 |
| David Roseboom, Luis Mateo, Alberto Baldonado and Jimmy Duff |
Savannah’s bullpen saw a lot of turnover during the 2015 season, but these were the top-5 relievers I saw on MiLB.tv
Note: Order does not reflect relative ranking
1)
James Duff, RHP, 22
The Mets selected Duff in the 20th round of the 2014 draft because he was a big pitcher (6’6) with good control and a nice sinker. The big guy was still available in the 20th round because he was only sitting 86-90 with his heat, but he’s had a nice start to his pro career, finishing the year as one of the best relief pitchers on the St. Lucie roster. In addition to the sinker, Duff mixes in a nice changeup and an improving slider. He was particularly effective against RHB’s last year, finishing with a 27.5 K%: 2.2 BB% and .515 OPS allowed against righties across both levels. At one point he had 11 straight scoreless appearances for Savannah, and he was used for more than one inning in 21 of 47 appearances last year. He only spent a month with St. Lucie, but he’s probably ready for a relief role in the B-Mets pen, if available. The Mets could still move him back to the rotation, although they didn’t exactly use him as a piggyback starter last year, so it doesn’t appear to be the plan.
Swinging strike
Called strike
5/7 – 2 IP, 4 K, 2 GO
‘Immaculate’ 6th inning
Strike 1
Strike 2
Strike 3
Strike 4
Strike 5
Strike 6
Strike 7
Strike 8
Strike 9
Strikeout #4
5/24 – 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, K
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
7/4 – 1 IP, K, 2 FO
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
7/5 – 1 IP, H, K, 1 GO: 1 FO
Strikeout to end the game
2015 with Savannah: 35 G, 41.1 IP, 3.48 ERA/2.32 FIP, 40 H, 17 R (16 ER), 44 K: 8 BB (25.7 K%: 4.7 BB%), .247 AVG, .333 BABIP, 67.2 LOB%, 0.22 HR/9
2015 with St. Lucie: 12 G, 18.2 IP, 1.93 ERA/2.95 FIP, 16 H, 4 R, 13 K: 1 BB (18.1 K%: 1.4 BB%), .232 AVG, .273 BABIP, 85.2 LOB%, 0.48 HR/9
The Mets selected Duff in the 20th round of the 2014 draft because he was a big pitcher (6’6) with good control and a nice sinker. The big guy was still available in the 20th round because he was only sitting 86-90 with his heat, but he’s had a nice start to his pro career, finishing the year as one of the best relief pitchers on the St. Lucie roster. In addition to the sinker, Duff mixes in a nice changeup and an improving slider. He was particularly effective against RHB’s last year, finishing with a 27.5 K%: 2.2 BB% and .515 OPS allowed against righties across both levels. At one point he had 11 straight scoreless appearances for Savannah, and he was used for more than one inning in 21 of 47 appearances last year. He only spent a month with St. Lucie, but he’s probably ready for a relief role in the B-Mets pen, if available. The Mets could still move him back to the rotation, although they didn’t exactly use him as a piggyback starter last year, so it doesn’t appear to be the plan.
Astromets Mind Coverage
4/23 – 2 IP, 2 K, 4 GOSwinging strike
Called strike
5/7 – 2 IP, 4 K, 2 GO
‘Immaculate’ 6th inning
Strike 1
Strike 2
Strike 3
Strike 4
Strike 5
Strike 6
Strike 7
Strike 8
Strike 9
Strikeout #4
5/24 – 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, K
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
7/4 – 1 IP, K, 2 FO
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
7/5 – 1 IP, H, K, 1 GO: 1 FO
Strikeout to end the game
2)
David Roseboom, LHP, 24 on 5/17
The Mets chose southpaw David Roseboom with their 17th round pick in the 2014 draft because he was a lefty with average velocity and a very nice slider – considered his best pitch. Roseboom had a great pro debut in Kingsport that year, and then things got better when he went to Savannah to start 2015. After a dominant first half for the Sand Gnats, Roseboom would hit a few bumps in the road with St. Lucie, but still put up some solid peripherals. As hoped, his slider has helped him show LOOGY tendencies, as he struck out 37% of lefties faced across both levels last year, and held them to a .588 OPS. He allowed runs in only two appearances while with Savannah, and had a 15-game scoreless streak snapped shortly after joining St. Lucie. His slider is not as sweeping as say Dario Alvarez’s, but he showed better control in the minors last year than Dario ever has. Alvarez is also more side-armed than Roseboom, but they both have extreme 1B side releases, as you can see in the GIF’s below. Depending on availability, Roseboom may end up back with St. Lucie to start the year, but I have little doubt the B-Mets will be bringing in the BOOM at some point before 2016 is over.
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Called strike 3
5/7 – 1.1 IP, H, 2 BB, K, 1 GO: 2 FO, 2 IR – 1 S
Swinging strike
5/21 – 1 IP, 2 K
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
5/22 – 1.2 IP, 3 H, BB, K, 1 GO: 2 FO, 1 IR – 0 S
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
2015 with Savannah: 24 G, 31.1 IP, 1.15 ERA/2.02 FIP, 17 H, 6 R (4 ER), 35 K: 8 BB (29.2 K%: 6.7 BB%), .152 AVG, .221 BABIP, 76 LOB%, 0 HR
2015 with St. Lucie: 20 G, 31.2 IP, 4.55 ERA/3.42 FIP, 43 H, 21 R (16 ER), 29 K: 8 BB (20 K%: 5.5 BB%), .316 AVG, .385 BABIP, 64.9 LOB, 0.85 HR/9
The Mets chose southpaw David Roseboom with their 17th round pick in the 2014 draft because he was a lefty with average velocity and a very nice slider – considered his best pitch. Roseboom had a great pro debut in Kingsport that year, and then things got better when he went to Savannah to start 2015. After a dominant first half for the Sand Gnats, Roseboom would hit a few bumps in the road with St. Lucie, but still put up some solid peripherals. As hoped, his slider has helped him show LOOGY tendencies, as he struck out 37% of lefties faced across both levels last year, and held them to a .588 OPS. He allowed runs in only two appearances while with Savannah, and had a 15-game scoreless streak snapped shortly after joining St. Lucie. His slider is not as sweeping as say Dario Alvarez’s, but he showed better control in the minors last year than Dario ever has. Alvarez is also more side-armed than Roseboom, but they both have extreme 1B side releases, as you can see in the GIF’s below. Depending on availability, Roseboom may end up back with St. Lucie to start the year, but I have little doubt the B-Mets will be bringing in the BOOM at some point before 2016 is over.
Astromets Mind Coverage
4/24 – 2 IP, 5 K, 1 GO: 1 FOSwinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Called strike 3
5/7 – 1.1 IP, H, 2 BB, K, 1 GO: 2 FO, 2 IR – 1 S
Swinging strike
5/21 – 1 IP, 2 K
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
5/22 – 1.2 IP, 3 H, BB, K, 1 GO: 2 FO, 1 IR – 0 S
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
3)
Alberto Baldonado, LHP, 23
I took a closer look at Alberto Baldonado’s profile before the WBCQ, where he represented Team Panama. The big, hard-throwing lefty had a great year coming out of the Savannah pen in 2015, showing no platoon splits and striking out 1/3 of batters faced. Until the last few weeks of the season, Baldonado was used more as a long man/piggy back starter, so it’s always possible the Mets transition him back to the rotation at some point. If not, he could move quickly through the system this year, as it’ll be his 7th season with the Mets, qualifying him for minor league free agency this offseason.
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
4/25 – 2 IP, H, 2 K, 1 FO, 2 IR – 1 S
Leads to a great DP
Swinging strike
Called strike
5/22 – 0.2 IP, K, 1 FO, 1 IR – 0 S
Called strike
7/7 – 3 IP, H, 2 R, 3 BB, 3 K, 4 GO: 1 FO, 3 IR – 0 S
Swinging strike
Called strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
2015 with Savannah (including playoffs): 39 G, 57.2 IP, 1.87 ERA/2.57 FIP, 36 H, 14 R (12 ER), 75 K: 24 BB (33.2 K%: 10.6 BB%), .182 AVG, .287 BABIP, 79.9 LOB%, 0.16 HR/9
I took a closer look at Alberto Baldonado’s profile before the WBCQ, where he represented Team Panama. The big, hard-throwing lefty had a great year coming out of the Savannah pen in 2015, showing no platoon splits and striking out 1/3 of batters faced. Until the last few weeks of the season, Baldonado was used more as a long man/piggy back starter, so it’s always possible the Mets transition him back to the rotation at some point. If not, he could move quickly through the system this year, as it’ll be his 7th season with the Mets, qualifying him for minor league free agency this offseason.
Astromets Mind Coverage
4/14 – 2.1 IP, H, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 GO: 2 FOSwinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
4/25 – 2 IP, H, 2 K, 1 FO, 2 IR – 1 S
Leads to a great DP
Swinging strike
Called strike
5/22 – 0.2 IP, K, 1 FO, 1 IR – 0 S
Called strike
7/7 – 3 IP, H, 2 R, 3 BB, 3 K, 4 GO: 1 FO, 3 IR – 0 S
Swinging strike
Called strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
4)
Christian Montgomery, RHP, 23
The Mets selected Christian Montgomery in the 11th round of the 2011 draft because he had been mid-90’s with a hard curve in showcases before his senior HS season. He fell to the 11th round that year because he followed those showcases up with subpar stuff during his senior year, causing some to speculate that he was injured. He would make only 5 appearances by the end of the 2013 season, with a suspension for a drug of abuse cutting into his 2013. When he finally pitched a full season with Kingsport in 2014, he started to show the stuff that got him drafted, as he struck out more than ¼ of the batters he faced, although he walked nearly a batter per inning too. He was held back for more extended spring training in 2015, but then went strikeout crazy for Brooklyn and Savannah down the stretch. He was back to throwing that mid-90’s heat with a hard curve, and it looked great. He’ll probably start the year with Columbia, but if his stuff looks like it did last year, he'll force his way to Binghamton by the end of the year.
First pitch
Fouled off
Swinging strike
Called strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
9/6 – 1 IP, H, K, 1 GO: 1 FO
Called strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
2015 with Brooklyn: 8 G, 9.2 IP, 0.00 ERA/0.72 FIP, 3 H, 18 K: 2 BB (51.4 K%: 5.7 BB%), .094 AVG, .214 BABIP
2015 with Savannah: 11 G, 15.2 IP, 8.04 ERA/1.44 FIP, 15 H, 14 R, 25 K: 6 BB (36.8 K%: 8.8 BB%), .242 AVG, .405 BABIP, 33.3 LOB%, 0 HR, 8 WP
The Mets selected Christian Montgomery in the 11th round of the 2011 draft because he had been mid-90’s with a hard curve in showcases before his senior HS season. He fell to the 11th round that year because he followed those showcases up with subpar stuff during his senior year, causing some to speculate that he was injured. He would make only 5 appearances by the end of the 2013 season, with a suspension for a drug of abuse cutting into his 2013. When he finally pitched a full season with Kingsport in 2014, he started to show the stuff that got him drafted, as he struck out more than ¼ of the batters he faced, although he walked nearly a batter per inning too. He was held back for more extended spring training in 2015, but then went strikeout crazy for Brooklyn and Savannah down the stretch. He was back to throwing that mid-90’s heat with a hard curve, and it looked great. He’ll probably start the year with Columbia, but if his stuff looks like it did last year, he'll force his way to Binghamton by the end of the year.
Astromets Mind Coverage
8/4 – 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, BB, 2 K, 47 Pitches (32 Strikes), 4 GO: 1 FOFirst pitch
Fouled off
Swinging strike
Called strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
9/6 – 1 IP, H, K, 1 GO: 1 FO
Called strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
5)
Luis Mateo, RHP, 26
The Mets signed Luis Mateo in May 2011 because he showed great stuff and was finally looking healthy – a 2008 contract with the Giants was voided when doctors found an elbow chip. Few have denied the stuff looks great when healthy – mid-90’s heat, nasty slider – but he’s just not been healthy often enough since signing nearly 5 years ago. Well, 2016 may finally be his year. He looked good again to finish 2015, and word from Spring Training camp is that he’s still healthy and looking good. I imagine his role is limited to the bullpen at this point, and if he’s ready to go he should be finally on his way back to St. Lucie to start.
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Led to a groundout to 1B
9/5 – 1 IP, H, 2 K, 1 GO
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
2015 before Savannah (Brooklyn and GCL): 7 G, 11 IP, 0.82 ERA/1.97 FIP, 5 H, R, 11 K: 2 BB (26.2 K%: 4.8 BB%), .125 AVG, .172 BABIP, 85.7 LOB%, 0 HR
2015 with Savannah (including playoffs): 11 G, 12.2 IP, 2.13 ERA/3.72 FIP, 8 H, 3 R, 14 K: 4 BB, 26.9 K%: 7.7 BB%, .174 AVG, .226 BABIP, 87.3 LOB%, 0.71 HR/9
The Mets signed Luis Mateo in May 2011 because he showed great stuff and was finally looking healthy – a 2008 contract with the Giants was voided when doctors found an elbow chip. Few have denied the stuff looks great when healthy – mid-90’s heat, nasty slider – but he’s just not been healthy often enough since signing nearly 5 years ago. Well, 2016 may finally be his year. He looked good again to finish 2015, and word from Spring Training camp is that he’s still healthy and looking good. I imagine his role is limited to the bullpen at this point, and if he’s ready to go he should be finally on his way back to St. Lucie to start.
Astromets Mind Coverage
8/5 – 1.1 IP, H, 2 R, BB, K, 1 GO: 1 FOSwinging strike
Swinging strike
Led to a groundout to 1B
9/5 – 1 IP, H, 2 K, 1 GO
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Honorable mention goes out to:
-
Ben Griset, who is a lefty with a nice
curveball. He was released by the Rays after the 2014 season, and did a nice
job out of the Sand Gnats pen, but he was older for the level and repeating.
The same problems can be said for Cameron Griffin (first taste of Savannah, but
missed time due to injury), Paul Paez, and Tim Peterson, but I saw even less of
them on MiLB.tv last year. Peterson was a rising reliever in the system during
2014, making an appearance as high as AA, but a PED suspension for Trenbolone
set him back last year, and he was left with Savannah when he was able to
return.
-
Casey Delgado and Ricky Knapp did a good job in
the Sand Gnats rotation last year, and I might take a closer look at both if
there’s time before the season starts, but either could be moved to the pen
down the line – Knapp’s move might happen this year. They are both older, more
polished pitchers with good control – Delgado has the better heat, Knapp has
the better secondary pitch in his curveball.
.@dcastelvecchi's take on "the Event" that launched a new era of astronomy https://t.co/V2DNAr8HBP #blackholes #LIGO pic.twitter.com/vzamac24TQ— Nature News&Comment (@NatureNews) March 25, 2016
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
.gif){kind=link}
Leave your comment
Post a Comment