#21 LHP Angel Calero

Stock: confused, but down a little

Lets toss out Calero’s St. Lucie performance in 2009 under the assumption that his shoulder was never right from the time he arrived in Florida.  This year, when he says he’s healthy, he’s been pretty hittable, yielding over a knock an inning, and is striking out below seven batters an inning.

#22 RHP Eric Beaulac

Stock: Up

The 22 year-old Beaulac has addressed my major worry about the right-hander from 2008, his increased walk rate in the SAL, by dropping it almost by a half from 2008 to 2009.  Even though he’s throwing more strikes, he’s not giving up any more hits, although his home run rate has increased.  His strikeout rate is still a sparkling 10.43.  He’s very safely among my top 20 prospects and is a guy who probably doesn’t get written about or talked about enough.

If I were running the Mets farm system, and clearly I’m not, I would promote Beaulac to St. Lucie displacing Nick Waechter from the rotation.

#23 OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis

Stock: Barely holding

2009 looks a lot like 2008, doesn’t it?

There are a lot of things to like about Nieuwenhuis’s game: he can play centerfield, has the arm for right, and walks in over nine percent of his plate appearances.  On the downside, he’s striking out in over 20%, and his average is in the .250 range.  I’d need to see some improvement in something, to have him rise up the rankings and project him as anything other than a backup.

#24 LHP Michael Antonini

Stock: Down

Antonini’s two starts in AAA were a disaster.   In AA, Antonini has been in the strike zone more in 2009 than in 2008 with a a little increase in his K/rate and decrease in walk rate.  However, the price he’s paid for the extra strikes have been extra hits.  The Mets recently moved Antonini to the AA bullpen, which indicates that he has slipped in the eyes of his employers.    He’s still a three pitch guy, fastball, slider and change, and I don’t see any of them working well enough to be a quality big leaguer.

#25 2B Greg Veloz

Stock: Down

That’s a bad first half.  Veloz, who doesn’t yet walk much or hit for any power is going to have to hit .300 to have any offensive value.  His strikeout rate is down this year in the FSL to near where it was in the SAL last season, but that’s just too many whiffs for a guy with his skillset, who is little threat to drive the ball.  He had a big second half in 2008 and will need another similar surge in 2009 or face a dramatic slide in my rankings.

The Scoop: The second of two Mets’ first-round picks last year (22nd overall), Havens has been one of the FSL’s most productive hitters thus far. A lefthanded batter with a grinder mentality, he leads the league with seven extra-base hits as part of a .320/.407/.600 start as St. Lucie’s shortstop. The fact that he’s playing the field again is just as encouraging as his hitting, after he spent his time DHing with short-season Brooklyn in his debut last season. Havens lacks classic shortstop actions, though, and already has committed five miscues in 13 games.

And from the subsequent chat:

Rory from NYC asks: What are your thoughts on Reese Havens? Will he get promoted to Double A Binghamton at some point soon? He really looks the part as a potential offensive minded second baseman. Anyone else on the St. Lucie roster to watch out for..Zach Lutz maybe Matt Eddy: Sit back and enjoy the ride. Havens doesn’t figure into the big club’s plans for ’09, so a late-season promotion to Double-A may be in order if he continues to perform. And yes, I agree with you. Havens’ approach is a breath of fresh air for an organization that hasn’t really focused on grinding, professional hitter types in recent years. Matt Eddy: Two St. Lucie players (who didn’t crack our Top 30) to watch: 22-year-old LHP Angel Calero, who’s posted an 0.82 ERA to go with 10-4 K-BB in 11 IP. Also, 21-year-old CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis, the Mets’ third-rounder last year from NAIA Azusa Pacific (Calif.). He’s not hitting at the moment, but he’s a physical lefty batter who may emerge with enough repetitions.

• OF Fernando Martinez, Bisons: He’s hit safely in six of his last seven games and is hitting .323 over that span (10-for-31) with 4 runs and 4 doubles.
• LHP Casey Fossum, Bisons (pictured):  The veteran has been phenomenal so far in his first two starts. In 11 innings combined, he’s allowed just 1 run and 5 hits in addition to 11 strikeouts. He was promoted to the Mets last night.
• C Josh Thole, B-Mets: Prior to going 0-for-3 yesterday, the young catcher was 7 for his last 13 with 3 doubles and 4 runs scored.
• OF Carlos Guzman, St. Lucie: The Brookdale Community College product (NJ) is putting on an offensive display so far – .371 AVG (13-for-35).
• RHP Scott Shaw / LHP Angel Calero, St. Lucie: Shaw has allowed just 2 runs over 12 innings in his 2 starts while strike out 9. Calero has been dominant, surrendering just 1 run and striking out 10 over 11 innings in his first two trips to the mound this season.
• IF Josh Satin, Savannah: He’s been a consistent force in the Gnats lineup. He leads the SAL in hitting with a .433 AVG (13-for-30).
• SS Wilmer Flores, Savannah (pictured): Over the last two games the Mets top infield prospect is 5-for-8 with 2 runs, a double, and 3 RBI.
• 3B Jefry Marte, Savannah: The infielder is 7 for his last 19 and is hitting .317 on the season (13-for-41).
• RHP Christopher Schwinden, Savannah: The twenty-two-year-old has been dominant, allowing just one runs over 11 innings in his first two starts – both victories.

A: SAVANNAH SAND GNATS (18) @ Augusta GreenJackets (3)
It was all about the offense for the Gnats and LHP Robert Carson was the beneficiary, tossing six shutout innings for his first win. He allowed just one hit and one walk while fanning three. Meanwhile the offense exploded, with seven players having multiple RBI’s. 3B Joshua Satin was 4-for-4 with 3 runs and 2 RBI. SS Wilmer Flores was 2-for-4 with a double and 3 RBI. DH Jefry Marte was 1-for-6 with 2 runs, a triple, and 2 RBI.

Off Day.

A+: Sarasota Reds 0 @ St. Lucie Mets 1

The Mets scored the game’s lone run on a throwing error in the bottom of the seventh on a Carlos Guzman grounder. LHP Angel Calero took the start and was impressive (5 IP, 3 H, BB, 7 K). RHP Brant Rustich pitched two scoreless for the win. 1B Ike Davis was 1-for-4 and DH Greg Veloz went 2-for-5.

A: Augusta Greenjackets 11 @ Savannah Sand Gnats 4

Starter LHP Robert Carson got hit hard (2.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R/3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K). He also commited two errors on the mound. SS Wilmer Flores was 2-for-5 with a double and 2B Joshua Satin went 2-for-3.

Height/Weight: 6’3”, 170 lbs

Acquired: NDFA (5/12/04)

Born: 9/25/86 (Valencia, VZ)

Why Ranked Here: Calero earns this ranking on three factors: lefthandedness, a plus LHP fastball (low 90s) and good size at 6’3”. In A-ball with Savannah, his K/BB ratio was a shade under four, indicating both good raw stuff and lots of strikes.

2008: Promoted to St. Lucie on June 10^th, Calero made four starts, the last three of which were three innings or shorter. He was shut down at that point after complaining of shoulder discomfort and did not pitch again the rest of the year.

Dr. Pangloss Says: If I had a tree that grew hard-throwing lefties, I’d be a very happy doctor.

On the Flipside: Calero is coming off a shoulder problem so he has the injury red flag up high.

Projected 2009 Start: St. Lucie (if he’s healthy).