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Mets Minors Weekly Report: Mazeika Continues Hot Start for St. Lucie

By Jacob Resnick

May 5, 2017 No comments

Photo By Ernest Dove

Photo By Ernest Dove

WEEK IN REVIEW

The Las Vegas 51s (13-15, fourth in the Pacific Coast League Pacific Southern division) went 3-4 this week, thanks to dropping three straight against Tacoma, with one more to play tonight. With the Mets’ constant need for reinforcements, the 51s have not been able to find much consistency in their lineup, rotation, or bullpen.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (14-9, third in the Eastern League Eastern division) finished April with the best record among the four active Mets affiliates, which was helped by their current stretch that has seen them win seven of their last eight games.

The St. Lucie Mets (11-17, sixth in the Florida State League South division) boast a stellar offense, but it’s their league worst pitching, led by disappointing early season performances from Justin Dunn and Nabil Crismatt, that puts them last in their division.

The Columbia Fireflies (14-13, third in the South Atlantic League Southern division) began the year with an invincible pitching staff, but Merandy Gonzalez proving he’s human combined with injuries to Colin Holderman and Harol Gonzalez have set the Fireflies back to third place as May gets underway.

METS MINORS NEWS & BUZZ

3B Blake Tiberi, who had been with Columbia, underwent Tommy John surgery this week in New York. He had originally been placed on the disabled list with right arm soreness. Read more here.

Fireflies RHP Jordan Humphreys recorded his fifth win of the season on Sunday, to complete an April that saw him go 5-0 with a 1.71 ERA. Humphreys became the first Mets minor league pitcher to start a season 5-0 since Brian Bannister, who did so for the Binghamton Mets in 2005.

Humphreys stellar play earned him a spot on MLB Pipeline’s organizational prospect list, as T.J. Rivera graduated. OF Jose Miguel Medina also entered the list when Josh Smoker exceeded his prospect eligibility. See the full list here.

OF Champ Stuart was named the Eastern League’s player of the week for the week of April 24. He hit .455 with two home runs, five RBI, and five stolen bases. Read more here.

RHP Michael Gibbons began throwing off a mound in Port St. Lucie this week. The 24-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery last May.

SS Andres Gimenez made his stateside debut with the Fireflies on Saturday, and assumed starting shortstop duties. The 18-year-old homered in his first at-bat, similar to the grand slam he walloped in his first professional plate appearance last season in the Dominican Summer League. The jump from the DSL to the SAL is similar to that of Juan Lagares, who did so in 2008, although Lagares was not as highly regarded at the time as Gimenez is now.

Amed Rosario and Merandy Gonzalez made the April 28th version of the Baseball America Hot Sheet.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERS

AVG – Anthony Dimino .426 (STL/COL), Amed Rosario .386 (LVG), Jhoan Urena .362 (STL), Patrick Mazeika .361 (STL), Luis Guillorme .326 (BNG)

OPS – Patrick Mazeika 1.023 (STL),  Anthony Diminno .966 (STL/COL), Jhoan Urena 0.964 (STL), Amed Rosario 0.939 (LVG), Michael Paez .904 (COL)

HR – Patrick Mazeika 4 (STL), Michael Paez 4 (COL), Travis Taijeron 4 (LVG), Xorge Carrillo 3 (LVG), Dominic Smith 3 (LVG), Jhoan Urena 3 (STL)

RBI – Patrick Mazeika 22 (STL), Michael Paez 20 (COL), Dominic Smith 18 (LVG), Travis Taijeron 15 (LVG), Wuilmer Becerra 15 (STL)

SB – Champ Stuart 11 (BNG), Patrick Biondi 8 (BNG), Anthony Dimino 8 (BNG), J.C. Rodriguez 8 (STL/BNG), Luis Carpio 7 (COL)

STARTER ERA – Tyler Pill 0.00 (LVG/BNG), Jordan Humphreys 1.71 (COL), Merandy Gonzalez 1.89 (COL), Mickey Jannis 1.89 (BNG), Corey Oswalt 2.54 (BNG)

RELIEVER ERA – Alberto Baldonado 0.00 (BNG), Tim Peterson 0.00 (BNG), Scarlyn Reyes 1.17 (STL), Kelly Secrest 1.42 (BNG), Matt Blackham 1.50 (COL)

SO – Jordan Humphreys 40 (COL), Corey Oswalt 29 (BNG), Adam Wilk 29 (LVG), Merandy Gonzalez 28 (COL), P.J. Conlon 26 (BNG)

SV – Chase Bradford 5 (LVG), Alberto Baldonado 4 (BNG), Alex Palsha 2 (STL), Adonis Uceta 2 (COL), Joseph Zanghi 2 (COL)

WHIP – Colin Holderman .538 (COL), Tim Peterson .625 (BNG), Merandy Gonzalez .755 (COL), Jordan Humphreys .769 (COL), Alberto Baldonado .833 (BNG), Adonis Uceta .833 (COL)

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PROSPECT PULSE

Dan Rizzie, after four years as Xavier University’s starting backstop, was selected by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2016 draft. He was assigned to to the Brooklyn Cyclones, where he split time with Ali Sanchez behind the plate. In 33 games, Rizzie drove in eight runs, collected four extra-base hits, and stole three bases. Defensively, Rizzie caught 14 of 48 would-be basestealers.

The Orland Park, IL native was assigned to High-A St. Lucie to begin the 2017 season. He joined MMN for a Q&A, where he discussed transitioning to pro ball, the electric arms in the Mets’ system, and more.


On his goals entering Spring Training…

“My goals were to stay healthy, and just get ready for the upcoming season. And so far, so good. I’m feeling healthy, and starting to find my rhythm and timing on the field.”

On his experience during his professional debut season…

“Last year in Bro0klyn, which is only a short-season team, I just got a little taste of what it’s like to go through the ups and downs of a professional season, both mentally and physically.”

On the adjustment from playing at Xavier to Brooklyn…

“During the college season, you play four or five games each week, and during the Brooklyn season, we played something like 70 games in 75 days, so you’re playing just about everyday. With that being said, you have to find ways to keep yourself mentally and physically prepared on a day to day basis.”

On the coach that has impacted him the most…

“Even in the short time I have been with the Mets, I have been exposed to a lot of coaches with a wealth of knowledge about the game, so it’s difficult to pick out one coach. However, I have learned a lot from our catching coordinator, Bob Natal. Also, my manager for this season who is new to the organization, Chad Kreuter, who played 16 years in the big leagues as a catcher, has an incredible amount of knowledge about the game, and I am learning from him everyday.”

On who the most talented arm in the system is…

“There are so many talented arms in this organization that I have been able to catch, so it’s difficult to narrow it down. Our staff in Brooklyn was loaded with talent, but Justin Dunn and Joseph Zanghi were two guys that were really impressive.”


TRANSACTION REPORT

4/28

Lucas Duda sent on a rehab assignment to St. Lucie….Sean Gilmartin recalled to New York from Las Vegas.

4/29

Wilmer Flores sent on a rehab assignment to St. Lucie….Andres Gimenez assigned to Columbia from Extended Spring Training….Colin Holderman, Reed Gamache, and Blake Tiberi placed on Columbia’s disabled list….Harol Gonzalez activated from Columbia’s disabled list….Darwin Ramos assigned to Columbia from St. Lucie….Adam Atkins activated from St. Lucie’s disabled list….Mickey Jannis activated from Binghamton’s inactive list….Ben Griset placed on Binghamton’s inactive list….Arnaldo Berrios assigned to Las Vegas from Extended Spring Training.

5/1

Austin McGeorge assigned to St. Lucie from Columbia….Jeff McNeil placed on St. Lucie’s disabled list….Paul Sewald recalled to New York from Las Vegas.

5/2

Wilmer Flores and Brandon Nimmo‘s rehab assignment transferred to Las Vegas from St. Lucie….Jake Simon assigned to Columbia from Extended Spring Training….Logan Taylor assigned to Las Vegas from Binghamton.

5/3

Sean Gilmartin optioned to Las Vegas from New York.

5/4

Blake Beavan signed to a minor league contract and assigned to Las Vegas.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

This week’s award goes to Patrick Mazeika, who has been tearing the cover off the ball for the St. Lucie Mets recently. Over the past seven days, the 23-year-old backstop put up a ridiculous .520/.519/.840 slash line, with one home run and eight RBI in 25 at-bats. For the season, Mazeika is hitting .361/.421/.602 with 22 RBI and an organizational leading four home runs. Those numbers are excellent, but what has really stood out has been his lack of strikeouts recently. This week, Mazeika only fanned three times, a number that will only help his case when it comes to promotions.

Speaking of promotions, it is only a matter of time before Mazeika forces the organization’s hand, and gets the bump up to Binghamton. He is clearly advanced for the Florida State League, something that could be said for a couple of his teammates. Mazeika also has the versatility card going for him, as he has seen adequate time at catcher and first base.

UPCOMING SCHEDULES

Las Vegas: Tacoma (5/5), @ Albuquerque (5/6-9), OFF (5/10), Omaha (5/11-14)

Binghamton: @ New Hampshire (5/5-7), @ Portland (5/8-10), Akron (5/11-14)

St. Lucie: Fort Myers (5/5-7), Lakeland (5/8-10), @ Jupiter (5/11-13)

Columbia: Lakewood (5/5-8), OFF (5/9), @ Delmarva (5/10-12)

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