Q and A With Mack And... P Bret Mitchell

Mack:  Morning kiddies. We're talking today with the Mets 12th round draft pickin the 2010 draft, Minnesota State University's own Bret Mitchell. Hey Bret, how's everything today and where are you?

Mitchell:   It's going good right now I'm back home in Minnesota.

Mack:   Let's go back a little. You pitched only 8 games for Kingsport last season, which is exactly the same amout of appearances you had this past season for K-Port/Brooklyn combined?  Did you get off to a slow start out of camp?

Mitchell:  I thought I got off to a good start this year I spent a lot of time working on my change up which I thought really helped me

Mack:  How come only 8 games though? Was there an injury in camp?

Mitchell:  No I injured my hip in season.

Mack:  I forgot that. Bret, you came out of college with the reputation of having a plus-plus curveball. Scouts said you need to develop an additional secondary pitch, other than your fastball to compliment the curve. Have you had success with that?

Mitchell:  I think so I have added a change up and a slider both were working good for me this year

Mack:  Gotta ask you this... Do you miss starting?

Mitchell:  Yeah I mean being hurt is never fun I'm just excited to get started up again

Mack:  And we're thrilled to have you back. I'm sure no one has told you what your role will be in 2012, but I have you as being part of the Cyclone rotation. A couple of more questions... Are you ding anything special in the off-season to get ready for next spring?

Mitchell:   I work out with Tom Truesdon and he does a good job with me

Mack:  Bret, last question. There's a lot of people here at Mack's Mets that follow players like you. Anything you want to say to them?

Mitchell:  Can't wait get going again next year going to work hard on staying healthy and have a good full season.

More on Mitchell...

Drafted  in the 12th round of the 2010 draft by the New York Mets. Signed, and immediately assigned to Kingsport for the 2010 season.

6-26-10: - Mitchell got off to a fantastic start last night for Kingsport , pitching 5.0 innings, giving up only one earned run while striking out eight.

7-7-10: - Mitchell pitched another gem last night and we need to add him to our watch list for The Keepers…  stats so far this season:  3-G,  2-1, 1.65, 0.97, 2.20-RA9, .300-BABIP, 2.26-FIP

Final 2010 stats:  2-2, 5.94, 8-ST, 42-K, 36.1-IP

9-23-10 2011 forecast:  Mitchell got off to a great start for Kingsport, but gave up 21 earned runs in his last five outings. Watch for him to return to Kingsport for a second shot next spring.

6-25-11: - Mitchell was a 12th rounder last season that got off to a great start with Kingsport. By 7-7-10 he was 3-6, 2-1, 1.65, 0.97, 2.20-RA9, .300-BABIP, 2.26-FIP; however, the rest of the season sort of went downhill and he finished the season  2-2, 5.94, 8-ST, 42-K, 36.1-IP. This included giving up 21-ER in his last five outings. Well, he got back on the horse in K-Port last night, thowing five hitless shutout innings, striking out six while walking only one. We’ll keep an eye on him.

8-14-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/08/kingsport-mets-team-report-stretch-run-edition.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29&utm_content=Twitter - Bret Mitchell - The 6’2″ RHP won 5 of his first 7 starts for the K-Mets and then was promoted to Brooklyn. The 2010 12th round pick out of Minnesota State University-Mankato, went 5-1 with a 2.95 ERA for Kingsport. In 40 IP he gave up 24 Hits, only two of which were HR’s. He had a 38/12 K/BB ratio, the league was hitting .175 against him and his WHIP was 0.91.

8-25-11: -  http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110825&content_id=23728940&vkey=news_t506&fext=.jsp&sid=t506 -  The Kingsport Mets announced their pitcher and hitters of the year before the final home game of the season Wednesday against the Danville Braves.

Right-handed pitcher Bret Mitchell was named the pitcher of the year. A 6'1" 195 pounder, Mitchell led the team in wins as he posted a record of 5-1 with an impressive 2.95 ERA. In 40 innings pitched Mitchell allowed just 24 hits while striking out 38 batters and walking 12. Mitchell who was promoted to the Brooklyn Cyclones on August 5th, is a former Appalachian League pitcher of the week who took no-hitters into the 5th inning on three different occasions this summer.