Adopted: Yusmeiro Petit

[Willets Point]

Note to self: Need to create an Adopt-a-Prospect forum.

My little 'un, frequent in the trade rumor mill, returned to pitching for the first time since May 20th after recovering from shoulder soreness. Petit pitched well but was limited to a fifty pitch count.

More here: http://www.pressconnects.com/today/sports/stories/sp061505s172537.shtml

[metirish]

I'll be surprised if Petit is a Met through the end of this season, I hope he is but there is so much talk about him and with Omar looking to upgrade 1st he's a goner.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Don't buy into the "Where's there's smoke, there's fire" argument.

[metirish]

I try not to, the Brewers called up Prince Fielder for IL play so don't be shocked if Overbay comes here for Petit and whatever else.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

I'm sure there are many ways to trade for a first baseman without including Petit.

[Willets Point]

We're hoping you're right Yancy.

[Willets Point]

Yusmeiro pitches one inning using only 9 pitches in a
<a href = "http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050710&content_id=1124782&vkey=allstar2005&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb">
Futures Game victory for the World team.

[metirish]

]Reminiscent of Sid Mets prospect Petit sneaky fast, prompts images of Fernandez BY KEN DAVIDOFF STAFF CORRESPONDENT July 11, 2005 DETROIT -- Yusmeiro Petit threw just nine pitches yesterday, and the fastest registered at 91 mph on the Comerica Park radar gun. Yet the Mets' top pitching prospect cruised through his one inning of work, generating a trio of pop flies against three of his fellow highly regarded youngsters. It's that success, those fly balls and a noticeable gut that explain why Baseball America has referred to the 20-year-old as "a righthanded Sid Fernandez." "It's OK," the Venezuelan said of the comparison after the annual All-Star Futures Game in which the World team defeated the United States, 4-0. "No problem." It would be no problem for the Mets, either, given the success that Fernandez had in blue and orange. Although Fernandez's superiors often lamented that he didn't keep himself in better shape, they also marveled at how his delivery fooled opposing batters so often. The same goes for Petit, listed as 6 feet and 180 pounds (he seems bigger), who has a 3-2 record, 2.97 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings for Double-A Binghamton. "He kind of pushes the ball out of his uniform, and it's on top of it [the plate] before you know it," said Dan Warthen, the pitching coach for the Mets' Triple-A Norfolk affiliate, who has worked extensively with Petit in spring training and worked for the World team yesterday. "So that 91 looks like 94 or 95." Padres prospect Josh Barfield, who popped out to second base against Petit, didn't find the righthander's delivery particularly deceptive. Said Barfield: "He has a real good changeup, and he works fast." Signed as an international free agent in 2001, Petit has climbed the Mets' ladder with few problems; he also pitched in last year's Futures Game. His 200 strikeouts last year, compiled for Class A Capital City, Class A St. Lucie and Binghamton, ranked second overall in the minor leagues. That explains how he climbed from Baseball America's 28th-ranked Mets prospect to No. 2 in one year. In the wake of Petit's winter work in Venezuela, the Mets have had him on a strict pitch count. But Petit said yesterday, "In the second half, I'm ready to throw a lot of innings." Warthen said all the righthander needs to work on now is "experience. Just continue to pitch. Use his changeup and slider a little bit more, which the organization is encouraging. But right now, the guy locates, he's got a good feel for pitching. He recognizes what hitters are trying to do. It's nice to see at a young age, a pitcher who is a true pitcher." The Mets' top-ranked prospect, outfielder Lastings Milledge, also played in the Futures Game and grounded out to shortstop in his lone at-bat for the U.S. club. Milledge's pro career began in ugly fashion, as a report surfaced of inappropriate sexual behavior in high school. But nothing was ever substantiated, and the Mets' 2003 first-round draft pick said, "It's something that's forgotten." He hit .302 with a .385 on-base percentage for St. Lucie in the first half, and he said yesterday that he'll begin the second half with Binghamton. "I'm definitely happy with how things are going right now," said Milledge, 20. "I've still got a lot of work. A lot more steps to go."

[Guest Edgy DC]

That report, of course, surfaced well before his pro career.

[Willets Point]

Fresh off his Futures Game appearance, my little All-Star is set to make an appearance in tonight's AA All-Star Game.

[Willets Point]

Or just sit in the bullpen and watch. Doesn't matter, just saves his arm for games that count.

[Willets Point]

The Little Guy strikes out 8 in seven innings for a win in a big game against Reading:
<a href="http://www.bmets.com/news/index.asp?contentID=399">story

Why the hell won't my links work in this thread?

[Willets Point]

Little Yusmeiro threw his first career <a href="http://www.bmets.com/news/index.asp?contentID=404"> complete game including retiring the last 18 batters he faced. Record improves to 5-2 on the season.

[Willets Point]

My prospect was not included in any short-sighted trade deadline deals for overvalued, aging "established veterans." Whew!

[Willets Point]

My adoptee is a stopper, earning his fourth win in five starts and helping end the B-Mets losing streak.

Story

[Willets Point]

Another kickass victory for young Petit, with 7 k's over 7 innings.

[Willets Point]

My boy's unstopable:

]Yusmeiro Petit struck out a season-high 12 and retired 24 of 27 to face him Wednesday afternoon as the Binghamton Mets salvaged the finale of their five-game series against the Portland Sea Dogs with a 4-0 win at Hadlock Field.

<a href="http://www.bmets.com/news/index.asp?contentID=434">More

[MFS62]

WP, you're such a proud parent.
So, do you have any later baby pictures than the one above?

No?

Shame on you!

Later

[Willets Point]

Here's one.

[MFS62]

My, he's grown!

Just wanted to check on those comments about his similarities to Bartolo Colon.

Later

[Willets Point]

Movin' on up!!!

]The Tides are expected to add RHP Yusmeiro Petit to their roster for the stretch run. Petit, who was considered trade bait earlier this summer , is considered the best pitching prospect in the Mets� minor leagues. In Binghamton this season, Petit was 9-3 with a 2.91 ERA. In 117 innings, he has 130 strikeouts and 18 walks. Opponents are batting .209 against him

Source

[Valadius]

I want him in the rotation next season. That K/BB ratio is ridiculous.

[Willets Point]

Here's Petit in his new uniform:


Now the bad news:

]Tides starting pitcher Yusmeiro Petit gave up three runs and eight hits in six innings in his Triple-A debut at Harbor Park on Monday night. He struck out six batters and walked three.

Source.

Petit took the loss for the Tides.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

He's just adjusting - it takes a little time to get used to a new school and new classmates. Your little one will be fine.

[Willets Point]

And where did the photo go?

[MFS62]

And my post from yesterday.
Gonzo

Later

[Diamond Dad]

Big Sid Fernandez. Kind of a short-arm sling delivery, but hard to pick up. I'd love to see the Mets keep him and see how he develops

[Willets Point]

My little guy's troubles at his new school continue.

And Jorge Toca for G-d's sake!!!!

[Guest Edgy DC]

Hasn't Petit started slowly at other levels before kicking it into gear?

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Willets Point wrote: My little guy's troubles at his new school continue. And Jorge Toca for G-d's sake!!!!

I think you should keep your littl'un away from that Danny Graves fella, he sounds like bad news.