Aug 11 2006 05:24 PM
Mets sign Mulvey.
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Top pick Mulvey signs with Mets
Right-hander will report to Minor League complex
By Chris Girandola / MLB.com
NEW YORK -- It ranks a close second to the best day in his life. But it'll do.
Kevin Mulvey was all smiles as Mets general manager Omar Minaya announced the signing of the 21-year-old to a Mets contract Wednesday.
"The best day was when my sister was born," said Mulvey, who glanced up with his bright blue eyes from the Mets dugout at his sister, Erin, 19, who gazed proudly back at her brother. "But today is pretty exciting as well."
While Mulvey was close to 2 years old when his sister was born, it was clear family is an important part of his life. His immediate family gathered along the Mets dugout with Mulvey's extended family from New Jersey to listen to the announcement."I'm very proud of him," said Erin Mulvey, who attends Boston University. "We've always been there for each other growing up. It's amazing to see him here."
Kevin Mulvey had a team-low 3.61 ERA in 92 1/3 innings this year. (Aurora Imaging Company)
The family approach fits right in with how the Mets are, considering how well they've done this year. And it's something Minaya appreciates in the new member of the organization.
"He brings the right approach and attitude that should help the club for years to come," said Minaya. Mulvey, the club's first pick out of Villanova University, was selected 62nd overall in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft after spending three years pitching for the Wildcats in the Big East. He will report immediately to the Mets' Minor League complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
"We're very happy to bring Kevin on board, and he is a quality pitcher who has the makeup to pitch in the Major Leagues," said Minaya, who sat with Mulvey and Rudy Terrasas, the Mets' draft coordinator, in the dugout prior to Wednesday's game. "He has the competitive edge which will allow him to hopefully progress quickly through the system and pitch here in the Majors."
Mulvey went 3-8 with a 3.61 ERA in 14 starts this spring. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound junior had 88 strikeouts and 23 walks in 92 1/3 innings and held left-handed batters to a .214 batting average. He struck out a career-high 11 batters in a complete game against Rutgers on March 31 in the Wildcats' 1-0 loss.
Mulvey throws a four-seam fastball that hits 95 mph, along with a slider he goes to when he needs a strikeout. He also has a changeup he pitches to left-handed hitters, an occasional two-seam fastball and a curve he has been working on since he finished his season.
"Kevin has the physical tools with the mental edge that will help him be a quality starter in this game," said Minaya, who praised the efforts of area scout Scott Hunter for suggesting Mulvey. "When you have those two components along with the smarts, you can't go wrong."
During his three-year career at Villanova, Mulvey went 14-16 with a 4.43 ERA in 41 starts. In 244 innings, he allowed 248 hits, 152 runs (120 earned), with 96 walks and 222 strikeouts.
Mulvey was originally picked by the Cardinals in the 34th round of the 2003 draft, but chose to go to Villanova instead. He is a native of Parlin, N.J., and grew up a fan of both the Mets and the Yankees, but once he was signed, the Yankees hat was soon tossed from his collection.
"Yeah, I'm definitely now a Mets fan," he said.
Chris Girandola is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
