The Gamers vs. The Gifted: Gorski vs. Mejia

Unlike the last round, I happen to really like both of the next two pitchers. Gorski isn't your typical success story. He's sorta come out of the ether to suddenly shine. Mejia meanwhile was the buzz of the Mets in 2010 and if not for an injury in 2011, would likely be a regular member of the rotation at this point.

Full Name: Darin Walter Gorski

Born: 10/06/1987

Birthplace: Mount Joy, PA

College: Kutztown U

Height: 6' 4"

Weight: 210

Bats: L

Throws: L

With a fastball that just barely nips 90 MPH and two other pitches that don't send scouts a-twitter. What exactly excites us so much about Gorski? Look at the numbers for 2011. They are wicked good and prove once again that you don't NEED to be gifted to blow opponents away.

Now... the 9.0+ K/9 isn't legit and it's hard to imagine a world where he doesn't regress some, but you have to see that he deserves SOME attention right now. If he can repeat this performance in AA we'll all be frenzied for his promotion. If his performance shows he can maintain some of his superlatives in higher levels he could become a good back of the rotation guy.

Gorski's Scouting Report:

There is very little I could find on Darin Gorski as far as scouting reports go. As a matter of fact I found none. It seems like he’s flown under the radar after putting together a breakout season in 2011. He came onto the pro scene in 2009 with the Brooklyn Cyclones of the New York-Penn League and even though he didn’t shine with incredible numbers, after 62.1 innings posting a 4.91 ERA, he did manage to keep hitters to a .220 batting average. The following year in 2010, the Mets served him up the hitters of the South Atlantic League, and once again, didn’t exactly light up the billboards. You have to give it to him at that point nonetheless. He was a kid coming out of a Division 2 school in Pennsylvania taking in his first full season as a pro. Well, all of it came to loud and abrupt bang when in 2011 Gorski was strategically placed in the Florida State League and he not only wan the Player of the Year honors, he also posted an 11-3 record with some magical numbers to stand behind it. The Mid Season All-Star will probably see his prospect stock rise next year as he tries to show legitimacy in Double-A Birmingham. In searching around the internet, it seems like he’s one of those unknown pitchers that is going to catch a strong buzz soon.

Full Name: Jenrry Manuel Mejia

Born: 10/11/1989

Birthplace: Tabara Arriba, Dominican Republic

Height: 6' 0"

Weight: 205

Bats: R

Throws: R

Want to see me make a face? Tell me that Mejia has NO future as a starter. Warthen mentioned that Mejia might be shifted to a bullpen role permanently when he returns. I say, let him return and see how he handles starting. If that doesn't work... use him in relief.

If he was healthy, Mejia would have been starting with the Mets for some time already this year. Because he's hurt, Matt Harvey and Jeurys Familia are likely closer to the majors. Now... I still have faith but some are quick to lose theirs.

I think Mejia returns in mid-late May and depending on Harvey & Co. goes up to AAA. I think the Mets will hold him out of the majors for 2012 to protect him.

Mejia's Scouting Report:

Good: Plus-plus fastball that sits 94-97 and has a ton of sinking movement. He loves it though, and threw it 76% of the time last year. He also throws a plus change 86-88 mph with plenty of late fade, and a plus curve 79-81 mph (but he's inconsistent with his release point). Due to his heavy fastball, he is able to produce plenty of ground-balls.

Bad: His career high in innings is 94, and last year he only threw 81 due to the mismanagement/injuries. There are some concerns about his future ability to throw 200 innings/be a front-end starter, or if his body type would be better suited in the bullpen. His K/9 rate with the Mets last year was 5K/9 and his W/9 was 4.6. NOT GOOD. Due to the high number of walks, his WHIP was 1.69. And even though he has great "stuff", he had below league average swing and misses (7.4% versus league average of 8.5%). How much of this needs to be written off because he was 20 years old?

This is a tough call. I think Mejia has miles more talent and a much better chance of major league success, but injuries are tricky. Gorski is also just as likely to never repeat his 2011 in any higher levels so... This round goes to The Gifted.