It’s been a banner month for the Mets organization, with each team at every level above .500 for the month. Contributions have come from everywhere, and as such there wasn’t any easy choices for the Players of the Month, the votes were split so we listed Co-Offensive Players of the Month.
Co-Offensive Player(s) of the Month:
Amed Rosario (.305/.340/.537) has done everything needed to prove he doesn’t belong in A-ball any longer. His 51 total bases leads all minor leaguers within the organization, and is second to only Neil Walker’s 55 TB overall. And his 29 hits is tops overall. I am offering to personally drive him from Florida to Binghamton
David Thompson, (.301/.371/.506) as great as Rosario has been, Thompson’s 27 RBI led all of affiliated baseball over Harper’s and Cano’s 24. As a college bat in his first full season, Thompson does not seem long for the SAL.
Honorable Mention: You can’t have 27 RBI without someone on base in front of you, And to do so at an amazing .495 clip is a lot more than can be asked of the leadoff hitter. Vinny Sienna (.362/.495/.536) seems poised to take his 21 runs to St. Lucie to fill Rosario’s (hopefully soon) vacant roster spot, and allow Guillorme to move to his natural SS position.
Starting Pitcher of the Month:
With 10.4 k/9 and a sparkling 1.66 ERA Sean Gilmartin (2-1, 1.66) is the April selection on the bump while being stretched out in Vegas. With 25 strikeouts in 21 innings, he continues to look like a viable option as a sixth starter.
Honorable Mention: Votes were split between Gilmartin and Gabriel Ynoa (1-0, 1.48), who has taken AAA by storm with his league leading 1.48 ERA in 24 innings. He has yet to allow a HR and maintains a .986 WHIP. Also receiving consideration was P.J Conlon (3-0, 1.14) who is off to an outstanding start of his own in Columbia, and his rotation mate Chase Ingram (2-1, 2.86) who has struck out 28 in 21 innings thus far.
Relief Pitcher of the Month:
Kevin McGowan (0-0, 1.38) The 6’6” right-hander had 18 punch outs in 13 innings across six outings for St. Lucie on the month. He has been so dominant that he only allowed two base runners (both singles) in his last 11.1 innings. The 2013, 13th round draft pick from Franklin Pierce University should be on the mid-season promotion list.
Honorable Mention: In another spot that had multiple deserving candidates; returning to the mound after a two-year absence Tyler Bashlor (0-0, 2.00) has struck out 12 in his nine innings of work for Columbia. St. Lucie lefty Alberto Baldonado (0-0, 0.71) has been equally dominant with 13 k’s in 12 innings. Tim Peterson was also received a vote after striking out 16 batters in his first 10 innings of the year for St. Lucie.
Defensive Player of the Month:
Matt Reynolds, has started 20 games at three different positions and played flawlessly around the diamond. In what should be a prelude to his major league role, in a super utility role, Reynolds bat has awoken while doing whatever Wally asks of him. His competent position versatility is what separated him from his prospect peers.
Honorable Mention: Take a step back and look at the middle infield defense over the last 5 years, and then take a look at the shortstop that are cultivating in the low minors. The polar opposites of what has been fielded on the major league club are present. The diminutive Milton Ramos, who many feel is the third best fielding SS in the system, gets our nod. His slick fielding and rifle arm anchors what is a solid all around infield in Columbia. Also warranting consideration was Ivan Wilson who has improved his outfield defense with his best play coming on a spectacular catch that helped secure the Fireflies no-hitter on April 9th.
All in all a very good month with many positive signs moving forward. I have a feeling this isn’t the last we see of Rosario, Thompson, or Ramos on this list. Let’s Go Mets!
There’s a lot to be hopeful for. What are we thinking … Amed gets the AA nod after the all star break?
What to do about Gilmartin. He seems to be the odd man out. Injuries happen, so the depth is sick, but he’s a MLB pitcher. Kind of like when Steve Young was Montana’s backup. Analogy stretch by you get it. Just enjoy the stockpile? Maybe, I’d like to see him up in place of Soup. Call me crazy but I’d shorten the bench. Use your best 25
On Gilmartin, I don’t think there is enough innings for Gilmartin to stay sharp. Keeping him in Vegas for the eventual injury is the wise move.
Soup has 11 PA in a month, he is perfect for the role.
I would be surprised if they waited until the AS break to move Rosario, unless he goes into a major slump. I’d look for him to be promoted by the end of May at the latest. Remember, he is repeating A+ – albeit, I think more so because he played much of last year with nagging injuries which affected his performance and growth and to keep him away from the colder Northeast early Spring weather.
Rosario will likely up by the end of may.
Nice job John. Beccera certainly made a late push for honorable mention, but after a slow start, I understand why you may have thought he should not be included.
Definitely and tough to put him on here without showing any power, granted I think could be from the sore shoulder. Nice to see his K rate down though.
Agreed. Think that shoulder is definitely sapping his power. But I thought he might struggle considerably more than he has so far in the FSL, before ultimately figuring it out. So from that perspective, he’s been a pleasant surprise for me.
Agreed that his contact rate has been a pleasant surprise, really didn’t have much trouble at all adjusting to the Florida State League.
Check out @Amed_Rosario’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/Amed_Rosario/status/727197925512630276?s=09