BlackLabelJetsFan Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 NEW YORK -- The Mets, whose greatest successes through the years always have been fueled by dominant pitching, appropriately selected a dominant pitcher Tuesday in the opening round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. The Mets selected Mike Pelfrey, a 21-year-old right-handed starting pitcher, who has made his amateur mark with Wichita State University. Pelfrey was the second pitcher chosen in the first round, second to left-hander Ricky Romero of Cal State Fullerton. Speculation had the Mets selecting Craig Hansen, the pitcher from St. John's University, and a closer whom they could scout easily because of St. John's proximity to Shea Stadium. But Hansen wasn't chosen until the Red Sox (No. 26) took him in the first round. Pelfrey was considered by some to be the primary pitching prospect in the nation. He is 6-foot-7 and is said to have a "pitcher's body." He also has a pitcher's best friend -- other than a ground-ball double play -- a tough, demanding agent, Scott Boras. Hardly a favorite of most clubs, Boras is quite familiar to this Mets administration. General manager Omar Minaya negotiated with Boras when the Mets signed free agent Carlos Beltran in December. Signability, an issue essentially created by Boras, is not an overriding concern for the Mets. Pelfrey is a power pitcher with natural sink on his fastball that has been timed at 97 mph and usually is in the mid 90s. He also throws a changeup, one he has mastered in the last two years that can unsettle left-handed hitters. He had an 11-2 record and a 1.47 ERA in 16 games with Wichita State this year. He struck out 121 batters in 117 innings, allowing 24 walks and 75 hits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Thanks for the report, Label. Sounds pretty promising, but you never know with these kids. Still, you can't have too many decent pitchers down on the farm. I like how he doesn't walk too many people, but we'll see if that translates when he stops pitching against Podunk U. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Thanks for the report, Label. Sounds pretty promising, but you never know with these kids. Still, you can't have too many decent pitchers down on the farm. I like how he doesn't walk too many people, but we'll see if that translates when he stops pitching against Podunk U. All I know is, ya can't teach a 97-mph fastball, especially with the Steroid Era coming to an end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Here are the last 5 picks by the Mets: 119) Hector Pellot, 2B, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy HS 149) Andrew Butera, C, Central Florida 179) Gregory Cain, CF, Gahr HS 209) Jonathan Niese, LHP, Defiance Sr HS 239) Sean McGraw, C, San Jacinto Col. North Good to see we took a couple of catchers EARLY as well as a lefty starter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barton Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 It's moments like this when I just like to say....... KAZMIR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackLabelJetsFan Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 It's moments like this when I just like to say....... KAZMIR Come back in 5 years and we'll judge whether that trade was good, simply mediocre, or horrible. Kazmir could become an ace, or he could blow his arm out. Zambrano has been decent of late. Not great, but decent. The trade that IS looking good is Benson/Keppinger for Petersen/Wigginton/Huber. Petersen is stinking it up in the minors, Wiggy got demoted to AAA, and Huber is in the KC system, a bat without a position. Meanwhile Benson has been, again, not great, but decent. And Keppinger is lighting up AAA pitching and playing second base. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Come back in 5 years and we'll judge whether that trade was good, simply mediocre, or horrible. Kazmir could become an ace, or he could blow his arm out. Zambrano has been decent of late. Not great, but decent. BlackLabel, I agree. You have to have patience with these things. And besides, the Yankees recently were swept by the Royals and are 1 game below .500 with a worse record than the Mets. So who's he kidding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackLabelJetsFan Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 BlackLabel, I agree. You have to have patience with these things. It could have been a smokescreen, but I had read that the team was concerned that Kazmir's slight frame could lead to arm trouble in the future. If those concerns were legitimate, we'll know in a few years. The trade may wind up being pretty even. Or it could suck. Can't tell right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Come back in 5 years and we'll judge whether that trade was good, simply mediocre, or horrible. Kazmir could become an ace, or he could blow his arm out. Zambrano has been decent of late. Not great, but decent. The trade that IS looking good is Benson/Keppinger for Petersen/Wigginton/Huber. Petersen is stinking it up in the minors, Wiggy got demoted to AAA, and Huber is in the KC system, a bat without a position. Meanwhile Benson has been, again, not great, but decent. And Keppinger is lighting up AAA pitching and playing second base. Rumor is that Keppinger might finish this season as the Mets every day second baseman if they can somehow (please God) get rid of Kaz Matzui. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barton Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAZZZZZMMMMMMIIIIIIRRRRR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mavrik Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 I've got two words for you: CAMERON MAYBIN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Rumor is that Keppinger might finish this season as the Mets every day second baseman if they can somehow (please God) get rid of Kaz Matzui. Keppinger is hitting real well at Norfolk-there is no team that will take Matsui at this point I do not think though. I Would love to have a scappy guy like Keppinger at second- you need those types on your team- gritty hustle guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Keppinger is hitting real well at Norfolk-there is no team that will take Matsui at this point I do not think though. I Would love to have a scappy guy like Keppinger at second- you need those types on your team- gritty hustle guys. The only real knocks on Keppinger are his lack of speed and defensive ability for a second baseman. However, Kaz Matsui isn't exactly a speed demon, and he had to switch positions because of his awful defensive abilities, so really the only thing that could keep Keppinger down is the fact that Kaz Matsui is making about 30 times as much as Keppinger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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