The Gamers vs. The Gifted: Huchingson vs. Urbina

We're starting to get towards some players I happen to really like. Huchingson is a lefty... and crafty lefties are well... more valuable than crafty righties. Urbina on the other hand is a legacy prospect who has plus stuff and a bit of a faithful following.

Full Name: Daniel Chase Huchingson

Born: 04/14/1989

Birthplace: Fayetteville, AR

College: Central Arkansas

Height: 6' 5"

Weight: 197

Bats: L

Throws: L

Being essentially a giant (I'm 5'9"... anyone over 6'2" is a giant) Chase Huchingson actually skirts the border between gifted and gamer. 93 MPH isn't PHENOMENAL, but for a lefty it's pretty solid. He could even beef that MPH out a bit if he moved to the pen. I think the pen is where he'll end up but I also think he'll get the chance to start until he fails.

Most people will tell you that the jump from A+ to AA is a killer but the Mets have a friendly pitchers park in Savannah and that makes the jump to Port St. Lucie scary for a guy like Chase.

Huchingson's Scouting Report:

These phenoms in A-ball come along every year. Sometimes they are named Eric Beaulac while other times it Mark Cohoon. They dominate this level after coming out of college and, in the case of Chase, dominate at both a starter (1.77) or out of the pen (1.62). What I like from the 6-5 lefty is the 86-Ks in 80.0-IP. It’s obvious he will play St. Lucie next spring and I would love to see him stay in the pen.

He was described as having a 91-93 MPH fastball with little to no breaking stuff. That was college and things seem to have progressed.

Full Name: Juan Manuel Urbina

Born: 05/31/1993

Birthplace: Ocumare Del Tuy, Venezuela

Height: 6' 2"

Weight: 170

Bats: L

Throws: L


How can I say Huchingson (with a 91-93 MPH heater) is a gamer and Urbina (with 88-91 MPH) is gifted? The answer is in Urbina's changeup... and his age. Urbina is 4 years younger than Chase and still in a period of his life where adding horse-power is a REAL possibility. Add to this that he has a "Major League" breaking pitch and you can see why people are intrigued.

Sadly he has not turned his "stuff" into success in the minors. I think his time to cut the cheese as a starter is running out and despite his lack of success in the GCL or APP I have him moving on into Brooklyn. If he fails again he'll need to be moved into the bullpen because something isn't adding up.

Urbina's Scouting Report:

Widely regarded as the best International pitcher available, except some guy named Chapman, the Mets signed the 16yo to a $1.2MM bonus. Urbina already throws a 90MPH fastball, and a change that projects to be at least Major League average. He commands both pitches well, and has an extremely advanced feel for pitching, for a player so young. The downside is that he still struggles with his secondary offerings, and will need an improved Slider to experience significant success. The success rate for high profile 16yo Latin American pitchers isn’t great, but Urbina has all the makings of a good one. Expect for the Mets to have him make his U.S. debut in the GCL later this summer

Partially because Huchingson is almost classified as gifted and partially because he's farther along with more success than Juan, round 3 goes to the gamers.

Mets Q and A: - Wally Murphy on The Sand Gnats

Mack: - Welcome Wally. No one has seen more from this team this year than you have. First question is really simply. Name the one player, and why, that is definitely going to be a star in the pros for the New York Mets?


Wally: - That is a good question. There are several players on the team this year that could play for the Mets in the future. The player I think will advance to the top is Josh Edgin, who pitched great in relief for the Gnats the first half-he was (1-0), ERA under 1, with 16 saves. His fast ball was 90 plus and had a great curve ball. I think he could pitch relief or come in the game to get a left handed batter out.


Mack: - I agree. I think Josh might make Queens by the beginning of 2013. Let's talk about Aderlin Rodriquez. Sadly, you've watch a lot of Mets prospects kick the ball around the infield in the last couple of years. We all know A-Rod can hit the ball out of the park, but is he as bad a fielder as the stats say?


Wally: - Aderlin Rodriquez has made lots of errors at third this season. He has a great throwing arm to first and has made a bunch of super plays at third. He is only 19 so they may keep working with him at third. Maybe he will play first base in the future.


Mack: - Regarding the rotation, is there one pitcher that stood out this season from the rest?


Wally: - I was impressed with Angel Cuan pitching well this season leading the team with 10 wins. Not overpowering, his fast ball is 85-86 range, but has good breaking pitches, moves the ball in and out and up and down in the strike zone. I would call him a "crafty" pitcher. Hope he does well in St. Lucie next year.


Mack: - You've watched this team for years now... a little word association. Cory Vaughn or Matt den Dekker?


Wally: - Both play very good defense in the outfield. Slight edge in hitting goes to Den Dekker.


Mack: - Better bat... Aderlin Rodriguez or Josh Satin


Wally: - Josh Satin has hit for good average (.300) at all of his stops. Aderlin Rodriquez has more power (17) home runs, but is hitting around 220. The upside for Rodriquez is that he is only 19 years old, and has time to improve his average and be a more consistent hitter to go with his pop.


Mack: - Wally, your thought on "DC". He didn't have the year everyone expected....


Wally: - The injury slowed down Darrell Ceciliani and he has been hitting better the second half (.260's). He is a tremendous center fielder and it seems like he runs down every ball hit to left-center, center, and right center. Only 4 errors for the year. Good speed leading the team in stolen bases with 25. I look for him to hit for a higher average next year.


Mack: - Wally, any other thoughts on any of the other players this season?


Wally: - Albert Cordero has improved his hitting and made adjustments to lead the Gnats in hitting (around .280) the second half. Gnats pitching has been strong, Angel Cuan (10-3), Adam Kolarek (7-0), Chase Huchingson (7-2), Taylor Whitenton (5-4), closer Hamilton Bennett (2-0) with 14 saves. The entire pitching staff has pitched well leading the SAL with the lowest team ERA.