Royce Ring
There have been a few times in the Mets history where they have surprised or even shocked the World in making their run to the postseason. The biggest example is 1969, which occurred 50 years ago. The Mets would make their Miracle run in 1973, and they would emerge in 1999, 2006, and 2015.
When you look at those rosters, there are players who are comparable to the players on this year’s Mets roster. Here’s a look at how it breaks down:
Catcher
Travis d’Arnaud (Todd Pratt) – d’Arnaud may very well be pressed into action more than anticipated, and as we saw in the 2015 postseason, he can deliver some big hits when needed.
Tomas Nido (Jerry Grote) – A defensive oriented catcher who helps takes his pitchers over the top and more than makes up for whatever offensive issues he may have.
Wilson Ramos (Paul Lo Duca) – Ramos may not have been the catcher the Mets may have originally expected to bring in during the offseason, but like Lo Duca, he could be the perfect fit for this team and surprisingly be a very important piece to this club.
Infield
Pete Alonso (Michael Conforto) – Alonso is the young prospect who is getting thrown into the fire and expected to be a key bat in a lineup who are trying to overcome the Nationals.
Robinson Cano (Rickey Henderson) – Cano was brought in to be the Hall of Fame caliber player who could take this team over the top.
J.D. Davis (Matt Franco) – Players who will predominantly be pinch hitters who are going to be counted upon to provide those key unexpected game winning hits.
Todd Frazier (Ed Charles) – Both were better before joining the Mets, but they proved to be glue guys in the clubhouse making the team better for their presence alone.
Luis Guillorme (Anderson Hernandez) – Tremendously gifted middle infielders whose gloves helped earn them a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Jed Lowrie (Jose Valentin) – Switch hitters who were brought to serve as a bench piece for the Mets who could be pressed into duty more than anticipated, which could be of great value to the team.
Jeff McNeil (Cleon Jones) – Homegrown Mets ready who show their previous year breakouts were not flukes, but rather an indication they are key members of a winning team.
Amed Rosario (Jose Reyes) – Reyes figured it out in 2006, and he became a dynamic and exciting player. This can be that year for Rosario.
Dominic Smith (Ed Kranepool) – Both probably rushed and mishandled as prospects, but they both still had a lot of hits in their bats making them valuable pieces for their club.
Outfield
Keon Broxton (Xavier Nady) – The imported outfielder who has not yet lived up to expectations has an opportunity to prove himself on a talented roster.
Yoenis Cespedes (Donn Clendenon) – The Mets are relying on a big bat to come after the All-Star Break and get this team a World Series, who better than the guy who delivered that in 1969?
Michael Conforto (David Wright) – The time is now for the homegrown player to put it all together and have an MVP caliber season to put this team over the top.
Juan Lagares (Endy Chavez) – Chavez was the defensive oriented player who was pressed into more action than anticipated, and his play on the field was a big reason the 2006 Mets came withing a game of the World Series.
Brandon Nimmo (Edgardo Alfonzo) – Homegrown Met oft overlooked who may actually prove to put up the best season of all the players on the roster.
Starters
Jacob deGrom (Tom Seaver) – deGrom is the staff ace coming off a historically great season, who needs to stay at a high level for the team to make the postseason.
Noah Syndergaard (Noah Syndergaard) – The Mets need Thor to be Thor.
Zack Wheeler (Jacob deGrom) – It was deGrom’s building off of a surprising 2014 season which helped take the Mets over the top in 2015. It’s exactly what everyone is expecting from Wheeler in 2019.
Steven Matz (Al Leiter) – Hometown left-handed pitchers who have a chance to help be a big part of the reason why the Mets make a run to the postseason.
Jason Vargas (Bartolo Colon) – Vargas is the veteran below-league average starter who needs to stick in the rotation while just eating up innings.
Corey Oswalt (Logan Verrett) – The Mets need a low round drafted prospect to put together a string of great starts to help put this team over the top. With his increased velocity, this could be Oswalt.
Chris Flexen (Octavio Dotel) – Spot starters who have the repertoire to potentially do much more damage in the bullpen.
Hector Santiago (Darren Oliver) – Pitchers who once had success starting who could be valuable long men in the bullpen.
Bullpen
Edwin Diaz (Billy Wagner) – Wagner was the sure-fire reliever at the end of the bullpen who helped make games an eight inning affair.
Jeurys Familia (John Franco) – One time great Mets closer is now serving as the set-up man for a young brash fireballer brought in during the offseason.
Seth Lugo (Nolan Ryan) – Just pure dominating stuff out of the bullpen from a guy who would probably be a starting pitcher for any other Major League team.
Robert Gsellman (Pat Mahomes) – The key piece of the 1999 bullpen who permitted the Mets bullpen to be as great as it could possibly be.
Justin Wilson (Dennis Cook) – Pitchers who are more than LOOGYs who raise their game in the biggest stages.
Luis Avilan (Pedro Feliciano) – Feliciano was the LOOGY out of the bullpen who was a weapon the Mets could utilize to neutralize the opponent’s top left-handed batters.
Tim Peterson (Greg McMichael) – Strike throwers who don’t have dominating stuff.
Jacob Rhame (Heath Bell) – The guys whose stuff have not quite yet translated to performance leading them to bounce between Triple-A and the Majors.
Paul Sewald (Carlos Torres) – Jack of all trades reliever who does yeoman’s work eating up innings.
Daniel Zamora (Royce Ring) – Promising young LOOGYS who should dominate in their limited opportunities.
And finally, there is Mickey Callaway, who we are hoping will be able to accomplish what Willie Randolph accomplished by proving himself a good manager in his second year and by leading the Mets to being the best team in the National League.
During the June 24th game between the Brooklyn Cyclones and the Hudson Valley Renegades, I was on the field as my father and son threw out the first pitch. During that time, I had the opportunity to meet Cyclones left-handed pitcher Kurt Horne.
The British Columbia native was the Mets 2014 31st round draft pick. The tall left-hander eschewed an opportunity to pitch in college. Instead, at the age of 17, Horne decided to not only sign with the Mets, but to move to the complete opposite end of the continent to fulfill his dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player. Horne agreed to do an interview with me to discuss his path to the Mets organization and his development in the minor leagues.
The natural question to start for someone from Canada is why baseball and not hockey?
Ha ha! Of course, I grew up in a baseball family, I followed after my brother, doing everything he did.I also used to play in the backyard with my grandpa hitting Wiffle balls everyday after school when I was younger, so baseballs in my blood.
So at 6’5″ you were the little brother?
Well, my brother is 6 years older then me, so it took a while to catch up.
I take it your brother was a good baseball player in his own right.
Absolutely, he was a good pitcher when he was younger but grew up to be a better hitter.
You ever have a chance to pitch against him?
No, unfortunately not; it would’ve been a awesome experience.
When did you start pitching?
I’ve learned a lot about the game: How to read hitters; how to mix my pitches better. I’ve really learned how to actually pitch rather than just following what the catcher calls.
What are the things you need to work on to improve and help yourself get to the next level?
I need to make my delivery more consistent so I can throw strikes more consistently, and I need to be able to spin a breaking ball for a strike. And that will help me advance.
When Mets fans hear breaking ball, they immediately think “Warthen Slider.” Is that a pitch they’ve introduced to you, or are you working on other pitches?
I haven’t worked on a slider much – really trying to focus on a short curveball that’s easier to throw.
Your pitching coach, former Met Royce Ring, used one in the majors. Is there anything particular he’s shown you to make it a more effective pitch?
We’ve just been working on making it a fastball until the last possible second and finding the right release point.
Now, you’ve had a different experience than most minor league pitchers in that you’ve had Ring as your pitching coach during different stops. How has working mostly with one person helped or hurt you?
It’s helped with getting consistent feedback. We’re able to communicate really well now so we are both on the same page, and we know what my goals are moving forward. But being in extended spring, there’s other coaches around, so I like to here some other feedback for things to think about.
What are your goals moving forward?
To minimize my amount of walks, and do a better job of getting ahead in the count.
You’ve been predominantly used as a reliever. Do you see yourself as a reliever, or do you believe you could be a starter?
I just see myself pitching, whether it be a reliever or starter is up to the team. I feel I have the ability to do both.
Overall, who has had the biggest impact on your career?
My Parents and brother without a doubt. They push me to be better day in and day out and did everything in their power to help me get to where I am today.
Specifically, how has your family impacted you in your career as a baseball player?
My family impacted me from the beginning. From introducing me to the sport, watching my brother playing, having my dad who studies the game more than anyone I know and my mom went everywhere I went to support me when I played. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive family.
Outside of your family, who else has had an impact on you?
I also learned a lot from my pitching coach Marty Hall, who along with my parents helped me become who I am.
I grew up watching and then participating in his baseball clinics, he is a very close family friend who I consider to be family.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received how to succeed as a pitcher and make it to the major leagues?
Have a short memory. Focus on one pitch at a time. Have a routine, and most importantly, have fun.
What’s it like pitching in New York?
Pitching in Brooklyn has been amazing. I love stadium. The fans are all into the games, I love it!
What has been your favorite memory as a baseball player?
It’s hard to pick just one. Playing for the Canadian junior national team was amazing, and being selected by the Mets in the first year player draft was a dream come true.
Who was your favorite player growing up?
I always wore 13 because of Billy Wagner, and I couldn’t get it with Team Canada so I wore #31. It also stuck because I’m a Jon Lester fan.
It does take courage to wear Mike Piazza‘s number in New York. Big shoes to fill there.
Of course! Now, when it comes to it I’ll wear 13, but I had the option so I went with it.
Last year, former Mets minor leaguer Nicco Blank made a name for himself for leaving tickets for Taylor Swift to see him pitch. What famous person would you like to come see you pitch?
Ha ha! That’s a good question. I’m gonna say Drake because he’s Canadian, and he’s one of my favorite artists.
On a personal note, how was my son’s first pitch?
He hit me right on the glove, so I’d say it was perfect. Plus extra points for being left-handed.
Personally, I want to thank Horne for taking the time for this interview, and for the time he spent with my father and son when they threw out the first pitch. For those that want to follow him, his Twitter handle is @AroundTheHorne_.