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DePodesta's State of the Farm

MFS62 Aug 10 2011 08:28 AM

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/p ... f-the-farm Very encouraging. Later

Ceetar Aug 10 2011 08:38 AM Re: DePodesta's State of the Farm

speaking of Farm, it'd be cool to have a CPF field trip to Spring Training one year.

Ashie62 Aug 10 2011 10:14 AM Re: DePodesta's State of the Farm

"Jordanny Valdespin is a viable Major league SS." uh oh.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 10 2011 10:25 AM Re: DePodesta's State of the Farm

No need for uh-oh, methinks. I mean, what's the alternative-- "I like Jordanny. He's a nice hitter, and an okay guy. But there's not a fucking chance he's playing middle infield in the majors."

Edgy DC Aug 10 2011 10:25 AM Re: DePodesta's State of the Farm

Yeah, really. If he's not viable, I don't know what you'd call him.

Frayed Knot Aug 10 2011 02:23 PM Re: DePodesta's State of the Farm

"Viable major league SS" also isn't the same as saying "everyday starter". Ruben Tejada is currently a viable major league SS but I'm not sure if he'll ever be an everyday one.

Frayed Knot Aug 15 2011 08:27 PM Re: DePodesta's State of the Farm

John Sickels chimes in with his view of the NYM system. [u:3tssh41u]This is not a new list[/u:3tssh41u] but rather a second look at the list and grades he did prior to the season with stats & comments added for the progress (or lack of) this season. 1) Wilmer Flores, SS, Grade B+: Hitting .275/.314/.392 with nine homers, 23 walks, 58 strikeouts in 451 at-bats for High-A St. Lucie. He just turned 20 this month. I'm still not sure what the Mets have here but given his age I don't want to downgrade him too aggressively. 2) Jenrry Mejia, RHP, Grade B: Tommy John surgery. 3) Matt Harvey, RHP, Grade B: 2.37 ERA with 92/24 K/BB in 76 innings for St. Lucie, then 4.99 ERA with 48/11 K/BB in 40 innings for Double-A Binghamton, 44 hits, 1.62 GO/AO. The ERA in Double-A is misleading and overall he's having a very strong debut. 4) Aderlin Rodriguez, 3B, Grade B-: Hitting .219/.270/.355 with 13 homers, 29 walks, 96 strikeouts in 439 at-bats for Low-A Savannah, 39 errors at third base. Very raw on both sides of the ball, still just 19. 5) Fernando Martinez, OF, Grade B-: .260/.329/.417 with 18 walks, 60 strikeouts in 223 at-bats for Triple-A Buffalo, .227/.261/.455 in 22 at-bats for the Mets. Still just 22, but has made little progress and at this point I think a change of scenery would be beneficial. 6) Cory Vaughn, OF, Grade B-: .286/.405/.408 with 36 walks, 64 strikeouts in 245 at-bats for Savannah, then .239/.345/.387 with 19 walks and 36 strikeouts in 142 at-bats for St. Lucie. Power somewhat disappointing this year, drawing some walks, tools are still here. 7) Juan Urbina, LHP, Grade B-: 6.69 ERA with 36/16 K/BB in 40 innings, 53 hits for Kingsport in the Appalachian League. I felt he was capable of better but he is only 18 and still has time. 8) Reese Havens, 2B, Grade C+: Hitting .294/.377/.431 with 20 walks, 43 strikeouts in 153 at-bats for Binghamton. One again, it is all a matter of health for Havens. 9) Lucas Duda, OF-1B, Grade C+: .302/.414/.597 in 129 at-bats for Buffalo, .276/.347/.448 with 18 walks, 309 strikeouts in 174 at-bats for the Mets. I think his major league performance is a genuine expression of his talent level. 10) Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF, Grade C+: .298/.403/.505 with 32 walks, 59 strikeouts in 188 at-bats for Buffalo before injuring his left shoulder. 11) Zach Lutz, 3B, Grade C+: .304/.389/.500 with 19 walks, 47 strikeouts in 158 at-bats for Buffalo, missing time with a hamstring injury, finger injury, and concussion. 12) Cesar Puello, OF, Grade C+: I got a lot of flak for rating him this low. Hitting .250/.306/.389 with 17 walks, 98 strikeouts in 404 at-bats for St. Lucie, 15 steals. On-base skills inadequate for a leadoff man. 13) Jeurys Familia, RHP, Grade C+: 1.49 ERA with 36/8 K/BB in 36 innings for St. Lucie, 21 hits. 3.78 ERA with 77/27 K/BB in 67 innings for Binghamton, 65 hits. I'm impressed with the improvement in his command, and he's always had the stuff. Stock up. 14) Armando Rodriguez, RHP, Grade C+: 3.75 ERA with 66/24 K/BB in 60 innings for St. Lucie, 46 hits. Few complaints here, Double-A will show us if his stuff is good enough. 15) Sean Ratliff, OF, Grade C+: Hit in the face with a foul ball in spring training. 16) Albert Cordero, C, Grade C+: Hitting .286/.318/.402 with 11 walks, 54 strikeouts in 311 at-bats for Savannah. Has caught 42% of runners, but very high passed ball and error rates. 17) Matt Den Dekker, OF, Grade C+: .296/.362/.494 with 24 walks, 65 strikeouts in 267 at-bats for St. Lucie, .234/.318/.422 with 20 walks, 65 strikeouts in 192 at-bats for Binghamton. 21 steals overall. Strikeout rate is much too high right now. 18) Darrell Ceciliani, OF, Grade C+: I also got crap for rating this guy fairly low. Hitting .249/.334/.343 with 38 walks, 81 strikeouts in 350 at-bats for Savannah. 17 steals. 19) Jefry Marte, 3B, Grade C+ Hitting .249/.316/.349 with 37 walks, 76 strikeouts in 421 at-bats for St. Lucie. 12 steals. Gradually improving defense and still just 20. 20) Mark Cohoon, LHP, Grade C+: 3.81 ERA with 44/17 K/BB in 52 innings for Binghamton, 6.49 ERA with 40/24 K/BB and 87 hits in 68 innings for Buffalo. Finesse game not working against Triple-A hitters. 21) Dillon Gee, RHP, Grade C: 4.07 ERA for the Mets with a 77/47 K/BB in 117 innings, 97 hits. Eating innings effectively at the major league level. General comments -- Flores remains an enigma and there are some unfortunate injuries, but if I were a Mets fan, I would be very pleased with the development of Harvey and Familia in particular. Duda and Gee have contributed well to the major league club, and a healthy Nieuwenhuis and Havens could do the same next year

Edgy DC Aug 15 2011 09:20 PM Re: DePodesta's State of the Farm

I think those comments are useful but the grading more than a little lazy. Notice, for instance, that the guys in the first half of the list all get grades in the B range and guys in the second half all get grades in the C range. For instance. John Sickels wrote: 6) Cory Vaughn, OF, Grade B-: .286/.405/.408 with 36 walks, 64 strikeouts in 245 at-bats for Savannah, then .239/.345/.387 with 19 walks and 36 strikeouts in 142 at-bats for St. Lucie. Power somewhat disappointing this year, drawing some walks, tools are still here. 7) Juan Urbina, LHP, Grade B-: 6.69 ERA with 36/16 K/BB in 40 innings, 53 hits for Kingsport in the Appalachian League. I felt he was capable of better but he is only 18 and still has time. In what world to these two get the same grades? Vaughn is drawing "some" walks? He's got a difference of .119 between his batting average and OPB. You can always use that, and the power is a good bet to follow eventually. John Sickels wrote: 2) Jenrry Mejia, RHP, Grade B: Tommy John surgery. 8) Reese Havens, 2B, Grade C+: Hitting .294/.377/.431 with 20 walks, 43 strikeouts in 153 at-bats for Binghamton. One again, it is all a matter of health for Havens. How has Mejia given you enough to grade on, much less given you a better picture than Havens? His performance was little better and no less ephemeral, and his injury seems certainly more career-threatening.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 15 2011 09:22 PM Re: DePodesta's State of the Farm

The grades are preseason; the comments aren't.

Edgy DC Aug 15 2011 09:25 PM Re: DePodesta's State of the Farm

Well, I've typed a lot of keystrokes, so I'm not withdrawing my comments. (shit)

Frayed Knot Aug 15 2011 09:31 PM Re: DePodesta's State of the Farm

Yes, the grades were the pre-season mark. JS's quickie primer for his grading system: Grade A prospects are the elite. They have a good chance of becoming stars or superstars. Almost all Grade A prospects develop into major league regulars, if injuries or other problems don't intervene. Note that is a major "if" in some cases. Grade B prospects have a good chance to enjoy successful careers. Some will develop into stars, some will not. Most end up spending several years in the majors, at the very least in a marginal role. Grade C prospects are the most common type. These are guys who have something positive going for them, but who may have a question mark or three, or who are just too far away from the majors to get an accurate feel for. A few Grade C guys, especially at the lower levels, do develop into stars. Many end up as role players or bench guys. Some don't make it at all. A major point to remember is that grades for pitchers do NOT correspond directly to grades for hitters. Many Grade A pitching prospects fail to develop, often due to injuries. Some Grade C pitching prospects turn out much better than expected. Also note that there is diversity within each category. I'm a tough grader; Grade C+ is actually good praise coming from me, and some C+ prospects turn out very well indeed. Finally, keep in mind that all grades are shorthand. You have to read the full comment for my full opinion about a player, the letter grade only tells you so much. A Grade C prospect in rookie ball could end up being very impressive, while a Grade C prospect in Triple-A is likely just a future role player.