From the desks of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET and the SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS
NEW YORK METS: The Pipeline From Brooklyn Is Serving Flushing Well.
In 2007, the Brooklyn Cyclones dominated the New York-Penn League's McNamara Division from start to finish. The Cyclones by the Sea Shore enjoyed one of their finest seasons ever in their decade long history as they rolled to a 49-25 record and a fourth division title.
Dillon Gee was on that pitching staff. In eleven starts for Brooklyn, he achieved a 3-1 record while sporting the League's sixth best ERA with a 2.47 mark. In sixty-two innings pitched that season, he allowed seventeen earned runs and gave up fifty-seven hits and only one of those hits was a home run. He walked a mere nine batters while compiling fifty-six strikeouts.
In 2011, it's now well documented how Dillon Gee is currently anchoring the Mets' staff after not coming north with the team out of Spring Training. The plan for him was another season at Buffalo. But then Chris Young was lost for the season with re-occurring arm injuries and Gee was called upon to step in. But he didn't just step-in; he emerged as the unlikely new leader of the Mets' staff.
What he's accomplished so far is nothing short of remarkable; unless you're someone like me who was privy to his talents a few years ago in my backyard by the beach. Because then, if you're a Cyclones fan like I am, you would have been eagerly anticipating his arrival on the Big Club after watching him progress through the Mets' system.
Just as in 2007 when he had 62 innings pitched for Brooklyn, he is now at the 62 innings pitched portion of his Rookie Season. The similarities are striking.
Dillon Gee's 2011 Season:
7-0 record.
62 ~ innings pitched.
48 ~ hits.
21 ~ earned runs.
2 ~ home runs!
20 ~ walks
44 ~ strikeouts.
Aside from his win/loss record, which no one could have anticipated, Cyclone fans have known full well, Dillon Gee's walks have been a little high since being called up. And I took an early note of that. But again, that's because I'm familiar. But he seems to have corrected that aspect of his game in recent starts and his walks-to-strikeouts should start taking a near dramatic turn for the better. Just watch, I say.
For me personally, Dillon Gee's rookie season reminds me a lot of his 2007 season in Brooklyn. But he wasn't the ACE of the staff that season. That distinction belonged to Dylan Owen. He completely dominated opposing batsmen that year. In thirteen starts, Dylan led the New York-Penn League with nine wins while also sporting the League's best ERA; a 1.49 mark. In seventy-two innings pitched, he allowed fifty-one hits and only twelve earned runs. He walked twelve batters and struck out sixty-nine.
But Dylan's ascension through the Mets' farm system has been a bit more bumpy than Gee's. His strikeouts to innings pitched has remained strong, but at the AA and AAA levels, he's become far more hittable since his days in Brooklyn.
The Dillon and Dylan Show were supposed to make their MLB debut together; just like when they pitched in Brooklyn. But Dillon Gee was also called up at the end of last season. And so he's separated himself from Dylan in a sense; not just by an eight hour car ride to Buffalo, but in ability.
Met fans can expect Dylan Owen in Spring Training next season and hopefully making the Big Club. And I'm hopeful he'll be closer to the pitcher I remember pitching in Brooklyn during that sensational 2007 season, than the pitcher making a start tonight for the Buffalo Bisons.
Dylan Owen is a combined (Binghampton and Buffalo) 3-3 on the season so far. But he's sporting an alarming 5.26 ERA. Tonight against the Columbus Clippers, Dylan Owen was knocked out of the game after only 4.2 innings pitched. He walked six Clippers while giving up three earned runs. And so, when compared to Dillon Gee, Owen's more perilous journey through the Mets' Minors continues.
Dylan was considered the prospect with more potential. He was the power pitcher; Gee not so much. These days, Dylan Owen struggles while Dillon Gee is flourishing with his opportunity to pitch in the Bigs. I still have high hopes for Dylan Owen; very high hopes. I also have very sweet memories of him pitching during that 2007 season. Another full year at Buffalo will serve the youngster well.
There will always be special bonds between Brooklyn fans and their former Cyclones; especially as they make their way through the system and onto the Big Club. I even still felt an attachment to Angel Pagan after we traded him to Chicago back when. And that 2007 season, although it did not end in a championship for Brooklyn, stays with us as one of the most memorable summers spent by the Boardwalk.
Lucas Duda was also a member of those 2007 Surf Avenue Sluggers. In sixty-seven games played, he batted .299 that season. With 234 at-bats, he amassed twenty doubles; four home runs; and thirty-two RBI. Earlier this season, he was tearing up AAA-Buffalo before his most recent call up. Like other former Cyclones before him, he is a familiar and most welcome sight.
The Brooklyn Cyclones open their eleventh season this Friday night against their cross-city rival; the Staten Island Yankees. And so right off the bat, we'll be treated to the first installment of the Battle of the Boroughs. Saturday will be Brooklyn's home opener. I'm excited to see what my 2011 Baby Bums will look like this season. Every year is different at A-level. But every season brings with it, a little glimpse of the future.
For some of those 2007 Brooklyn Cyclones, like the ones mentioned above, their 2007 future and that of the Mets is now. Dillon Gee is becoming one of the biggest stories in Baseball this season and is building a serious case to pitch in the All-Star Game. Lucas Duda is trying to add some much needed slugging to an, at times, anaemic offense. And I wish them all well.
So from the beaches of Brooklyn, another summer of Cyclones' Baseball is upon us. And to that I say, "Play Ball!"
And to all my former Cyclone favorites and Amazin's of today I say, "Let's Go Mets!"
Mike.BTB
Showing posts with label Dylan Owen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dylan Owen. Show all posts
Monday, June 13, 2011
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
N.Y. METS ~ The Amazin's Buffalo Round-Up Herds Little
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR.MET
NEW YORK METS: The Big Club Is Turning The Buffalo Bisons Into An Endangered Species.
Sandy Alderson is on record saying he doesn't think the Mets have any high-quality skill at the AAA and AA levels. He used the word "Mediocre" to describe the state of talent. And if you remember, Buffalo was upset at Omar Minaya because they felt the Mets lacked enough quality prospects capable of drawing fans to Bison's games, and therefore wanted to escape their contract with the parent Club.
In an unfortunate development for both the Mets and Buffalo, pitcher Henrry Mejia is headed for surgery on his elbow. In something more akin to an omen, Sandy Alderson's observations regarding the Buffalo Bisons just received some validation. After Henrry, the Mets (un)officially no longer have a pitcher they can retrieve from Buffalo to step in and provide quality innings when needed. And the Bisons will be without one of the few players who was capable of filling seats in Buffalo. For either team, SP-Chris Schwinden is still an unknown neophyte. He's off to a pretty good start. But after him, the cupboard is now dry. Pat Misch anybody? Buffalo says we or Binghampton can keep him.
With regard to the Mets' high-level prospects, two independent assessments both arrived at the same conclusion. So, there's something to that. Buffalo ownership and Sandy were right. The Buffalo Bisons are abysmally staffed. Just look at their roster.
Mejia was supposed to join Dillon Gee on the big club at some point this season. But the Mets hoped that would happen later rather than sooner in the summer. Circumstances, namely Chris Young, caused the Mets to call-up Dillon Gee from Buffalo prematurely. Now, for Henrry and the Bisons, it's see you next year. I'm already on record as saying I do not agree with Dillon Gee pitching out of the Mets' bullpen. For that I'd rather have him pitch in Buffalo. And so would the Bisons! But my point is, Dillon Gee pitched his way onto the big club based upon his merits as a starting pitcher. So, let him start! ...Or, send him down.
A few times, it actually rubbed me the wrong way when Sandy criticised the system. But then, that would be because of the bias I have towards former Brooklyn Cyclones. So it's better that he's calling the shots instead of me. Because, I'll admit to you now, former Surf Avenue Sluggers are my kryptonite.
Like Dillon Gee, Dylan Owen is one of those former Brooklyn Cyclones now pitching for Buffalo. I had and still have high hopes for this kid. But he's been somewhat slow progressing through the farm. His start this season is additionally leaving something to be desired.
Off the mound and on the field, Justin Turner has also been taken from Buffalo where he was batting an even .300 after 40 at-bats. And while Lucas Duda has been first choice this season with regards to outfield call-ups, and also being a former Brooklyn Cyclone favorite of mine, another former Cyclone outfielder; Kirk Nieuwenhuis has quietly been enjoying a good start to his season. After him, even I admit, there are really slim pickings. Then again, I too have been complaining about that for years. Lest we forget, after David Wright, Jose Reyes, and Scott Kazmir, the farm system broke down for really the first time, since 1965.
On more than one occasion I over estimated a player or two because I see many of these prospects come through Brooklyn first. And the Cyclones are a totally different frame of mind for me. So when it comes time for these players to make a leap to the big club, there's some pre-existing sentimentality on my part. However, there is no mistaking the truth. The Mets' minor league situation is dire.
J.P. Ricciardi and Paul DePodesta can only do so much in the up-coming amateur draft. And the picks they make will be years away from answering any questions or fulfilling promise. What I have learned over the last ten years attending Cyclones Baseball is that the N.Y.P.L. is not a clear indicator of the organization's over-all developmental health because after all, the Cyclones play A-Level Short Season which starts on the heals of the June draft. That's one theory.
In my other theory, I lay blame on our past AA operations. I believe they went fourteen years or so without any real playoff success to speak of. There is much to criticize about the Wilpon's adherence to a Slotting System, because it's at the AA level when spending a little extra cash on prospects starts to pay off. For too long, Double-A Binghampton continued to be a dead-end for many Mets' low-level prospects. But over the last two and three years, changes have finally come to the B-Mets structure; Tony Bernazard aside. However, there is nothing Ricciardi or DePodesta can do over the next three months that will restock the mid to high level minor league system with quality; much less quickly.
In the mean time, Buffalo is in shambles, and may very well continue insisting they be allowed out from their contract with the Mets if things don't turn around soon. That's just an opinion. But Buffalo also has a business to run and have expressed their sentiments on this matter before.
Specific to the Mets situation, the team has assets in Flushing they can trade at the deadline. Stop the cycle of stop-gap measures. The best decisions in life usually turn out to be the least popular, yet prove most prudent. Tough decisions are what contending is all about. Stop patching up the parent club and fix the entire system.
If we are to move forward, we have to let go first.
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK METS: The Big Club Is Turning The Buffalo Bisons Into An Endangered Species.
But when it comes to current and former Brooklyn Cyclones, Back Off!
Sandy Alderson is on record saying he doesn't think the Mets have any high-quality skill at the AAA and AA levels. He used the word "Mediocre" to describe the state of talent. And if you remember, Buffalo was upset at Omar Minaya because they felt the Mets lacked enough quality prospects capable of drawing fans to Bison's games, and therefore wanted to escape their contract with the parent Club.
In an unfortunate development for both the Mets and Buffalo, pitcher Henrry Mejia is headed for surgery on his elbow. In something more akin to an omen, Sandy Alderson's observations regarding the Buffalo Bisons just received some validation. After Henrry, the Mets (un)officially no longer have a pitcher they can retrieve from Buffalo to step in and provide quality innings when needed. And the Bisons will be without one of the few players who was capable of filling seats in Buffalo. For either team, SP-Chris Schwinden is still an unknown neophyte. He's off to a pretty good start. But after him, the cupboard is now dry. Pat Misch anybody? Buffalo says we or Binghampton can keep him.
With regard to the Mets' high-level prospects, two independent assessments both arrived at the same conclusion. So, there's something to that. Buffalo ownership and Sandy were right. The Buffalo Bisons are abysmally staffed. Just look at their roster.
Mejia was supposed to join Dillon Gee on the big club at some point this season. But the Mets hoped that would happen later rather than sooner in the summer. Circumstances, namely Chris Young, caused the Mets to call-up Dillon Gee from Buffalo prematurely. Now, for Henrry and the Bisons, it's see you next year. I'm already on record as saying I do not agree with Dillon Gee pitching out of the Mets' bullpen. For that I'd rather have him pitch in Buffalo. And so would the Bisons! But my point is, Dillon Gee pitched his way onto the big club based upon his merits as a starting pitcher. So, let him start! ...Or, send him down.
A few times, it actually rubbed me the wrong way when Sandy criticised the system. But then, that would be because of the bias I have towards former Brooklyn Cyclones. So it's better that he's calling the shots instead of me. Because, I'll admit to you now, former Surf Avenue Sluggers are my kryptonite.
Like Dillon Gee, Dylan Owen is one of those former Brooklyn Cyclones now pitching for Buffalo. I had and still have high hopes for this kid. But he's been somewhat slow progressing through the farm. His start this season is additionally leaving something to be desired.
Off the mound and on the field, Justin Turner has also been taken from Buffalo where he was batting an even .300 after 40 at-bats. And while Lucas Duda has been first choice this season with regards to outfield call-ups, and also being a former Brooklyn Cyclone favorite of mine, another former Cyclone outfielder; Kirk Nieuwenhuis has quietly been enjoying a good start to his season. After him, even I admit, there are really slim pickings. Then again, I too have been complaining about that for years. Lest we forget, after David Wright, Jose Reyes, and Scott Kazmir, the farm system broke down for really the first time, since 1965.
On more than one occasion I over estimated a player or two because I see many of these prospects come through Brooklyn first. And the Cyclones are a totally different frame of mind for me. So when it comes time for these players to make a leap to the big club, there's some pre-existing sentimentality on my part. However, there is no mistaking the truth. The Mets' minor league situation is dire.
J.P. Ricciardi and Paul DePodesta can only do so much in the up-coming amateur draft. And the picks they make will be years away from answering any questions or fulfilling promise. What I have learned over the last ten years attending Cyclones Baseball is that the N.Y.P.L. is not a clear indicator of the organization's over-all developmental health because after all, the Cyclones play A-Level Short Season which starts on the heals of the June draft. That's one theory.
In my other theory, I lay blame on our past AA operations. I believe they went fourteen years or so without any real playoff success to speak of. There is much to criticize about the Wilpon's adherence to a Slotting System, because it's at the AA level when spending a little extra cash on prospects starts to pay off. For too long, Double-A Binghampton continued to be a dead-end for many Mets' low-level prospects. But over the last two and three years, changes have finally come to the B-Mets structure; Tony Bernazard aside. However, there is nothing Ricciardi or DePodesta can do over the next three months that will restock the mid to high level minor league system with quality; much less quickly.
In the mean time, Buffalo is in shambles, and may very well continue insisting they be allowed out from their contract with the Mets if things don't turn around soon. That's just an opinion. But Buffalo also has a business to run and have expressed their sentiments on this matter before.
Specific to the Mets situation, the team has assets in Flushing they can trade at the deadline. Stop the cycle of stop-gap measures. The best decisions in life usually turn out to be the least popular, yet prove most prudent. Tough decisions are what contending is all about. Stop patching up the parent club and fix the entire system.
If we are to move forward, we have to let go first.
Mike.BTB
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Good grief!
The Mets, for the first time this season are fielding their A line-up tonight versus Arizona. Castillo, Beltran, Reyes, along with Wright and Bay, Francoeur etc., are in the same line-up together. The Mets are getting bombed 6-1in the 6th innings as I watch this game. The Mets are also 1-3 since Carlos Beltran's return. The lone win during that time was when Beltran did not start.
What's old is new again. Good Grief! I know my vision of the Met future is slightly at conflict with reality. I will say over and over, if I have my way right now and next year, Jason Bay would be the only non-home grown player on the field. It's not a fetish I have with the homers and I'm not so fixated with them that I only see through Mets goggles. It's just something I feel needs to be done. Then you work to compliment, augment or supplement from there.
This team is so there. Where? Here:
Catcher ~ Josh Thole (tasting MLB-AAA)
1st base ~ Ike Davis
2nd base ~ Jonathan Malo (AA), Reese Havens (AA), Ruben Tejada
Shortstop ~ Jose Reyes (see 2nd base)
3rd base ~ David Wright
Left Field ~ Jason Bay the Free Agent acquisition.
Center Field ~ Angel Pagan
Right field ~ Fernando Martinez (AAA)
(Johan), Pelfrey, Niese, Dylan Owen (AAA), Dillon Gee (AAA), Bobby Parnell, Nieve,
Hennry Mejia (AAA) and a couple of others round out this entire list.
That's where I'd like to be. Then I'll make my alterations from there.
But that's just me......just sayin'.
Mike.BTB
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
What's old is new again. Good Grief! I know my vision of the Met future is slightly at conflict with reality. I will say over and over, if I have my way right now and next year, Jason Bay would be the only non-home grown player on the field. It's not a fetish I have with the homers and I'm not so fixated with them that I only see through Mets goggles. It's just something I feel needs to be done. Then you work to compliment, augment or supplement from there.
This team is so there. Where? Here:
Catcher ~ Josh Thole (tasting MLB-AAA)
1st base ~ Ike Davis
2nd base ~ Jonathan Malo (AA), Reese Havens (AA), Ruben Tejada
Shortstop ~ Jose Reyes (see 2nd base)
3rd base ~ David Wright
Left Field ~ Jason Bay the Free Agent acquisition.
Center Field ~ Angel Pagan
Right field ~ Fernando Martinez (AAA)
(Johan), Pelfrey, Niese, Dylan Owen (AAA), Dillon Gee (AAA), Bobby Parnell, Nieve,
Hennry Mejia (AAA) and a couple of others round out this entire list.
That's where I'd like to be. Then I'll make my alterations from there.
But that's just me......just sayin'.
Mike.BTB
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
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