Read: Kunz, Niese Impress in BP
The Profile du Jour is of prospects Jon Niese and Eddie Kunz, who threw batting 
practice to the big-league team yesterday.
Ben Shpigel of the New York Times writes that Kunz, the 42nd overall pick in last June’s draft, could be on the fast track to the big leagues – and eventually the closer’s role.
According to Shpigel, Kunz has been sort-of adopted by Billy Wagner, whose contract expires after next year.
Wagner, on Kunz, as quoted by Shpigel:
“One thing I told him was not to be content, go out and make that team… If you go and throw 100 in your bullpen session, that doesn’t mean anything. It’s your work ethic that will… If you throw at 70 percent and hit all your spots and then, when games start up, go out there and get big outs, that will show them all they need to see.”
Wagner is also quoted in the Star Ledger‘s profile of Kunz, which focused on the prospect’s nice-guy demeanor:
“He’ll learn you’re going to have to be a butt hole for this job… I’m sure we’ll have that talk before we’re done here.”
…Billy Wagner has officially turned into my 12-year old brother…
Kunz, exhausted from an extended college campaign that saw him go 3-1 with a 2.91 ERA and 12 saves for Oregon State, put up a 6.75 ERA in his pro debut in 12 games for Brooklyn last season.
At 6’5 and 250 pounds, Kunz boasts a three-pitch offering, the best of which is a 95+ mph hard, heavy-sinking fastball.
Meanwhile, at MLB.com, Marty Noble looks at Niese, who impressed coaches on Thursday as well.
Niese went 11-7 with a 4.29 ERA for High Class-A St. Lucie last season, putting together a strong stretch run that included a 2.62 ERA in August.
Niese offers a three pitch mix as well, including an 89-92 mph fastball and a strong curve.
…from what i can gather, both Niese and Kunz should start the year at Double-A Binghamton…
…while i don’t expect either to contribute much this year, it’d be nice to have them perform well to replenish the depth lost over the winter…and with the Mets set to lose up to three starting pitchers this off-season, having a guy like Niese be close to Major League ready could be invaluable…he projects to be a middle of the rotation starter, and as a lefty that’s invaluable…
For more on Kunz and Niese, check out my interview with Baseball Prospectus‘ prospect guru Kevin Goldstein, which ran two weeks ago.
…added to by Matthew Cerrone…
…from what i recall during the Santana Scramble, the Twins had asked about Jon Neise, but the Mets had very little interest in trading him…he doesn’t get a lot of publicity, but, from what i can tell, he has a lot of fans inside the organization – dating back to my notes from two Winter Meetings ago as well…
