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Mets Minors Report 5/13: Wheeler Knocking On Flushing’s Door, McHugh Solid, Mazzoni Throwing Gas

By Former Writers

May 13, 2013 No comments

cory mazzoniLast Night’s Quick Scores

Prospect Pipeline

  • Wheeler Watch: Joe D. thinks the timing is right, everyone likes what they see (including Wally Backman — see below), and the Mets could us a jolt…one more solid start and Zack Wheeler may be packing his bags for Queens.
  • What’s that? You have nothing to do this evening? Why not follow Rafael Montero‘s start against the Akron Aeros? The game starts at 6:05 PM. I will be live tweeting and have a summary of his performance up here on MMO immediately following the game — you can follow me on Twitter @FirstPitchMitch.
  • Wheeler isn’t the only pitcher that seems to have gotten his act together in Las Vegas. Collin McHugh is back on track, after pitching seven innings in last night’s game, only allowing one run (on a home run). McHugh has had a roller coaster of a season so far, but it has had more peaks than valleys. He started off the season pitching lights out, allowing just one earned run over 18 innings pitched. His next three starts, not so good. He allowed 13 earned runs over a span of 17.1 innings pitched. It looks like we are on another incline, as McHugh has held the opposition to one earned run over his last two starts (14 IP). McHugh now ranks tenth in the Pacific Coast League in ERA, with a 2.74, and leads the league in innings pitched, at 49.1 — not too shabby.
  • The Mets, looking for bullpen help, have recalled right-handed reliever Greg Burke from Las Vegas.
  • Cory Mazzoni is shaking off the rust, and had a much stronger start in his second go after being activated from the disabled list last week. He is still on a strict pitch count, but pitched very well, and was popping off at 96 mph until his very last pitch.
  • Hansel Robles takes the hill for St. Lucie today. The Mets haven’t played in a game since Friday night. Robles has a 2.36 ERA and holding opposing hitters to a .200 batting average this season.

Stat Line of the Day

Collin McHugh: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 HR, 2 BB, 1 ER, 5 K

Transactions

New York Mets recalled Greg Burke from Las Vegas 51s.

Quote of the Day

Wally Backman regarding Wheeler’s past three performances:

“I think the kid is on a mission. His last three starts have all been quality starts,” 51s manager Wally Backman said. “To me, just looking at the kid, knowing him, having him for part of last year and this year, he smells it. He knows what’s in front of him and he’s going at it as a professional, in the right way. As long as he puts up zeros the organization will have to make some decision on that shortly.”

“He has made some huge improvements over his last three starts. He’s worked with [pitching coach] Randy St. Claire, who’s done a wonderful job of showing him video, some of the mechanical issues he might have had. And he responded to it,” the former Major League infielder said. “He did what he had to do to overcome the problem. He was very receptive to what Randy has told him and he’s gotten a lot better in his last three starts.

” He showed the consistency with all of his pitches and he’s throwing everything for strikes. He’s showing what you have to do at the Major League level to be a successful Major Leaguer. There’s no question, his stuff doesn’t play to be an average Major League pitcher — his stuff plays to be a very, very quality Major League pitcher. I think to all of us in the organization it’s just a matter of being consistent, and he’s shown it his last three starts.”

“I’d love to keep the kid. The more we can season him at the Minor League level, the better he’s going to be when he gets to the Major League level. But can he pitch in the big leagues tomorrow? Absolutely,” Backman said.

“Does he need more seasoning? Maybe. But I said that about Matt Harvey last year, too, and the rest is kind of history.”

Photo of the Day

I love to start my week of with the Mets Minors Report.

I love to start my week off with the Mets Minors Report.