4 starts. In 2007, he pitched for the GCL Mets and posted stats of 0-4, 6.75, in 8 starts.

 Brandon Nall  P   R   R   6-4   190   3-18-82    College: Louisiana State U.

The Nall brothers were star athletes at LSU (recently the brothers did short stints in the Hollywood film "Glory Road.")…  Stedman was the top  golfer in his college and Brandon was the star baseball player. Brandon was drafted in his junior year  by the Atlanta Braves in 2002, but turned down the offer. Nall spent three years at LSU, but he missed two of those years recovering from surgery and went un-drafted in 2005. After graduation he played in a summer league and was picked up by the New York Mets by Mets minor-league pitching coordinator Rick Waits. As Waits put it, "During the middle of the season in 2005, a very good friend of mine, a scout from the Northeast, calls me and says, ‘You ought to see this kid. He went to LSU. He didn’t get drafted. He’s throwing the ball great. He’s just a kid who was missed.’ So I called our top scout and asked him where he was. He said, ‘As a matter of fact I’m right around here.’ He went in to watch Brandon Nall pitch, and Brandon Nall threw a seven-inning no-hitter that night and topped out at like 91, 92 mph. And obviously in the next two days we signed him. Nall had a fantastic 2006 season at Hagerstown (A), posting a 2.91 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 38 outings. He finished the season at Binghamton (AA.  John Sickles has Nall as the 19^th top 2007 Mets prospect, with a C rating, and the comment: “good numbers but old for the level.”Nall pitched part of the 2007 season with St. Lucie (3-2, 2.21, 0.89, in 21 relief appearances), but was promoted and ended the season with Binghamton (2-0, 4.57, 1.55 in 34 appearances).From Scout.com in March 2008:   Repertoire: Fastball, Slider, Changeup Fastball: Nall throws both a two-seam fastball and a four-seamer, but it is the two-seamer which he relies on more. He can dial it up to 90-91 if he chooses, but the pitch is most effective when he slows it down to 87-88 MPH so it can have more movement. He can use the sinking fastball as a strikeout pitch, but relies on it to set up his other pitches or when he needs a groundball. His four-seam fastball is not nearly as reliable. Though he can throw it with a similar velocity, he has more trouble spotting it consistently and thus uses it infrequently. He throws the four-seam more as a get-over pitch. Other Pitches: His slider his is most dynamic pitch. He flips it in between 77-81 MPH with a lot sweeping movement as it breaks hard and away to right-handers. It is a feel pitch for Nall, and he executes it best when is he throwing it often. When he lacks the touch on his slider, he can get hit hard, but when it is on, it can be extremely difficult to hit. He continues to work on a changeup, but he did not throw it much in 2007 so its development is still a long ways away. He will mix the changeup in when he feels pressured to throw something other than his two-seam fastball or slider.  

Ex-Mets:

                Kaz Matsui (anal fissure) homered Thursday in his third game for Triple-A Round Rock. It was expected to be the conclusion of Matsui's rehab assignment. He could be in Houston's lineup on Friday

                Kevin Mulvey yielded one run in seven innings and struck out nine for Triple-A Rochester on Thursday. Mulvey has a 1.02 ERA and a 20/3 K/BB ratio after three starts.

 

This Day in Mets History:

                2000  -   Orel Hershiser ties a major league mark, equaled by 19 others, hitting 4 batters in one game. Astro Richard Hidalgo also ties a modern major league record by getting hit three times in a game, twice by Hershiser and a third time by Dodger reliever Matt Herges.

                2005  - David Wright’s seventh inning grand slam at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park establishes a club record for home runs hit in a game. The Mets go deep seven times (Reyes-2, Diaz-2, Piazza, Wright and Mientkiewicz) as they rout the Phillies, 16-4.