The beginning of the Mets baseball season now means three significant things are on their way in my life: 1.) My wife (recently converted Yankee fan) and I no longer have to discuss whether or not we will be watching Bridezillas or South Park, as Mets games now prevail. 2.) My local liquor store will be receiving a steady dose of my friend Phil and I's dolla dolla bills ya'll. And finally 3.) Minor league baseball is right around the corner.
Now Minor league baseball will probably not jump out at many fans and scream in their faces "EXCITEMENT" and "AWESOMENESS", but there is no denying that the minor leagues don't stir up passionate play and fans. Below is a list of the average amount of money that a minor leaguer will make:
Class AAA–First year: $2,150/month, after first year no less than $2,150/month
Class AA-First year: $1,500/month, after first year no less than $1,500/month
Class A (full season)–First year: $1,050/month, after first year no less than $1,050/month
Class A (short-season)–First year: $850/month, after first year no less than $850/month
Dominican & Venezuelan Summer Leagues–no lower than $300/month
Meal Money: $20 per day at all levels, while on the road.”
We're basically talking about a 40-50 K paycheck per year if you are lucky enough to make it up to Triple A. These guys aren't going out there night after night raking in a couple $100,000 per homerun like some of today's major league players, instead they are fighting to make their big league dreams come true. These are guys who care and play with a passion for the game. Fans in small cities ranging from Billings, Montana to Burlington, Vermont get the chance to share in America's past time and root for their home team. Now the New York farm system has long been criticized for it's lack of depth and out right busts. In the recent years, Omar Minaya and others have been able to resurrect the system through international free agent signings, despite their mostly inept drafting skills. Their inability to recognize the importance in drafting overslot to comply with Mr. Selig, has given critics plenty of reasons to dropkick the system in the face, but whether you like him or not, Omar deserves some praise for building the farms into an exciting proposition. These reasons, as well as many others make the Mets minor league seasons, the perfect compliment to the major leagues.
April 8th, 2010 marked the opening day for four of the Mets six minor league affiliates: (Buffalo Bisons, Binghamton B-Mets, St. Lucie Mets, and the Savannah Sand Gnats). This post marks the first of many weekly roundups of the Mets minor league teams brought to you by the internet's #1 source for mets news: metsparadise. (The views of Ryan Fischer stating that metsparadise is the # 1 site in the world are all true…..in his opinion as well as many others he's spoken to).
BUFFALO BISONS – (Triple A – International League)
RECORD: 6-4 (through Apr. 18th) – 2nd place in North Division
ROSTER: (click name for link to entire roster)
BATTING RANK: 11th out of 14 teams
PITCHING RANK: 1st out of 14 teams
Much like their parent counterpart, the Buffalo Bisons have struggled mightily to score runs early on this year. The reason for the early on success is quite apparent as they currently lead the International league with an astounding 2.18 era through their first 10 games, over .80 points lower than the next team. The starting rotation is spattered with both young farm hands and seasoned minor league veterans including: (Tobi Stoner, Dillon Gee, R.A. Dickey, Bobby Livingston and Pat Misch). Three of which we may be seeing with the big boys sooner than later.
Despite their ineptitude in driving in runs, the middle of the Bison's lineup has been blistering to start the season. Ike Davis (I love you), Mike Hessman and Chris Carter have combined for 20 of the 32 RBI's the team has this year, which comes out to over 60 %. All three also have slugging percentages over .575. Other notable minor leaguers such as the almighty F-Mart and Omir Santos have gotten off to slow starts but are on their way around whereas prized players such as Josh Thole and Ruben Tejada have been down right awful – (.071) BA for Thole and (.080) for Tejada. So far the Bison have been able to take advantage of winning series going 2-1 in their first three. This includes an overall 4-2 record against their nemesis Yankee farm team, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.
MVP of the Week: The MVP of the first two weeks has to go to 3B Mike Hessman. Hessman a journeyman minor leaguer is batting an impressive .353 with an OPS of 1.159. He currently leads the team in both Homeruns w/ 4 and RBIs with 9. Ike Davis is the close runner-up with a higher BA at .364, though his lack of RBI's at 4, respectively, gives Hessman the edge.
Pitcher of the Week: There is no question that Dillon Gee is far and away the Pitcher of the week. In 2 starts and 13 innings pitched, Gee has as given up 5 hits along with 12 strikeouts and has compiled an ERA of 0.46. Gee earned the victory is each start as well to begin the season 2-0.
Week in Preview: The Bisons will continue with the 3rd and 4th of a 4 game series with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees at home starting on Monday, before heading out on a 6 games road trip with 2 against the Rochester Redwings and ending the trip in Rhode Island with a 4 game set against the Pawtuckett PawSox.
BINGHAMTON B-METS – (Double A – Eastern League)
RECORD: 6-5 (through Apr. 18) – 3rd place in the Eastern Division
ROSTER: (click link to see full team roster)
BATTING RANK: 1st out of 12 teams
PITCHING RANK: 12th out of 12 teams
Unlike their Triple A buddies, the Binghamton Mets rank last in the Eastern League in pitching but have made up with their great and clutch hitting. With an ERA of 5.36, almost a full point higher than the 11th place team, new Manager, Tim Tuefel and Pitching coach Mark Brewer could be in for a long season. The rotation is headed by bright spots LHP Eric Niesen – 2.84 ERA and RHP Dylan Owen – 0.82 ERA. Unfortunately for them, due to the ridiculously high scoring games they've been involved with, the two pitchers have combined for a 1-2 record in 5 starts. The back end of the rotation is where things get ugly to start the season. Pitcher, Mike Antonini, Eddie Kunz and Scott Shaw are each sporting ERAs over 7. Kunz, the favorite to become the Mets closer just a few years ago, is making the transition to SP, but obviously starting out on the wrong foot. It'll be very interesting to follow his progress throughout the year.
Now lets get to the good stuff. The B-Mets offense has been raking to start the season. Leading the league in several categories including BA – .278, Homeruns -15 and runs scored at 67. That's a nice average of over 6 runs a game, something the New Yorkers could certainly use a boost of. The B-Metsy Mashers of Nick Evans, Lucas Duda and Zach Lutz are carrying the team. Each with at least 3 HRs a piece sporting averages of .372/.333/.283, respectively. Secondary players like Luis Hernandez, Marshall Hubbard and Kirk Neuwenheis have made great strides and contributions as well. Binghamton started out the season losing 4 of 5 to Akron, before going on a 5 game winning streak against bottom feeders Erie and New Hampshire. It's obvious the B-Mets can hit the ball, but it looks like their season will hinge on how that starting rotation holds up. Scott Shaw is a guy to watch out for.
MVP of the Week: This was a tight call, but I have give the upperhand to Nick Evans over Duda and Lutz. Evans has had a topsy-turvy career getting the opportunity to play in the big leagues and now starting the season down in Double A after a very rough year in Triple A last year. I like Evans and am still unsure of why he never got the playing time last year with the Mets considering how bad they were. Either way, Evans is batting .372 in the first two weeks w/ 3 HRs and 10 RBIs. He has only struck out 6 times in 43 at bats and that patience gives him the edge and Duda and Lutz have 9 and 11 Ks on the year.
Pitcher of the Week: Dylan Owen, sporting an 0.82 ERA and WHIP of 0.73 gets the easy nod here. Only one of the 3 runs that he has allowed this year in 11 innings has been earned. He's also recorded 8 K's in this time while giving up 4 hit and 4 walks
Week in Preview: The B-Mets are in the middle of 6 game road trip, with three coming up in Portland. After that they will be returning back to NYSEG stadium for a 6 game stand against the the same two teams, 3 against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats before the Portland Sea Dogs come into town for the final 3 of the stand.
ST. LUCIE METS – (High Single A – Florida State League)
RECORD: 4-5 (through Apr. 18) – 4th in the South Division
ROSTER: click link to see entire roster
BATTING RANK: 3rd out of 12 teams
PITCHING RANK: 12th out of 12 teams
The excitement that surrounds the St. Lucie Mets is mostly based off of their starters. The rotation boasts a number of the top pitching prospects (although not yet upper echelon) such as: (Kyle Allen, Jeurys Familia, Scott Moviel, Robert Carson and Eric Beaulac. The lower leagues are all about determining what type of stuff these prospects actually have. They are all very raw and works in progress as evident by their team low 6.23 ERA. Certainly nothing to write home about but with the talent available, they are certainly a crew to keep an eye out for. RHP Kyle Allen, has begun the season with a 3.60 ERA in 10 innings pitched. Unfortunately this also includes 8 walks which certainly adds to his 1.90 WHIP. Jeurys Familia, the other top prospect has started out rough with a 10.13 ERA and 8 walks in 8 innings. Ugly, right? The exciting part in the Familia equation is that in those 8 innings he has 10 Ks. He's obviously got the stuff to be a special pitcher but control is his biggest enemy right now. Closer Manuel Alvarez, has been impressive, successfully closing out all four of the Mets wins for saves.
The batting for Port St. Lucie has been very inconsistent to start the season. despite their 3rd ranked .264 team BA. Not very many big prospect names in the lineup but a few bright spots. Brahiam Maldonado and Richard Lucas have lead the team in power but also lead the team in strikeouts with 13/10 each in 33 plate appearances. They have both each committed 3 errors as well in 9 games. Joshua Satin and Jordany Valdespin have show the most consistentency w/ above .300 batting averages. Satin much more of a contact hitter as 8 of his 10 hits have been singles. Valdespin, although he has a +.300 average has not yet drawn a walk. Overall they have been an interesting team to follow as they started the season very poorly but appear to moving in the right direction. If they are able to get their pitching settled down and become more patient at the plate, we could be seeing them in the playoffs.
MVP of the Week: Although he has struck out 13 times in 33 ABs, Brahiam Maldonado is still is batting .364. I have not actually seen him play but he appears to be an all or nothing type of hitter. He certainly does not get cheated in his at bats. He is tied w/ Richard Lucas on the team with 2 HRs and is second on the team with 6 runs scored.
Pitcher of the Week: As noted before the St. Lucie closer, Manuel Alvarez, has recorded 4 saves in 4 chances. During this streak he has pitched 6.2 innings with a 0.00 ERA. In that time he has given up 2 hits along with 2 walks, while striking out 7.
Week in Preview: The Single A Mets are currently in an 8 game road trip which started on April 16th. Today's game against the Bradenton Maruaders was rained out. Tomorrow the Mets will head to Palm Beach for 3 games against the Cardinals before closing out the trip with two games against the Jupiter Hammer Heads.
SAVANNAH SAND GNATS – (Low Single A – South Atlantic League) 
RECORD: 6-5 (through Apr. 18) – tied 3rd in Southern Division
ROSTER: click link for full roster
BATTING RANK: 10th out of 14 teams
PITCHING RANK: 1st out of 14 teams
The Sand Gnats have gotten off to a decent start at 6-5, mostly thanks to their league leading ERA of 2.11. They have had a bit of a rough stretch of late as they had started the season 3-0, going 3-5 in their last 8. As a team they have only allowed 28 walks and 23 earned runs in 98 innings pitched. The rotation has a solid mix of young pitchers and seasoned veterans. Led by the young guns of Armando Rodriguez (touted by some as the next Jenrry Mejia), James Fuller and Mark Cohoon, the pitching staff has emerged as the best in the young Sally Season. What's most impressive of the young trio is their strikeout to walk ratio. Rodriguez – 16 SO / 4 BB in 14.2 IP, Fuller – 15 SO / 2 BB in 14 IP and Cohoon – 8 SO / 4 BB in 11.2 IP. If they keep this up, they could be making a run at the championship.
Hitting has been a problem for the team as they are only batting .235 11 games into the season. Top Prospect, Wilmer Flores, however, has not been a contributor to the atrociousness. Flores is batting a stellar .366 through his first 11 games although the power is not there yet as he has no homeruns on the season. In fact, Savannah is the only team in the entire League which has yet to hit a homerun. Catcher Kai Grounauer has also started the season on a hot streak batting .348. Other big name prospects Jeffrey Marte, has yet to play a game this year as he is recovering from an injury. Cesar Puello is off to a slow start batting only .235 but has shown improvement getting base hits in his last 4 games.
MVP of the Week: The hitter of the week goes to none other than SS Wilmer Flores. Touted by some as the #2 prospect in the organization, Flores has not disappointed. If Wilmer fills out as projected, then the power will certainly come as well. His frame is immature but his patience and talent at the plate is undeniable. 15 hits in 41 appearances is enough to give it to him this week.
Pitcher of the Week: Goes to James Fuller. Fuller has an ERA of 0.64 in 2 starts, going 6 innings in the first game and 8 in his next. Over that span he has only given up 6 hits, yet struck out 15. Can't do much better than that.
Week in Preview: The Sand Gnats look to take the series from Rome tomorrow before heading to Augusta to face the league leading (8-3) Green Jackets in a 4 game set. Savannah then returns home for 4 games against the Hickory Crawdads.
For more info on the Mets and all of the Mets minor league affiliates, be sure to check out the forum at metsparadise. There are daily minor league game threads as well as many other features. Hope to catch you there.
