The Crane Pool Forum

Whatever became of Jefferson Escorcha?

I don't know, I've lost him.

Meantime I'll scoop up Bryce Montes de Oca, a gigantic young kid who made his pro debut the other night at Brooklyn. (1 IP, 1 BB, 0 H, 0 ER)

Bryce is listed at 6-foot-7, 265 and is looked at something of a powerball ticket. Mets were the 3rd club to try and draft him at at times was ranked among the top 100 available guys. The Mets wound up with him in the 2018 draft out of Mizzou but in the 9th round, 260th picked overall, because he'd had injuries, including a high-school Tommy John and had still more recovering to do as he missed all of 18 and 19.

Guys On The Internet say he has 2 swing and miss pitches, can reach 100mph and so could ascend rapidly as a closer especially if his control improves. OTOH the injuries and COVID setbacks means he hasn't pitched any pro innings in the 3 years since we drafted him so who knows?

Looks big and mean but reportedly valedictorian of his Kansas high school and quotes scripture on Twitter. Montes de Oca literally means "mountains of goose." His father was born in Cuba and according to sloppy Internet research, manages a hotel.

[img]https://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.com/www.ljworld.com/images/2014/06/21064829/lhs_bbo_onw_05-1024x678.jpg[/img]

Basically unhittable so far but hardly un-walkable.

In 11.1 innings, 5 hits (4 singles and a double), 15 ks, 9 walks, 2 ER

So minor league jocksniffers are excited about Bryce's first season as a playing pro, even though the numbers show a few too many walks and hits. 11.7 K/9 and a fb at 102mph; but a 1.55 WHiP and 1-3, 4.73 for Brooklyn.Big dude with an impressive manspread and deep voice.

http://metsminors.net/mmn-exclusive-fro ... inspiring/

Goosemountains does it for me.

A lot of minor leaguers get permanently put on the bullpen track after UCL surgery, but I wonder if there is data supporting that. Even in general, I'm not sure how much the smaller workload pays off, health-wise, versus the greater and more regular rest between appearances that starters have.

He's still around, currently at Triple-A. Great K rate in the minors this year (13.5 per 9) but awful ERA (10.38).