Just Like Starting Over

[Guest Edgy DC]

Three Mets position player prospects converted to pitching in the last two years. Zac Clements, catcher turned knuckler, produced this line in 2006:

Team	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO
Gulf Coast	1	1	3.66	7	3	0	32.00	24	17	13	0	29	27
Hagerstown	0	4	6.41	6	6	0	26.70	25	22	19	2	22	17
Norfolk	0	0	0.00	1	0	0	1.00	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	1	5	4.82	14	9	0	59.7	49	39	32	2	51	44

Apparently the low hit rate and low homer rate didn't intrigue them enough to think it was worth working with him on the high high walk rate. I guess they weren't alone, as I can't find a record of him playing anywhere this year.

But, good for them, that the experience didn't allow them to give up on allowing strong-armed catchers failing to hit their way into the bigs to try pitching. Joe Hietpas, who actually did reach Flushing during a catching pinch back in 2004 (the lone Met whose only appearance came as a defensive replacement?), took a crack at it this season and has put up this respectable line.

Team	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO
St. Lucie	3	2	2.93	18	0	0	27.2	28	10	9	0	7	14

Not to be outdone, slick-fielding-but-contact-averse shortstop Corey Ragsdale took the plunge mid-season this year, after struggling through another ill start. He's just getting started all the way at the bottom of the feeding chain. But nobody's touched him down there.

Team	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO
Gulf Coast	1	0	0.00	3	0	0	4.0	1	0	0	0	3	5

I like the stories were guys have to reinvient themselves, and I hope there's a Jorge Sosa or Henry Owens in this group.

[MFS62]

IIRC G. Mota started out as a shortstop in the Mets minor league system, too.

Later

[nymr83]

Hietpas' lack of walks for a guy new to the mound is encouraging.