Lucie Walked Gently: The St. Lucie Mets in 2017

[Edgy MD]

The Mets have announced the staff for the St. Lucie Mets is to be helmed by former big league catcher and fan brawler Chad Kreuter. Kreuter formerly managed in the minors in the Rockies system and on the college side with the USC Trojans. It's unusual to see a guy jump from the job security of the NCAA to the grind of the minors. The small shot at the big time is about the only advantage of the latter. Anybody thinking that Edgardo Alfonzo is being groomed to take over the Mets might need know that there are four levels higher than Brooklyn, and Chad F. Kreuter just cut into line.

Marc Valdes (former Expo!) returns for his second year coaching the Santa Lucian pitchers, and Val Pascucci (Expos everywhere) also arrives for a second season as batting coach.

A warm welcome back is due Matt Hunter, returning for his fourth season as athletic trainer, joined by new strength and conditioning coach Alex Tavarez.

This could be 100% wrong, but current projections suggest their opening-day roster might look something like this.

Starting Pitchers
Zack Wheeler (Rehab)
Corey Oswalt
Nabil Crismatt
Josh Prevost
Andrew Church
Marcos Molina

Relief Pitchers
Alex Palsha
Tyler Bashlor
Jimmy Duff
Seth Davis*
Johnny Magliozzi
Craig Missigman
Christian Montgomery

Catchers
Brandon Brosher
Patrick Mazeika

Infielders
David Wright (Rehab)
David Thompson
Vinny Siena
Eudor Garcia*
Milton Ramos
Jhoan Urena#
Dash Winningham

Outfielders
Jeffrey Diehl
Tucker Tharp
Enmanuel Zabala
Ivan Wilson
Desmond Lindsay