Edgy MD

Last year's malaise didn't discourage me so much as this year. I always felt a few aces remained up their sleeves last season. This year, I feel like most of the cards have been played. It's also the approach that's maddening. They seem to be so philosophically adrift.

You hate to make a move from desperation, but absolutely nothing is clicking right now. They ain't hitting in the minors, they ain't hitting in the majors. Reyes has shown nothing to suggest he's ready to help. Gourriel may not be the dumbest idea, not that there aren't plenty of reasons to be suspicious of him, too. Sign his baby brother, while you're at it. Offense.

The Kingsporters had a double-header this afternoon. The availability of two games gave them a good chance to earn their first win of the year, having started the season 0-4. The story is the same as you've seen top to bottom. Far more pitching than hitting. Still, even in that environment, someone stands out. And someone is Thomas Szapucki, who debuted with a 13-strikeout, six-inning performance. TSz walked none and gave up only two hits that afternoon, so maybe our 2015 fifth-rounder is a player to watch. Also worth keeping an eye on is second baseman Walter Rasquin, out of Caracas, hitting .333 / .529 / .500 // 1.029 over the young half-season. Let's go, South American infielders! Your Kingsport Mets (SS A, Appy League) Position GroupStarting PitcherStarting PitcherStarting PitcherStarting PitcherStarting Pitcher[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664990/t506/180x270/664990.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642566/t506/180x270/642566.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/663652/t506/180x270/663652.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/663378/t506/180x270/663378.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642637/t506/180x270/642637.jpg[/fimg]NameJordan HumphreysDarwin RamosJake SimonThomas SzapuckiAdonis UcetaDoB6/11/1996 #411/23/1995 #341/21/1997 #66/12/1996 #195/10/1994 #33Primary PositionStarting PitcherStarting PitcherStarting PitcherStarting PitcherStarting PitcherOther PositionsrprprprprpStatusStatistics0-1, 3.60 5.0 IP 1 BB, 10 SO0-1, 2.25 4.0 IP 3 BB, 6 SO0-1, 1.80 5.0 IP 1 BB, 7 SO0-0, 0.00 6.0 IP 0 BB, 13 SO0-1, 10.80 5.0 IP 1 BB, 3 SOPosition Group=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/622426/t506/180x270/622426.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642502/t506/180x270/642502.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/660424/t506/180x270/660424.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642559/t506/180x270/642559.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670059/t506/180x270/670059.jpg[/fimg]NameAdrian AlmedaGregorix EstevezEdwin GermanRonald GuedezColin HoldermanDoB2/25/1995 #284/12/1994 #459/10/1992 #171/26/1996 #1810/8/1995 #15Primary Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief PitcherOther PositionsspspspspspStatus=#0040FF]RookieStatistics0-0, 0 Sv 0.00, 1.0 IP 0 BB, 3 SO0-1, 0 Sv 37.80, 1.2 IP 1 BB, 2 SO0-0, 0 Sv 6.00, 3.0 IP 0 BB, 3 SO0-0, 0 Sv 4.50, 4.0 IP 2 BB, 5 SO0-0, 1 Sv 0.00, 1.2 IP 0 BB, 2 SOPosition Group=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/647238/t506/180x270/647238.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670082/t506/180x270/670082.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670138/t506/180x270/670138.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642375/t506/180x270/642375.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/669895/t506/180x270/669895.jpg[/fimg]NameKurtis HorneTrent JohnsonMaxwell KuhnsJosé Carlos MedinaPlacido TorresDoB8/5/1996 #368/12/1996 #218/11/1994 #168/25/1996 #255/17/1993 #16Primary Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief PitcherOther PositionsspspspspspStatus=#0040FF]Rookie=#0040FF]Rookie=#0040FF]RookieStatistics1-0, 0 Sv 0.00, 1.0 IP 0 BB, 0 SO0-0, 0 Sv 9.00, 2.0 IP 1 BB, 4 SO0-0, 0 Sv 9.00, 1.0 IP 1 BB, 1 SO0-0, 0 Sv 3.38, 2.2 IP 1 BB, 0 SO0-0, 0 Sv 0.00, 1.0 IP 1 BB, 3 SOPosition Group=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#008000] Catcher=#008000] Catcher=#008000] Catcher[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642173/t506/180x270/642173.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/663846/t506/180x270/663846.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665089/t506/180x270/665089.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/622557/t506/180x270/622557.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/622559/t506/180x270/622559.jpg[/fimg]NameChris ViallMax WotellAnthony DiminoJosé MariaDionis RodriguezDoB9/28/1995 #359/13/1996 #308/5/1993 #811/20/1994 #242/15/1995 #11Primary Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#008000]Catcher=#008000]Catcher=#008000]CatcherOther Positionssp1b1bStatus=#0040FF]RookieStatistics0-0, 0 Sv 0.00, 1.0 IP 0 BB, 1 SO0-0, 0 Sv 4.15, 4.1 IP 4 BB, 5 SO.167 / .545 / .167 // .712 11 PA, 0 HR 0 RBI, 1 SB.263 / .300 / .316 // .616 20 PA, 0 HR 2 RBI, 2 SB.333 / .333 / .333 // .667 3 PA, 0 HR 1 RBI, 0 SBPosition Group=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656113/t506/180x270/656113.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/624643/t506/180x270/624643.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/645281/t506/180x270/645281.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/660523/t506/180x270/660523.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642695/t506/180x270/642695.jpg[/fimg]NameCecilio AybarFranklin CorreaYeffrey De AzaAngel ManzanarezSanto MarteDoB11/23/1993 #71/1/1996 #291/14/1997 #125/19/1997 #139/30/1993 #1Primary Position=#8000FF]Shortstop=#8000FF]Third Base=#8000FF]Third Base=#8000FF]Shortstop=#8000FF]Second BaseOther Positions2b, 3b2b, ssss, 2b2b, 3b, cf, 1b3b, ss, lfStatusStatistics.--- / .--- / .--- // .--- 0 PA, 0 HR 0 RBI, 0 SB.167 / .231 / .500 // .731 13 PA, 1 HR 3 RBI, 0 SB.000 / .111 / .000 // .111 9 PA, 0 HR 0 RBI, 0 SB.000 / .167 / .000 // .167 13 PA, 0 HR 0 RBI, 1 SB.500 / .571 / 1.000 // 1.571 7 PA, 1 HR 1 RBI, 0 SBPosition Group=#8000FF] Infielder=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/644418/t506/180x270/644418.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665316/t506/180x270/665316.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/650701/t506/180x270/650701.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656017/t506/180x270/656017.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656873/t506/180x270/656873.jpg[/fimg]NameWalter RasquinWill BarringRicardo CéspedesJosé Miguel MedinaRaphael RamirezDoB3/21/1996 #234/24/1993 #58/24/1997 #3210/21/1996 #4412/15/1995 #2Primary Position=#8000FF]Second Base=#0000FF]Left Field=#0000FF]Center Field=#0000FF]Right Field=#0000FF]Center FieldOther Positions3b, lf, 1b, c, rpcfrf, lf, 3bcf, lflfStatusStatistics.333 / .529 / .500 // 1.029 17 PA, 0 HR 1 RBI, 1 SB.000 / .000 / .000 // .000 3 PA, 0 HR 0 RBI, 0 SB.154 / .154 / .154 // .308 13 PA, 0 HR 0 RBI, 1 SB.133 / .188 / .133 // .321 16 PA, 0 HR 1 RBI, 0 SB.000 / .250 / .000 // .250 8 PA, 0 HR 0 RBI, 0 SBPosition Group=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670433/t506/180x270/670433.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670363/t506/180x270/670363.jpg[/fimg]NameIan StromJeremy WolfDoB12/12/1994 #2011/2/1993 #3Primary Position=#0000FF]Left Field=#0000FF]Right FieldOther Positionscf1bStatus=#0040FF]Rookie=#0040FF]RookieStatistics.167 / .375 / .167 // .542 20 PA, 0 HR 2 RBI, 2 SB.111 / .429 / .222 // .651 14 PA, 0 HR 0 RBI, 0 SB Inactive Position GroupStarting PitcherRelief Pitcher=#0000FF]Outfielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657199/t506/180x270/657199.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642531/t506/180x270/642531.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.baseballprospectus.com/card/images/headshot_70884.jpg[/fimg]NameConor BuchmanEucebio AriasBradley MarquezDoB7/11/939/20/9410/27/93Primary PositionStarting PitcherRelief Pitcher=#0000FF]Center FieldOther PositionsrpsplfStatus=#FF8000]Suspended=#FF8000]Suspended=#00FFFF]RestrictedStatistics0-0, -.-- 0.0 IP 0 BB, 0 SO0-0, 0 Sv -.--, 0.0 IP 0 BB, 3 SO.--- / .--- / .--- // .--- 0 PA, 0 HR 0 RBI, 0 SB Staff Position Group=#8000FF] Manager=#8000FF]Hitting Coach=#8000FF]Pitching Coach[fimg=90]http://tricitiessports.com/clients/tricitiessports/6-21-2016-8-17-39-PM-2154748.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/ender-chavez.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/royce-ring.jpg[/fimg]NameLuis RiveraEnder ChavezRoyce RingDoB1/25/1984 #93/9/1981 #5612/21/1980 #40Status

No more pop-rock nicknames for you, James Loney!

Way to make them throw a strike, Mets. Stay with that approach.

So, down 3-0, and (the ever-healthy) Grandy, who crashed into a fence earlier, is out of the game. Pearl = baseball insider lingo for a spotless, brand-new baseball, fresh out of the box.

Got our LOOGy entering the game early enough to take at-bats. Not a great recipe for offense.

Report from the Other Place: For having the stuff to wait out the rain delay, Lunchpail got himself an autographed pearl from Hansel Robles. Pays to sit by the bullpen.

d'Arnaud is nobody's fool, and he'll be a perfectly capable big league thrower from behind the plate. And it'll sure help if it's Daniel Murphy doing the running on him.

It shouldn't matter all that much that your first baseman is pretty slow, but it does and ours is.

Millions of Mets fans are well aware of Lenny Dykstra's athleticism, but the former All-Pro center fielder says his true talent is pleasing a woman. I didn't even know he played football.

Kevin Plawecki's soujorn to Vegas has taken him across the great Northern Plains, across I-94 from Port Huron, Michigan to Billings, Montana. One of the longest loneliest trips (1,585.2 miles) in our interstate system for a Met in exile to take. Get off the interstate, Kevin! The floundering Alejandro de Aza also found himself in Port Huron, coincidentally, but from there has gone southwards, 820.2 steamy southern miles down I-69 toward Rosenberg, TX. Who knew Port Huron had such an important status in our great interstate system? Get off the interstate, Alejandro! Remember when I asked Eric Campbell not to throw a rod? He threw a rod. Still smoking on the side of I-59, possibly in Alabama, possibly in Mississippi. Who really knows? Ty Kelly's problem is he's traveling a road that does not exist. A theoretical I-48 would travel somewhere between Kansas and Missouri, but stupid Ty is just bumping around corn fields looking for pavement. Still in control of his destiny (but missing from last night's lineup) is René Rivera. René has found himself north to I-88 (aka the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway), east and west across Illinois. You ain't a big leaguer until you cross the Canadian border, René. Get out of Illinois. That's five interstaters, here at the end of June. That's about five too many, from where I'm sitting. Get off the interstate NOW!!!!

G-Fafif wrote: The Firefly goes out, according to MetsMinors.net. In a bit of shocking news, Columbia Fireflies outfielder Ivan Wilson has decided to retire from baseball. The 21-year old was taken in the third round of the 2013 draft by the Mets. Wilson will forgo his baseball career to play football instead. The right-handed Wilson was hitting .197/.275/.352 with 15 doubles, six home runs and 22 RBI but had struck out 80 times in 64 games. Wilson had been praised for his ability to play a strong center field and his raw power. Coming into the 2016 season, Baseball American named him the best defensive outfielder in the Mets system. Overall, in his Mets career he slashed .209/.298/.356 in 223 games with 21 homers and 31 stolen bases. D.J. Dozier wishes him well. As far as I can tell, the Mets have retained the rights to Bradley Marquez while he goes about his dunderheaded NFL dalliance, even though he hasn't appeared since 2013 and never above the Appalachian League.

You just wait until my tell-all comes out about the CPF. Edgy MD: Eats everyone's food out of the fridge. Can't even leave ketchup packets around. Frayed Knot: Constantly playing Lite FM at loud volumes. Like how much Jefferson Starship can one man listen to? LWFS: I swear he empties an entire bottle of Bartolo Cologne on his head every day. Can smell him 2 offices down. Lefty Specialist: Everywhere he could, he hung up these folksy one-word inspirational signs he would get at Home Goods: BELIEVE! LOVE! I mean, for fuck's sake.

Just noticed a cover blurb from Stephen King.

The team has sucked since I took the auto-KABOOM! programming out of the back end.

Granderson, rf Cabrera, ss Cespedes, cf Walker, 2b Owner of a Loney Heart, 1b Flores, 3b Nimmo, lf d'Arnaud, c Harvey, sp

Paul Gibson! Center Moriches, bitches!

Good enough to win, certainly, but in our offensive-challenged times, it took 14 innings for the Saints to knock off Palm Beach. They did in dramatic (if passive) style, though, with PB scoring a run in the 14th, and St. Loo scoring two in the bottom of the inning ... on a pair of bases-loaded walks.

I like left field at Nats Park. Puts you near the promenade. Bring hats.

Reyes 0-1 with a walk.

I like that they're luring him in with $50 worth of free Mets swag. Get him a Yoenis Céspedes compression sleeve and he's in the bag.

It was the fake diving catches that made him transparent. On every running catch, he just didn't bother taking the last step and he essentially caught the ball and fell down.

Loney was bad all night. I think what they carried on was over an attempt to get a play at the plate that amounted to naught, after fielding a ball on his heels..

This game needs some smoking hot de Aza action.