1. I hope 1B Ike Davis made the right decision. He’s decided to work out for a few more days, rest for a month, and avoid surgery. If his decision was wrong, he’s lost for opening day. It’s imperative that the lefty bats of Davis and Duda are in the same lineup next spring, sandwiching David Wright.
2. The Mets need to start the best defensive outfielder they have in the system in centerfield next spring. Right now that’s Jason Bay. Lucas Duda’s bat has to be in the lineup and he needs as much help as he can out there. I played third. My shortstop was Paul Altruda. Paul knew I moved better to my left, so I hugged the line. He covered that by playing a little deeper and closer to second base. I would go out and get myself a $3-4mil/yr. defensive specialist in free agency, put him in center until Matt den Dekker matures, leave Bay in LF.
3. My four year man-love with Jesus Montero looks like it has come to an end. There’s no way in hell that the Yankees are going to trade him after hitting two home runs on Labor Day. This is probably your future Yankee DH for the next five years minimum.
4. Not only did pitcher Phil Humber throw seven scoreless innings on Monday, but he threw it against Minnesota, the team that traded Johan Santana to the Mets for a package that included Humber. That’s cold. Humber is a perfect example of never giving up too early on a pitcher having control problems. As long as he has his velo and sickness, he can still be worked with.
5. OF Alex Escobar turned 33 on Tuesday.
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.
8-21-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/08/prospect-pulse-left-handed-hitters.html - Matt Den Dekker – Den Dekker was the Mets 2010 5th round draft pick, out of the University of Florida. He started this, his second pro season, at St Lucie, high A. After 267 AB’s and a .296 BA, he was promoted at mid-season to Bingo. He started out in AA struggling mightily, and only recently has begun to hit the way he is capable. After 210 AA AB’s, he is hitting .245 with 8 HR’s and 25 RBI’s, but is hitting .290 over his last ten games. The biggest problem for him is the strikeout. In 477 total AB’s this season, he has struck out a staggering 134 times, with only 47 walks, for an OBP of .347. Den Dekker is a very good fielding center-fielder, but if he is going to keep climbing the ladder he must cut way down on his strikeouts, increase his walks, and thereby bring up what is an abysmal OBP for a lead-off hitter.
