Bullpen Pieces Together 51s Fourth Straight Win

Las Vegas 51s @ Reno Aces

June 21, 2016

Seth Lugo @ Kyle Drabek

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Las Vegas	1	0	0	0	0	4	0	1	0		6	8	2
Reno	0	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	0		3	7	1

W: Bradford (4-1, 3.74 ERA); L: Drabek (3-6, 6.68 ERA); Save: Sewald (8)

Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Seth Lugo (6.40 ERA) – 1 IP, 1 H, 1 TB, 1 K (1 K/Sw), 2 GB: 1 FB, 17 Pitches (10 Strikes), 1 Swinging, 4 Called, 5.9% SwStr, 16.7% Whiff/Swing, 17 Pitches/IP, 4 BF

Chase Huchingson (6.00 ERA) – 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 3B, 4 TB, 1 BB, 1 K (1 K/Sw), 2 GB: 1 FB: 1 LD, 25 Pitches (13 Strikes), 2 Swinging, 4 Called, 8% SwStr, 22.2% Whiff/Swing, 25 Pitches/IP, 6 BF

Zack Thornton (5.88 ERA) – 2 IP, 2 H, 1 2B, 3 TB, 1 BB, 1 GIDP, 5 GB: 2 FB, 52 Pitches (36 Strikes), 1 Swinging, 11 Called, 1.9% SwStr, 4% Whiff/Swing, 26 Pitches/IP, 9 BF

Chase Bradford (W, 4-1, 3.74 ERA) – 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 2B, 2 TB, 1 K (1 K/Sw), 3 GB: 3 FB, 31 Pitches (21 Strikes), 5 Swinging, 6 Called, 16.1% SwStr, 33.3% Whiff/Swing, 15.5 Pitches/IP, 8 BF

Josh Smoker (H, 9, 5.74 ERA) – 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 TB, 4 K (3 K/Sw), 2 GB: 1 FB, 32 Pitches (24 Strikes), 5 Swinging, 6 Called, 15.6% SwStr, 27.8% Whiff/Swing, 19.2 Pitches/IP, 7 BF

Paul Sewald (S, 8, 4.05 ERA) – 1.1 IP, 2 BB, 2 K (1 K/Sw), 1 GB: 1 FB, 33 Pitches (17 Strikes), 2 Swinging, 7 Called, 6.1% SwStr, 20% Whiff/Swing, 24.7 Pitches/IP, 7 BF

Batters

2B - Dilson Herrera - 2-5, 2 R, 1 K, 7.1% SwStr, 14.3% Whiff/Swing, 2.8 Pitches/PA

CF - Brandon Nimmo - 1-3, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 SB, 9.1% SwStr, 28.6% Whiff/Swing, 4.4 Pitches/PA

1B - Eric Campbell - 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K, 17.4% SwStr, 57.1% Whiff/Swing, 4.6 Pitches/PA

C - Johnny Monell - 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 8.3% SwStr, 25% Whiff/Swing, 3 Pitches/PA

RF - Travis Taijeron - 1-5, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 8% SwStr, 20% Whiff/Swing, 5 Pitches/PA

LF - Roger Bernadina - 1-4, 1 R, 1 K, 8.3% SwStr, 25% Whiff/Swing, 3 Pitches/PA

SS - Niuman Romero - 1-4, 1 2B, 1 K, 7.7% SwStr, 25% Whiff/Swing, 3.25 Pitches/PA

Recapish

            Mets starter Bartolo Colon left Tuesday’s start after facing just one batter and taking a comebacker to his hand, which left a lot of work for the Mets bullpen, and they appropriately received plenty of praise for a huge combined effort against the defending champs. Although they won’t receive the same level of praise, the 51s bullpen was also forced into extra duty as a result of Colon’s early departure, and they also combined for a huge effort to beat Reno 6-3.

            The 51s ended up using 6 relievers against the Aces, and they looked like a different crew than the last time Las Vegas visited Reno. Seth Lugo was still starting back then, and had one of his better starts of 2016, but the 51s pen blew multiple games late and was really struggling at the time. They’ve since have multiple pitchers turn things around, and that obviously continued nicely Tuesday night. Of particular note, Josh Smoker hit 98 at least once and 99 at least twice (per Russ Langer calls).
            There was also a cool story about the bullpen that came from the Reno announcers. The Aces visited Las Vegas last week and took 3 of 4 from the 51s, with single game outputs of 14 runs and 16 runs during the series. When the Aces announcer got to Cashman Field the day after Las Vegas lost 16-10, pitching coach Frank Viola was standing at the plate addressing his pitchers, and apparently he was not hiding his frustration with their recent performances. The 51s have allowed just 17 runs in 6 games since, so I think his message got through.

2015 GIF’s and Stats: Upper Level Left-Handed Relievers

MLB front office exec's 'Love A Lefty' too!

This trio of 27-year old lefties and Josh Edgin (29) start the season atop the Mets lefty bullpen depth

       1)   Josh Smoker, 27

       2015 with Savannah: 6 G, 6.2 IP, 8.10 ERA/1.98 FIP, 11 H, 6 R, 8 K: 2 BB, .478 BABIP, 53.9 LOB%, 0 HR

       2015 with St. Lucie: 14 G, 21.1 IP, 1.69 ERA/2.18 FIP, 12 H, 5 R (4 ER), 26 K: 6 BB (31 K%: 7.1 BB%), .154 AVG, .216 BABIP, 78.3 LOB%, 0.42 HR/9

       2015 with Binghamton: 21 G, 21 IP, 3.00 ERA/2.36 FIP, 16 H, 8 R (7 ER), 26 K: 11 BB (29.2 K%: 12.4 BB%), .205 AVG, .308 BABIP, 70.4 LOB%, 0 HR

Josh Smoker’s return to affiliated ball in 2015 went great, and he’s poised to help the Mets should they desire a lefty when injury hits. Hitting upper 90’s (topped around 97 MPH last year) with his fastball from the left side is his specialty, but Smoker also throws a nice splitter, and an occasional slider. There’s no deception in his delivery, so he doesn’t have a huge platoon advantage, but his stuff plays against both sides. He’s ready for Las Vegas, but the Mets bullpen crunch could push him back to Binghamton. That wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing though, as he just needs innings, and they may be harder to come by with the 51s early in the year. Even if it’s just a September callup, I think Smoker will finish the year in the Mets pen.

       Astromets Mind Coverage

2015 with Savannah
5/7 – 1.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 K, 3 GO: 1 FO
Swinging strike
Called strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike

2015 with Binghamton
7/5 – 1 IP, 2 K, 1 FO
Mechanics

7/22 – 1 IP, K, 1 GO: 1 FO
Mechanics
Swinging strike – slo-mo

7/24 – 1.1 IP, H, BB, K, 2 GO, 1 IR – 0 S
Swinging strike

7/27 – 2 IP, H, R (0 ER), BB, 4 K, 2 GO
Ball
Swinging strike
Called strike

8/15 – 1.1 IP, H, 2 K, GO, 1 IR – 0 S
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike

9/2 – 1 IP, BB, GO
Called strike

       2)   Dario Alvarez, 27

       2015 with Binghamton: 32 G, 31 IP, 3.19 ERA/3.17 FIP, 21 H, 14 R (11 ER), 43 K: 16 BB (32.1 K%: 11.9 BB%), .183 AVG, .271 BABIP, 69.9 LOB%, 0.58 HR/9

       2015 with Las Vegas: 16 G, 11 IP, 2.45 ERA/2.33 FIP, 6 H, 3 R, 19 K: 5 BB (43.2 K%: 11.4 BB%), .167 AVG, .353 BABIP, 78.6 LOB%, 0 HR

Dario Alvarez emerged in the Mets system during the 2014 season, rising as high as the majors in September, but was sent back for more seasoning in AA and AAA last year. His fastball sits in the low-90’s, but his bread-and-butter is a sweeping slider that lefties find hard to hit, and even harder to resist swinging at. He’s a LOOGY with a nearly sidearm motion that aids in his deception of lefties. He’s below Smoker and a healthy Josh Edgin on the Mets lefty depth chart, but don’t sleep on Alvarez, because his LOOGY ways make him a potential replacement for Jerry Blevins or Antonio Bastardo, should bad performance or injury rear their ugly heads. When at his best, Alvarez lives at the bottom of the zone and works to set up his slider. The biggest hurdle for Alvarez is his control, as he’s never had a BB% in the single digits, and was even at 9.4% vs. LHB’s last year. If he wants a major league team to feel comfortable relying on him, Alvarez is going to have to show he can improve his walk rates.

       Astromets Mind Coverage

2014 coverage
2015 with Binghamton
5/15 – 0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 K, HBP
Called strike
Swinging strike

5/20 – 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 3 K, HR
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike

7/21 – 1 IP, 3 K
Called strike – slo-mo
Swinging strike – slo-mo
Called strike – slo-mo

2015 with Las Vegas
8/6 – 1 IP, K, GO
Swinging strike

       3)   Chase Huchingson, 27 on 4/14

       2015 with Binghamton: 22 G, 26.2 IP, 5.06 ERA/4.06 FIP, 24 H, 16 R (15 ER), 29 K: 18 BB (23.6 K%: 14.6 BB%), .238 AVG, .324 BABIP, 67.3 LOB%, 0.34 HR/9

       2015 with Las Vegas: 29 G, 29.2 IP, 3.34 ERA/4.88 FIP, 28 H, 16 R (11 ER), 22 K: 22 BB (16.2 K%: 16.2 BB%), .248 AVG, .300 BABIP, 70.6 LOB%, 0.30 HR/9

Chase looked like a promising lefty reliever in the Mets system while posting a 1.69 ERA over 45 appearances from the Binghamton bullpen in 2013, but he hasn’t been the same pitcher since returning from a 2014 suspension for a ‘drug of abuse.’ Huchingson was basically Dario Alvarez-lite last year: similar side-arming motion, low-90’s heat, and big wipeout slider, just wilder and less effective. He has the tools to be an effective LOOGY, he just has to control the repertoire. There are a number of lefties in the system ahead of Chase, so I don’t expect him to make this team this year unless injuries get that bad.

       Astromets Mind Coverage

2014 GIFs
2015 with Las Vegas
6/21 – 1.2 IP, H, 2 K, HBP, 1 GO: 1 FO
Called strike
Called strike

7/17 – 0.2 IP, BB, K, GO
Swinging strike

Oddball planet observed by @NASAspitzer raises questions about exoplanet origins https://t.co/wKuALsmEh7 pic.twitter.com/cdOLQ1aNqc

— MIT (@MIT) March 28, 2016

The Mets Internal Bullpen Options, Las Vegas 51s Lefties

Reviewing the bullpen options for the Mets from the AA and AAA level – a look at the Las Vegas 51s pen today, and I’ll try to have the B-Mets post up by tomorrow.

            After many questions surrounding the pen coming into 2015, the Mets have had one of the top bullpens in the major leagues this year – Fangraphs has the Mets relievers at a 3.14 ERA after their series in Baltimore, which is 6^th in the majors – but they’ve been stumbling lately – they have a 4.34 ERA over the last 30 days, which is 20^th in the majors. Jenrry Mejia’s second suspension was an unexpected blow, and while Bobby Parnell’s struggles were a little more predictable – he struggled a lot in A+/AA before coming up, and he didn’t have his normal upper-90’s velocity – the Mets still ran him out there for 23 appearances (19.1 IP).

Fortunately, Logan Verrett has returned in place of Parnell, which is not something I would have imagined typing back in March (when Verrett wasn’t even on the Mets), but he was great during his first stint with the Mets this year, and he’s been strong in Las Vegas since. The Mets are getting further good news for the pitching staff down in AA, where Erik Goeddel has looked great during his 2 appearances (GIF’s from 8/16 here, details from 8/19 here), topping out at 94 MPH with his heater on Wednesday night. Also, down in Port St. Lucie Rafael Montero and Steven Matz are in various states of rehab, and at least Matz is expected to return this year.

            While Verrett and Goeddel should help boost the pen in the short term, the Mets will look to add reinforcements once the rosters expand in September, and may wish to look internally for a lefty option in the mean time if Eric O’Flaherty proves unreliable. I reviewed the seasons and stuff of the internal left-handed bullpen options from the Las Vegas 51s below (righties here), and I also give my opinion as to whether they would be a good fit for the Mets in September.

Mets Minors GIFs of the Week

Highlighting the best GIF’s from the last week in Mets minor’s action.

July 13-19, 2015

Top 3 Plays

      1)   Brandon Nimmo nails the runner tagging up from the 3B, with an assist from Albert Cordero, which kept the B-Mets ahead 3-2.

      2)   Xorge Carrillo makes a strong throw from his butt to get the runner trying to advance to 3B and complete the double play.

      3)   Alfredo Reyes makes this play in the hole look easy, and shows off an impressive arm while doing so (from 7/15)

51s Continue To Beat Up On The Isotopes

Las Vegas 51s @ Albuquerque Isotopes

July 17, 2015

Darin Gorski @ Jair Jurrjens

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Las Vegas	3	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0		4	7	0
Albuquerque	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		2	3	1

W: Gorski (8-6, 4.65 ERA); L: Jurrjens (2-3, 5.13 ERA); Save: Church (3, 3.69 ERA)

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Gorski (4.65 ERA) – 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 3 SO, HR, 88 Pitches (51 Strikes), 4 GO: 4 FO, (1-2, SO)

Cody Satterwhite (H, 5, 4.60 ERA) – 1 IP, H, BB, 2 SO, 1 FO

Scott Rice (H, 7, 2.36 ERA) – 1 IP, 3 GO

Vic Black (H, 2, 12.10 ERA) – 1 IP, SO, 2 GO

Chase Huchingson (H, 5, 0.59 ERA) – 0.2 IP, BB, SO, 1 GO

John Church (S, 3, 3.69 ERA) – 0.1 IP, 1 GO, 1 IR – 0 S

Batters

Dilson Herrera – 2-5, 2 R, 2B (14), SB (6)

T.J. Rivera – 1-4, R, RBI (17)

Brooks Conrad – 1-3, R, 2B (10), BB, SB (2), SO

Travis Taijeron – 2-4, 2B (13), RBI (46), SO

Recap

            Darin Gorski was wildly effective for the Las Vegas 51s Friday night, as they extended their winning streak to 8 straight games, while improving to 12-2 against the Isotopes this season (they have a 9.5 game lead in their division). Gorski’s command wavered throughout the start, but he’d only be burned by one of his 5 walks, and overall continued his recent run of strong starts. The 51s exploded for 3 runs early and never looked back, although they had few opportunities after the 1^st inning. Five Las Vegas relievers would combine for 4 scoreless innings with only 1 hit and 2 walks allowed during that span, and John Church coming in to record the final out and pick up his third save of the year.

            Gorski has been really effective for Las Vegas lately, with a 1.82 ERA over his last 4 starts (plus one 1 inning spot relief appearance). He’s been pretty consistent for Las Vegas this year, allowing 2 R or less in 12 of 18 starts, but 33 ER allowed in 26.2 IP during those other 6 starts. He worked quickly through the 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th innings, but needed 32 pitches during the 2^nd inning, and 23 in the 4^th inning. The 2^nd inning started with a leadoff walk to Kyle Parker, and then Dustin Garneau put Albuquerque on the board with a two run blast to LF. Gorski would walk two more in the 4^th inning, but he kept the Isotopes off the board, and Albuquerque really didn’t threaten after that.

            Check out more details and highlights from the offense below, and the 7 strikeouts from Las Vegas pitching at the bottom. The series continues Saturday night at 9:05 PM, with Dillon Gee (3-1, 8.06 ERA) scheduled to pitch for Las Vegas.

Conrad Slams the 51s to Victory in the 9th

Las Vegas 51s @ Fresno Grizzlies

June 21, 2015

Rainy Lara @ Asher Wojciechowski

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Las Vegas	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4		4	9	0
Fresno	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0		2	8	0

W: Bradford (2-2, 3.74 ERA); L: Stoffel (3-1, 5.40 ERA)

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Rainy Lara (6.30 ERA) – 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 2 SO, 83 Pitches (46 Strikes), 6 GO: 4 FO

Chase Huchingson (0.00 ERA) – 1.2 IP, H, 2 SO, HBP, 1 GO: 1 FO

John Church (3.96 ERA) – 0.1 IP, H, 1 IR – 0 S

Scott Rice – 0 IP, H, BB, 1 IR – 0 S

Chase Bradford – 2 IP, H, 3 SO, 3 GO, 3 IR – 0 S

Batters

Daniel Muno – 1-5, SO

Johnny Monell – 1-4

Alex Castellanos – 1-4, 2 SO

Kirk Nieuwenhuis – 2-4, R, 2B (2)

Brandon Allen – 1-4, 2B (14), SO

Travis Taijeron – 1-3, R, 2B (8), HBP, SO

Wilfredo Tovar – 1-3

Brooks Conrad – 1-1, R, HR (5), 4 RBI (31)

Recap

            Brooks Conrad got to live out a dream most baseball fans have at some point in their young life, coming up with the bases loaded and two outs in the 9^th inning, with his team trailing. It was on the road, so he didn’t give his team the walk-off win, but he still came through with a grand slam that bounced off the scoreboard. The 51s got a wildly effective start from Rainy Lara, and some great work out of the pen from the Chase Bros., Huchingson and Bradford, to finish the series with a split in Fresno.