Coney Island Babies: The Brooklyn Cyclones in 2018

[Edgy MD]

The Brooklyn Cyclones are almost never bad. Whether by marketing strategy or just good work, the Mets’ New York-Penn League affiliate never finished with a losing record from 2001 to 2014, but have the last three seasons, bottoming out at 24-52 last season. While some factions were lobbying for Edgardo Alfonso to take over as Mets manager, he was spending his first year skippering in the low minors, his team limping home with a .315 winning percentage, easily their worst-ever.

Whie certainly at least some of that can and shouldbe laid at Alfonso’s feet, the team also dealt with the three-pronged trident of injuries higher up in the system sucking talent away, injuries and absences to some of the best pitchers in the lower levels (Peterson, Kay, Szapucki), and some of the higher 2017 draft choices among the hitters (Matt Winaker, Quinn Brodey) landing with a thud.

Riding smoothly through waves of instability is nonetheless the name of the game in the lower minors, and the Mets have sought to provide Alfonso more support this season, adding veteran major and minor league coach and manager Rich Donnelly as bench coach. Donnelly had previously served as Cyclones manager from 2011 to 2013 and returns as part of Alfonso’s staff after a second terrible tragedy struck his family. (Tim Kurkjian has the story here.)

Marlon Anderson replaces Sean Ratliff as batting coach, having previously served in that role with the Nationals' South Atlantic League affiliate in Hagerstown, before spending the last five years in broadcasting with the Phillies.

No fewer than six 2018 draftees have already joined Alfonso’s team, and more should cycle in as the season progresses. David Thompson, a AAA-quality player, is opening with the team on a rehab assignment, having been out since April with an injury. Reliever Seth Davis and indy league infield vet José Brizuela also seem to be playing in a league beneath their level. Athletic outfielder Kendall Coleman tries to reclaim his career after being traded from the Yankees for former Cyclone L.J. Mazzilli, who has had the good grace to not flourish after the trade.

Speaking of the Yankees, the 'Clones opened the season on Friday losing to the Staten Island Yankees 3-1, mustering only three hits in the contest. Just as you're thinking “Same old shit,” though, they came back strong yesterday, soundly thrashing the Yankees 7-0 as Briam Campusano threw six no-hit innings, before being lifted after only 64 pitches, because we can’t have good things. Relievers Ezequiel Zabaleta and Mac Lozer got the job done however, giving up just one hit in three innings between them. Coleman, who shares none of Mazzilli’s coyness about making his old organization regret a trade, struck the big blow with a fifth-inning grand slam, thrilling the home crowd and breaking his old teammates’ hearts.

With game three underway as I type, the Clones lead the Yankees in Staten Island 2-0 in the top of the second, with recent 26th-round draft choice out of Missouri Brian Sharp (3b) hitting his first career homer. So far, Cyclones starters have thrown 12 innings, allowing no runs on five hits, walking 3 and striking out 8.

YOUR Brooklyn Cyclones Coaching Staff

Position Group	Manager	Pitching Coach	Hitting Coach
	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/alfonzo.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/ring.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/marlon-anderson.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Edgardo Alfonzo #13	Royce Ring #40	Marlon Anderson #20
DoB	11/8/73	12/21/80	1/6/74
B/T	R/R	L/L	L/R
Position Group	Bench Coach	Head Trainer	Strength Coach
	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/rich-donnelly.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/donza.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/sam-nickelsen.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Rich Donnelly #45	Giovanni D'Onza	Sam Nickelsen
DoB	8/3/46	??/??/??	Circa 1992
B/T	L/R	?/?	?/?

YOUR Brooklyn Cyclones

Position Group	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/666683/t3705/180x270/666683.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/669259/t506/180x270/669259.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670082/t453/180x270/670082.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Briam Campusano	Christian James	Trent Johnson	Tylor Megill	Jaison Vilera
DoB	3/26/96	5/24/98	8/12/96	7/28/95	6/19/97
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher
Other Positions	rp			rp	rp
Status Notes				2018 8th- Round Pick
Position Group	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664375/t506/180x270/664375.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665190/t506/180x270/665190.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665078/t3705/180x270/665078.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/622430/t3705/180x270/622430.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656563/generic/180x270/656563.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Ezequiel Zabaleta	Yeudy Colon	Seth Davis	Nicolas Debora	Joel Huertas
DoB	8/20/95	6/9/95	5/8/93	12/6/93	2/14/96
B/T	R/R	R/R	L/L	R/R	S/L
Primary Position	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
Other Positions		sp	sp	sp	sp
Status Notes
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/674064/t506/180x270/674064.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/676833/t506/180x270/676833.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642503/t506/180x270/642503.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Mac Lozer	Ryan McAuliffe	Bryce Montes de Oca	Billy Oxford	Ronald Sanchez
DoB	7/18/95	6/19/95	4/23/96	10/22/95	9/20/93
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
Other Positions		sp	sp		sp
Status Notes			2018 9th- Round Pick
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#008000] Catcher	=#008000] Catcher	=#008000] Catcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/676086/t506/180x270/676086.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670881/t506/180x270/670881.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/660842/t506/180x270/660842.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Ryan Selmer	Kevin Smith	Kevin Hall	Carlos Sanchez	Juan Uriarte
DoB	5/20/94	5/13/97	11/13/93	6/6/96	9/17/97
B/T	R/R	R/L	R/R	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#008000]Catcher	=#008000]Catcher	=#008000]Catcher
Other Positions		sp	1b, ss	1b, 3b, 2b	2b
Status Notes		2018 7th- Round Pick
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/595895/generic/180x270/595895.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/660523/t506/180x270/660523.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/650708/t506/180x270/650708.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/650709/t506/180x270/650709.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Chandler Avant	José Brizuela	Angel Manzanarez	Oliver Pascual	Dinois Paulino
DoB	6/11/95	8/31/92	5/19/97	11/16/96	6/20/94
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	S/R	L/L
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Second Base	=#8000FF]Third Base	=#008000]Second Base	=#0000FF]Shortstop	=#8000FF]First Base
Other Positions		2b, 1b, lf	3b, ss, cf 1b	2b, 3b	lf, rf, cf 2b, rp
Status Notes	2018 30th- Round Pick
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/621420/t505/180x270/621420.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/643259/generic/180x270/643259.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Manny Rodriguez	Brian Sharp	David Thompson	Ross Adolph	Kendall Coleman
DoB	7/4/96	2/18/97	8/28/93	12/17/96	5/22/95
B/T	R/R	L/R	R/R	L/R	L/L
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Shortstop	=#8000FF]Third Base	=#8000FF]Third Base	=#0000FF]Center Field	=#0000FF]Left Field
Other Positions					rf, cf
Status Notes	2018 10th- Round Pick	2018 26th- Round Pick	On Rehab Assignment	2018 12th- Round Pick
Position Group		=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder
		[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664279/t506/180x270/664279.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656017/generic/180x270/656017.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name		Wagner Lagrange	José Miguel Medina	David Miranda
DoB		9/6/95	10/21/96	3/23/95
B/T		R/R	R/R	R/R
Primary Position		=#0000FF]Right Field	=#0000FF]Right Field	=#0000FF]Right Field
Other Positions		lf, cf	cf, lf	lf, cf
Status Notes				2018 25th- Round Pick

Inactive Cylcones

Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#0000FF] Outfielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/666788/t453/180x270/666788.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Jhoander Chourio	Guillermo Granadillo
DoB	4/5/98	2/12/97
B/T	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#0000FF]Center Field
Other Positions		lf, rf
Status Notes	Possibly Retired	Not Yet Active

TO-2QcWwS-I

[Vic Sage]

[Edgy MD]

Having just tied their game against the rival Staten Island Yankees at 2-2 in the sixth, the Brooklyn Cyclones look to improve on their 11-10 record. That might not sound like much, but it's within striking distance of first place in the New York-Penn League McNamara Division, 2 1/2 games out of first, and showing some vast improvement on the dis-spiriting 24-52 finish of 2017.

The team is laying it all out there with a low-power, high average old-timey attack, led by rightfielder Jose Miguel Medina, (.306 / .383 / .486 // .869) and firstbaseman Chase Chambers (.333 / .421 / .424 // .845). The two of them despite hitting the ball all over the park, have only a one homer apiece, despite playing in 17 and 18 games respectively. If that disappoints you, look at those OBPs again. Them numbers don't lie. And despite the team leader (thirdbaseman Brian Sharp) having only two homers, the team has stolen 18 of 25 attempted bases, good for 72%, and almost one per game.

Is that going to get it done? Well, it might if it's put to work while Jaison Vilera is on the mound. JV has twirled it to the tune of a 1.86 ERA in his four starts so far, striking out 25 and walking eight in 19 1/3 innings.

That's not a lot of innings per start, granted, but it helps when you have the likes of Yeudy Colón coming out of the pen. UD has picked up three wins against no losses while compiling a too-small to mention 0.93 ERA, giving up but a single run in his first 9 2/3 innings, striking out 16 (!!) while walking five. You want to be at the game when Colón is pitching. But hey, that's a feeling we've all felt before.

I need to type faster. Since I started this post, Staten Island scored a run in the eighth from a Junior Soto homer off of Brooklyn reliever Billy Oxford. A big BOOOOOOO!!!! on that.

Brooklyn's Nazi-sounding outfielder Ross Adolph had two steals in three attempts.

Transactions, 6/15

Direction	COMING
Transaction	Promoted From GCL & Transferred From Bullpen
Position Group	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/663819/generic/180x270/663819.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Kyle Wilson
DoB	9/27/96
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 6/18

Direction	COMING	COMING
Transaction	Signed As 18th-Round Draft Choice & Assigned To Brooklyn	Promoted From GCL
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#008000] Catcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665130/generic/180x270/665130.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Chase Chambers	Matthew Foley
DoB	8/22/95	4/15/94
B/T	L/L	R/R

Transactions, 6/20

Direction	COMING	COMING	COMING
Transaction	Signed As Fifth-Round Draft Pick & Assigned To Brooklyn	Signed As 19-Round Draft Pick & Assigned To Brooklyn	Signed As Sixth-Round Draft Pick & Assigned To Brooklyn
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#008000] Catcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Ryley Gilliam	Tommy Wilson	Nick Meyer
DoB	8/11/96	5/26/96	2/18/97
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R

Transactions, 6/25

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING	COMING
Transaction	Demoted To Kingsport	Signed As Fourth-Round Draft Pick & Assigned To Brooklyn
Position Group	=#008000] Catcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665130/generic/180x270/665130.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Matthew Foley	Adam Hill
DoB	4/15/94	3/24/97
B/T	R/R	R/R

Transactions, 6/26

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING
Transaction	Promoted To St. Lucie
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665078/t3705/180x270/665078.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Seth Davis
DoB	5/8/93
B/T	L/L

Transactions, 6/27

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING	COMING
Transaction	Promoted To Columbia	Signed As Third-Round Draft Pick & Assigned To Brooklyn
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/650709/t506/180x270/650709.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/carlos-cortes-20181.jpeg[/fimg]
Name	Dinois Paulino	Carlos Cortes
DoB	6/20/94	6/30/97
B/T	L/L	L/S

Transactions, 6/28

Direction	COMING
Transaction	Promoted From Kingsport
Position Group	=#008000] Catcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665130/generic/180x270/665130.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Matthew Foley
DoB	4/15/94
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 6/29

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING
Transaction	Promoted To Columbia
Position Group	=#008000] Catcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Carlos Sanchez
DoB	6/6/96
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 7/2

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING
Transaction	Promoted To Columbia
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/622430/t3705/180x270/622430.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Nicolas Debora
DoB	12/6/93
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 7/3

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING
Transaction	Promoted To Columbia
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642503/t506/180x270/642503.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Ronald Sanchez
DoB	9/20/93
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 7/5

Direction	COMING	=#FF0000]GOING
Transaction	Promoted From Kngsport	Demoted To Kngsport
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656563/generic/180x270/656563.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Joshua Walker	Joel Huertas
DoB	12/1/94	2/14/96
B/T	L/L	S/L

YOUR Brooklyn Cyclones Coaching Staff

Position Group	=#BF0000] Manager	=#BF0000]Pitching Coach	=#BF0000]Hitting Coach
	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/alfonzo.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/ring.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/marlon-anderson.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Edgardo Alfonzo #13	Royce Ring #40	Marlon Anderson #20
DoB	11/8/73	12/21/80	1/6/74
B/T	R/R	L/L	L/R
Position Group	=#BF0000]Bench Coach	=#BF0000]Head Trainer	=#BF0000]Strength Coach
	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/rich-donnelly.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/donza.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/sam-nickelsen.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Rich Donnelly #45	Giovanni D'Onza	Sam Nickelsen
DoB	8/3/46	??/??/??	Circa 1992
B/T	L/R	?/?	?/?

YOUR Brooklyn Cyclones

Position Group	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/666683/t3705/180x270/666683.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/669259/t506/180x270/669259.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Briam Campusano	Christian James	Ryan McAuliffe	Kevin Smith	Jaison Vilera
DoB	3/26/96	5/24/98	6/19/95	5/13/97	6/19/97
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/L	R/R
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher
Other Positions	rp		rp	rp	rp
Status Notes				2018 7th- Round Pick
Position Group	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/663819/generic/180x270/663819.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665190/t506/180x270/665190.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670082/t453/180x270/670082.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Kyle Wilson	Yeudy Colon	Ryley Gilliam	Adam Hill	Trent Johnson
DoB	9/27/96	6/9/95	8/11/96	3/24/97	8/12/96
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
Other Positions	rp	sp	sp	sp	sp
Status Notes			2018 Fifth- Round Pick
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/674064/t506/180x270/674064.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/676833/t506/180x270/676833.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/676086/t506/180x270/676086.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Mac Lozer	Tylor Megill	Bryce Montes de Oca	Billy Oxford	Ryan Selmer
DoB	7/18/95	7/28/95	4/23/96	10/22/95	5/20/94
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
Other Positions		sp	sp
Status Notes		2018 8th- Round Pick	2018 9th- Round Pick
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#008000] Catcher	=#008000] Catcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664375/t506/180x270/664375.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665130/generic/180x270/665130.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670881/t506/180x270/670881.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Joshua Walker	Tommy Wilson	Ezequiel Zabaleta	Matthew Foley	Kevin Hall
DoB	12/1/94	5/26/96	8/20/95	4/15/94	11/13/93
B/T	L/L	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#008000]Catcher	=#008000]Catcher
Other Positions		sp	sp	1b, lf, rf	1b, ss
Status Notes		2018 19-Round Draft Pick
Position Group	=#008000] Catcher	=#008000] Catcher	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/660842/t506/180x270/660842.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/595895/generic/180x270/595895.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Nick Meyer	Juan Uriarte	Chandler Avant	José Brizuela	Chase Chambers
DoB	2/18/97	9/17/97	6/11/95	8/31/92	8/22/95
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R	L/L
Primary Position		=#008000]Catcher	=#8000FF]Second Base	=#8000FF]Third Base	=#8000FF]First Base
Other Positions		2b		2b, 1b, lf
Status Notes	2018 Sixth-Round Draft Pick		2018 30th- Round Pick
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/carlos-cortes-20181.jpeg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/660523/t506/180x270/660523.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/650708/t506/180x270/650708.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Carlos Cortes	Angel Manzanarez	Oliver Pascual	Manny Rodriguez	Brian Sharp
DoB	6/30/97	5/19/97	11/16/96	7/4/96	2/18/97
B/T	L/S	R/R	S/R	R/R	L/R
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Second Base	=#008000]Second Base	=#0000FF]Shortstop	=#8000FF]Shortstop	=#8000FF]Third Base
Other Positions	ss, c, lf, rf 3b, cf, rp	3b, ss, cf 1b	2b, 3b
Status Notes	2018 Fourth- Round Pick			2018 10th- Round Pick	2018 26th- Round Pick
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/621420/t505/180x270/621420.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/643259/generic/180x270/643259.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664279/t506/180x270/664279.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656017/generic/180x270/656017.jpg[/fimg]
Name	David Thompson	Ross Adolph	Kendall Coleman	Wagner Lagrange	José Miguel Medina
DoB	8/28/93	12/17/96	5/22/95	9/6/95	10/21/96
B/T	R/R	L/R	L/L	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Third Base	=#0000FF]Center Field	=#0000FF]Left Field	=#0000FF]Right Field	=#0000FF]Right Field
Other Positions			rf, cf	lf, cf	cf, lf
Status Notes	On Rehab Assignment	2018 12th- Round Pick
Position Group			=#0000FF] Outfielder
			[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name			David Miranda
DoB			3/23/95
B/T			R/R
Primary Position			=#0000FF]Right Field
Other Positions			lf, cf
Status Notes			2018 25th- Round Pick

Inactive Cylcones

Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Dylan Snypes
DoB	5/1/96
B/T	L/R
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Shortstop
Other Positions
Status Notes	Not Yet Active

PI3I4gmR7Zc

[RealityChuck]

The Cyclones were in town last night, playing the Tri-City ValleyCats and I managed to get to the game. Great seats, too -- right behind home plate (you could see the scouts with radar guns watching the action).

The Cyclones won it 11-5. Jose Medina had two home runs and Anthony Cirocie was 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Christian James gave up a three-run homer in the first (negating a three-run top of the inning, where the ValleyCats starter couldn't find the plate and was pulled after 2/3rds of a inning), but nothing else. The Mets scored four in the fourth, with Medina's first HR (3 runs) the big hit.

I had a great time. It was a perfect night for a game.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

who are the Valley Cats associated with?

[Edgy MD]

Medina was a one-man wrecking crew last night. Also started the action in the first with a single and a stolen base, coming around to score the first of three Brooklyn runs in the opening inning.

He's having a strong season, but he's repeating Brooklyn. He spent some time at Columbia and (briefly) St. Lucie also last year.

[seawolf17]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: who are the Valley Cats associated with?

Houston, I believe.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Yeeaaaaaaah, suck it, Astros!

[Edgy MD]

A six-of-ten record over the last 10 for the Brooklyn Cyclones doesn’t really sum up how strong Edgardo Alfonzo’s forces have been. The Clones pitchers have produced two shutouts in the last 10 games and have been in control of the game and keeping opposing offenses in check most nights.

I don’t like to keep going back to the same well, but Jaison Vilera has stepped it up from notable to stupefying. I mean, he looks at Jacob deGrom’s season and thinks, “That’s cute.” His seven scoreless, two-hit innings yesterday against the West Virginia Black Bears not only advanced his record to 5-1, but lowered his ERA to 0.78. IT’S STUPID!

His WHIP is now down 0.83, and 0.95 for his career. He’s struck out 56 in 46 innings while walking only 15. He’s yet to allow a homer. The guy is now in his third season of professional ball and his highest ERA over any season has been 1.88. Call him up NOW!!!

OK, maybe not. But let’s get him on the fast track.

[fimg=450]http://metsminors.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Screen-Shot-2018-07-29-at-6.52.09-PM.png[/fimg]

Emerging in the bullpen has been this season’s fifth-round draftee out of Clemson, Ryley Gilliam. The right-hander from Braves’ territory (Marietta, GA) also pitched in yesterday’s West Virginia game linked above is unscored upon in his first six pro innings, striking out nine while walking two. It looks like the Roberto Alomar trade is still paying dividends for the Mets as Brooklyn pitching coach Royce Ring has his pitching staff humming on all cylinders.

[fimg=600]https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jHDSj7x56Pg/maxresdefault.jpg[/fimg]

Briefly mentioned in passing above is 2018 12th-rounder Ross Adolph but he’s now emerging (emerged?) as the ‘Clones top offensive threat. Zipping along with a balanced batting line of .283 / .362 /.469 // .831, Ross also leads the team with 7 stolen bases (against 2 times caught stealing). Doesn't fuck around on defense, either.

[fimg=600]http://thecourier.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/vbvvanb05.jpg[/fimg]

After a craptastic 2017, the Brooklyn representatives in the New York-Penn League now find themselves in a more familiar position of serious contention, but at 23-19, still sit 4 1/2 games behind the Tampa Affiliate Hudson Valley Renegades, and a 1/2 game back of the rival Staten Island Yankees in The New York-Penn League McNamara Division.

Head on out to the beach tonight to see them hosing the Tri-City ValleyCats as #2 starter Christian James takes the hill against the top team in the New England-oriented New York-Penn League Stedler Division.

Transactions, 7/8

Direction	GOING	GOING	=#00BF40]COMING
Transaction	Promoted To Columbia	Returned From New York On Rehab	Promoted Fom Kingsport
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	Starting Pitcher	=#0000FF] Outfielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670082/t453/180x270/670082.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/syndergaard-noah-2017-34.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/650702/t506/180x270/650702.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Trent Johnson	Noah Syndergaard	Anthony Dirocie
DoB	8/12/96	8/29/92	4/24/97
B/T	R/R	L/R	R/R

Transactions, 7/9

Direction	GOING	=#00BF40]COMING	=#00BF40]COMING	=#00BF40]COMING
Transaction	Promoted To Columbia	Sent From New York For Rehab	Signed As 22nd-Round Draft Choice & Assigned To GCL	Sent From Brooklyn On Rehab
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder	Starting Pitcher	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/650708/t506/180x270/650708.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/450306.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/palmer-jaylen-2018.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/644418/t506/180x270/644418.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Oliver Pascual	Jason Vargas	Jaylen Palmer	Walter Rasquin
DoB	11/16/96	2/2/83	7/31/00	3/21/96
B/T	S/R	L/L	R/R	R/R

Transactions, 7/13

Direction	GOING	GOING
Transaction	Returned From Rehab To New York	Released
Position Group	Starting Pitcher	=#0000FF] Outfielder
	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/syndergaard-noah-2017-34.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/643259/generic/180x270/643259.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Noah Syndergaard	Kendall Coleman
DoB	8/29/92	5/22/95
B/T	L/R	L/L

Transactions, 7/14

Direction	GOING	=#00BF40]COMING	=#00BF40]COMING
Transaction	Released	Demoted From Columbia	Promoted From Kingsport
Position Group	=#008000] Catcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#008000] Catcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665130/generic/180x270/665130.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670082/t453/180x270/670082.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/663584/t506/180x270/663584.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Matthew Foley	Trent Johnson	Hayden Senger
DoB	4/15/94	8/12/96	4/3/97
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R

Transactions, 7/17

Direction	=#00BF40]COMING
Transaction	Demoted From Columbia
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642503/t506/180x270/642503.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Ronald Sanchez
DoB	9/20/93
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 7/23

Direction	GOING
Transaction	Demoted From Columbia
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/595895/generic/180x270/595895.jpg[/fimg]
Name	José Brizuela
DoB	8/31/92
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 7/27

Direction	GOING
Transaction	Ended Rehab Assiignment & Returned To New York
Position Group	Starting Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/450306.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Jason Vargas
DoB	2/2/83
B/T	L/L

YOUR Brooklyn Cyclones Coaching Staff

Position Group	=#BF0000] Manager	=#BF0000]Pitching Coach	=#BF0000]Hitting Coach
	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/alfonzo.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/ring.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/marlon-anderson.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Edgardo Alfonzo #13	Royce Ring #40	Marlon Anderson #20
DoB	11/8/73	12/21/80	1/6/74
B/T	R/R	L/L	L/R
Position Group	=#BF0000]Bench Coach	=#BF0000]Head Trainer	=#BF0000]Strength Coach
	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/rich-donnelly.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/donza.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/sam-nickelsen.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Rich Donnelly #45	Giovanni D'Onza	Sam Nickelsen
DoB	8/3/46	??/??/??	Circa 1992
B/T	L/R	?/?	?/?

YOUR Brooklyn Cyclones
\

Position Group	Starting Pitcher	Starting Pitcher	Starting Pitcher	Starting Pitcher	Starting Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/666683/t3705/180x270/666683.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/669259/t506/180x270/669259.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Briam Campusano	Christian James	Ryan McAuliffe	Kevin Smith	Jaison Vilera
DoB	3/26/96	5/24/98	6/19/95	5/13/97	6/19/97
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/L	R/R
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher	Starting Pitcher	Starting Pitcher	Starting Pitcher
Other Positions	rp		rp	rp	rp
Status Notes				2018 7th- Round Pick
Position Group	Starting Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/663819/generic/180x270/663819.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665190/t506/180x270/665190.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/663894/t453/180x270/663894.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670082/t453/180x270/670082.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Kyle Wilson	Yeudy Colon	Ryley Gilliam	Adam Hill	Trent Johnson
DoB	9/27/96	6/9/95	8/11/96	3/24/97	8/12/96
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
Other Positions	rp	sp	sp	sp	sp
Status Notes			2018 Fifth- Round Pick
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/674064/t506/180x270/674064.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/676833/t506/180x270/676833.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642503/t506/180x270/642503.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Mac Lozer	Tylor Megill	Bryce Montes de Oca	Billy Oxford	Ronald Sanchez
DoB	7/18/95	7/28/95	4/23/96	10/22/95	9/20/93
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
Other Positions		sp	sp		sp
Status Notes		2018 8th- Round Pick	2018 9th- Round Pick
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#008000] Catcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/676086/t506/180x270/676086.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664375/t506/180x270/664375.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670881/t506/180x270/670881.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Ryan Selmer	Joshua Walker	Tommy Wilson	Ezequiel Zabaleta	Kevin Hall
DoB	5/20/94	12/1/94	5/26/96	8/20/95	11/13/93
B/T	R/R	L/L	R/R	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#008000]Catcher
Other Positions			sp	sp	1b, ss
Status Notes			2018 19-Round Draft Pick
Position Group	=#008000] Catcher	=#008000] Catcher	=#008000] Catcher	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/663584/t506/180x270/663584.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/660842/t506/180x270/660842.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Nick Meyer	Hayden Senger	Juan Uriarte	Chandler Avant	Chase Chambers
DoB	2/18/97	4/3/97	9/17/97	6/11/95	8/22/95
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R	L/L
Primary Position		=#008000]Catcher	=#008000]Catcher	=#8000FF]Second Base	=#8000FF]First Base
Other Positions			2b
Status Notes	2018 Sixth-Round Draft Pick			2018 30th- Round Pick
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/carlos-cortes-20181.jpeg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/660523/t506/180x270/660523.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/621420/t505/180x270/621420.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Carlos Cortes	Angel Manzanarez	Manny Rodriguez	Brian Sharp	David Thompson
DoB	6/30/97	5/19/97	7/4/96	2/18/97	8/28/93
B/T	L/S	R/R	R/R	L/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Second Base	=#008000]Second Base	=#8000FF]Shortstop	=#8000FF]Third Base	=#8000FF]Third Base
Other Positions	ss, c, lf, rf 3b, cf, rp	3b, ss, cf 1b
Status Notes	2018 Fourth- Round Pick		2018 10th- Round Pick	2018 26th- Round Pick	On Rehab Assignment
Position Group	=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/650702/t506/180x270/650702.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664279/t506/180x270/664279.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656017/generic/180x270/656017.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Ross Adolph	Anthony Dirocie	Wagner Lagrange	José Miguel Medina	David Miranda
DoB	12/17/96	4/24/97	9/6/95	10/21/96	3/23/95
B/T	L/R	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#0000FF]Center Field	=#0000FF]Right Field	=#0000FF]Right Field	=#0000FF]Right Field	=#0000FF]Right Field
Other Positions		cf, lf	lf, cf	cf, lf	lf, cf
Status Notes	2018 12th- Round Pick				2018 25th- Round Pick
Position Group			=#0000FF] Outfielder
			[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/644418/t506/180x270/644418.jpg[/fimg]
Name			Walter Rasquin
DoB			3/21/96
B/T			R/R
Primary Position			=#0000FF]Left Field
Other Positions			2b, 3b, 1b, rf, c, rp
Status Notes			On Rehab Assignment

Inactive Cylcones

Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Dylan Snypes
DoB	5/1/96
B/T	L/R
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Shortstop
Other Positions
Status Notes	Not Yet Active

rBpXJ8_WMqU

[Edgy MD]

Billy Oxford is a Bubba-lookin' 27th-rounder from 2017 out of Azusa Pacific who has lit it up in 2018. He don't look like much at first glance, and he's been given a chance to neither start nor close in Brooklyn, but the chances he's been given, he's made the most of. With another 1 1/3 scorless innings tossed yesterday, including stranding two inherited runners, he picked up the win and ran his record to 7-1, and lowered his ERA to a blink-and-you'll-miss-it 1.43 for the Cyclone bullpen. He even took a brief trip to St. Lucie where he threw another 3 1/3 scoreless, bringing his overall ERA down to 1.32.

The Arizonan does it by keeping the ball down and inside the park. He even had a successful appearance in the New York-Penn League All-Star Game. The win over the Hudson Valley Renegades featured a key double and triple from Wagner LaGrange and a homer from centerfielder Anthony Dirocie and was nothing short of HEWJ. It pulled the Clones within three games for the first-place Renegades, with their tragic number holding at 3.0. The same two teams meet tonight in Brooklyn with (I think) the red-hot Christian James (4-1 / 1.76) on the mound.

[fimg=450]https://brooklynsportsworld.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/img_20180815_214104.jpg[/fimg]

[Edgy MD]

'Twas an important bounceback year in 2018 for the Brooklyn Cyclones. The Coney Island squad hadn't had a losing season in any of their first 14 seasons. It was a terrific track record of quality ball from the Babies. But then, in 2015, the worm turned, and in the next three years, they turned in three sub-.500, second devision campaigns, reaching a nadir with a 24-52 record in 2017. So when I salute their 40-35 record this past season, I celebrate more than their .533 winning percentage. The returned from the Cliffs of Irrelevance and probably saved Edgardo Alfonzo's managing career.

They did it, as usual for the Mets, with pitching first. The 'Clones featured a 1-2 pitching punch of Christian James and Jaison Vilera. The former threw 71 2/3 to the tune of a 2.01. He seemingly did it with smoke and mirrors, because the peripherals aren't quite there. He struck out 45 and walked 20 in those 71 2/3 innings. He also gave up but four homers. But while the 2016 14th-rounder does likely move on to the prospect lists (at least, the ones that go deeper), he'll be no quickie.

Having no such pedigree problems is teammate Vilera. Brooklyn was Vilera's playground this season as he put up as sub-2.00 ERA for the third straight season. Vilera was dominant (deGrominant?) in all aspects —not only charting a 1.83 ERA over 73 2/3 innings, but whiffing 78, walking 22, and giving up just a single homer. The weird part is his performance actually raised his career ERA to 1.78, while mostly starting. He even has a 13-4 W-L record for his career.

A solid pen was led by lefthander Kevin Smith and righthander Tommy Wilson. While neither was in Mallrats or Back to the Future they really made their names their own this summer by the beach, as Smith gave up just two runs in 23 2/3 innings, for a Eckersley-esque ERA of 0.76. He struck out 28, walked six, and WHIPped to the astonishingly low 0.761. Griff Tannen was nearly as good, putting up a 1.23 ERA in 22 innings, striking out 27 and walking but seven. That's the power of love!

On offense, rookie Ross Adolph got past his regrettable name to put up some team-leading numbers, the recent 12th-round draft pick out of The University of Toledo slugged seven homers while slashing .276 / .348 / .509 // .857. A combination of 12 triples (leading the New York-Penn League) and 14 stolen bases suggests the outfielder may have an intriguing power/speed combination.

His outfield All-Star buddy was Jose Medina. The 21-year-old Dominican had been over his head in a few months in Columbia in 2017, but he was young enough to step back for a reset, and that's what he found in Brooklyn, going .271 / .342 / .429 // .770. He's reportedly smoothed out a noisy swing, and put on some muscle, so he may have a future yet.

So that was a pretty good year, finishing only a few game back, andThe Alfonzo Story gets to continue.

Transactions, 7/30

Direction	COMING
Transaction	Promoted From Kingsport
Position Group	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/676130/t506/180x270/676130.jpg[/fimg]
Name	José Butto
DoB	3/19/98
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 7/31

Direction	COMING
Transaction	Transferred In Rehab Assignment From St. Lucie
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/453943.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Todd Frazier
DoB	2/12/86
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 8/2

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING
Transaction	Ended Rehab Assignment & Returned To New York
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/453943.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Todd Frazier
DoB	2/12/86
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 8/3

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING	COMING	COMING	COMING
Transaction	=#000000] Promoted To Columbia	=#000000] Demoted From Columbia	Promoted From Kingsport	=#000000]Signed Away From Kansas City (American Associtation) & Assigned To Brooklyn
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670082/t453/180x270/670082.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/yeizo-campos.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/641886/t506/180x270/641886.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/664842.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Trent Johnson	Yeizo Campos	Andrew Mitchell	Dylan Tice
DoB	8/12/96	4/29/96	10/23/94	12/15/92
B/T	R/R	R/R	L/L	S/R

Transactions, 8/5

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING
Transaction	=#000000]Promoted To Columbia
Position Group	=#0000FF] Outfielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	David Miranda
DoB	3/23/95
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 8/6

Direction	COMING
Transaction	=#000000]Sent From GCL On Rehab Assignment
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/621098/generic/180x270/621098.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Eric Hanhold
DoB	11/1/93
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 8/7

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING
Transaction	=#000000]Promoted To Columbia
Position Group	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher
	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/yeizo-campos.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Yeizo Campos
DoB	4/29/96
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 8/13

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING
Transaction	=#000000]Returned To Las Vegas
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/621098/generic/180x270/621098.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Eric Hanhold
DoB	11/1/93
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 8/15

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING
Transaction	=#000000]Promoted To Columbia
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642503/t506/180x270/642503.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Ronald Sanchez
DoB	9/20/93
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 8/22

Direction	COMING
Transaction	=#000000]Promoted From Kingsport
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/681899/t506/180x270/681899.jpg[/fimg]
Name	L.A. Woodard
DoB	6/3/97
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 8/27

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING
Transaction	=#000000]Promoted To Columbia
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/676086/t506/180x270/676086.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Ryan Selmer
DoB	5/20/94
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 9/3

Direction	COMING
Transaction	=#000000]Sent From New York On Rehab Assignment
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/461872.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Anthony Swarzak
DoB	9/10/85
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 9/8

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING
Transaction	Ended Rehab And Returned To New York
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/461872.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Anthony Swarzak
DoB	9/10/85
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 9/26

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING	=#FF0000]GOING
Transaction	Released	Released
Position Group	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#008000] Catcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670881/t506/180x270/670881.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Ryan McAuliffe	Kevin Hall
DoB	6/19/95	11/13/93
B/T	R/R	R/R

Transactions, 9/27

Direction	=#FF0000]GOING
Transaction	Released
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Dylan Snypes
DoB	5/1/96
B/T	L/R

YOUR Brooklyn Cyclones Coaching Staff

Position Group	=#BF0000] Manager	=#BF0000]Pitching Coach	=#BF0000]Hitting Coach
	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/alfonzo.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/ring.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/marlon-anderson.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Edgardo Alfonzo #13	Royce Ring #40	Marlon Anderson #20
DoB	11/8/73	12/21/80	1/6/74
B/T	R/R	L/L	L/R
Position Group	=#BF0000]Bench Coach	=#BF0000]Head Trainer	=#BF0000]Strength Coach
	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/rich-donnelly.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/donza.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/sam-nickelsen.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Rich Donnelly #45	Giovanni D'Onza	Sam Nickelsen
DoB	8/3/46	??/??/??	Circa 1992
B/T	L/R	?/?	?/?

YOUR Brooklyn Cyclones

Position Group	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/676130/t506/180x270/676130.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/666683/t3705/180x270/666683.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/669259/t506/180x270/669259.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	José Butto	Briam Campusano	Christian James	Kevin Smith	Jaison Vilera
DoB	3/19/98	3/26/96	5/24/98	5/13/97	6/19/97
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/L	R/R
Primary Position	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher
Other Positions	rp	rp		rp	rp
Status Notes				2018 7th- Round Pick
Position Group	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/663819/generic/180x270/663819.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665190/t506/180x270/665190.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/663894/t453/180x270/663894.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/674064/t506/180x270/674064.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Kyle Wilson	Yeudy Colon	Ryley Gilliam	Adam Hill	Mac Lozer
DoB	9/27/96	6/9/95	8/11/96	3/24/97	7/18/95
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
Other Positions	rp	sp	sp	sp
Status Notes			2018 Fifth- Round Pick
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/641886/t506/180x270/641886.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/676833/t506/180x270/676833.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Tylor Megill	Andrew Mitchell	Bryce Montes de Oca	Billy Oxford	Joshua Walker
DoB	7/28/95	10/23/94	4/23/96	10/22/95	12/1/94
B/T	R/R	L/L	R/R	R/R	L/L
Primary Position	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
Other Positions	sp	sp	sp
Status Notes	2018 8th- Round Pick	2018 14th- Round Pick	2018 9th- Round Pick
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#008000] Catcher	=#008000] Catcher	=#008000] Catcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664375/t506/180x270/664375.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/663584/t506/180x270/663584.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/660842/t506/180x270/660842.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Tommy Wilson	Ezequiel Zabaleta	Nick Meyer	Hayden Senger	Juan Uriarte
DoB	5/26/96	8/20/95	2/18/97	4/3/97	9/17/97
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher		=#008000]Catcher	=#008000]Catcher
Other Positions	sp	sp			2b
Status Notes	2018 19-Round Draft Pick		2018 Sixth-Round Draft Pick
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/carlos-cortes-20181.jpeg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/660523/t506/180x270/660523.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Chandler Avant	Chase Chambers	Carlos Cortes	Angel Manzanarez	Manny Rodriguez
DoB	6/11/95	8/22/95	6/30/97	5/19/97	7/4/96
B/T	R/R	L/L	L/S	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Second Base	=#8000FF]First Base	=#8000FF]Second Base	=#008000]Second Base	=#8000FF]Shortstop
Other Positions			ss, c, lf, rf 3b, cf, rp	3b, ss, cf 1b
Status Notes	2018 30th- Round Pick		2018 Fourth- Round Pick		2018 10th- Round Pick
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/621420/t505/180x270/621420.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/664842.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/681899/t506/180x270/681899.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Brian Sharp	David Thompson	Dylan Tice	L.A. Woodard	Ross Adolph
DoB	2/18/97	8/28/93	12/15/92	6/3/97	12/17/96
B/T	L/R	R/R	S/R	R/R	L/R
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Third Base	=#8000FF]Third Base	=#8000FF]Second Base	=#8000FF]Shortstop	=#0000FF]Center Field
Other Positions			3b, lf
Status Notes	2018 26th- Round Pick	On Rehab Assignment		2018 16th- Round Pick	2018 12th- Round Pick
Position Group	=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder		=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/650702/t506/180x270/650702.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664279/t506/180x270/664279.jpg[/fimg]		[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656017/generic/180x270/656017.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/644418/t506/180x270/644418.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Anthony Dirocie	Wagner Lagrange		José Miguel Medina	Walter Rasquin
DoB	4/24/97	9/6/95		10/21/96	3/21/96
B/T	R/R	R/R		R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#0000FF]Right Field	=#0000FF]Right Field		=#0000FF]Right Field	=#0000FF]Left Field
Other Positions	cf, lf	lf, cf		cf, lf	2b, 3b, 1b, rf, c, rp
Status Notes					On Rehab Assignment