Minors Report 4/17 (Vargas/Guerra)

[SI Metman]

Jason Vargas hurled 6 innings of 1-hit ball in New Orleans 6-5 win over Memphis

Anderson Hernandez 2-4
Ruben Gotay 2-4
Carlos Gomez 1-4, 2 RBI
Lastings Milledge 1-2, RBI SB (1)
Andy Tracy 1-2
Ricky Ledee 2-3, 2B RBI
Fernando Tatis 1-4, HR (2) 2 RBI
Jason Vargas 1-2, 2B

Jason Vargas 6 IP 1 H 1 ER 3 BB 5 K Win (2-0)
Jose Santiago 1.2 IP 6 H 4 ER 0 BB 0 K
Willie Collazo .1 IP 0 H 0 ER 0 BB 0 K
Lino Urdaneta 1 IP 0 H 0 ER 0 BB 0 K Save (4)

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[SI Metman]

It wasn’t a happy 18th birthday for Deolis Guerra who got rocked in St Lucie’s 8-1 loss to Palm Beach.

Jose Castro 1-4
Nick Evans 3-4
Drew Butera 1-4
Corey Coles 2-4, RBI
Yasmil Bucce 2-4

Deolis Guerra 4.2 IP 6 H 3 ER 2 BB 2 K Loss (0-2)
Nick Abel 1.2 IP 2 H 3 ER 3 BB 1 K
German Marte 1.2 IP 2 H 1 ER 1 BB 1 K
Ryan Meyers 1 IP 2 H 1 ER 0 BB 0 K


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[SI Metman]

Someone should tape the Savannah game and use it as a video on how not to field. 10 errors doomed the Gnats who lost to Greenville 12-5

Daniel Stegall 1-3, SB (2) E
Greg Veloz 2-5, 2B RBI
Leivi Ventura 1-5, 3B 2 RBI 2 E
David Wabick 0-4, 2 E
Francisco Pena 0-4, E
Brahiam Maldonado 1-3
Juan Legares 2-3, 3B RBI E
Hector Pellot 1-3, HR (1) 3 E
Elvis Cruz 1-4

Tobi Stoner 4.1 IP 4 H 5 R 0 ER 1 BB 2 K Loss (0-2)
Jonathan Castillo 2.1 IP 4 H 2 ER 3 BB 1 K
Emary Frederick 2.1 IP 3 H 5 R 0 ER 2 BB 1 K


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Binghamton snowed out.

[MetfanBren]

Must spin Guerra start!

Half the hits were grounders, and 9 of 11 outs were on the ground as well...

There, I feel much better now...

[MrHat]

3 runs in 5 innings isnt really getting rocked either. Not a good start by any means, but not awful.


NO with Gomez and Milledge back-to-back in the lineup must give teams fits. Vargas continues to pitch extremely well. I'm still wondering why the Mets didnt take a longer look at him this spring. IMO he outpitched everyone for that 5th spot.

[Clubber Lang]

Originally Posted by SI Metman

Someone should tape the Savannah game and use it as a video on how not to field. 10 errors doomed the Gnats who lost to Greenville 12-5

Daniel Stegall 1-3, SB (2) E
Greg Veloz 2-5, 2B RBI
Leivi Ventura 1-5, 3B 2 RBI 2 E
David Wabick 0-4, 2 E
Francisco Pena 0-4, E
Brahiam Maldonado 1-3
Juan Legares 2-3, 3B RBI E
Hector Pellot 1-3, HR (1) 3 E
Elvis Cruz 1-4

Tobi Stoner 4.1 IP 4 H 5 R 0 ER 1 BB 2 K Loss (0-2)
Jonathan Castillo 2.1 IP 4 H 2 ER 3 BB 1 K
Emary Frederick 2.1 IP 3 H 5 R 0 ER 2 BB 1 K


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Binghamton snowed out.

I didn't know we had a pitcher whos name was Tobi Stoner!

[thetimidmango]

Originally Posted by MrHat

3 runs in 5 innings isnt really getting rocked either. Not a good start by any means, but not awful.

NO with Gomez and Milledge back-to-back in the lineup must give teams fits. Vargas continues to pitch extremely well. I'm still wondering why the Mets didnt take a longer look at him this spring. IMO he outpitched everyone for that 5th spot.

Not to fuel BRD's wrath, but if Park and Sosa weren't being considered as starters, I think the Mets would have taken a longer look at Vargas this spring.

When we first acquired Vargas, I thought he'd be a perfect temporary 5th starter while Pelfrey and Humber get more experience, but I get the feeling the Mets never really considered him as more than just a AAA starter and injury callup.

[MetfanBren]

The Mets are trying to undo a severe case of being rushed to the majors with Vargas. He couldn't throw strikes in the bigs to save his life because he'd only had 19 innings above A ball under his belt. He's actually a year younger than Humber, and probably right where he should be...

[Clubber Lang]

Originally Posted by thetimidmango

Not to fuel BRD's wrath, but if Park and Sosa weren't being considered as starters, I think the Mets would have taken a longer look at Vargas this spring.

When we first acquired Vargas, I thought he'd be a perfect temporary 5th starter while Pelfrey and Humber get more experience, but I get the feeling the Mets never really considered him as more than just a AAA starter and injury callup.

I've got to agree with MetfanBren on this one...he was totally rushed. I think the Mets wanted to give him more minor league seasoning to figure his **** out before throwing him back in the fire. I disagree that he is being looked at as just a AAA starter or injury call-up. I think he will get a very fair shot at some point this season or next season to prove himself.

[MrHat]

Originally Posted by MetfanBren

The Mets are trying to undo a severe case of being rushed to the majors with Vargas. He couldn't throw strikes in the bigs to save his life because he'd only had 19 innings above A ball under his belt. He's actually a year younger than Humber, and probably right where he should be...

Hrmm dunno about that, 30 walks in 75 innings his first year up. Not great, but certainly not terrible.

I dont know it just seems kind of funny that they hold back on a guy who's actually had some success at the ML level and has 240 minor league innings (and has actually thrown 150+ in a season) under his belt already in Vargas and push a guy who had control issues last year, didnt fool anyone this spring or at the ML level last year, and only has 100 minor league innings under his belt in Pelfrey.

Not a knock on Pelfrey or anything, but just seems like a double standard there.

I'll admit I dont know a ton about Vargas overall, but from what I saw this spring he looked like he was the #2 type starter people were saying he could be when he first came up.... In any case, its nice to see that has carried right over to his AAA starts

[Bay Ridge Dave]

Vargas was all but vaporized in ST. Two weeks and change of solid outings, and poof! he was gone...

Glad to see he is pitching well though. Same for Sosa. At least the Mets have some capable young arms ready to fill in if need be.

[MetfanBren]

I'm sure Vargas is being thought of in the organization's future plans just as much as Maine was last year, when Omar told everyone who wouldn't listen that he was a lot more than just a throw in. He made similar comments about Vargas and Bostick when they were acquired...

As for the Pelfrey comparison, Vargas was banished to the bullpen as a mop-up man in Florida last year. His confidence was pretty much shot, and if he struggles with his control he doesn't have the stuff to limit the damage like Pelfrey does. Both of them should be in AAA, but I can't argue with the choice the Mets have made. I would probably give Humber a shot over Vargas right now as well...

That being said, I'm sure everyone has heard already, but tonight's pitching matchup in NO is epic. Matt Ginter Vs. Park! Sure to be a classic...

[Clubber Lang]

Originally Posted by MrHat

Hrmm dunno about that, 30 walks in 75 innings his first year up. Not great, but certainly not terrible.

I dont know it just seems kind of funny that they hold back on a guy who's actually had some success at the ML level and has 240 minor league innings (and has actually thrown 150+ in a season) under his belt already in Vargas and push a guy who had control issues last year, didnt fool anyone this spring or at the ML level last year, and only has 100 minor league innings under his belt in Pelfrey.

Not a knock on Pelfrey or anything, but just seems like a double standard there.

I'll admit I dont know a ton about Vargas overall, but from what I saw this spring he looked like he was the #2 type starter people were saying he could be when he first came up.... In any case, its nice to see that has carried right over to his AAA starts

To be fair, when Pelfrey was told he had the 5th spot he had been fooling a lot of hitters.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong but Vargas had been drafted out of high school...Pelfrey college. College innings are much more competitive than high school innings obviously and most organizations believe that a college pitcher needs less minor league seasoning.

[MrHat]

By fooling hitters I mean swings and misses. Pelfrey, has been a HIGH swing and miss pitcher his entire career, but now has suddenly turned into a contact ground ball specialist when facing guys this spring and at the ML level last year....

Vargas was drafted out of college as a 21 year old.

And while Vargas doesnt have the same dominating fastball (tho he can bring it low-mid 90s), his secondary stuff, especially his slider (his best pitch) is further along.


I dunno, I guess we'll just disagree on this one, but I still see Vargas as someone being much more ready to face ML hitters for 180 innings than Pelfrey at this point.

The biggest issue with Humber is his innings. The guy has tossed about 100 over the last 2 years combined. He's no where near ready to take on a workload any bigger than maybe 120-130 this year without risking more injury to his arm .

[thetimidmango]

Originally Posted by Clubber Lang

I've got to agree with MetfanBren on this one...he was totally rushed. I think the Mets wanted to give him more minor league seasoning to figure his **** out before throwing him back in the fire. I disagree that he is being looked at as just a AAA starter or injury call-up. I think he will get a very fair shot at some point this season or next season to prove himself.

He pitched in spring for some two weeks and was demoted even though he had better stats than most of the other starters pitching.

Why would the Mets be willing to rush Pelfrey, who undoubtedly figures more in the Mets future plans than Vargas, and yet are hesitant to push Vargas, who has had some major league success, back out?