Q and A: Mack with… Joe Bonnici… on Josh Edgin

Joseph Bonnici asked:  What is your opinion and the Mets opinion of ST. Lucie Mets left handed relief pitcher Josh Edgin?

Mack:  Thanks for the question, Joe.

I try not to get excited about relief pitchers in the A-to-Rookie levels. I’ve seen so mnay of them seem to dominate when all they were one year wonders. Most were older college draft picks beating up on teenagers from El Salvador.

That being said, Josh was hard not to follow.

First came his first outing last year in Savannah, where he was taken out without getting an out, earning him that infamous seasonal ERA of *.

He came out of the dugout the next day for stretching and said “hey, Mack… don’t beat me up about last night. I’m better than that.”  I took him for his word, wrote nothing, and he then gave up only two more earned runs in his next 23 outings (0.87). In fact, in two years he’s given up 21 earned runs in 69 outings. That’s less than Ollie would give up in a week.

Josh throws a slider in the low-90s and is a big dude on the mound that looks like he’s throwing it at you rather than past you.  A total of 100.2 professional innings pitched with 122-Ks and only 35 walks.

AA is always the test for any pitcher, so we’re going to have to give him another year; however, I have him as one of my top 30 prospects and the second reliever (behind Jack Leathersich).

More info on Josh…

Edgin was drafted by the New York Mets in the 30th round of the 2010 draft.

He reported immediately to Kingsport after signing and posted an impressive 0-1, 2.84 in 18 appearances. More importantly, he struck out 46 batters in 34.2-IP.

He was promoted near the end of the season to Savannah, where he went 0-0, 0.00 in two games.

9-20-10: - 2011 Forecast:  Normally, 30th round draft picks don't make it to a full season team during their first year, but Savannah bumped him up from Kingsport to help in their playoffs. There's a good chance he will wind up starting the 2011 season in Brooklyn, but maybe they'll reward him by returning to the Coastal Empire.

6-1-11: -                RP/CL Josh Egdin is already 24-years old and couldn’t be more consistent than he has been in the last ten outings. During that period, he has pitched 15.0 scoreless innings (0.00-ERA) while striking out 18. Last night, he pitched another scoreless inning (1-K) ending up the night with a 1.21-ERA. The 6-1 LHP out of Francis Marion University (30th round – 2010) now has 17 outings and nine saves.

7-3-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/07/best-mets-minor-league-surprises-mid-season-edition.html   - Josh Edgin – St Lucie, the 6’1″ left-handed reliever is dominating the opposition this year like very few have been able to do. After giving up 3 ER’s at the very beginning of the year he has been unscored upon since early May. His first 24 appearances were at Savannah, while the last 6 games have been with St Lucie. Over his first 9.1 FSL innings he has given up 0 runs. here are his combined stats this season: 2-0, 0.67 ERA, 30 G, 40.1 IP, 19 H, 3 ER, 0 HR, 50 K, 14 BB, .142 BA against, and he has 18 saves so far. Not bad for the 30th round pick from 2010.

7-10-11: - There was a rare occurrence last night involving St. Lucie RP Josh Edgin. He actually gave up an earned run. You have to realize this just hasn’t happened that much this season. It was the first one in 9-G/14.1-IP in A+ ball and he only gave up three in 24-G/31.0-IP in Savannah. His combined ERA has now soared to 0.79. Poor baby..

7-11-11: - Top 10 Minor League Performances in 2011 - 1. Josh Edgin – RP – A+/A: - 2-0, 0.79, 33-G, 53-K, 45.1-IP, 18-SV – one bad outing on opening day and then basically unhittable all season for two teams. Josh will turn 25 in December so I expect him to possibly move another level before the season ends, but we don’t need a repeat of Eddie Kunz here.

7-25-11: - Josh threw another scoreless inning for St. Lucie last night. He now has pitched 50.1 innings this year in A/AA and has given up only five earned runs. The last time he pitched bad was April 12th when he gave up a run and three walked in 0.0-IP. I remember him walking past me three days later at the home opener and he smiled at me saying “come on Mack, don’t write anything bad about me…”.  How could I? His combined ERA is 0.91 in 36 appearances!

8-14-11: -  We continue to be proud to be the first Mets writer to recognize what the team has in this kid. He mopped up Sunday for two more scoreless innings and it’s hard to come up with better stats than he has put up this season. First, there were 16 saves in 24 outings for Savannah, producing 41K/31.0-IP and an ERA of 0.87. Now, after 18 more outings for St. Lucie, he has seven more saves, 25K/26.0-IP and a “hefty” 1.38 ERA. Together: 2-0, 1.11, 42-games, 23-saves, 57.0-IP, 66-K.

8-24-11: - http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/32947/farm-repeat-mound-of-praise-for-edgin  - Mets VP Paul DePodesta said he hesitated to mention left-hander Josh Edgin’s name when the subject arose of minor leaguers who may have an impact with the Mets in 2012. But DePodesta went ahead and named the southpaw as a candidate, even though Edgin has not yet pitched above Class A St. Lucie.  “He’s got major league stuff and he’s left-handed,” DePodesta recently said. “Again, you just never know how quickly those guys can come. He’s in Port St. Lucie right now, which is why I’m squeamish about talking about 2012."

8-27-11: - Stock Down – RP Josh Edgin – Okay, it had to happen. Josh hasn’t had a bad game since opening day and he was long overdue. Lucy brought him in after Armondo Rodriquez through six scoreless innings in a seven inning shortened game and he gave up 2-R in 1.0-IP and took the loss. Poor baby… his seasonal ERA is how 1.44.

Five Long-term Solutions for Closers

A few days ago, I posted here about five options the Mets need to consider to fill their hole at closer. They are all free agent options, but the Mets only need a short-term answer for this void. They have several key options for a longer-term.

Of the dozen or so players throughout the farm system that could develop into something special at the back end of the Mets bullpen, here are five names you may not know that have a good chance at this point. As before, this is in no particular order.

Dale Thayer: Thayer was called up twice this season to the Mets. While there, he under-performed. He posted a 3.48 ERA in 10.1 innings. He was much more dominant in Buffalo,

however. In AAA, he had a 2.66 ERA with 21 saves in 54 games overall. He had 66 strikeouts to just 15 walks or a four to one clip.

That ratio was certainly good enough to earn him a spot in the Mets bullpen for next year. If he is like Nick Evans and just needs playing time to warm up, he could solidify that position for

the next few years.

Rhiner Cruz: In just 38 games at Binghamton, Cruz posted seven saves. His 4.14 ERA is not an indication of a lack of talent in the role, but rather simply a period of adjustment to a higher level of competition. He had a 2.77 ERA in St Lucie.

If he continues to show improvement and adjust to better hitters, he could develop into that 9th inning option in Queens for years to come. At just 25, he's still young and he's still in need of time to mature as a pitcher. Cruz could be on pace for a 2013 siting at Citi Field. It all depends on how he develops.

Josh Edgin: Edgin was promoted during the season from Savannah to St Lucie. Between both teams, he totaled 27 saves (16 in Savannah and 11 in St Lucie). He posted a 1.50 ERA bet-

ween both stops. He posted 76 strikeouts to 23 walks in 66 innings.

That three to one ratio is exactly what teams look for in a dominant closer. As he continues to hone his skills, he could develop into what the Mets have needed for so long. He has the potential to be in Queens by 2013 if he continues his current pace.

Jack Leathersich: This man is young (21) and raw. He has pitched nine games at Brooklyn and has one save to show for it. His 0.71 ERA was a good start for a young career. The team sees him as a viable option down the road. He may move up the system quickly and we could see him in 2014 if all goes well for him.

Ryan Fraser: Of all these options, Fraser may have the farthest road to get to the Mets. He pitched in Savannah this season, mostly as a starter. He posted not so great numbers, but in the minors, it's not really about the numbers. His 3.58 ERA is deceiving. As is his 7-9 record and his 90 strikeouts in 138.1 innings.

He does have one save this year. The team has started to learn where he is most useful. As he settles into the role of closer in the minors, he will only get better. He could reach the Mets by 2014 or 2015 at the latest.

Mets Analysis – 2012 Full Season Relievers

Josh Edgin – It’s hard to think that someone could have a better year than Josh had in 2011. Savannah stats were: 24-G, 0.87, 0.77, 2.26-BABIP, 1.85-FIP. He followed this in St. Lucie with: 24-G, 1.57, 1.19, .307, 2.95. I expect him to start off in Binghamton, but this soon to be 25-year old could move quickly up the chain. Looks like a real find.

Brad Holt – First of all, this could be a moot point if the Mets don’t protect Holt in the Rule V… err, okay… FIVE Draft. I’m assuming here that they will. You’re not going to see great 2011 stats here. His relief ERA was 4.09, while he posted 5.04 as a starter. The good news was his K/BB ration as a reliever… 35-K/33.0-IP. My hope is thye protect him and let him try this again at the AA-level. There’s no rush for a reliever.

Nick Carr – Speaking of no rush for a reliever, all the Mets have to do is figure out a way to keep Carr healthy and they have a live one here. Carr has already been in the system for six years, but has only pitched in 120 games. A failed starter, he had outstanding numbers this year at three levels (30-appearances, 3-0, 2.27, 39.2-IP, 41-K, 20-BB). Carr still sits in the high 90s and will play 2012 as a 25-year old. Look for him to be in Binghamton.

Jeff Kaplan – Kaplan spent most of the season in St. Lucie (45-G, 3.45, 44-K, 24-BB, ,57-1-IP), but did appear in Binghamton as well (3-G). He had an incredible April in which he went 0.71, 1-ER, 12.2-IP, in 11 games. Things blew up in May (5.28) and June (9.39), but he finished up the season strong. All Kaplan has to do is be a ittle more consistent and cut down on the walks. Another Binghamton reliever in April.

Jack Leathersich – Leathersich signed late this year and only got into nine games for the Cyclones, but made one hell of an impression: 12.2-IP, 26-K, 0.71-ERA. Jack’s a college boy, so he should be ready for a full schedule team. I’m expecting to see him in Savannah this season.

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.