Baseball Prospectus 1996
The cycles which govern the world around us and the societies we live in have not left major league baseball untouched. The Rise and Fall of the Baseball Team is on a par with the changing of the seasons, and the New York Mets, 1983-1995, represent one year on the baseball calendar.
Spring: The Mets emerge from their hibernation of the late '70s and early '80s slowly, with a 68-94 record in 1983. Their poor performance on the field masks the laying of the foundation for the 1986 World Champions. Darryl Strawberry is the NL Rookie of the Year, and the Mets capitalize on a rare judgement error by Whitey Herzog, acquiring Keith Hernandez for almost nothing. The first sign of the Mets' pitching renaissance is showcased when Ron Darling makes his major league debut. The team as a whole, though, is still an aged one; George Foster and Tom Seaver are still headline players, and Mookie Wilson, Hubie Brooks, and Jesse Orosco are the only significant players on this team that would contribute much in the future.
No major changes are made to the offense in 1984, but a pitching revolution has begun, headlined by the most enduring phenom of our generation, Dwight Gooden. Not as heralded, but nearly as important to the great Mets teams of the mid-'80s, is Sid Fernandez, who was pilfered from an unsuspecting Dodger organization early in the year. The young pitchers are brought along brilliantly by new manager Davey Johnson.
Summer: The Mets build upon their surprising success in 1984 the following year, winning 98 games and challenging the Cardinals all season. Gooden, for one brilliant season, enticed every baseball fan with the thought that here, in this 20-year-old man-child, lay the greatest pitcher of all time. We didn't know then that the greatest pitcher of all time was only 19, and wouldn't make his major league debut with the Cubs until the following season. A brilliant pre-season deal lands Gary Carter in the Big Apple. Lenny Dykstra arrives, and Howard Johnson is acquired from the Tigers for Walt Terrell. Roger McDowell and Rick Aguilera earn large roles on the Mets' staff.
Every fan deserves the chance, for one season in their lifetime, to root for a team like the 1986 Mets. The greatest National League team of the last 20 years had everything: MVP candidates at first (Hernandez), catcher (Carter), and right field (Strawberry), great seasons by Dykstra, Ray Knight and Wally Backman, and a supporting cast that helped the Mets lead the NL in runs, batting average, OBP, and slugging percentage. The Mets had 3 starters (Gooden, Darling, and Ojeda) among the top 5 in ERA in the NL. The two closers, McDowell and Orosco, saved 43 games and won 22, and every pitcher who threw at least 40 innings had an ERA under 4. The postseason was magical, a Midsummer Night's Dream.
Fall: The leaves began to change color the moment Dwight Gooden checked into rehab in 1987. Despite a preseason deal for Kevin McReynolds in which the Mets give up future MVP Kevin Mitchell, the Mets finish 3 games behind the Cardinals for the second time in 3 years.
The Mets have their final fling in 1988, winning 100 games and running away with the NL East. 20-game winner David Cone is the toast of New York, Randy Myers the new closer, and Gregg Jefferies, in a late-season audition, teases the baseball world the way Gooden did four years before.
The seams fell apart that October, though, with Orel Hershiser holding the scissors.
Winter: The Big Chill hit the Big Apple in 1989, when three defining players in Mets' history all suffered setbacks that would cripple the team for years. Gregg Jefferies got off to a hellish start that season, and the expectations on him were such that he had to leave New York three years later before he found success. Strawberry hit a disastrous .225 and the seeds were sown for his departure from New York the following year. Gooden succumbed to shoulder trouble in midseason, and the memory of a once-dominant pitcher was just that, a memory.
As is usually the case, the decline of the Mets was not taken seriously until it became painfully obvious. Davey Johnson, one of the greatest managers of the last 20 years, was perceived to be the problem. He wasn't. His successors, Bud Harrelson and Jeff Torborg, succeeded only in proving how good Johnson was.
The Mets threw money at the problem. Frank Viola was a success for a time, but it was too late. Vince Coleman. Eddie Murray. Bobby Bonilla. Bret Saberhagen. Five years of bloated salaries, high expectations, horrendous defense and ultimately, disappointment.
But the ashes of winter stirred the amber glow of spring. The rebuilding began with the trade of David Cone, a trade most saw as a salary dump, but which netted the Mets Jeff Kent, their steadiest performer the last three years. Rico Brogna was stolen from Detroit for Alan Zinter. The Mets realized that defense up the middle was actually important, and traded for Jose Vizcaino. Without the pressure of trying to win the division every year, the Mets gave Todd Hundley time to develop.
And in the minor leagues, a pitching revolution was occurring again. Oh, sure, the Mets produced some fine position players - an Edgardo Alfonzo here, a Quilvio Veras there but it was the pitching that mattered.
Understand, successful Mets teams have always had great pitching. The '86 team led the NL in ERA; the 1969 champions finished second. Even when the Mets were only a .500 ballclub, as they were in 1970-71, they gave up the fewest runs in the National League. Only once, in 1984, have the Mets had a winning record with an ERA that was higher than the league average. A Mets pitching tradition that stretches back to Seaver and Koosman is partly responsible, but the greatest help the Mets have had in establishing their dominant pitching has been their ballpark. Shea Stadium is a notorious pitcher's park, as the poor hitting background has particularly helped the power pitchers that the Mets are fond of developing.
And who they've developed again. First came Bobby Jones, no one's idea of a power pitcher but a solid pitcher who foreshadowed the flamethrowers to come. Jason Isringhausen, once a 44th-round draft pick, with a curveball that some compare to the ultimate standard, Bert Blyleven. Bill Pulsipher, who if healthy boasts a fearsome arsenal from a left-hander with a Jack McDowell-like mentality to go with it. Paul Wilson, the crown jewel of the system, who's so polished that he could step in as the ace of a dozen teams right now. And behind these three the Mets have stockpiled Juan Acevedo, Robert Person, Dave Mlicki, and a horde of prospects behind them. With possibly the best young pitching in all of baseball, all that stands between the Mets and the postseason is a legitimate offense.
Ah, the offense. An offense without a legitimate leadoff hitter Lance Johnson isn't, sorry and with a potential 3-4-5 in the lineup of Brogna, Kent, and Hundley. In short, there isn't one bat in this lineup that really scares, or even annoys, an opposing manager. Overall, the team looks a lot like the Mets' editions of the early '70s, with a terrific pitching staff but a lifeless offense that spelled mediocrity - four straight years of either 82 or 83 wins.
Of course, these are the '90s, and not only is mediocrity not something to be ashamed of, it's something to aspire to. If the Colorado Rockies can make the playoffs on the back of a great bullpen and one great hitter (Larry Walker), who's to say the Mediocre Mets can't turn a great young rotation and a vastly-improved team defense into a postseason berth?
BENNY AGBAYANI 1972 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 PTS 172 32 4 1 1 13 3 1 .186 .243 .238 .160 27 7 1994 SLU 416 105 10 2 6 48 6 4 .252 .330 .329 .236 98 42 1995 SLU 158 43 7 2 2 21 5 2 .272 .358 .380 .265 42 21 1995 BIN 297 73 7 2 1 30 9 2 .246 .315 .293 .222 66 26 1996 PRJ 378 98 16 5 4 45 12 5 .259 .338 .360 .251 95 45Has some speed, hits for a decent average and will take a walk, but a singles-hitting outfielder needs to hit close to .300 if he's going to have any value, and Agbayani hasn't shown that yet.
EDGARDO ALFONZO 1974 3B/2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 PTS 306 84 8 2 1 12 3 2 .275 .302 .324 .223 68 26 1993 SLU 498 128 8 1 12 45 17 8 .257 .319 .349 .240 119 53 1994 BIN 503 132 20 1 11 51 12 7 .262 .330 .372 .249 125 59 1995 NYM 337 98 10 4 4 12 1 1 .291 .315 .380 .246 83 36 1996 PRJ 563 159 30 2 9 50 13 6 .282 .341 .391 .261 147 71Alfonzo might be the Mets' best long-term infielder. He's young, shown a wide variety of offensive skills, and is a good defensive player at either third or second base. He was originally a good-fielding shortstop, but Rey Ordonez is supposedly the best defensive shortstop to come along in 20 years, so Alfonzo had to move. The Mets need to find him a permanent position (probably third base) soon, and let him develop; if they keep moving him around the field, they could end up with a Jefferies-like disaster on their hands.
ED ALICEA 1967 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 MIA 384 96 19 4 4 40 18 5 .250 .321 .352 .244 94 43 1991 GRN 43 13 2 0 1 5 1 0 .302 .375 .419 .286 12 7 1992 GRN 322 72 10 5 5 42 11 6 .224 .313 .332 .230 74 32 1993 CNV 48 11 0 0 1 0 0 1 .229 .229 .292 .169 8 2 1993 GRN 31 1 0 0 0 5 1 0 .032 .167 .032 **** -5 -2 1993 CSP 193 50 4 2 1 16 2 3 .259 .316 .316 .223 43 17 1995 NOR 441 102 14 3 2 41 19 9 .231 .297 .290 .212 93 36
TIM BOGAR 1967 SS/3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 WPT 246 56 10 1 2 12 8 5 .228 .264 .301 .198 49 17 1991 TID 218 53 5 0 2 15 1 0 .243 .292 .294 .207 45 16 1992 TID 484 130 22 1 5 11 7 6 .269 .285 .349 .223 108 42 1993 NYM 205 51 10 0 3 15 0 1 .249 .300 .341 .225 46 19 1994 NYM 52 8 0 0 2 4 1 0 .154 .214 .269 .160 8 2 1995 NYM 146 44 5 0 1 9 1 0 .301 .342 .356 .252 37 16Has some value as a backup infielder, but a potential nightmare as a starter. 1995 may well be a career year for him.
RICO BROGNA 1970 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 LON 294 72 8 1 10 15 0 0 .245 .282 .381 .231 68 28 1991 TOL 132 27 3 1 2 2 2 1 .205 .216 .288 .169 22 6 1992 TOL 390 99 14 2 9 27 1 1 .254 .302 .369 .236 92 39 1993 TOL 484 126 21 2 8 28 7 3 .260 .301 .362 .235 114 48 1994 NOR 261 65 11 3 10 13 1 3 .249 .285 .429 .244 64 29 1994 NYM 130 46 10 2 6 6 1 0 .354 .382 .600 .331 43 26 1995 NYM 499 152 23 2 21 38 0 0 .305 .354 .485 .290 145 79 1996 PRJ 582 159 24 2 25 49 0 0 .273 .330 .450 .271 158 81His major league performance in 1994 looked like a complete fluke. But he now has over 600 major league at-bats which say he can hit. He may have simply blossomed as a hitter in 1994, or he may be that one player in a thousand for whom minor league numbers are misleading. Whatever the reason, the Mets appear to have found themselves a ballplayer. A slick defender, he's a similar player to Mark Grace, though not quite as good.
DAMON BUFORD 1970 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 FRD 516 125 15 3 7 32 29 9 .242 .286 .324 .223 115 47 1992 HAG 376 79 14 2 1 35 29 9 .210 .277 .266 .203 76 28 1992 ROC 156 42 7 2 1 13 21 4 .269 .325 .359 .262 41 21 1993 ROC 115 29 3 1 1 7 9 2 .252 .295 .322 .232 27 11 1993 BAL 78 18 4 0 2 9 3 2 .231 .310 .359 .236 18 8 1994 ROC 451 114 14 2 12 28 27 5 .253 .296 .373 .245 110 51 1995 ROC 186 52 8 2 3 15 15 3 .280 .333 .392 .267 50 25 1995 BAL 32 2 0 0 0 6 4 1 .062 .211 .062 **** 0 0 1995 NYM 137 34 4 0 4 19 7 7 .248 .340 .365 .244 33 16Acquired (along with Alex Ochoa) in the Bonilla trade, Buford is useful to an NL team because he can be used in a variety of roles: as a pinch-hitter, pinch-runner, or defensive replacement. He's a good enough defensive player to start in centerfield. Traded to Texas.
ALBERTO CASTILLO 1970 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CMB 276 61 9 1 3 28 3 3 .221 .293 .293 .205 57 21 1992 SLU 166 30 2 0 3 14 0 0 .181 .244 .247 .159 26 7 1993 SLU 335 76 9 1 6 22 0 1 .227 .275 .313 .204 68 24 1994 BIN 319 70 8 0 5 33 1 2 .219 .293 .292 .203 65 23 1995 NOR 220 57 10 1 3 23 2 2 .259 .329 .355 .242 53 24 1995 NYM 29 3 0 0 0 3 1 0 .103 .188 .103 **** -3 0
BRIAN DAUBACH 1972 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 PTS 271 51 8 1 1 20 2 0 .188 .244 .236 .157 42 11 1993 CMB 387 88 9 1 5 35 3 1 .227 .291 .295 .207 80 29 1994 SLU 455 112 20 1 7 48 10 5 .246 .318 .341 .235 107 47 1995 BIN 472 106 17 1 8 39 5 2 .225 .284 .316 .211 100 38A first baseman who would be outhit by most shortstops. Not worth taking a gamble on.
JAY DAVIS 1971 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CMB 519 122 16 4 1 13 10 8 .235 .254 .287 .187 97 31 1992 SLU 529 127 13 5 2 8 13 8 .240 .251 .295 .191 101 33 1993 BIN 408 99 9 3 1 15 4 5 .243 .270 .287 .192 78 25 1994 BIN 325 96 9 1 4 9 7 2 .295 .314 .366 .245 80 34 1995 BIN 444 102 13 4 2 18 9 4 .230 .260 .291 .193 86 28It's fairly safe to say that 1994 was a fluke. And not a very impressive one either.
CARL EVERETT 1970 RF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 GRB 483 104 7 0 4 35 11 9 .215 .268 .255 .180 87 27 1992 FTL 187 39 6 1 2 10 7 2 .209 .249 .283 .189 35 12 1993 HDS 246 55 6 2 6 11 13 5 .224 .257 .337 .213 52 21 1993 EDM 129 33 6 1 5 15 9 1 .256 .333 .434 .277 36 20 1994 EDM 305 85 8 1 7 15 15 10 .279 .312 .380 .245 75 34 1994 FLA 50 10 0 0 2 3 4 0 .200 .245 .320 .215 11 4 1995 NOR 262 76 10 2 6 19 12 5 .290 .338 .412 .267 70 35 1995 NYM 291 80 12 1 11 39 2 5 .275 .361 .436 .274 80 42 1996 PRJ 500 136 24 3 17 55 18 8 .272 .344 .434 .273 137 73Everett is a rarity; he was a player drafted for his tools who actually learned to hit. He's always had speed, a strong arm, and good range in the outfield, but after showing only flashes before 1995, last year he showed real offensive ability for the first time. He's not as valuable as Quilvio Veras, the player the Mets traded to acquire Everett, but he's good enough to start in right field in 1996.
OMAR GARCIA 1972 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CMB 403 80 7 1 3 16 5 2 .199 .229 .243 .153 62 15 1992 CMB 481 116 13 2 3 38 16 5 .241 .297 .295 .215 103 39 1993 SLU 489 138 14 4 5 44 15 4 .282 .341 .358 .254 124 58 1994 BIN 246 79 8 2 4 17 3 3 .321 .365 .419 .277 68 34 1994 NOR 231 55 4 1 1 16 7 3 .238 .287 .277 .202 47 17 1995 NOR 432 128 16 4 3 20 3 3 .296 .327 .373 .249 107 47 1996 PRJ 461 135 20 6 3 26 6 5 .293 .331 .382 .253 117 53Garcia's a career .300 hitter in the minors, but a first baseman who's never hit more than 6 homers in a single season needs to hit .350 to impress anyone. His best hope is for Brogna to falter; if he gets promoted to the majors and gets off to a hot start, he could turn in a Ricky Jordan-type career.
PHIL GEISLER 1970 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SPA 133 16 1 0 1 9 0 0 .120 .176 .150 **** -13 -2 1992 CLR 411 78 7 1 6 35 3 4 .190 .253 .255 .168 69 20 1993 CLR 345 95 12 1 14 21 3 3 .275 .317 .438 .261 90 44 1993 REA 178 42 10 1 2 13 3 1 .236 .288 .337 .222 39 16 1994 REA 253 59 7 1 4 19 4 4 .233 .287 .316 .211 53 20 1994 SWB 184 32 3 1 0 15 2 1 .174 .236 .201 .130 24 5 1995 REA 272 55 8 2 1 16 3 1 .202 .247 .257 .170 46 13 1995 SWB 43 8 2 0 1 2 0 0 .186 .222 .302 .174 7 2
GREG GRAHAM 1969 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 LYN 282 45 3 1 1 24 3 3 .160 .225 .188 .109 31 5 1992 NBR 355 74 6 2 0 25 7 6 .208 .261 .237 .167 59 16 1993 SLU 57 9 1 0 0 11 1 1 .158 .294 .175 .155 9 2 1994 BIN 138 30 4 0 0 8 1 1 .217 .260 .246 .170 23 6 1994 NOR 92 16 3 0 0 14 0 0 .174 .283 .207 .162 15 4 1995 NOR 124 23 4 0 0 13 1 1 .185 .263 .218 .156 19 5
CHARLIE GREENE 1971 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 CSC 303 44 5 1 1 5 1 1 .145 .159 .178 **** -26 -3 1993 WLO 217 32 2 0 2 7 0 0 .147 .174 .184 **** -12 -1 1994 SLU 225 50 3 0 1 6 0 1 .222 .242 .249 .160 36 9 1994 BIN 107 16 2 0 0 4 0 0 .150 .180 .168 **** -8 -1 1995 BIN 347 73 6 0 3 9 2 1 .210 .230 .254 .158 55 14 1995 NOR 88 16 2 0 0 3 0 1 .182 .209 .205 .101 9 1There is a principle known as Nichols' Law of Catcher Defense, which states that a catcher's defensive reputation is inversely proportional to his hitting ability. Mike Piazza is a superb hitter, so naturally, everyone grumbles about his defense. Tom Prince would have trouble hitting his way out of a paper bag, so naturally, everyone raves about his defense. By Nichols' Law, Greene's a threat to win a Gold Glove the moment he sets foot on a major league field.
PEDRO GRIFOL 1970 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 MIA 339 68 7 1 4 15 1 0 .201 .234 .263 .164 55 15 1992 ORL 40 10 1 0 0 2 0 0 .250 .286 .275 .196 8 3 1993 NAA 198 37 8 0 4 8 0 1 .187 .218 .288 .164 32 9 1993 POR 91 26 2 1 2 3 0 0 .286 .309 .396 .248 23 10 1994 NAA 56 6 0 0 1 9 0 0 .107 .231 .161 .080 4 0 1995 NBR 230 39 4 0 3 17 1 0 .170 .227 .226 .138 32 7
JASON HARDTKE 1972 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CGA 546 127 13 2 9 47 9 2 .233 .293 .313 .216 118 46 1992 WLO 420 107 14 2 6 23 5 4 .255 .293 .340 .224 94 37 1992 HDS 40 8 1 0 1 2 0 0 .200 .238 .300 .181 7 2 1993 RCU 509 128 21 3 7 34 4 4 .251 .298 .346 .227 115 47 1994 WIC 256 55 8 1 4 17 1 1 .215 .264 .301 .194 50 17 1995 BIN 457 118 30 2 4 53 5 6 .258 .335 .359 .245 112 51A switch-hitting middle-infielder who hits doubles. The Mets are loaded with infielders, but if he continues to improve and finds his way to a team that needs him, he could turn into Mickey Morandini some day.
TODD HUNDLEY 1969 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 TID 454 118 17 2 13 38 1 1 .260 .317 .392 .249 113 52 1991 NYM 61 9 0 1 1 5 0 0 .148 .212 .230 .126 8 1 1992 NYM 363 85 13 1 10 22 3 0 .234 .278 .358 .224 81 33 1993 NYM 417 97 15 2 10 24 1 1 .233 .274 .350 .217 91 35 1994 NYM 289 69 9 1 14 25 2 1 .239 .299 .422 .250 72 34 1995 NYM 278 82 9 1 14 41 1 0 .295 .386 .486 .302 84 49 1996 PRJ 481 138 13 2 29 63 0 0 .287 .369 .503 .299 144 84He's in danger of ruining his defensive reputation by turning into a good hitter. Last year was an excellent, if injury-filled season; if he really has improved that much as a hitter, he could be batting cleanup by mid-season. The Mets' wild-card hopes depend on Hundley as much as any hitter. If he can hit .280 with 20 homers and 60 walks, they have one of the four best catchers in the NL.
BUTCH HUSKEY 1972 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CMB 504 124 12 1 16 32 10 6 .246 .291 .369 .232 117 50 1992 SLU 504 116 6 1 16 29 5 2 .230 .272 .341 .215 108 42 1993 BIN 527 121 12 1 19 38 8 2 .230 .281 .364 .227 120 50 1993 NYM 41 6 1 0 0 1 0 0 .146 .167 .171 **** -4 0 1994 NOR 481 110 17 2 8 31 15 6 .229 .275 .322 .213 102 39 1995 NOR 398 112 13 1 22 36 8 5 .281 .341 .485 .283 113 62 1995 NYM 91 19 3 0 2 9 1 0 .209 .280 .308 .207 19 7 1996 PRJ 533 130 20 0 19 35 4 2 .244 .290 .388 .238 127 56Huskey has gone from hot prospect to disappointment and back to hot prospect in the span of two years. He has terrific power potential, but is suspect defensively and is constantly fighting a weight problem. If he can keep slim, he will probably fight Alfonzo for playing time, and if he gets a starting job he could hit 25 homers. Of course, he could also put up a .250 OBP.
LANCE JOHNSON 1964 CF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CWS 591 171 11 10 2 24 34 12 .289 .317 .352 .245 145 64 1992 CWS 574 173 14 13 4 32 46 13 .301 .338 .392 .268 154 77 1993 CWS 538 172 13 11 2 32 41 6 .320 .358 .396 .280 151 77 1994 CWS 410 115 8 11 2 21 31 7 .280 .316 .368 .253 104 49 1995 CWS 605 191 14 10 8 24 52 7 .316 .342 .412 .280 169 87 1996 PRJ 594 176 11 13 7 38 48 4 .296 .339 .394 .274 163 83Johnson was the perfect free-agent signing for the Mets. They badly needed another speedy outfielder who doesn't walk and doesn't hit for power.
CHRIS JONES 1966 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 NAS 269 63 5 2 8 13 9 4 .234 .270 .357 .222 60 24 1991 CIN 90 27 1 2 2 2 2 1 .300 .315 .422 .260 23 11 1992 TUC 165 49 8 5 3 14 5 1 .297 .352 .461 .286 47 26 1992 HOU 64 14 3 1 1 8 3 0 .219 .306 .344 .239 15 7 1993 CSP 161 37 2 2 8 15 6 2 .230 .295 .416 .249 40 20 1993 COL 204 51 8 3 5 10 9 4 .250 .285 .392 .240 49 22 1994 CSP 363 95 11 2 12 29 10 2 .262 .316 .402 .256 93 45 1994 COL 39 11 1 1 0 2 0 1 .282 .317 .359 .232 9 4 1995 NOR 115 38 9 1 2 10 5 2 .330 .384 .478 .302 35 20 1995 NYM 183 54 6 2 7 13 2 1 .295 .342 .464 .280 51 27 1996 PRJ 152 40 5 1 6 9 3 2 .263 .304 .428 .255 39 19Seems to have improved as a hitter in his late 20s, which is rare but not unheard of. Probably not a starting outfielder, but his power should make him a useful commodity off the bench. The kind of role player that Jim Leyland would love.
JEFF KENT 1968 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KNX 458 112 18 1 13 64 19 5 .245 .337 .373 .256 117 58 1992 NYM 115 31 8 1 4 8 0 2 .270 .317 .461 .262 30 15 1992 TOR 193 49 13 1 9 20 2 1 .254 .324 .472 .272 53 28 1993 NYM 497 137 20 1 19 31 5 4 .276 .318 .435 .261 130 64 1994 NYM 411 120 22 4 12 24 1 4 .292 .331 .453 .270 111 56 1995 NYM 475 139 22 3 18 29 3 3 .293 .333 .465 .276 131 68 1996 PRJ 553 159 25 2 26 36 4 3 .288 .331 .481 .280 155 82Every year you hear about what a poor second baseman Kent is; how he can't turn the double play, has little range and makes too many errors. But after all these years he's still a second baseman. There's a good reason for that. Kent is one of the best hitters at his position in all of baseball, and there's no reason to think that will change anytime soon. His defensive liabilities are overrated; he's an average defensive player, and his bat is potent enough that he ranks behind only the big four (Alomar, Baerga, Biggio, and Knoblauch) among the second basemen in the game today.
AARON LEDESMA 1971 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CMB 117 32 4 0 1 4 1 1 .274 .298 .333 .223 26 10 1992 SLU 470 108 14 1 3 39 12 6 .230 .289 .283 .203 96 34 1993 BIN 206 49 8 0 4 11 1 1 .238 .276 .335 .213 44 17 1994 NOR 437 118 13 1 2 24 17 7 .270 .308 .318 .228 100 40 1995 NOR 202 57 5 1 1 9 6 2 .282 .313 .332 .234 47 20 1995 NYM 33 8 0 0 0 6 0 0 .242 .359 .242 .220 7 3Made some headlines by leading the Arizona Fall League in hitting for much of the season, which disguises the fact that Ledesma really isn't that much of a prospect, and is stuck behind Alfonzo and Huskey on the Mets' depth chart anyway.
JOHN MAHALIK 1972 SS/3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1994 BUR 30 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 .100 .129 .133 **** -4 -1 1994 WPB 164 39 7 2 0 25 3 2 .238 .339 .305 .231 38 16 1995 BIN 188 38 3 1 4 15 1 1 .202 .261 .293 .189 36 12He's young, but as Casey Stengel might say, "He's 24 years old. In 6 years, he has a chance to be 30."
RAY MARTINEZ 1969 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 PSP 377 84 9 2 2 42 5 3 .223 .301 .273 .203 77 27 1992 MID 111 23 2 1 3 6 1 0 .207 .248 .324 .198 22 8 1992 EDM 277 73 15 1 3 20 5 3 .264 .313 .357 .238 66 29 1993 VAN 353 79 14 1 3 29 4 4 .224 .283 .295 .201 71 25 1995 HAR 154 34 5 0 1 16 2 1 .221 .294 .273 .200 31 11 1995 OTT 108 25 4 0 0 6 3 0 .231 .272 .269 .195 21 7
BRENT MAYNE 1968 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KCR 232 62 7 0 3 22 3 4 .267 .331 .336 .236 55 24 1992 KCR 214 51 5 1 1 10 1 4 .238 .272 .285 .189 40 13 1993 KCR 203 52 7 1 2 17 4 2 .256 .314 .330 .230 47 19 1994 KCR 141 35 4 1 1 12 1 0 .248 .307 .312 .221 31 12 1995 KCR 306 81 12 1 1 22 0 1 .265 .314 .320 .225 69 27 1996 PRJ 274 75 9 0 2 22 0 0 .274 .328 .328 .236 65 27The Mets gave up virtually nothing to get him; they overpaid. Mayne is barely qualified to be a backup, and is clearly a worse player than Stinnett is, which makes you wonder why the Mets wanted him when they already had two better catchers. Maybe it was for the winning tradition Mayne brought with him from Kansas City.
TREY MCCOY 1967 DH YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 TUL 136 29 3 0 7 26 0 0 .213 .340 .390 .255 35 18 1992 GAS 104 34 1 0 6 17 2 0 .327 .421 .510 .326 34 21 1992 TUL 53 10 1 0 1 7 0 1 .189 .283 .264 .182 10 3 1993 TUL 422 112 14 1 20 55 2 1 .265 .350 .445 .276 117 62 1993 OKL 28 7 1 1 2 4 0 0 .250 .344 .571 .302 8 5 1994 OKL 354 109 17 1 14 37 1 0 .308 .373 .480 .297 105 59 1995 NOR 68 14 3 0 3 4 0 0 .206 .250 .382 .217 15 6 1995 OKL 29 8 1 0 0 7 0 0 .276 .417 .310 .270 8 4Had a pair of monster seasons in 1993 and 1994, which impressed the Rangers so much that they never called him up. He was rather old (23) when he started his pro career, and by the time he proved himself as a hitter he was too old for any team to give him a shot. He could still be a fine AAA hitter for the next 5 years.
KEVIN MORGAN 1970 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 NIA 257 45 4 0 1 10 3 3 .175 .206 .202 .105 27 4 1992 FAY 481 89 11 1 1 33 8 7 .185 .237 .218 .142 68 15 1993 LAK 420 85 10 1 3 24 6 3 .202 .245 .252 .167 70 19 1994 SLU 451 108 7 2 2 30 5 4 .239 .287 .277 .198 89 30 1995 BIN 432 107 11 1 4 33 8 6 .248 .301 .306 .215 93 36 1995 NOR 62 18 1 0 0 4 1 2 .290 .333 .306 .225 14 6Has improved as a hitter for four straight years. Not that it means anything.
ALEX OCHOA 1972 RF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 KNE 512 122 11 4 2 38 15 9 .238 .291 .287 .206 105 38 1993 FRD 537 125 15 2 8 36 23 8 .233 .281 .313 .215 115 45 1994 BOW 520 137 14 1 10 38 22 9 .263 .314 .352 .240 125 55 1995 NOR 125 37 6 2 1 12 6 2 .296 .358 .400 .273 34 18 1995 ROC 333 81 13 1 6 24 15 5 .243 .294 .342 .230 77 33 1995 NYM 37 12 0 0 0 2 1 0 .324 .359 .324 .256 9 4 1996 PRJ 397 106 13 1 9 27 0 0 .267 .314 .373 .243 97 42Think "Mark Whiten". A .280 hitter, Grade B power, good baserunner, one of the strongest arms in the game. Ochoa's the definition of a "good" player; he's a little above average in every phase of the game. He isn't a "great" player, and probably never will be. Starts the year at AAA, he'll probably move Everett to left this year, with Payton waiting in the wings for an opening.
REY ORDONEZ 1972 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1994 SLU 315 88 15 1 3 10 8 4 .279 .302 .362 .237 75 32 1994 BIN 191 44 6 1 1 2 3 2 .230 .238 .288 .180 34 10 1995 NOR 442 89 17 3 1 25 12 9 .201 .244 .260 .170 75 22A brutal offensive player, but his defensive reputation is almost otherworldly. Every scout, manager, or GM who's ever seen him play swears he's the second coming of Ozzie Smith, and some have even been foolhardy enough to claim he's better than the Wizard was. He better be, if he wants to be a major league regular. Twenty years from now they might be calling a .200 average the "Ordonez Line". But if the Mets are willing to use pinch-hitters for him anytime he bats after the sixth inning, he could be a genuinely useful player.
The Mets are generally considered to be the worst defensive team of the '90s, but for 1996 they could start an outfield of Everett, Johnson, and Ochoa; an infield of Alfonzo, Ordonez, Kent, and Brogna; and Hundley behind the plate. It wouldn't score many runs, but that defense and Shea Stadium could keep Mets pitchers very happy all season.
JAY PAYTON 1973 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1994 PTS 221 63 6 1 3 15 5 1 .285 .331 .362 .251 55 25 1995 BIN 356 113 12 2 11 21 13 5 .317 .355 .455 .285 102 54 1995 NOR 197 46 8 2 4 10 11 3 .234 .271 .355 .227 45 19 1996 PRJ 418 116 16 2 10 19 19 7 .278 .309 .397 .253 106 50Tore up the Eastern League for most of the summer before faltering badly upon a promotion to AAA. He's only 23 and is considered the top hitting prospect in the organization. He will probably debut sometime during the season. Payton may not be the phenom that the Mets think he is. His late season flop in Triple-A is reminiscent of Cliff Floyd in 1993, although Payton is two years older and hit for less power. If the trend continues, he'll have a promising '96 season, then break 8 bones in a freak accident in 1997. Be careful, Jay.
TRACY SANDERS 1970 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KIN 436 106 12 3 14 60 5 3 .243 .335 .381 .252 110 53 1992 CAN 391 90 7 1 18 66 3 4 .230 .341 .391 .255 100 50 1993 CAN 139 28 4 1 4 26 3 1 .201 .327 .331 .235 33 15 1993 WIC 270 81 6 2 10 29 5 3 .300 .368 .448 .285 77 42 1994 BIN 280 61 12 2 6 50 7 4 .218 .336 .339 .241 67 32 1995 BIN 32 9 3 0 1 4 1 0 .281 .361 .469 .292 9 5 1995 NOR 113 25 3 0 4 31 3 1 .221 .389 .354 .269 30 17 1996 PRJ 269 67 10 1 12 50 3 2 .249 .367 .428 .278 75 41A sleeper. Acquired from the Padres two years ago, Sanders doesn't hit for a very high average but has terrific secondary skills. He has good power and could draw 100 walks in a season. It's unlikely he'll ever get a shot at much playing time, but he could turn into Warren Newson.
CHRIS SAUNDERS 1971 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 PTS 266 51 7 1 1 23 2 1 .192 .256 .237 .163 43 12 1993 SLU 460 100 10 2 5 30 4 3 .217 .265 .280 .188 86 28 1994 BIN 502 120 12 1 8 34 5 4 .239 .287 .315 .212 106 40 1995 BIN 443 103 14 3 7 35 3 4 .233 .289 .325 .214 95 36 1995 NOR 57 13 4 1 2 8 1 1 .228 .323 .439 .260 15 8Just what the Mets need, another third baseman. Needs a miracle to get a chance.
BILL SPIERS 1966 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 MIL 414 121 13 5 8 32 18 8 .292 .343 .406 .267 110 55 1992 BLT 56 10 2 0 0 5 2 0 .179 .246 .214 .158 9 2 1993 MIL 340 84 6 4 2 26 12 7 .247 .301 .306 .217 74 29 1994 MIL 211 52 4 1 0 16 8 1 .246 .300 .275 .212 45 17 1995 NOR 42 9 1 0 0 7 0 1 .214 .327 .238 .194 8 3 1995 NYM 73 17 1 1 0 11 0 1 .233 .333 .274 .214 16 6The Brewers' shortstop of the '90s took a detour and found himself in New York, where a once-promising career appears to have come to a sputtering end.
KELLY STINNETT 1970 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CGA 389 82 6 1 8 13 2 1 .211 .236 .293 .179 70 21 1992 CAN 299 77 6 0 6 12 5 4 .258 .286 .338 .220 66 26 1993 CHR 288 75 6 1 5 16 0 0 .260 .299 .340 .226 65 26 1994 NYM 149 38 6 2 1 11 2 0 .255 .306 .342 .233 35 15 1995 NYM 197 46 6 1 4 29 2 0 .234 .332 .335 .239 47 21 1996 PRJ 260 67 8 1 5 19 2 0 .258 .308 .354 .237 61 26A decent acquisition as a Rule V pickup two years ago, Stinnett may find himself challenged by Mayne for the role of backup catcher. The Mets may find themselves forced to carry three catchers, which, if Hundley is healthy, is really unnecessary. A trade may be the best thing for both Stinnett and the Mets. Sent to Milwaukee, in the mix there with Matheny and Nokes.
RYAN THOMPSON 1968 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KNX 410 91 10 1 8 18 13 7 .222 .255 .310 .198 81 29 1992 SYR 435 121 15 5 12 38 10 4 .278 .336 .418 .266 116 58 1992 NYM 110 27 8 1 4 9 2 2 .245 .303 .445 .255 28 14 1993 NOR 227 59 7 1 10 22 6 3 .260 .325 .432 .264 60 31 1993 NYM 288 73 17 2 10 20 3 7 .253 .302 .431 .248 71 34 1994 NYM 332 75 13 1 16 28 1 1 .226 .286 .416 .242 80 37 1995 NOR 53 17 1 0 2 4 4 1 .321 .368 .453 .295 16 9 1995 NYM 269 72 10 1 6 18 3 1 .268 .314 .379 .246 66 30 1996 PRJ 360 96 16 3 15 23 7 2 .267 .311 .453 .266 96 49The Mets' outfield situation is really crowded. Thompson has lost favor in New York, which makes it very likely that he will be elsewhere by the time the season opens. He's really not that much different than Ochoa or Everett; they all hit for a decent average, have some pop in their bat, have good range, and, with the exception of Everett, rarely draw a walk.
GARY THURMAN 1965 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KCR 185 53 5 0 3 10 20 5 .286 .323 .362 .258 48 23 1992 KCR 201 52 3 3 1 8 11 6 .259 .287 .318 .219 44 17 1993 DET 89 20 1 2 0 10 8 0 .225 .303 .281 .229 20 9 1994 NAS 464 114 11 7 5 32 18 6 .246 .294 .332 .226 105 43 1995 TAC 360 103 7 7 6 18 24 8 .286 .320 .394 .259 93 45Speed kills.
JOSE VIZCAINO 1968 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CHC 146 40 5 0 0 5 2 1 .274 .298 .308 .217 32 12 1992 CHC 288 71 10 4 2 16 3 0 .247 .286 .330 .219 63 24 1993 CHC 549 156 17 3 3 47 13 9 .284 .341 .342 .245 135 60 1994 NYM 407 104 8 2 3 33 2 11 .256 .311 .307 .213 87 33 1995 NYM 512 154 19 4 2 35 9 3 .301 .346 .365 .257 131 60 1996 PRJ 633 177 20 5 2 44 11 6 .280 .326 .336 .239 151 65The Mets made a strange decision when they signed Vizcaino to a two-year deal. Vizcaino's signing would appear to block Ordonez from playing shortstop, but the Mets appear committed to playing Ordonez come hell or high water. Vizcaino may end up moving to third, which would then block both Alfonzo and Huskey. Stay posted; a trade may resolve this situation as well. Wild guess: the Mets trade Kent, and move Vizcaino to second base.
DON WHITE 1972 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 CMB 449 110 9 3 3 35 20 8 .245 .300 .298 .218 98 38 1994 SLU 466 121 14 5 6 30 21 6 .260 .304 .350 .238 111 48 1995 BIN 316 68 12 2 2 32 19 5 .215 .287 .285 .211 67 26Thank you. Drive through, please.
Organizational Pitching Report
OPR Points: 43 Rank in MLB: 1st Rank in NL East: 1st
Name Lvl Age IP Work H/G K/BB K/G ERA Adj Ttl Grade Wilson, Paul 7 3 9 0 6 9 8 5 0 47 A+ Atwater, Joe 0 3 7 0 7 9 5 4 0 35 A- Ludwick, Eric 6 1 8 0 6 3 5 3 0 32 B Sanchez, Jesus 0 3 8 0 4 6 8 3 0 32 B Gooch, Arnold 0 6 8 0 4 4 6 3 -1 30 C+ Person, Robert 7 -1 4 0 6 5 7 2 0 30 C+ Larson, Toby 1 0 9 0 3 8 5 4 0 30 C+ Byrd, Paul 8 1 3 0 5 6 2 4 0 29 C Guerra, Mark 4 0 9 0 3 7 2 3 -2 26 D+ Hiljus, Erik 4 1 8 0 4 2 4 2 -1 24 D Johnston, Sean 0 5 7 0 4 2 2 3 0 23 D- Best Prospect in 1994: Jason Isringhausen (B-) Best Rookie Starter in 1995: Jason Isringhausen (B-)
JUAN ACEVEDO 1970 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 VIS 57.7 76 41 5 30 27 6.40 2 4 11.86 4.68 4.21 1993 CNV 108.0 128 67 14 54 82 5.58 4 8 10.67 4.50 6.83 1994 NHV 163.0 179 74 24 41 132 4.09 9 9 9.88 2.26 7.29 1995 CSP 14.0 17 9 0 7 7 5.79 1 1 10.93 4.50 4.50 1995 COL 65.0 76 39 15 19 38 5.40 2 5 10.52 2.63 5.26The Rockies' top prospect a year ago, Acevedo struggled some in 1995, allowing the Mets to steal him (along with Arnold Gooch) for Bret Saberhagen in mid-season. Acevedo was shut down shortly after he was acquired because of arm trouble, but it isn't expected to be serious. The Mets' rotation is crowded, but Acevedo has the talent to be the fifth starter. Don't be fooled by his numbers last year - Acevedo is an extreme fly ball pitcher, and posted an 8.31 ERA in Denver's thin air. He's so relieved to leave Coors Field he may just win 15 games.
MIKE BIRKBECK 1961 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CAN 35.7 49 21 3 18 34 5.30 1 3 12.36 4.54 8.58 1992 TID 112.3 117 62 13 34 92 4.97 5 7 9.37 2.72 7.37 1993 RIC 152.3 149 63 12 46 120 3.72 9 8 8.80 2.72 7.09 1994 RIC 156.7 162 60 10 48 131 3.45 10 7 9.31 2.76 7.53 1995 NOR 50.0 61 23 4 15 37 4.14 3 3 10.98 2.70 6.66 1995 NYM 27.0 22 5 2 2 14 1.67 3 0 7.33 .67 4.67Birkbeck developed dramatically in his thirties, which is rather unusual, but occasionally happens with pitchers. Unfortunately, he had to have the opportunity to prove that in the major leagues. After two excellent seasons in Triple-A, he finally got an audition and did wonderfully so well that after four starts, Japanese ballclubs came calling. And at age 34, without any guarantees he could make comparable money in the States, Birkbeck did the smart thing he took the money and headed west.
PAUL BYRD 1971 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 KIN 58.7 48 37 16 40 45 5.68 2 5 7.36 6.14 6.90 1992 CAN 142.3 149 86 11 87 103 5.44 6 10 9.42 5.50 6.51 1993 CAN 9.7 8 5 2 3 7 4.66 0 1 7.45 2.79 6.52 1993 CHR 76.7 93 48 11 35 49 5.63 3 6 10.92 4.11 5.75 1994 CAN 128.7 158 79 16 57 86 5.53 5 9 11.05 3.99 6.02 1994 CHR 35.0 39 21 6 11 14 5.40 1 3 10.03 2.83 3.60 1995 NOR 82.3 83 34 8 25 57 3.72 5 4 9.07 2.73 6.23 1995 NYM 22.0 18 5 1 7 26 2.05 2 0 7.36 2.86 10.64Byrd made steady progress through the Indians' system before being acquired by the Mets in the Dave Mlicki/Jeromy Burnitz deal. He had an excellent year at Norfolk and did well in a late-season audition in New York, which may have won him a job in the Mets' bullpen for 1996. He certainly deserves the opportunity.
REID CORNELIUS 1970 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 WPB 99.0 113 51 12 49 64 4.64 5 6 10.27 4.45 5.82 1991 HAR 17.3 18 10 5 7 10 5.19 1 1 9.35 3.63 5.19 1992 HAR 22.0 14 7 0 9 15 2.86 1 1 5.73 3.68 6.14 1993 HAR 147.3 167 105 17 90 100 6.41 4 12 10.20 5.50 6.11 1994 OTT 140.0 158 83 21 79 79 5.34 6 10 10.16 5.08 5.08 1995 NOR 66.0 68 20 2 22 40 2.73 5 2 9.27 3.00 5.45 1995 OTT 10.0 18 13 2 6 7 11.70 0 1 16.20 5.40 6.30 1995 NYM 57.0 65 32 8 26 35 5.05 2 4 10.26 4.11 5.53Corneilus was a highly touted Expo prospect despite never putting up outstanding numbers. The Mets, who just can't seem to get enough pitchers, traded David Segui for him, after which he went 7-0 with an ERA under one in Triple-A. That performance looks like an aberration, and it's very likely Cornelius will start the season back at Norfolk. At age 26, it's crunch time for Cornelius.
JERRY DIPOTO 1968 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CAN 143.7 173 103 22 75 83 6.45 4 12 10.84 4.70 5.20 1992 CSP 112.7 143 65 10 62 61 5.19 5 8 11.42 4.95 4.87 1993 CHR 44.0 41 13 2 15 40 2.66 3 2 8.39 3.07 8.18 1993 CLE 55.3 54 16 0 28 46 2.60 4 2 8.78 4.55 7.48 1994 CHR 32.3 44 15 1 13 24 4.18 2 2 12.25 3.62 6.68 1994 CLE 15.7 23 9 0 9 9 5.17 1 1 13.21 5.17 5.17 1995 NYM 77.7 80 37 3 29 48 4.29 4 5 9.27 3.36 5.56Every good pitching staff needs a DiPoto. He gives up his share of baserunners, but thrives because he has a deadly sinker and gives up almost no power only 3 homers in 151 career innings. He doesn't have the glamour arm that some of the up-and-coming Mets have, but he can give the Mets 90 good innings of mop-up work a year, and that's valuable.
BRIAN EDMONDSON 1973 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 FAY 135.0 197 100 24 80 83 6.67 4 11 13.13 5.33 5.53 1993 LAK 102.0 136 60 13 49 55 5.29 4 7 12.00 4.32 4.85 1993 LON 21.3 31 22 4 14 14 9.28 0 2 13.08 5.91 5.91 1994 TRN 149.0 187 89 18 67 71 5.38 6 11 11.30 4.05 4.29 1995 BIN 123.7 191 99 26 62 60 7.20 3 11 13.90 4.51 4.37
JOHN FRANCO 1961 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 NYM 54.7 61 23 3 18 48 3.79 3 3 10.04 2.96 7.90 1992 NYM 32.7 24 6 1 12 22 1.65 3 1 6.61 3.31 6.06 1993 NYM 35.7 46 22 6 20 31 5.55 1 3 11.61 5.05 7.82 1994 NYM 50.0 47 18 2 20 43 3.24 4 2 8.46 3.60 7.74 1995 NYM 50.7 50 16 3 17 40 2.84 4 2 8.88 3.02 7.11A great pitcher when healthy, but has one of the most fragile arms in the business. The Mets should try to give him frequent time off he has a 1.85 ERA over the last five years when he pitches on 3 or more days of rest and limit him to 60 innings total. The Mets have enough pitching that they can afford it, and if used right Franco can pay huge dividends.
MARK FULLER 1971 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 PTS 45.0 53 23 1 13 25 4.60 2 3 10.60 2.60 5.00 1993 SLU 42.0 63 23 1 13 27 4.93 2 3 13.50 2.79 5.79 1994 SLU 38.3 40 16 3 18 27 3.76 2 2 9.39 4.23 6.34 1994 BIN 28.3 40 25 4 10 20 7.94 1 2 12.71 3.18 6.35 1995 BIN 73.0 108 43 8 20 30 5.30 3 5 13.32 2.47 3.70A warm body. The coroner hasn't pronounced him dead yet, but his pulse is certainly weak.
PETE HARNISCH 1967 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 HOU 215.3 178 67 19 86 185 2.80 16 8 7.44 3.59 7.73 1992 HOU 206.3 192 91 25 69 184 3.97 12 11 8.37 3.01 8.03 1993 HOU 214.7 177 80 23 86 197 3.35 14 10 7.42 3.61 8.26 1994 HOU 94.7 99 51 13 40 64 4.85 4 7 9.41 3.80 6.08 1995 NYM 109.3 114 49 14 25 81 4.03 6 6 9.38 2.06 6.67Every year he's a threat to win 20 games, and every year he disappoints. After five years of waiting, it may be time to accept that Harnisch will be no better than an erratic sometimes brilliant, often injured pitcher. Of course, if the improvement in his control is for real, he's a threat to win 20 games this year.
DOUG HENRY 1964 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 DEN 55.0 55 19 4 19 45 3.11 4 2 9.00 3.11 7.36 1991 MIL 35.7 17 4 2 14 32 1.01 4 0 4.29 3.53 8.07 1992 MIL 63.7 77 39 7 24 65 5.51 2 5 10.88 3.39 9.19 1993 MIL 54.0 69 32 7 24 43 5.33 2 4 11.50 4.00 7.17 1994 NWO 14.3 5 3 2 11 10 1.88 2 0 3.14 6.91 6.28 1994 MIL 31.0 34 18 5 22 22 5.23 1 2 9.87 6.39 6.39 1995 NYM 66.7 49 20 7 26 61 2.70 5 2 6.62 3.51 8.24Some guys' careers take a plunge; Henry was going down Victoria Falls before last year. His comeback was impressive, but he is 32, and the Mets are overloaded with guys who want Henry's spot and could fill it just as effectively. There are many teams who need help in the bullpen, though, so Henry should land on his feet somewhere.
JASON ISRINGHAUSEN 1973 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 PTS 82.0 92 75 29 39 61 8.23 2 7 10.10 4.28 6.70 1994 SLU 94.3 96 43 6 31 51 4.10 5 5 9.16 2.96 4.87 1994 BIN 86.3 94 43 10 25 56 4.48 4 6 9.80 2.61 5.84 1995 BIN 39.3 33 19 3 12 51 4.35 2 2 7.55 2.75 11.67 1995 NOR 82.0 76 22 3 28 70 2.41 7 2 8.34 3.07 7.68 1995 NYM 92.3 91 29 5 32 54 2.83 7 3 8.87 3.12 5.26His workload is a cause for concern (193 IP in 1994, 221 last year). His stuff isn't. If the Mets use what should be a deep bullpen to keep Izzy from pitching more than seven innings too often, he could become one of the best pitchers of the next 10 years.
BOBBY JONES 1970 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CMB 22.3 29 12 5 1 22 4.84 1 1 11.69 .40 8.87 1992 BIN 148.0 150 56 12 50 124 3.41 9 7 9.12 3.04 7.54 1993 NOR 159.3 159 71 12 37 112 4.01 9 9 8.98 2.09 6.33 1993 NYM 61.0 61 31 7 24 37 4.57 3 4 9.00 3.54 5.46 1994 NYM 159.0 159 66 10 58 82 3.74 10 8 9.00 3.28 4.64 1995 NYM 194.0 215 95 20 54 125 4.41 10 12 9.97 2.51 5.80A phenom just two years ago, Jones has become the forgotten man in New York. He's got everything you want to see in a pitcher: he's young, has no injury record, has a good (and improving) strikeout-to-walk ratio, and works in a pitcher-friendly ballpark. About the only thing he doesn't have is job security. The Mets would be well advised to trade Jones, who doesn't figure into their long-term plans but would command a good price on the open market.
ERIC LUDWICK 1972 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 PTS 43.3 73 43 3 25 24 8.93 1 4 15.16 5.19 4.98 1994 SLU 137.7 198 128 17 89 67 8.37 3 12 12.94 5.82 4.38 1995 BIN 134.0 141 67 15 73 114 4.50 7 8 9.47 4.90 7.66 1995 NOR 19.0 25 16 4 8 9 7.58 0 2 11.84 3.79 4.26Broke out last year after a successful season in the Australian Winter League. A classic hard thrower who needs to work on his control some, and with the Mets' pitching depth they can afford to let him develop some more in AAA.
BOB MACDONALD 1965 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 TOR 53.0 61 24 4 25 28 4.08 3 3 10.36 4.25 4.75 1992 SYR 21.7 26 12 3 13 12 4.98 1 1 10.80 5.40 4.98 1992 TOR 46.3 57 25 4 16 32 4.86 2 3 11.07 3.11 6.22 1993 DET 64.7 68 35 8 31 44 4.87 3 4 9.46 4.31 6.12 1994 BIR 53.3 44 19 7 8 33 3.21 4 2 7.43 1.35 5.57 1994 CLG 29.0 34 20 3 14 24 6.21 1 2 10.55 4.34 7.45 1995 COH 18.0 24 9 1 6 12 4.50 1 1 12.00 3.00 6.00 1995 NYY 45.3 53 21 4 20 46 4.17 2 3 10.52 3.97 9.13"Bob MacDonald had an arm, back-back-back-back-gone. And with this arm he tried to pitch, back-back-back-back-gone. With a double here and triple there..."
PEDRO A. MARTINEZ 1969 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 WIC 145.0 188 102 35 53 79 6.33 5 11 11.67 3.29 4.90 1992 WIC 156.0 176 77 22 64 111 4.44 8 9 10.15 3.69 6.40 1993 LVG 81.3 84 38 9 41 56 4.20 4 5 9.30 4.54 6.20 1993 SDP 36.3 23 10 5 14 34 2.48 3 1 5.70 3.47 8.42 1994 SDP 67.7 51 26 4 49 53 3.46 5 3 6.78 6.52 7.05 1995 TUC 32.0 39 20 3 13 20 5.62 1 3 10.97 3.66 5.62 1995 HOU 20.0 27 14 2 16 16 6.30 1 1 12.15 7.20 7.20Throws a wicked screwball. His other pitches are only average, and his numbers reflect the fickle fortunes of relying on a trick pitch. If he can ever learn to throw the screwball for strikes consistently, he could be in for a long career.
JIM MCCREADY 1970 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 CMB 76.3 119 53 10 25 36 6.25 2 6 14.03 2.95 4.24 1993 SLU 55.3 61 23 1 25 34 3.74 3 3 9.92 4.07 5.53 1993 BIN 17.0 20 7 0 4 10 3.71 1 1 10.59 2.12 5.29 1993 BIN 78.0 86 36 7 30 43 4.15 4 5 9.92 3.46 4.96 1995 BIN 36.3 53 26 6 15 15 6.44 1 3 13.13 3.72 3.72 1995 NOR 37.3 48 17 0 23 20 4.10 2 2 11.57 5.54 4.82
BLAS MINOR 1966 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CAR 11.7 12 6 1 8 15 4.63 0 1 9.26 6.17 11.57 1991 BUF 33.7 53 29 10 15 24 7.75 1 3 14.17 4.01 6.42 1992 BUF 92.0 85 36 9 28 63 3.52 6 4 8.32 2.74 6.16 1993 PIT 92.7 94 38 9 29 89 3.69 5 5 9.13 2.82 8.64 1994 BUF 49.0 51 18 5 13 60 3.31 3 2 9.37 2.39 11.02 1994 PIT 19.0 25 13 4 9 17 6.16 1 1 11.84 4.26 8.05 1995 NYM 46.0 45 19 6 14 43 3.72 3 2 8.80 2.74 8.41Gave the Mets some impressive innings of middle relief, but the Mets need another middle reliever like they need Rafael Belliard, so the smart money is on Minor leaving town and finding work elsewhere. The kind of guy who signs a minor-league contract the week before Spring Training opens, makes the team, pitches well, and gets released after the season anyway.
DAVE MLICKI 1968 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CGA 102.3 115 80 11 81 82 7.04 3 8 10.11 7.12 7.21 1992 CAN 161.3 175 98 18 93 127 5.47 6 12 9.76 5.19 7.08 1992 CLE 21.3 24 12 3 15 19 5.06 1 1 10.12 6.33 8.02 1993 CAN 21.3 19 5 0 8 18 2.11 2 0 8.02 3.38 7.59 1993 CLE 13.3 10 4 2 6 8 2.70 1 0 6.75 4.05 5.40 1994 CHR 155.0 213 98 24 69 142 5.69 6 11 12.37 4.01 8.25 1995 NYM 159.3 165 73 24 55 122 4.12 9 9 9.32 3.11 6.89A one-time hot prospect with the Indians, Mlicki had arm trouble in 1993, pitched poorly in 1994, and was shipped out of town in the Burnitz deal. The Mets stuck him in their rotation and he promptly became one of the more surprising starters in the league. He may be best-suited for the bullpen, however: LHBs lit him up for an .888 OPS, while right-handers only managed a .617 OPS against him.
Despite his promising season, it wouldn't be at all surprising if he gets used sparingly, if at all, with the Mets this season. They simply have too many other guys to choose from, and Mlicki isn't one of their glamour boys. If the Mets are shrewd, they'll shop him around.
CHRIS NABHOLZ 1967 LBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 IND 18.3 16 6 3 4 15 2.95 1 1 7.85 1.96 7.36 1991 MON 152.7 151 69 7 61 109 4.07 8 9 8.90 3.60 6.43 1992 MON 194.7 198 88 17 80 148 4.07 11 11 9.15 3.70 6.84 1993 OTT 25.7 27 16 2 8 18 5.61 1 2 9.47 2.81 6.31 1993 MON 115.0 108 57 11 68 80 4.46 6 7 8.45 5.32 6.26 1994 CHR 22.7 24 10 2 3 10 3.97 2 1 9.53 1.19 3.97 1994 BOS 41.0 42 23 4 26 24 5.05 2 3 9.22 5.71 5.27 1994 CLE 10.7 21 11 1 7 5 9.28 0 1 17.72 5.91 4.22 1995 IOW 18.3 31 18 4 12 16 8.84 0 2 15.22 5.89 7.85 1995 CHC 23.0 23 14 5 14 21 5.48 1 2 9.00 5.48 8.22Rumored to be in the bullpen for the Mets this year. He hasn't exactly lit the world on fire, so the Mets should at least make him earn the job in spring training.
AL OSUNA 1966 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 HOU 81.3 62 37 8 48 73 4.09 4 5 6.86 5.31 8.08 1992 HOU 61.7 56 29 10 40 42 4.23 3 4 8.17 5.84 6.13 1993 TUC 28.0 24 13 2 18 33 4.18 1 2 7.71 5.79 10.61 1993 HOU 25.0 17 9 4 14 22 3.24 2 1 6.12 5.04 7.92 1994 ABQ 43.0 35 19 4 14 38 3.98 3 2 7.33 2.93 7.95 1995 NOR 39.7 45 19 5 14 29 4.31 2 2 10.21 3.18 6.58Started the year in the independent Texas-Louisiana League, where he may find himself again soon. Not a bad pitcher, but there are a lot of guys fighting for the role of left-handed set-up man, and most of them are younger than Osuna.
ROBERT PERSON 1970 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 BND 9.3 6 5 2 6 3 4.82 0 1 5.79 5.79 2.89 1991 SBN 68.0 66 54 10 68 44 7.15 2 6 8.74 9.00 5.82 1991 KIN 45.0 68 45 5 49 32 9.00 1 4 13.60 9.80 6.40 1992 SAR 93.7 118 71 19 81 67 6.82 3 7 11.34 7.78 6.44 1993 HDS 158.0 197 113 24 33 82 6.44 5 13 11.22 1.88 4.67 1994 BIN 148.3 147 81 28 77 106 4.91 6 10 8.92 4.67 6.43 1995 BIN 63.7 58 35 8 27 56 4.95 3 4 8.20 3.82 7.92 1995 NOR 30.3 34 19 3 15 31 5.64 1 2 10.09 4.45 9.20 1995 NYM 12.0 5 1 1 2 10 .75 1 0 3.75 1.50 7.50After bouncing from organization to organization, Person seems to have found a home with the Mets. His late season performance in New York opened a lot of eyes, and the Mets are seriously considering putting him in the bullpen to start the season. His arm has always been prized, so it's likely he'll be given every chance to succeed.
BILL PULSIPHER 1974 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 PTS 79.0 115 59 8 75 47 6.72 2 7 13.10 8.54 5.35 1993 CMB 39.7 41 22 4 13 19 4.99 2 2 9.30 2.95 4.31 1993 SLU 88.7 73 36 6 45 88 3.65 5 5 7.41 4.57 8.93 1994 BIN 185.0 216 106 27 100 139 5.16 8 13 10.51 4.86 6.76 1995 NOR 86.0 98 41 4 38 59 4.29 5 5 10.26 3.98 6.17 1995 NYM 125.7 125 51 11 46 80 3.65 8 6 8.95 3.29 5.73Before we anoint him the next Steve Carlton, a word of caution. Pulsipher's arm has been abused more than any other pitching prospect in the '90s, with the possible exception of Salomon Torres. Yes, he's built like a horse, but making him throw 201 innings in just 28 starts in 1994, and 218 in 30 last year is the dumbest thing the Mets have done since they signed Vince Coleman. His season ended early with a "sprained" elbow, whatever that is, and I'd be very leery of him unless and until his workload comes down. Working a 20- and 21-year-old pitcher that hard borders on lunacy.
HECTOR RAMIREZ 1973 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 CMB 84.0 124 73 14 38 35 7.82 2 7 13.29 4.07 3.75 1993 CMB 55.0 102 56 5 25 27 9.16 1 5 16.69 4.09 4.42 1994 SLU 177.3 255 112 23 56 95 5.68 7 13 12.94 2.84 4.82 1995 BIN 114.3 162 85 19 50 55 6.69 3 10 12.75 3.94 4.33Still young, but youth isn't everything, and most people outgrow it. Not a prospect.
CHRIS ROBERTS 1971 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 SLU 158.3 190 81 10 39 96 4.60 8 10 10.80 2.22 5.46 1994 BIN 160.7 198 90 16 87 104 5.04 7 11 11.09 4.87 5.83 1995 NOR 139.0 226 109 25 67 83 7.06 4 11 14.63 4.34 5.37If someone writes a play entitled "Death of a Left-Handed Soft-Tosser", they should consider Roberts for the lead role.
BRYAN ROGERS 1968 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 WPT 55.7 79 33 8 15 27 5.34 2 4 12.77 2.43 4.37 1992 SLU 28.7 28 16 4 10 13 5.02 1 2 8.79 3.14 4.08 1992 BIN 33.7 44 26 9 8 17 6.95 1 3 11.76 2.14 4.54 1993 BIN 78.7 90 31 4 26 35 3.55 5 4 10.30 2.97 4.00 1994 BIN 56.0 60 21 1 16 37 3.38 4 2 9.64 2.57 5.95 1994 NOR 28.0 41 20 5 11 7 6.43 1 2 13.18 3.54 2.25 1995 NOR 73.0 70 26 6 26 47 3.21 5 3 8.63 3.21 5.79He's had three decent seasons in a row. At his age, decent isn't enough to get a shot; he has to be brilliant for about four months, and I doubt it will happen.
PETE WALKER 1969 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 SLU 137.7 196 117 31 59 76 7.65 3 12 12.81 3.86 4.97 1992 BIN 128.3 196 95 19 53 63 6.66 4 10 13.75 3.72 4.42 1993 BIN 92.3 97 46 10 50 74 4.48 4 6 9.45 4.87 7.21 1994 NOR 44.7 57 24 3 26 39 4.84 2 3 11.49 5.24 7.86 1995 NOR 45.3 59 26 6 19 37 5.16 2 3 11.71 3.77 7.35 1995 NYM 17.0 25 11 2 5 5 5.82 1 1 13.24 2.65 2.65The Mets gave him a shot last year despite unimpressive credentials. Don't expect him to get another one. Dealt to Sand Diego for Petagine, where he's buried behind a number of excellent arms in the Padre bullpen.
PAUL WILSON 1973 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1994 SLU 35.3 38 30 9 19 32 7.64 1 3 9.68 4.84 8.15 1995 BIN 114.3 116 46 9 22 110 3.62 7 6 9.13 1.73 8.66 1995 NOR 62.3 69 29 4 23 63 4.19 3 4 9.96 3.32 9.10Clearly the best pitching prospect in all of baseball. The only reason he didn't get a September call-up was to save space on the Mets' 40-man roster, a shrewd move which you don't see teams doing very often. Frankly, he may be the most anticipated pitcher since at least Tom Gordon in 1988, and possibly since Dwight Gooden in 1983. Could start on Opening Day for half a dozen teams.