Montero Occasionally Wild But Effective, Then Pen Blows Late Lead

Nashville Sounds @ Las Vegas 51s

May 25, 2016

Daniel Mengden @ Rafael Montero

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12		R	H	E
Nashville	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	2		5	12	0
Las Vegas	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0		3	9	1

W: Wendelken (1-2, 4.08 ERA); L: Thornton (0-1, 4.76 ERA)

Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Rafael Montero (3.98 ERA) – 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 2B, 4 TB, 5 BB, 3 K (3 K/Sw), 1 GIDP, 7 GB: 5 FB: 4 LD: 1 PU, 97 Pitches (52 Strikes), 9 Swinging, 13 Called, 9.3% SwStr, 23.1% Whiff/Swing, 16.2 Pitches/IP, 25 BF

Josh Smoker (4.58 ERA) – 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 HR, 5 TB, 1 BB, 3 K (2 K/Sw), 1 GB: 1 FB: 1 LD: 1 PU, 36 Pitches (22 Strikes), 5 Swinging, 9 Called, 13.9% SwStr, 38.5% Whiff/Swing, 18 Pitches/IP, 8 BF

Paul Sewald (BS, 2, 2.74 ERA) – 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 2B, 3 TB, 3 K (3 K/Sw), 2 LD, 30 Pitches (20 Strikes), 4 Swinging, 6 Called, 13.3% SwStr, 28.6% Whiff/Swing, 30 Pitches/IP, 5 BF

Josh Edgin (0.00 ERA) – 1 IP, 2 H, 2 TB, 1 BB, 1 K (1 K/Sw), 1 GIDP, 2 GB: 1 LD, 25 Pitches (11 Strikes), 3 Swinging, 4 Called, 12% SwStr, 42.9% Whiff/Swing, 25 Pitches/IP, 5 BF

Chase Bradford (1.61 ERA) – 1 IP, 1 H, 1 TB, 2 K (2 K/Sw), 1 GB: 1 LD, 20 Pitches (12 Strikes), 2 Swinging, 5 Called, 10% SwStr, 28.6% Whiff/Swing, 20 Pitches/IP, 4 BF

Zack Thornton (L, 0-1, 4.76 ERA) – 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R (0 ER), 1 2B, 3 TB, 1 K (1 K/Sw), 3 GB: 1 LD, 14 Pitches (11 Strikes), 3 Swinging, 3 Called, 21.4% SwStr, 37.5% Whiff/Swing, 14 Pitches/IP, 6 BF

Batters

DH - Dilson Herrera - 1-6, 2 K, 1 CS, 15.8% SwStr, 33.3% Whiff/Swing, 3.17 Pitches/PA

3B - T.J. Rivera - 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 HBP, 1 K, 1 CS, 15% SwStr, 30% Whiff/Swing, 4 Pitches/PA

RF - Travis Taijeron - 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 4.3% SwStr, 16.7% Whiff/Swing, 4.6 Pitches/PA

1B - Marc Krauss - 1-5, 3 K, 13.8% SwStr, 30.8% Whiff/Swing, 5.8 Pitches/PA

SS - Gavin Cecchini - 1-5, 1 K, 1 SB, 13.3% SwStr, 22.2% Whiff/Swing, 3 Pitches/PA

2B - Niuman Romero - 1-5, 1 K, 3.8% SwStr, 8.3% Whiff/Swing, 5.2 Pitches/PA

LF - Kyle Johnson - 3-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 SB, 3.4 Pitches/PA

Recapish

            Rafael Montero was occasionally wild but overall effective against Nashville Wednesday night in the desert, but the Las Vegas 51s pen blew a late lead en route to a third straight loss to the Sounds. The 51s finished with 9 hits, but only managed two extra base hits (Travis Taijeron’s homerun and Kyle Johnson’s double), and only one player finished with multiple hits (Johnson).

            Due to the high walk rate, Montero wouldn’t have a clean frame until the 5^th inning, but he finished strong by retiring the final 7 in a row. Four of the five walks came on 4 pitches (one was intentional), but he actually had really sharp command during the rest of game – his strike rate was greater than 70% against the other 21 batters he faced.

            The Sounds struck first, getting to Montero in the 4^th without the aid of any walks. Andrew Lambo led off with a single and Matt Olson doubled him to 3B two batters later. Jaycob Brugman would come through with the RBI single in the frame, and it would’ve been a two run single if not for the great throw home from Brandon Nimmo – check out the zoomed out footage below. Josh Rodriguez was due up next, and he became Montero’s last walk, though that may have been more of a unintentional/intentional walk due to how hot J-Rod has been this series.

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

Akeel Morris, Zack Thornton, and Chase Bradford

The top-five bullpen-only righties I saw between AA and AAA last year

Note: Order does not reflect relative ranking

       1)   Akeel Morris

       2015 with St. Lucie: 24 G, 32 IP, 1.69 ERA/2.01 FIP, 11 H, 6 R, 46 K: 14 BB (38.3 K%: 11.7 BB%), .104 AVG, .170 BABIP, 80.5 LOB%, 0.28 HR/9

       2015 with Binghamton: 23 G, 29.1 IP, 2.45 ERA/2.86 FIP, 17 H, 8 R, 35 K: 15 BB (29.9 K%: 12.8 BB%), .167 AVG, .242 BABIP, 78.4 LOB%, 0.31 HR/9

Akeel is more of a known relief prospect, especially given he his one bad major league relief appearance to his name from last year. He throws a low-to-mid-90’s fastball, a slider and a changeup that all get good swing-and-miss results, but he’s always needed to improve his command. He lives around the strike zone enough to be effective in the minors, but he’ll need to command his stuff better at the major league level. After an initial transition phase when he reached AA, Akeel went back to dominating like he do, finishing the season with just 2 ER allowed over his final 18 appearances (25 IP) for a 0.72 ERA. He also had a 32.3 K%: 10.8 BB% down the stretch, and allowed a mere 11 hits. He finished the season ready for AAA, and close to ML ready, but it’s not that big of a deal if he starts the season back with the B-Mets if there's a bullpen crunch in Las Vegas.

       Astromets Mind Coverage

2014 GIFs
2015 with Binghamton
6/30 – 1 IP, H, BB, 2 K
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike

7/5 – 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, BB, 2 K, 2 Balks, 1 FO
Balk #1
Balk #2

8/14 – 2 IP, H, R, BB, 2 K, 1 GO: 2 FO
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Called strike

8/25 – 2.2 IP, 3 K, 3 GO, 3 IR – 0 S
Mechanics

9/2 – 1 IP, 3 K
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike
Swinging strike

       2)   Zack Thornton

The Mets Internal Bullpen Options, Las Vegas 51s Righties

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 right-handed internal bullpen options from the Las Vegas 51s below, and I also give my opinion as to whether they would be a good fit for the Mets in September.

Bradford Blows a Matzter Piece in the 9th

Las Vegas 51s @ El Paso Chihuahuas

May 10, 2015

Steven Matz @ Jason Lane

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

W: Mazzoni (1-0, 0.63 ERA); L: Bradford (0-1, 2.93 ERA)

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Steven Matz (1.70 ERA) – 7 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 SO, 97 Pitches (66 Strikes), 10 GO: 3 FO

Zack Thornton (H, 1, 5.17 ERA) – 1 IP, 2 SO, 1 GO

Jack Leathersich (H, 2, 1.74 ERA) – 0.1 IP, 1 FO

Chase Bradford (BS, 1) – 0.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, BB, 1 GO

Batters

Wilfredo Tovar – 3-5, SB (8), SO

Eric Campbell – 1-5, SB (3), SO

Dan Rohlfing – 1-4 R, HR (1), 2 RBI (5), 2 SO

Kyle Johnson – 2-4, 2B (5), SO

Recap

            The Las Vegas 51s wasted a brilliant start from Steven Matz Sunday afternoon when El Paso jumped on closer Chase Bradford for 3 runs in the 9^th. After 14 scoreless innings to start the season, Bradford has allowed runs in consecutive appearances. Matz looked very sharp throughout the start, just toying with the lineup at times. He lost the first batter of the game after getting ahead 0-2, and then walked the leadoff batter in the 2^nd, but he’d work around both mistakes with no problems. El Paso would get a runner as far as 2B in the 4^th, 5^th and 7^th against Matz, but couldn’t do any damage. Dan Rohlfing’s two-run blast in the 4^th inning looked like it was going to be enough offense for the 51s, but then Wally overcomplicated things in the 9^th. Instead of just letting Jack Leathersich handle the entire inning, he brought him in only for the lefty, and then went to Bradford a night after got hit around. Although I tend to disagree, I can understand wanting to send a relief pitcher right back out there after a blow-up, but I don’t understand only using Leathersich for one out against the lefty – he’s always been better against righties, why limit him to the LOOGY role? Bradford was hit around for the second straight night, and El Paso would eventually score the walk-off run against him.

            This series wraps up Monday night at 8:35 PM, and the 51s will be looking for a split behind Tyler Pill.

Scoring Highlights

Matz No-Hits Reno Through 6.2, 51s Settle for 2-hitter

Las Vegas 51s @ Reno Aces

April 24, 2015

Steven Matz @ Vidal Nuno

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Las Vegas	1	0	0	0	4	0	0	3	4		12	15	0
Reno	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	2	0

W: Matz (2-1, 2.01 ERA); L: Nuno (2-1, 3.60 ERA)

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Steven Matz – 7 IP, 2 H, BB, 5 SO, 92 Pitches (65 Strikes), 13 GO: 2 FO (2-3, R, SO)

Zack Thornton (6.52 ERA) – 1 IP, 1 GO

Jack Leathersich (2.57 ERA) – 1 IP, 2 SO, 1 FO

Batters

Dilson Herrera – 2-6, R, 2B (5), 2 RBI (9)

Wilfredo Tovar – 1-6, R, 2B (3), RBI (2)

Matt Reynolds – 2-4, R, HR (2), 3 RBI (18), BB, SB (5), SO

Alex Castellanos – 3-5, 3 R, 2B (7), HR (5), RBI (14)

Kyle Johnson – 2-4, R, 2 RBI (5)

Recap

            Steven Matz was at his absolute best against the Reno Aces Friday night, holding them hitless for 6.2 innings before a Nick Evans grounder found a hole. He had good command of his fastball and changeup, and mixed in his curve nicely as the start went on. With 92 pitches and no more no-hitter, Matz was removed for the 8^th, but Zack Thornton and Jack Leathersich each pitched a perfect inning to preserve the 2-hitter. O yeah, and the offense exploded to put up crooked numbers in the 5^th, 8^th and 9^th (against SS Danny Worth in the 9^th), with Dilson Herrera, Matt Reynolds and Alex Castellanos having big nights again. Herrera, Reynolds, Castellanos and Taijeron have been the driving forces behind a very potent offense lately, which has been thriving even though the 51s have lost 3 starters to Major League promotions. The 51s go home Saturday and send Noah Syndergaard to the mound in the opener of a 4-game set with Albuquerque, with a game time of 10:05 PM ET. Don’t forget to check out the highlights from the offensive outburst and the Steven Matz show below.

Scoring Highlights

51s Can't Come Through With Big Hits in Tough Loss to Sacramento

Las Vegas 51s @ Sacramento River Cats

April 15, 2015

Matt Bowman @ Braulio Lara

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Las Vegas	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	0		3	11	0
Sacramento	0	0	0	2	0	2	0	0	X		4	7	0

W: Okert (1-0, 2.08 ERA); L: Bowman (0-2, 9.00 ERA); S: Strickland (2)

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Matt Bowman – 5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, BB, 3 SO, HR, HBP, 74 Pitches (48 Strikes), 10 GO
Chase Bradford (0.00 ERA) – 1.1 IP, H, SO, 2 GO, 2 IR – 0 S
Zach Thornton (1.59 ERA) – 1 IP, 2 SO, 1 FO

Batters

Daniel Muno – 1-3, R, RBI (2), 2 BB, SB (2), CS
Dilson Herrera – 2-5, R, 2 SO
Matt Reynolds – 2-4, 2B (2), RBI (3), SF, SO
Kevin Plawecki – 2-4, 3B (1)
Kyle Johnson – 1-4, R, 2B (1), 3 SO

Recap:

The Las Vegas 51s had plenty of opportunities to blow this game open on Wednesday afternoon in Sacramento, but they had trouble getting runners home after they got on base. The 2nd inning is a perfect example of their struggles for the game, as Kevin Plawecki led off with a triple, but the next three batters struck out to leave him stranded there. Those three batters at the bottom of the order – Brandon Allen, Travis Taijeron, and Kyle Johnson – were a big part of the problem, as they combined to go 2-12 with 9 strikeouts during the game, and couldn’t come through in some big spots. Bowman bounced back some from his rough first outing, but he struggled against lefties again in this outing, and so Wally took him out when he got into trouble during the 6th with some lefties coming up. Scott Rice was brought in as the first replacement for Bowman, but he had little control, walking the first two batters and allowing his inherited runner to score – Wally had to bring in Chase Bradford to finish the 6th. After Sacramento got the lead back, they went to their very strong bullpen, and they would shut the 51s down for the last 3 innings, allowing only a walk. The 51s turn to Darin Gorski to try and earn a split in the series finale Thursday night at 10 PM.

Scoring Highlights