Mets Correspondent Report- 5/24

Author: Chris Lee (email me at hookedonbball99@yahoo.com if you have questions/ comments)

LATEST TEAM INFO:

Record: 26-22, 1st NL East

Rotation:

Al Leiter continues to prove age is not a factor on his game. With a 5-3 record, and a low 2.32 ERA, he is truly the ace of the Mets pitching staff. Although Al had some shaky beginnings, but is dominant in the middle innings and will give six to seven well-pitched innings day in and day out.

Pedro Astacio has filled the No. 2 starter role pitching very consistenly, and with control. In 9 starts, Astacio is posting a 6-2 record, along with an impressive 2.49 ERA, and 51 Ks. The Mets made the right choice signing him in the offseason.

Steve Trachsel is not pitching bad either, but the offense has not yet began to produce while he is on the mound. A most recent example: Against Philadelphia, Steve pitched 6 scoreless innings, but the offense did not drive in a single run. Like I have emphasised before-he must recieve sufficent run support to do well.

Recently, Jeff D'Amico performances on the mound have gone quite well, espically for a No.5 starter. Earlier this week, Jeff pitched a 2-hitter against Los Angeles and japanese rookie Kazuhisa Ishii. Then, against the Phillies he breezed though the 7th, but got rocked late for 3 earned runs. He pitched well enough for a win, but once again the offense could not back D'Amico up.

Bullpen:

The Mets bullpen have really done a good job at cleaning up, and getting out of jams created by the starting pitchers. Through the first 47 games, Mets relivers have stranding 78.4% of inherited baserunners(second in the majors-behind the Dodgers).

Scott Strickland has been impressive since he came over from the Expos, and lefty David Weathers has made a strong statement working 20 games already, and only allowing a slim 5 earned runs. Also, an intresting fact-lefty Mark Guthrie has retired 16 of the 17 lefthanders he has faced.

Before Friday's game, the Mets organization called up lefty Bobby Jones from AAA Norfolk, and demoted Mark Corey, who took the loss on May 13 against the Dodgers. The team also learned that Kane Davis, who was already on the 15-day disabled list becasue of a lower back strain, will be out for an extended period after suffering a partial tear to the flexor tendon in his right elbow. Team physician, Andrew Rokito, and GM Steve Phillips don't believe surgery is nedded.

John Franco joined the club Friday afternoon after a long absence due to Tommy John surgery on May 14.

Infield:

After struggling, Bobby Valentine has been sitting Mo Vaughn on the bench, only to appear in pinch-hitting situation. Mo has also been studying tapes, and trying to improve on his swing.

Roberto Alomar and Mike Piazza are also having their hitting woes, both batting a miserable .254 through yesterday. Edgardo Alfonzo, however, continues to make some noise in the middle of the Mets lineup, hitting .323 overall, .394 with runners in scoring position, and posting a .428 on-base percentage. The problem is, the Mets batting in front of him in the order have not got on base, which results in only 12 RBI for Fonzi so far.

Outfield:

Since being called up from AAA, Timo Perez has hit the ball extremely well, collecting 26 hits in 87 at-bats. Perez's speed, defensive ability, and batting should give him a chance for a starting job.

Jeromy Burnitz's positive attitude finally pays off. "I come to practice everyday, take some extra swings, and hope that something good happens in the game.", he said after hitting a 2-run homer and laying down his first bunt in 4 years to help the Mets win 5-4 over the Marlins in extra innings. Hopefully, his optimistic outlook will bring him out of a slump.

Bobby V gave Roger Cendeno a few days to improve his batting stance and has responded by going 10 for 22. He has retained his leadoff spot.

Recent Games:
May 23-New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies (Attendance 26,405)
Steve Traschel, Scott Strickland, and Armando Benitez combine to shut out the Phillies 1-0 at Verterans Stadium. Mark Johnson drives Joe McEwing home in the 9th off Jose Mesa to win it.

W-Scott Strickland (3-2) L-Jose Mesa (1-4) SV- Armando Benitez (9)

May 24-Florida Marlins at New York Mets (Attendance 37,699)
Jeromy Burnitz hits his first homer in three weeks to force the game to extra innings, and then succesfully completes a his sacrifice bunt in four years in the 10th inning to advance runners. In that same inning, Vic Darensbourg would walk four batters in the 10th, including Jay Payton who had the game winning RBI. Mets win 5-4 in 10 innings.

W-Scott Strickland (4-2) L- Vic Darensbourg (1-1)

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

Fans, including myself, seem particuarly worried about Mike Piazza, Reberto Alomar, and Jereomy Burnitz's batting troubles. Many have pointed out that the organization paid big dollars for those players to produce, and are complaining that they are not playing at acceptable stardards. I totally agree. However, I have an answer to those concerners. Piazza is having a tough time off the field facing rumors about his sexuality, and could be the cause for his troubles at the plate. On the other hand, Alomar is getting familiar with National League pitchers, and is making a tough transition from the American League. Once he settles in, look for Robby to make some contributions.

LOCAL REPORTER

Coming soon......

INJURIES

John Valentin was allowed to take some supervised soft-toss swings on Friday after being on the DL since May 14 with a partial tear of his rotator cuff.

Kane Davis will be out for an extended period because of a partial tear to the flexor tendon inside his right elbow. Davis was already on the 15-day DL after suffering a lower back strain during a rehab assignment for AAA Norfolk. Surgery is not necessary.

ON THE FARM

AAA Norfolk

3B Ty Wigginton, who was hitting .373 with 3 homers and 20 RBI in 134 at-bats with the Tides, was recently called up to take the place of John Valentin. He has not yet gotten a major league hit in three attempts.

Catcher Jason Phillips continues to impress me. Phillips is batting .300, along with 5 homers and 31 RBI in 35 games, and a .515 slugging percentage. Could hebe a future replacement for Piazza?

RHP Starter Tyler Walker leads the Norfolk starting rotation with a 4-2 record, 2.67 ERA, and 40 strikeouts in ten starts. Walker would be ideal in emergency spot starts, we'll see if the Mets give this youngster a shot.

AA Binghampton

RHP Reliever Saul Rivera,a 24 year old rookie, has put up some amazing numbers coming out of the pen. In 18.2 innings pitched, Rivera has compiled a 1-0 record, 0.96 ERA, 13 SOs, and a .117 opponent batting average. Expect Saul to move up through the Mets organization fairly quickly and efficently.

A Port St. Lucie

Infielder Craig Brazell has tore the cover off the ball in single- A action down in Florida. Brazell is batting .306 with 6 homers and 40 RBI in 47 games played. And the amazing this is that he's only 22 years of age!

A Brooklyn

After being rated as one of the Met's top 5 minor league prospects last season by experts, OF Frank Corr makes some more noise in short-season New York Penn League ball. Corr is currently batting .302 and leads the Cyclones in homers(13), RBI(46), and slugging percentage(.594) in 61 games played.

"Extremely fast, fast on the basepaths, not much power, but a good contact hitter" These are some words used to describe speedster outfielder Angel Pagan. Pagan is batting .315 with 15 runs batted in, 75 hits, and an amazing 30 stolen basses, which leads the Penn league. Angel is often compared to rookies Timo Perez, and Jason Tyner, who have both been raised in the Mets farm system.

A Capital City

Catcher Justin Huber has put up some incredible batting statistics in Columbia, SC. Huber is batting .348 with 10 homers, 47 RBI, 96 total bases, and a unreal .619 slugging percentage. Justin leads the team in five statistical categories.

QUICK VIEW

Add:

Timo Perez- he could be valuable in deep leagues if your team is struggling with speed, and batting average.

Jeff D'Amico- If he has not been claimed, pick him up immidealty. Case closed.

Hold:

Reberto Alomar
Mike Piazza
Jeromy Burnitz
Mo Vaughn

Must I say why?