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Kingsport Mets Season Review: Terrazas Leads Group Of Breakout Performers

By John Sheridan

September 14, 2017 7 Comments

If you wish to focus on wins and losses, the Kingsport Mets did not have a successful season.  With a 29-37 record, the team finished in fourth place in the Western Division.

However, wins and losses are tangential in the Appalachian League. The league is about player development and players taking advantage of opportunities. No player exemplifies what the Appalachian League is about than Rigoberto Terrazas.

Heading into the season, Kingsport had a third base vacancy.  Terrazas stepped up and took advantage of that opportunity.  He improved in every facet of his game.  He became a better hitter, and he was a good infielder.

The end result was Terrazas having a breakout season hitting .348/.413/.486 with 16 doubles, two triples, three homers, and 24 RBI.  To no surprise, he ranked among the Top 10 in many offensive categories.  Of a less surprise, he was named an All-Star.

For the first time since 2015, there would actually be two All-Stars from Kingsport.  The other, Wagner Lagrange, was a prospect held in higher regard, and to that end, it was really no surprise he was named to the All Star team.

Still, there is a considerable gap between surprise and fulfilling expectations. Like Terrazas, Lagrange put in the hard work and dedication needed for him to develop as a player.  He would also rank among the Top 10 in many offensive categories in a season where he hit .335/.379/.465 with 10 doubles, a triple four homers, and 40 RBI.

From an offensive perspective, Kingsport really had a standout season. In addition to Terrazas and Lagrange, Anthony Dirocie had a terrific season as a power hitter leading the league in homers. If he had enough games to qualify, Edgardo Fermin would have finished second in the league in batting average and fourth in OBP.

On the pitching front, Kingsport saw a couple of outstanding performances from two low round 2017 draft picks.  Steve Villines, the Mets 10th round draft pick, made eight appearances going 2-1 with a 1.08 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, and an 11.9 K/9.  With how well he pitched in that small sample size, Villines was quickly promoted to Brooklyn.

Aaron Ford, the Mets 21st round draft pick, would have a similar rise.  In 10 appearances for Kingsport, the left-handed pitcher was 1-2 with a 1.17 ERA, 0.783 WHIP, and a 14.1 K/9.  In a departure from what you would typically expect from a left-handed reliever, Ford showed reverse splits limiting right-handed batters to a .122 batting average while left-handed batters hit .250 off of him.  His outstanding pitching earned him a promotion to Columbia.

Another low drafted 2017 draft pick who distinguished himself was Joe Cavallaro.  Unlike the aforementioned pitchers, the 24th round draft pick was used as a starter.  He wound up becoming the staff ace going 3-1 with a 2.34 ERA, 0.952 WHIP, and a 9.1 K/9.

Overall, Manager Luis Rivera was able to give many players an unexpected opportunity during the 2017 season.  These players took full advantage of the opportunity.  When you have players drafted late stepping up and players in your organization having breakthrough seasons, it is hard to argue the Kingsport season is anything other than a successful one.

Coaching Staff

Manager: Luis Rivera

Pitching Coach: Josue Matos

Hitting Coach: Ender Chavez

MMN Top 40 Prospects

37 OF Wagner Lagrange

Awards

Postseason All Star: 3B Rigoberto Terrazas, OF Wagner Lagrange

Player of the Week: RF Dionis Paulino (7/17/17), 3B Rigoberto Terrazas (7/24/17)

Pitcher of the Week (8/28/17): LHP Aneury Olivo

Batting Leaders

PA: Anthony Dirocie 251
R: Rigoberto Terrazas 45 (3rd Appalachian League)
H: Rigoberto Terrazas 73 (4th Appalachian League)
2B: Anthony Dirocie 19 (4th Appalachian League)
3B: Anthony Dirocie & Dionis Paulino 3 (5th Appalachian League)
HR: Anthony Dirocie 11 (League Leader)
RBI: Anthony Dirocie 48 (3rd Appalachian League)
SB: Dionis Paulino 10 (10th Appalachian League)
BA: Edgardo Fermin .352
OBP: Edgardo Fermin .425
SLG: Jeremy Vazquez .667
OPS: Jeremy Vazquez 1.000

Starting Pitching Leaders

W: Joe Cavallaro, Jose Geraldo, Carlos Hernandez 3
ERA: Joe Cavallaro 2.34
GS: Ezequiel Zabaleta 12 (Tied 4th Appalachian League)
IP: Carlos Hernandez 64.1 (2nd Appalachian League)
K: Carlos Hernandez 59 (4th Appalachian League)
WHIP: Joe Cavallaro 0.952

Relief Pitching Leaders
(Minimum 5 Appearances)

W: Marbin Montijo & Pedro Perez 3
ERA: Steve Villines 1.08
G: Yeudy Colon & Marbin Montijo 17
SV: Mac Lozer 3
IP: Marbin Montijo 28.0
K: Marbin Montijo 37
WHIP: Aaron Ford 0.783

 

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