Mack Attack: June 5, 2008

By John Mackin Ade
Posted Thursday, June 5, 2008

Remember… I’m running a baseball draft IGT all day today that will feature the top Mets draft picks chosen…

When Oliver Perez said he was fine, he meant physically. Because he knows something is wrong. "I'm really trying to get better," Perez said Tuesday afternoon, less than 24 hours after lasting just one-third of an inning against the San Francisco Giants the night before. "I understand things aren't going well and my control isn't there." Mets manager Willie Randolph, exasperated when he pulled Perez after he gave up six runs on five hits, said there's nothing wrong with Perez. He also said his patience has limits. So far, pulling Perez from the rotation is not an option. "We haven't gotten to that point, yet," Randolph said. Perez said he's not thinking about free agency, and that if he pitches well that will take care of itself. Trouble is, he's not pitching well. -- Press & Sun-Bulletin

 

Mets Top 10 Draft Picks: - 2003:

#1 OF Lastings Milledge - 5 yrs in Mets org. – traded to Washington

#4 LHP Shane Hawk - 2 yrs in Mets org. career ended after 2004 due to injuries

#5 OF Corey Coles - 6 yrs. in Mets org. – traded – dropped in 2008 by Chicago

#6 RHP Matthew Miramontes - yrs. in Mets org. – career ended after 2005 season

#7 RHP Brian Bannister - traded – future star

#8 OF Seth Pietsch - 2 yrs. in Mets org. – played 3 yrs of Indy ball

#9 RHP Vincent Cordova - 4 yrs. in Mets org. – career ended after 2006 season

#10 SS David Reaver - 2 yrs. in Mets org. – 1 yr. of Indy ball

#11 RHP Andrew Sides - 2 yrs. Mets org. – injures ended career after 2004

#12 C Anthony Piazza - 4 yrs. in Mets org. – career ended after 2006 season

(#13: Carlos Muniz)

2007 Mets International Signings:

Dominican Republic: RHP Jeurys Familia, 17; RHP Leandro Geremy, 20; 3B Jefry Marte, 16; OF Andres Perez, 17; SS Carlos Perez, 16; OF Cesar Puello, 16; C Hansel Santana, 16; SS Miguel Tejada, 16; C Amauris Valdez, 18; C Milvin Vargas, 17

Mexico: IF Edgar Ortiz, 19

Netherlands: 3B Marinus Vernooij, 18

Venezuela: C Hector Alvarez, 16; SS Wilmer Flores, 16

2008 Draft:

NY Mets 2008 Negro League Draft Pick: - New York Mets: Robert Scott, P/1B, NY Black Yankees, Memphis Red Sox - A Georgia native, Scott spent five seasons in the Negro Leagues --1946-1950. In his last season, he barnstormed with the Jackie Robinson All-Stars. After leaving the sport, Scott was a union bricklayer for almost 40 years.

B-Mets:

Bobby Parnell pitched six innings of one-run ball and Ambiorix Concepcion homered, helping the Binghamton Mets to a 6-4 win over the Harrisburg Senators at Commerce Bank Park Wednesday. The victory, which evens the series at a game apiece, is Binghamton’s sixth in their last seven games. The B-Mets (30-28) didn’t trail after the second. With one out, Mike Carp reached on an error and Concepcion followed by drilling a Mike Hinckley offering over the left-centerfield fence for a two-run homer. Binghamton added three more in the fifth. After Jonathan Malo reached on a fielder’s choice and Hinckley (2-1) walked Jose Coronado, Daniel Murphy doubled in Malo. Caleb Stewart was intentionally walked, loading the bases for Carp, who singled to center, scoring Coronado and Murphy to put Binghamton ahead 5-0. The B-Mets went up 6-0 in the sixth when Josh Petersen doubled and scored on Malo’s base hit to center. Harrisburg (34-23) didn’t get on the board until the bottom of the sixth, when a Parnell (5-3) wild pitch plated Garrett Guzman. Guzman added a two-out, three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth off Robert Paulk, cutting Binghamton’s lead to two. However, Tim Lavigne came on an got the final out for his third save in as many chances.

Lucy:

IF Jose Valentin was removed from roster and OF Ezequiel Carrera was reinstated from the DL

 

Gnats:

From MiLB.com: The Savannah Sand Gnats were shut out by the Columbus Catfish for the final eight innings Tuesday night. They did more than enough damage in the first. Savannah cranked five homers in a seven-run opening frame and cruised to a 7-4 victory over the reeling Catfish. Greg Veloz and Michael Parker started the game with solo homers to give the Sand Gnats a quick 2-0 lead. After Casey Craig struck out, Jordan Abruzzo launched another solo shot to left field. Two batters later, Francisco Pena went yard with the bases empty to make it 4-0. Joaquin Rodriguez walked and Carlos Guzman singled before Matt Bouchard delivered the biggest blow of the inning, a three-run blast to center field. "That was amazing. I've never seen anything like that," said Bouchard, who also homered in Monday's 2-1 triumph at Columbus. "Hitting is contagious and when you get some momentum going your way, I guess it's hard to stop."

Clones:

In the Cyclones' first seven years, we've seen impact players who run the gamut. Kunz and Scott Kazmir were two first picks who debuted in Brooklyn, as were third rounders Lenny DiNardo and Joe Smith. But all the great players don't come from the top of the draft. Less heralded draft picks like Ross Peeples (45th round), Jay Caligiuri (13th round), Blake Whealy (13th round), Caleb Stewart (22nd round), Dustin Martin (26th round), and Dylan Owen (20th round) have been among the best players ever to play for the team. Part of the fun for fans is picking out the diamonds in the rough. Anyone can see a top rounder and say "that guy's gonna be good." It's the value picks in the middle rounds that give a team, and an organization, depth. - BrooklynBlog

Minor Mets Bios:

Hector Alverez C 16 yrs old Venezuela

Signed as a 16 year Internaional free agent in 2007. Alverez opened the 2008 season with the VSL Mets.

Imbewer Alvarez IF R R 6-1 180 5-15-86 Valencia, Venezuela

The Mets signed Alvarez out of his hometown of Valencia, Venezuela. Alvarez played for the 2007 VSL Mets and played well he did: .323/.439/.453 in 201 at bats, 27 SBs.

Jose “Ricky” Alvarez OF R R 5-11 210 2-7-89 Otay Ranch HS (CA.)

The Mets drafted Ricky Alvarez in the 37th round (1134th overall) of the 2007 amateur draft out of Otay Ranch HS in Chula Vista, California. He had a commitment to San Diego State University but opted to sign with the Mets instead. The Mexico native was assigned to the VSL for 2007, where he went .206/.262/.309 in 97 at bats. He currently sits in Extended Camp.

 

Ex-Mets:

Kaz Matsui went 4-for-4 and scored both Houston's runs as the Astros blanked the Pirates, 2-0

David DeJesus had 3 hits for Kansas City

This Day In Mets History:

1981 - Astro' hurler Nolan Ryan passes Early Wynn as the all-time walk leader [1,777] issuing two walks in a 3-0 win over the Mets.

1992 - At Three Rivers Stadium, Mets first baseman Eddie Murray drives in two runs passing Yankee legend Mickey Mantle [1,509] as the all-time RBI leader among switch-hitters.

2003 - In the second game of double-header loss to the Brewers, Mets southpaw John Franco pitches an inning of relief to become the eighth pitcher to make 1000 career appearances. The last time Milwaukee swept a doubleheader on the road occurred on July 5, 1992 the Brewers of the American League beat the Royals, 8-7 and 5-3.

2003 - Tony Clark changes his number from 00 to 52. The Mets' reserve player wanted to give the team's mascot, Mr. Met, his identity back as he and the Mascot shared double ought.