Top Pitching Prospects

By Chris Lee

With the questions abound regarding the Mets starting pitching rotation after Al Leiter and Pedro Astacio, one would think that if the Mets continue to hover around the .500 mark that we may see some of the farm come September. Here is a look at the Mets top pitching prospects.

AAA Norfolk

LHP Mike Basick - Coming over in the Roberto Alomar trade, the former Indians minor league pitcher recently made his first major league start in place of the injured Steve Traschel. Basick pitched 5 good innings to collect his first win, but did have several control issues which will most likely be fixed with more experience. Mike only throws in the mid-to-high 80s, but uses good location, superb movement and his outstanding arsenal of breaking pitches to baffle opponent batters.

'02 Stats- Mets: 1-0 WL, 3.60 ERA, 3 SO in 5.0 innings; AAA Norfolk: 5-4 WL, 3.39 ERA, 68 SO in 93.0 innings

MLB Comparison: John Burkett

Outlook: The Mets will lose 4 of their 5 starters this off-season due to free agency. Basick no doubt be given an opportunity to crack the starting rotation, and could possibly turn into a successful no. 4 or 5 starter. Basick also will be used in a few more starts in place of Traschel.
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RHP Pat Strange - Strange was a 2nd round draft pick in 1999, and at 21 he has a bright future ahead of him. Pat is enjoying a terrific season at Norfolk leading the pitching staff in wins (7) and strikeouts (74). His fastball reaches 94 mph, and has a solid change up, and a good sinker to mix things up.

'02 Stats- AAA Norfolk: 7-5 WL, 3.87 ERA, 74 SO in 100.0 innings

MLB Comparison: Aaron Sele

Outlook: Strange has a very good chance of making the Mets roster, but he still has to prove that he has the capabilities. Spring training will make a big difference for Pat.
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AA Binghamton

RHP Aaron Heilman - Drafted out of college, Heilman’s skills are polished and will make progress through the minors quickly. At Notre Dame, Aaron went 15-0 and posted a 1.75 ERA, while eating up plenty of innings for the Irish. Heilman main pitches include a 94-mph fastball with great movement, a dropping slider, a superb splitter, as well as a change-up. He’s close to making it to the majors, but the Mets are concerned with Heilman’s possible arm injuries from throwing too many innings with the Fighting Irish.

Stats- AA Binghamton: 4-4 WL, 3.82 ERA, 97 SO, in 96.2 innings

Comparison: Jason Schmidt

Outlook: With his extensive college experience, I would expect Aaron to work his way up the farm system in record time and show what he can do at spring training next year.
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RHP Starter Jae Seo - Seo’s stuff is not amazing, but gets the job done with great control. Using a descent change-up and an above-average splitter, Jae has worked his way up to AAA Norfolk this season. However, Jae has not exactly dominated at the AAA level, and will need to spend more time improving in the minors before he is promoted.

'02 Stats-AAA Norfolk: 4-5 WL, 4.06 ERA, 45 SO in 77.2 innings; AA Binghamton: 0-0 WL, 5.40 ERA, 6 SO in 5 innings

Comparison: Rick Reed

Outlook: Seo could use more time in the minors, but might be seen in the big leagues possibly as soon as next year.