EXPECTATIONS FOR 18: Gerson Bautista

[Edgy MD]

Tall and lean, fast and mean, I was the lowest-ranked of the three prospects the Mets got off the Red Sox for Addison Reed. The lowest ranked, but with the highest ceiling. And that's because of a fastball. A fastball that can only be described as blazing.

My bautismo de fuego has topped out at 101, and I don't think I even have consistent mechanics yet. But here's the business: Boston had me going in the high-A Carolina League and I pitched there to the tune of a 5.16 ERA. I had 53 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings, but also had 28 walks. I know what you're thinking. Project. The kid's a project.

But here's the other thing: I came to the Mets system and they sent me to St. Lucie. I'm still in high A, but things are different. In 14 1/3 innings, I strike out 20, and I walk only 3. And that's to the tune of a 1.26 ERA. I know what you're thinking now, too. Project COMPLETE.

Maybe not, but somebody owes St. Lucie pitching coach Marc Valdes a beer.

Well, from there, you know the Mets had to protect my skinny ass. So they added me to the roster, and here I am in St. Loo, throwing bullpens next to the big boys. Where do I go from here? You tell me.

[fimg=389]http://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DHhn46NV0AEzEi9.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=311]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DGVtpT7XgAAKviR.jpg[/fimg]
[fimg=317]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT5Fc53_TUea3cIc08i-Kozz_qA-g7OaVVcYuk_gJjJEko13XV8[/fimg] [fimg=383]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWgMdYAVQAEVxXt.jpg[/fimg]

Please don protective eyewear before watching the video:

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[Guest d'Kong76]

He looked pretty damn good yesterday (I think that was him haha) but I don't
see anything Metly for him this year. Maybe next.

[smg58]

Bingo to start off, then Vegas in July. Hits a rough patch in Vegas but gets through it. Gets a call-up in September, pitches the 15th inning in a crucial game the Mets win in 17. When we start a "memories of Gerson Bautista" thread, that's what everybody mentions first -- even though nobody was actually still awake for it.

[ashie62]

One day may he channel Octavio Dotel