May stats

Michael Paez (left), Nabil Crismatt (middle), and Max Kuhns (right) (images from MiLB.tv)

Minor league stats for all four Mets full season affiliates.

            Sorry the stats are a little late this month.

May

MVP: Michael Paez. Paez finished the month with a .936 OPS and 13 XBH in 99 PA, and he’s on pace to post the best ISO from a Mets prospect in the SAL since Travis Taijeron was there in 2012.

Cy: Nabil Crismatt. Crismatt averaged more than 6 IP per start and struck out 27.2% of the batters he faced in May.

Fireman: Max Kuhns. Kuhns had a scoreless month and finished with 15 K: 1 BB in 9.2 IP.

Note: Players on the roster they ended the month with, rehab data not included

Las Vegas 51s

9-20

            Poor starting pitching during the month of May hampered the Las Vegas 51s, although the offense wasn’t exactly lighting it up every night either – aside from Amed Rosario. The bats were starting to heat up at the end of the month, but it’s not clear if there will be much pitching help coming anytime soon, and at least one of those bats may be heading to NY soon, once the Mets feel comfortable that the Super Two cutoff date will have passed. The relief pitching was generally consistent for Las Vegas in May, but they were forced into a lot of action, including a few spot starts.

Starting Pitchers

Ricky Knapp – 6 GS, 34.2 IP, 48 H, 22 R (19 ER), 5 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 68 TB, 9 BB, 13 K (11 K/Sw), 56 GB: 41 FB: 34 LD: 2 PU, 575 Pitches (363 Strikes), 37 Swinging, 93 Called, 6.4% SwStr, 13.7% Whiff/Swing, 16.6 Pitches/IP, 158 BF

Knapp’s month was split, as he made three good starts and three bad starts. He’s been experiencing the same problems Matthew Bowman went through in his final year with Las Vegas, getting crushed at home (.959 OPS allowed at home, .682 OPS allowed on the road) and by lefties in particular (1.001 OPS vs. LHB, .676 OPS vs. RHB). Also, like Seth Lugo, his best pitch (a nasty curve) isn’t as effective in some of the high elevation PCL parks.

Tyler Pill - 27 IP, 27 H, 12 R (10 ER), 8 2B, 2 HR, 41 TB, 13 BB, 15 K (13 K/Sw), 43 GB: 15 FB: 22 LD: 8 PU, 418 Pitches (258 Strikes), 32 Swinging, 69 Called, 7.7% SwStr, 16.9% Whiff/Swing, 15.5 Pitches/IP, 118 BF

Promoted, getting a much-earned chance, let’s keep rooting for the best for Tyler Pill and the Mets! Something good needs to happen for the NYM this year.

Sean Gilmartin – 5 GS, 23.2 IP, 36 H, 18 R (17 ER), 13 2B, 2 HR, 55 TB, 7 BB, 18 K (14 K/Sw), 42 GB: 17 FB: 21 LD: 5 PU, 399 Pitches (261 Strikes), 30 Swinging, 79 Called, 7.5% SwStr, 16.5% Whiff/Swing, 16.9 Pitches/IP, 112 BF

Getting crushed by righties this year (1.129 OPS vs. RHB, .661 OPS vs. LHB), and is a strong candidate to be moved to the 51s pen in June.

Wilfredo Boscan - 16.2 IP, 23 H, 13 R (12 ER), 3 2B, 26 TB, 6 BB, 11 K (7 K/Sw), 38 GB: 13 FB: 11 LD: 1 PU, 289 Pitches (187 Strikes), 17 Swinging, 56 Called, 5.9% SwStr, 13% Whiff/Swing, 17.3 Pitches/IP, 80 BF

Boscan missed 16 days with a minor injury and he’s had two stinkers in three starts since returning.

Josh Smoker - 8.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 2B, 6 TB, 2 BB, 8 K (8 K/Sw), 11 GB: 4 FB: 4 LD: 2 PU, 127 Pitches (83 Strikes), 19 Swinging, 14 Called, 15% SwStr, 27.5% Whiff/Swing, 14.6 Pitches/IP, 31 BF

Adam Wilk - 4.2 IP, 10 H, 4 R (4 ER), 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 17 TB, 1 BB, 7 K (6 K/Sw), 5 GB: 4 FB: 6 LD: 1 PU, 104 Pitches (72 Strikes), 17 Swinging, 14 Called, 16.3% SwStr, 29.3% Whiff/Swing, 22.3 Pitches/IP, 24 BF

Bullpen

Hansel Robles - 2 IP, 2 H, 1 2B, 3 TB, 2 BB, 3 K (1 K/Sw), 2 GB: 2 FB: 1 LD, 35 Pitches (21 Strikes), 2 Swinging, 10 Called, 5.7% SwStr, 18.2% Whiff/Swing, 17.5 Pitches/IP, 10 BF

Kevin McGowan - 17.1 IP, 22 H, 15 R (13 ER), 3 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 40 TB, 10 BB, 17 K (12 K/Sw), 24 GB: 15 FB: 15 LD: 2 PU, 335 Pitches (209 Strikes), 44 Swinging, 49 Called, 13.1% SwStr, 27.5% Whiff/Swing, 19.3 Pitches/IP, 85 BF

McGowan allowed a .244 ISO in May, but most of that damage was done in one appearance in Round Rock (0.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, BB). He’s generally been reliable as a multi-inning reliever since moving to that role at the start of the 2016 season.

Erik Goeddel - 16 IP, 21 H, 12 R (12 ER), 6 2B, 3 HR, 36 TB, 8 BB, 14 K (8 K/Sw), 21 GB: 17 FB: 12 LD: 3 PU, 273 Pitches (169 Strikes), 20 Swinging, 45 Called, 7.3% SwStr, 16.1% Whiff/Swing, 17.1 Pitches/IP, 75 BF

After a dreadful first 6 weeks of the season, Goeddel has been much more effective the past couple of weeks, holding the PCL to a .690 OPS over his last 7 appearances (9.1 IP)

Logan Taylor – 1 GS, 15.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 2B, 2 HR, 15 TB, 10 BB (1 IBB), 14 K (9 K/Sw), 25 GB: 10 FB: 3 LD: 1 PU, 276 Pitches (168 Strikes), 19 Swinging, 37 Called, 6.9% SwStr, 14.5% Whiff/Swing, 17.6 Pitches/IP, 65 BF

Taylor held the PCL to a .596 OPS in May but issued a surprising number of walks. Stuff looks like it could help the Mets now, but they probably need to see him walking fewer batters again before he gets a chance.

Ben Rowen - 15.1 IP, 17 H, 9 R (6 ER), 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 24 TB, 2 BB, 13 K (11 K/Sw), 33 GB: 4 FB: 11 LD, 223 Pitches (162 Strikes), 25 Swinging, 48 Called, 11.2% SwStr, 21.9% Whiff/Swing, 14.5 Pitches/IP, 64 BF

Held the PCL to a .743 OPS in May after the league got to him for a 1.021 OPS in April.

Chasen Bradford - 14.1 IP, 19 H, 9 R (5 ER), 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 29 TB, 3 BB, 4 K (4 K/Sw), 34 GB: 11 FB: 7 LD: 3 PU, 203 Pitches (131 Strikes), 12 Swinging, 28 Called, 5.9% SwStr, 11.7% Whiff/Swing, 14.2 Pitches/IP, 65 BF

Bradford found success in May thanks to a 62% groundball rate.

Alberto Baldonado - 10 IP, 12 H, 11 R (10 ER), 2 2B, 1 HR, 17 TB, 6 BB, 7 K (5 K/Sw), 17 GB: 7 FB: 6 LD: 5 PU, 170 Pitches (109 Strikes), 17 Swinging, 28 Called, 10% SwStr, 21% Whiff/Swing, 17 Pitches/IP, 48 BF

(w/Binghamton) - 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 2B, 4 TB, 1 BB, 10 K (9 K/Sw), 3 GB: 2 FB: 1 LD: 2 PU, 71 Pitches (47 Strikes), 15 Swinging, 17 Called, 21.1% SwStr, 50% Whiff/Swing, 14.2 Pitches/IP, 19 BF

Baldonado has been shaky since his promotion to Las Vegas, with 5 scoreless outings but 4 outings with multiple runs allowed. He needed a little time to settle into Double-A last year too, so the coaching staff in Vegas knows what he can do.

David Roseboom - 9.2 IP, 12 H, 8 R (6 ER), 3 2B, 1 HR, 18 TB, 4 BB, 9 K (5 K/Sw), 18 GB: 5 FB: 7 LD: 2 PU, 159 Pitches (99 Strikes), 13 Swinging, 27 Called, 8.2% SwStr, 18.1% Whiff/Swing, 16.4 Pitches/IP, 46 BF

Per the Las Vegas Review Journal’s Betsy Helfand, Roseboom hurt his right foot during the 51s series in Round Rock and he could be out awhile. For more on Roseboom, check out this Helfand piece from the beginning of the year, which features a glowing scouting report from 51s pitching coach Frank Viola.

Beck Wheeler - 9.2 IP, 16 H, 13 R (13 ER), 6 2B, 1 3B, 24 TB, 8 BB, 6 K (4 K/Sw), 20 GB: 12 FB: 6 LD: 2 PU, 188 Pitches (100 Strikes), 15 Swinging, 23 Called, 8% SwStr, 19.5% Whiff/Swing, 19.4 Pitches/IP, 55 BF

Kyle Regnault - 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 3B, 3 TB, 3 BB, 3 K (1 K/Sw), 4 GB: 2 FB, 51 Pitches (26 Strikes), 5 Swinging, 10 Called, 9.8% SwStr, 31.2% Whiff/Swing, 19.1 Pitches/IP, 12 BF

(w/Binghamton) - 8.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 2B, 6 TB, 4 BB, 11 K (6 K/Sw), 8 GB: 6 FB: 2 LD: 4 PU, 127 Pitches (80 Strikes), 19 Swinging, 25 Called, 15% SwStr, 34.5% Whiff/Swing, 14.6 Pitches/IP, 34 BF

Wherever he’s pitched this year, Regnault has been pretty successful. He threw an immaculate inning against Portland in May.

Batters

Kevin Plawecki - 8 PA, 0.500/0.500/0.625, 1 R, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 4.3% SwStr, 9.1% Whiff/Swing, 2.9 Pitches/PA, 0.500 BABIP

Amed Rosario - 131 PA, 0.32/0.359/0.525, 18 R, 9 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 7 BB, 1 HBP, 1 SF, 22 K, 2 GIDP, 4 SB, 2 CS, 11.4% SwStr, 22.5% Whiff/Swing, 3.5 Pitches/PA, 0.361 BABIP

Rosario finished with 14 multi-hit games in May, pushing his total to 27 of 51 games played through 2 months in the PCL. His ISO improved from .102 in April to .207 in May, but his K: BB numbers went the wrong way (though nothing significant yet).

Dominic Smith - 130 PA, 0.311/0.369/0.504, 18 R, 8 2B, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 10 BB, 1 HBP, 22 K, 3 GIDP, 9.5% SwStr, 19.6% Whiff/Swing, 3.5 Pitches/PA, 0.348 BABIP

The Smith-Duda debate is probably only going to heat up among fans as the summer progresses (and likely into the hot stove season and possibly next year), and I’m a little split. I think Smith is probably the smarter choice long-term and the better value short-term, but it’s unlikely he’s ready to out-produce Lucas Duda in 2018. Also, I’m a big Duda fan, and I don’t really want to see him playing for another team.

Getting back to Smith, he’s shown no platoon splits this year, but 6 of his 7 homers have come at home. In past years, Smith has done much of his extra base hit damage to left and center field, but he’s been pulling the ball with more authority this year.

Gavin Cecchini - 124 PA, 0.263/0.317/0.342, 15 R, 6 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 9 BB, 1 SAC, 16 K, 4 GIDP, 1 CS, 6% SwStr, 13.3% Whiff/Swing, 3.6 Pitches/PA, 0.299 BABIP

Cecchini hasn’t been using the whole field as much as in year’s past, and his slow start kept him out of the conversation of infield options while Jose Reyes struggled (still is) and Asdrubal Cabrera was out.

Brandon Nimmo - 122 PA, 0.216/0.344/0.353, 16 R, 8 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 19 BB, 1 HBP, 22 K, 1 GIDP, 8% SwStr, 18.4% Whiff/Swing, 4.3 Pitches/PA, 0.256 BABIP

Nimmo struck for 6 doubles among 15 hits over the final 10 games of the month, so he appears to have found his groove.

Phillip Evans - 98 PA, 0.233/0.327/0.337, 9 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 11 BB, 1 HBP, 13 K, 2 GIDP, 8.9% SwStr, 19.6% Whiff/Swing, 3.5 Pitches/PA, 0.254 BABIP

Evans is basically Matt Reynolds 2.0, his bat has just been a bit slow to adjust to the PCL.

Desmond Jennings - 89 PA, 0.250/0.281/0.488, 13 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 4 BB, 1 SF, 18 K, 2 GIDP, 2 SB, 9.8% SwStr, 21.2% Whiff/Swing, 3.8 Pitches/PA, 0.258 BABIP

Jennings has massive home/road splits this year (.874 OPS at home, .568 OPS on the road), and finished May on a 5-44 streak.

Josh Rodriguez - 71 PA, 0.234/0.310/0.328, 6 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 BB, 1 HBP, 19 K, 9.5% SwStr, 23% Whiff/Swing, 4.3 Pitches/PA, 0.302 BABIP

Xorge Carrillo - 69 PA, 0.286/0.348/0.444, 5 R, 4 2B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 6 BB, 19 K, 13% SwStr, 28.1% Whiff/Swing, 4 Pitches/PA, 0.381 BABIP

Carrillo is set to lose some playing time to Kevin Plawecki now that he’s been returned, but Carrillo’s bat should keep him in the catching rotation. He had a hit in 13 of 17 May games, and he had a .961 OPS over his final 11 starts (3 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 45 PA).

Jayce Boyd - 43 PA, 0.216/0.326/0.378, 9 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 5 BB, 1 HBP, 10 K, 1 GIDP, 12.5% SwStr, 28.4% Whiff/Swing, 3.9 Pitches/PA, 0.269 BABIP

Victor Cruzado - 34 PA, 0.323/0.382/0.516, 4 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 GIDP, 11.4% SwStr, 22.8% Whiff/Swing, 3.4 Pitches/PA, 0.375 BABIP

Jeff Glenn - 30 PA, 0.25/0.3/0.286, 2 R, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 10 K, 1 GIDP, 13.5% SwStr, 29.4% Whiff/Swing, 3.7 Pitches/PA, 0.389 BABIP

Binghamton Rumble Ponies

18-9

            The Rumble Ponies success this year has been due to a mix of veteran starting pitching, Corey Oswalt and P.J. Conlon transitioning nicely to Double-A, dominant relief pitching, and a lineup that works the count and gets on base a lot (2^nd in the EL with a .338 OBP). Bingo got a big May boost from Kevin Kaczmarski and David Thompson, who had both struggled as they adjusted to Double-A in April, and their catching duo of Tomas Nido and Colton Plaia.

Starting Pitchers

Donovan Hand - 38.1 IP, 29 H, 12 R (11 ER), 5 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 42 TB, 12 BB, 22 K (18 K/Sw), 57 GB: 41 FB: 17 LD: 6 PU, 536 Pitches (333 Strikes), 43 Swinging, 108 Called, 8% SwStr, 19.1% Whiff/Swing, 14 Pitches/IP, 156 BF

Corey Oswalt - 34 IP, 36 H, 14 R (13 ER), 9 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 56 TB, 13 BB, 25 K (21 K/Sw), 57 GB: 18 FB: 24 LD: 8 PU, 561 Pitches (360 Strikes), 53 Swinging, 102 Called, 9.4% SwStr, 20.5% Whiff/Swing, 16.5 Pitches/IP, 149 BF

Note: Oswalt’s stats includes info from a 5/13 game that is currently suspended and set to be made up later this year

Per Amazin Avenue’s Steve Sypa, Oswalt sat 90-92 through the first 6 innings of his final start of May, which is fine for a potential backend starter. He’s shown no splits in his first taste of Double-A (.710 OPS vs. RHB, .704 OPS vs. LHB), and he’s been better out of the stretch so far (.654 OPS allowed). Including the suspended start, Oswalt has allowed an 8.10 ERA in the 1^st inning of his starts this year, and a 2.30 ERA in 47 IP after the 1^st inning.

P.J. Conlon - 34 IP, 28 H, 11 R (11 ER), 3 2B, 3 HR, 40 TB, 3 BB, 25 K (17 K/Sw), 44 GB: 34 FB: 19 LD: 4 PU, 457 Pitches (314 Strikes), 47 Swinging, 94 Called, 10.3% SwStr, 21.4% Whiff/Swing, 13.4 Pitches/IP, 130 BF

Conlon was hit around during 2 of his starts in May, but allowed just 1 run on 9 hits over 22 IP in his other 3 starts (.575 OPS allowed for the month). He’s been much better against lefties so far in 2017 (.569 OPS vs. LHB), but he’s not been overmatched against righties (.729 OPS vs. RHB), although righties have gotten to him for 14 XBH and a .146 ISO.

Casey Delgado - 27.1 IP, 28 H, 12 R (10 ER), 4 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 39 TB, 10 BB, 22 K (18 K/Sw), 42 GB: 18 FB: 19 LD: 2 PU, 459 Pitches (277 Strikes), 49 Swinging, 77 Called, 10.7% SwStr, 24.5% Whiff/Swing, 16.8 Pitches/IP, 117 BF

Mickey Jannis - 16.1 IP, 21 H, 11 R (11 ER), 5 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 33 TB, 6 BB, 8 K (7 K/Sw), 30 GB: 11 FB: 10 LD: 1 PU, 260 Pitches (166 Strikes), 24 Swinging, 52 Called, 9.2% SwStr, 21.1% Whiff/Swing, 15.9 Pitches/IP, 68 BF

Blake Beavan - 13.1 IP, 10 H, 4 R (4 ER), 2 2B, 1 HR, 15 TB, 4 BB, 8 K (3 K/Sw), 12 GB: 12 FB: 13 LD: 5 PU, 173 Pitches (120 Strikes), 11 Swinging, 33 Called, 6.4% SwStr, 12.6% Whiff/Swing, 13 Pitches/IP, 55 BF

(w/Las Vegas) - 14 IP, 23 H, 14 R (13 ER), 4 2B, 1 HR, 30 TB, 10 BB, 10 K (8 K/Sw), 22 GB: 13 FB: 13 LD: 3 PU, 271 Pitches (164 Strikes), 17 Swinging, 41 Called, 6.3% SwStr, 13.8% Whiff/Swing, 19.4 Pitches/IP, 72 BF

Relievers

Corey Taylor - 13 IP, 12 H, 6 R (6 ER), 3 2B, 15 TB, 3 BB, 8 K (4 K/Sw), 16 GB: 15 FB: 8 LD: 2 PU, 192 Pitches (120 Strikes), 13 Swinging, 31 Called, 6.8% SwStr, 14.6% Whiff/Swing, 14.8 Pitches/IP, 54 BF

After a bumpy patch, Taylor finished the month with 8 shutout innings over 5 appearances, holding the EL to a .308 OPS during that stretch (held the EL to a .602 OPS for the month). He’s struggled with runners on base so far this year (.809 OPS allowed), so I wonder what adjustments the Mets will have him make.

Tim Peterson - 8.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R (4 ER), 1 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 16 TB, 1 BB, 8 K (4 K/Sw), 4 GB: 9 FB: 4 LD: 6 PU, 111 Pitches (84 Strikes), 9 Swinging, 33 Called, 8.1% SwStr, 17.6% Whiff/Swing, 13.3 Pitches/IP, 33 BF

(w/Las Vegas) - 1 IP, 1 K (1 K/Sw), 2 FB, 11 Pitches (9 Strikes), 2 Swinging, 3 Called, 18.2% SwStr, 33.3% Whiff/Swing, 11 Pitches/IP, 3 BF

Peterson has allowed runs in just 2 of 16 appearances this year, but both led to a loss for Binghamton. His splits are fine (.500 OPS vs. LHB, .616 OPS vs. RHB), but he’s also done noticeably worse with runners on base (.500 OPS with the bases empty, .699 OPS with runners on).

Luis Mateo – 7.1 IP, 3 H, 3 TB, 3 BB, 9 K (6 K/Sw), 8 GB: 3 FB: 4 LD: 1 PU, 104 Pitches (67 Strikes), 20 Swinging, 16 Called, 19.2% SwStr, 39.2% Whiff/Swing, 14.2 Pitches/IP, 29 BF

Mateo’s looked interesting when given a chance (sitting 93), just not been many bullpen innings to go around this year

Scarlyn Reyes - 7 IP, 9 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 2B, 1 HR, 13 TB, 3 BB, 3 K (3 K/Sw), 10 GB: 6 FB: 8 LD: 1 PU, 106 Pitches (66 Strikes), 12 Swinging, 12 Called, 11.3% SwStr, 22.2% Whiff/Swing, 15.1 Pitches/IP, 31 BF

Ben Griset - 5 IP, 2 H, 2 TB, 3 BB, 2 K (1 K/Sw), 4 GB: 6 FB: 3 LD, 65 Pitches (36 Strikes), 1 Swinging, 14 Called, 1.5% SwStr, 4.5% Whiff/Swing, 13 Pitches/IP, 18 BF

Cory Burns - 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 2B, 7 TB, 4 BB, 8 K (6 K/Sw), 6 GB: 1 FB: 5 LD, 103 Pitches (61 Strikes), 17 Swinging, 20 Called, 16.5% SwStr, 41.5% Whiff/Swing, 20.6 Pitches/IP, 24 BF

(w/Las Vegas) - 5 IP, 5 H, 5 R (5 ER), 2 2B, 7 TB, 3 BB, 5 K (2 K/Sw), 7 GB: 3 FB: 5 LD, 96 Pitches (61 Strikes), 6 Swinging, 18 Called, 6.2% SwStr, 14% Whiff/Swing, 19.2 Pitches/IP, 23 BF

Kelly Secrest - 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 2B, 5 TB, 2 BB, 6 K (4 K/Sw), 9 GB: 1 FB: 1 LD: 1 PU, 75 Pitches (50 Strikes), 14 Swinging, 10 Called, 18.7% SwStr, 35% Whiff/Swing, 16.1 Pitches/IP, 20 BF

Batters

Luis Guillorme - 113 PA, 0.245/0.277/0.264, 12 R, 2 2B, 8 RBI, 5 BB, 1 SF, 1 SAC, 11 K, 1 GIDP, 1 SB, 1 CS, 5.3% SwStr, 11.6% Whiff/Swing, 3.8 Pitches/PA, 0.271 BABIP

Guillorme didn’t walk as much in May and had a pair of 0-for-three-game streaks, which left his average low, but his defense at shortstop and second was still sparkling.

Kevin Taylor - 112 PA, 0.272/0.384/0.413, 11 R, 4 2B, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 17 BB, 1 HBP, 2 SF, 14 K, 5 GIDP, 1 SB, 1 CS, 4.7% SwStr, 12% Whiff/Swing, 4.2 Pitches/PA, 0.286 BABIP

Although he is already 25, Taylor is getting his first taste of Double-A action this year, and he’s been one of the best on-base guys in the EL this year. He has more walks (24) than strikeouts (23) through the first two months of 2017, and he improved his ISO from .038 in April to .141 in May. Unfortunately, he’s probably limited to LF/1B at this point in his career, so he’ll need to produce even more to get a chance. That's something Bingo announcer Tim Heiman recently relayed that he's aware of and is looking to get back to this year. Per Heiman, Taylor was looking for contact more than power in the FSL last year because the league is so tough on lefties.

Kevin Kaczmarski - 105 PA, 0.344/0.429/0.433, 17 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 12 BB, 2 HBP, 1 SF, 15 K, 1 GIDP, 5 SB, 2 CS, 7.7% SwStr, 17.7% Whiff/Swing, 3.5 Pitches/PA, 0.400 BABIP

Although he’s not the fastest guy on the team, Kacz has above average speed and he makes the most of it by hustling on every grounder and showing a good ability to bunt for a hit. Everything improved for him in his second month of Double-A baseball except his power output.

David Thompson - 95 PA, 0.284/0.368/0.432, 13 R, 6 2B, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 10 BB, 2 HBP, 2 SF, 17 K, 4 SB, 1 CS, 10.3% SwStr, 22.2% Whiff/Swing, 3.6 Pitches/PA, 0.328 BABIP

Just like Kacz, Thompson was a significantly better Double-A hitter in his second month with Binghamton, although he did improve his ISO output (.057 ISO in April, .148 ISO in May), and was making some loud outs at the end of the month. He's someone I would've picked to have a big year before the season started, so maybe this is the start of that.

Tomas Nido - 90 PA, 0.313/0.367/0.475, 13 R, 7 2B, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 8 BB, 2 SF, 10 K, 7 GIDP, 9.9% SwStr, 17.4% Whiff/Swing, 3.4 Pitches/PA, 0.329 BABIP

Nido had a huge month at the plate, even showing a willingness to take a walk like he rarely has before (8.9% BB-rate). 

Matt Oberste - 86 PA, 0.260/0.326/0.377, 12 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 7 BB, 1 HBP, 1 SF, 15 K, 2 GIDP, 1 SB, 10.3% SwStr, 22.2% Whiff/Swing, 3.8 Pitches/PA, 0.306 BABIP

Champ Stuart - 70 PA, 0.164/0.250/0.213, 4 R, 3 2B, 5 RBI, 6 BB, 1 HBP, 2 SAC, 26 K, 6 SB, 2 CS, 16.4% SwStr, 35% Whiff/Swing, 4.3 Pitches/PA, 0.286 BABIP
Was red-hot at the end of April but then missed time at the beginning of the month with a minor injury and hasn't found his groove again since.

Patrick Biondi - 67 PA, 0.237/0.328/0.237, 10 R, 2 RBI, 7 BB, 1 HBP, 6 K, 1 GIDP, 6 SB, 5 CS, 5.3% SwStr, 12.4% Whiff/Swing, 3.6 Pitches/PA, 0.264 BABIP

Cody Decker - 58 PA, 0.292/0.414/0.562, 8 R, 4 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 8 BB, 2 HBP, 13 K, 14.2% SwStr, 28.6% Whiff/Swing, 3.7 Pitches/PA, 0.344 BABIP

L.J. Mazzilli - 53 PA, 0.283/0.358/0.500, 13 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 BB, 1 SF, 10 K, 1 GIDP, 2 SB, 8.5% SwStr, 21.4% Whiff/Swing, 4 Pitches/PA, 0.314 BABIP

(w/Las Vegas) - 31 PA, 0.333/0.467/0.583, 4 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 6 BB, 1 SAC, 7 K, 2 GIDP, 1 SB, 10.8% SwStr, 25% Whiff/Swing, 3.9 Pitches/PA, 0.438 BABIP

Mazzilli had been starting to hit some with the 51s when Victor Cruzado got healthy and he was returned to Binghamton, but it was tough to find everyone starts in Las Vegas.

Colton Plaia - 51 PA, 0.293/0.431/0.341, 9 R, 2 2B, 7 RBI, 9 BB, 1 HBP, 10 K, 1 GIDP, 8.2% SwStr, 20.9% Whiff/Swing, 4.6 Pitches/PA, 0.387 BABIP

Good catch-and-throw guy who had his best month at the plate since joining Double-A, but Plaia’s playing time may be in jeopardy if Patrick Mazeika ever gets promoted

Jio Mier - 44 PA, 0.308/0.341/0.538, 5 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 2 SF, 10 K, 1 GIDP, 1 SB, 1 CS, 9% SwStr, 21.3% Whiff/Swing, 4 Pitches/PA, 0.345 BABIP

Gustavo Nunez - 18 PA, 0.444/0.444/0.500, 4 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 4 K, 1 GIDP, 1 SB, 2 CS, 9.6% SwStr, 17.9% Whiff/Swing, 2.9 Pitches/PA, 0.571 BABIP

29-year old minor league free agent who played against Binghamton this year before being released and signed by the Mets.

St. Lucie Mets

17-12

            There were a few guys carrying the offense for St. Lucie in May (Mora, Urena, Mazeika, and Sergakis, when he played), but consistent starting pitching was the biggest reason the Mets finished with such a good record for the month. Nabil Crismatt and Andrew Church gave them consistent length from the rotation, Marcos Molina and Chris Flexen were very good as they were stretched out, Steven Matz and Seth Lugo stopped by, and Joe Shaw turned in several good performances as well. All of the extra starters allowed the Mets to move Justin Dunn to the pen for a few outings and ease off of him.

*Pitch stats not included because they went to Lakeland, which had no gameday

Starting Pitchers

Nabil Crismatt – 6 GS, 38 IP, 27 H, 7 R (5 ER), 2 2B, 2 HR, 35 TB, 10 BB, 41 K (24 K/Sw), 35 GB: 28 FB: 18 LD: 12 PU, 589 Pitches (385 Strikes), 73 Swinging, 122 Called, 12.4% SwStr, 27.8% Whiff/Swing, 15.5 Pitches/IP, 151 BF

Goodness, Crismatt dominated the FSL in May, going 7+ innings in 4 of his 6 starts (he went 8 scoreless in Bradenton) while holding batters to a .524 OPS (0.058 ISO). Since Crismatt didn’t start in Lakeland, I included his pitch stats, which is nice, because that whiff rate really shows his dominance. One thing to note, lefties have an .851 OPS (.463 BABIP) against Crismatt, although Crismatt does have a 26.4 K%: 5.7 BB% vs. LHB.

Andrew Church – 5 GS, 33 IP, 33 H, 14 R (13 ER), 8 2B, 4 HR, 53 TB, 7 BB, 16 K (11 K/Sw), 47 GB: 32 FB: 21 LD: 11 PU, 139 BF

Most of the damage done against Church in May came in his first start in Bradenton (3 IP, 7 H, 7 R), and then he went 7 IP, 8.1 IP, 6.2 IP, 8 IP over his final four starts of the month (.646 OPS allowed during those final four starts). He did start in Lakeland, so his pitch stats are incomplete, but www.baseball-reference.com has him at a 4% swinging strike rate in his other starts during the month.

Joe Shaw – 6 GS, 29 IP, 32 H, 10 R (9 ER), 7 2B, 1 3B, 41 TB, 8 BB, 26 K (18 K/Sw), 48 GB: 17 FB: 19 LD: 4 PU, 480 Pitches (305 Strikes), 49 Swinging, 92 Called, 10.2% SwStr, 23% Whiff/Swing, 16.6 Pitches/IP, 123 BF

Shaw has allowed a lot of hits this year (.368 BABIP), but he does a good job limiting hard contact against righties (.064 ISO vs. RHB). He allowed 2 runs or less in four of his May starts, and held the league to a .682 OPS for the month.

Justin Dunn – 3 GS, 23.2 IP, 23 H, 16 R (11 ER), 4 2B, 1 HR, 30 TB, 11 BB, 19 K (13 K/Sw), 26 GB: 17 FB: 17 LD: 10 PU, 106 BF

Dunn made three piggyback appearances during the month of May, and they’ve been his three best appearances of the season. The piggybacking started when Matz, Lugo, Molina, and Flexen all joined St. Lucie at the same time, but it’s something that might’ve come up this year if Dunn approached his innings limit too soon anyway, so I wouldn’t make too much of it. Hopefully he can build on this when he goes back to the rotation. 
UPDATE: 7 K's over 5 scoreless in his first start back in the rotation!

Marcos Molina - 15 IP, 11 H, 4 R (3 ER), 1 2B, 1 3B, 14 TB, 2 BB, 8 K (6 K/Sw), 21 GB: 9 FB: 11 LD: 3 PU, 54 BF

Radio has had Molina in the low-90’s and reports have suggested his stuff is not back to what it once was (not surprising at this point), but he’s been very effective as he slowly builds up his pitch count.

Chris Flexen - 12.2 IP, 12 H, 6 R (3 ER), 1 HR, 15 TB, 3 BB, 13 K (13 K/Sw), 19 GB: 11 FB: 4 LD: 2 PU, 53 BF

Flexen was up to 80 pitches in his final start of the month and was then sent to Binghamton at the start of June, so his time in the FSL is done. He’s a guy you’ll want to check in on over the rest of the season.

Relievers

Kevin Canelon - 17.1 IP, 15 H, 3 R (0 ER), 4 2B, 19 TB, 5 BB, 16 K (12 K/Sw), 19 GB: 14 FB: 7 LD: 10 PU, 73 BF

If Canelon did this with even an average fastball, I’d be more of a believer, but an 85-87 MPH fastball from the left side rarely makes it.

Austin McGeorge - 13.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 HR, 11 TB, 5 BB, 18 K (14 K/Sw), 21 GB: 1 FB: 4 LD 170 Pitches (110 Strikes), 31 Swinging, 28 Called, 18.2% SwStr, 37.8% Whiff/Swing, 12.4 Pitches/IP, 51 BF

(w/Columbia) - 1 IP, 2 GB: 1 LD, 12 Pitches (8 Strikes), 1 Swinging, 1 Called, 8.3% SwStr, 14.3% Whiff/Swing, 12 Pitches/IP, 3 BF

After holding the SAL to a .541 OPS in April, McGeorge held the FSL to a .504 OPS in May. Lefties are just 2-34 with 14 K in 39 PA against McGeorge this year

Johnny Magliozzi - 11.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R (5 ER), 2 2B, 8 TB, 8 BB, 6 K (5 K/Sw), 14 GB: 11 FB: 5 LD: 2 PU, 47 BF

Held the FSL to a .557 OPS (.054 ISO) in May, but the K: BB rates are troublesome.

Joshua Torres - 11.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R (5 ER), 6 2B, 15 TB, 3 BB, 20 K (16 K/Sw), 6 GB: 7 FB: 6 LD: 3 PU, 46 BF

Tyler Bashlor - 10.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 2B, 1 3B, 8 TB, 8 BB, 23 K (21 K/Sw), 4 GB: 4 FB: 3 LD: 1 PU 208 Pitches (128 Strikes), 48 Swinging, 31 Called, 23.1% SwStr, 49.5% Whiff/Swing, 20.1 Pitches/IP, 44 BF

Bashlor misses bats with the best of them, but he misses the zone too often right now too.

Craig Missigman - 9.1 IP, 11 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 2B, 14 TB, 1 BB, 11 K (6 K/Sw), 12 GB: 9 FB: 4 LD: 2 PU, 39 BF

Cameron Griffin - 8.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R (6 ER), 2 HR, 15 TB, 5 BB, 8 K (4 K/Sw), 7 GB: 9 FB: 8 LD: 3 PU, 42 BF

Alex Palsha - 8.1 IP, 12 H, 8 R (7 ER), 3 2B, 1 HR, 18 TB, 5 BB, 6 K (4 K/Sw), 13 GB: 8 FB: 7 LD: 2 PU, 43 BF

Justin Brantley - 4.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R (7 ER), 3 2B, 1 HR, 15 TB, 3 BB, 7 K (4 K/Sw), 5 GB: 5 FB: 5 LD: 1 PU, 26 BF

Batters

Jhoan Urena - 124 PA, 0.306/0.371/0.459, 18 R, 12 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 12 BB, 1 SF, 23 K, 2 GIDP, 2 SB, 3 CS, 0.375 BABIP

Urena should finally get his Double-A shot this year, though it may have to wait until after he starts in the FSL All-Star Game. He was smacking the ball around the Bradenton park during the one series that made it on MiLB.tv, but his defense at third was rough, and there have been bad reports on him despite his strong hitting this year. Given his history (rushed to High-A, multiple injuries that hindered his hitting), it wouldn’t be crazy for him to re-establish himself as a prospect now, but it seems like there will be a lot more pressure on the bat moving forward.

Patrick Mazeika - 118 PA, 0.298/0.381/0.471, 12 R, 9 2B, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 9 BB, 5 HBP, 6 K, 2 GIDP, 1 CS, 0.295 BABIP

The Mets appear to be in a tough spot with Mazeika, who has been hitting well enough for a promotion, but would have to split catching time with Tomas Nido at Binghamton. His defense is behind his hitting, so St. Lucie is not the worst spot for him to be (his manager was a catcher and the XST staff should have plenty of catcher coaches available to work with), but he is 23 and crushing it.

John Mora - 118 PA, 0.300/0.347/0.436, 17 R, 7 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 8 BB, 13 K, 3 GIDP, 8 SB, 1 CS, 0.326 BABIP

After a dreadful April (.491 OPS), Mora had a hit in 20 of 26 games in May and was a sparkplug at the top of St. Lucie’s order. He has above average speed and has been playing CF more often lately, though I’ve seen some question his defense there. He’s struggled against lefties to date (.451 OPS vs. LHP, .716 OPS vs. RHP).

J.C. Rodriguez - 113 PA, 0.216/0.270/0.373, 11 R, 9 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 8 BB, 1 SF, 2 SAC, 21 K, 3 GIDP, 5 SB, 2 CS, 0.259 BABIP

Wuilmer Becerra - 111 PA, 0.245/0.297/0.343, 9 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 7 BB, 1 HBP, 1 SF, 29 K, 4 SB, 2 CS, 0.319 BABIP

On the plus side, Becerra struck out just 5 times over his last 12 games (48 PA), so at least he’s putting the ball in play more often again.

Vinny Siena - 70 PA, 0.154/0.214/0.215, 6 R, 4 2B, 2 RBI, 5 BB, 25 K, 2 GIDP, 0.250 BABIP

I didn’t expect Siena to find the FSL as easy as he found the SAL, but I don’t think anyone would’ve predicted this for him. His strikeout rate has ballooned to ~40% for the season and there’s at least one Columbia infielder ready for a promotion (Michael Paez), so it’ll be interesting to see what the Mets do with Siena.

Enmanuel Zabala - 57 PA, 0.212/0.281/0.212, 3 R, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 15 K, 1 GIDP, 2 SB, 2 CS, 0.297 BABIP

Dale Burdick - 55 PA, 0.229/0.327/0.375, 7 R, 1 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 5 BB, 2 HBP, 17 K, 1 CS, 0.310 BABIP

(w/Binghamton) - 16 PA, 0.214/0.250/0.643, 4 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SF, 1 K, 10.3% SwStr, 20.6% Whiff/Swing, 4.2 Pitches/PA, 0.083 BABIP

Still just 21, Burdick has bounced around the Mets system the past couple years (been in Brooklyn, Columbia, St. Lucie, and Binghamton), but has mostly been a utility infielder for St. Lucie this year. The four combined homer’s is a nice surprise, but given he entered the month with just 7 in 163 games as a pro, I’m not holding my breath expecting more (plus, he hit two in the same inning for the Rumble Ponies).

Nick Sergakis - 52 PA, 0.261/0.346/0.543, 7 R, 4 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 5 BB, 1 HBP, 15 K, 2 GIDP, 1 CS, 0.321 BABIP

Already 24, Sergakis was the Mets 23^rd round pick from last year’s draft and has been splitting time between 2B/3B and LF this year (with one spot relief appearance). He got off to a slow start in April but has been consistently putting a drive in the ball since… when he makes contact.

Jeff Diehl - 44 PA, 0.316/0.386/0.474, 3 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB, 2 HBP, 1 SF, 15 K, 0.478 BABIP

Diehl was having a nice month when he hit the DL, and hasn’t played since 5/13.

Leon Byrd - 39 PA, 0.118/0.211/0.147, 4 R, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 1 SAC, 4 K, 1 GIDP, 1 CS, 0.133 BABIP

Arnaldo Berrios - 38 PA, 0.200/0.263/0.343, 7 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB, 14 K, 2 GIDP, 0.300 BABIP

(w/Las Vegas) - 9 PA, 0.111/0.111/0.111, 1 RBI, 6 K, 20% SwStr, 46.7% Whiff/Swing, 3.9 Pitches/PA, 0.333 BABIP

Berrios filled in as an outfield bat during May and had his moments, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish out the season in Columbia since he spent last year in Brooklyn (with a .457 OPS).

Dan Rizzie - 30 PA, 0.115/0.200/0.115, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 SF, 6 K, 1 GIDP, 0.143 BABIP

Jose Garcia - 25 PA, 0.435/0.480/0.478, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 HBP, 5 K, 0.556 BABIP

Anthony Dimino - 24 PA, 0.278/0.435/0.278, 5 R, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 1 SAC, 1 GIDP, 2 SB, 1 CS, 0.278 BABIP

Peter Alonso - 20 PA, 0.053/0.100/0.211, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 4 K, 3 GIDP

Jose Miguel Medina - 11 PA, 0.444/0.545/0.778, 6 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 SB, 0.571 BABIP

(w/Columbia) - 21 PA, 0.056/0.150/0.056, 2 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2 BB, 0 HBP, 0 SF, 1 SAC, 5 K, 0 GIDP, 2 SB, 0 CS, 18.3% SwStr, 32.5% Whiff/Swing, 3.4 Pitches/PA, 0.077 BABIP

Had been demoted to Brooklyn but was added to the St. Lucie Mets roster when they needed some OF bats.

Columbia Fireflies

14-11

            Good pitching has kept the Fireflies in nearly every game they’ve played this year, but inconsistent offense has kept their record hovering around .500 since mid-April. The Fireflies good starting pitching might be even better in June, as Thomas Szapucki and Gary Cornish have both joined the roster and made their first start of 2017 since the calendar turned, but hopefully the Mets will promote co-Ace’s Merandy Gonzalez and Jordan Humphreys to the St. Lucie Mets by the end of month, so that “better” starting pitching might not last long.

*There was one game with no pitch data, so Merandy’s pitch info is not included

Starting Pitchers

Gabriel Llanes – 5 GS, 32.1 IP, 41 H, 16 R (10 ER), 8 2B, 49 TB, 5 BB, 20 K (14 K/Sw), 64 GB: 24 FB: 18 LD: 4 PU, 465 Pitches (334 Strikes), 61 Swinging, 65 Called, 13.1% SwStr, 22.7% Whiff/Swing, 14.4 Pitches/IP, 141 BF

Gabriel Llanes reminds me of another Gabriel that just came through the Mets system: Gabriel Ynoa. I never saw Ynoa in the SAL, but I saw plenty of him in Double-A/Triple-A, and that’s the version Llanes reminds me of: fastball/slider/changeup, low strikeout rate, low walk rate, looking to end AB’s on early contact… Ynoa was able to strikeout nearly 20% of batters faced in the SAL (Llanes is at 12% on 6/5), but he never got groundballs at the great rate Llanes has to date (59% per Fangraphs).

Merandy Gonzalez – 5 GS, 29 IP, 28 H, 14 R (11 ER), 4 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 7 BB, 33 K (22 K/Sw), 31 GB: 27 FB: 16 LD: 10 PU, 129 BF

After a scoreless April, Gonzalez was greeted with a 6-run 1^st in his first start of May, but then went back to mostly dominating again after that. The 21-year old righty has held both lefties and righties to a sub-.600 OPS; and while he’s been about equally effective with runners on or not (sub-.600 OPS in both situations), he’s held the SAL to just a 0.057 ISO with runners on. Merandy hasn’t been as effective this year as the next guy on this list, but he has a little extra life on his fastball, which may make a difference when they pitch at the upper levels in a year or two.

Jordan Humphreys – 4 GS, 26 IP, 12 H, 4 R (3 ER), 4 2B, 1 3B, 2 BB, 33 K (25 K/Sw), 26 GB: 18 FB: 10 LD: 5 PU, 382 Pitches (277 Strikes), 62 Swinging, 63 Called, 16.2% SwStr, 29% Whiff/Swing, 14.7 Pitches/IP, 91 BF

There’s a lot to like about what this 6’2 righty is doing in the SAL, and he won’t turn 21 until 6/11. He held the league to a .369 OPS in May and has been death on lefties this year (.351 OPS in 102 PA). Throws a 90-92 MPH heater, a curve that can be very effective at times, and an occasional change, which will be a more important pitch at the next two levels. The only thing I can think of that’s keeping him down at this point is the prospect of starting the SAL All-Star Game at Spirit Communications Park in Columbia, S.C.

Blake Taylor – 4 GS, 23.1 IP, 22 H, 10 R (8 ER), 6 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 39 TB, 8 BB, 19 K (12 K/Sw), 37 GB: 17 FB: 6 LD: 10 PU, 370 Pitches (243 Strikes), 33 Swinging, 61 Called, 8.9% SwStr, 18.1% Whiff/Swing, 15.9 Pitches/IP, 101 BF

Taylor pitched well enough to win each of his first three starts, but got little run support. The stuff is interesting at times, but his command of it has been poor all season, so it’s hard not to see a move to the pen in his future.

Harol Gonzalez – 4 GS, 23.1 IP, 23 H, 11 R (8 ER), 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 32 TB, 7 BB, 17 K (11 K/Sw), 29 GB: 18 FB: 12 LD: 10 PU, 342 Pitches (225 Strikes), 37 Swinging, 50 Called, 10.8% SwStr, 21.1% Whiff/Swing, 14.7 Pitches/IP, 97 BF

Harol was much improved in May, holding the SAL to a .691 OPS after allowing an .821 OPS in April, and the improvement had nothing to do with BABIP (that increased from .300 in April to .314 in May). His command was better overall, and it seemed like he was ahead in the count more often

Jake Simon - 15.1 IP, 14 H, 9 R (8 ER), 2 2B, 1 HR, 19 TB, 7 BB, 12 K (9 K/Sw), 25 GB: 5 FB: 6 LD: 4 PU, 245 Pitches (147 Strikes), 21 Swinging, 44 Called, 8.6% SwStr, 20.4% Whiff/Swing, 16 Pitches/IP, 63 BF

Simon was smacked around for 8 runs in his first start of the year but then rebounded for 5.1 scoreless innings against Lexington his next time out. Simon was sent to Brooklyn’s roster so Gary Cornish could join the rotation once June started, but that was likely just a temporary roster adjustment.

Relievers

Adonis Uceta - 10.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R (4 ER), 2 3B, 8 TB, 6 BB, 12 K (10 K/Sw), 8 GB: 10 FB: 3 LD: 2 PU, 179 Pitches (109 Strikes), 32 Swinging, 23 Called, 17.9% SwStr, 37.2% Whiff/Swing, 17.3 Pitches/IP, 41 BF

Uceta allowed all 4 runs and 3 of those walks during one appearance on 5/7, so he mostly had a good month (6 of 7 scoreless appearances). He has a nice 93 MPH fastball that he dominates SAL batters with, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in Bingo’s pen in a year or two.

Max Kuhns - 9.2 IP, 3 H, 1 2B, 4 TB, 1 BB, 15 K (11 K/Sw), 7 GB: 5 FB: 3 LD: 2 PU, 129 Pitches (85 Strikes), 15 Swinging, 39 Called, 11.6% SwStr, 32.6% Whiff/Swing, 13.3 Pitches/IP, 33 BF

Kuhns was nearly perfect in May and finished the month with a 10-game scoreless stretch totaling 15.1 IP. He’s held both lefties and righties to a sub-.450 OPS, so he’s probably first in line for the next open spot in St. Lucie’s bullpen.

Darwin Ramos - 9.2 IP, 18 H, 7 R (5 ER), 2 2B, 1 3B, 22 TB, 4 BB, 9 K (7 K/Sw), 18 GB: 6 FB: 9 LD: 1 PU, 173 Pitches (104 Strikes), 25 Swinging, 22 Called, 14.5% SwStr, 30.5% Whiff/Swing, 17.9 Pitches/IP, 47 BF

Joseph Zanghi - 8.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 2B, 7 TB, 2 BB, 11 K (10 K/Sw), 5 GB: 6 FB: 5 LD: 4 PU, 91 Pitches (68 Strikes), 24 Swinging, 15 Called, 26.4% SwStr, 45.3% Whiff/Swing, 10.9 Pitches/IP, 34 BF

The Mets have Zanghi because he didn’t sign with the Reds after they drafted him in 2015 and so the Mets swooped in once he became eligible the next season.

Taylor Henry - 8 IP, 12 H, 6 R (6 ER), 5 2B, 1 HR, 20 TB, 4 BB, 5 K (3 K/Sw), 13 GB: 9 FB: 7 LD: 1 PU, 125 Pitches (74 Strikes), 14 Swinging, 11 Called, 11.2% SwStr, 22.2% Whiff/Swing, 15.6 Pitches/IP, 39 BF

Matt Blackham - 7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 5 TB, 4 BB, 7 K (5 K/Sw), 9 GB: 2 FB: 5 LD: 1 PU, 134 Pitches (81 Strikes), 23 Swinging, 19 Called, 17.2% SwStr, 37.1% Whiff/Swing, 17.5 Pitches/IP, 30 BF

Adam Atkins - 4.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 2B, 10 TB, 4 K (1 K/Sw), 11 GB: 6 LD, 59 Pitches (44 Strikes), 4 Swinging, 14 Called, 6.8% SwStr, 13.3% Whiff/Swing, 12.6 Pitches/IP, 21 BF

(w/St. Lucie) - 3.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R (5 ER), 2 2B, 11 TB, 3 BB, 5 K (5 K/Sw), 7 GB: 2 FB: 4 LD, 21 BF

Interesting side-arm delivery could keep Atkins employed as a ROOGY for awhile, but even a ROOGY can’t allow a 1.727 OPS to lefties (granted, that’s in just 22 PA, but it’s not like reliever’s get many chances).

Joel Huertas - 1.1 IP, 5 H, 7 R (7 ER), 1 2B, 6 TB, 2 BB, 3 K (2 K/Sw), 1 GB: 2 FB: 3 LD, 42 Pitches (28 Strikes), 9 Swinging, 6 Called, 21.4% SwStr, 40.9% Whiff/Swing, 31.6 Pitches/IP, 11 BF

Had Tommy John Surgery at the beginning of June.

Batters

Gene Cone - 104 PA, 0.267/0.385/0.302, 14 R, 3 2B, 9 RBI, 17 BB, 1 SF, 23 K, 1 GIDP, 3 SB, 5.9% SwStr, 16.4% Whiff/Swing, 4.4 Pitches/PA, 0.359 BABIP

Cone has upside as a potential 4^th OF guy, but he’s going to have to start driving the ball more, and it would help if he could turn his above average speed into more of a weapon. His spray chart shows that most of his hits have gone to LF or CF; and that most of the time he pulls the ball, the AB ends in a groundout. He’s been rotating through the three OF spots but plays CF when Lindsay rests or is the DH.

Michael Paez - 99 PA, 0.317/0.424/0.512, 17 R, 11 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 13 BB, 3 HBP, 1 SF, 22 K, 1 SB, 10.6% SwStr, 21.1% Whiff/Swing, 3.9 Pitches/PA, 0.413 BABIP

Paez kept pulling the ball with authority in May, but he ended up with a couple extra wall ball doubles instead of homers, so his ISO dipped a little even though his overall line improved from an .826 OPS to a .936 OPS. Would like to see him strikeout a little less often, but his contact rate is fine, especially given his .221 ISO through two months. Another Mets 4^th round pick also had a power surge while in the SAL, but L.J. Mazzilli’s outburst was mostly contained to a three week period, while Paez has been the only consistent extra base threat in the Fireflies lineup this year.

Andres Gimenez - 97 PA, 0.264/0.333/0.333, 10 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 8 RBI, 6 BB, 3 HBP, 1 SAC, 15 K, 2 GIDP,  4 CS, 9.3% SwStr, 18.5% Whiff/Swing, 3.5 Pitches/PA, 0.319 BABIP

Although he homered in his first AB of the year (and then again to start June – both homers on the road with no MiLB.tv), Gimenez doesn’t look like a guy with much power upside, but rather a speedy, smooth fielding shortstop. That said, he hands are very quick and I’ve seen him turn on a few inside pitches for foul rockets. His defense at shortstop has been very nice, so I doubt the Mets will move him around the infield this year, and overall his game is very advanced for an 18-year old.

Dash Winningham - 94 PA, 0.273/0.309/0.557, 10 R, 7 2B, 6 HR, 23 RBI, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 1 SF, 20 K, 4 GIDP, 10.7% SwStr, 20.7% Whiff/Swing, 3.6 Pitches/PA, 0.286 BABIP

Still just 21, Dash found his power stroke near the end of the Month and went off for three doubles and three homers in a four game span. I tweeted out a swing comparison of Dash 2016 vs. 2017 here, and you can see he’s really cleaned things up this year, so hopefully he can finish the year with St. Lucie. At 21, Lucas Duda hit a combined 28 doubles and 11 homers between college at USC and his first taste of pro ball with Brooklyn, which are numbers that Dash eclipsed with Columbia last year (31 2B, 12 HR). I’m not trying to suggest that Dash will become the next Duda, because Duda is more like Dash’s best-case outcome, I’m just pointing out that Dash has posted some interesting numbers for someone not on top-30 Mets prospect lists.

Luis Carpio - 88 PA, 0.247/0.307/0.273, 10 R, 2 2B, 6 RBI, 8 BB, 3 SF, 14 K, 4 GIDP, 6.2% SwStr, 14.1% Whiff/Swing, 3.5 Pitches/PA, 0.288 BABIP

Carpio was pretty hot out of the gates for the Fireflies but hasn’t been doing much of anything at the plate since a little outburst at the end of April. He’s been using the whole field and has a very nice contact rate, but he’s been a little passive at times and hasn’t been driving the ball with much authority.

Tim Tebow - 87 PA, 0.184/0.287/0.276, 12 R, 4 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 10 BB, 1 HBP, 29 K, 3 GIDP, 13.8% SwStr, 32% Whiff/Swing, 3.9 Pitches/PA, 0.283 BABIP

I doubt he’s giving up anytime soon, but this has to be such a taxing experience for him mentally – practice, fans, game, fans, interviews, fans, sleep, try to find time for extra practice…

Desmond Lindsay - 69 PA, 0.100/0.217/0.167, 8 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 9 BB, 22 K, 1 GIDP, 1 CS, 12.5% SwStr, 29.5% Whiff/Swing, 3.9 Pitches/PA, 0.135 BABIP

Lindsay’s OPS dropped from .707 in April to .384 in May, and it wasn’t just bad BABIP luck – players don’t bad luck into a 5-37 stretch on balls in play, they just don’t hit the ball well for several weeks. Scouts still like what they see pre-game, so it’s likely Lindsay just needs to get more experience against advanced pitching.

Milton Ramos - 54 PA, 0.216/0.241/0.294, 7 R, 4 2B, 7 RBI, 2 BB, 1 SF, 12 K, 2 GIDP, 3 SB, 1 CS, 10.7% SwStr, 23.3% Whiff/Swing, 3.5 Pitches/PA, 0.275 BABIP

I tweeted out a swing comparison of Ramos 2016 vs. May 2017 here. Ramos has an up-the-middle approach and hits a good number of line drives, so I’m a little surprised he still isn’t hitting in the SAL.

Ali Sanchez - 61 PA, 0.304/0.361/0.339, 9 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 7 K, 2 GIDP, 1 CS, 5.1% SwStr, 10% Whiff/Swing, 2.9 Pitches/PA, 0.347 BABIP

Ali more than doubled his April OPS (.332) and improved his CS-rate to 50% for the year during May. It hasn’t always been hard contact, but Sanchez has kept his contact rate near 90% for the season.

Jay Jabs - 46 PA, 0.256/0.304/0.465, 4 R, 6 2B, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 3 BB, 18 K, 14% SwStr, 31.1% Whiff/Swing, 4.3 Pitches/PA, 0.417 BABIP

Jabs has an all-or-nothing approach and he’s probably the guy on Columbia’s roster losing most playing time to Tim Tebow right now.

Brandon Brosher - 33 PA, 0.214/0.333/0.464, 4 R, 1 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 2 HBP, 14 K, 1 CS, 0.333 BABIP

Reed Gamache - 32 PA, 0.172/0.250/0.207, 2 R, 1 2B, 3 BB, 7 K, 1 GIDP, 13% SwStr, 27.1% Whiff/Swing, 3.8 Pitches/PA, 0.227 BABIP

Ricardo Cespedes - 12 PA, 0.417/0.417/0.500, 1 R, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 3 K, 16.2% SwStr, 27.3% Whiff/Swing, 3.1 Pitches/PA, 0.556 BABIP

  

Black holes are real! A third black hole merger detection by @LIGO announced today! https://t.co/Bal7cUj5uI #gravitationalwaves #gw170104 pic.twitter.com/texpuDAIPI

— Sky & Telescope (@SkyandTelescope) June 1, 2017