Jordan Zakarin

Minors: Those Young Pitchers
By Jordan Zakarin - Jan 28, 2008 4:12 pm

given matt’s post from earlier today, about the team’s young pitching, it makes sense to dig deeper and take a look at the young arms they are apparently so high on

Here’s a look of some of the top pitchers the Mets have nabbed in the past two June amateur drafts (in no particular order):

Scott Moviel, RHP (2nd round, 2007): Drafted in the second round out of high school this past June, Moviel went 0-2 with a 3.38 ERA for the GCL Mets, tossing 40 innings and allowing 45 hits, but walking only 11 and striking out 37. He’s a power pitcher with a strong feel for his breaking stuff. His ceiling is considered amongst the highest of the Mets’ pitching prospects, and not just because he stands six foot seven.

Brant Rustich, RHP (2nd round, 2007): Rustich is a big (6′6, 225) reliever with big stuff. He began his short debut season with Kingsport of the Appy League, appearing in five games while posting a 0.87 ERA. In 10.1 innings he allowed six hits and a walk, striking out ten. After moving up to Brooklyn, he tossed 12.1 frames in ten games, allowing ten hits. He struggled a bit in Hawaiian Winter Baseball, but the Mets think he had some of the best stuff in last june’s draft, and he could move quickly as a reliever. They also may try him out as a starting pitcher, as he has three plus pitches.

Nathan Vineyard, LHP (1st round supplemental, 2007): A lefty out of Georgia, Vineyard has middle of the rotation potential, to go along with an already plus-slider. His fastball is in the low 90’s and can improve, as he has the size (6′3, 200 lbs) and pitchability to do so. He didn’t fare so well in his pro debut (0-3, 5.27 ERA in 27 IP in the GCL), but is as solid a prospect as you’ll find a year removed from high school.

Nicholas “Cole” Abbott, RHP (25th round, 2007): A lanky, under the radar righty from Utah, Abbott already boasts a low 90’s fastball and a decent breaking ball, despite the lack of experience that comes with growing up in a less than baseball crazy state like Utah. He got beat up in his pro debut (0-3, 7.31 in 10 games), though he pitched mostly from the bullpen. He won’t be on any fast track, but he’s a sleeper type prospect.

Guilluame Leduc, RHP (6th round, 2007): Even lankier at 6′4 and 190, Leduc is a raw talent, coming out of Montreal, where they play only a few months a year and the instruction is less then world class. Still, he has a low 90’s fastball and a decent spinner, and has some potential with ample work.

Nick Carr, RHP (Draft and Follow, 2005): Carr was 5-2 with a 3.80 ERA for Brooklyn. He tossed 66 innings, only allowing 55 hits, and while he tended to lose command at times, walking 27, he struck out an impressive 74 NYP league hitters. He has dominating stuff, though with a herky jerky motion that could eventually send him to the bullpen. He should be in one of the two Class A Leagues this season.

Phillips Orta, RHP (10th round, 2006; signed as DAF, 2007): Born in Venezuela, Orta pitched for Western Nebraska Community College before signing with the Mets. He has a potential plus fastball at 89-94 mph, and can throw a good slider at times. He didn’t put up good numbers in his pro debut, but is another sleeper to keep an eye on as he starts his first full season in pro ball in 2008.

17 Responses to “Minors: Those Young Pitchers”

  1. Skids says:

    Pedro Feliz to the Phillies for 2 years. Hmmmm.

  2. robmenna says:

    Kunz not on this list because he throws puss

  3. pezao says:

    Anyone got a clue what high school Abbott pitched for in UT?

  4. PC521 says:

    When is Rustich expected in the majors by? As a reliever or as a starter. Personally, I’d like him to become a starter.

    • stickguy says:

      He could be up this year, but only as a reliever. It sounds like they are planning to have him start in the minors, so if they go that way, might be a few years down the road.

      Seems to have good stuff. Who knows, in a couple of years, he could be the closer!

      • nyr2k2 says:

        There was talk of fast tracking him as a reliever, though recent talk has him pitching this season as a starter. He split time starting and relieving his sophomore year in college, so it wouldn’t be new to him.

        Personally, I think that if you have a prospect with excellent stuff, you let him work as a starter. Exhaust all avenues in that role before switching him to the pen.

  5. bonatom says:

    great post… I like these Farm reports… especially from low level divisions

    • Agreed… we don’t get to hear much about these guys til they are a year or so away from the majors. At least this way we can recognize the names that might show up at spring training

      Good Post

  6. advantgarde says:

    Scott Moviel, RHP (2nd round, 2007): is actually taller than suggested at 6′7″
    He’s listed at an official height of 6′ 11″

  7. Coolpapabell says:

    Great info. I would love to learn more about the Mets corps coming from the Dominican Academies.

    • nyr2k2 says:

      From Venezuela, look out for SS Wilmer Flores, LHP Martin Perez, and C Kelvin Mostcantero.

      Dominicans: IF Jeffrey Marte, OF Cesar Puello, OF Andres Perez and RHP Jeurys Familia.

      Out of Australia, there’s LHP Lachlan Hodge, C Pat Maat and RHP Gavin Dlouhy. Maat and Dlouhy both saw time in the SS leagues last season, with Dlouhy tearing up the GCL. Also RHP Shaun Tabrett, but he’s injured IIRC.

      From Panama, Antonio Cuam is a projectable LHP.

      We also signed a Dutch 3B, Marinus Vernooij.

      Breiner Soto and Jose Brito were also IFA signings, I forgbet from where.

      Then there’s also 2B Ruben Tejeda and SS Juan Lagares, but both of those guys ave received a good deal of coverage.

      • nevets72 says:

        Are these all signed?

        • nyr2k2 says:

          Everyone I listed is signed, yes. There are many more signees from this and last offseason, but these are the names of note (IMO).

          I left off Pena and those types because most people know about them.

        • Coolpapabell says:

          Amazing info nyr2k2! I have heard Wilmer Flores and Marinus Vernooj’s but don’t know much about them and the rest of the guys you mentioned.

  8. professor met says:

    Thanks for thorough, illuminating post, Jordan. Definitely breaks the tedium of Santaneity that is dominating the hot stove.

    • daspot says:

      we probaly wont hear anything out of them for a couple of years. it takes time to put it all together and find some future mlb talent.