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Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

Edgy MD May 28 2013 11:44 PM

I'm watching this guy too closely not to be responsible for him. Another two hits and a HbP tonight and his OBP is up to .448. There are two adjectives to describe that. The first is "Bondsian," and the second is "stupid." Now at .306 / .448 / .530 // .978. Promote him up two levels now. We need a firstbaseman and he appears to need the money.

Vic Sage May 29 2013 07:44 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

his career numbers don't suggest a major league hitter, but what the hell. He's hot; maybe they catch lightning in a bottle while Ike rediscovers the strike zone in AAA.

Benjamin Grimm May 29 2013 07:46 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

I agree. We've definitely reached the point of "what the hell?"

Edgy MD Jun 20 2013 07:33 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

Dykstra went 3-7 in yesterday's doubleheader, with a walk, a double, two homers, and five RBI. His OPS on the season is up to 1.088. Over the last ten games, his line is at .484 / .614 / 1.032 // 1.646. Surely there's a way to escape from AA for this good, good man. The story yesterday was that the new net protecting the video scoreboard was effective in protecting it from the damage Dykstra had done to the board a few weeks ago. He's breaking ballparks, people!! How dangerous is he to Eastern League pitchers? [list]Batting Average: .322 (fourth in league, Cesar Puello being third) On-Base Percentage: .471 (first, by 28 points) Slugging Percentage: .617 (first, Puello being second) OPS: 1.088 (first, 55 freakin' points ahead of Puello) Doubles: 18 (fifth) Homers: 12 (seventh) RBI: 47 (sixth, one behind Puello) Walks: 49 (first, one ahead of Josh Rodriguez) Strikeouts: 57 (tied for 27th) [/list:u] He's clearly reduced this thing we call "batting" to a formula and he's got it working to maximum effect. Set him loose in the Pacific Coast League and folks will start cancelling games to avoid him. He's now played 241 games at Bingo over three seasons, and all he does is produce. That ain't good. Recognize what you've got here, Mets. He could redeem the name Dykstra forever!

themetfairy Jun 20 2013 08:28 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

We saw him play in Trenton a couple of weeks ago -

Edgy MD Jul 03 2013 08:07 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

The All-Star-bound Dykstra is just toying with the opponents. He leads the league in walks by a healthy margin while still coming in at sixth in RBI, even though few guys want to pitch to him over the plate and he don't chase. He's leading the league in OPS by 72 points and the guy in second is teammate Cesar Puello. He was originally in the Padres system, picked by Alderson and DePodesta, and then they traded to bring him to the Mets' system, so he's surely on their radar, but he can't. Seem. To shake. Double A. It's his third straight year in Binghamton and there's just not that much to do there.

Edgy MD Aug 02 2013 06:14 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

Binghamton Press & Sun is wild about Allan, and they also want you to know Lockheed-Martin is cutting jobs, because Binghamton isn't miserable enough. http://www.pressconnects.com/article/CB/20130709/SPORTS/307090042/Allan-Dykstra-s-career-back-track-B-Mets Allan Dykstra's career back on track with B-Mets BINGHAMTON — A 6-foot-5, 215-pound man with a mound of bright red hair atop his head usually is easy to spot, but Allan Dykstra most certainly was lost. When he arrived in Binghamton in 2011, Dykstra had lost the luster that came with being the No. 23 pick in the 2008 draft by the San Diego Padres. But Wednesday night, Dykstra will join outfielder Cesar Puello, infielder Josh Rodriguez, and pitchers Logan Verrett and Jeff Walters as they represent the B-Mets in the Eastern League All-Star Game in New Britain, Conn. “I lost my confidence in my abilities and, really, my approach in what I was doing with the Padres,” said Dykstra, a California native who is not related to former New York Mets outfielder Lenny Dykstra. “I kind of re-found that here (with) a little bit of rejuvenation, and people believing in me — and also believing in myself.” Opposing pitchers have been racking their brains this season wondering how to get Dykstra out. The 26-year-old first baseman went into the all-star break leading the Eastern League in on-base percentage (.477), walks (68), and slugging percentage (.590). Dykstra also ranks among the league’s leaders in batting average (.313, fourth), RBIs (56, tied for fourth), and home runs (14, tied for fifth). A powerful yet patient hitter at Wake Forest University, Dykstra showed both attributes early in his professional career. He walked an eye-opening 104 times and hit 11 home runs in his first full season in 2009 (125 games). He walked 78 times and launched 16 home runs in 2010 (113 games). But he did not hit consistently, batting a combined .233 in his first two full seasons. His swing had gotten long. He lacked rhythm and timing. It was a far cry from the expectations of the Padres, who signed Dykstra for $1.15 million after picking him six spots after the Mets selected first baseman Ike Davis. After playing seven games for Padres’ High-A affiliate Lake Elsinore in 2008, Baseball America ranked Dykstra the eighth-best prospect in San Diego’s system. But by 2011, the Padres had made changes in their front office and jettisoned Dykstra to the Mets in exchange for pitcher Eddie Kunz, who was released this past March. Dykstra viewed it as a silver lining that the Mets front office contingent that acquired him included general manager Sandy Alderson, who was Padres CEO when they drafted Dykstra. “It’s definitely awesome knowing that somebody wants you,” Dykstra said. “I kind of felt like I was getting a little, maybe, lost in the shuffle with the Padres. They had a couple other guys playing great, and they outplayed me.” The Padres picked first baseman Matt Clark in the same draft (12th round) as Dykstra in 2008; Clark reached Triple-A in 2012, but the Padres released him in January. The Padres drafted first basemen Nate Freiman and Cody Decker in 2009; Freiman is in the major leagues with the Oakland Athletics, and Decker plays for the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate. Finding his swing After Dykstra arrived in Binghamton, B-Mets hitting coach Luis Natera had him move his hands closer to his chest, cocking them before he swings as opposed to them drifting backward. Natera also curtailed Dykstra’s high leg kick. It took time and practice, but the new swing has become his swing. “He feels it,” Natera said. “Now, it’s becoming natural. Now, when his swing gets long — (snapping his fingers) — he knows right away. He can go back to basics.” Dykstra, who throws right-handed but bats left-handed, hit .267 in 2011, his first year working with Natera. He also registered career-bests in home runs (19) and RBIs (77), and walked 69 times. Natera got Dykstra to focus on driving the ball toward left-center field so he can react to a wider range of pitches and still pull the ball. But Dykstra still crushes towering shots over the right-field wall with ease; he has blasted multiple home runs off the video board in right-center field at NYSEG Stadium the past three seasons. “He’s got quick hands,” Natera said. “If he stays to left-center and the pitcher makes a mistake in, he’s still able to get there. Before, everything was pull with him, and he hooked the ball.” Last season, a broken wrist derailed Dykstra’s season in April; while fielding a throw at first base from pitcher Darin Gorski, his left arm ended up in the path of a base runner. Despite missing half of April and both May and June, he managed to hit .262 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs in 71 games for the B-Mets. Waiting his turn Dykstra came into this season intent on picking up where he left off in the 2011 season. However, that’s not how it worked out. The Mets signed Rhyne Hughes, a left-handed first baseman who had a brief stint in the majors with the Baltimore Orioles in 2010, as minor-league free agent in the offseason. Hughes, not Dykstra, started at first base in the season opener. Despite having the designated hitter spot as an option, Dykstra played in only 12 of the first 22 games. In two of those games, he was used as a pinch-hitter. “He probably was a little upset. I would’ve been upset too, but he didn’t pout,” B-Mets manager Pedro Lopez said. “He went out there. He got his work in. He tried to get better. “Now, we’re seeing the results. If there is one guy out in that clubhouse that I’m happy for, it’s him because I know he’s put in every effort in order for him to have some of the success that he’s having.” Hughes went on the disabled list on April 27 with a shoulder/bicep injury that sidelined him until the middle of June. That injury opened the door for Dykstra to play every day and after 74 games, Dykstra is closing in on his season highs for home runs and RBIs from two years ago. Dykstra has settled into the cleanup spot behind Puello to give the B-Mets a daunting 1-2 punch in the middle of their lineup. Puello goes into the break batting .323 with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs — but in some ways, Dykstra may be more dangerous than Puello because of his patience. “He’s got great plate discipline,” Natera said. “He knows the strike zone pretty well for a Double-A guy. He doesn’t chase a lot of pitches out of the strike zone. The pitcher has to throw a strike to him.” Dykstra still has the same goals he had as a first-round pick in 2008. He wants to make it to the big leagues and prove that he can be the hitter he was thought to be coming out of Wake Forest. He also knows getting traded and ending up in Binghamton may have been a blessing in the long run. “It was one of those things where a fresh start was great for me — new scenery, new people, maybe a different look on what I was doing,” Dykstra said. “Sometimes that’s all you need. It really did well for me.”

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 02 2013 07:32 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

What do you suppose is the issue with this guy? He whiffs quite a bit, looks like, but I don't know what that means. Where does one find Major League Equivalent scores?

Benjamin Grimm Aug 02 2013 07:44 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

who is not related to former New York Mets outfielder Lenny Dykstra. That might be the best thing about him! I too wonder why he's stagnated in Double A. He turned 26 in May; maybe the organization is thinking his numbers are skewed because he has more experience than his competition? Dykstra does seem to deserve a shot at Triple A. Who's playing first for Las Vegas? If the Vegas guy, whoever he is, isn't a viable alternative to Ike Davis (something the Mets desperately need) then Dykstra should certainly move up.

Edgy MD Aug 02 2013 07:54 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

I assume the only problem is there's no room at Vegas, and the guy in his way is somebody they're not looking to jettison. Currently at first in Vegas is Zach Lutz, with Brandon Hicks a-huggin' third. Jordany is JorDHing. I bet Wally would love him some Dykstra. I don't see any need for Hicks to be an everyday dude. They can send down one of their (face palm)... 13 pitchers!. Seriously, D.J. Mitchell is keeping this guy out of AAA.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 02 2013 08:01 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

I think I'd rather see D.J. Mitchell at first base for the Mets than Ike Davis.

Vic Sage Aug 02 2013 08:33 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

hicks has no upside and Dykstra does. this is stupid. Put him in Vegas, Sandy!

Edgy MD Aug 02 2013 10:59 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

If Hicks did have an upside, I'd like to think that he'd be our backup shortstop right now, seeing as how we need one. I imagine the powers that be don't see much difference between AAA and AA. The former has older guys with big-league experience, but otherwise the level of play is about the same, so why not leave a guy there if there's not an clear opening at his position at the next leavel? But I imagine it's a little better for morale that a guy that's destroying the league for a few months to have it acknowledged with a promotion. And there kinda is an opening. Minor league advancement is probably a DePodesta call.

Nymr83 Aug 02 2013 07:00 PM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

Given the summer weather, I would happily remain at Binghamton instead of Vegas.

Edgy MD Aug 02 2013 08:49 PM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

Well, I guess that Lutz is about to get the call up the the big leagues and Dykstra will then head to Vegas.

MFS62 Aug 04 2013 07:30 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: What do you suppose is the issue with this guy? I thought the issue might have been that he is short. Short first basemen (and right handed starting pitchers) have traditionally been looked down upon. But Allan is 6'5". So the issue is still a mystery. I'd like to see him get a chance at the majors. Later

Edgy MD Aug 04 2013 07:55 PM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

I'd be happy just to see him get a chance in AAA. I was hoping he'd be pulled up in the wake of transactions following Wright's injury, but no luck. I think the 51s corresponding move when Baxter moved up was to add Tim Byrdak. Got the big hit in the B-Mets 3-0 shutout Friday.

themetfairy Nov 21 2013 07:53 PM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

Adam Rubin Tweets That Dykstra Broke His Fibula

Edgy MD Nov 21 2013 08:26 PM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

Shikey, that guy needs a break. I mean, a symbolic break.

MFS62 Apr 08 2014 09:27 PM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

Let's all give a standing round of applause to minor league veteran Alan Dykstra. He's finally in AAA. He started at 1B tonight and is currently 1-2 with 2 RBI. Good for him. Later

Edgy MD Apr 10 2014 08:42 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

Yeah, and now 4-9 with three walks: .444 / .583 / .778 // 1.361. You know the Japanese teams must be clamoring for him. A Bondsonian start.

Edgy MD Apr 17 2014 08:36 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

.417 / .588* / .625 // 1.213 through 10 games and 34 plate appearances. Surely some of this must translate at the big league level. * Leads all affiliated American baseball.

Edgy MD Apr 18 2014 08:24 PM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

Guess which 27-year-old career minor leaguer just moved up the depth chart?

Edgy MD Apr 22 2014 07:26 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

Guess which 27-year-old minor-league vet is the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week? It's the guy who had two homers and ten RBI, reached base at a .593 clip, and slugged .900.

Vic Sage Apr 22 2014 08:02 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

No, there's no room for him. the Mets would rather have 40-year old Bobby Abreu on their bench.

Edgy MD May 06 2014 10:32 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

One hit in his last seven games has seemingly cooled him off, but he's walked eight times in that period, and even plated three RBI. [list:2fa102zp]BA: .324 (19th in the PCL) OBP: .485 (2nd) SLG: .595 (10th) OPS: 1.079 (4th)[/list:u:2fa102zp] That's him cooled off.

Edgy MD Jul 15 2014 06:21 AM Re: Allan Dykstra, I adopt thee

Allan Dykstra, your AAA homerun derby champ. Runner up: former Mets prospect Francisco Peña.