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Dark Horse Met 2019

Centerfield Feb 27 2019 08:01 AM

Hey, did you predict great things for Jacob deGrom in February of 2014? Did you buy stock in Lugo and Gsellman prior to the 2016 season? Then this is the thread for you! Take me for instance. I predicted prior to Spring Training 2018 that a forgotten second-base prospect would kill it in 2018 and eventually take over for Cabrera mid-season. Sure, I thought it would be Gavin Cecchini instead of Jeff McNeil, but since I got the position right, I think I should get partial credit. Here are the rules. 1. It must be someone who is not on anyone's reasonable radar for this year. So "I think this is the year Michael Conforto puts it all together" is not an acceptable answer. Neither are top prospects on the doorstep that we expect/hope will contribute. So Peter Alonso, get the fuck outta here. The more obscure the better. 2. Contributions must be made at the Major League level. It's fine if you think Simeon Woods-Richardson will catapult to the top of Keith Law's list, but unless he makes contributions in 2019 as a Met, it doesn't count. Feel free to start your own "Dark Horse Prospect" thread. 3. I'm ok with former top prospects who have fallen from grace. So, if a few years ago, you said Dominic Smith, you would have been disqualified. But with all the 1B options now, and Dom basically an afterthought, he's an ok pick. So is former to prospect Bill Pulsipher, if you're inclined to go that route. So what say you CPF? Who is our Dark Horse Met? Does Ryder Ryan save the day? Is this the breakout year for Dilson Herrera? Are we sipping champagne in October toasting Gregor Blanco? Give me your predictions NOW!!!!

Benjamin Grimm Feb 27 2019 08:08 AM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

I'll say JD Davis.

Edgy MD Feb 27 2019 08:25 AM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

Living right on the edge of the expecteds and the dark horses, infield and outfield (and pitcher), J.D. Davis is the perfect choice here, but I want my own pony so I'll look elsewhere. Are Broxton and Lagares eligible? What the hey? I'll take P.J. Conlon.

smg58 Feb 27 2019 10:52 AM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

Corey Oswalt. The Mets are one injury (or Jason Vargas 2019 pitching like Jason Vargas 2018) away from opening an enormous window of opportunity.

Centerfield Feb 27 2019 11:15 AM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

Edgy MD wrote: Living right on the edge of the expecteds and the dark horses, infield and outfield (and pitcher), J.D. Davis is the perfect choice here, but I want my own pony so I'll look elsewhere. Are Broxton and Lagares eligible? What the hey? I'll take P.J. Conlon. The JD Davis thread prompted this one. I'm not sure on Broxton and Lagares. As of now, one of them is slated to be the starter, so it's hard to call either of them a Dark Horse. I'd lean towards excluding them. Particularly Lagares. Dark Horses usually don't pull down $9 million.

41Forever Feb 27 2019 12:29 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

=smg58 post_id=3500 time=1551289923 user_id=62] Corey Oswalt. The Mets are one injury (or Jason Vargas 2019 pitching like Jason Vargas 2018) away from opening an enormous window of opportunity.

Beat me to it!

seawolf17 Feb 27 2019 12:33 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

I'm going to go way the hell out on a limb and pick Dario Pizzano. Who the hell is Dario Pizzano, you ask? I had no idea either until I looked at our spring training stats and thought "who the hell is Dario Pizzano?" Dude went .272/.348/.425 across two levels in 2017, and .285/.361/.433 in AA in 2018. Doesn't seem to do anything exceptionally well (averages <10 HR a season, doesn't steal bases), but he makes good contact (average K and BB numbers). Played college ball at Columbia, so he's not afraid of NYC. 28 years old in April, so it's time to take the next step. Rise to the occasion, Dario!

kcmets Feb 27 2019 12:51 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

I guess since I heynineteen'd a high outcome for the-player-formerly- known-as Peter I should chime in that he's my 2019 dark horse?

seawolf17 Feb 27 2019 12:56 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

=kcmets post_id=3509 time=1551297106 user_id=53] I guess since I heynineteen'd a high outcome for the-player-formerly- known-as Peter I should chime in that he's my 2019 dark horse?

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, MAN. That violates CF Dark Horse Rule Number One.

kcmets Feb 27 2019 01:04 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

I know, but my more games than anyone at first and ROY candidate kinda trumps his gtfo-here?

Johnny Lunchbucket Feb 27 2019 01:37 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

Walter Lockett changes his name to Rocket Launcher and wins like, 17 games. WRITE IT DOWN

Edgy MD Feb 27 2019 01:46 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

It's "Walker Lockett, man. As in "Walker, Texas Ranger." As in "Put your hand into my pocket. / Grab my Walker Lockett."

Johnny Lunchbucket Feb 27 2019 01:47 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

In that case he only wins 16 games

dgwphotography Feb 27 2019 02:24 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

=41Forever post_id=3505 time=1551295752 user_id=69] =smg58 post_id=3500 time=1551289923 user_id=62] Corey Oswalt. The Mets are one injury (or Jason Vargas 2019 pitching like Jason Vargas 2018) away from opening an enormous window of opportunity.

Beat me to it!

Oswalt is my pick, too

whippoorwill Feb 27 2019 02:40 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

I like that you used "Dark Horse" close to George Harrison's birthday

Lefty Specialist Feb 27 2019 02:40 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

The way third basemen are dropping like flies, JD Davis may be starting at the position Opening Day. Qualifies him as an equine oscuro.

MFS62 Feb 27 2019 06:55 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Feb 27 2019 07:34 PM

TJ Rivera will be brought up in September to replace the still, yet, and forever ailing Todd Frazier and he will Hurricane Hazel it to the tune of .410 - 7 - 28 and help the team clinch the pennant, playoffs and World Series. I case you've forgotten, my Bronx homie can stroke. Later

Fman99 Feb 27 2019 07:32 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

I actually do like your example case Dom Smith as the classic post hype sleeper. These spring injuries are going to be the window he needs to show his mettle. You watch.

Lefty Specialist Feb 28 2019 07:45 AM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

=MFS62 post_id=3530 time=1551318928 user_id=60] TJ Rivera will be brought up in September to replace the still, yet, and forever ailing Todd Frazier and he will Hurricane Hazel it to the tune of .410 - 7 - 28 and help the team clinch the pennant, playoffs and World Series. I case you've forgotten, my Bronx homie can stroke. Later

Seems like he's still having elbow issues. The stallion darkens further.

smg58 Feb 28 2019 04:32 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

TJ can't seem to buy a break, although it's entirely possible he started his rehab assignment too early last summer.

bmfc1 Feb 28 2019 05:46 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

After seeing him the last three days, I'll go with Rajai Davis. Nice glove, decent bat, great speed. I'm not sure how he fits into the roster but I can see him sticking around and contributing in various ways.

Centerfield Feb 28 2019 05:58 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

A few nuggets of information for those still mulling candidates. It's tempting to pick new additions since we haven't seen them suck, and we are always hopeful for them. But chances are that the DHM is already in the organization. And chances are he's a pitcher. And probably white. Prior DHM's off the top of my head. 2011: RA Dickey. 11-9. 2.84 ERA 2012: Scott Hairston. 20 HRs. .803 OPS. 2013: Marlon Byrd. 848 OPS. 2014: Jacob deGrom 2016: Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo (co-DHMs) 2018: Jeff McNeil And of course, the first one I remember, 1987 Terry Leach.

Benjamin Grimm Feb 28 2019 06:07 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

1977 Lenny Randle!

Chad ochoseis Feb 28 2019 06:32 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

José "Porn Stache" Valentin, 2006

Chad ochoseis Feb 28 2019 06:39 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

And, this year, Vargas. He showed flickers of "not as done as you think" last year. This year, he puts in the solid back-of-the-rotation year that we wanted out of him in 2018.

Chad ochoseis Feb 28 2019 06:45 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

Also, George Stone in 1973. And Pat Mahomes that season that Pat Mahomes was good.

Centerfield Mar 01 2019 08:08 AM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

The list so far: 1973: George Stone. 12-3. 2.80 ERA 1977: Lenny Randle. .787 OPS. 33 SB. 4.2 WAR!!! 1987: Terry Leach. 11-1. 3.22 ERA. 1999: Pat Mahomes. 8-0. 3.68 ERA. 2006: Jose Valentin. 18 HRs, .820 OPS. 2011: RA Dickey. 11-9. 2.84 ERA 2012: Scott Hairston. 20 HRs. .803 OPS. 2013: Marlon Byrd. 848 OPS. 2014: Jacob deGrom. Rookie of the F'n Year. 2016: Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo (co-DHMs) 2018: Jeff McNeil This is a fun list. Obviously not every year will have a DHM, but it's great to see how many we've had. I think it's one of the great things about baseball is that you have guys come out of nowhere. That being said, it's also a little disappointing how many of these are one-year wonders. DeGrom and Lugo are bucking the trend. Hopefully McNeil can too.

G-Fafif Jun 01 2019 08:15 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

Adeiny we didn't see coming, yet here he is.

Johnny Lunchbucket Jun 01 2019 09:15 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

Guy is doing it all.

Edgy MD Jun 01 2019 09:41 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

With respect to Bob Ojeda, Dark Horse 1986 has to be Ray Knight. He was a complete load in 1985, and in 1986, he was earning MVP votes. 1988 is David Cone coming and going. Who the hell was this guy? 1990? Um, Wally Whitehurst did pretty good.

G-Fafif Jun 01 2019 09:43 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

1990: Daryl Boston

G-Fafif Jun 01 2019 09:46 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

Rick Reed's 1997 was as dark horse as it gets.

G-Fafif Jun 06 2019 02:44 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

Off the radar for five years and suddenly a platoon starter on a first-place club...Kelvin Chapman had to be the dark horse of 1984, even more than his fellow second baseman Wally Backman, who had fallen out of organizational favor pre-Davey Johnson but at least had been on the big club for a while every year since 1980.

Edgy MD Jun 06 2019 03:00 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

Chapman is dead on. Heck, the award should be called The Kelvin Chapman Award. Edgy MD wrote: With respect to Bob Ojeda, Dark Horse 1986 has to be Ray Knight. He was a complete load in 1985, and in 1986, he was earning MVP votes. Or am I shortchanging Rick Anderson here?

MFS62 Jun 06 2019 03:00 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

When Kelvin Chapman returned, I wondered why, after all those years, they still hadn't found anybody better. But then his '84 slash line was .289/.356/.401 and I realized they probably couldn't have. Later

G-Fafif Jun 06 2019 04:38 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

Edgy MD wrote: Chapman is dead on. Heck, the award should be called The Kelvin Chapman Award. Edgy MD wrote: With respect to Bob Ojeda, Dark Horse 1986 has to be Ray Knight. He was a complete load in 1985, and in 1986, he was earning MVP votes. Or am I shortchanging Rick Anderson here? Anderson is closer to the dark horse ideal, perhaps, but probably not a big enough contributor to the 1986 trajectory. They were already pretty close to death grip mode when Uncle Andy showed up and his most famous appearance came in a losing cause. When he returned, the division was safely tucked away. Ojeda had a career year, and certainly rose above his projected maybe-fifth starter status, but given where he was coming out of ‘85, Knight might be premier candidate.

Edgy MD Jun 06 2019 04:46 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

So, we may have to put that one to a vote. Kevin Mitchell would be on that ballot too.

G-Fafif Jun 06 2019 04:50 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

Most dark horses seem to emerge as the season unfolds. Mitchell and Ojeda (and Knight) were big April factors. Of course in 1986, April practically was the season.

Centerfield Oct 03 2019 03:33 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

So I'm thinking JD Davis. Dom Smith Honorable Mention?

kcmets Oct 03 2019 04:56 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

=Centerfield post_id=23700 time=1570138427 user_id=65]So I'm thinking JD Davis.

As good a thinking as anyone can up with.

LWFS Oct 03 2019 05:41 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

It HAS to be JD. 2000: Mora, or Timo?

Frayed Knot Oct 03 2019 05:44 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

JDD is the dark horse by a Secretariat at Belmont margin.

Edgy MD Oct 03 2019 05:46 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

Damn, I had J.D. but I had to go and get cute and pick a dude that hadn't been taken yet. A doomed dude. I think Melvin's Dark Horse award was won in the 1999 post-season. His equine eligibility was burned after that.

G-Fafif Oct 03 2019 06:25 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

It HAS to be JD. 2000: Mora, or Timo? Mora's Dark Horse year was 1999. Today was his day. Still is.

LWFS Oct 03 2019 06:34 PM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

It HAS to be JD. 2000: Mora, or Timo? Mora's Dark Horse year was 1999. Today was his day. Still is. Fair.

seawolf17 Oct 04 2019 06:46 AM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

I'm going to go way the hell out on a limb and pick Dario Pizzano. Who the hell is Dario Pizzano, you ask? I had no idea either until I looked at our spring training stats and thought "who the hell is Dario Pizzano?" Dude went .272/.348/.425 across two levels in 2017, and .285/.361/.433 in AA in 2018. Doesn't seem to do anything exceptionally well (averages <10 HR a season, doesn't steal bases), but he makes good contact (average K and BB numbers). Played college ball at Columbia, so he's not afraid of NYC. 28 years old in April, so it's time to take the next step. Rise to the occasion, Dario! This kind of scouting is NOT going to get me the manager's job next year. Pizzano finished the season with the Somerset Patriots in the Atlantic League.

HahnSolo Oct 04 2019 08:03 AM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

=seawolf17 post_id=23735 time=1570193204 user_id=91] This kind of scouting is NOT going to get me the manager's job next year. Pizzano finished the season with the Somerset Patriots in the Atlantic League.

Yes, but over on the Spark Eel Isle Forum, Pizzano is running away with Dark Horse Patriot honors.

Centerfield Oct 04 2019 08:06 AM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

If Ben Grimm were running this contest there would have been a ceremony. Ben, do you have any interest in putting something together to honor JD? I can give you my list of caterers.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 04 2019 08:44 AM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

I think there's some leftover shrimp somewhere from the last CPF Song Parody Contest. Hopefully it's not too rancid.

seawolf17 Oct 04 2019 08:46 AM Re: Dark Horse Met 2019

=HahnSolo post_id=23740 time=1570197785 user_id=63] =seawolf17 post_id=23735 time=1570193204 user_id=91] This kind of scouting is NOT going to get me the manager's job next year. Pizzano finished the season with the Somerset Patriots in the Atlantic League.

Yes, but over on the Spark Eel Isle Forum, Pizzano is running away with Dark Horse Patriot honors.


BOC