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Let's Go, Zephs! Let's Go, Zephs!

AG/DC Apr 01 2008 01:32 PM

The Zephs Roster Starting Pitchers: Tony Armas Adam Bostick Nelson Figueroa Jose Santiago Relief Pitchers: Willie Collazo Joselo Diaz Nate Field Ruddy Lugo Ivan Maldonado Tim McNab Carlos Muniz Robert Paulk Catchers: Gustavo Molina Mike Nickeas Shawn Wooten. Infielders: Michel Abreu Anderson Hernandez Anderson Machado Argenis Reyes Fernando Tatis Outfielders: Chris Aguila Jesus Feliciano Victor Mendez Caleb Stewart I'm a little confused. Only three of those guys have a real history as a starter. Santiago was presseed into swingman status last year, and I guess the fifth starter will sort itself out.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 01 2008 01:39 PM

No Fernando Martinez? I guess he's landing in Binghamton, which, I imagine, will be a parallel thread. Do any of these guys look like they might help the big league team in 2008? I guess Tatis and Armas are possibilities. And maybe Abreu?

metirish Apr 01 2008 01:40 PM

I wouldn't pay to see that team play, no F Martinez even.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 01 2008 01:42 PM

In the god-forbid absense of Jose Reyes for more than a few days I'm sure we'll get their shortstop, not sure which Anderson that will be. And in the case we need a punk who wears his cap straight-brimmed and off-center, we can call for Ivan Maldonado. Ruddy Lugo might get a few innings at Big Shea this year too. Where's Ricardo Rincon? He had a good camp and I think accepted a AAA invitation.

AG/DC Apr 01 2008 01:46 PM

From a report of an hour ago: Lefthander Ricardo Rincon, who had indicated to teammates that he wouldn't go to Triple-A, is expected to report to New Orleans

86-Dreamer Apr 01 2008 01:47 PM

Where is Jose Valentin these days? Did Olmedo Saenz sign somewhere else? How 'bout Ricardo Rincon?

AG/DC Apr 01 2008 01:49 PM

I'm guessing Valentin gets Extended Spring Training.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 01 2008 01:54 PM

The Zephyrs, along with Binghamton, St. Lucie, and Savannah, are all scheduled to open their seasons on Thursday. The Mets other three farm clubs, Brooklyn, Kingsport, and Gulf Coast, will start play in June.

AG/DC Apr 09 2008 09:12 AM

The Zephyrs are 3-3 so far. The top hitter so far has been outfielder Chris Aguila, clocking in at .444 / .474 / .722 // 1.196 in five games. Fernando Tatis has been Kingmanesque, going only 4-22 thus far, with three of the hits leaving the park, giving him an isolated slugging percentage of .454. Funny stuff like that this early. Adam Bostick has been the top starter and Ruddy Lugo the top reliever, fanning nine and walking none in six scoreless innings.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 09 2008 09:19 AM

I was looking at their roster yesterday wondering who might get the call if Luis Castillo lands on the DL. Would it be Tatis? Anderson Hernandez? Might it even be Argenis Reyes?

AG/DC Apr 09 2008 09:31 AM

Anderson Machado is also a possiblity.

Triple Dee Apr 12 2008 10:48 AM

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I was looking at their roster yesterday wondering who might get the call if Luis Castillo lands on the DL. Would it be Tatis? Anderson Hernandez? Might it even be Argenis Reyes? Reyes has had a great start to the season hitting .457/.414 with 3 SB. I know it's wishful thinking, but lets hope he's a late bloomer.

Triple Dee Apr 13 2008 05:13 AM

4/12 - Brian Stokes pitched 7 scoreless innings, allowing just 3 hits while recording 5Ks, earning the win against Round Rock Express improving his ERA for the season to 1.64.

AG/DC Jun 12 2008 07:25 AM

Apart from mid-season additions Val Pacucci and Raul Gonzalez, the Zephyrs also added John Rodriguez in recent weeks, a shuttle player who has actually hit at the big-league level. Meet John Rodriguez.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 17 2008 08:46 AM

These guys need a manager now.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 17 2008 09:08 AM

Perhaps they coordinate this by bumping the AA staff to AAA and bring a few of those AA hitters (Carp, Murphy, Evans) up with him. Mako Oliveras... that's his name yeah?

Benjamin Grimm Jun 17 2008 09:12 AM

Yeah, Oliveras is the B-Mets manager. Or they can give New Orleans to Gary Carter if they think it will shut him up.

attgig Jun 17 2008 09:15 AM

give carter the bmets. isn't that a promotion for the guy?

Frayed Knot Jun 17 2008 09:20 AM

attgig wrote: give carter the bmets. isn't that a promotion for the guy? That was the job Carter turned down which started this whole "feud" between them.

bmfc1 Jun 17 2008 09:39 AM

I say Wally Backman. It's an audition for next year. If he doesn't do anything really stupid (as if the Mets are incapable of "really stupid"), he should be on the list for next year's manager (of course, I hope that Jerry Manuel is still the manager next year because that would mean the team succeeded in '08).

AG/DC Jun 18 2008 12:08 PM

Replacing Ken Oberkfell as manager of the Zephyrs is Marty Scott, who was set to become the manager of the Gulf Coast Mets, so that's a quick climb up the feeding chain for Marty, if only perhaps a temporary one. You could probably guess the new Zephyr pitchign coach on your first try --- minor league pitching coordinator and a Shea Veteran whose name is a sentence, Rick Waits. Scott is a conventional manager that has helmed running ballclubs in his minor league career. He's a member of Texas Baseball Hall of Fame, and has skippered natinoal teams for USA Baseball. From 1985-1994, he was Player Development Director with the Rangers, where I'm sure he worked with Omar Minaya, and probably George W. Bush once or twice. He managed the St. Paul Saints from 1996-1999, which should have included Darryl Strawberry's tenure with the team. If Gary Carter hadn't been so... Gary Carter, he might have gotten this job, and been sitting pretty.

AG/DC Jul 10 2008 10:25 PM

Who knew they played other positions? NO PAIN, NO GAIN Posted by Bob Fortus, The Times-Picayune July 10, 2008 10:11PM Zephyrs catcher Raul Casanova missed batting practice Thursday because of a toothache. Playing with the pain Wednesday night, he inflicted pain on the Memphis Redbirds. Casanova went 3-for-4, hit a grand slam on the levee beyond the center-field fence and a two-run homer over the sign behind the hot tub in right. Also, he hit a line-drive single off the wrist of Memphis starter Clayton Mortensen, who was knocked out of the 10-6 New Orleans victory. His six RBIs equaled the Zephyr Field record set by the Zephyrs' Daryle Ward in 1999 and matched by Oklahoma's Pedro Valdes in 2000. The Zephyrs' record for RBIs in a game is eight, set by J.R. Phillips in 1998. "One of my best games ever, " said Casanova after returning from an emergency visit to the dentist. "One of the best games in a 19-year career." Though still feeling some pain, Casanova was back in the lineup Thursday night against the Redbirds. "He's a gamer, " Zephyrs Manager Marty Scott said. "He likes to play." Casanova, a 35-year-old native of Puerto Rico, has played for 27 teams in 11 organizations in the majors and minors. This is his second stint in the Mets' organization -- they drafted Casanova in the eighth round in 1990. The first time around with the Mets, Casanova didn't reach the majors. New York traded him to San Diego in 1992, and the Padres traded him to the Tigers in 1996. That season, Casanova made his big-league debut against the Cleveland Indians. "When I was called up the first time, May 24 (1996), that was the moment of my life, " he said. "When I was a little kid, I always wanted to be in the big leagues." Casanova said he was the designated hitter in that game. He recalled being robbed of hit in his last at-bat on a diving catch by Albert Belle. Three days later, Casanova got his first big-league hit, against Kansas City's Tim Belcher. Casanova's first homer was against the Royals' Kevin Appier. Casanova started 83 games and played in 101 for Detroit in 1997, hitting .243. In 1998, he made the Tigers' opening day roster, but injuries hampered him for most of the season. He didn't make it back to the majors until 2000 with Milwaukee, when he hit .247 in 86 games. He stayed with the Brewers in 2001 and hit .260 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs in 71 games. Casanova's other big-league stints were with Baltimore in 2002, the White Sox in their world championship 2005 season, Tampa Bay last season and the Mets this season. In 387 big-league games in eight seasons, he batted .236 with 35 homers and 130 RBIs. Casanova rejoined the Mets by signing as a minor-league free agent in December. "Playing winter ball in the Dominican (Republic), one of those games, Omar (Minaya, the Mets' general manager) was there, " Casanova said. "I had a few guys recommend me. That's how I got back here. I always wanted to come back to the Mets. They were always good to me." Casanova started the season with the Mets. He started 12 games for them before being designated for assignment. He joined the Zephyrs on May 15. The Mets called back Casanova eight days later, but on June 16, he was back in New Orleans. In 20 games this season with the Mets, Casanova, a switch-hitter, batted .273 (15-for-55) with one homer and six RBIs. With the Zephyrs, he was batting .347 with three homers and 13 RBIs in 20 games through Wednesday. He's part of a three-man catching corps with the Zephyrs. "He calls a good game, " pitcher Claudio Vargas said of Casanova. "He calls anything on any count." Like Casanova, the Zephyrs' other catchers -- Gustavo Molina and Robinson Cancel -- are veterans who have spent part of this season with the Mets. Scott said he's using a 2-2-2 system, meaning that each catcher will start two consecutive games. All three can play other positions. Casanova and Cancel have played first base, and Molina has played third. Casanova has been the designated hitter in games against teams with American League parent teams. "It's very competitive, but we have fun, " Casanova said. "We try to do our best whenever we're on the field. . . . We can't worry about who goes to the big leagues. We wish them luck." Casanova plans to keep competing. "I want to keep playing until my body won't let me play, " he said. "If they offer me a job . . . I want to keep playing. I really want to play in the big leagues." A toothache won't deter him. . . . . . . . Bob Fortus can be reached at rfortus@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3408.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 21 2008 09:55 AM

Things to be moderately excited about: OF John Rodriguez (BL/TL) is hitting almost as well as OF Val Pascucci (BR/TR) LHP Brandon Knight is 5-1, 1.60, 0.84 WHiP, 49 K in 39.1 IP

AG/DC Jul 21 2008 10:44 AM

Rodriguez is the reason they quietly jettisoned Raul Gonzalez, which helps rebut any notion of the Mets' passionalte love for retreads.

Frayed Knot Jul 21 2008 10:46 AM

Knight is slated to go to Beijing with the 'lympics team.