The Mets official farm system Twitter feed held an informative Q&A this afternoon chock full of prospecty goodness.
The Mets official farm system Twitter feed, @MetsFarmReport, held their first Q&A this afternoon. All in all, it was a relatively informative session. Obviously there was a somewhat optimistic tenor -- bordering on overconfidence -- that is to be expected when the club speaks publicly about its own players. More than a couple of tactfully general answers as well. Again, to be expected.
Now if you are anything like me and you were slaving away in the salt mines this afternoon causing you to miss said Q&A, you're in luck. Because I am a gracious and benevolent staff writer I shall reproduce all 40 or so tweets down below so that you can catch up on all of the fun.
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All told we didn't necessarily learn too much more than we already knew; more than anything it's an interesting way for the team to engage a small, but growing, sub-set of the fanbase. We did, however, glean a handful of noteworthy tidbits. Here are the ones I found most interesting:
- Sounds like 2013 first-rounder Dominic Smith has a serious shot to start his first full season with Savannah, bypassing Brooklyn -- something the last couple top picks (Cecchini and Nimmo) have not done. If he actually gets the call it would speak volumes about the advanced nature of his bat.
- As Jeff and I discussed on this week's podcast, second baseman and Marlon Byrd return Dilson Herrera will likely get some reps at shortstop in Savannah in 2014. It makes too much sense not to try out the toolsy middle infielder at the higher value position, even if his arm is spaghetti.
- The club sounds confident in Brandon Nimmo's ability to bounce back after what they agree/confirm was an injury-marred 2013. Interesting point about strikeout rate and the lack of swing-and-miss as Nimmo did rank third among qualified batters in the SAL in called third strikes. I may delve deeper into this one in the coming days as I don't know that I fully buy what they're trying to sell here though.
- If the 'club source' who labeled Puello a non-prospect truly exists, he apparently wasn't in the room today.
- Not that it's overly surprising but it's sounding more and more like the rising crop of young bullpen talent is going to make a lot of noise in spring training. Whether any of them make the club out of camp or not we're going to learn a lot more about guys like Mazzoni, Walters, Goeddel, Bradford, et al. in 2014.
- Mejia is a starter. Period.
- They seem to gloss over lefty reliever Jack Leathersich's control problems a little bit. Granted, the take on higher levels/tough environment (i.e. Vegas) is valid. However, even in St. Lucie back in 2012 he was walking over 10% of batters faced. I don't think it's a fatal flaw but I do think he's going to take some time -- maybe years -- to make it all work in the show. Wish someone would have asked about his reverse splits and the subsequent plans for usage.
- As dedicated as ever to the Wilmer-at-second experiment. As they should be. The club is going to need to be creative to find extra value this season and that may be one way to do so. Plus, he's going to be so fast after all that speed work.
- As we would have expected catcher Kevin Plawecki starts in Double-A Binghamton.
- Interesting to hear their sleeper picks. You can read our write-ups on guys like Flexen, Bashlor, Whalen, and Jacquez in the Kingsport Mets 2013 Season in Review.
.@StanleyBaum at the upper levels, Dustin Lawley really came on in St. Lucie & Vegas w/ 27 HR's... #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@StanleyBaum Puello's 15 HR's in May/June was impressive. 1 other sleeper is Brandon Brosher who came on in GCL/IL #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@zmetfan91 top 2 SS's in the system right now are Amed Rosario & Gavin Cecchini. Both played for short-season clubs in '13 #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@PSLToFlushing Dom had a great off-season working out in Michigan & we look forward to getting him on the field in ST #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@Giantmetfan15 Gavin will break ST w/ an A-ball club and we'll take it from there #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@WizardofMars both are progressing in their rehab. Pill's timetable is ahead of Mateo's & hopefully we'll see early in '14. #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@tpgMets too early to tell at this point. We can better evaluate in Extended ST both in US/Dominican. #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@DylanAbruscato hopefully whoever gets called up 1st ;) #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@ThatDudeStamperWilmer Flores finished w/ a .403/.447/.545 line in the VWL. Reports were promising. #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@StarkTerp9 Kolarek will compete for a job in 3A. We're excited about the depth in LHPs- Kolarek, Leathersich, & Huchingson #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@williamlee467@Munz16 Danny will come to camp & compete for the 2B job in Vegas #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@kazikraze We're hoping Puello takes the next step in Vegas and builds off his solid year in 2A. #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@Meers222 Vicente will likely take the next step & compete for a job in Brooklyn/Kingsport #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@mrmetmf we'd like Michael to make up for lost time and continue to build up his innings, likely beginning in St. Lucie #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@EricSaadon Reports from his progress in Michigan are promising. We're hoping the additional agility/speed will help him at 2B #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@Lagurespls I'm looking forward to the young arms in camp- Walters, Leathersich, Mazzoni, Verrett, Goeddel, Church, Bradford #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@kazikraze he's adjusting to using his stuff at a higher level in a tough environment; wasn't an issue at lower levels #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@ThatDudeStamper I mentioned before that we are excited with the young arms that we are bringing to camp #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@kazikraze there are a few of us from the baseball ops office in NY #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@metfan722 a few lesser mentioned prospects- Robert Whalen, Chris Flexen, Tyler Bashlor, Jhoan Urena #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@FarookAhmed04 Mejia flashed real promise last summer & will compete for a job in the rotation #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@FarookAhmed04 Puello's winterball numbers weren't great as he was rusty. He did make progress with his plate discipline in 2A #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@FarookAhmed04 Flores wont effect Dilson since he is still in A ball. Expect Dilson to get some time at both 2B/SS #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@FarookAhmed04 I listed a few sleepers before, but 2 more interesting power arms are Robert Coles & Ricky Jacquez #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@RussellWarshay there is a chance. we'd like to see where he is following his 1st off-season #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@RussellWarshay we agree. Chris Becerrra did a great job identifying Amed early. He has shown plus tools since day 1. #AskMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@FarookAhmed04 Rafael has made the adjustment to every level he has played. It will be interesting to see him at ML Level #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@MetfanBren workload is one of many factors we look at. Our scouts let us know how capable is of handling it. #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@RussellWarshay It is a factor, but that's a reason you see us limit some college pitchers their 1st year #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@FarookAhmed04 Gavin will run into his fair share of HR's, but he is more of a well rounded player and complete hitter #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@Meers222 the goal is to fine big leaguers in every round. If we can't find him in the 2nd, we'll find him in the 3rd. #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@RussellWarshay we have an idea of how well they read the spin of a breaking ball, but you don't see Harvey's SL in the minors #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@NYMets365 we're high on Plawecki. He'll likely start in 2A & we'll take it from there #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@FarookAhmed04 he is not a non-prospect. He started putting it together last year and shows a ton of potential. #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@RobvanEyndhoven we have 0 players from the kingdom #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@_mistermet it definitely had an effect. I think the K's will come down- they aren't due as much to swing & miss #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@Mr_North_Jersey Frank has experience/ability to relate to P's of different ability. Look forward to him w/ that staff #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@TheFoyeEffect Champ Stuart #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@EricSaadon the power will come w/ Nimmo. The approach and swing are there. #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@RussellWarshay our players need to learn to deal with conditions. we also need to put the performance in perspective. #askMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014.@MetsMerized Lawley will continue to see time at 3B/OF. Dykstra should get a shot at 3A- he is coming back from winterball inj #AskMetsFarm
— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) January 16, 2014