2/3/12

Mets: Cory Mazzoni, Javier Rodriguez, Joe Tuschak, Juan Urbina


1-27-12: -  http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6509  8.  RHP Cory Mazzoni - Baseball-Reference player profile - The Mets drafted Mazzoni in the second round (71st pick overall) of the 2011 draft and showed immediate confidence in him, moving him up to the Florida State League for six appearances at the end of the season. While Mazzoni did make all dozen of his pro appearances out of the bullpen after signing, that might have been in deference to the 92 innings he pitched at North Carolina State during the spring. The 6-1/195 Pennsylvania native has the stuff, strength and command to be a starting pitcher, with a fastball that sits in the low-90s and has been as high as 96-97 mph at times, a power curve in the upper-70s and a split-finger changeup. 

1-23-12 - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/23/2693134/2012-amazin-avenue-top-50-mets-prospects   #49) OF Javier Rodriguez - The '08 second rounder hasn't quite lived up to expectations, but after a slow start in 2011 he managed to get things back on track in Brooklyn. Specifically, after posting a .209 average through 26 games with the Gnats, Rodriguez was demoted to short season A-ball. From there he'd go on to rank among the NYPL league leaders in doubles and total bases while boosting his BB% to a very impressive 11.6. While inconsistent offensive results, waning speed and a subsequent move to right field have hurt his value, he's posted very solid ISO rates each of the past three seasons. And at 21 he's still quite age appropriate for his current level. He may not be the power/speed threat and future star the Mets hoped for when they drafted him but he's still got a chance to be a major leaguer, especially if he continues to develop that power.

1-29-12 - http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/  Joe Tuschak ended his high school career by hitting a grand slam to lead his Northern York Polar Bears to a state title in his final game as an amateur.  Then he hit just .204/.318/.222 in his first month as a professional. On the plus side, he walked in over 11% of his plate appearances, showing strong plate discipline for a GCL player.  Unfortunately, all of the pitches he saw, which helped produce the walks, also came with a 26% strikeout rate.

1-30-12 - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/30/2757346/2012-amazin-avenue-top-50-mets-prospects-21-30  - LHP Juan Urbina - At no. 30, Urbina drops 19 spots from last year's list. That's because after an unspectacular but albeit forgivable pro debut, Urbina followed with an outright bad sophomore season in the rookie level Appalachian League. Add in the fact that the organization added a lot of minor league talent in 2011 and here we are. The 18-yr old lefty saw regression across most of his key indicators and the scouting reports didn't take the step forward that one would like for someone his age. Namely, his velocity did not jump up -- at least consistently -- from the 87-90 mph levels we saw last season. Now it should be pointed out that at times he flashed 93 but again, not consistently. Yet more concerning to me was the fact that the league batted a robust .300 off Urbina, something that you don't really want to see at any level, but especially not against some of the rawest hitters in pro ball. And not when he posted a similarly high number last year (.284). He was still over a year younger than the league for 2011 but take fellow teenager and Kingsport starter Akeel Morris, who held Appy league hitters to a .166 mark. The league as a whole batted .261, a heck of a lot lower than they did against Urbina. In short, Urbina hasn't blown us away with his stuff nor his results. Obviously reports about an advanced change-up and very good pitching IQ are nice but typically when you've got a potentially special future starter you can see it in dominance against inferior competition. For me, he's going to have to earn his ranking going forward.

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