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Lost Prospect Recall

Edgy MD Mar 17 2011 11:29 AM

You know that guy? He was moving up the ladder, I wasn't expecting much out of him, but I certainly expected him to appear --- maybe even a brief run as a starter, or a few signature moments, you know. But nothing. One day he was just gone. Anyhow, that's the purpose of this game. I mention a prospect I lost track of. You tell me what's become of him. Still in the system but seriously regressed? Toiling for the Round Rock Express? Indy leagues? Japan? Five-ten at Leavenworth? Then you conclude by floating a prospect you lost track of. Chase Lambin.

seawolf17 Mar 17 2011 11:53 AM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Spent 2009 in Japan, apparently, then signed with the Nats in 2010; was named "Top Star" (MVP) of the AAA All-Star Game last year. Signed with the Twins this off-season; will likely spend some time in Rochester, and that ain't a bad place to be. How about LOOGY-who-never-was Blake McGinley?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 17 2011 12:04 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

seawolf17 wrote: Spent 2009 in Japan, apparently, then signed with the Nats in 2010; was named "Top Star" (MVP) of the AAA All-Star Game last year. Signed with the Twins this off-season; will likely spend some time in Rochester, and that ain't a bad place to be. How about LOOGY-who-never-was Blake McGinley? Ah yes. He was my first adopted son! Released by the Mets after 06, signed with the Marlins, then released by them. Now an instructor at a Texas baseball academy and father to twin 18-month olds.

seawolf17 Mar 17 2011 12:05 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Two replies in and we're already not following the rules. You're out of your element, Johnny.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 17 2011 12:07 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Oh yeah, I wonder. I wonder whatever became of ... JEFF BITTIGER?

RealityChuck Mar 17 2011 12:52 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Many years ago, there was Ronald "Big Mac" McDonald.

Edgy MD Mar 17 2011 01:05 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Bittiger, like Skip Lockwood, was a third-baseman-turned-starting-pitcher-turned-reliever. After the Mets dealt him to Philly, he homered in his first at-bat like the former hitter he was. He played parts of four seasons for the Phillies, Twins, and Cubbages. He's now a "player personnel consultant" with the independent league Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, which doesn't sound like sitting on top of the world, baseball-wise, but good on him. No shame in the Northern League. They're two-time defending champs. It's just that title that depresses me. He was originally a pitching coach for them back in 2003 before scouting for the A's for six years. Now he's got that scout-like title in the Northern League and, well, they owe him more than that. Steve Colyer, what ever happened to you?

TheOldMole Mar 17 2011 01:08 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

How do you guys find this stuff out?

Edgy MD Mar 17 2011 01:16 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

The Google, baby.

TheOldMole Mar 17 2011 02:10 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

I tried Googling Steve Colyer, but couldn't get him beyond the end of his baseball career.

Edgy MD Mar 17 2011 02:12 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

No? How about Mark Kiger and his wife Bedhead Barbie?

Fman99 Mar 18 2011 07:10 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

I know I drink a fair amount, but I never heard of any of these guys. I think you made all of them up to fuck with me. Are we casting for Major League 4 or something?

Edgy MD Mar 18 2011 07:25 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Who could forget the "Kiger Counter" thread?

Elster88 Sep 20 2011 04:15 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Lambin: [url]http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6991235/crash-davis-rides-again He played at Cypress Falls High School in Houston, then Grayson County College in Texas, then the University of Texas, then the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and the Mets drafted him in the 34th round of the 2002 draft, the 1,017th pick overall. They sent him to the short-season Class A Cyclones in Brooklyn. His signing bonus was a thousand bucks, his salary was $700 a month, and the manager called him "blond-haired guy." He played for the full-season Class A St. Lucie Mets in 2003 and helped them win the Florida State League title. He played second and David Wright played third, and they were both All-Stars. He played for the Double-A Binghamton Mets in 2004. The local paper called him Mr. Clutch. His mother came to visit, and he told her over lunch, I love this. I'll do this for as long as they'll let me. He met the woman who later would become his wife and the mother of his son. He got called up to Triple-A Norfolk in 2005. He homered three times in the first game of a doubleheader, and then went 2-for-4 in the second. He finished the year with a .309 average and 24 home runs. When he was in Class A, he let himself think about maybe making it to Double-A; when he was in Double-A, he let himself think about maybe making it to Triple-A; when he was in Triple-A … Keep working, then-Mets manager Willie Randolph told him one day in spring training in 2006, and we'll see you later this year. He hit under .200 that April. [url]http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/1600/f10_t1648.shtml

metirish Sep 20 2011 04:40 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

What ever happened ti Ike Davis?

Ceetar Sep 20 2011 05:24 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Steve Colyer, what ever happened to you? Some basics i found in a quick search before dinner. He's married to Julianne and they bought a house after he retired at 160 Cameron Road Glasgow Village CDP, MO 63137 for $78,788 Property taxes: $1,328.38 (2010) streetview isn't quiet a mansion. [url]http://maps.google.com/maps?q=148+Cameron+Road,+Saint+Louis,+Missouri&hl=en&ll=38.753138,-90.197411&spn=0.006886,0.009645&sll=38.753146,-90.197452&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&layer=c&cbp=13,267.57,,0,21.51&cbll=38.753097,-90.197318&t=h&z=17&vpsrc=0&panoid=lPHhErB2Ni4wazdeD1likA There's a good chance his wife Julie works at a beauty salon: "Clare's of Clayton Salon is an upscale salon, an oasis tucked in the heart of Clayton. The salon specializes in lively, believable color and modern styles to enhance image and lifestyle. Let one of Clare's designers create a beautiful look that is right for you." How about Pat Strange?

Edgy MD Oct 18 2011 01:24 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Pat Strange, the Mets' second best pitching prospect (after Grant Roberts) of the early aughts got a little beyond prospect status with a whopping eleven appearances (no starts) between 2002 and 2003. But his talent was stagnating, and after a 3.82 ERA at Norfolk in 2002, he clocked in at 5.82 and 5.25 in 2003 and 2004, with his walk rate distinctly upticking. Strange had been expected to go in the first round but slid to the second as scouties noticed him losing velocity his senior year of high school. The Mets suspected it was due to him throwing a splitter and took a chance in the second, but he never fully developed. His father, also a highly regarded minor leaguer who never blossomed, taught him the split. As his Met career was fizzing out, arm problems began to surface. Upon his release by the Mets, he caught on with Minnesota but complained of elbow pain in spring training, was diagnosed with bone spurs, and underwent what would turn out to be career-ending surgery. While he was the team's number two pitching prospect, he grew close with the Mets' number two hitting prospect at the time, Brian Cole. He now coaches the Little League team that features his son, Brian Cole Strange. But whatever happened to Arnold Gooch?

metirish Oct 18 2011 01:44 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

I often wonder what happens to guys like him, would he have a pension, did he make any money?

Edgy MD Oct 18 2011 01:47 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

No pension for minor leaguers. (They don't even have a union and aren't welcome in the MLBPA.) Any money he got would be from his signing bonus which, as a second rounder, was probably pretty good, but nothing that wouldn't make him a man of leisure or anything.

metirish Oct 18 2011 01:50 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

That sucks nice card

TheOldMole Oct 18 2011 02:06 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Arnie Gooch appears to be an instructor at the Indoor Dugout baseball academy in Philadelphia. There's an Arnold Gooch on Facebook. Could be the same guy. From PA, as is our Arnie Gooch. Jonathan Hurst.

seawolf17 Oct 18 2011 02:07 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Strange is still active -- and on the roster -- in my OOTP Baseball league; he missed the last half of 2011 with a rotator cuff injury, but: 2010: 2-1, 1.84 ERA/1.14 WHIP in 44 IP out of the pen 2011: 0-0, 3.06 ERA/1.36 WHIP in 32 1/3 IP before the injury 2012: 1-0, 1.40 ERA/0.83 WHIP in 19 1/3 IP so far (it's May) Only a handful of actual Mets on my fake Mets team, and he's one of them (Wright, Reyes, Murphy, Thole, and half credit for Darren O'Day and Chris Young).

Ashie62 Oct 18 2011 05:38 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

metirish wrote: What ever happened ti Ike Davis? Whatever happened to Fernando Martinez?

Edgy MD Oct 18 2011 06:08 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Jonathan Hurst.

Met Hunter Oct 18 2011 09:50 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Isn't Hurst the pitching coach for the Kingsport Mets? This is a Met Hunter style topic. Wes Gardner.

Centerfield Oct 19 2011 08:02 AM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Former Mets prospect Wes Gardner was part of that famous trade with the Red Sox in November of 1985 that would have serious implications on the next World Series. Gardner, along with John Christensen, Calvin Schiraldi and La Shelle Tarver, were sent to Boston for Bob Ojeda, Tom McCarthy, John Mitchell and Chris Bayer. Ojeda went on to lead the 86 Mets in wins, but Schiraldi had a much bigger contribution to the Mets' success. Gardner himself became the closer for the Red Sox in 1987, but was replaced by Lee Smith. He bounced around for a few more years afterwards until his career came to an end after being released by Kansas City in 1991. Gardner bounced around independent leagues until a motorcycle accident caused him to miss all of 1993. The accident effectively ended his playing career. Originally from Arkansas, he went back home and worked for his brother's landscaping business until he resurfaced as an assistant coach for the University of Central Arkansas. In 1998, he won a local pie eating contest, and in 2001, he was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame. Wes remained part of the coaching staff until a booster scandal forced head coach Arlie Haffenhall to resign. His entire coaching staff was also replaced. Gardner returned home again to coach his local American Legion baseball team. He owns and operates a farm near Benton, Arkansas. What happened to Eddie Kunz? (Yes, the entire third paragraph is fiction except for the Hall of Fame bit.)

Edgy MD Oct 19 2011 08:05 AM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

And you wonder whatever happened to...

Centerfield Oct 19 2011 08:15 AM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Sorry. Addressed on edit.

Edgy MD Oct 31 2011 01:36 PM Re: Lost Prospect Recall

Former first-round pick Eddie Kunz debuted with the Mets in 2008, throwing 2.2 hapless innings. This was followed by two and a half seasons of downward mobility, finishing 2010 in Binghamton alternating between staring and the bullpen, along with his usual bloated ERA and an even higher than usual walk rate, of 5.5 At 24, that usually means the post-career life starts, but Kunz still had that first-round label attached to him, which means teams are still willing to kick the tires. The team was the Padres, who traded fellow first-round washout Allan Dykstra for him, assigned him to the AA San Antonio Missions, and returned him to the bullpen. There he pitched in 52 games, put up a 4.30 ERA, and (this is new) struck out only 3.3 batters per nine innings. Sounds like Mission pitching coach Jimmy Jones is getting him to work the sinker. Anyhow, the Missions had a great season and swept the championship series, three games to none, with Kunz capturing the game-two victory in a staggering 20-inning post-season game. Here he is joined by his pal Joey. Adam Seuss, what ever became of you?