Who’s Next? The Top Pitching Prospects Left in the System, #2 - Casey Meisner

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Re-ranking the Top starting pitchers within the Mets farm system now that Steven Matz and Noah Syndergaard have graduated.

            Coming into the 2015 season, the Mets farm system was a consensus Top-5 system in the majors thanks to some high-end talent at the top, but they’ve graduated several top prospects, including their top-2 starting pitching prospects, and figure to take a hit in those rankings this offseason. That’s not a bad thing though, because it means that the Mets are starting to improve from within, which is the purpose of a farm system. Also, it means that the door is open for the next crop of prospects to emerge, and the Mets still have some starting pitching prospects with major league upside worth keeping an eye on.

Meisner Settles in for a Great Start in Rome

Savannah Sand Gnats @ Rome Braves

May 21, 2015

Casey Meisner @ Alex Grosser

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Savannah	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0		2	4	1
Rome	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	2	0

W: Meisner (3-1, 1.93 ERA); L: Grosser (2-2, 5.12 ERA); S: Roseboom (3, 1.77 ERA)

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Casey Meisner – 7 IP, H, 3 BB, 10 SO, 93 Pitches (58 Strikes), 7 GO: 4 FO

Ben Griset (H, 2, 1.80 ERA) – 1 IP, H, BB, 3 SO

David Roseboom (S, 3, 1.77 ERA) – 1 IP, 2 SO

Batters

Jean Rodriguez – 1-4

Eudor Garcia – 1-3, 2 SO

John Johnson – 2-3, R, 3B (2), BB

Recap

            After escaping a bases-loaded jam in the first inning with no damage allowed, Casey Meisner settled in to allow only two more base runners the rest of his start, striking out 10 along the way. Rome starter Alex Grosser was matching Meisner’s zero’s through 4, and had yet to allow a hit to the Sand Gnats when the 5^th inning started. Jonathan Johnson changed that on the third pitch of the inning, drilling a triple off the base of the RF wall, which was the hardest hit ball of the game. The Gnats would scratch out two runs in the inning, but that was their only hit in the frame. With Meisner nearing his pitch limit after 7, Jose Leger went to his bullpen, with Ben Griset and David Roseboom holding onto the shutout.

            These two play a single-admission double-header Friday, starting at 5 PM, with the Sand Gnats scheduled to start Josh Prevost and Ricky Knapp.

Scoring Highlights

Mets Minors MiLB.tv Series Preview: Savannah Sand Gnats @ Rome Braves

Dates: May 21-24, 2015

Current Record: 16-22, Last, 6.5 Games behind Greenville

Probables

All times are EST

More guesses than certainties at time of posting

Thursday at 7:00 PM

Casey Meisner (2-1, 2.31 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 21.5 K%: 6.3 BB%, 0.51 HR9/)

@ Alec Grosser (2-1, 5.35 ERA, 4.99 FIP, 11.3 K%: 12 BB%, 0.27 HR/9)

Friday at 5:00 PM

Game One

Josh Prevost (1-4, 4.74 ERA, 2.71 FIP, 18 K%: 4.4 BB%, 0 HR/9)

@ Chad Sobotka (1-1, 5.06 ERA, 3.54 FIP, 14.3 K%: 8.2 BB%, 0 HR/9)

Game Two

Martires Arias (2-2, 2.87 ERA, 3.31 FIP, 19.6 K%: 5.2 BB%, 0.24 HR/9)

@ Seth Webster (0-1, 10.80 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 30.4 K%: 8.7 BB%, 1.8 HR/9)

Saturday at 6:00 PM

Scarlyn Reyes (3-3, 3.56 ERA, 3.28 FIP, 16.3 K%: 7.4 BB%, 0 HR/9)

@ Caleb Beech (3-2, 2.57 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 15.1 K%: 7.6 BB%, 0.32 HR/9)

Sunday at 2:00 PM

Corey Oswalt (3-0, 4.46 ERA, 2.87 FIP, 21.6 K%: 4.2 BB%, 0.47 HR/9)

@ Max Povse (1-1, 2.19 ERA, 3.20 FIP, 21.1 KR: 7.4 BB%, 0.36 HR/9)

Last series for Savannah Sand Gnats

Swept Augusta at home: W 4-3, W 4-0, W 2-0

Top prospects for the Atlanta Braves with Rome

Organizational rankings are from the 2015 Baseball America Prospect Handbook

Meisner and Becerra Reach Top Gear Against the Drive

Savannah Sand Gnats @ Greenville Drive

May 8, 2015

Casey Meisner @ Dedgar Jimenez

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Savannah	0	0	3	1	1	0	0	0	0		5	11	0
Greenville	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0		1	3	3

W: Meisner (2-1, 1.78 ERA); L: Jimenez (1-1, 3.00 ERA)

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Casey Meisner – 7 IP, 2 H, R, 9 SO, 90 Pitches (64 Strikes), 6 GO: 3 FO

Ben Griset (0.00 ERA) – 2 IP, H, 2 SO, 2 GO: 1 FO

Batters

Luis Guillorme – 1-5, R, RBI (13), SO

John Mora – 1-5, R, SO

Jon Leroux – 1-5, 2 RBI (15), 2 SO

Wuilmer Becerra – 3-4, R, 3B (2), HR (4), 2 RBI (15)

Eudor Garcia – 1-3, BB, SO, GIDP

Tomas Nido – 2-4, R, 2 SO

Jonathan Johnson – 1-4, SO

Vicente Lupo – 1-3, R, 2B (4), SO

Recap

            Casey Meisner flirted with history into the 7^th Friday night, as he retired the first 19 Drive batters of the game before allowing back-to-back singles and a run. Meisner was excellent throughout the start, but especially so early, striking out 9 of the first 16 Greenville batters, including the side in the 5^th. The offense was paced by a great game from Wuilmer Becerra, who would finish a double shy of the cycle. After Meisner finished the 7^th, new Savannah addition Ben Griset made his Mets affiliates debut, looking sharp from the left side as he finished out the game.

            Meisner hasn’t consistently shown that top of the rotation heat he’s flashed with his fastball this year, but he’s still been great for Savannah, improving his numbers to 22.3 K%: 6.6% BB% over his first 30.1 IP in the SAL. He has a nice low-70’s curve that he locates well, and is not afraid to throw in any count, and an upper-70’s/low-80’s changeup that has helped him stay effective against lefties. His fastball was reportedly sitting 86-88 MPH, touching 90 MPH early, and then 92 MPH later in the start. It may not have been mid-90’s but he was blowing it by hitters, and I think there were two main reasons for that: 1) he kept hitters off balance working quickly with his array of offspeed and breaking stuff, and 2) he’s 6’7”, so he releases the ball closer than most pitchers, and big guys often hide the ball well. He appeared to tire some by the 7^th, but his pitch count was within reason to let him look for another perfect inning in that frame, although I don’t think he would’ve seen the 8^th regardless. Start keeping an eye on Meisner, because he might not need an entire season at this level.

            Savannah heads out to Hickory for their next series, which will not be available on MiLB.tv. L

Scoring Highlights

Mets Minors MiLB.tv Series Preview: Savannah Sand Gnats @ Greenville Drive

Dates: May 6-8

Current Record: 8-16, last place, 7.5 games back of Charleston

Probables

All times are EST

Wednesday at 7:05 PM

Corey Oswalt (2-0, 4.84 ERA, 2.30 FIP, 20.2 K%: 4 BB%, 0 HR/9)

@ Jeffry Fernandez (0-3, 4.91 ERA, 4.87 FIP, 16.1 K%: 8.6 BB%, 0.98 HR/9)

Thursday at 7:05 PM

Brad Wieck (0-3, 4.74 ERA, 4.08 FIP, 23.9 K%: 12.5 BB%, 0.47 HR/9)

@ Michael Kopech (1-2, 3.38 ERA, 3.56 FIP, 23 K%: 8.2 BB%, 0.56 HR/9)

Friday at 7:05 PM

Casey Meisner (1-1, 1.93 ERA, 3.60 FIP, 18.4 K%: 8.2 BB%, 0.39 HR/9)

@ Dedgar Jimenez (1-0, 3.60 ERA, 2.16 FIP, 21.7 K%: 4.4 BB%)

Last series for Mets

Lost 3 of 4: L 2-1, L 4-0, L 6-4, W 6-3

Top prospects for the Boston Red Sox with Greenville

Organizational rankings are from the 2015 Baseball America Prospect Handbook

Meisner and Roseboom Excellent, but Charleston Pitching Slightly Better

Savannah Sand Gnats @ Charleston River Dogs

April 24, 2015

Casey Meisner @ Luis Cedeno

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Savannah	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	3	3
Charleston	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	X		1	5	1

W: Cedeno (1-0, 0.00 ERA); L: Meisner (1-1, 2.12 ERA); S: Harvey (3)

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Casey Meisner – 6 IP, 5 H, R, 2 BB, 5 SO, 92 Pitches (60 Strikes), 5 GO: 3 FO

David Roseboom (1.04 ERA) – 2 IP, 5 SO, 1 GO: 1 FO

Batters

Stefan Sabol – 1-4

Tomas Nido – 1-3, BB, SO, CS

Jonathan Johnson – 1-2, BB

Recap

            The Dogs used their speed to edge the Gnats in a great pitcher’s duel down in Charleston Friday night. Savannah righty Casey Meisner was fantastic for Savannah, allowing only the 4^th inning run, which was manufactured by Charleston’s always-running offense (they average nearly 3 stolen bases per game so far). But Charleston starter Luis Cedeno was even better, allowing only two walks over his 5 innings, and handing a no-hitter off to the bullpen. The no-hitter wouldn’t last long, but the Gnats could only muster 3 singles and a pair of walks against the Charleston bullpen. David Roseboom came in to relieve Meisner in the 7^th, and he struck out the first 5 batters he faced, making Charleston batters look really uncomfortable in the process. There isn’t much offense to check out, but there is plenty on the two Savannah pitchers below.

Scoring Highlights

Mets Minors MiLB.tv Series Preview: Savannah Sand Gnats @ Charleston River Dogs

'Subway Series South' taking place at the same time as 2015's first Subway Series

Dates: April 23-26

Current Record: 5-7, 2.5 GB of Charleston

Probables

All times are EST

Thursday

TV coverage starts at 6:05 PM

Brad Wieck (0-2, 3.00 ERA, 4.91 FIP, 15.4 K%, 20.5 BB%, 0 HR/9)

@ Andre Del Bosque (0-0, 2.84 ERA, 3.58 ERA, 23.1 K%: 15.4 BB%, 0 HR/9)

Friday at 7:05 PM

Casey Meisner (1-0, 2.45 ERA, 3.94 FIP, 25.5 K%: 10.6 BB%, 0.82 HR/9)

@ Jordan Foley (0-1, 4.50 ERA, 2.22 FIP, 23.3 K%: 5 BB%, 0 HR/9)

Saturday at 6:05 PM

Josh Prevost (0-1, 7.15 ERA, 2.70 FIP, 21.6 K%: 5.9 BB%, 0 HR/9)

@ Joey Maher (0-0, 1.86 ERA, 3.27 FIP, 16.2 K%: 5.4 BB%, 0 HR/9)

Sunday at 5:05 PM

Martires Arias (1-0, 3.60 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 20 K%: 13.3 BB%, 0 HR/9)

@ Justin Kamplain (1-1, 3.60 ERA, 5.11 FIP, 19.7 K%: 9.8 BB%, 1.2 HR/9)

Last series for the Sand Gnats

Won 2/3 at home against the Rome Braves: W 6-5, L 2-1, W 9-5

Top prospects for the New York Yankees with Charleston

Organizational rankings are from the 2015 Baseball America Prospect Handbook

Reviewing Initial Minor League Rosters for the Mets Affiliates: Savannah Sand Gnats

Image from SportsBizDaily

Reviewing the initial 2015 rosters announced for the Mets 4 full-season affiliates: Las Vegas 51s, Binghamton Mets, St. Lucie Mets, and Savannah Sand Gnats

            Good news everybody, Major League Baseball has begun and Minor League Baseball is on its way! Last season the Mets had 3 full-season teams make the playoffs: Las Vegas, Binghamton (won championship), and Savannah. This year, they might go 4/4, as these rosters are loaded – they’re not a consensus top-5 farm system for nothing. Considering the Mets are carrying an extra relief pitcher for now, with two strong relief options are on their way back from injures (Vic Black and Bobby Parnell, who can rehab with Las Vegas for a few weeks), there will likely be a lot of roster adjustments coming over the first few weeks. It seems unlikely the Mets would hold a top prospect down a level just for the first few weeks of the season – major prospects got their promotions in June during the 2014 season – so these roster adjustments are likely to be minor for now. With full-season minor league baseball set to debut Thursday, let’s take a look at the initial rosters that have been announced for the Mets affiliates. By the way, if you’re interested in following along at home this season on MiLB.tv, you can find a summary of the games that will be available for each affiliate here – there are 249 scheduled, including nightly 51s games starting as Mets games end.

St. Lucie, Binghamton, Las Vegas

Note: I plan to update these posts with any roster news I see break before Thursday

UPDATE: MiLB.com has Corey Oswalt listed as starting Thursday for Savannah.

Savannah Sand Gnats

            This might be the final season of Savannah baseball for a while, so hopefully they can make it memorable and win one last SAL title for the faithful locals. Their most recent SAL title came in 2013, with Steven Matz on the hill for the clincher for his first time – he’d do that again for Binghamton in 2014. It's not clear how much offense this team will get on a consistent basis, but the pitching staff is mostly an advanced group for this level (except for staff 'ace' Casey Meisner), so they should keep them in most games. I think the outfield can be pretty potent, but the infield was left pretty unproven when Amed Rosario and Jhoan Urena were skipped to A+. There might be a couple of prospects missing from this initial list still heading to Savannah: Octavio Acosta is a little older, but finished the season with some strong appearances for Savannah; Alfredo Reyes might be a more interesting 2B option than Johnson and Rodriguez, though I do want to see more of Rodriguez too; Michael Katz is a 2014 draftee who was having a strong season with Brooklyn before an injury; Dash Winningham is a teenage 1B prospect from the 2014 draft with some pop and some serious #want; Eudor Garcia is a nearly 21-year old 3B prospect (might be a future 1B prospect) from the 2014 draft who didn’t stand out in his pro debut, but has raw power and good plate discipline – Eudor and Dash could join the team after some time in XST (or sooner) to try and give a boost to the corner infield spots if needed. I’m not guaranteeing any of those players are with Savannah early this season, and there are likely less interesting depth options I haven’t considered, but I could see an argument for them making the roster, especially since the infield could be a potential weak spot. Also, although no catchers were mentioned, this roster is light on catching experience, so I wouldn't be surprised if some 'veteran' depth piece bounced on and off the roster.