Right-hander Andrew Church got the start for the New York Mets in the first minor league Spring Training game of the season. Church is coming off a breakout season between the Columbia Fireflies, St. Lucie Mets and one start with the Las Vegas 51s. He went 7-4 with a 2.92 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and threw two complete games.
Church has his tremendous slider working on Thursday in Port St. Lucie, a pitch that was a key part of his success in 2016. Stats in minor league camp games are hard to track for pitchers because innings are limited by pitch counts and not outs right now.
Tim Tebow was back in minor league camp today as he faces pitching closer to the level he will face in his career. He went 1 for 3 with a double, walk, RBI and run scored in the game.
Cameron Griffin was another noteworthy pitcher in the A-Ball level game for the Mets. The right-hander missed the entire 2016 after having Tommy John surgery in October of 2015. Griffin, 25, was the Mets 34th round pick back in 2013. During his minor league career he’s posted a 1.96 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and held opponent to a .195 average.
Second baseman Michael Paez had a run scoring double in the game for the Mets. The 2016 fourth round pick struggled in his pro debut hitting only .190/.270/.285 in 46 games for the Brooklyn Cyclones.
Not pictured is third baseman Walter Rasquin, whom hit the ball hard today including a deep fly ball that went for a double.
All photos taken by Ed Delany.
Is Matt Blackham back? He pitched very well at Brooklyn as a starter in 2015 and then missed all of 16. Is he back in camp or did he retire?