Memphis Redbirds (64-35) 2, Las Vegas 51s (37-63) 1 Box Score
- Gavin Cecchini SS: 1 for 4
- Neil Walker 2B: 1 for 3
- Dominic Smith 1B: 0 for 4, K
Smith’s hitting streak ended at 13 games. Walker played the field for five innings and appeared to be fine. Still no Amed Rosario, who missed his fifth straight game with a finger injury.
- RHP Ricky Knapp: 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, 4 K
- RHP Chasen Bradford (1-1, 4.01 ERA): 1 IP, H, K
Knapp was great over seven. His home-road splits are not great but being a contact, strike throwing pitcher in the PCL is not helpful.
Harrisburg Senators (41-57) 7, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (52-43) 3 Box Score
- Kevin Kaczmarski RF: 1 for 3, BB
- Kevin Taylor LF: 2 for 4, Run, RBI
- Tomas Nido C: 1 for 4, RBI, K
The Rumble Ponies jumped out to the early lead but could not hold on. Nido still has not been able to get a consistent rhythm on offense going. It has been a struggle for the young catcher since June.
- RHP Casey Delgado (6-5, 5.71 ERA): 4 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, K
- RHP Corey Taylor (5-4, 3.89 ERA): 2 IP, 2 H, K
- RHP Cory Burns (0-2, 5.68 ERA): 1 IP, H, K
- RHP Tim Peterson (3-3, 1.40 ERA): 1 IP, 2 K
Delgado got the early lead but struggled the rest of the way. Taylor induced five ground ball outs among his six outs recorded. Definitely a promising sign for the young reliever.
Florida Fire Frogs (36-55) 5, St. Lucie Mets (44-53) 4 F/15 Box Score
- John Mora CF: 3 for 7, Run, RBI, 2 K
- Peter Alonso 1B: 2 for 7, Run, K
- Wuilmer Becerra LF: 2 for 5, Run, 2 BB, 2 K
The St. Lucie Mets managed 19 baserunners in 15 innings but could not get enough runs on the board. Becerra had three steals in the game, giving him 12 for the season. If he ever gets his power back, he could be a legitimate piece going forward.
- RHP Justin Dunn (4-6, 4.96 ERA): 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, BB, 6 K
- RHP Austin McGeorge (0-1, 2.04 ERA): 2 IP, 5 K
- RHP Johnny Magliozzi (4-1, 4.01 ERA): 2 IP, 2 H, K
- RHP Craig Missigman (3-1, 2.94 ERA): 3 IP, 4 H, BB, K
- RHP Joshua Torres (0-3, 4.07 ERA): 1 IP, H, 2 K
- RHP Alex Palsha (2-2, 4.24 ERA): 0.1 IP, H, 2 ER
Dunn went the first five scoreless before giving up three in the sixth. Definitely a much better start for the young righty who showed good command and good stuff in the game. McGeorge was lights out and has been this season. He could rise quickly if he manages to stay healthy.
Columbia Fireflies (52-44) 4, Kannapolis Intimidators (50-47) 0 Box Score
- Andres Gimenez SS: 3 for 4, 2B, 3B, BB, K
- Jacob Zanon CF: 1 for 2, 2 Runs, RBI, 2 BB
- Dash Winningham 1B: 1 for 5, Run, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K
Gimenez had a huge game and now has his OPS up to .705. The 18 year old has continued to be very impressive for someone who was challenged with a call up to Columbia with no prior state side experience. He has not struck out much which further exemplifies he has not been overmatched at the plate.
- RHP Justin Brantley (0-0, 0.00 ERA): 3.2 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 K
- RHP Adam Atkins (2-0, 0.82 ERA): 2.1 IP, 2 H
- RHP Matt Pobereyko (1-0, 2.51 ERA): 2 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K
- RHP Adonis Uceta (4-0, 1.26 ERA): 1 IP, K
Atkins has been great since going to Columbia. He struggled in St. Lucie but could return soon given his dominance in the SAL. Uceta should be moved to St. Lucie soon given his dominance. The former starter transitioned to the pen and has thrown incredibly hard and has only gotten better.
Connecticut Tigers (15-14) 2, Brooklyn Cyclones (11-21) 1 Box Score
- Leon Byrd SS: 1 for 4, 2 K
- Jose Miguel Medina RF: 2 for 4
- Quinn Brodey LF: 1 for 4, Run
The Cyclones only managed a run despite having nine baserunners. The struggling Ricardo Cespedes had two hits to hopefully spark him.
- RHP Darwin Ramos (1-3, 4.98 ERA): 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
- LHP Jake Simon (0-3, 7.99 ERA): 3 IP, H, 2 K
It’s been a struggle this season for the young Simon. He had a promising outing yesterday after a poor start to his season in Brooklyn and Columbia.
GCL Mets (7-14) 4, GCL Nationals (12-9) 1 Box Score
- Guillermo Granadillo CF: 1 for 4, Run, K
- Gregory Guerrero SS: 2 for 4, Run
- Mark Vientos DH: 1 for 4, 2 RBI
Guerrero was the big signing of the 2015 International Free Agency class along with Andres Gimenez. Unlike Gimenez, Guerrero has struggled. He posted a .247/.324/.287 line last year and has a .237/.284/.289 line this year. Hopefully he figures it out soon.
- RHP Jose Moreno (0-1, 5.25 ERA): 4 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 4 K
- Noah Nunez (1-0, 0.00 ERA): 2 IP
- Kyle Wilson (0-0, 0.00 ERA): 1 IP
Moreno was shelled his last start but pitched much better. Nunez was the Mets 39th selection and picked up his first professional win. Wilson was an above slot 35th rounder and it was his first professional appearance.
GCL Mets (6-12) 1, GCL Nationals (12-6) 0 Box Score
- Jack Schneider CF: 0 for 0 HBP, Run
- Mark Vientos SS: 1 for 3, K
- Pedro Ventura 3B: 1 for 3, RBI
Schneider left after getting hit by a pitch in the first. Interestingly, all his offensive stats have been wiped out and he’s now listed as a pitcher. Worth keeping an eye on that.
- RHP Jaison Vilera (2-0, 1.50 ERA): 7 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K
Vilera has been dominant since his professional debut last season. He has only walked four in 24 innings this season.
DSL Rangers2 (25-17) 1, DSL Mets2 (29-13) 0 Box Score
- Shervyen Newton SS: 0 for 4, K
- Luis Santana 2B: 1 for 1, 2B, 3 BB
Not much offense in this one for the DSL Mets. They only had seven baserunners in the whole game.
- RHP Felix Sosa (0-0, 6.75 ERA): 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, K
- RHP Miguel Mata (0-0, 7.15 ERA): 3.1 IP, 2 H, K
- RHP Joel Romero (4-2, 2.25 ERA): 1.1 IP, H, ER, K
- LHP Daniel Guzman (2-2, 3.44 ERA): 0.2 IP
Sosa made his first start of the year. Perhaps needed to fill in for someone last minute. Overall the staff had their share of baserunners but pitched well.
DSL Mets1 (29-13) 5, DSL Rockies (21-21) 0 Box Score
- Jean Carlos Soto LF: 2 for 5, Run, 2B, K
- Julio Rene CF: 2 for 5, K
- Wilfred Astudillo C: 3 for 3, 2 Run, BB
Astudillo has shown a nice eye at the plate and some good power for someone so young. He’s slashing .333/.405/.419 with a 13:10 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
RHP Miguel Ramirez (4-2, 2.32 ERA): 5 IP, 6 H, 2 K
RHP Ramon Guzman (1-0, 0.31 ERA): 3 IP, 3 H, BB
LHP Michael Martinez (0-0, 2.35 ERA): 1 IP, H
Despite allowing ten hits, the DSL pitching staff kept their opponents quiet. After walking 3o in 42.2 innings last year, Miguel Ramirez has two in 37.2 innings this year.
Anyone seen Gimenez or Uceta? Kevin Taylor should be moved to Vegas.
Jack Schneider gets his first professional plate appearance, is hit by a pitch, leaves the game, and is now listed as a pitcher? That must’ve been some conversation in the clubhouse, huh? “Nope, not doing that again. Nope, nope, nope. I’ll pitch.”
I live in Florida so I am hoping for Gimenez to get promoted soon. May have to wait until next year.
Don’t understand what they are doing with Cecchini. If he is your second baseman, why move him to SS where he has no future in your organization? But if you want to see him in other spots, with two candidates at second base in Rivera and Flores plus a possible holdover in Walker (if healthy), why not put Cecchini at third base if you move him at all?
Anybody know why Plawecki left the game? Injury?
The box score says HBP, and another catcher pinch ran and stayed in the game. Don’t know more than that yet.
He’s already demonstrated that he can’t play 3rd. His arm isn’t strong enough, and the throwing issues that plagued him at short were just as evident at third.
That said, there is NO possible holdover in Walker. There’s just no reason and no way the Mets bring him back next year at what he is asking, healthy or not. They have other places to spend that money.
Frankly, I’m wondering why they haven’t tried Cecchini in the outfield yet. He’s not going to crack the starting lineup next year. And if you want to get any use out of him at all, it’ll have to be in some sort of utility capacity. OF is the only other place where he might actually be of use.
Thanks Nessim. Maybe Cecchini could become a Chris Owings type player. But from Flores, Chech and Rivera, I’d pick the best one and leave him at second base.
The kid is only 18. He’s already skipped over rookie ball and short season A when he jumped from DSL to Columbia. And with a .694 OPS, he’s far from tearing it up there. Just let the kid grow into this level for this year and see what he looks like next spring. He’s already jumped the line just by getting to Columbia this young. There’s just no reason or basis for promoting him again this fast.
But due to the holes elsewhere, the Mets don’t have the luxury of doing that. As for picking the best, Cecchini is far from being in that conversation. We still don’t even know if he’s a legitimate major leaguer, never mind a starter.
is there a future for Wuilmer Beccera?
If Cecchini is starting for the Mets next season it will be at 2B, but he would as be the backup at SS. I don’t have a problem with him sliding over to SS while Amed Rosario is out and Neil Walker is on rehab.
The first question is: what is going on with him this year? Is this just a speed bump? Or has a fundamental hitting flaw been exposed? Or are they changing his swing in order to get more power from him, with this being just the learning curve?
There’s certainly opportunity given the severe lack of OF depth in the upper minors. is org. But he’s got to hit better than he has this year. They’ll be spending his second option next spring, so the clock is also running.
IMO, its still plausible that he figures things out in the off season (AFL or winter ball). Next spring he gets assigned to Bing, breaks out and gets promoted to AAA in mid-season. He then has all of 2019 to ride the 4A shuttle and enters spring training 2020 out of options and/but ready for a job then.