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Adopted: Matt den Dekker

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 22 2011 11:02 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 22 2011 02:29 PM

It's been long enough, hasn't it? Come in from the cold, Mr. Defense, and welcome to the family. -- Last year's 5th Round pick. -- Lefty, decently speedy, gap-powered, ultraathletic Florida native. (Try not to hold that against him; he seems well-adjusted for growing up so... humid.) -- Played on Team USA's collegiate edition in 2008. Drafted in the 16th round by the Pirates after a disappointing 2009 junior season (.259 in SEC play), but returned to lead the Gators to their first CWS appearance in five years. -- Two-time all-SEC first-teamer. Consensus top defensive outfielder in U. of Florida history. [youtube]8H_-xrRHTMU[/youtube] [youtube]zSZf6o7rM58[/youtube] Those who achieved said consensus may have a point. -- A solid abbreviated year last year between the Gulf Coast League and the Sally (.336/.396/.459, 15 doubles in 133 PAs). Punishing the ball a bit more this year, while giving up a little OBP (.328/.359/.492, 8 XBH in 61 PAs), including five hits in the last two days, and a 13-27 stretch during his current seven-game hit streak. -- Avid, charming, and meal-focused (and not-poop-joke-averse) Tweetererer. -- Mookie loves him. “He really is a polished player. He covers a lot of ground. Good range. Has a good throwing arm. He runs very well. The only thing I didn’t see was his full offensive potential. I didn’t see all of that yet. I’ve heard it was there. I’ve seen some of it. I love the kid.” -- Are you going to go against Mookie? Toby Hyde won't, going so far as to tab him as #28 in the organizational prospect rankings this year: He approaches each at-bat with a plan and is an aware situational hitter. He has gap-power right now and can scorch balls into right-center. I don’t recall much loft in his swing which suggests he’ll never hit many home runs. He was patient, walking in nearly 8% of his plate appearances in his first professional exposure in the SAL. Act of God aside, he'll be in Binghamton before season's end... and may push Niewenhuis for major-league CF playing time by, say, 2013?

Edgy MD Apr 22 2011 11:14 AM Re: Adopted: Matt Den Dekker

We could sure use that defense. Excellent parenting here. A model.

Ceetar Apr 22 2011 01:00 PM Re: Adopted: Matt Den Dekker

his words with friends ID is: mdendekker

Ceetar Apr 22 2011 01:02 PM Re: Adopted: Matt Den Dekker

Ceetar Apr 22 2011 01:04 PM Re: Adopted: Matt Den Dekker

Also, the den is lower case. Matt den Dekker.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 26 2011 10:19 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Duly noted, Cee... thanks for the pics, and the ka-nowledge. 3-for-7 with a 3B and a SB in a doubleheader sweep of Jupiter yesterday. He's hitting .333/.368/.500 on the year (78 PA). Tan 'em, Floridian!

Edgy MD Apr 26 2011 11:19 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

I predict he'll get called up before his bat is ready, in order to take advantage of his ballhawking abilitites.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 28 2011 09:41 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

He went 2-for-4 last night against Bradenton, those two hits being a double and a three-run bomb. He's hit in 11 straight, going an unconscionably-hot .489/.490/.830 with 9 doubles, 2 triples, a HR and 15 RBI over that time. (Put another way-- you know how hot Ike has been this past week, with the HRs in three straight and all? That's Den Dekker for the last week-and-a-half, only he plays center.) Die Glovvemacher is at .370/.395/.593, with 48 total bases in less than 100 PAs, for the fledgling year.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 29 2011 11:51 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

2-for-3 mit un trippel. Hitting streak's at 12, his trippel-slashie's at .381/.404/.619. Also, he's hitting lefties (SSS alert!) to the tune of .515/.515/.758 in 33 PA.

Edgy MD Apr 29 2011 11:58 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

How can he still be this hot?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 29 2011 02:16 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Krem und/er klaar?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 02 2011 12:42 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Lost the streak after 13 games with Saturday's 0-fer, then bounced back with a single, walk, and a run in five PAs on Sunday. Here's yet another way to illustrate how hot he's been-- he went 6-16 over the last four games with four XBH and two BB, and his triple-slash went down: .371/.398/.598 on the year, over 103 PAs. (1 HR, 17 XBH, 3 SB, just 4 BB.)

Edgy MD May 02 2011 12:54 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

He can dekk my den anytime.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 03 2011 11:29 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

2-for-5 with a triple and a walk (as well as a run and a run driven in) in a loss against Jupiter. I'm thinking of making some version of this line into a keyboard macro, so as to save my wrists.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 05 2011 10:42 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

0-for-2 with a sac fly from the DH slot (sitting for some flashy, fundyless dude on a rehab assignment). Featured on Ted Berg's Mets Minor League Report, which probes-- among other things-- whether he's a legit major-league prospect, since he's played at levels for which he's a little old.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 11 2011 12:40 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

He's cooled down a little, going .211/.279/316 in the last ten games. Last night-- 3-for-4 with an RBI triple and a run scored-- helps. Den Dekker continues to lead the organization in hitting on the season: 133 PAs, .339/.372/.543, 26 R, 19 XBH, 20 RBI.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 14 2011 12:52 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

5-for-13 with 3 XBH in the last three. Plus, more high praise, courtesy of BP's weekly prospect wrangle: Gap power, outstanding defense and a .339/.372/.543 line after 31 games; scout: “This is exactly the kind of guy who exceeds all expectations."

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 16 2011 12:10 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

3-for-9-- with 4 R, 2B, 3B, HR, and 2 RBI-- during yesterday's double header. On the year: .331/.365/.566, with as many triples as walks.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 25 2011 10:39 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Like matzoh consumption, sales of Easter candy, and Derby hat orders, Dutchie's cooled off a bit in May. He's hitless in four of the last five, and is down to .233/.283/.326 over the last ten days. On the season, he's still at .304/.343/.495, though, and is still drawing raves from scouts, as per Toby Hyde: ... I expect he will spend the entire second half at AA, which will be a much stiffer challenge. A scout recently told me he graded den Dekker out as a 50 – an average big league center fielder – which is awfully encouraging. While hot, he was hitting righties and lefties with almost-equal skill and authority; his platoon split-- .900+ vs. righties, .789 vs. lefties-- has crept back in as he's cooled.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 31 2011 12:58 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Aaaaaand just like that, we've got a five-game hit streak ovah hee-ah, with a couple of multi-hit games sprinkled amongst those (of particular interest: Saturday's game against Dunedin, in which he went 2-for-3 with an RBI, two runs, and two walks). Back up to .315/.359/.502 on the year, with 16 2Bs, 8 3Bs, 2 HR, 9 steals, and 102 TB in 234 PA. (Also, last week's Neuwenhuis circus-catch notwithstanding, still the best outfield defense in the system.)

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 09 2011 11:44 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Picking things up a bit at the May-June Junction, he is, going 10-for-37 with five walks (!) in the last ten games. That works out to .270/.372/.486 over the span (with 2 HR, 2 BB... and .306/.358/.504 on the season.

Ceetar Jun 22 2011 06:29 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

To Binghamton!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 22 2011 07:44 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Near as I can tell, between his childhood, HS, college, and his pro career, this is the first time homey's left the state, ever.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 22 2011 08:04 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Well... I haven't seen his birth certificate, so I have to assume he was born in Kenya.

MFS62 Jun 22 2011 09:09 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Well... I haven't seen his birth certificate, so I have to assume he was born in Kenya. ... where he was scouted by Kenyasaw Mountain Landis. Later

Ceetar Jun 24 2011 07:30 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Near as I can tell, between his childhood, HS, college, and his pro career, this is the first time homey's left the state, ever. And the first place he sees outside of Florida is going to be...Binghamton? yikes.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 05 2011 11:37 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

.179/.258/.232 in his first 14 games at AA (with 4 BB/16 K). MDD has seen better fortnights.

Edgy MD Jul 05 2011 11:45 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Somebody needs to take him out and show him the wonders of extraFloridian living. And I think you're that man.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 05 2011 01:41 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Maybe he saw a hill or something equally un-Floridian and became disoriented.

Ceetar Jul 10 2011 04:43 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

No 2 for 1's at Chillis in Connecticut?!?! Addressing all our concerns.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 11 2011 11:44 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Despite having to pay full-price for both Tater Skins AND Loaded Nachos, our oh-so-Floridian hero seems to be settling in on the ballfield quite nicely, going .375/.500/.750 over his last seven games (30 PA, 9-for-24, 6 XBH), culminating in yesterday's 2-for-2, five-times-on-base-in-five-trips, four-runs-scored Reyes impression at New Britain. He's up to .238/.337/.388 in Binghamton, with 10 walks in 90 PAs (!) so far. All numbers are trending very steadily upward, like his ardor for fish.

Edgy MD Jul 11 2011 12:11 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Amazin' Avenue inexpiclably put their farm report today in Ring Lardner-era sportswriter prose: BINGHAMTON 9, NEW BRITAIN 4 (Box) The game was: Club Matt Den Dekker Home. Allan Dykstra had the first whack (1st Inning) and sent Matty spinning in from 1B. Then Valdespin took his turn (3rd Inning, from 1B), selected "try again" (5th Inning, from 2B), and proved himself master indeed. So Josh Satin wanted a go (7th Inning), and Matty obligingly measured his lead at first. Crack! Oh how the Dutchman huffed and puffed around the bases. Then in the 8th, John Henry-like, Matthew G. Den Dekker died on the bags. Fourth straight B-Mets victory. Wally tossed.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 22 2011 02:36 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

6-for-19 in the last four... with three of those leaving the park. (1 BB vs. 6 K over that same period; I'm guessing he's been swinging a bit harder.) .244/.279/.585 in the last 10.

Ceetar Jul 23 2011 09:53 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

This tweet amused me. Feels like both the appropriate and inappropriate venue for it. Hooters with the boys for the WNBA all star game

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 24 2011 07:10 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Saw that. (Also, he's a fantasy football guy, it seems.) Also also, hit his fourth HR in three games Friday, before taking an oh-fer-- but with a walk!-- last night.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 27 2011 06:57 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

2-for-4 in each of the last two games, with a steal last night. After a wretched start-- damn you, Binghamton Chili's-- he's chugging along at .281/.358/.552 clip through 25 games in July (.250/.327/.463 overall, with 6 HRs and 7 2Bs in 149 PAs). At this point, he's looking like Pridie, but with plus-plus defense.

Edgy MD Jul 27 2011 07:04 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Do you say DEN Dekker or den DEKker? I do the former.

Ceetar Jul 27 2011 09:11 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Edgy DC wrote: Do you say DEN Dekker or den DEKker? I do the former. former. Trying to remember if i've heard it spoken anywhere official. in Spring Training probably. They must announce each player coming to bat right?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 01 2011 01:22 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Edgy DC wrote: Do you say DEN Dekker or den DEKker? I do the former. I go latter. (The Twitter handle makes more phonetic sense that way.) And speaking of Twitter... Watching Spartacus on the bus, makes me wanna go buy a sword 8 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone GOD, NO! I'm raising two self-destructive children all of a sudden.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 14 2011 11:28 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

After a slow, SLOW week (1 R, 11 K, 5-for-29 with just 2 XBH over the last nine games), 2-for-5 with a three-run HR and a steal. Still, hitting .234/.318/.422 with 7 HR, 20 BB and 65 K in 212 PAs at Binghamton, he's looking very much like a Pridie-type, only with a better glove and less off-field coordination: @UpperDekker wrote: damn you steps to my house, my toe is throbbing!!! 8 Aug via web

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 17 2011 09:54 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

6-for-13 (with 1 BB) in the last three games, with four of those for extra bases (2 HR, 2 2B).

Edgy MD Aug 18 2011 06:59 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

If you read Wally Backman's post-game statements recently, he's clearly falling in heart with Den Dekker.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 23 2011 10:20 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

1-for-3, with a HR and no strikeouts (!). His .314/.381/.657 over his last ten (with 3 HR over that same span) buoys his AA numbers to .243/.327/.446, with 9 HR and 74 K (yowza) in 60 games (just under 250 PAs).

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 18 2012 11:34 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 24 2012 02:13 PM

1) Hey! Camp invite! (This, after ending the season .265/.337/.460, w/17 HR, 60 XBH, 51 B-to-156(!) K*, 24-for-34 steals between A+ and AA.) 2) Hey! Pit bull puppy! *OE: Had it backwards. THAT would be impressive.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 19 2012 01:34 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Paul DePodesta (in an e-mail to Andy Martino of the Daily News) wrote: “We had high expectations of Matt going into the season, but he exceeded those expectations. He was in his first full-season of pro ball, so we were hopeful that maybe at some point he'd be able to advance to AA just to get a taste of that level before heading into 2012. As you know the A to AA jump is known as the most the difficult, so getting a little bit of experience heading into the off-season can be valuable. Matt surprised us first by showing his readiness for AA just halfway through the season and then surprised us again that his production was basically the same at AA than at the Florida State League - he didn't miss a beat. The only thing that dropped off was his singles rate and he struck out a few more times, but he maintained his power (in fact, some doubles and triples in the Florida State League turned into homers in the Eastern League) and his walk rate. Matt has the chance to be a complete player. He already excels defensively in CF - that part of his game is Major League ready. Offensively, he has the chance to play with both power and speed. This year we'd just like to see him continue his path. He simply needs at-bats against higher level pitching, so that he can begin to make adjustments to how the better pitchers are going to pitch him.”

Nymr83 Jan 20 2012 10:23 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

156 walks?? wow.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 24 2012 02:14 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Nymr83 wrote: 156 walks?? wow. Had it backwards. (The "!" was meant to be a negative "!")

Ceetar Feb 01 2012 01:07 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

#NW top 10 centerfielders right now on @mlbnetwork gonna have to get on this list soon.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 02 2012 07:19 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

My boy really needs to learn not to swing at pitches outside his strike zone. It makes him look bad. @UpperDekker wrote: Shouldn't cost $53 to fill up my car. Thanks for nothing Obama

Ceetar Feb 03 2012 01:45 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Here's Matt with his mother.

Ceetar Feb 03 2012 01:50 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

His (sister?) Jess. (middle)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 03 2012 01:54 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Jessmaam.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 13 2012 01:20 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

3-for-10 in 5 ST games (with a couple of extra-base hits against lefties), making the expected sweet catches, and drawing some positive compliments from Guys/Keith/Ron... and even Sherman. Even drew a walk (against decent Cards LOOGY Rxxzycepinski, no less).

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 24 2012 09:17 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

After being sent down to minors camp initially, got the call back up due to balky legs from the presumed starters... and with a week to go, he can smell the Shake Shack. Although neither Torres nor Hairston expects to miss significantly more time than they already have, their absences have created the chance for others to audition. den Dekker, who hit a combined .265 last year, with 17 home runs between Single-A and Double-A, impressed the front office enough to earn an invitation to big league camp. Now he is back, and Terry Collins said that den Dekker “is a legitimate consideration” to make the team. “I try not to think about it too much, but it is exciting,” said den Dekker.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 23 2012 01:59 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Yeah, that didn't happen. But he's making better contact down in Binghamton (.279/.319/.439 with 8 XBH over 71 PAs) while displaying his customary defensive acumen... sometimes in defense of others. J Bay robbing a bomb only #10 on top plays are you kidding me??!! 11:59 PM - 16 Apr 12 via Twitter for iPhone

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 10 2012 03:03 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Even after dipping a bit over the last two weeks (.250/.323/.420 in the last ten games), he's hitting a robust .281/.348/.488 with 16 XBH in 139 Binghamton plate appearances. But man, if he's not going to walk/take more (9.4% career, 7.9% this year), those strikeouts (33 in 139 PAs for 24%) need to come down.

Edgy MD May 10 2012 03:10 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

I dunno. I don't think that walk rate is anything to break a career over.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 10 2012 05:47 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

I shouldn't have left the "if he's going to be more than a backup" end of that sentence implied. He's already major-league-worthy with the glove, but he doesn't make an extraordinary amount of hard contact, so that BA/slugging are going to come down a bunch, in all likelihood (even his improved line this season is roughly equivalent to a .217/.275/.359 line in the majors, which doesn't play for 400 PAs even WITH Garry Maddox-y defense). If he's going to be an average-y offensive player in center, he'll probably need to walk a little more OR strikeout a little less.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 12 2012 08:51 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Doubled yesterday to extend his hit streak to 8, and stole a base. Up to .291/.359/.500 on the season.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 18 2012 01:13 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

3 for 4 with two more doubles in a romp against. Maybe he doesn't need to cut down on the Ks/walk more after all: he's at .305/.363/.543 (or .250/.299/.421 on the Minor League Equivalency Calculator), and leading the Eastern League with 23 extra-base hits. He IS still more than a little iffy against lefties (.243/.333/.351, w/11 K and 1 BB in 38 PAs).

Frayed Knot May 18 2012 02:58 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Dekker makes this week 'Hot Sheet' in BA for his 10-25 w/2 HRs & 5 2Bs week: Den Dekker's hot week at the plate extended his hitting streak to 11 games and bumped his batting average up to .305 for the season. The Mets' 2010 fifth-round draft pick had a three-hit game yesterday and a ninth-inning leadoff double on Wednesday that set the stage for a Binghamton walkoff victory. He hit just .235 in 72 games with Binghamton last season, but this year he leads the B-Mets in almost every offensive category and sits atop the Eastern League in total bases. The center fielder out of Florida still has a high strikeout rate, but his improving average and power numbers show signs of promise. Then, during a Q&A about Dekker's future BA writes: Fourth OF is probably the safe bet, but with the numbers he's putting up in Double-A (.305/.363/.543 so far), we'll have to reconsider that projection if he sustains it. He has the range to be big league center fielder, how much he'll hit has been the question.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 20 2012 06:35 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Three hits today, extending his hit streak to 15 games. He's up to .309/.369/.527 over the season's first 40 games.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 30 2012 12:37 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Went hitless last Wednesday to break the streak at 18. But he's gone .320/.391/.510 for May, and .310/.408/.410 (with 7 BB in 49 PAs!) over his last 10. He's at .306/.373/.513 on the year, over 211 PAs, with 6 HR and 25 XBH. Also, he's an excited first-time uncle, and a Heat apologist: Michael Jordan won his first championship when he was 28, Lebron is 27 so everybody relax!

Ceetar May 31 2012 08:36 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Back to Bingo after the big win in Reading. @Wheelerpro45 was workhorse of the night with his walk and run scored.

MFS62 Jun 08 2012 08:49 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

His 5 for 5 tonight makes him 16 for his last 24. I think he's up over .330 now. Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 09 2012 09:02 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Indeed. His flame-on act in the last few weeks (.450/.476/.750 with 7 XBH and 10 runs in his last 10 games) has buoyed his season-long AA numbers to .336/.395/.563. Also, as an uncle, he's been doting as hard as he's been hitting.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 11 2012 10:37 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

As per Toby Hyde (and others), Mr. Poop-Joke-Twitter-Handle is your Eastern League PotW, which tends to happen to one when one hits .630 in a given week. He's riding a 6-game multi-hit streak, is up to .340/.397/.563 on the year, and generally has Eastern League baseballs praying for his swift promotion. Also, he's enjoying the Stony Brook story as well.

themetfairy Jun 11 2012 10:41 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

He looked good in the B-Mets 12-0 win over Trenton on Saturday. Then again, everyone looked good in the B-Mets 12-o win over Trenton on Saturday.

MFS62 Jun 11 2012 09:24 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

He was promoted to Buffalo today. Later

Edgy MD Jun 12 2012 10:52 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

And Dustin Martin farmed out to Bingo.

MFS62 Jun 13 2012 10:42 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Matt went 1-4 in his AAA debut, with an RBI double and 2 Ks. Later

themetfairy Jun 13 2012 01:36 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Den Dekker was knocking the hide off of the ball against Trenton on Saturday - hopefully he'll do the same as a Bison.

MFS62 Jun 15 2012 09:14 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Over 10,000 fans were there to see MdD's first AAA home run tonight. They were probably there to see the usual Buffalo Friday night fireworks show. But still ... Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 17 2012 10:34 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Just 4 hits during his first week in AAA... but 3 of those were for extra bases (including that one HR). In 5 games, he's at .211/.286/.474 with 3 R in 21 PAs. And, like, 3 diving catches.

Edgy MD Jun 18 2012 10:40 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

'Nudder homer for DD today. Up to .261 / .308 / .652 // .960. Gotta be happy with that.

Edgy MD Jun 25 2012 12:41 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Just made a leaping grab at the warning track.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 28 2012 12:39 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Yeah, he'll do that. He'll also head into tonight's game hitting .219/.261/.484, with 9 of his 14 hits at AAA being for extra bases.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 06 2012 09:29 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Good Buffalo news: the Bisons won last night's marathon 14-inning game on a Matt Tuiasasopo single. Bad Buffalo news: on a night when the good guys put up 13 hits and compiled 9 walks, our hero MDD went 0-for-6 with a sacrifice. He's scuttling, at .189/.218/.411-- with 26 Ks-- over 22 games.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 13 2012 08:39 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

2-for-5 with 2 steals and 2 runs in a comeback win against a loaded Pawtucket squad. That bumps him up to an Ike-ish .219/.242/.456-- with 4 BBs and 33 Ks-- in 26 games. His baserunning judgement has improved somewhat, with 6 steals in 7 tries; he'd been hovering around a 60% success rate at AA.

Edgy MD Jul 13 2012 08:44 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Ike at least has a .070 walk rate to chew on. But, of course, DD is getting his slugging done.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 01 2012 07:15 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Not so much slugging these days; the only power my man is producing is clean, clean wind. 58 K in 190 PA where the Bisons roam, for a 31% (!) strikeout rate; .197/.228/.404 over that same stretch.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 15 2013 03:00 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

BELATEDLY... The numbers at Buffalo came up a bit from that repellent start, to a merely-disreputable .220/.256/.373 over 310 PAs in Wingville. Totals between AA and AAA: 569 PAs, .274/.321/.458, 84 R, 17 HR, 76 RBI, 31 2B, 8 3B, 21 SB (w/9 CS!), 154 K, 34 BB (less than 7% walk rate). His ticket to PSL's majors-camp is assured; with those K/BB rates, though... anything beyond that-- outside of good glovin'-- is much less so. Toby Hyde agrees. However, he struck out in 28.4% of his plate appearances in AAA. Looking over past seasons in the International League, I did not see a single productive big leaguer, who struck out as much as den Dekker >28%, over as plate appearances >300, for as long as Fangraphs has the data. John Mayberry comes closest, with a 26.3% in AAA in 2009. After a productive (2.5 fWAR) 2011, Mayberry was close to a replacement level player in 2012. That’s den Dekker’s future. His ability to play centerfield will get him to the big leagues, but his inability to make contact will hold him to just a shade above replacement level at best. But hey-- he still catches good!

DocTee Jan 15 2013 07:42 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Sounds like Rich Becker to me.

MFS62 Jan 15 2013 10:06 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Sounds like Dave Schneck to me. Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 13 2013 06:49 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Number 68 in your PSL scorecards, Tweeting dogs-in-hats pictures, with a real long shot to break camp with the bigs squad.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 09 2013 10:43 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Because you can't spell "Den Dekker" without a LOT of D... after this earlier in training camp, another one against the Astros today.

Frayed Knot Mar 10 2013 10:07 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Because you can't spell "Den Dekker" without a LOT of D... Unfortunately the spelling also requires a lot of Ks.

Edgy MD Mar 10 2013 02:47 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Yesterday's report had a scout calling him the best outfielder in the division. Not that we want to carry a bat that's utterly unready, or hamper any possible development he's got left by putting him in a position to fail, but a superior defender in the middle could help mask a lot of defensive flaws in the team's lineup.

Ceetar Mar 13 2013 03:55 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Edgy MD wrote: Yesterday's report had a scout calling him the best outfielder in the division. Not that we want to carry a bat that's utterly unready, or hamper any possible development he's got left by putting him in a position to fail, but a superior defender in the middle could help mask a lot of defensive flaws in the team's lineup. I think it's possible if Duda is actually mashing (and hopefully meaning the offense is looking okay as a whole) but still looking significantly negative defensively you'd be more likely to see MdD. or hell, he's a great 25th man in the playoffs, defensive replacement/pinch runner guy.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 24 2013 08:09 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

If he ends up with the big club this year, it won't be until late May, at least... thanks to one hell of an owie.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 18 2013 12:30 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Three-and-a-half weeks in the cast down, one-and-a-half to go. In the meantime, "Yakety Sax"-worthy "rehab" hijinx.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 01 2013 07:50 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Bright light city, gonna set its field, gonna set its field on fire. ="@UpperDekker"]???

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 06 2013 11:29 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

A nice last-ten-games (11-for-30, with a .367/.406/.467 line) has him up to a respectable-for-anywhere-else .265/.333/.441, with 10 XBH and 11 BB over 102 desert ABs.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 12 2013 12:38 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

The pit boss has to be starting to pay attention by now; MDD's ultrahot weekend (8-for-15 with two BB, 3 XBH, 5 R, 5 RBI) has him at .292/.355/.475 for his Vegas tenure (120 PAs).

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 22 2013 11:43 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Up to .297/.365/.506, 31 R, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 17 XBH over 175 plate appearances, with a BB% peeking over 10 percent (!). I hope his room's being comped... and that he's got one waiting for him at the Holiday Inn LaGuardia this month.

Edgy MD Aug 23 2013 07:23 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Is it crazy that I should dream of a Dykstra/Wilson thingie? With Lagares and DD sharing center and then one of them sliding over to a corner for super-duper late-inning defense?

Frayed Knot Aug 23 2013 12:04 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

MdD gets an honorable mention in this week's Ba 'Hot Sheet' Matt den Dekker, cf, Mets. A wrist injury sidelined the 26-year-old den Dekker for first three months of Triple-A Las Vegas’ season, but he’s enjoyed the thin mountain air this August, going 12-for-27 (.444) with a pair of homers and a triple this week to push his OPS to .970 for the month. The Mets face a 40-man roster decision on the 2010 fifth-rounder this offseason, so den Dekker may receive a September callup if he remains healthy and productive.

Edgy MD Aug 23 2013 12:23 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

They usually get younger players, but he's maybe a good candidate for the AFL, so he can get something closer to a full season in.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 27 2013 12:08 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Gonna fly now. (Along with Robert Carson and Recker... in anticipation of an imminent catcher/outfielder trade?)

themetfairy Mar 08 2014 10:05 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

Matt is in Major League camp - [fimg=450:31wylz4u]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/13023479823_d94ab3ba75_b.jpg[/fimg:31wylz4u]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 10 2014 03:47 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

He looks so much swarthier this spring.

Edgy MD Aug 02 2014 04:50 PM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

This guy is positively raking right now. If Nieuwenhuis isn't back soon, dD sure will be.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 04 2014 10:39 AM Re: Adopted: Matt den Dekker

He's walking more, too (10.0% BB-rate) and striking out a lot less (17.3%, a career low so far, and continuing a downward trend over the last three seasons). If the "new" approach-- it could be that his pop is leading to more intentional (and pitch-around-type) BBs-- sticks, and the medium-pop does, too, well, he'll be useful. Heck, if he can even provide replacement-level bat-man-ing, he'll be a Sam Fuld-plus kinda value. His call-up is apparently a matter of hot debate within the organization.