Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick

[MFS62]

Keeping it in this decade- Blade Tidwell.

Later

[Cowtipper]

Blade Tidwell is correct!



Another hint:



This player is a professional baseball outfielder in the New York Mets organization, known for his speed and high-contact hitting profile. Born in 2003 in McLean, Virginia, he was a standout player at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., where he won Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2022. Drafted by the Mets in the second round that same year, he signed for $1 million, opting not to attend Virginia Tech.



After a brief and rough debut in the Florida Complex League in 2022, this player rebounded in 2023 by hitting .306 across Rookie and Low-A levels. In 2024, he dominated both Low-A and High-A, slashing .312/.403/.398 with 59 stolen bases and earning Mets Organizational Player of the Year honors. He led all Mets minor leaguers in batting average, on-base percentage, and steals, and broke single-season franchise records with Brooklyn for hits (110) and steals (48).



This player's strength lies in his elite speed and solid bat-to-ball skills. While he makes good swing decisions and contact, he hits the ball on the ground too often, limiting his offensive ceiling. His power is minimal, with only six home runs across 189 games in his career so far. Defensively, This player transitioned from shortstop to center field and has shown good range and improving instincts, although his arm remains below average.



Concerns remain about his groundball tendencies, lack of power, and his struggles against left-handed pitching. However, his plus speed, strong plate discipline, and defensive potential keep him in the conversation as a future major leaguer, potentially as a speedy fourth outfielder. He opened 2025 with Double-A Binghamton and will aim to improve his performance against lefties and elevate the ball more consistently to enhance his value.



https://www.baseball-reference.com/req/202412180/images/headshots/3/3d0538d2_milb.jpg>

[Cowtipper]

Today's hint:



This player is an American professional baseball outfielder who became a free agent in 2025. A standout at Corona High School in California, this player was drafted by the New York Mets with the 69th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft and signed for $850,000, foregoing his commitment to the University of Missouri. However, he did not play that year due to the cancellation of the minor league season during the COVID-19 pandemic.



In January 2021, this player was traded to the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) as part of the deal that sent Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to the Mets. He made his professional debut that year in the Arizona Complex League, batting .289 with strong on-base skills. Over the next few seasons, this player's offensive production declined. In 2022, he hit .226 in Single-A with Lynchburg, followed by a .180 average in 2023 at High-A Lake County. He returned to Lake County in 2024, hitting .202 over 28 games. This player was released by the Guardians on March 28, 2025. His career to date has been marked by promising tools but inconsistent performance at the plate.



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[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Desmond Lindsey?

[Cowtipper]

Desmond Lindsay is none of the guys above, but he is one of them!



Another hint:



This player is an American professional baseball pitcher currently in the San Francisco Giants organization. Born on September 1, 2000, in Bellaire, Texas, this player was a standout at St. Thomas High School in Houston, where he earned All-State honors and was recognized for his strong performances on the mound. Drafted by the New York Mets in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft, he signed for $2.15 million, forgoing a commitment to Texas A&M. He debuted with the GCL Mets, pitching eight innings with a 3.38 ERA before the 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.



In January 2021, this player was traded to the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) as part of the high-profile deal that sent Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to the Mets. As a Guardians prospect, he spent time across various minor league levels, including Low-A Lynchburg and High-A Lake County, but struggled with consistency and injuries. He also pitched for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. After being released by Cleveland in May 2024, this player signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants a few days later. Despite his challenges, this player remains a developing talent with a high-velocity fastball and a promising slider.



https://www.baseball-reference.com/req/202412180/images/headshots/e/e04a43ca_milb.jpg>



Also, here was a hint that was dropped a few days ago, but never got a response:



This player was a right-handed pitcher who appeared in the major leagues from 1978 to 1982, primarily with the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. A standout at Belmont University, where he still ranks among the program's all-time ERA leaders, he was drafted by the Mets in the second round of the 1974 MLB Draft. Initially a starter in the minors, he found success as a reliever, earning a call-up to the majors in 1978. He earned his first career win with the Mets but was traded to the Brewers after the 1979 season.



After a couple of years in the minors, he returned to the majors in 1981 and played a key bullpen role for the 1982 Brewers, contributing during their run to the World Series. That season marked his most productive year, including six saves and a strong performance in the postseason, where he did not allow a baserunner in either of his two appearances.



Following his release in 1983, he pitched in the farm systems of the Astros and Orioles before retiring in 1985 and transitioning into coaching. He has had an extensive coaching career spanning more than three decades, serving as a pitching coach and coordinator in several organizations, including the Twins, Brewers, Mariners, and Giants. As of 2019, he was the pitching coach for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in the Giants organization.



https://www.baseball-reference.com/req/202412180/images/headshots/4/45822a1e_sabr.jpg>



I'll add to it with this poem (crafted using the genius of ChatGPT):



From hardwood courts in Mount Vernon's gym,

To the mound where dreams begin to brim,

He left Illinois with a pitch in his hand,

And found himself in Belmont land.



A Rebel in college, fierce and refined,

His ERA etched in stats left behind,

District's best in seventy-four—

He craved the game, and wanted more.



The Mets came calling in that year's draft,

And through minor leagues he carved his craft.

From starter's toil to reliever's art,

He played each role with a lion's heart.



In Tidewater's pen, he found his stride,

A 1.64, the call-up wide.

He faced the Bucs, his debut told,

A single run, his story bold.



That first win came in September's light,

A Pirate silenced, a sweet respite.

But New York's tale would soon be done,

One win, seven losses, and he'd moved on.



To Milwaukee's arms, a Brewer now,

He waited two years to again take a bow.

In ‘81, he pitched in fall,

No runners reached—he answered the call.



Then came '82, his peak so true,

Five saves, a steady ERA he grew.

In October's stage, he faced the fray,

World Series lights, no hits gave way.



But spring was cruel in ‘83,

He left the Crew, and sought to be

A part once more of the show he loved—

With Tucson's team, he rose above.



Houston's hopes, and Orioles' song,

Yet the big league path stayed quiet long.

So he turned to teach, to guide the flame,

And helped the next to chase the game.



From Macon's fields to Tacoma's rain,

Through every stop, through loss and gain,

He taught the fire behind each throw,

The game he loved from long ago.



In dugout shade and bullpen calls,

He walked the minors' dusty halls.

With every young arm shaped and starred,

He passed the torch—_____ _______.

[MFS62]

Back up a few posts to Nick Morabito.

Later

[Cowtipper]

Nick Morabito is correct!



I've dropped a handful of hints so I let what we have sit for a while.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Tthe guy with the fresh glasses doesn't look like Mike Bruhertbut I will guess Mike Bruhert

[MFS62]

Dwight Bernard.

Later

[Centerfield]

Isaiah Green

[MFS62]

My other adoptee who is perennially battling back from arm and control woes, Calvin Ziegler.



Later

[Cowtipper]

Isaiah Greene is correct!



Dwight Bernard is correct!



Mike Bruhert is a good guess, but he was an undrafted free agent.



Calvin Ziegler is correct, but was already guessed.



Here's another hint that went unanswered earlier. I have added a ChatGPT poem to hopefully help out:



This player was a right-handed pitcher whose professional baseball career spanned nine professional seasons, primarily as a starter. Drafted in the second round of the 1979 MLB Draft by the New York Mets, he spent several years in their farm system but never advanced beyond Double-A. He got his shot at the major leagues after being selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 1983 Rule 5 Draft.



He made his MLB debut on April 8, 1984, pitching three no-hit innings for a save against the Boston Red Sox. In total, he appeared in just three major league games, posting a 4.66 ERA across 9⅔ innings before being traded back to the Mets in May 1984. He did not return to the majors.



After suffering a serious elbow injury in 1986, he reinvented himself as a submarine-style reliever in 1987 with the Birmingham Barons, where he posted a 9–1 record and was named to the Southern League All-Star team. He retired after helping the Barons win the league championship. Over his minor league career, he earned five championship rings and three All-Star selections. Following baseball, he transitioned into a career in retail management.



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From Lompoc's hills to the diamond's gleam,

A pitcher chased a childhood dream.

Drafted young in '79's bright light,

The Mets believed in his future bright.



A tall right-hander, six-foot-three,

He toiled in farms, far from TV.

Double-A's dust on well-worn shoes,

He paid his dues, he paid his dues.



Then Oakland came with Rule Five's call,

A second chance to scale the wall.

April 8th, the Red Sox came,

Three scoreless frames—he staked his claim.



No hits, no runs, a save secured,

For a brief sweet spell, his spot assured.

But fate moved fast, and on May's breath,

He was traded back like a whispered death.



To Jackson's mound he did descend,

Still chasing innings that never bend.

But arms aren't built for endless throws,

And pain arrived where passion goes.



In '86, the elbow screamed—

A tear, a break, the end it seemed.

But grit ran deep in this man's soul,

And back he came with a brand-new role.



A submarine, from down below,

He changed his style, he changed his flow.

With Birmingham, he found his spark,

A 9–1 line, he left a mark.



Though ERA told a different tale,

The Barons won, he did not fail.

An All-Star nod, a ring once more,

And with that, he closed the door.



Five rings, three nods, a winding road,

The weight of dreams a heavy load.

Not many pitch where legends morph—

But one did once—____ __________.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Kelvin Dorff

[Cowtipper]

You got the Dorf part right.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Paul Orndorf

[Edgy MD]

You got the Dorf part right.

That was a wasted second-round pick by the Mets. Dorf's heart belonged to a different sport.



https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2Fd3%2F07%2Fdb%2Fd307db4b3aca95dd682d1b58e63de996.gif&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=4e2f13a0928c2e4918073a94f245669d75c691bea3ad76042fa754f763a81773>

[Cowtipper]

Getting closer. I'm Bettin' Dorf is a German surname, what say you?

[MFS62]

Going back to Scott Servais.



Later

[Cowtipper]

Scott Servais is correct!



While we wait for that last hint to potentially get answered, here's a new one:



This player, born October 7, 1994, in Las Vegas, Nevada, was a right-handed pitcher drafted by the New York Mets in the second round (48th overall) of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft from Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada. Standing 6'2" and weighing 200 pounds, he played in the minor and independent leagues, with a career spanning 2013 to 2022. Over seven affiliated minor league seasons, he recorded a 30-33 win-loss record, a 4.83 ERA, and 308 strikeouts over 454.2 innings pitched across 87 games, 78 of which were starts. His best season was 2016, posting a 7-4 record with a 2.92 ERA across three teams. This player faced recurring injuries, landing on the 7-day injured list multiple times, including in 2019 and 2022. His career included stints with various Mets affiliates, such as the GCL Mets, Kingsport Mets, Brooklyn Cyclones, Columbia Fireflies, St. Lucie Mets, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, and Syracuse Mets, as well as a brief time with the Atlanta Braves' Gwinnett Stripers in 2022. He also played independently for the High Point Rockers in 2022, going 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA. This player was released by the St. Lucie Mets in 2020 and the Gwinnett Stripers in 2022. He briefly retired in 2018 but returned to play. His pitching stats show a 1.42 WHIP and a 2.96 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the affiliated minors, with limited batting contributions.



https://www.baseball-reference.com/req/202412180/images/headshots/d/d0ad3107_milb.jpg>

Edited April 15, 2025 by Guest

[MFS62]

That kinda' tracks with the career of second round pick Tom Engle, but Engle preceded that guy.



Later

[Cowtipper]

Engle is correct! You might have to go to Church and pray to find the answer to the most recent hint.

[Cowtipper]

Today's hint:



This player is an American professional baseball pitcher known for his international career and success across various leagues. Drafted by the New York Mets in 2012 out of Fort Worth Christian School, he opted not to sign, instead attending Seminole State College. He was later selected in the second round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox, where he advanced as far as Triple-A, compiling solid minor league stats but never breaking into the major leagues.



After his release in 2019, this player's career became international. He briefly signed with the Toros de Tijuana in 2020, but the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He then joined the Uni-President Lions in Taiwan's CPBL, going undefeated in 2020 and helping lead them to a Taiwan Series title. He returned in 2021, dominating with a 1.07 ERA before leaving mid-season to represent Mexico, through his maternal heritage, at the Tokyo Olympics.



He has had multiple stints with the Toros de Tijuana, brief time with the CTBC Brothers in Taiwan, and played in the Cincinnati Reds' minor league system in 2023. In 2024, he also joined the Wei Chuan Dragons in the CPBL before returning to the Toros again in 2025. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his resilience and adaptability, pitching effectively across the United States, Mexico, and Taiwan. Despite being born without a right pectoral muscle and being involved in a fatal traffic accident in 2014, this player has continued to pursue his baseball career with determination and professionalism.



Despite his unique last name, he is not related to the major leaguer he shares it with, Andy, who played in the majors in the 1990s.



https://www.baseball-reference.com/req/202412180/images/headshots/e/e8eb021f_milb.jpg>



Also, another poem for a previously unanswered hint:



This player, born December 13, 1975, in Belton, South Carolina, is a former Major League Baseball catcher, first baseman, and designated hitter. He played eight seasons in the majors, primarily with the Minnesota Twins, and later with the Washington Nationals. Known more for his power hitting than defensive skills, he hit 60 home runs in 472 games and was notably the active player with the most plate appearances without a stolen base during his career.



A standout at Clemson University, this player represented the U.S. in international play, winning a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics and silver at the 1999 Pan American Games. Drafted by the Twins in 1997, he put up strong minor league numbers, but defensive struggles limited his role in the majors. His best MLB seasons came in 2003 and 2005, when he posted solid offensive numbers as a DH.



This player joined the Nationals in 2006, a season marked by a tough moment in which he was removed mid-game as a catcher after struggling with multiple stolen bases allowed and errors, prompting an emotional press conference by manager Frank Robinson. He returned to the Twins briefly in 2007 and later played in the independent Atlantic League before retiring.



Transitioning into coaching, this player joined the Nationals' minor league system in 2009, managing at several levels including Hagerstown, Potomac, Harrisburg, and currently Rochester. He also served as the Nationals' bullpen coach in 2014–2015. this player lives with his wife Holly and their five children.



From Belton town where dreams take flight,

A boy with power, broad and bright,

He caught and swung with southern grace,

A future star in cleated pace.



Clemson called, and he replied,

Olympic bronze, with hometown pride.

A Pan Am swing, a double scored—

America cheered and roared and roared.



The Twins came calling in '97,

A first-round bet on future heaven.

Though passed balls plagued behind the mask,

His bat could always do the task.



A slugger's soul, no base to steal,

But strength that every fan could feel.

Seventeen homers in '03's book,

Each one a shot, each swing it took.



A walk-off slam, the crowd ablaze,

In twilight games of summer days.

But defense drew a different tale—

And soon he took a different trail.



To D.C. next, his fate was cast,

A catcher's role he'd not outlast.

Seven stolen, tears on display,

As Frank removed him mid-inning that day.



Yet grace endured, and so did grit,

In Triple-A, he'd never quit.

One final swing in Minnesota's name,

Then coaching called and changed the game.



From Hagerstown's low-A fight

To Red Wings soaring into night,

He shaped young arms and steady minds,

Through seasons long and roster grinds.



He never stole but earned respect,

With every job the Nats select.

Behind the scenes, through loss and joy—

A lifer still—____ _______.



https://www.baseball-reference.com/req/202412180/images/headshots/a/a073b335_sabr.jpg>

[MFS62]

=Cowtipper post_id=189829 time=1744819865 user_id=166]


Behind the scenes, through loss and joy—

A lifer still—____ _______.

[Cowtipper]

Matt LeCroy is correct!



Another hint:



This player, born April 4, 1990, in Dorado, Puerto Rico, is a former professional baseball outfielder who played in the New York Mets' minor league system from 2008 to 2011. Selected in the second round (68th overall) of the 2008 MLB June Amateur Draft from Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, he signed for $585,000. A right-handed batter and thrower, this player, at 6'2" and 165 pounds, was a lean, athletic prospect with speed, a strong arm, and projectable power, ranked as the Mets' #9 prospect by Baseball America post-draft in 2008. Scouts praised his bat speed, athletic frame, and graceful center field defense, likening his range to Carlos Beltran, though his long swing and tendency to lope down the basepaths were noted weaknesses.



This player debuted in 2008 with the GCL Mets, batting .193 with a .495 OPS in 38 games, a modest start attributed to his youth and athletic potential. In 2009, he improved slightly, hitting .230 with a .623 OPS in the GCL, while showing plus range in center field. By February 2009, analysts like Toby Hyde ranked him #15 among Mets prospects, citing his athleticism and defensive prowess, while World of Baseball listed him as Puerto Rico's #7 prospect, noting his five-tool potential despite early struggles. His breakout came in 2010 with the Kingsport Mets, where he batted .319 with a .865 OPS, 15 doubles, four home runs, and 24 RBIs in 41 games, earning Appalachian League Player of the Week and Post-Season All-Star honors. Analysts lauded his progress, with some projecting a move to Low-A Savannah in 2011.



In 2011, this player played for the Savannah Sand Gnats and Brooklyn Cyclones, batting .245 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs across 93 games. However, his season was marred by inconsistency and a possible disciplinary issue, as he was sent to extended spring training mid-season before finishing in Brooklyn. Over four minor league seasons, he played 208 games, batting .248 with a .703 OPS, 15 home runs, 50 doubles, and 110 RBIs. He also appeared in four Puerto Rican Winter League games, hitting .125. Defensively, he posted a .965 fielding percentage across 194 minor league games, primarily in the outfield. Despite early hype as a top Mets prospect, this player was released by the Brooklyn Cyclones on March 28, 2012, ending his professional career.


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Also, here's another poem for a previously unanswered hint:



This player was a right-handed outfielder who played parts of four MLB seasons between 1984 and 1988, appearing in 132 games with a .234 career batting average. Though his on-field career was modest, he played a part in two significant trades that helped shape the 1986 World Series. Originally drafted by the California Angels out of Troy High School, he opted to attend Cal State Fullerton before being selected by the New York Mets in the second round of the 1981 draft. After a strong showing in Triple-A in 1984, he debuted with the Mets later that year.



Following a decline in performance in 1985, this player was included in a trade to the Boston Red Sox that brought Bobby Ojeda to New York—Ojeda would go on to play a key role in the Mets' 1986 championship. this player spent 1986 in the minors before being sent to Seattle as part of the deal that brought Dave Henderson and Spike Owen to Boston, both of whom played key postseason roles.



He had brief stints with the Mariners and Twins, showing flashes of success in the minors but limited impact at the major league level. He retired after the 1989 season, having last played for the Portland Beavers. His brother, Jim, was also a professional player in the Twins' system.



From Downey's sun to Titan pride,

He chose the books, let scouts decide.

Fullerton's fields where dreamers grow,

A righty bat with power to show.



He rose with grit through minor lights,

A South Atlantic RBI knight.

In Tidewater's tides, he made his stand,

A .313 swing, a call-up planned.



In ‘84 the Mets gave him the nod,

A taste of the Show, a grateful applaud.

Three RBIs, a spark, a glance—

Not fortune's favorite, but given a chance.



Yet numbers dipped in eighty-five,

And soon a trade to keep dreams alive.

With Schiraldi, to Boston he flew,

Part of a deal the faithful still rue—



Ojeda shined in the World Series fray,

While he watched from Pawtucket's gray.

Then Henderson came, another move,

And still his bat had more to prove.



In ‘87, he hit like flame,

Chattanooga knew his name.

But up with the M's, it didn't stick,

Baseball's gods can be cruel and quick.



One last stop in the Twin Cities' fold,

A .263 tale quietly told.

Portland's dirt, one final stand,

Before he set the bat from his hand.



No headlines blazed, no Cooperstown,

But in every dugout, every town—

He wore the game like a second skin,

Win or lose, thick or thin.



A ballplayer's heart, quiet and clean,

Part of trades that shaped a scene.

History whispered—not roared—in the wind...

And it whispered the name _____ ____________.



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[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Mark Christiansen



I remember the Puerto Rican infielder described above but no idea what his name was

[Cowtipper]

John Christensen, but close enough.



Another hint:



This player, born May 7, 1988, in Cleveland, Ohio, is a former right-handed starting pitcher who stood 6'9" and weighed 240 pounds. Drafted by the New York Mets in the second round (77th overall) of the 2007 MLB June Amateur Draft from St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, he signed instead of attending North Carolina State. Noted for his size and a fastball reaching 92-93 mph with a solid curveball, this player was a high school All-American and ranked among the Mets' top prospects from 2008 to 2010 by Baseball America (12th, 13th, and 18th, respectively). Over five minor league seasons (2007-2011) with Mets affiliates, he pitched 473.2 innings across 104 games, posting a 22-32 record, 4.60 ERA, and 333 strikeouts with a 1.50 WHIP. His best season was 2008 with the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low-A), going 9-8 with a 4.43 ERA over 120 innings. Injuries, including a 2009 knee surgery for a torn meniscus, and inconsistency hampered his progress, as he never advanced beyond High-A St. Lucie. In 2009, he pitched in the Arizona Fall League, recording a 2.45 ERA in 14.2 relief innings. this player faced setbacks, including a 50-game suspension for drug use in 2012, after which the Mets released him. He later pitched briefly in independent leagues in 2012 and 2015, struggling with an 8.16 ERA over 28.2 innings. His career ended without reaching the majors, marked by potential unfulfilled due to injuries and off-field issues.




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And here's another poem to assist on a previously unanswered hint:



This player is an American professional baseball pitcher currently in the San Francisco Giants organization. Born on September 1, 2000, in Bellaire, Texas, this player was a standout at St. Thomas High School in Houston, where he earned All-State honors and was recognized for his strong performances on the mound. Drafted by the New York Mets in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft, he signed for $2.15 million, forgoing a commitment to Texas A&M. He debuted with the GCL Mets, pitching eight innings with a 3.38 ERA before the 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.



In January 2021, this player was traded to the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) as part of the high-profile deal that sent Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to the Mets. As a Guardians prospect, he spent time across various minor league levels, including Low-A Lynchburg and High-A Lake County, but struggled with consistency and injuries. He also pitched for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. After being released by Cleveland in May 2024, this player signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants a few days later. Despite his challenges, this player remains a developing talent with a high-velocity fastball and a promising slider.



From Bellaire's sun to stadium light,

A boy with fire in his arm took flight.

A Western Wall prayer, a bar mitzvah vow,

To chase the dream, he lives it now.



A star at St. Thomas, tall and lean,

With heat on the gun and a sharp-breaking seam.

All-State, all heart, with a lightning streak,

Striking out batters week after week.



Texas A&M was in his sights,

But the Mets came calling on draft night.

Second round pick, fifty-third call,

He signed, and let the fastball fall.



Through GCL's fields he found his way,

But 2020 stole the play.

Then came the trade, a blockbuster name—

Lindor, Carrasco joined the game.



To Cleveland went the rising flame,

The ninth-best prospect in the Mets' name.

Hillcats, Captains—ups and downs,

Learning the grind in minor league towns.



A WBC nod for Israel's pride,

With the Star of David on his side.

He struggled some, found his control,

Still chasing that starter's role.



Released in spring by the Guardians' hand,

But dreams don't die, they only expand.

The Giants called, gave him the chance,

To sharpen his edge and refine the dance.



Fastball, slider, a story in spin,

From Bellaire streets to battles within.

Still on the path, to bridge that gulf—

The fight lives on in ____ ______.



https://www.baseball-reference.com/req/202412180/images/headshots/e/e04a43ca_milb.jpg>

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

You'd think I'd remember the story of a gigantic 2nd round draft pick with a drug problem but I got nothing.

[Cowtipper]

Today's hint:



This player, born January 23, 1985, in San Diego, California, is a former right-handed relief pitcher, standing 6'6" and weighing 230 pounds. Drafted by the Minnesota Twins (46th round, 2003), Cleveland Indians (13th round, 2006), and New York Mets (2nd round, 93rd overall, 2007) from UCLA, he signed with the Mets for $373,500. A standout at Grossmont High School, this player earned CIF Division II Player of the Year honors and led his team to a championship in 2001. At UCLA, he pitched from 2004 to 2007, compiling a 9-11 record, 6.10 ERA, and 114 strikeouts over 124 innings, with a notable complete game in 2005. In the minors (2007-2010) with Mets affiliates, he pitched 135 innings across 67 games, posting a 7-6 record, 3.00 ERA, 128 strikeouts, and 1.18 WHIP. His best season was 2007, going 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA in rookie and short-season ball. Injuries, including a 2006 finger injury and a 2010 sore arm, limited his progress, and he never advanced beyond High-A St. Lucie. In 2007, he pitched in the Hawaii Winter Baseball League, recording a 5.82 ERA. this player voluntarily retired, concluding his career without reaching the majors, marked by early promise but hindered by physical setbacks.



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And here's a poem to flesh out this hint, which has yet to be answered:



This player, born October 7, 1994, in Las Vegas, Nevada, was a right-handed pitcher drafted by the New York Mets in the second round (48th overall) of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft from Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada. Standing 6'2" and weighing 200 pounds, he played in the minor and independent leagues, with a career spanning 2013 to 2022. Over seven affiliated minor league seasons, he recorded a 30-33 win-loss record, a 4.83 ERA, and 308 strikeouts over 454.2 innings pitched across 87 games, 78 of which were starts. His best season was 2016, posting a 7-4 record with a 2.92 ERA across three teams. This player faced recurring injuries, landing on the 7-day injured list multiple times, including in 2019 and 2022. His career included stints with various Mets affiliates, such as the GCL Mets, Kingsport Mets, Brooklyn Cyclones, Columbia Fireflies, St. Lucie Mets, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, and Syracuse Mets, as well as a brief time with the Atlanta Braves' Gwinnett Stripers in 2022. He also played independently for the High Point Rockers in 2022, going 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA. This player was released by the St. Lucie Mets in 2020 and the Gwinnett Stripers in 2022. He briefly retired in 2018 but returned to play. His pitching stats show a 1.42 WHIP and a 2.96 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the affiliated minors, with limited batting contributions.



https://www.baseball-reference.com/req/202412180/images/headshots/d/d0ad3107_milb.jpg>



He rose in the desert where the heat holds tight,

Las Vegas-born, with a dream in flight.

A second-round pick with the Mets' bold eye,

A righty with promise, raw and spry.



From high school's glow to the pro-league stage,

He battled the climb, year by year, page by page.

With the GCL Mets, his pro path began,

A ball in his grip, a dream in his hand.



He rode the road through Columbia's lights,

St. Lucie sunsets, long bus rides at nights.

Sometimes sharp, sometimes bruised by fate,

But never one to let doubt dominate.



He stepped away once—left the game behind,

Searching for peace that he couldn't quite find.

Then back again, the fire still there,

Chasing what's fleeting, but always fair.



He pitched for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies,

A name that echoes with minor league stories.

Not fame, not riches, but a soul that stayed,

Throwing through pressure that doesn't fade.



Though the majors never fully called his name,

There's honor in showing up for the game.

And though Tebow's name he would besmirch

You cannot forget ol' _____ ________.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Joe Johnny Tweehchurch

[Cowtipper]

Close enough, it was Andrew Church.



Since the rest are mostly all minor leaguers who never made the majors, do you guys just want me to dump the rest of the list here?