As of 9:00am EST today, here are today’s Mets minor league starting pitchers:
Las Vegas 51s @ Reno Aces, 10:05pm EST
Rafael Montero (1-2, 4.36 ERA) vs Michael Bolsinger (4-3, 3.91 ERA)
What is there to be said about Rafael Montero that hasn’t been said? I defended him to the death on many occasions and I will stick to my guns about the PCL and Las Vegas being bad for him. That being said, if he can conquer the demons of dry air and a hitter’s league, Montero will come out looking even more impressive for the Amazins’ and he has created quite the reputation for himself throughout this year. Although his last appearance went by the boards with two shutout innings, his last full start ended up leaving Montero as the victor after six innings of two-run ball. Basically, he’s been looking better and adjusting to the league, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can get on a roll.
Binghamton Mets @ New Britain Rock Cats, 7:05pm EST
Jenrry Mejia (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs Trevor May (6-5, 3.88 ERA)
I think I know which game I’ll be keeping the my extra tabs on tonight… I know that Montero is running out there for Las Vegas, but I’m very interested in seeing how Mejia reacts to getting consistent time as a starter. He’s still technically working his way back as a rehab assignment, so the plan is to work him as a starter through Triple-A. Mejia worked five shutout innings in his first rehab start with Binghamton, so we’ll see what he brings to the table in his second go-around.
Brevard County Manatees @ St. Lucie Mets, 6:30pm EST
Brent Suter (7-5, 2.79 ERA) vs Michael Fulmer (0-1, 4.50 ERA)
My boy Michael Fulmer takes the mound for the St. Lucie Mets today and I can’t wait to see how he does. Fulmer is openly one of my favorite prospects in our system, falling just behind Gabriel Ynoa for me, as pitchers I really want to see succeed. Fulmer only went three innings in his last outing, where he allowed a solo home run, and that was a rain shortened affair. Hopefully, Fulmer will get a chance to showcase the stuff that led him to a 2.73 ERA in the SAL last year.
Savannah Sand Gnats @ DelMarva Shorebirds, 7:05pm EST
Matt Koch (5-4, 4.54 ERA) vs. TBD
Friday night’s game was postponed due to rain, so Matt Koch is still on deck to start. Koch struggled through his worst start of the season on July 10th against Augusta, but he also didn’t get much help from the defense behind him. He allowed seven runs (three earned) on six hits, no walks, and no strikeouts in just 1.2 innings pitched. The opposition hit .500 against him during that appearance. Despite that tough start, Koch is still 4-3 with a 3.94 ERA in 61.2 innings pitched as a member of the starting rotation.
Brooklyn Cyclones @ Batavia Muckdogs, 6:00pm EST
Miller Diaz (1-1, 2.84 ERA) vs Helpi Reyes (1-4, 8.59 ERA)
Right-hander Miller Diaz earned our MMN Pitcher of the Week honors last week after a strong showing on the mound, and he is in the midst of a good season for Brooklyn. He is going into this game as the owner of a 2.84 ERA over 25.1 innings pitched, and a solid 10.7 K/9 rate. He’ll look to build on his 1-1 record.
Kingsport Mets @ Princeton Rays, 7:05pm EST
Andrew Massie (1-0, 5.06 ERA) vs Jacob Faria (0-1, 1.89 ERA)
Nice to know that the K-Mets aren’t running out there to play two again, because the kids down there must be tired. Andrew Massie will take the mound for the Kingsport team in their night game against the Princeton Rays tomorrow. Don’t let Massie’s 5.06 ERA fool you — you take away one bad start in the beginning of the year where he allowed six earned runs and you find that he hasn’t allowed more than one earned run in any of his other starts. He is coming off a six-inning performance where he allowed just two hits and one run.
Great pitching day in the upper minors. Always exciting to see Montero, and especially in Vegas. I’m not as worried about the PCL (ever!) as much as I worry about MLB lineups and parks. If he can hang there (a la deGrom), he’ll be fine. Speaking of deGrom, him and Mejia should be headlining the Mets 2014 bullpen. I don’t have faith in them as MLB starters and the rotation could be filled anyway, but those two in the pen?? That would be glorious.
Mejia rocked it tonight. 1 bad pitch and that was it. 8k’s in 5ip. Awesome news.