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Reese Havens

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 16 2008 10:10 AM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Jun 27 2008 06:17 PM

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/ ... vens.shtml Born October 20, 1986; the day after Doc Gooden was shelled in Game 2 to put the Mets down 0-2 heading up to Boston and the day before Bob Ojeda pitched the Mets back into the series. The big league club seems to have no long term solution at either catcher or second base. Hopefully, my boy Reese can grow into a switch-hitting monster at one of those positions. I look forward to catching him at a Cyclones game soon and hopefully at Citi Field in...2011? Also, I have no idea what the protocols and courtesies are for this adopt-a-prospect thing. If I'm in the wrong in anyway, please lemme know. edit-> Reese isn't a switch hitter. The throwing righty/hitting lefty thing confused me. But he's still awesome.

AG/DC Jun 16 2008 10:25 AM

Enjoy yourself. Protocols are to give us regular updates on his progress. Good parents try to interview their guy themselves. You think you have a catcher or what?

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 16 2008 10:37 AM

AG/DC wrote: You think you have a catcher or what? Scouts put him on the slowish end of the Carlos Gomez-to-John Olerud scale, so I'd put my money more on catcher than second base; although there is precedent for second basemen who are less than fleet of foot.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 16 2008 11:20 AM

I was going to post a poll about Havens, asking where we'd like him to be five years from now. Choices would have been: Mets second baseman Mets catcher Mets shortstop (that's for the Jose haters) in another organization (meaning he was traded for an established player) Me, I'd lean towards second base. I'd like our next catcher to be somebody who was born to the position. (And no, I don't really know what I mean by that.)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 16 2008 11:31 AM

Good quote in the paper today about how Havens was such a gamer he transcended college baseball decorum regarding high-spikes sliding and other plays illustrating gritty scrappiness and scrappy grit. Um, here it is, from the snooze: Marlin McPhail, who scouts Georgia and the Carolinas for the Mets, has seen Havens play dozens of times. McPhail was as impressed by Havens' hard-nosed style as his home run power. "In college there are certain rules," McPhail said. "You can't break up (the double play), can't run guys over. But he's the type of guy who would."

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 16 2008 12:32 PM

That's what I'm talkin' about! When you're playing against some non-scholarship 19 year old from Wofford College in an 8-0 game, you go for the jugular, man! Spikes up!

seawolf17 Jun 16 2008 06:07 PM

What the hell is a Cotuit Kettleer?

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 16 2008 06:24 PM

seawolf17 wrote: What the hell is a Cotuit Kettleer? It's some weird Cape Cod League thing.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 17 2008 07:58 PM

The Brooklyn Cyclones opened up their season today against the hated (?) Staten Island Yankees and Reese Havens... didn't play. This site says Reese will be played at short. Eventually, I presume. (I'm less patient than I thought I would be about this.)

Rockin' Doc Jun 17 2008 08:02 PM

VC Firecracker - "...(I'm less patient than I thought I would be about this.)" All good parents want only the best for their 'kids'. Don't worry, our guys will get their chances soon enough. The Mets didn't draft them just to have them waste away on a minor league bench somewhere.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 18 2008 01:09 PM

If you're heading to Keyspan Park this week, you won't be seeing Reese Havens, who has a strained elbow. The MRI showed nothing serious, and he might make his Coney Island debut next weekend against the Aberdeen Ironbirds (at shortstop, another article says.). Edit-> he might make his Coney Island debut next weekend against the Aberdeen Ironbirds ON PIRATE NIGHT! I might have to go.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 26 2008 06:26 AM

Hey, whaddya know, Reese made the SEC's academic honor roll! Kudos, kiddo! I sure as hell didn't keep a 3.0 while playing college sports.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 27 2008 06:11 PM

Alex Eisenberg wrote up a piece on the Hardball Times about draft picks 18-26, including both Ike Davis and the Pride of Sullivan's Island. Mr. Eisenberg seems to like Ike leese than Reese, but says that Reese might be the safest bet of any draftee to make the majors.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 29 2008 08:21 AM

Reese will make his debut on Monday, at KeySpan Park, against the Hudson Valley Renegades.

Rockin' Doc Jun 30 2008 10:06 PM

Rough start for Reese in his debut this evening. He hit 3rd (as the DH) and went 0-4 with a walk and 3 K's. Get'em tomorrow Reese.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 01 2008 05:58 AM

RotoWorld expects Reese to play at short for the rest of the season before eventually moving to second.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 02 2008 07:40 AM

Reese gets his first professional hit, a first inning double. Save that ball, son! Now you just need to cut down on those strikeouts (6K's in 10 PA's).

AG/DC Jul 02 2008 07:52 AM

Vince Coleman Firecracker wrote: RotoWorld expects Reese to play at short for the rest of the season before eventually moving to second. Convince him to catch. He'll listen to you.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 02 2008 10:28 AM

AG/DC wrote: Convince him to catch. He'll listen to you. I dunno, have ya seen what catching does to someone's knees? Don't know if I could send my boy down that path.

AG/DC Jul 02 2008 10:34 AM

All men die. Some men never really live.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 02 2008 11:04 AM

AG/DC wrote: All men die. Some men never really live. Well I say, "Nothing ventured, nothing eaten alive by crocodiles."

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 03 2008 06:11 AM

Fuck, yeah! 3 run HR by Reese in the top of the 9th in a 4-3 win. Awesome game for the Cyclones' DH: 2 walks, a home run and even a HBP to add to his scrappiness quotient.

AG/DC Jul 03 2008 07:04 AM

You're out-fathering the lot of them.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 16 2008 02:46 PM

Reese falls a triple short of the cycle, drives in 3 and gets a pie in the face. Nice little article on the game here. So far, in 14 games, my boy's batting .273 with 10 runs and 8 RBI, and, more importantly, he's got a .385 OBP and he's slugging .509. 9 walks and 7 extra base hits in his first 64 professional PA's. Fantastic. Hopefully he can get in the field soon.

MFS62 Jul 16 2008 04:16 PM

What position has he been playing? Later

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 16 2008 06:00 PM

MFS62 wrote: What position has he been playing? Later He's been DH'ing while he's rehabbing his throwing elbow. He'll be playing shortstop when he's cleared to throw again, which should be within a week or two.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 18 2008 10:00 AM

There's the triple he was missing the other night.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 21 2008 08:32 AM

Reese pulls his groin running out a ground ball, will miss some time. Get well, kid.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 30 2008 09:52 AM

It'll be 3-5 weeks on that groin injury. This link has Mets VP and media-labeled worm-tongue Tony Bernazard saying Reese was about to start playing short before he got hurt.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Aug 11 2008 06:50 AM

Reese is back, playing shortstop and getting extra base hits.

Frayed Knot Sep 17 2008 10:46 AM

Reese headed for the Hawaii Winter League - sked to get underway Sept 28

willpie Sep 17 2008 01:36 PM

Are they still talking about converting him to a catcher?

Frayed Knot Sep 17 2008 02:04 PM

Nothing's been said about that aside from the initial post-draft speculation. He was injured and only played some in the field during this short-season so they probably want him to get steady SS time.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Sep 20 2008 08:46 AM

Reese's final line from his injury-shortened season with the Cyclones: 23 Games, 96 PA, .247/.340/.471, 3 HR, 6 2B, 2 3B, 3 SB, 1CS, 13 R, 11 RBI A nice walk rate and pretty good power, but not much in the batting average area. He didn't play much in the field and seemed to keep getting hurt just as he was coming back from a previous injury. I score it an incomplete. Now, as FK noted, he's off to Hawaii to play for the Honolulu Sharks. Hopefully, he can get more playing time. Interestingly, this site lists him as a SS/OF. Don't know what that's about, if anything.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Sep 23 2008 12:53 PM

Now he's not going to Hawaii. Reese'll be in Florida, instead, still working on his elbow.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 16 2008 11:13 AM

Kevin Goldstein, over at Prospectus, ranks the Met's top 11 prospects, with Reese coming in 6th: 6. Reese Havens, SS DOB: 10/20/86 Height/Weight: 6-1/195 Bats/Throws: L/R Drafted/Signed: 1st round, 2008, University of South Carolina 2008 Stats: .247/.340/.471 at Short-season (23 G) Last Year's Ranking: N/A Year in Review: His explosive junior year turned Havens into a first-round pick, but elbow and groin problems hampered him in his pro debut. The Good: He's your classic polished college type whose average-to-above tools play up due to good fundamentals and effort. He has a patient approach at the plate, with gap power and the occasional ability to crush mistakes. While he was limited to DH duties as a pro, he's a decent shortstop thanks to good instincts, footwork, and an above-average arm. The Bad: There are still questions about where Havens will end up afield. He lacks the speed generally associated with a shortstop, and there's even been some thought about seeing if he can catch. He doesn't have the tools to project for stardom, but the Mets do not rule that out based on his makeup alone. Fun Fact: Havens is the second player in this decade to be drafted out of Bishop Englund high school and then turn into a first-round pick at South Carolina. The first, Drew Meyer (Rangers, 2002), played just five big-league games. Perfect World Projection: He's a pesky number two hitter at a position to be determined later. Glass Half Empty: He ends up as a nice utility player who can get on base and play all over the field. Path to the Big Leagues: It's hard to say until we know what his position is. The Mets wanted him to play winter ball, but he decided to take the time off to ensure that he's 100 percent healthy for the spring. Timetable: If the Mets keep Havens at shortstop, he'll likely jump to High-A in order to play every day. Even at second base, he's probably bound for the Florida State League due to the overall maturity of his game.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 16 2008 11:16 AM

Maybe he'll displace Luis Castillo during the 2011 season.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 16 2008 11:18 AM

I'd just like to see him get a good healthy season in at High-A ball first.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Apr 17 2009 08:53 PM

Early on: .313/.378/.500 while playing shortstop. So far, so good.

Frayed Knot Apr 27 2009 10:09 AM

Reese is good enough to make #7 of BA's 'Hot Prospect' list this week. Team: high Class A St. Lucie (Florida State) Age: 22 Why He's Here: .333/.462/.714 (7-for-21), 2 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBIs, 7 R, 5 BB, 0 SO The Scoop: The second of two Mets' first-round picks last year (22nd overall), Havens has been one of the FSL's most productive hitters thus far. A lefthanded batter with a grinder mentality, he leads the league with seven extra-base hits as part of a .320/.407/.600 start as St. Lucie's shortstop. The fact that he's playing the field again is just as encouraging as his hitting, after he spent his time DHing with short-season Brooklyn in his debut last season. Havens lacks classic shortstop actions, though, and already has committed five miscues in 13 games.

Nymr83 Apr 27 2009 11:29 AM

Frayed Knot wrote: The fact that he's playing the field again is just as encouraging as his hitting, after he spent his time DHing with short-season Brooklyn in his debut last season. Havens lacks classic shortstop actions, though, and already has committed five miscues in 13 games. considering that the Mets have a long-term solution at SS already (not to mention Wilmer Flores), how long before he gets moved to 2B? My feeling would be that you keep a guy at a tougher defensive position for as long as possible (for trade bait purposes) unless he is embarassing himself. a switch to 2B (or some other position that is "open" on the big club long-term) would likely indicate that the team sees a guy as part of the future here as opposed to bait.

Edgy MD Apr 27 2009 01:26 PM

Recent history suggests that the Mets will keep a guy at his most challenging position until the end of his development.

Frayed Knot Apr 27 2009 02:23 PM

My feeling would be that you keep a guy at a tougher defensive position for as long as possible (for trade bait purposes) unless he is embarassing himself. a switch to 2B (or some other position that is "open" on the big club long-term) would likely indicate that the team sees a guy as part of the future here as opposed to bait. You keep a guy at the tougher position until he proves he can't play there and not strictly for trade bait purposes; the guy might just learn to play there. In general I don't think players should be shifted around simply to fill a perceived opening until they're much closer to the majors. We're still talking about A-ball here.

Edgy MD Apr 27 2009 04:45 PM

Plus they have an even higher ranked prospect at shortstop who might end up at second. No reason to scramble the eggs now.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Apr 28 2009 07:58 AM

What these guys said. Plus, they already have Greg Veloz at second in St. Lucie, and I don't think he really has any value as a prospect at another position.

Vince Coleman Firecracker May 13 2009 09:35 AM

Updated stats, cuz Reese is a beest G---PA----H---BB---K----HR----TB---AVG/OBP/SLG 31--140--30--22--23----6-----57--.254/.373/.483 Things to like: -A pretty nifty slugging percentage for a middle infielder -31 games and 140 plate appearances for a guy who couldn't stay healthy at all last year Things to love: -a one-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio -that 12% walk rate: 1. terrific and 2. it might have a decent shot to follow him up to the majors. Here are his walk rates going back as far as I care to look: YEAR LEVEL WALK RATE 2009 high A 12% 2008 low A 9% 2008 college 13% 2007 college 6% 2006 college 9% It looks like Reese can maintain around a 10% walk rate from year to year and level to level. We'll need to see how he adjusts as he faces better and better pitchers, of course, but good plate discipline, with a few exceptions (see: Reyes, Jose) can be seen early on. Thing to avoid mentioning, if possible: -12 errors in 31 games at shortstop.

Frayed Knot Jun 03 2009 03:23 PM

Why limit the boo-boos to only the major league crew? BA: The Mets placed high Class A St. Lucie shortstop Reese Havens on the disabled list retroactive to May 31.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 26 2009 06:29 AM

Reese, back from the DL, goes 3-7 in a double header on Thursday with a home run and a double, then goes 0 for five on Friday. His slash lines are down to .226/.335/.414. His walk rate is still great and his power's not bad at all, but he's gonna have to pick up the batting average at some point. Go get 'em, Reese.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Aug 03 2009 12:34 PM

Reese gets Baseball America's coveted (?) Prospect Hitter of the Day Award after going 4-for-6 with a home run and a double. (It's on that sheet, I swear. I found the link here) He's been healthy for the last week and a half (for a change), but he hasn't been consistent at the plate. His strikeout to walk ratio has been dwindling, as he's had 5 walks to 13 K's since returning. Hopefully, that's just a blip. Most importantly, of course, is that he's actually on the field. His season slashes: .237/.351/.419

Vince Coleman Firecracker Aug 25 2009 06:36 AM

Big week from Reese, with three doubles and two home runs. His slash marks over the last seven days: .367/.472/.667 for a 1.139 OPS. For the month of August, he's gone .275/.376/.418. Hopefully, he's snapped out of the power drought he's been in since June. For the season: .242/.357/.407.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Sep 30 2009 05:30 AM Re: Reese Havens

After finishing an injury-shortened 2009 campaign with .247/.361/.422 slash numbers, 14 home runs and 19 doubles, Reese is heading to the Arizona Fall League.

Edgy MD Sep 30 2009 07:09 AM Re: Reese Havens

Interesting to see Duda over Neiuwenheis. Also interesting to see eight prospects instead of the usual six. I wonder if some teams pulled out.

MFS62 Oct 01 2009 08:31 AM Re: Reese Havens

Edgy DC wrote: Interesting to see Duda over Neiuwenheis. Also interesting to see eight prospects instead of the usual six. I wonder if some teams pulled out. There are 6 AFL teams -- each of which has 30 players. So, each MLB team gets about 6 players each. As I understand the rules, players must be on the AA roster on June 30th. Each team has an exception. Forget where I read it but, that due to the collapse of Hawaii Winter League, teams might have 2 exemptions. I haven't seen that formally confirmed. Maybe the fact that the Mets will have eight is confirmation of a sorts. So, if they've already used two of them to get up to eight players, then Nieuwenhuis would need an exemption that the Mets don't have. Later

Frayed Knot Oct 01 2009 08:47 AM Re: Reese Havens

There are also several players assigned to a kind of AFL taxi squad who are only eligible to play twice a week or something like that. The Hawaii league scraps were supposed to be taken up by a kind of junior Arizona Fall league, one that is set aside for the younger/lower players the AFL normally doesn't take. Not sure of the exact status of that project.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Oct 20 2009 05:21 PM Re: Reese Havens

According to this article, Reese will be switched to second base this upcoming season in Binghamton.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Nov 16 2009 08:37 PM Re: Reese Havens

Missed this over the weekend, but Reese picked up his first homer in the AFL on Saturday. He also had three (!) walks in the game. For the season (35 PAs), he's up to a .276 AVG, a .400 OBP and a .448 SLG with 7 strikeouts to six walks. Keep it up, kid.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Nov 19 2009 08:05 AM Re: Reese Havens

Toby Hyde posted a his scouting report (and video) on Reese over at Metsminorleagueblog.com. He likes his swing and thinks he'll be an adequate major league second baseman. Ted Berg picks up on Hyde's scouting report at Tedquarters.net to talk about how and when Reese might fit in on the major-league team.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Nov 19 2009 01:19 PM Re: Reese Havens

En fuego. He went 3/5 yesterday with a walk, a single, a double and a triple. His slash lines are up to .324/.439/.559. Yowza. Also, as per Jim Callis via Michael Davis' link above: Mike (MO):2011 Mets INF…..Wright, Reyes, Havens, Davis… Am i crazy or is that realistic? Jim Callis(2:46 PM):Realistic.

Edgy MD Nov 19 2009 01:29 PM Re: Reese Havens

The interesting thing is, assuming they keep Wright and Reyes around, three of their top candidates are coming down the pike as middle infielders now. Certainly it tells me to not get tied down with no long-termy expensive deals with another secondbaseman. Invest in the outfield.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jan 11 2010 10:42 PM Re: Reese Havens

Brian Mangan, at Fonzie Forever, writes this post comparing Reese favorably to Ike Davis.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Feb 16 2010 10:25 AM Re: Reese Havens

A few off-season prospect lists Reese turns up on: Matt Hagen at the Hardball Times puts Reese at #5, but is worried about his low batting average. John Sickels at Minor League Ball has Reese at #6 and gives him a B- grade. He's not worried about the batting average, but is worried about the injuries. Kevin Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus is a little down on Reese, ranking him 11th. Reese is not without his flaws, of course, but I think Goldstein's putting him a little too low. While his ability to stay healthy is a legit concern, Reese's batting average was hurt by a very low .272 BABIP. If you go over to Minor League Splits and neutralize his stats for luck, his 2009 slash lines (AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS) go from .252/.363/.431/.794 to .282/.388/.469/.857, which is more like the AFL line he put up in a (very) small sample: .368/.478/.658/1.136. I'm biased, of course, but I think Reese's only real obstacle to becoming a league-average second baseman is his ability to stay on the field. The BA will come around.

Edgy MD Feb 16 2010 10:33 AM Re: Reese Havens

Fran Healy will tell you, that may be a small sample in the AFL, but it's got to help his confidence.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 16 2010 02:41 PM Re: Reese Havens

Well, yes, a parent's got to be supportive. I, however, could give a crap. And I'm with you on the BA, worried about the injuries.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Mar 23 2010 10:16 AM Re: Reese Havens

Toby Hyde puts Reese at #10 in the organization. His biggest concern? Injuries (surprise!): Dr. Pangloss Says: The median number of HR hit by 2B of NL teams last year was 11.5. Havens has above average power for the position which, combined with his plate discipline will make him an above average contributor at the Keystone. Debbie Downer Says: The Injury Bug continues to bite Havens and he never finds the fields enough to hold a starting job in the big leagues. Or his strikeout rate balloons at the upper levels, killing his batting average.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Apr 12 2010 02:07 PM Re: Reese Havens Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 31 2010 06:08 PM

Reese is slated to head to Buffalo, but starts the season hurt. An oblique injury, it seems. D'oh! EDIT- whoops, just saw this mistake. I meant to say Binghamton.

MFS62 May 04 2010 10:24 AM Re: Reese Havens

Reese is off the DL and is playing at St. Lucie in order to get his swing back and to enroll in Second Base 101. Here are some notes from Inside Pitch (subscription): Reese is now hitting .313 and his timing and rhythm look very good. He got two hits, including a home run, off two lefty pitchers last night. Defensively, transition to second base looks promising, showing range to both sides and quickness to the bag. His release isn’t the quickest, but he gets the ball out.” Later

Vince Coleman Firecracker May 08 2010 11:44 AM Re: Reese Havens

Rees is killing it in High A since coming back. In 39 PAs he's hitting .333 with a .385 OBP and a .611 (!) SLG. He should be up in Bingo any day now.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 09 2010 09:46 AM Re: Reese Havens

Vince Coleman Firecracker wrote: Rees is killing it in High A since coming back. In 39 PAs he's hitting .333 with a .385 OBP and a .611 (!) SLG. He should be up in Bingo any day now. Well, yeah, he should be killing it... that's a bit like sending Dabidrye to AAA.

MFS62 May 15 2010 01:31 PM Re: Reese Havens

Reese Havens was just brought up to Binghamton as will be available starting tonight. I gather from that he is performing well at second base. Later

Edgy MD May 15 2010 07:14 PM Re: Reese Havens

There was no room for him at second in St. Lucie anyhow, and Pellot has been performing poorly for Bingo. Perfect match and a due promotion.

Vince Coleman Firecracker May 17 2010 04:49 AM Re: Reese Havens

In his first game in Binghamton, Reese goes 3 fer 5 with a double. Last night he went 0 fer 5. So now he's 3 fer 10.

Vince Coleman Firecracker May 25 2010 08:24 AM Re: Reese Havens

aaaand Reese is hurt again, this time with a "nagging back injury." Think healthy thoughts, Reese.

Vince Coleman Firecracker May 31 2010 06:02 PM Re: Reese Havens

Reese is back and hit his first HR in AA yesterday. His slash numbers for his 32 PAs in AA are pretty nice: .345/.406/.586 for a .996 OPS.

MFS62 Jun 03 2010 09:28 AM Re: Reese Havens

Last night, he went 3-4 with 3R, 3 RBI and 2 HR. He's now hitting .351. Later

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 03 2010 05:49 PM Re: Reese Havens

Alex Nelson at Amazin' Avenue names Reese his Star of the Night and suggests he be moved up to Buffalo. Reese's .351 BA/.415 OBP/and .703 SLG agree with that assessment. I think a few more healthy weeks in AA won't hurt.

Frayed Knot Jun 03 2010 08:12 PM Re: Reese Havens

Yeah, let's calm down a bit here. I'd like to see the guy succeed in AA for more than three days at a time without getting hurt before we start revving up the Promotion-of-the-Month Club.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 04 2010 09:48 AM Re: Reese Havens

And now Ted Berg at Tedquarters is suggesting that Reese could wind up on the major league roster by the end of the year. Berg's not advocating for it, just saying there is "a non-zero chance Reese Havens will be starting games at second in Flushing by the end of the season." Again, I think the organization should take its time with a kid who has been very productive at the plate, but consistently injured and sometimes shaky in the field. I mean, he's played all of 23 games at second. In his life, for all I can tell (his high school website lists him as a shortstop or pitcher going back to 8th grade). I think his bat will play in the majors right now (better than Cora, definitely. Perhaps better than Castillo (whose .347 OBP ain't bad, but is slugging .277). But I think he needs more time in the field in a low-pressure environment. This past Monday, the B-Mets lost 7-6 to the Akron Aeros. They lost, in part, because Reese made an error in the first and didn't cover first on a ground ball in the seventh. Two days later, he has his two home run game. He didn't seem to get too down on himself after his flubs, but I'd still rather have him go through his growing pains at second away from the spotlight.

Edgy MD Jun 04 2010 09:55 AM Re: Reese Havens

Good post. I like that "I think his bat will play in the majors right now" coupled with the dose of humility, accepting that just because you think it, doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 04 2010 11:00 AM Re: Reese Havens

Toby Hyde at MetsMinorLeagueBlog offers a nice take on the Reese-to-the-majors bit: Toby Hyde wrote: I got into a twitter discussion last night about whether the Mets should call up Havens if Luis Castillo needs to hit the DL. The answer is simply “no, not yet.” Look, gang. That’s a great first nine games in AA for Havens. It also took him almost three weeks because he missed nine days with his latest back problem. He has 37 at-bats above a-ball. Yes, watching Castillo limp around the diamond might be almost as painful for fans as it is for Castillo, but Havens needs time in the upper minors before he’s MLB ready. He offers Reuben Tejada as an alternative, and I agree with him.

MFS62 Jun 05 2010 08:15 AM Re: Reese Havens

Two more home runs last night, and a shout out: From # 8 on BAs hot sheet. No. 8 REESE HAVENS, 2B METS Team: Double-A Binghamton (Eastern) Age: 23 Why He's Here: .360/.560/.840 (9-for-25), 3 HR, 1 2B, 1 3B, 6 RBIs, 6 R, 5 BB, 6 SO The Scoop: As discouraging as it was to see Havens miss yet more time with injury this season—in this case a strained oblique—he's proven to be worth the wait. He homered twice off Orioles righthander Chorye Spoone and once off Indians reliever Bryan Price this week, while continuing to show a discerning batting eye. That's not an anomaly. Power and patience have been Havens' strong suits—he has walked in 12 percent of his minor league plate appearances while boasting a .199 isolated power. For a middle infielder in the New York-Penn, Florida State and Eastern leagues, that's pretty darn good. Taken four picks after Ike Davis in the 2008 draft, Havens just might join Ike on the right side of the Mets infield later this season. Later

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 05 2010 09:06 AM Re: Reese Havens

Apparently, he forgot to cover first again on Friday. And in yesterday's game, this happened: New Britain Bottom 3rd Juan Portes strikes out swinging. Chris Cates walks. Ben Revere reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by second baseman Reese Havens. Chris Cates to 2nd. Which might have been a mistake (of course, it's possible he might not have been able to make the play. According to the recap, Reese had to dive for the ball and his throw to second didn't get there in time). But! Not to be a total wet blanket here, this also happened: New Britain Bottom 1st Ben Revere grounds out, second baseman Reese Havens to first baseman Nick Evans. Brandon Roberts grounds out, second baseman Reese Havens to first baseman Nick Evans. Rene Tosoni grounds out, second baseman Reese Havens to first baseman Nick Evans. And, in the eighth inning, this happened: Rene Tosoni out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Mike Nickeas to second baseman Reese Havens. Brandon Roberts to 2nd. So he covered the bag on this play. And then he wins the game in extra innings with a home run.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 05 2010 09:53 AM Re: Reese Havens

It learns! [It's also a pretty damn good hitter when it isn't on the DL, isn't it?]

Frayed Knot Jun 06 2010 09:39 PM Re: Reese Havens

Havens lands hisself on this past week's 'Hot Sheet' in [u:4h1sqgch]Baseball America[/u:4h1sqgch] Why He's Here: .360/.560/.840 (9-for-25), 3 HR, 1 2B, 1 3B, 6 RBIs, 6 R, 5 BB, 6 SO The Scoop: As discouraging as it was to see Havens miss yet more time with injury this season—in this case a strained oblique—he's proven to be worth the wait. He homered twice off Orioles righthander Chorye Spoone and once off Indians reliever Bryan Price this week, while continuing to show a discerning batting eye. That's not an anomaly. Power and patience have been Havens' strong suits—he has walked in 12 percent of his minor league plate appearances while boasting a .199 isolated power. For a middle infielder in the New York-Penn, Florida State and Eastern leagues, that's pretty darn good. Taken four picks after Ike Davis in the 2008 draft, Havens just might join Ike on the right side of the Mets infield later this season.

MFS62 Jun 07 2010 10:21 AM Re: Reese Havens

Beat ya' to it. Later

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 13 2010 01:01 PM Re: Reese Havens

Reese was removed from Friday's game early after re-aggravating his oblique. That's... aggravating.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 15 2010 06:23 AM Re: Reese Havens

Toby Hyde has a post up about Reese's latest injury. He notes that since signing with the organization, Reese has played in less than half of his teams' games, and wonders about Haven's offseason conditioning. He includes a quote from B-Mets manager Tim Teufel: "Reese had some soreness,’’ said Binghamton manager Tim Teufel. “I took him out as a precaution. Let the trainers deal with him. “It’s something that he’s dealt with before. That’s how I’ll leave it." Hyde categorizes this as frustration, but it also seems a bit hostile, no? Anyhoo, perhaps conditioning could have played a factor in preventing these injuries, but I'm not sure if I buy that. Guys like Reese Havens and Fernando Martinez are in fantastic shape, and they didn't get there by eating donuts in the off-season. I think it's much more likely (unfortunately) that some people are just physically predisposed towards injury. Hopefully, Reese is just having a string of bad luck or can grow out of his injury-prone-ness (like Jose Reyes has).

Edgy MD Jun 15 2010 07:20 AM Re: Reese Havens

Or it's just bad luck. Or it's just that injuries tend to beget injuries. Toby Hyde is fine, but as much Havens is exhibiting the "Fernando Martinez problem," Toby's exhibiting the blogger problem. You're an outsider working with the facts that the insiders cull for you, and rather than follow up with inquiries and fact-finding of your own, so you fill in the gaps with speculation. His speculation is as reasonable as any, but who knows? Really, he didn't speak in person to the manager, so how much can he meaningfully infer from Teufel's tone?

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 28 2010 01:03 PM Re: Reese Havens

In AA's Daily Farm System Report, some bad news: INJURY UPDATE: Most recent word out of the Mets is that Reese Havens is not doing well with the oblique he re-strained in late June and may miss the rest of 2010. Awful news. I hope this is somehow inaccurate. Bummer.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Sep 16 2010 05:43 AM Re: Reese Havens

Adam Rubin with some bad news. According to an organization source, Havens is in New York, where he received injections for season-long injury trouble that started with his oblique muscles. If the trouble is not relieved within a few weeks, surgery may proceed. Yuck.

Edgy MD Sep 16 2010 08:16 AM Re: Reese Havens

Well, anybody who had him in the secondbase pool...

Vince Coleman Firecracker Oct 13 2010 08:15 AM Re: Reese Havens

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay at the bottom of this page is news that Reese will not need surgery this off season.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Feb 14 2011 11:43 AM Re: Reese Havens

Havens, apparently, had rib surgery this offseason. Hopefully that fixes what ailed him.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Mar 10 2011 09:39 PM Re: Reese Havens

Reese gets a write-up in the Times. Nothing we don't already know, except if you didn't know the Times still considers batting average the primary indicator of offensive production.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Apr 05 2011 09:25 PM Re: Reese Havens

Extended spring training for Reese, apparently. Not necessarily terrible news, not really great, either.

El Segundo Escupidor Apr 07 2011 02:41 AM Re: Reese Havens

Taxing times for Havens While the Mets are off to a strong start, the minor leaguers are getting set for their own opening day. One minor leaguer who will not be opening the season tomorrow is a familiar name to the infirmary list, Reese Havens. According to Adam Rubin’s Farm Report on ESPNNY: “Havens was unable to break camp with Binghamton and is not expected to join the Double-A team soon.” Mets Director of Minor League operations Adam Wogan describes the issue as tightness in Havens’ troublesome oblique/rib area, not an injury. Wogan: “He’s just working himself back into baseball activity and rebuilding that core strength. It’s probably by all accounts more just scar tissue and more the result of the surgery and needing to build back up strength there.” I saw Havens working out early on in spring training, and he was soon shut down due to “normal soreness” as Wogan described to me. We all have to hope that Havens gets back on the field healthy sooner than later. He will play this season as a 24-year old, and while that is not old, he needs a full season in AA or AAA before he is ready for any big league time. I feel like this is getting to be way to redundant. Rubin also includes some notes on: Matt Den Dekker, Steven Matz, Justin Turner, and others.

Vince Coleman Firecracker May 12 2011 11:07 AM Re: Reese Havens

Reese is swinging a bat, per Lynn Worthy: Binghamton sports guy.

Vince Coleman Firecracker May 23 2011 05:19 AM Re: Reese Havens

In his first game in almost a year, Reese goes 2-3 with a double and two walks while playing second for St. Lucie. He should be back in Bingo soon.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 23 2011 11:11 AM Re: Reese Havens

I saw this late last night and was about to run here, but I figured you more than deserved to share this small, small piece of sunshine.

Vince Coleman Firecracker May 23 2011 12:01 PM Re: Reese Havens

Aw, thanks. Don't hold back on my account, though. It takes a village something something.

Vince Coleman Firecracker May 27 2011 05:09 PM Re: Reese Havens

Reese up to AA. That's a Bingo! Here's John Sickels: **New York Mets prospect Reese Havens is back in action now, 3-for-11 with two doubles, two walks, and five strikeouts since being activated earlier this week for High-A St. Lucie. He was just moved up to Double-A Binghamton and should be in the lineup there tonight. Havens has played just 155 games after being drafted out of South Carolina in 2008, hampered by a cornucopia of physical ailments. In those 155 games, he's hit .262/.364/.466 with 26 homers, 31 doubles, 82 walks, and 138 strikeouts. His defense at shortstop was mediocre, but at second base his glove has been solid statistically (.982 fielding percentage in 32 games, above-average range factor). When healthy, he's been exactly the player scouts expected him to be coming out of college: a mediocre batting average combined with power, patience, and solid defense at second base. But can he stay healthy? Only time will tell. That's one of the first assessments I've seen of Havens' defense at second. And it's positive. Good stuff.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 08 2011 04:01 AM Re: Reese Havens

Havens hits his first home run this season. So far, at AA, he's hitting .278 with a .350 OBP and .417 SLG in 39 PAs. For June, though, he's slashing .318/.348/.545//.893 in 23 PAs. Small sample size, natch, but it looks like he might be heating up after settling in.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 03 2011 01:57 PM Re: Reese Havens

Didn't update it, because it's annoying news, but Reese is hurt again. Back problems this time. He hasn't been great since getting to AA this year, either, only batting .250/.333/.405//.738 in 94 PAs. Most troubling thing: the strikeouts are starting to get out of control. In AA this year he has 25 Ks for a 27% strikeout rate. Hopefully he comes back soon so he can work on this.

MFS62 Jul 04 2011 10:39 AM Re: Reese Havens

He's been on the field less than Rudy. Later

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 21 2011 12:33 PM Re: Reese Havens

Reese is back, goes 3-5 with a double.

Frayed Knot Aug 12 2011 02:39 PM Re: Reese Havens

Reese's week gets him some love from BA's 'Prospect Hot List' Why He's Here: .435/.536/.739 (10-for-23), 7 R, 4 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 5 BB, 3 SO, 1-for-1 SB The Scoop: In an alternate universe, a healthy Reese Havens might already have claimed the Mets' second base job. ... But when he's healthy, as he's been lately, Havens still has the potential to be an above-average offensive second baseman. He draws some walks, has some pop in his bat and can hit for average. If healthy, he could be in the mix for the Mets' second base job in 2012, but the "if healthy" caveat applies more to him than almost anybody else.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Aug 28 2011 06:41 PM Re: Reese Havens

Reese is going to the AFL again. And I'm trying not to jinx it, but he's been healthy and crushing the ball. In August, he's hitting .366/.452/.620//1.072 and he's up to .298/.380/.468//.848 for the year.

smg58 Aug 28 2011 07:36 PM Re: Reese Havens

He needs work. 53 strikeouts in 188 AA at bats is not good, regardless of his other numbers.

Edgy MD Aug 28 2011 09:44 PM Re: Reese Havens

Frayed Knot wrote: Reese's week gets him some love from BA's 'Prospect Hot List' Why He's Here: .435/.536/.739 (10-for-23), 7 R, 4 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 5 BB, 3 SO, 1-for-1 SB The Scoop: In an alternate universe, a healthy Reese Havens might already have claimed the Mets' second base job. ... But when he's healthy, as he's been lately, Havens still has the potential to be an above-average offensive second baseman. He draws some walks, has some pop in his bat and can hit for average. If healthy, he could be in the mix for the Mets' second base job in 2012, but the "if healthy" caveat applies more to him than almost anybody else. The implied exception in that "almost" being Fernando Martinez.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Aug 29 2011 07:51 AM Re: Reese Havens

smg58 wrote: He needs work. 53 strikeouts in 188 AA at bats is not good, regardless of his other numbers. Yeah, the strikeouts are concerning, but that's 37 Ks in his first 130 PAs this season and 16 in his last 82. He's gone from a 28% K rate down to 19%. It a smallish sample size, but it's a big improvement over that time. He'll probably always have Uggla-ish K numbers and BB numbers (and, perhaps, defense), but if he can also put up Uggla-ish power numbers or better-than-Uggla-ish batting averages, he'll be a heckuva player.

Frayed Knot Aug 29 2011 01:58 PM Re: Reese Havens

As a college SS said to have the glove for that spot just not the range, I suspect that even if Havens never turns into a plus defender at 2B that he wouldn't fall to Uggla-liscious levels of suckdom.

themetfairy Jun 11 2012 10:43 AM Re: Reese Havens

He had a good game in Trenton on Saturday night. Here he is after hitting a home run -

Nymr83 Jun 11 2012 11:16 AM Re: Reese Havens

themetfairy wrote: He had a good game in Trenton on Saturday night. Here he is after hitting a home run - BE CAREFUL, SLUGGER! Given your past propensity for injuries, please toss the bat further away from home plate after spanking a homerun, it looks to be far too close to your path to the dugout and we don't want you stepping on it and spending all of July in rehab.

themetfairy Jun 13 2012 06:02 PM Re: Reese Havens

Here's a better shot of Reese at the plate -

Frayed Knot Jun 26 2012 05:07 PM Re: Reese Havens

^ Y'know, in all this time talking about this guy I don't think it ever occurred to me that he hits left-handed. For some reason I just assumed the opposite. ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Anyway, John Sickels mentions RH in a column today -- New York Mets 2B prospect Reese Havens went 2-for-5 with a homer yesterday for Double-A Binghamton. His overall season line of .204/.337/.340 is disappointing, although he's shown signs of life lately and is hitting .314/.455/.514 in his last 10 games, with nine walks and nine strikeouts. Havens continues to show good plate discipline and more power than most middle infielders, but constant injuries have dimmed his star and he's now 25 years old. That said, the skills that made him a first round pick are still there despite his health issues, and if you are looking for a guy who could have a "come out of nowhere, hey we forgot about this guy but he's still good" surprise season in the next year or two, Havens is a good candidate. FK -- Take a look at the walk rates via his 'slash line' stats. Even in this, his worst season as a pro, they're still monsters, nearly double what would be ML averages for both his season as a whole and his recent 10-day span. 65-70 points between BA and OBA is about normal, Havens is at 133 for the season and 141 more recently. Those are league-leading kind of rates, slightly north of what Joey Votto is putting up this year for instance and much of his walks are at least semi-intentional. Havens career rate, while not this good is still over 100, something that would put him up among the league leaders in most years. His power is nice too. Now we just have to hope that his April & May this season were just a fluke. Well, that and that whole 'stay healthy' thing.

Frayed Knot Jul 30 2013 08:14 AM Re: Reese Havens

Havens was quietly bumped-up to AAA Vegas about a 100 ABs ago and is doing ... well, about what he was doing in AA: taking his walks but not a whole helluva lot else. AA - 325 ABs - .215/.340/.351 AAA - 97 ABs - .237/.312/.330

Nymr83 Jul 30 2013 09:55 AM Re: Reese Havens

Eh. Murphy gives us better (is Havens some kind of defensive whiz?) of course it would be nice if Havens can become better injury-insurance than Turner/Tejada at 2nd.

G-Fafif Jan 22 2014 12:28 PM Re: Reese Havens

Reese has retired (and such a young man).

Edgy MD Jan 22 2014 12:48 PM Re: Reese Havens

Crap. I rooted for him 'til the end.

smg58 Jan 22 2014 02:34 PM Re: Reese Havens

It's a shame. I wish him luck, and I hope he has a good plan B.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 23 2014 11:08 AM Re: Reese Havens

He coulda been a great one, I tellsya. So sad. (talking about vanished threadstarter Vince Coleman Firecracker, of course, not Havens).

Ashie62 Jan 24 2014 07:05 PM Re: Reese Havens

smg58 wrote: It's a shame. I wish him luck, and I hope he has a good plan B. High school coach....go for a College degree?