The Crane Pool Forum

On Setember 1, teams get to add two players to their squadrons, as 26-player limits expand to 28-player limits.

Only one of those players can be a pitcher.

The Mets presumably have to add Tylor Megill, sooner rather than later, to take the Paul Blackburn rotation spot over. Whether that means somebody (possibly Huascar Brazobán) gets bumped again or this one-more-pitcher spot is used for him is an open question. Sean Reid-Foley will also have to be activated or go through waivers shortly.

Other eligible pitchers would be a returning, Eric Orze, or Grant Hartwig, or possibly a debuting Matt Gage or Tyler Zuber.

With likely September addition Brett Baty out with a broken finger, Gary speculated that the 28th spot would go to Drew Gilbert, providing an athletic spark off the bench. But Gilbert isn't'on the 40, so adding him or a third catcher would take a roster transaction.

I think they go for Luisangel Acuña. He's got the speed that could steal a game, he fills the sixth-infielder role that has been vacant for about 11 weeks, and he gives you a little bit more versatility in the outfield.

Other batsmen on the 40-player roster include outfielders DJ Stewart (who now is mainly an insurance policy for Jesse Winker), and Alex Ramirez (who hasn't hit enough to graduate from AA yeet).

I'm done with Stewart. I would like it to be Gilbert or Acuna.

And Megill makes sense.

I don't think Acuna or Gilbert are ready. Gilbert has only had about 100 at bats after spending most of the year on IL and is hitting under the Mendoza line.
If they're going to add a non-roster player, I'd like to see them call up Luke Ritter. He has been in the organization since 2019, working his way up through the organization. He's hitting .257 with 24 HR and 82 RBI at Syracuse and can play the corner infield and outfield positions. In the good old days when they could have 40 players in September, his call up would have been a no brainer (if only to reward him for years of minor league service).
Later

Neither Acuna or Gilbert need to be fully ready. Call-ups who can provide speed or defense can fill a valuable role during a stretch drive while saving a more established bench player for PH'ing or spot starts.

I agree. Ready, shmeady. We're looking to fill a very small role with someone that hopefully will almost never be needed. It's just about depth and versatility.

Luke Ritter is fine, as he can fake it in the middle of the diamond, but he would lack the speed tool that Acuña would bring, and Acuña won't cost a roster spot. Ritter's best tool is his bat, but he won't be getting to the plate much at all.

I think it should be an audition for a larger role next year. Ritter could play third if Vientos has to move over to first next year.
And I don't want a one-trick pony. I'd prefer someone who can hit, not just run or play defense.
Those two roster spaces are valuable. They should be someone with multiple skills, IMO.

Later

I think they should win games.

I don't think characterizing Luisangel Acuña as a "one-trick pony" is accurate.

I'll be at the Binghamton- Hartford game on Sunday.
I'll post my evaluations of the prospects, but I doubt any are ready for call-ups this year.
Later

As Tylor Megill rejoins the team to take Dedniel Nuñez' spot tomorrow, this opens wide the race to get the one pitching callup.

Contestants included Matt Gage, Grant Hartwig, Eric Orze, a reactivated Sean Reid-Foley, Alex Young, and Tyler Zuber.

Any number of guys are also eligible with the option of moving some 15-Day Injured List residents to the 60-Day. Gage and Young may have a slight edge due to the virtue of being lefthanded.

Legendary Triple-A slugger Luke Ritter.

The Mets' #1 prospect Jett Williams has been activated and will join the Binghamton team.
I hope he plays when I'm there.

Later

I'm glad to see him back, but his mostly lost season has cost him his that #1 spot with most rankers, who now give Brandon Sproat the top slot in the system.

I hope he plays well enough to regain that ranking in the year end polls.
It feels good to have two guys good enough to be contending for that position.
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There are hundreds of guys contending for the position, but pleasing the list makers is a fool's game. Few ever got excited about Mark Vientos. Fewer still got excited about Edgardo Alfonzo.

I was trying to be positive.

Later

I certainly amn't suggesting you weren't.

Acuna could be singularly helpful in bringing speed to the lineup

MFS62 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2024 5:13 pm I'll be at the Binghamton- Hartford game on Sunday.
I'll post my evaluations of the prospects, but I doubt any are ready for call-ups this year.
Later

Love that stadium. Have a great time!

Centerfield wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 9:45 pm

MFS62 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2024 5:13 pm I'll be at the Binghamton- Hartford game on Sunday.
I'll post my evaluations of the prospects, but I doubt any are ready for call-ups this year.
Later

Love that stadium. Have a great time!

Thanks. I've been there several times. I know I will.
Later

I can attest personally that Luke Ritter has raked all year in the Cuse. He should get a crack at the bigs.

Darren Baker coming up for the Nats!

Like the father/son Holliday duo, young Baker profiles as a very different player than dad.
Darren is a LH stick, possesses little power to speak of but good speed, and is listed at just 5' 10" / 167

Joel Sherman reporting that infielder Pablo Reyes and lefty Alex Young are your 9/1 call ups.

Reyes has been quietly good down on the farm since signing with the club.

Report:
Alex Ramirez had a double down the left field line his first at bat and tried to pull every other pitch he saw.
Jett Williams is SHORT, not just short for a ball player, but short for a mammal. He looked overmatched buy 88 -90 MPH pitches, especially up in the zone. His glove seemed ok.
Kevin Parada was the most impressive bats if the ranked prospects I saw. He hit the ball hard in 3 of 4 AB.
Clark Clifford, the player I was really there to see, didn't do anything to catch my eye, but he didn't look terrible at the plate.
My daughter's friend's son, my adoptee Trey McLaughlin didn't pitch, but we had a nice discussion with his mother.

The most impressive Rumble Pony was relief pitcher Wilkin Ramos. He's tall and very thin, but had excellent stuff. You might start hearing about him next year.

Later