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Adopted: Jonathon Niese

The Second Spitter Apr 22 2008 12:56 AM

Niese continues his great start at Binghamton After 4 starts, he has a 0.93 ERA 17 strikeouts and only 5 walks in 19.1 innings. Keep it up, kid. Full write-up to follow.

themetfairy Apr 22 2008 05:14 AM

We saw your boy pitch an inning in the game where neither El Duque nor Pelfrey really felt like landing the 5th starter position. He looked pretty good.

The Second Spitter Apr 24 2008 08:18 AM Edited 3 time(s), most recently on Apr 24 2008 10:06 AM

Jonathon Niese is a left-handed pitcher from Lima, Ohio, who stands at 6-4ft, 215lbs. He was born on the 27th October, 1986 and if you don't know the significance of that date, I'm going to petition the admins to have you banned from CPF. Niese was selected by the Mets in the seventh round of the 2005 Draft out of Defiance High School (presumably in Ohio). He was committed to the University of Cincinnati but slipped into the draft due to supposed contract demands. His signing bonus was $175,000. Niese has a windup reminiscent of former Mets prospect Scott Kazmir. Niese's fastball may not have the same velocity as Kazmir's -- it tops out in the low nineties, but given his age it is conceivable he could add 1-2mph to this. His fastball has late movement and is thrown with excellent control. (This may describe his splitter.) His curveball has devastating break and is consistently thrown for strikes (Tell me who doesn't love a lefty with a nasty curve?) From reports, his change-up may still need some work and is considered his weakest pitch. Also, some of his mechanics need to be "ironed-out" particularly working on balancing his upper and lower body in his delivery. Mets minor-league coordinator Rick Waits is credited for the improvement in his command (although I'm sure Al Jackson has also contributed in some form), and his changeup has shown steady signs of progress. In 2007 at St. Lucie, he won 11 of 18 decisions, producing a 4.27 ERA in 27 starts and 134 1/3 innings. His hits allowed were a bit high -- 151. But he reduced his walks from 67 in 133 2/3 in 2006 -- all but 10 of the innings at a lower level of Class A -- to 31 in 134 1/3 innings last season. His final 10 starts produced a 4-3 record, but a 3.38 ERA as well. These performances prompted Waits to say that Niese "reached the turning point." This was what Baseball America had to say at the end of last season: [quote="Baseball America"] Strengths: Niese uses a fastball that sits at 91-92 mph early in games, then attacks hitters with an improved curveball that has become a plus pitch as he has learned to locate it. He has figured out how to throw his changeup with the same arm speed he uses for his fastball, and it has similar sink and tailing action. Weaknesses: While he has improved his conditioning, Niese remains inconsistent in terms of maintaining his velocity. He’s still learning to pitch inside with his fastball and remain aggressive with his changeup. His competitiveness can work against him at times. The Future: After his strong finish, Niese is ready to hit Double-A as a 21-year-old. He’s still probably two years away from making an impact in New York’s rotation.

During Spring Training 2008 a peculiar compliment was paid to Niese after he completed throwing batting practice to the Mets major leaguers, which included Carlos Beltran and David Wright. Rick Waits said Niese "would stand out if he were right-handed." He also said "What we like now is he's pitching competitive, aggressively and hungry, We can preach that, but you can't teach it."

Niese finished Spring Training with a 3.12 ERA , and according to CPF's own scout, metfairy, "looked pretty good," although it is uncertain whether she was commenting on his pitching ability or something else.

As I mentioned in my first post (see above) his first four starts at AA this year have yielded fantastic results punctuated by a very low-walk rate. This is always encouraging to see in a young pitcher. Prior to the start of the AA season, Waits said "With the progress he's made since this time last year,you can start to figure on him getting his chance." So the Mets must feel very content by his progress.

Although it is highly improbable that he'll get called up this year, given the fact the Mets have three vacancies to fill in the starting rotation next season, it is not inconceivable that he may challenge for one of those positions in Spring Training 2009.

Current Ranking in the Mets Farm System: 4th (Baseball Prospectus), 3rd (Rotoworld), 7th (Baseball America) Notes: the BP and RW rankings are correct up to the start of this season. The BA ranking was given prior to the Santana trade.

Projected Music at CitiField: "Don't Walk Away" (Electric Light Orchestra)

Projected Number at CitiField: 47

Pics:

seawolf17 Apr 24 2008 09:49 AM

Projected number of strangely offset eyes: 2

The Second Spitter Apr 24 2008 09:50 PM

04/24 - 5th Start: IP 6.0, H 5, R 0, ER 0, BB 2, K 5 D: W, (2-1) ERA: 0.71

The Second Spitter May 03 2008 03:58 AM

04/30- 6th Start: First bad start of the season IP 4.1 H 4, R 4, ER 4, BB 6, K 5 D: L, (2-2) ERA: 1.52

The Second Spitter May 07 2008 07:57 AM

05/05 - 7th Start: Um, not good. IP 4.1 H 8, R 7, ER 7, BB 2, K 2 D: L, (2-3) ERA: 3.44

Frayed Knot Jun 20 2008 02:34 PM

Niese gets a little love from a Baseball America online chat: ... you wouldn't know Niese was one of the Eastern League's youngest pitchers based on his performance. He committed to conditioning this season and got out of the gate strong. His ERA took a step back in May, but his peripherals remained solid, and now in June he's given up three runs in three starts while striking out 20. Niese sits in the low 90s and touches 94 with a solid curveball and change, meaning he's got midrotation starter potential.

themetfairy Jun 24 2008 10:44 AM

Niese looked good against the Trenton Thunder last Sunday. He gave up three runs in the second, but that was it, and he went six innings.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 29 2008 07:12 AM

Promoted to New Orleans. He'll make his next start tomorrow against Tuscon. Is he on track to pitch for the Mets this season?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 29 2008 07:23 AM

Yes.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 31 2008 08:45 AM

Niese goes 7 for New Orleans, giving up 3 hits and 1 run, striking out 7 and walking 2. Don't trade him, Omar!

AG/DC Jul 31 2008 08:47 AM

Triple Dee is an estranged father, and I'm a little afraid he's going to show up, shove the kid in his car, and drive off.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 31 2008 08:55 AM

At the very least, Triple Dee should be taking young Jon out to amusement parks every weekend to show up his mother.

The Second Spitter May 24 2009 04:53 AM

Thanks for looking after my boy while I was gone, VCF . Unfortunately, I'm going to do a Barry Bonds and skimp on child support. Btw, his last start on 5/22 was just horrible;; 3.2ip 12h 7er

The Second Spitter May 27 2009 11:39 PM

5/27 -- Another sucky start 6.0 ip, 7h, 5er, 2hr Now 0-4 in Buffalo with a 7.62era.

The Second Spitter Jun 02 2009 04:38 AM

1/6 - Jon's officially grounded for putting up another shitty start v Durham 6.1IP 7H 6ER 1BB 6SO HR1 ERA8.05 (0-5)

A Boy Named Seo Jun 02 2009 01:56 PM

Neglect. I think he's just acting out, 3D. Take him for a cotton candy or something.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 02 2009 02:27 PM

[quote="Triple Dee":3p2n6ztz]1/6 - Jon's officially grounded for putting up another shitty start v Durham 6.1IP 7H 6ER 1BB 6SO HR1 ERA8.05 (0-5)[/quote:3p2n6ztz] He was pitching in January?

MFS62 Jun 02 2009 03:15 PM

Maybe he's unsing International format with the day before the month. That, or dyslexia. Or a typo. Maybe we'll find out. Later

The Second Spitter Jun 02 2009 11:42 PM

Geez guys, it's hard for me to remember to use US grammar, spelling and protocols every single time. But I do try.

MFS62 Oct 22 2009 12:13 PM Re: Adopted: Jonathon Niese

Jon came in at #16 in the BA list of International League prospects. He was the only Buffalo player to make the list. Later