Edgy MD

Your final, 8-2, suggest the team is returning to the score-some-runs philosophy of winning baseball. All of the runs, however, came from the fifth inning on, as reserve Mets were filtering into the game. They got four hits and eight total bases out of the leadoff spot, from Reyes (single, triple, double) and Rivera (double). Braves pitcher Eddie Phillips came on with one out in the ninth, and after giving up three hits and a run (plus one inherited run), he settled down and struck out Met reserves Patrick Biondi and Blake Tiberi, the last two Mets batters of the game. This sequence would be unremarkable, except that those were the Mets first two strikeouts of the game. Mets pitchers outpaced their Braves counterparts 17-2 in the strikeout department. Mets uncharacteristically banged out 14 hits, with none of them leaving the yard. 25-man roster aspirant Josh Smoker pitched a perfect ninth, fanning two (though nobody you, you know, ever heard of). Cranepooler/evening wear model Kevin Chapman pitched a scoreless sixth for the Braves.

I'm different from Corey Taylor. I'm not a superpowered mutant with an Adamantium-plated skeletal structure and retractable razor-sharp claws either. And I'm not an oily underwear model, if you're looking for photos of me. I'm an 11th round pick from 2012 out of Jenks, Oklahoma, a suburb of Tulsa. That may be a 180 miles or so too far north to qualify for the "Big Texas Righty" label, but at 6'4" and 250, I'm a big boy. I've qualified for camp by taking a giant leap forward in Binghamton, switching, for the most part, from the starting rotation to the bullpen, and striking out 10.4 batters per nine innings, which, when compared to the 6.5 per nine I whiffed in St. Lucie, compares ... um, favorably. Checking prospect lists, I generally came in around 40-50 among Mets prospects, but I bet I start moving up to 25-30 after my bullpen move. My fastball sits at 92-94 but gets up to 95, and I bring the cutter and a nice 12-6 curve also, which can be devastating if a big boy like me gets a handle on it. That handle may be tough, as I've walked my fair share of guys, and that bounced up to a mostly unacceptable 4.1 per nine in 2016. But I'm working on that. I pitched five innings in spring training this year, and I, uh, walked five guys. But I'll get a handle on this, and be back strong, and soon. How strong? How soon? Waddaya think? [fimg=239:17dt3ars]http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000ASSwswOzS9U/fit=/fill=250x250/g=G0000MubUf1jzY_I/I0000ASSwswOzS9U.jpg[/fimg:17dt3ars] [fimg=239:17dt3ars]http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000LONrgW1ctAY/fit=/fill=250x250/g=G0000MubUf1jzY_I/I0000LONrgW1ctAY.jpg[/fimg:17dt3ars] [fimg=239:17dt3ars]http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000sE2b7sJ1vns/fit=/fill=250x250/g=G0000MubUf1jzY_I/I0000sE2b7sJ1vns.jpg[/fimg:17dt3ars] [fimg=346:17dt3ars]http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/0/6/128047906/cuts/logantaylor_stlucie_9d0okwu3_3mxjs8ro.jpg[/fimg:17dt3ars] [fimg=261:17dt3ars]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CpGxpiYXYAQL_X0.jpg[/fimg:17dt3ars] [fimg=110:17dt3ars]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C1q0dxVUcAArbhx.jpg[/fimg:17dt3ars]

4. Jefe Innis.

Hard to find two mysteries more mysterious than the two guys the Mets signed. Both are lefthanded pitchers, but that's all I know about one of them. The other, I know additionally hits lefty, and that he's 19. Carillo goes off to pursue his destiny backing up for Las Vegas. Good luck to him. TransactionSigned To Minor League Contract And Sent To Minor League CampSigned To Minor League Contract And Sent To Minor League Camp Re-Assigned To Minor League CampPosition Group=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#008000] Catcher[fimg=90]http://www.hikoreanfashion.com/60150-cart_default/question-mark-magnet-key-holders-coat-rack.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.hikoreanfashion.com/60150-cart_default/question-mark-magnet-key-holders-coat-rack.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/518530.jpg[/fimg]NameYeury Garvaci Hector Rodriguez Xorge Carillo #71DoB??/??/????/??/97-ish4/12/89B/T?/LL/LR/R Projected 2017 Mets Coaching Staff Position=#BF0000] Manager=#BF0000] Hitting Coach=#BF0000] Pitching Coach=#BF0000] First Base Coach=#BF0000] Third Base Coach[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/492632.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/438989.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/123951.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/114961.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/427468.jpg[/fimg]NameTerry Collins #10Kevin Long #57Dan Warthen #38Tom Goodwin #22Glenn Sherlock #53DoB5/27/4912/30/6612/1/527/27/687/7/58Position=#BF0000]Bench Coach=#BF0000]Bullpen Coach=#BF0000]Ass't Batting Coach=#BF0000]Strength & Cond. Coach=#BF0000]Strength & Cond. Coach[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/121944.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/111191.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/pat-roessler-1.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/mike-barwis.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/dustin-clarke-1.jpg[/fimg]NameDick Scott #23Ricky Bones #25Pat Roessler #6Mike BarwisDustin ClarkeDoB7/19/624/7/6912/27/596/6/73circa 1987Position=#BF0000]Bullpen Catcher=#BF0000]Bullpen Catcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/534948.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/430002.jpg[/fimg]NameDave Racaniello #53Eric Langill #78DoB6/3/787/7/58 YOUR Projected 2017 New York Mets Position Group=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_594798.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/607229.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_518774.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_571927.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_592789.jpg[/fimg]NameJacob deGrom #48Robert Gsellman #65Matt Harvey #33Steven Matz #32Noah Syndergaard #34DoB6/19/887/18/933/27/895/29/918/29/92B/TL/RR/RR/RR/LL/RPrimary Position=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting PitcherOther PositionsrprpStatus Notes=#FF0000]Coming Off Surgery =#00BF00]Has Options=#00BF00]Has Options=#FF0000]Coming Off Surgery=#FF0000]Coming Off Surgery =#00BF00]Has Options=#00BF00] Has OptionsPosition Group=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_460283.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_572831.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_544727.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_606160.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/592665.jpg[/fimg]NameJerry Blevins #39Josh Edgin #66Jeurys Familia #27Rafael Montero #50Addison Reed #43DoB6/6/8312/17/8610/10/8910/17/9012/27/88B/TL/LR/LR/RR/RL/RPrimary Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief PitcherOther PositionsspStatus NotesPosition Group=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#008000] Catcher=#008000] Catcher=#8000FF] Infielder[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_570663.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/477569.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_518595.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/425784.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/452678.jpg[/fimg]NameHansel Robles #47Fernando Salas #59Travis d'Arnaud #18René Rivera #44Asdrubal Cabrera #13DoB8/13/905/30/855/30/907/31/8311/13/85B/TR/RR/RR/RR/RS/RPrimary Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#008000]Catcher=#008000]Catcher=#8000FF]ShortstopOther Positions1bStatus Notes=#00BF00]Has OptionsPosition Group=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_446263.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_527038.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/408314.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/608061.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/435522.jpg[/fimg]NameLucas Duda #21Wilmer Flores #4José Reyes #7T.J. Rivera #54Neil Walker #20DoB2/3/868/6/916/11/8310/27/884/9/87B/TL/RR/RS/RR/RS/RPrimary Position=#8000FF]First Base=#8000FF]Third Base=#8000FF]Third Base=#8000FF]Second Base=#8000FF]Second BaseOther Positionsss, 2b, 1bss3b, lf, 1bStatus Notes=#00BF00] Has Options=#FF0000]Coming Off SurgeryPosition Group=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/457803.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/493316.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/624424.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_434158.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_501571.jpg[/fimg]NameJay Bruce #19Yoenis Céspedes #52Michael Conforto #30Curtis Granderson #3Juan Lagares #12DoB4/3/8710/18/853/1/933/16/813/17/89B/TL/RR/RL/LL/RR/RPrimary Position=#0000FF]Right Field=#0000FF]Left Field=#0000FF]Left Field=#0000FF]Right Field=#0000FF]Center FieldOther Positionscfcfrf, cfcf, lfrf, lfStatus Notes=#00BF00] Has Options Also on 40-Man Roster Position Group=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/623167.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_543219.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/607625.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/622506.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_554430.jpg[/fimg]NameChris Flexen #64Sean Gilmartin #36Seth Lugo #67Marcos Molina #68Zack Wheeler #45DoB7/1/9411/4/8611/17/893/8/955/30/90B/TR/RL/LR/RR/RL/RPrimary Position=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting PitcherOther PositionsrprprprpStatus NotesIn Minor League CampIn Minor League Camp=#FF0000]Projected To Open Season On Rehab AssignmentPosition Group=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#008000] Catcher=#008000] Catcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://bsaohmy.weebly.com/uploads/5/2/6/7/5267846/8169575.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/519294.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/621512.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_608700.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_592340.jpg[/fimg]NameJenrry Mejia #58Josh Smoker #49Tomás Nido #70Kevin Plawecki #26Erik Goeddel #62DoB10/11/8911/26/884/12/942/26/9112/20/88B/TR/RL/LR/RR/RR/RPrimary Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#008000]Catcher=#008000]Catcher=#FF8000]Relief PitcherOther Positions1b1bStatus Notes=#00BF00]BANNED!In Minor League CampIn Minor League CampPosition Group=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#0000FF] Outfielder[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/608325.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/608703.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/642708.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_431151.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/610141.jpg[/fimg]NameGavin Cecchini #2Matt Reynolds #15Amed Rosario #61David Wright #5Wuilmer Becerra #60DoB12/22/9312/3/9011/20/9512/20/8210/1/94B/TR/RR/RR/RR/RR/RPrimary Position=#8000FF]Shortstop=#8000FF]Third Base=#8000FF]Shortstop=#8000FF]Third Base=#0000FF]Right FieldOther Positionsss, 2b, lfStatus NotesIn Minor League CampIn Minor League CampIn Minor League Camp=#FF0000]Projected To Open Season On Rehab AssignmentIn Minor League CampPosition Group=#0000FF] Outfielder[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/607043.jpg[/fimg]NameBrandon Nimmo #9DoB3/27/93B/TL/RPrimary Position=#0000FF]Center FieldOther Positionslf, rfStatus Notes Also in Camp Position Group=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#8000FF] Infielder=#0000FF] Outfielder[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/452733.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/623149.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/571841.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/607369.jpg[/fimg]NameTom Gorzelanny #40Paul Sewald #79Ty Kelly #56Travis Taijeron #73DoB7/12/825/26/907/20/881/20/89B/TR/LR/RS/RR/RPrimary Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#8000FF]Second Base=#0000FF]Right FieldOther Positions3b, cf, lf, 1b, rflf, cfStatus Notes Major League Free Agents Position Group=#8000FF] Infielder[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/430637.jpg[/fimg]NameKelly Johnson #55DoB2/22/82B/TL/RPrimary Position=#8000FF]Second BaseOther Positions3b, lf, 1b, rf, ssStatus Notes Minor League Free Agents Position Group=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/502102/t400/180x270/502102.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/451131/generic/180x270/451131.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/595263/t505/180x270/595263.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/593670/t505/180x270/593670.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/595231/t507/180x270/595231.jpg[/fimg]NameDuane BelowTyler HerronMickey JannisRainy LaraBen GrisetDoB11/15/858/5/8612/16/873/14/913/12/92B/TL/LR/RR/RR/RL/LPrimary Position=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief PitcherOther PositionsrprprpspStatus NotesMLB StatsPosition Group=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#008000] Catcher=#008000] Catcher[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/597972/t400/180x270/597972.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/543856/t400/180x270/543856.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/593680/generic/180x270/593680.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/542466/t505/180x270/542466.jpg[/fimg]NameChase HuchingsonRonald SanchezZack ThorntonAdrian AbreuRaywilly GomezDoB4/14/899/20/935/19/886/14/911/25/90B/TL/LR/RL/LR/RS/RPrimary Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#008000]Catcher=#008000]CatcherOther Positionsspsp1bStatus NotesSuspended, DNPPosition Group=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/571868/t400/180x270/571868.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/462962/generic/180x270/462962.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/607741/t507/180x270/607741.jpg[/fimg]NameMarc KraussVictor MoscoteNiuman RomeroKevin TaylorDoB10/5/875/10/941/24/857/13/91B/TL/RR/RS/RL/RPrimary Position=#8000FF]First Base=#8000FF]First Base=#8000FF]Shortstop=#8000FF]First BaseOther Positionslf, rp3b, c3b, 2b, 1b, rflf, 2b, 3bStatus Notes

It certainly adds to the urgency to get Reyes some work in the outfield.

Well, that makes it a bad time for Nimmo to be hurt as well. If neither can answer the bell for opening day, that means they are going to have to look beyond the 40-man roster for a fifth outfielder (Taijeron? Somebody off the wire?) or carry a seventh infielder that can fool around in the outfield (Kelly?) But that's the only two real centerfielders and they're both hurt.

You don't know me, but I'm your brother. I'm a 2015 seventh-round draftee who was invited to to Spring Training on the back of a season and a half of microscopic ERAs. First I appeared in 18 innings over 18 games for the 2015 Cyclones and put up a 1.50 ERA. Next, I got jumped over the Sally League and sent to St. Lucie for 2016, where I reiterated my initial statement with a 1.87 ERA, and saved 20 games while doing it. I was even bumped up against the serious competition this fall, and sent to the Arizona Fall League, where I pounded it home to the tune of a 2.22 ERA, third best on my team in the desert air. That's the upside. Significant! The downside? Well, there's some of that too. I did the full four years in school so there's not much projectability on my frame. And yeah, about my frame ... you could say I was the prototype of the big Texas righty, but I'm not exactly big in the the right way, listed at 5'11" and 245, which may be generous, depending on which month you catch me in. I kinda look like Tony Gwynn's lovechild. And yeah, 61 punchouts and 17 walks in 71 innings, while good, may not scream "Big League Closer!" at you, but it's pretty good. And while you're looking at my peripherals, check out that homerun line. TWO! I've given up TWO homers in 71 innings. I don't care what league you're in, that's good! So, I say that adds up to a BIG LEAGUE BULLPENNER! But nobody's asking me. I'm asking you. [fimg=239:lggm81w9]http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000FXNIgUw9BQE/fit=/fill=250x250/g=G0000Hpx2fY5MYgM/I0000FXNIgUw9BQE.jpg[/fimg:lggm81w9] [fimg=239:lggm81w9]http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I000087PmFuhCsSw/fit=/fill=250x250/g=G0000Hpx2fY5MYgM/I000087PmFuhCsSw.jpg[/fimg:lggm81w9] [fimg=239:lggm81w9]http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000PMqLNY2CHio/fit=/fill=250x250/g=G0000Hpx2fY5MYgM/I0000PMqLNY2CHio.jpg[/fimg:lggm81w9] [fimg=308:lggm81w9]https://i.ytimg.com/vi/A57gC3XtXwU/maxresdefault.jpg[/fimg:lggm81w9] [fimg=412:lggm81w9]http://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.10592280.1435614776!/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/landscape_1280/image.JPG[/fimg:lggm81w9]

They pretty much went with their #1 bucket brigade out of the pen: Salas and Blevvy for the seventh, Reedy for the eight, and Dangling Familia for the ninth.

Ninth inning. Five hits. No runs. Opening Day lineup, you say?

I'm sitting there thinking while Greg is just shooting.

7) Ross Jones, the extra player gifted us in the Sid Fernandez trade, to help take away the sting of losing super utility infielder Bob Bailor.

I question the methodology there. By taking guys who are in the top 100, you lose players who've already been moved. You're limited to guys who've had a bit of time to cast their fate. Your starting pool should be guys signed as shortstops. You could perhaps then identify "top prospects" as guys taken in the first two rounds or foreign players signed with a bonus over X threshold. This would allow them to go back and include Wally Backman and Gregg Jeffries, and even professional imports like Kazuo Matsui. Heck, Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron too, if they want to go back that far. The methodology also fails as it looks at total MLB games played at shortstop as a bottom line, rather than percentage of games played at shortstop. This misinterprets guys like Chin-lung Hu, who didn't fail to stick at shortstop, but failed to mature as a hitter.

We've caught a theme here. I'm sure he's bad, but I doubt he's re-writing the book on badness.

Know what gets you called up the big leagues? Well, a good season at AAA. Should do it. I mean, you'd think, right? Well, I had me one of those in 2015. Fat lot of good it did me. No callups. No September look-see. No thin association with a playoff-bound team. But, you know, breaks are breaks. Go back and do it again. So I went back and did it again. You know what the Mets did for me? Bupkis. I got 44 home runs over 256 games over the two seasons. I drove in 159 runs. I hit .275 and reached base at a clip 100 points higher. What the devil? I'm not even on the roster. I mad. Mean mad. I'm an unstoppable sex machine and they're giving all their opportunities to the wrong Travis. When will I be loved? 'Cuz I've got a coach's number and a bag full o' lumber. Watch me hit. [fimg=371:3g68v64e]http://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/travis-taijeron-e1457298274343.jpg[/fimg:3g68v64e] [fimg=349:3g68v64e]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh-r75-CIAAHSmo.jpg[/fimg:3g68v64e] [fimg=371:3g68v64e]http://www.baseballamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Travis-Taijeron-2013-cw.jpg[/fimg:3g68v64e] [fimg=349:3g68v64e]http://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Travis-Taijeron.jpg[/fimg:3g68v64e]

Stuart may not be particularly big league bound, but he's not heading back to St. Lucie. He's probably Bingo's top outfielder, and will split the season between AA and AAA. He'll even see some some September time in Flushing, if mostly as a pinch-runner/defensive sub.

Yeah, I mean, I know the team's history. But the present point is that growing a quality firstbaseman has seemed particularly hard.

The tough part about identifying with a superhero/Norse deity, even in jest, is that you've got to live up to it. Else, you're setting yourself up for a fall. I mean, set high standards for yourself, ask your team to hold you to them, but don't raise expectations with the public. Unless you're me. I'm Noah Syndergaard, and I'm last year's most valuable Met, no matter what anybody tells you. And we've played around with some big talk and fun talk and costumes and nicknames, and shit and so far that's worked out. But pride cometh before a fall. So I spent the offseason beefing up like a football player, so as not to have any fall. I'm your opening day starter, anchoring a staff of talented pre-arbitration starters. Will I continue to prosper, summoning mighty bolts of lighting from my arm and swinging a fearsome hammer, or will that persona kinda blow up in my face like it did Harvey? Here's hoping that the other guys all step up and take some of the pressure off, but the pressure's on. What will come to pass? [fimg=360:yvopte7r]https://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/05/23/sports/23METSweb1/23METSweb1-master768.jpg[/fimg:yvopte7r] [fimg=360:yvopte7r]http://www.trbimg.com/img-563544f2/turbine/la-sp-sn-noah-syndergaard-might-be-suspended-joe-torre-wont-say-20151031[/fimg:yvopte7r] [fimg=344:yvopte7r]https://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/05/12/sports/12mets/12mets-master768.jpg[/fimg:yvopte7r] [fimg=376:yvopte7r]http://image.nj.com/home/njo-media/width960/img/njcom_photos/photo/2015/10/19/-4f0e7f9eed117382.JPG[/fimg:yvopte7r]

Great ovation for Long Island's Marcus Stroman. He looks like Tony Clark's kid out there.

SHMERICA!!

There's no substitute for speed. It helps you on offense and defense. It's fortunate that people like it because ... it's about 85% of my game. Is that going to get me to the bigs? Well, maybe not, but they're faking it in center right now, and I'm working on getting the rest of my game to catch up. And I got to play in the AFL. And the system is thin on outfielders. So ... maybe? Maybe soon? Help me out here. [fimg=332:147aqaw7]http://www.baseballamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Champ-Stuart-2016-bm.jpg[/fimg:147aqaw7] [fimg=388:147aqaw7]http://a2.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2015%2F0422%2Fmlb_champstuart_1296x729.jpg[/fimg:147aqaw7] [fimg=369:147aqaw7]http://www.christschool.org/uploaded/images/Athletics/champstuart_two.jpg[/fimg:147aqaw7] [fimg=351:147aqaw7]http://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/champ-stuart-e1478022473410.jpg[/fimg:147aqaw7]

Is there a mercy rule in the Championship Round?

And the US just gets angrier, paying that one hit back with two runs.

Fans have been talking about this guy like he's the heir apparent for years but the fact is it's really hard to become a starting first baseman on a contending team. Top Ten Mets Appearances at First by a Home-Grown Met 1. Ed Kranepool: 1,302 2. Ike Davis: 432 3. Dave Magadan: 418 4. Lucas Duda: 407 5. John Milner: 366 6. Mike Jorgensen*: 241 7. Daniel Murphy: 184 8. Lee Mazzilli*: 155 9. Jason Phillips: 122 10. Butch Huskey: 97 * Two tenures. Seeing how, apart from getting forums named after you, none of these guys is a raving success story, I'd say it's hard to establish a big league starting firstbaseman of any caliber. Duda may be the best of the lot (depending on how you judge Murphy), and the Mets are getting ready to let him go. Huskey is 10th on the list and he scarcely has more appearances at first for the Mets than James Loney.

d'Kong76 wrote: How is Hawaii a state but not Puerto Rico? (51 stars on the flag is probably too hard for the big heads to figure out) Let's go Puerto Rico!! Fitty-one is easy, man. Thinks get tricky after we admit DC and Guam and Virgin Islands and American Samoa and the Marianas and stuff. _______________________________ |* * * * * * * * *|_______________/ | * * * * * * * * |______________/ |* * * * * * * * *|_____________/______________ | * * * * * * * * |____________/_______________| |* * * * * * * * *|___________/________________| | * * * * * * * * |__________/_________________| |_______________________/__________________| |______________________/___________________| |_____________________/____________________| |____________________/_____________________| |___________________/______________________| |__________________/_______________________| |_________________/________________________| |________________/_________________________| |_______________/_________________________ |

Ben Rowen wrote: I've spoken to Terry Leach and Jeff Innis and Chad Bradford and they've all given their blessing to me to carry the standard forward. Unfortunately, I COMPLETELY forgot to talk to Sean Green and Joe Smith. BIG faux pas. And that's why I find myself farmed out this morning.