Last week the Mets signed minor league left-hander Andrew Barbosa to a minor league deal after he pitched for the Long Island Ducks, AA Mississippi Braves, and AA Mobile BayBears in the 2015 season. He joins minor league knuckleballer Mickey Jannis in the Mets farm system as guys who pitched for the Ducks this year.
Barbosa and Jannis played for the Ducks at the same time this season, both using that experience and exposure to get themselves back into affiliated baseball. Jannis went 6-2 with a dominant 1.18 ERA and 0.944 WHIP in 16 games for Long Island. Andrew was 4-1 with a 2.82 ERA and had 59 strikeouts 51 innings in nine starts for the Ducks.
Recently Quack of the Bat talked to both of the former Ducks about their journey to the Mets and here are some quotes from the article from Andrew:
- I’ve heard many great things about the Mets organization and I’m just excited and blessed to have an opportunity to chase my dream.
- I have found that for me, keeping the hitters off-balance is key. Everything works off my changeup.
- It was great playing with Mickey, talk about a great down to earth guy and very humble!
Some quotes from Mickey:
- It would be great to pitch alongside him (Andrew) again next season in the Mets organization.
- We kept in touch after we were both picked up by organizations last year, and after I sent him a ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ text he told me he signed with the Mets. It was a little bit of an early Christmas present in a way.
Barbosa did not receive a Major League Spring Training invite and will report directly to minor league camp. Jannis capped his good season with the Mets with a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League going 1-1 with a 2.48 ERA in six starts. Here you can read my profile of Barbosa and here is my recent interview with Jannis.
