The 2009 IBC Mets

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The 2009 IBC Mets

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The Hitters:

.C - Max Ramirez .217/.345/.370 & .347/.439/.628 (AAA & AA)
... - Brayan Pena# .286/.333/.357 & .303/.376/.462 (AAA) (also 1B & 3B)
1B - Joey Votto* .297/.368/.506
... - Kila Ka'aihue* .286/.375/.429 & >314/.456/.628 (AAA & AA)
... - Ryan Shealy .301/.354/.603 & .283/.376/.503
2B - Mike Aviles .325/.354/.480 & .336/.370/.631 (AAA) (also SS & 3B)
... - Maicer Izturis .269/.329/.362 (also SS & 3B)
SS - Alcides Escobar .500/.500/.500 & .328/.363/.434 (AA)
3B - Ryan Zimmerman .283/.333/.442
... - Fernando Tatis .297/.369/.484 & .242/.345/.592 (AAA) (also 1B & OF)
... - Freddy Sandoval# .167/.286/.167 & .335/.389/.514 (AAA) )also 1B & OF)
RF - Nelson Cruz .330/.421/.609 & .342/.430/.693 (AAA)
... - Danny Dorn* .275/.367/.539 (AA & Hi-A)
... - Nolan Reimold .284/.367/.501 (AA)
CF - Chris Denorfia .290/.362/.387 & .303/.341/.409 (AAA & Hi-A)
LF - Nate Schierholtz* .320/.370/.493 & .320/.363/.594 (AAA)
... - Trevor Crowe# .302/.381/.485 (AAA & AA)
... - Luis Montanez .295/.316/.446 & .335/.385/.601 (AA)

Prospects:

.C - Luke Montz - .143/.308/.286 & .271/.343/.456 (AAA & AA)
2B - Tony Thomas - .266/.320/.400 (Hi-A)
SS - Jerry Puentes - .284/.357.335 (DSL -16 and coming state side)
3B - Luis Jimenez - .331/.361/.630 (Rk)
RF - Jordan Kendall - .319/.363/.449 (Rk)
CF - Ben Revere* .379/.433/.497 (Lo-A)
... - Bryan Petersen* .293/.370.477 (AA, Hi-A & Lo-A)

* = bats left ..........# = switch hitter
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Post by Padres »

The Starting Pitchers:

Ricky Nolasco - 186/42 K/BB, 3.52 ERA, 1.10 WHIP in 212.1 IP - finished the season with 10 straight quality starts
Ubaldo Jimenez - 172/103 K/BB, 3.99 ERA, 1.43 ERA in 198.2 IP - allowed only 11 HR with Coors as home park and had the highest average fastball velocity among starting pitchers this year at 94.9 MPH
Clayton Kershaw* - 100/52 K/BB, 4.26 ERA, 1.50 WHIP in 107.2 IP & 59/19 K/BB, 1.91 ERA, 0.95 WHIP in 61.3 IP (AA) - only 20 years young
Tommy Hanson - 163/52 K/BB, 2.41, 0.99 WHIP in 138.0 IP (AA & Hi-A) - As noted, he excelled at two levels holding batters to a .175 BAA. Hanson is a tall (6’6”) right-hander with a solid fastball, an uncle Charlie curveball, a knockout slider, and an improving changeup. The stuff matches the stats as he is on fire in the AFL.
Jeff Niemann - 14/8 K/BB, 5.06, 1.63 WHIP in 16 IP & 128/50, 3.59 ERA, 1.14 WHIP in 133.0 IP (AAA) - Even taller (6'9"), sits in the low-90's but can reach 98. He has an awesome curve, average slider and a splitter which is used as his change-up. His stuff is good to be a solid middle of the rotation starter. Given the depth of the Rays starting pitching and the fact that he is out of options I expect him to be traded in reality but not likely in the IBC.
Matt Harrison* - 42/31 K/BB, 5.49 ERA, 1.47 WHIP in 83.2 IP & 55/28 K/BB, 3.43 ERA, 1.39 WHIP in 84.0 IP (AAA & AA) - He generally sits between 88-92 mph throughout his starts but the slider is his go-to breaking pitch - particularly against lefties. Still inconsistent but only 23. Opened his major league career with a 9.20 ERA through three starts, but finished with 6 quality starts in remaining 12 starts.

Young (25, 24, 20, 22, 25 , 23 respectively) and full of potential ... this is the best the IBC Mets have had under this GM!

Prospects:

Jarrod Parker - 117/32 K/BB, 3.44 ERA, 1.24 WHIP in 117.2 IP (Lo-A) - We see him opening 2009 in high Class A, but his talent suggests he could handle the majors by the end of the year. Look for him to join the IBC Mets starting rotation in 2010 ...
Jake Arrieta - 120/51 K/BB, 2.87 ERA, 1.16 WHIP in 113.0 IP (Hi-A) - Led the league with a 2.87 ERA in 20 starts before heading overseas for the Olympics. Held opposing hitters to a .199 BAA. Another strong possibility for the IBC Mets starting rotation in 2010.
Carlos Rosa - 3/0 K/BB, 2.70 ERA, 0.90 WHIP in 3.1 IP & 86/19/ K/BB, 2.73 ERA, 1.05 WHIP in 95.2 IP (AAA & AA) - Rosa has long-term potential but also some health issues. Features 90-93 MPH sinking fastball. His slider and changeup also showed promise, and his command was solid. - May make the 2009 IBC Mets in the pen and, if healthy, could be a back of the rotation starter in the future.
Matt Buschmann - 118/58 K/BB, 2.98 ERA, 1.32 WHIP in 148.0 IP (AA) - Features a sinker/slider combination. He finished up strong, going 4-1 with a 2.35 ERA in his last 10 starts. He allowed only seven earned runs in the five no-decisions he picked up during that stretch. One of the IBC Mets oldest prospects at 24, he needs a strong season at AAA in 2009.
Jack Egbert - 121/42 K/BB, 4.58 ERA, 1.35 WHIP in 133.2 IP (AAA & AA) - After two solid minor league seasons Egbert slid way back this season. Perhaps it was just the small dimensions (345' in the power alleys in Charlotte), perhaps it was some lingering elbow soreness that delayed the start of his season. I may be the only GM in the IBC who thinks this but I still believe that Egbert can (and will) be a successful major league pitcher. True, his stuff is nothing to write home about. But, he's got that funky hitch in his delivery, has a good changeup, and only one of his HR allowed came on the road. He will start the season in AAA and this will be a make or break season for Egbert ... perhaps I have the blinders of a fan on now but I remain hopeful.
Omar Poveda - 97/40 K/BB, 4.47 ERA, 1.35 WHIP in 90.2 IP (Hi-A) - He pounds the strike zone with an average (but improving) fastball that has increased in velocity over the past 18 months (up from high-80's to 92ish, touching 94 on occasion), a fast-improving slider and one of the dirtiest changeups in the system. Part of a deep system in real life and in the IBC, I still see him as a solid back of the rotation starter and believe he will continue to advance. He should begin the season at AA.
Anthony Ortega - 105/55 K/BB, 3.46 ERA, 1.29 WHIP (AAA & AA) - He rocketed through double A and into triple A this season. Ortega possess a solid set of average pitches (88-92 MPH fastball, curve, slider & changeup) that he uses to keep opposing hitters guessing at the plate. Not a strikeout pitcher, so he'll go as far as his ability to minimize his walks and maximize ground balls can take him.
Ryan Pope - 76/23 K/BB, 4.30 ERA, 1.30 WHIP in 104.0 IP (Hi-A & Rk) - Scouts report his mechanics are virtually flawless. He also has great command and control of his FB, which sits in the low 90's but has the potential to sit in the mid 90's. He also throws a slider, curve, and change, none of which are special, but are solid. - While he had an average year numbers-wise for the Tampa Yankees, he admits he never found his rhythm, and in some cases, his stuff. Another pitcher who is facing a big year career wise likely starting, given his age, at AA.

Obviously the IBC Mets are, at this point in time, too RHP oriented and would consider trading some RHP prospects for LHP prospects either straight up or as part of a larger package.
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Post by Padres »

The Bull Pen:

It is expected that some pitchers listed on the Starting Pitchers page may see some time in the 2009 IBC Mets pen.

For example, while Jeff Niemann was exclusively a SP at AAA, of the 5 games he played at the major league level 3 were in relief where he posted an 8/3 K/BB in 6.2 IP. Likewise Carlos Rosa, exclusively a SP at AAA and AA only pitched in relif at the major league level posting a 3/0 K/BB in 3.0 IP before he was shut down.

But the pen will be anchored by true RP:

J.P. Howell* - 92/39 K/BB, 2.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 3 SV in 89.1 IP - Howell is a soft tosser who throws a sinking fastball in the mid 80's, topping out at 90 MPH as well as a knuckle-curve that's been described by scouts as "heavy" because of its extremely sharp downward break. His changeup breaks away from right-handed hittersand this season he improved his a cutter demonstrating consistent command of all four pitches. A former SP, Howell is capable of multi-inning appearances.
Jerry Blevins* - 35/13 K/BB, 3.11 ERA, 1.19 WHIP in 37.2 IP & 36/6 K/BB, 2.78 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 10 SV in 32.3 IP - The 6-foot-6 southpaw has an average fastball and a pretty good slider. Blevins has shown solid control and pronounced groundball tendencies this year, which combine to make him a very effective pitcher. Blevins tends to be used as more of a lefty specialist.
Scott Patterson - 7/6 K/BB, 1.93 ERA, 1.71 WHIP in 4.2 IP & 54/13 K/BB, 3.80 ERA, 1.27 WHIP 3 SV in 47.1 IP - 2008 marked the first season that Patterson began at the AAA level, and he broke through to the bigs pitching one inning for the Yankees. Despite battling pneumonia in the middle of the season he did totalover 50 innings with a 61/19 K/BB total. A 6'6", 230 lb man, he has a deceptive delivery that has proven to give hitters all kinds of problems. A flyball pitcher, Patterson should be a good fit for the IBC Mets at the new Citi Field.
Radhames Liz - 57/51 K/BB, 6.72 ERA, 1.78 WHIP in 84.1 IP & 58/25 K/BB, 4.05 ERA, 1.35 WHIP in 60.0 IP (AAA) - Liz remains a work in progress. He's got a live arm, but will need to conquer his control issues and gain some consistency. This was, however, his first taste of Major League Baseball, and sometimes guys get shelled. He went out there and did the best he could do. Command is the obvious issue. He has the stuff. He is not listed on the Starting Pitchers page because I think he's more likely to find MLB success out of the bullpen, but that's not a bad place to be. At this point in time he is in line to be the 2009 IBC Mets mop-up guy.
Stephen Marek - 68/27 K/BB, 3.56 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 4 SV in 60.2 IP (AA) - Another former SP, Marek is a big, strong kid with a power arm who does crank his fastball into the mid-90s and offset it with a curveball that was his out pitch. Marek will be a righty set-up for the 2009 IBC Mets.
Jared Burton - 58/25 K/BB, 3.22 ERA, 1.38 WHIP in 58.2 IP - Burton has a 93-94 mph fastball, along with a good slider and cutter. He has put up good strikeout numbers over the past three years, along with (generally) low HR-allowed rates. Burton shares many pitching characteristics with Mariano Rivera. - The 2009 IBC Mets need a healthy Burton as he is beyond a doubt the club's CL!
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Post by Padres »

A few changes this week:

Gone:

1B Kila Ka'aihue
RP Stephen Marek
SP Jarrod Parker

Three good young players ... Parker in particular. Got to give to get and SP and 1B are, or were, two positions the IBC Mets could afford to do some giving.

Gained:

Brewers pick in Round 1 (#5) - Likely SS Gordon Beckham
RP Matt Lindstrom - 43/26 K/BB, 3.14 ERA, 1.45 WHIP w/5 SV - Lindstrom, rejoining the IBC Mets, is the hardest-throwing pitcher on the staff. He consistently reaches the high-90s with his fastball and has hit 100 mph. He went 5 - 5 in Saves when he got the job in September with the Marlins. Lindstrom, barring any additional moves for an established closer or injury, will head into spring training as the front-runner to secure the Closer job for the IBC Mets.
RP Kanekoa Texiera - 60/21 K/BB, 1.33 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 21 SV in 61 IP (AA & Hi-A) - His slider is very tough for right-handed batters to deal with. Also throws good fastball, changeup, and a slider. Could well be the IBC Mets CL in a year or so.


Signed as FA:

C Cole Armstrong* - .261/.300/.410 (AAA & AA) - The 25-year-old catcher is opening eyes in the AFL hitting .327 with three homers and 11 RBIs in his first 12 games. Already a solid defender, his bat appears to be improving at every level he progresses. The southpaw will battle Luke Montz for the 3rd Catcher slot and may eventually become Max Ramirez's paltoon partner.
RP Cesar Jimenez* - 26/13 K/BB, 3.41 ERA, 1.31 WHIP in 34.1 IP & 47/8 K/BB, 3.55 ERA, 1,18 WHIP in 38 IP (AAA) - His changeup is good, and his curve needs work and his fastball is average. Though he seems like he has been around forever he is only 23. The IBC Mets 3rd lefty option.
2b Jayson Nix - .125/.234/.161 & .300/.363/.593 (AAA) - He plays a very good second base and he can also fill in at shortstop if necessary. He had his first breakout season in the minor leagues only this past year at Triple-A Colorado Springs. Unfortunately, with the combination of Colorado Springs and the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League in general, his line will not be any where close to that in the SIM. Nix potentially provides the IBC Mets a bit more flexibility with their middle infield situation.

Bottom line:

This week the IBC Mets tightened up the Bull Pen moving Burton to set up and getting Lindstrom as the CL while adding Teixeira as a repalcement for the departed Marek and Jimenez as a 3rd lefty option. Having Votto and Shealy at 1B and expecting to draft Justin Smoak with the 6th pick, 1B remains a solid position. Parker for Beckham (anticipated) is, in essence, an acknowledgement that the IBC Mets need to address the middle infield. With Jake Arrieta, Carlos Rosa and Matt Buschmann, the IBC Mets are still fairly solid with SP prospects. Armstrong and Nix are additional bench support.
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