Reliever Jon Velasquez has signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals after pitching the entire 2015 season in the Mets farm system. He was lights out in the 36 games he pitched for the Binghamton Mets collecting 18 saves to go a long with his 2.04 ERA and sparkling 0.756 WHIP.
The 30-year old right-hander didn’t fare as well with the Las Vegas 51’s, he had a 5.74 ERA and 1.468 WHIP with two saves in 16 games. This was the Bronx native second year in the Mets system after they signed him out of Independent ball in 2014. He was 4-4 with a 3.62 ERA, 1.061 WHIP, and was a Eastern League All-Star during the 2014 season.
Jon has been pitching for the Cangrejeros de Santurce in the Puerto Rican League this winter, he has four saves with a 2.03 ERA and is holding opponents to a .188 average.
The Yankees have signed former Mets outfield prospect Cesar Puello to a minor league deal, he was released by the Mets on August 19th. He had just three at bats during the 2015 season and those came with the Gulf Coast League Mets on a rehab appearance on July 27th.
Puello entered Spring Training camp this year with a chance to make the big league team as he was out of options and would have to clear waivers to stay with the Mets. He struggled this spring hitting just .250 without an extra base hit in 36 at bats although he did walk five times.
The Mets designated him for assigment, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Las Vegas initially. However, he has diagnosed with a stress reaction in his back and the option was rescinded pushing him back onto the Mets 40-man roster.
Puello had a big year in 2013 with the Binghamton Mets setting career highs with his slash line of .326/.403/.547, 16 homeruns, and 73 runs batted in. His season was cut short in August though when he was suspended for 50 games after being linked to the Biogenesis investigation.
Baseball America ranked Puello as the 77th best prospect in baseball prior to the 2011 season after hitting .292/.375/.359 with 45 stolen bases in 2010 with the Savannah Sand Gnats.
He is currently playing in the Dominican Winter League for the Toros del Este and is hitting .256/.347/.302 in 25 games.
Puello was rather unimpressive in 2014. Last year Reynolds came out of the box on fire and slumped the summer away. Nimmo looked like his knee hurt. Boyd has a bat but pasta for an arm. Not sure why Below signed, the Mets don’t think much of him. Over at MMO Conforto is a mini stud, they all forget he got sent down?
To bad Verrett got drafted by the Mets. He will be at the parking lot barring injuries. Lugo looked good. TJ and TT will be minor league FA’s in 17.
How fast does Gsellman throw?
Eric Thames won the Korean MVP and was on the farm in Vegas. That guy has talent and should be on your radar.
Conforto is an absolute stud, very impressive during his debut. Going to be the Mets left fielder for a long time. Gsellman is at 93-94 MPH but that isn’t why he is effective. Throws a heavy sinker that is hard to barrel up.