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NYFS Agrees- Mets' Minors In Better Shape Then Projected!
Over at the always informative NYFS (New York Future Stars) Ed Tsunoda examines the Mets' minor leagues, and agrees with both Fred Wilpon and this site regarding the quality of the Mets minor leagues.
From NYFS:
Earlier this week, Fred Wilpon stated the Mets minor leagues are in much better shape than what is being reported, and has been taken to task by some of the media for it. It has also been a popular past time to bash Tony Bernazard for the disarray in the Mets system. But maybe those guys know what they are talking about.
Earlier this week, Fred Wilpon stated the Mets minor leagues are in much better shape than what is being reported, and has been taken to task by some of the media for it. It has also been a popular past time to bash Tony Bernazard for the disarray in the Mets system. But maybe those guys know what they are talking about.
~and~
But, the Mets have a ton more talent than is being reported, and a lot of it is flying under the radar, because their early season stats are affected by the Mets development strategy, which puts their top players at levels where they play against much older more experienced competition. The young players are asked to fight thru those struggles to learn more and faster about themselves as players and what it takes to succeed against the toughest competition. And, you have to take that into account when perusing the stat lines and deciding whether or not a guy is 'a prospect', because of the disparity in age and experience.
They utilize the example of SS Wilmer Flores, the Mets' 16 year old shortstop (that's SIXTEEN- do YOU remember YOUR maturity level at that age???) who is playing in a league, with Kingsport, where the average age is 20!
They utilize the example of SS Wilmer Flores, the Mets' 16 year old shortstop (that's SIXTEEN- do YOU remember YOUR maturity level at that age???) who is playing in a league, with Kingsport, where the average age is 20! In their post, they include a large list of players who are younger (sometimes far younger) then the average age in the leagues they are playing within, which consists of 30-40% of the starting players at each level. That's an amazing statistic, and one that can't be over-looked when comparing stats this season. I've heard a lot of people already getting down on F-Mart - and he's not even 20 years old yet!!! He's come back from injury on fire, and if he keeps it up, you'll see him starting in left field come September.
Finally, the closing of the NYFS post wraps things up beautifully -
So the next time someone tells you how thin and depleted the Mets farm system is, you can pull out the same quote as Fred Wilpon, and while people may think you don't know what you're talking about either, it may well be in the end that both you and Mr. Wilpon are smarter than the average bear.
I couldn't have said it better, Ed
Finally, the closing of the NYFS post wraps things up beautifully -
So the next time someone tells you how thin and depleted the Mets farm system is, you can pull out the same quote as Fred Wilpon, and while people may think you don't know what you're talking about either, it may well be in the end that both you and Mr. Wilpon are smarter than the average bear.
I couldn't have said it better, Ed
2 comments:
I agree- we have way too many prospects, playing at too high a level, to think that this minor league stinks as so many have said. It seems that the "en vogue" thing to do is bash the Mets, both at the major league and minor league levels. And those guys over at Metsblog know nothing about the minor leagues- only Toby Hyde does over there- and they never take these kind of things into consideration. You guys rock!
Thanks, Adams' Family. In defense of Metsblog, they do report pretty frequently about the Mets minors, and they do have perhaps the best minor league Mets writer, Toby Hyde, working with them. However, you're right, not too many people were willing to take into consideration that the Mets push their minor leaguers quickly into higher levels in order to get them exposed to better competition quicker. One other thing to consider- the Pacific League, the AAA division the Mets play in (with New Orleans) is a hitter's league, and has been for many years (remember Greg Brock and Mike Marshall from the Dodgers?) They don't want to hide great players there because the competition is more balanced (read- pitcher's league) in AA with Binghamton. I think our minor leagues are far more interesting then anyone's given us credit for, and I can't wait to see some of these prospects make it to the majors in a few short years!
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