New York Mets action in the winter leagues has heated up some since our last update including infield prospect Phillip Evans. The 24-year old is playing for the Criollos de Caguas in the Puerto Rican League and his offense has rolled over from his great regular season in which he won the Eastern League batting title.
Here are the numbers for Mets players in winter leagues:
Puerto Rican League
Criollos de Caguas
Phillip Evans UT – 7 games, 28 at-bats, .357/.455/.536, run, three doubles, triple, six RBI, five walks/three strikeouts
Gigantes de Carolina
Chase Bradford RHP – 4 games, three saves, 6.0 innings, 1.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, one walk/seven strikeouts
Nabil Crismatt RHP – 3 games (two starts), 12.1 innings, 2.92 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, four walks/ten strikeouts
Mexican League
Aguilas de Mexicali
Xorge Carrillo C – 25 games, 75 at-bats, .224/.322/.329, six runs, five doubles, HR, nine RBI, seven walks/15 strikeouts
Naranjeros de Hermosillo
Paul Sewald RHP – 12 games, 13.0 innings, eight saves, 1.38 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, zero walks/eight strikeouts
Caneros de los Mochis
Juan Uriarte C – 2 games, 1 for 2 with a strikeout
Dominican League
Leones del Escogido
Luis Mateo RHP – 1 game, 0.2 innings, 13.50 ERA, 4.50 WHIP
Tigres del Licey
Jenrry Mejia RHP – 2 games, 1.1 innings, 20.25 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, three walks/one strikeout
Venezuelan Leauge
Bravos de Margarita
Adrian Almeida LHP – 5 games, 1.1 innings, 47.25 ERA, 5.25 WHIP, five walks/four strikeouts
Navegantes del Magallanes
Darwin Ramos RHP – 8 games, 6.0 innings, 10.50 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, three walks/six strikeouts
Sewald, 26, is pitching in the Mexican League to showcase his skills to not only the Mets but other teams as well given that he’s Rule 5 eligible. Sewald needs to be added to the 40-man roster by November 18 to protect him from the draft as does Evans.
Mets have difficult decisions to make protecting which players from Rule 5.
I think Mets ought to waive Verrett and Gilmartin to clear extra room. They have approx 6 open spots now but will also need roster space to add other major leaguers.
I would keep Verrett and/or Gilmartin rather than Montero who is still on the 40-man.