WEEK IN REVIEW

The Las Vegas 51s (21-33, fourth in the Pacific Coast League Pacific Southern division) have continued to struggle, losing eight of their last ten, and four of six this week. They have not received any help from their pitchers, who have allowed the third most runs in the league.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (29-19, second in the Eastern League Eastern division) have shown to be the most successful affiliate in the Mets’ system, although a three-game skid this week did not help their pursuit of the first place Trenton Thunder.

The St. Lucie Mets (27-27, third in the Florida State League South division) have been playing .500 ball throughout the entire season, although a 4-2 week was highlighted by three near-perfect innings from Justin Dunn in relief on Tuesday.

The Columbia Fireflies (27-24, third in the South Atlantic League Southern division) recorded a sweep this week for the first time since the initial series of the season (both were against Augusta), highlighted by a 14 run outburst on Monday, their highest total since… opening night.

METS MINORS NEWS & BUZZ

The Florida State League revealed the 2017 All-Star teams on Thursday, and five members of the St. Lucie Mets will represent the team in Lakeland. Tyler Bashlor, Patrick Mazeika, Jhoan Urena, Wuilmer Becerra, and Jeff Diehl were recognized for their first half efforts. Read more here.

LHP David Roseboom was placed on Las Vegas’ disabled list with a right foot injury and will likely miss a lengthy period of time, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Roseboom struggled in 18 appearances before going down, recording a 8.31 ERA in 17.1 innings.

The Mets released OF Raphael Ramirez on Wednesday. The 21-year-old hit .205 in three professional seasons.

The Mets released RHP Witt Haggard on May 15. Haggard, 25, did not pitch this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April.

The Mets signed 18-year-old RHP Oscar Rojas on May 23. Rojas, a native of Mexico, was assigned to the Dominican Summer League Mets.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERS

AVG – Amed Rosario .352 (LVG), Dominic Smith .323 (LVG), Jhoan Urena .321 (STL), Patrick Mazeika .314 (STL), Kevin Taylor .295 (BNG)

OPS – Amed Rosario .904 (LVG), Patrick Mazeika .896 (STL), Michael Paez .886 (COL), Dominic Smith .872 (LVG), Jhoan Urena .871 (STL)

HR – Travis Taijeron 8 (LVG), Dominic Smith 7 (LVG), Dash Winningham 7 (COL), Desmond Jennings 6 (LVG), Patrick Mazeika 6 (COL)

RBI – Amed Rosario 38 (LVG), Dominic Smith 37 (LVG), Dash Winningham 37 (COL), Patrick Mazeika 35 (STL), Michael Paez 29 (COL), Jhoan Urena 29 (STL)

SB – Champ Stuart 18 (BNG), Patrick Biondi 13 (BNG), J.C. Rodriguez 10 (STL/BNG), Amed Rosario 10 (LVG), John Mora 9 (STL)

STARTER ERA – Jordan Humphreys 1.40 (COL), Merandy Gonzalez 1.73 (COL), Corey Oswalt 2.50 (BNG), Nabil Crismatt 3.05 (STL), Gabriel Llanes 3.11 (COL)

RELIEVER ERA – Kyle Regnault 0.89 (LVG/BNG), Max Kuhns 1.25 (COL), Kelly Secrest 1.54 (BNG), Austin McGeorge 1.59 (STL/COL), Matt Blackham 1.69 (COL)

SV – Chase Bradford 7 (LVG), Alberto Baldonado 6 (LVG/BNG), Tyler Bashlor 5 (STL), Johnny Magliozzi 4 (STL), Four tied with 3

WHIP – Jordan Humphreys .659 (COL), Merandy Gonzalez .924 (COL), P.J. Conlon 1.106 (BNG), Nabil Crismatt 1.172 (STL), Donovan Hand 1.246 (LVG/BNG)

SO – Jordan Humphreys 73 (COL), Nabil Crismatt 58 (STL), Merandy Gonzalez 56 (COL), Blake Beavan 56 (LVG/BNG), P.J. Conlon 51 (BNG)

PROSPECT PULSE

Tim Peterson, the Mets’ 20th round selection from the University of Kentucky in 2012, made his professional debut with the Brooklyn Cyclones, before making appearances in Savannah, St. Lucie, and Binghamton over the next two seasons. Before the 2015 campaign, Peterson was suspended 80 games after testing positive for a banned substance.

Now two years removed from the incident, the 26-year-old has become one of the most dominant relievers in the Mets’ upper minors. Peterson did not allow a run in his first 11.2 innings for Binghamton this season, made a cameo in Las Vegas, then returned to the Rumble Ponies where he has been equally as dominant. In 16 appearances, Peterson has a 1.96 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and a 6.00 K/BB ratio.

Tim joined MMN for a Q&A where he discussed his off-season, first half dominance, and more.

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On his repertoire….

“I throw a fastball, slider, and a split change-up. When I command my fastball to both sides of the plate, as well as down in the zone, I am at my best. I use my fastball quite a bit and use my change-up as my put away pitch more so than my slider. I like to attack the strike zone and get ahead of hitters to be successful.”

On his success this season…

“I would have to contribute my success through the first part of the year to my command with my fastball. When I’m locating it, all of my pitches are better. I have also had a good relationship with both of my catchers, Tomas Nido and Colton Plaia, so being on the same page with them has led to quick work and smooth pitch calling.”

On his off-season routine…

“Each off-season throughout my professional career, the training has been tweaked to figure out what I need to be ready for Spring Training. This past off-season was the most intense training I have done in my entire career. I spent five weeks down in Port St. Lucie participating in Barwis training, and it just made me stronger, faster, and more explosive. Mike Barwis and his staff were outstanding and I look forward to joining them again in the future.”

On his goals during Spring Training…

“My goals were just to stay healthy and get the chance to pitch in a major league game. I was able to go over to the big league side one time and got in the game, so that was a cool experience to be around those guys and coaches.”

On getting a brief call-up to Triple-A…

“The travel to triple a was a wild one. I was traveling from New Hampshire to meet the 51s in Albuquerque, but my flight got delayed and I missed my connection in Atlanta so I wasn’t able to make the game that day. The next day I got in the game and just did what I had been doing, pounding the strike zone, and the ball was hit hard a couple times but I had a 1-2-3 inning. I wasn’t sure if it was a temporary stint in Vegas at the time, so I was just focused on pitching well and helping the team win. It was good to see all those guys, and the team was very welcoming, but hopefully I can get back there and be one step closer to the big leagues.”

On how he has grown as a pitcher and person since being drafted…

“I have come to learn a lot about the game of baseball. I’ve learned that being mentally tough and having the right mindset is really the most important thing. I like to think of pitching as breaking down one pitch at a time. Instead of saying, for example, I need a double play ball to get out of this inning, I have a plan and execute one pitch at a time to slow the game down and it takes a lot of pressure off during the game. Since I have been drafted I’ve made countless friendships with my teammates and coaches that will last years beyond my baseball career. I’m just thankful for the opportunity the Mets have given me to play the game I love.”

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TRANSACTION REPORT

5/26

Rafael Montero optioned to Las Vegas from New York….Kyle Regnault transferred to Las Vegas from Binghamton….Tyler Pill‘s contract selected by New York from Las Vegas….Yoenis Cespedes assigned to St. Lucie on a rehab assignment….Peter Alonso activated from St. Lucie’s disabled list….Jose Medina transferred to Extended Spring Training from St. Lucie.

5/27

David Roseboom placed on Las Vegas’ disabled list….Seth Lugo‘s rehab assignment transferred to Binghamton from St. Lucie.

5/28

Jeff Glenn placed on Las Vegas’ disabled list….Casey Delgado placed on Binghamton’s disabled list, retroactive to 5/27….Mickey Jannis activated from Binghamton’s disabled list.

5/3o

Raphael Ramirez released.

5/31

Chris Flexen transferred to Binghamton from St. Lucie….Cameron Griffin activated from St. Lucie’s disabled list….Oscar Rojas assigned to DSL Mets2.

6/1

Gary Cornish activated from Columbia’s restricted list….Jake Simon transferred to Extended Spring Training from Columbia.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

After an up-and-down 2016 season, Dash Winningham received the news that no minor-leaguer wants to hear. He was going to repeat Low-A in 2017, with the intention of improving his .234 average, a number that is hard to justify at that level. Winningham, selected out of Trinity Catholic High School with the Mets’ 8th round draft pick in 2014, has not been without any struggles so far this season, but the early returns promise to deliver more favorable final results. This was evident over the past week, when Winningham hit .379/.400/.828 with three home runs, 14 RBI, and 24 total bases.

On Monday, the 21-year-old first baseman had a historic night for the Fireflies, setting single-game franchise records with two home runs, six runs batted in, and ten total bases. On the season, Winningham is now up to .257/.305/.434 with seven home runs, and 37 RBI. He’s more than halfway to his 2016 totals of 12 home runs and 69 RBI.

While most of the focus in Columbia has been on Tim Tebow and the starting rotation, Winningham is quietly impressing the decision makers. Although Peter Alonso recently returned from an injury in St. Lucie, a promotion before the end of the season is not out of the question.

UPCOMING SCHEDULES

Las Vegas: @ Reno (6/2-4), @ Salt Lake (6/5-8), @ Tacoma (6/9-11)

Binghamton: Portland (6/2-4), OFF (6/5), Richmond (6/6-8), @ Harrisburg (6/9-11)

St. Lucie: Daytona (6/2), @ Florida (6/3-6), OFF (6/7), @ Lakeland (6/8-11)

Columbia: @ Hagerstown (6/2-4), OFF (6/5), Lexington (6/6-8), Charleston (6/9-12)

As a reminder, all 51s, Rumble Ponies, and select Fireflies games can be seen on MiLB.tv.