Master Index of Archived Threads


Just Like Starting Over

Edgy DC Aug 08 2007 09:08 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Aug 08 2007 12:28 PM

Three Mets position player prospects converted to pitching in the last two years. Zac Clements, catcher turned knuckler, produced this line in 2006: Team W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO Gulf Coast 1 1 3.66 7 3 0 32.00 24 17 13 0 29 27 Hagerstown 0 4 6.41 6 6 0 26.70 25 22 19 2 22 17 Norfolk 0 0 0.00 1 0 0 1.00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 1 5 4.82 14 9 0 59.7 49 39 32 2 51 44 Apparently the low hit rate and low homer rate didn't intrigue them enough to think it was worth working with him on the high high walk rate. I guess they weren't alone, as I can't find a record of him playing anywhere this year. But, good for them, that the experience didn't allow them to give up on allowing strong-armed catchers failing to hit their way into the bigs to try pitching. Joe Hietpas, who actually did reach Flushing during a catching pinch back in 2004 (the lone Met whose only appearance came as a defensive replacement?), took a crack at it this season and has put up this respectable line. Team W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO St. Lucie 3 2 2.93 18 0 0 27.2 28 10 9 0 7 14 Not to be outdone, slick-fielding-but-contact-averse shortstop Corey Ragsdale took the plunge mid-season this year, after struggling through another ill start. He's just getting started all the way at the bottom of the feeding chain. But nobody's touched him down there. Team W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO Gulf Coast 1 0 0.00 3 0 0 4.0 1 0 0 0 3 5 I like the stories were guys have to reinvient themselves, and I hope there's a Jorge Sosa or Henry Owens in this group.

MFS62 Aug 08 2007 12:10 PM

IIRC G. Mota started out as a shortstop in the Mets minor league system, too. Later

Nymr83 Aug 08 2007 12:54 PM

Hietpas' lack of walks for a guy new to the mound is encouraging.