1. Noah Syndergaard, RHP
Status: Hot
Syndergaard continues to tear up Eastern League hitting every five days for the B-Mets. His most recent start came on July 28th at home against Trenton, and it sealed the deal for him to be the most recent EL Pitcher of the Week. He one-hit the Thunder in six innings pitched, not allowing a walk and striking out eight. The only mistake he made was surrendering a solo home run. He’s 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA in seven starts for Binghamton; in his last 11 innings pitched, he’s struck out 15 hitters, while walking only one.
2. Rafael Montero, RHP
Status: Warming up
Montero turned in his second consecutive quality start on July 30th against Nashville, but he unfortunately came out with the loss due to not enough run support. He allowed two runs on six hits (one home run), three walks, and seven strikeouts in six innings pitched. The seven punch outs tied his Triple-A high, and it was the first time he’s reached that number since June 20th. However, he’s also walked three hitters in each of his last three starts, and now has allowed 19 walks compared to 41 strikeouts in 50 innings with Las Vegas.
3. Travis d’Arnaud, C
Status: Injured/rehab assignment
After hitting .318/.348/.455 in 22 at-bats (six games) with the Gulf Coast League Mets, d’Arnaud’s rehab assignment has moved to Double-A Binghamton. In two games with the B-Mets, the catcher is 1-for-9 with one walk and three strikeouts. There were rumors he could replace John Buck for the short period of time he’s away from the team on paternity leave, but that doesn’t look to be happening anymore.
4. Wilmer Flores, 2B
Status: Cold
It was a only a matter of time before Flores hit a rough patch at the plate; he was swinging the bat well for close to three months. In his last 10 games, he’s hitting .235/.263/.265 with one extra base hit and only two walks. He started off August on the wrong foot, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts last night against Nashville. Despite his recent cold streak, he’s still hitting .319/.354/.519 with 14 home runs, 35 doubles, and 85 RBIs on the season.
5. Cesar Puello, OF
Status: Neutral
While Puello is hitting .286 in his last ten games, his slugging percentage has taken a hit, coming in at .321 over that span of time. His month of July was a solid one, but he came back down to Earth after his out-of-this-world June. The outfielder hit .315/.420/.413 last month. What has been encouraging are the six walks he’s drawn in the last 10 games. On the season, Puello is hitting .328/.405/.550 with 16 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases.
6. Dominic Smith, 1B
Status: Warming up
Dom Smith continues to show good qualities from the left-handed batters box down in Florida with the GCL Mets. However, he didn’t have a fantastic week, going 2-for-13 with no extra base hits. Despite a three strikeout game on July 31st, Smith has shown a keen eye at the plate, and has consistently seen his walk totals get close to his strikeout totals (18 BBs, 26 Ks in 95 ABs). He’s hitting .242/.364/.368 so far this season.
7. Brandon Nimmo, OF
Status: Neutral
I wrote earlier this week that I felt Nimmo was starting to turn a corner with his bat, but he’s gone 1-for-8 since I said that. Hope I didn’t jinx him. He’s hitting just .250 in his last 10 games, but has drawn eight walks during that time, boosting his on-base percentage over the last week and a half to .400. On the season, Nimmo is hitting .258/.368/.344 with one home run, 10 doubles, 26 RBIs, and 46 runs scored.
8. Michael Fulmer, RHP
Status: Warming up
Fulmer got hit with his second loss this week since joining St. Lucie this season, but he turned in his longest outing of 2013. He allowed just one run on seven hits, two walks, and three strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched. Talk about no run support again. Fulmer’s season got started late because of a torn meniscus that needed to be repaired in spring training. In 18.2 innings pitched in the Florida State League, he’s 0-2 with a 4.34 ERA, eight walks, and 14 strikeouts.
9. Gavin Cecchini, SS
Status: Cold
Cecchini returned from the DL last week, and he’s had a tough time getting back in to the swing of things (pun intended). Since returning, he’s hitting .120 (3-for-25) with two RBIs, no walks, and seven strikeouts. The shortstop has seen his season triple slash dip down to .215/.250/.253 with three doubles and five RBIs. He’s really struggled against southpaws; in 18 at-bats, he’s hitting .111/.200/.111.
10. Jack Leathersich, LHP
Status: Neutral
The fire-balling southpaw reliever threw 2.1 innings this week, and if he didn’t have a tough outing last night in Nashville, it would have been a solid week for him. He allowed three runs on three hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. He’s 2-0 with Las Vegas since getting promoted from Double-A Binghamton, and has a 4.74 ERA, 17 walks, and 31 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched (20 appearances).