Photo Credit: Ed Delany

Although we’re already in mid-August we still need to give out our players of the month of July. As in every month we look at the best offensive player, defensive player, starting pitcher and relief pitchers in the Mets minor leagues.

Offensive Player of the Month

Tomas Nido (St. Lucie Mets) – Nido is having a breakout season with the St. Lucie Mets. He showed that again in July when he hit .405/.427/.595 with three home runs, four doubles and a triple. Nido drove in 15 runs in July and struck out just seven times.

Honorable Mention: Kevin Kaczmarski (St. Lucie Mets) The outfielder, who got promoted from Columbia earlier this season, hit .364/.455/.530 for St. Lucie in July. Kaczmarski was a spark plug at the top of the lineup for St. Lucie scoring 18 runs in the month of July. He had five doubles. three triples and drove in seven. He also collected six stolen bases. You can say he did his job as a top of the order hitter.

Starting Pitcher of the Month

Thomas Szapucki (Kingsport Mets/Brooklyn Cyclones) – Szapucki wins our Starting pitcher of the Month award for the second straight month, with two different teams as Szapucki was promoted from the Kingsport Mets to the Brooklyn Cyclones during the month of July. Szapucki stayed dominant with the Kingsport Mets going 2-0 with a 0.98 ERA in three starts before the promotion.

He pitched a total of 18.1 innings allowing just twelve hits and five walks (0.93 WHIP) while striking out 28 batters. After his promotion Szapucki did not stop impressing in July. He made two July starts for the Cyclones without allowing an earned run. In 12.1 innings pitched he allowed just six hits and four walks, while striking out 18.

Honorable Mention: Harol Gonzalez (Brooklyn Cyclones) Harol was outstanding in July and could easily be the winner if Szapucki was not that dominant. Gonzalez went 2-0 with a 1.72 ERA in five starts, pitching 31.1 innings, allowing just 24 hits. Over that span, Gonzalez also piled up some strikeouts (42).

Relief Pitcher of the Month

David Roseboom (Binghamton Mets) – Since becoming the Binghamton Mets closer, Roseboom has thrived. In July Roseboom pitched in thirteen games, pitching to a 0.63 ERA. In 14.1 innings pitched, the 24-year old lefty, allowed just six hits, five walks ( one intentional) to go with sixteen strikeouts. He had a .120 batting average against and a 0.70 WHIP, both really impressive numbers. On top of all that great numbers, he also went a perfect eight for eight in save opportunities.

Honorable Mention: Josh Smoker (Las Vegas 51s) Pitching in Vegas is not the easiest thing to do but, Josh Smoker showed he was capable to allow very little in Vegas in the month of July. The former first round pick from the Nationals, pitched 14.1 innings. He allowed eleven hits and four walks (one intentional), while striking out 20 hitters. Smoker pitched to a 1-0 record with a 1.26 ERA in 10 games. Plus, don’t forget his WHIP at 0.93 which is very impressive. We would like to see Smoker in the Mets bullpen over Edgin at this point.

Defensive Player of the Month

Enmanuel Zabala (Columbia Fireflies) Zabala has become the everyday center fielder from the Columbia Fireflies since his promotion from the Brooklyn Cyclones. In July Zabala made outstanding plays in center, making some diving catches and showing solid range to make the tough catches. Zabala played a flawless center field and earned himself the Defensive Player of the Month of July.

Honorable Mention: Gavin Cecchini (Las Vegas 51s) I guess for many this is a surprise because Cecchini’s made 32 errors in the whole season with the 51s. Cecchini made just four errors in the month of July after committing 14 in June. He showed great progression in the field which earned him a honorable mention.