Down on the Farm

AAA Buffalo WON 6-1

• Jesus Feliciano - 4 for 5, R, 2 RBI, K
• Justin Turner - 1 for 4, BB
• Daniel Murphy - 2 for 5, R, 2B, RBI, K
• Mike Hessman - 1 for 5, 2 K
• Mike Jacobs - 2 for 4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI
• Josh Thole - 0 for 1, 2 R, 2 BB
• Ruben Tejada - 1 for 3, R, BB
• Dillon Gee - 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
• Bobby Parnell - 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, SAVE

AA Binghamton WON 2-1

• Kirk Nieuwenhuis - 0 for 3, RBI, K
• Nick Evans - 1 for 4
• Eric Campbell - 2 for 4, R
• Reese Havens - 1 for 3, R, 2B
• Brad Holt - 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
• Scott Shaw - 2 1/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• Roy Merritt - 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

A+ St. Lucie Lost 9-6

• Joey August - 2 for 5, R, SB
• Stefan Welch - 0 for 3, RBI, 2 BB, K
• Brahiam Maldonado - 1 for 5, R, 2B, RBI, 2 K
• Sean Ratliff - 1 for 3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, K, 2 SB
• Josh Satin - 2 for 5, 2B, RBI
• Richard Lucas - 0 for 3, RBI, BB, K
• Juan Centeno - 1 for 4, BB
• Scott Moviel - 5 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 2 K (why does he have a starting rotation spot when there are at least 3 SP's from Savannah who could do better and have more upside?)
• Jimmy Johnson - 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

A Savannah Lost 4-0

• Juan Lagares - 0 for 4, 2 K
• Wilmer Flores - 1 for 3
• Jefry Marte - 1 for 4
• Rafael Fernandez - 1 for 4, K
• Kai Gronauer - 0 for 4
• Nick Santomauro - 1 for 4
• Alonzo Harris - 0 for 3, K, E
• Brandon Moore - 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 K
• Brandon Sage - 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Down on the Farm 5/25

AAA Buffalo Lost 6-3

• Jesus Feliciano - 0 for 4
• Mike Jacobs - 1 for 4, R, 2B, SB
• Mike Hessman - 1 for 4, R, 2B
• Ruben Tejada - 1 for 3, 2B, SB
• Dylan Owen - 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
• Bobby Parnell - 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

AA Binghamton Lost 3-2

• Kirk Nieuwenhuis - 0 for 5, 2 K
• Nick Evans - 1 for 4, 2B, K
• Eric Campbell - 1 for 4, K
• Brahiam Maldonado - 0 for 1, K
• Mike Antonini - 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K (finally a good start!)
• Josh Stinson - 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

A+ St. Lucie WON 3-1

• Wilfredo Tovar - 1 for 3, BB
• Stefan Welch - 2 for 3, RBI, BB
• Sean Ratliff - 0 for 4, K
• Richard Lucas - 1 for 4, 2 K
• Joey August - 2 for 4, 2B, 2 RBI
• Kyle Allen - 8 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (Excellent!)

A Savannah Game Suspended 2-2

• Alonzo Harris - 1 for 5, R
• Wilmer Flores - 0 for 4, R, BB, K
• Jefrey Marte - 2 for 5, 2B, 2 RBI, K
• Rafael Fernandez - 0 for 4, BB, K, E
• Kai Gronauer - 1 for 5, K
• Nick Santomauro - 1 for 5
• Cesar Puello - 1 for 5, 2B, 2 K, E
• Jim Fuller - 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K (when will he get a promotion?!?)
• Mike Powers - 2 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Down on the Farm

Mets minors continue to show dramatic improvement over past years:

AAA Buffalo WON 6-1

• Jason Pridie - 0 for 4, BB, K
• Jesus Feliciano - 1 for 5, R, K
• Mike Jacobs - 1 for 4, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K
• Mike Hessman - 1 for 2, R, 3 BB, K
• Ruben Tejada - 0 for 3, R, BB, K
• Tobi Stoner - 7 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
• Bobby Parnell - 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

AA Binghamton Lost 5-2

• Captain Kirk - 1 for 4, 2 K, CS
• Nick Evans - 0 for 4, K
• Zach Lutz - 1 for 4, 2B, 2 K
• Brahiam Maldonado - 2 for 2, R, RBI, BB
• Eddie Kunz - 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
• Clint Everts - 1 1/3 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

A+ St. Lucie WON 6-5 (10)

• Reese Havens - 1 for 4, R, BB, K
• Eric Campbell - 2 for 5, 2 R, 2B, K
• Sean Ratliff - 2 for 5, R, 2 RBI, K
• Stefan Welch - 2 for 4, R, 2 RBI, BB, K
• Richard Lucas - 1 for 3, K
• Juan Centeno - 1 for 3, RBI, BB, K, SB
• Wilfredo Tovar - 3 for 5, RBI, K
• Scott Moviel - 5 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
• Manuel Alvarez - 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

A Savannah WON 6-2

• Juan Lagares - 1 for 4
• Wilmer Flores - 3 for 4, R, 2B, 2 RBI, K
• Nick Santomauro - 0 for 4, K
• Jefry Marte - 1 for 3, R, BB
• Kai Gronauer - 1 for 3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB
• Cesar Puello - 0 for 3, R, BB, K
• Alex Gregory - 2 for 4, R, 2 2B, RBI, 2 K
• Alonzo Harris - 1 for 4, R, K
• Brandon Moore - 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
• Colin McHugh - 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Related articles

• Mets Daily Farm System Report - 5/13 (amazinavenue.com)

Down on the Farm

Updates from the minors:

AAA Buffalo Lost 4-3

• Russ Adams - 1 for 3, R, BB, 2 K
• Fernando Martinez - 2 for 4, 2B, K
• Ike Davis - 1 for 4
• Chris Carter - 1 for 3, R
• Ruben Tejada - 1 for 3, RBI
• Tobi Stoner - 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, K
• Bobby Parnell - 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

AA Binghamton WON 2-0

• Kirk N+10 - 2 for 5, RBI, K
• Nick Evans - 0 for 1, 3 BB
• Lucas Duda - 1 for 3, 2B, RBI, BB
• Zach Lutz - 1 for 3, BB, 2 K
• Jose Coronado - 2 for 3, 2 R, 2B, BB, SB
• Eric Niesen - 4 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 5 K, HBP

A+ St. Lucie WON 9-6

• J. Valdespin - 1 for 5, R
• Brahiam Maldonado - 2 for 4, R, RBI, BB, K
• Stefan Welch - 2 for 5, R, GS HR, 4 RBI, 2 K
• Sean Ratliff - 2 for 3, R, BB, K
• Richard Lucas - 2 for 4, R, HR, 2 RBI, K, E
• Eric Beaulac - 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
• Chris Schwinden - 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, BB, 6 K

A Savannah Lost 8-3

• Wilmer Flores - 3 for 5, R
• Juan Lagares - 0 for 5, 3 K, E
• Cesar Puello - 2 for 3, BB, K
• Alonzo Harris - 2 for 4, R, 3B, 2 K, E
• Brandon Sage - 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Ryota Igarashi has a Website, Does Figgy?

Since everyone is up in arms this morning about some of the cuts the Mets made, I decided to find out a little bit more about one of the culprits behind those cuts.

Ryota Igarashi has an 8.53 ERA this spring and zero major league experience--and it looks for all the world as if he has made the Mets.

Nelson Figueroa, Bobby Parnell, Kiko Calero and Elmer Dessens; infielder Russ Adams; and outfielder Chris Carter did not make the team.

While I do think Calero, Parnell and Nelson will still play a large role this year, it seems odd from a statistical (and eyes) viewpoint that the Japanese import got the nod.  Obviously his salary has a lot to do with it, as does the fact that Parnell has options and Calero needs to work on his arm strength.

Nellie is the odd man out, but truth be told he is a "second half big league pitcher".  By that I mean he's the type of guy a club brings up after the usual injuries occur.  His first half value is just not high enough.

Now back to Igarashi--he does have a pretty cool website, as evidenced by the picture at the top of this post.  That said, there is a disturbing link on his page called "Swallows Man".  I hope he didn't actually do that.

Igarashi can also pull a tire while running backwards--I seriously doubt Figgy could pull off such a superhuman feat:

Does Figgy have a website?  If not, does he need me to build him one?  Should we buy him a tire?  Maybe a bigger tire than Igarashi used, like a monster truck tire.

Perhaps it will help his cause, and that's something I can get behind.

Mets Days of Note

As the Mets long season winds down, it's time to look back at some interesting days on the calender, both from a team and player perspective:

May 10: Carlos Delgado's last game
May 10: Mets longest winning streak...7 games in a row
May 15: Mets last day in first place
May 19: Ryan Church misses third base and costs the Mets a win
May 20: Jose Reyes' last game
May 29: Last day Mike Pelfrey's ERA was under 4.00
May 31: Mets best record of the season...7 games over .500
June 4: Mets get swept by the Pirates
June 6: John Maine's last start before today
June 13: Luis Castillo drops game ending pop-up, Mets lose
June 28: Mets get swept by the Yankees
July 5: Mets get swept by the Phillies
July 25: Omir Santos' last homerun
August 7: Frankie Rodriguez' last blown save...he's converted 7 in a row
August 14: Bobby Parnell's last win...he's lost 4 in a row
August 20: Johan Santana's last start....seems like much longer ago
August 23: Luis Castillo's last stolen base
August 26: Mets longest losing streak...5 games
August 28: The last day Daniel "Eagle Eye" Murphy drew a walk...41 at-bats ago
September 10: Mets get swept by the Marlins

Team Win/Loss Splits

Overall
Split	W	L	RS	RA	WP
Overall	63	79	599	674	.444
Home/Road
Split	W	L	RS	RA	WP
Home	36	36	307	319	.500
Road	27	43	292	355	.386
Month by Month
Split	W	L	RS	RA	WP
April	9	12	96	97	.429
May	19	9	138	111	.679
June	9	18	108	146	.333
July	12	14	93	108	.462
August	10	19	117	151	.345
September	4	7	47	61	.364

Mets Relievers on Pace for 40 Losses

The Mets are in trouble.

Not only are two starting pitchers missing from the rotation, two all-star top 20 MVP types missing from the lineup, but the once vaunted bullpen has slid into a funk that can only be described as mediocre.

At the time JJ Putz went down with injury, he was leading the team in appearances.

Right now the Mets have four relievers in the top 20 in appearances in all of baseball.

• Pedro Feliciano leads all of baseball with 40 appearances.
• Bobby Parnell is tied for 2nd with 36.
• Sean Green and Frankie Rodriguez are tied for 19th with 33.

That is staggering and shows how ineffectively Mets manager Jerry Manuel has used his bullpen this season.

They are overworked, overtired, and the result of all of this mismanagement has come to full fruition in their recent showing.

All four of those pitchers are on pace for career highs in appearances...the only thing that will stave off that are the injuries that are sure to follow.

Yesterday Jerry himself admitted he's overused them:

"What I need to do is really refresh the bullpen," Manuel said. "I probably, to a fault, use them too much. I have to do all I can to refresh them and that will help. "What I have to do is trust the other people I have down there."

Jerry, it's the end of June--we're 67 games into the season, and you're just now realizing you've overused the bullpen? Again, those four guys are all in the top 20 in all of major league baseball in appearances.

Staggering.

Pitching Statistics
NAME	GP	GS	W	L	Sv	Hld	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	K/9	P/GS	WHIP	ERA
P. Feliciano	40	0	2	2	0	13	30.0	21	9	4	6	28	8.40	0.0	0.90	2.70
Bobby Parnell	36	0	2	3	0	12	27.0	39	15	2	13	23	7.67	0.0	1.93	5.00
F. Rodriguez	33	0	1	2	18	0	33.2	19	4	1	17	36	9.62	0.0	1.07	1.07
Sean Green	33	0	1	2	0	6	32.0	33	18	4	14	28	7.88	0.0	1.47	5.06
J.J. Putz	29	0	1	4	2	10	29.1	29	17	1	19	19	5.83	0.0	1.64	5.22
Brian Stokes	24	0	1	2	0	1	26.0	29	10	2	7	12	4.15	0.0	1.38	3.46
Ken Takahashi	15	0	0	1	0	0	18.0	16	6	2	9	14	7.00	0.0	1.39	3.00
Darren O'Day†	4	0	0	0	0	0	3.0	5	0	0	1	2	6.00	0.0	2.00	0.00
Casey Fossum	3	0	0	0	0	0	4.0	4	1	0	4	3	6.75	0.0	2.00	2.25
Jon Switzer	3	0	0	0	0	0	3.0	3	3	1	2	2	6.00	0.0	1.67	9.00
F. Nieve	1	0	0	0	0	0	2.0	1	0	0	0	2	9.00	0.0	0.50	0.00
Totals	66	0	8	16	20	42	208.0	199	83	17	92	169	7.31	0.0	1.40	3.59

Momma Said There'd Be Days Like This...

I'm watching the game last night, frustrated by the previous loss to the Pirates, frustrated that we can't get any big rally's going, frustrated that we can't hit homeruns, frustrated that we're physically injured and sick with the flu, frustrated, at pretty much everything going on with the team....and then it hit me.

They'll be days like this.

So I began looking for positives, and there are many.

The Mets lost 2 in a row, 3 of 4, and the Phillies have won 5 in a row....and they're 2.5 games out of first...on June 3rd....with all the turmoil.

Jose Reyes comes back Friday...I'd almost forgotten how singularly valuable he is to the club since he's caught up in the middle of so many injuries.

We are about to get Jose Reyes back....the Jose Reyes that has had 779 hits, 65 triples, 258 steals, and 452 runs scored in the 4 seasons prior to 2009.

Let's do a little lineup projection for next week:

1. Reyes, SS
2. Castillo, 2B
3. Beltran, CF
4. Sheffield, LF
5. Wright, 3B
6. Church, RF
7. Murphy, 1B
8. Schneider, C

That alone makes me feel better, but there's more.

Frankie Rodriguez, Bobby Parnell and Pedro Feliciano are pitching light's out.

In fact, our bullpen really is a strength, and will be throughout the season. JJ Putz is struggling, but overall the BP is championship caliber.

The flu sucks...we all know it...and it can decapacitate you for a few days or even a week, but once it's gone, it's gone.

Carlos Beltran should start feeling better today or tomorrow, and he'll be back this weekend. Hopefully the rest of his body will benefit from the time off.

Remember--he doesn't have swine flu, he doesn't have an injury that requires weeks of re-hab, and he has a fantastic approach this year with his hitting.

Beltran will be back SOON...maybe not tonight or tomorrow, but certainly by the weekend.

So we "add" two all-star MVP candidate players in the next 3 days, PLUS we get Alex Cora back to help stabilize the bench.

Playing the subs now will pay dividends later.

Jeremy Reed, Fernando Martinez, Angel Pagan, Fernando Tatis...one of these gentleman wil likely play a heroic role down the stretch.

Think back to the championship teams...they all had a core of stars, but in most cases there was an unlikely hero that emerged down the stretch or in the post-season that catapulted them to victory.

It also may not hurt that Reed and Pagan have played well, and other teams that may have interest in them before the trading deadline have certainly scouted and noticed....those two guys can play, and they are cheap.

John Maine and Mike Pelfrey are studs.

With Johan Santana at the top of the order and Maine and Pelfrey behind him, the Mets have 3 top front line starters.

Maine was 4-1 in May with a 2.75 ERA.

Pelfrey was only 2-1, but he had a 2.93 ERA in May, and went 7+ innings in 4 starts with 3 earned runs or less in all 6 of his starts...he easily could have went 5-1 or even 6-0 for the month.

So this morning, over my coffee, I'm re-thinking my frustration over the last week and especially the last two games and the Saturday debacle.

Momma said there'd be days like this, we know and understand that during the season long marathon that there will be ups and downs.....we also know the best days are ahead for this ballclub.

Bobby Parnell Hits 100 mph

Wow, what an 8th. Bobby Parnell blew everyone away and hit 100 mph on the NESN gun during his strikeout of JD Drew

High cheddar indeed!

Mets Could Target Micah Hoffpauir

Hoffpauir could be had, but it would most likely cost the Mets more than they want to give up--specifically, Bobby Parnell.

The Mets are rumored to be dangling Jon Niese in current "feeler talks" around the league.

The Cubs, who need another bullpen arm (they are 26th in bullpen ERA), would be excellent trade partners if the Mets are willing to deal Parnell and receive a low level minor leaguer in addition to Hoffpauir in return.

Personally, I believe the Mets should stay the course until true necessity dictates otherwise.

2009 Season Stats
SPLITS	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Season	26	68	9	21	5	0	4	13	7	12	0	0	.309	.368	.559	.927
Career	59	141	23	46	13	0	6	21	13	36	1	0	.326	.385	.546	.931
Last 7 days	3	7	4	3	0	0	1	2	2	1	0	0	.429	.556	.857	1.413
Projected	152	398	53	123	29	0	23	76	41	70	0	0	.309	.368	.559	.927

NL East Bullpens: Just the Stats

As an update to our earlier piece, "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse", that featured Bobby Parnell, Sean Green, JJ Putz, and Frankie Rodriguez, here are the current NL East bullpen stats.

Team	W	L	ERA	G	SV	SVO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	HBP	BB	SO
Mets	1	2	1.80	11	3	3	35	30	10	7	1	1	12	33
Marlins	4	0	2.39	10	2	3	37.2	34	14	10	2	1	16	35
Nationals	0	4	5.97	10	0	2	37.2	42	27	25	7	4	17	37
Phillies	2	2	6.29	10	3	5	34.1	28	24	24	8	1	15	35
Braves	1	2	7.75	11	2	4	33.2	48	31	29	2	4	21	35

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

For Mets opponents, the revamped 2009 bullpen has been a nightmare of biblical proportion--quite a change from seasons past.

Now it's: "get to the starters or suffer your fate".

All told, the Mets have the best bullpen ERA in baseball at 1.80 (Seattle is second at 2.34 and the Yankees are fourth from last at 7.50). You can click here for the sortable major league bullpen stats.

The primary reason for this early success rests on the shoulders of four men.

First seal is opened : a white horse appears, its rider held a bow (conquest)

The Mets first horseman is Bobby Parnell. He throws hard; he challenges you; he wants the baseball. Having JJ Putz and Frankie Rodriguez tutoring him is a dream come true for this up and coming star.

2009 Season Stats
SPLITS	G	GS	CG	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HLD	BLSV	WHIP	ERA
Season	6	0	0	5.1	4	1	1	0	3	3	0	0	0	2	0	1.31	1.69
Career	12	0	0	10.1	7	4	4	0	5	6	0	0	0	2	0	1.16	3.48
Projected	88	0	0	74	59	15	15	0	44	44	0	0	0	29	0	1.31	1.69

Second seal is opened : a red horse appears, its rider holds a sword (war)

The second horseman is Sean Green. When the big trade was made, I wrote about Sean Green and our good fortune for getting him. He is Aaron Heilman and Joe Smith x 10. Green is another filthy reliever who simply got burned out last season. With 2 Holds already on the season, Mets fans have experienced what it's like to have a 7th inning guy who gets after hitters and doesn't mess around nibbling. His 8 Ks against 2 BBs is excellent.

2009 Season Stats
SPLITS	G	GS	CG	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HLD	BLSV	WHIP	ERA
Season	6	0	0	6.1	7	2	2	1	2	8	0	0	0	2	0	1.42	2.84
Career	166	0	0	185.1	198	96	88	8	85	138	9	7	1	35	7	1.53	4.27
Projected	88	0	0	88	103	29	29	15	29	118	0	0	0	29	0	1.42	2.84

Third seal is opened: a black horse appears, its rider holds a pair of scales (famine)

The third horseman is JJ Putz. Putz has stuff that rivals any closer in the game. He throws a 97 mph fastball and mixes in the best splitter I have ever seen (and that includes Mike Scott's). Moreover, he is selfless and has taken on his "Pre-Closer" role with the kind of grace and style that has already endeared him to both his teammates and the Mets faithful.

2009 Season Stats
SPLITS	G	GS	CG	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HLD	BLSV	WHIP	ERA
Season	7	0	0	7.0	3	1	1	0	3	3	1	0	0	3	0	0.86	1.29
Career	315	0	0	330.0	273	116	111	32	107	340	23	15	101	32	24	1.15	3.03
Projected	103	0	0	103	44	15	15	0	44	44	15	0	0	44	0	0.86	1.29

Fourth seal is opened : a pale horse appears, its rider is called Death

The fourth horseman is Frankie Rodriguez, and he is death to opponents. He loves his role as the Closer, and gives max effort and concentration against every batter. For all the talk from naysayers about his "K/9 and WHIP", he looks to be every bit what the Mets wanted--a dominant stopper with balls of steel. The guy looks like he was born to close in New York.

2009 Season Stats
SPLITS	G	GS	CG	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HLD	BLSV	WHIP	ERA
Season	6	0	0	5.2	2	0	0	0	2	9	0	0	3	0	0	0.71	0.00
Career	414	0	0	457.1	307	130	118	34	200	596	23	17	211	34	33	1.11	2.32
Projected	88	0	0	74	29	0	0	0	29	133	0	0	44	0	0	0.71	0.00

Bobby Parnell's Magic Arm

Last season I took my daughter to a Mets vs Nats game in DC--the ballpark is very well thought out, and there are no shortage of amazing sights and mouth watering smells.

The Nats home has an incredible assortment of food available, including the world renowned "Half Smoke" from Ben's Chili Bowl.

But for us, the highlight of the pre-game festivities was delivered by none other than Bobby Parnell and his magic arm.

Bobby was trotting around the outfield getting his running in, and my daughter decided to make him the object of that day's affections. I think it was the pink backpack he toted around that initially drew her eye to the lanky pitcher.

"Bobby!" she shouted again and again each time he passed in front of us.

Finally, after his 5th or 6th jog along the outfield grass he stopped, turned toward us, smiled, and flicked a ball, effortlessly, in our direction. It quickly traveled the 50 feet toward us on a line, right at my chest.

I grabbed it triumphantly and handed it to my daughter. She waved and shrieked at Parnell, who winked at her and trotted away with a little wave.

You could tell he was happy to be a major leaguer, on the field, doing the mundane things big leaguers do, and making a young girl's day.

As we enter 2009 Parnell has a legitimate chance to make the Mets opening day roster, and the Mets need him.

Blessed with a blazing fastball, he's also been working on his splitter. It's a pitch that could one day make him one of the better relievers in the game.

As Ben Shipgel of the NY Times writes,

More than a few team officials predicted Parnell would make the opening day roster because of a fastball that had been clocked in the high 90s and the revival of a split-fingered fastball that could become devastating against left-handed hitters.

“I like big pitchers,” General Manager Omar Minaya said of the 6-foot-4, 200-pound Parnell. “He’s got good arm strength, and you can’t teach the kind of loose arm that he has.”

That arm has been on display in the Mets minors since 2005. But for all the hype that goes along with his live fastball, the results have not always been there.

	ERA	G/GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	BB/9	SO/9	SO/BB	GO/AO
AA	4.30	24/24	127.2	126	66	61	14	57	91	4.03	6.44	1.60	1.52
AAA	6.64	5/4	20.1	25	16	15	0	9	23	4.03	10.30	2.56	1.06
MLB	5.40	6/0	5.0	3	3	3	0	2	3	3.60	5.40	1.50	1.40
AFL	2.25	7/7	20.0	15	5	5	0	9	20	4.05	9.00	2.22	1.00

As the BB/9 and ERA show, Parnell has command issues that he's yet to bring fully under control.

Moreover, he was primarily a fastball pitcher with a sinker, an average slider and average changeup. Part of his problem is the fact that his secondary offerings are hittable, and he knows it. So in many instances he would pitch around a batter rather than go after him.

With his revived splitter, the Mets are hoping that Parnell can consistently get hitters out by not letting them sit on his fastball. The splitter gives him a second strikeout pitch, something he has sorely lacked up to this point.

So while I don't expect Parnell to dominate this year, he should make the team and contribute to what looks like a very solid 2009 Mets bullpen.

It's a bullpen that is stacked with power arms, including the magic arm of Bobby Parnell.

Mets News from the Blogosphere

Good morning Mets fans!

Isn't this time of the year incredible? We see who has come into camp in shape, get our first look at the new guys in action, and we mark the progress of our up and coming stars. We also get a look at the guys coming back from injury and the older players as well.

Over at Metsblog Matt Cerrone has a great interview with Nervous Nick Evans.

David Lennon at Newsday has a nice piece on the Mets new hunter, Tim Redding...he also has this item on Bobby Parnell and his chances to make the team.

The always entertaining Mack's Mets has some thoughts on Mets prospect Roy Merritt.

The 'Ropolitans thinks Mike Pelfrey needs a loan, after his money got frozen along with several other Boras clients.

The always entertaining Eddie Kranepool Society dreams about being in charge of Citi Field concessions.

By now you've figured out that the picture of Mookie Wilson has nothing to do with this piece...I just like it!