With the Mets being sellers at the trade deadline, Sandy Alderson went out there and obtained a new crop of power throwing relief prospects. With the minor league regular season ending for the Mets affiliates ending today, here is a review of how the pitchers performed in the Mets farm system:

RHP Drew Smith

Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 190 lb. Mets Level: Binghamton

Age: 9/24/93 (23) Age Dif: -1.2

Acquired: Obtained from the Tampa Bay Rays for Lucas Duda (7/27/17)

MMN Rank: 18

Binghamton Stats: 3-2, 1.80 ERA, 11 G, 15.0 IP, 0.867 WHIP, 10.2 K/9

2017 Stats: 4-4, 1.65 ERA, 42 G, 7 SV, 60.0 IP, 0.900 WHIP, 8.6 K/9

Analysis: Despite having plus stuff that should lead to many strike outs, the strike out numbers just weren’t there at the time of the trade. While it could just be the effects of a small sample size, Smith has seen an uptick in his strikeout rate since coming to the Mets organization. While the strikeouts are promising, Smith needs to cut down on his walk rate.

 

RHP Gerson Bautista

Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 170 lb Mets Level: St. Lucie

B/T: R/R Age: 5/31/95 (22) Age Dif: -1.1

Acquired: One of three minor league relievers received in exchange for Addison Reed (7/31/17)

MMN Rank: 28

St. Lucie Stats: 0-1, 1.26 ERA, 10 G, 5 SV, 14.1 IP, 0.907 WHIP, 12.6 K/9

2017 Stats: 3-3, 4.22 ERA, 37 G, 9 SV, 59.2 IP, 1.592 WHIP, 11.0 K/9

Analysis: At the time of the Reed trade, many thought of Bautista as the real prize. Bautista showed us all why throwing near or over 100 MPH on a consistent basis. Even better, in the short time he was with the Mets, he has better learned how to harness his stuff. If the Mets have truly unlocked his ability, the team has a future great late inning reliever.

 

RHP Jamie Callahan

Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 230 lb Mets Level: Las Vegas & MLB

B/T: R/R Age: 8/24/94 (22) Age Dif: -6.6 (MLB)

Acquired: One of three right handed reliever prospects received from Boston Red Sox in exchange for Addison Reed (7/31/17)

MMN Rank: 23

Las Vegas Stats: 1-1, 1.80 ERA, 9 G, SV, 10.0 IP, 1.600 WHIP, 9.0 K/9

2017 MiLB Stats: 5-2, 3.21 ERA, 32 G, 6 SV, 42.0 IP, 1.167 WHIP, 12.0 K/9

2017 MLB Stats: 0-0, 5.40 ERA, 2 G, 1.2 IP, 2.400 ERA, 5.4 K/9

Analysis: Of all the players who were picked up by the Mets at the trade deadline, Callahan was seen as the most MLB ready. To that end, it was of little surprise he was the first one called up to the majors. Callahan is a bit wild, but he does have big time strikeout ability. With his talent, we could see him compete for a bullpen spot on the Opening Day roster next year.

 

RHP Stephen Nogosek

Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 205 lb Mets Level: St. Lucie

B/T: R/R Age: 1/11/95 (22) Age Dif: 0.1

Acquired: One of three minor league relievers obtained from the Red Sox for Addison Reed (7/31/17)

MMN Rank: 16

St. Lucie Stats: 1-1, 5.06 ERA, 9 G, 16.0 IP, 1.500 WHIP, 8.4 K/9

2017 Stats: 5-5, 3.52 ERA, 45 G, 19 SV, 69.0 IP, 1.217 WHIP, 10.2 K/9

Analysis: While all the other relievers improved when they joined the Mets organization, Nogosek has been the one pitcher who has struggled. Part of that is Nogosek continues to walk batters at a high rate. Still, his struggles only hide the fact he’s a talented pitcher with a fastball in the mid 90s.

 

RHP Ryder Ryan

Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 205 lb Mets Level: Columbia

B/T: R/R Age: 5/11/95 (22) Age Dif: 0.1

Acquired: PTBNL acquired for Jay Bruce (8/9/17)

MMN Rank: N/A

Columbia Stats: 0-0, 2.08 ERA, 8 G, 13.0 IP, 0.846 WHIP, 9.0 K/9

2017 Stats: 3-4, 4.14 ERA, 41 G, 6 SV, 54.1 IP, 1.325 WHIP, 10.3 K/9

Analysis: Ryan is an intriguing prospect because he did not convert to a full time pitcher until after he was drafted by the Indians in last year’s draft. With that comes an arm that doesn’t have a lot of miles on it. It’s also a raw arm that needs to work on locating his pitches better. While he is still yielding too many walks, he is beginning to move his ball out of the heart of the plate leading to fewer hard hits against him.

 

RHP Jacob Rhame

Ht: 6’1″ Wt: 215 lb Mets Level: Las Vegas & MLB

B/T: R/R Age: 3/16/93 (24) Age Dif: -4.6 (MLB)

Acquired: Obtained for Curtis Granderson (8/19/17)

MMN Rank: N/A

Las Vegas Stats: 0-1, 1.50 ERA, 4 G, 6.0 IP, 0.333 WHIP, 16.5 K/9

2017 MiLB Stats: 0-3, 4.00 ERA, 45 G, 2 SV, 54.0 IP, 1.185 WHIP, 11.0 K/9

2017 MLB Stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 2.1 IP, 1.714 WHIP, 7.7 K/9

Analysis: One thing we have seen so far in his brief career, Rhame has guts on the mound. He got himself into trouble with runners on second and third with one out. He got out of the inning without surrendering a run. While you can learn about a pitcher from his stuff, which Rhame has, you learn more how he responds to moments like this. Moments like this gives him a real chance to be part of the Opening Day bullpen next year.

Editor’s Note: This was first published on Mets Minors.