As the calendar turns to July we shift our attention from the pitchers that we covered last weekend to the hitters this weekend. Remember when so many critics said the Mets have no prospects in the minor leagues? Well they may not have the best but they definitely have some solid pieces on the way.
Buffalo Bisons (41-42, 6 GB)
-The Bisons are still within striking distance entering July, but they do have every team but Rochester to jump to get back up to the top. The team could more help come in both directions as the Major League Mets get healthy players get sent down, as well as players in Binghamton who have progressed and are ready to be bumped up.
-As for the hitters they’ve scored 27 runs over the past four games while going 3-1 over that stretch. On Wednesday, Val Pascucci went 3-for-3 with a walk and five RBI in a 9-4 win over Louisville. On Friday it was Brad Emaus’ turn (yes, that Brad Emaus) as he went 3-for-4 with three RBI in a 5-0 win, and even though today is about hitting Matt Harvey went 0-for-3, but did throw seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits.
-The B-Mets have dropped five straight games including Zack Wheelers less than stellar start yesterday. The team dropped an 8-2 game to the Altoona Curve on Saturday to extend the losing streak to five as the Mets were only able to muster six hits off of Double-A Pirates’ pitchers.
-In the loss yesterday, Reese Havens was healthy enough to last through three trips to first base with three hits and an RBI, as the Mets organization and fans get more frustrated with Havens maybe the promotion of Wilmer Flores has lit a fire under Havens to perform. Speaking of Flores, he is 14-for-38 in his first go-around with the team. Jefry Marte is tied for Havens with the team lead in home runs at eight, as part of the infield filled with solid prospects.
-Read about St. Lucie, Savannah, Brooklyn (and Brandon Nimmo), and Kingsport (and Gavin Cecchini)-
St. Lucie Mets (4-6, Clinched Playoff Berth)
-The First Half Champions are in cruise control after the All Star break despite getting four wins through their first 10 games since the break. Yesterday the team lost 14-2 to the Jupiter Hammerheads, just two days after losing 11-4 and than 12-1 on Wednesday.
-With both Wilfredo Tovar and Wilmer Flores bumped up to Double-A the St. Lucie Mets’ top hitter is now Darrell Ceciliani who is hitting .283 with one home run and eight RBI after battling through two stints of injury this season. Meanwhile the big bopper is Cory Vaughn who has his 14 home runs and 34 RBI which both currently lead the team. Catcher Blake Forsythe and infielder Robbie Shields are also having solid seasons.
Savannah Sand Gnats (3-7, 5 GB)
-The Gnats are in last place of the South Division of the South Atlantic League heading into Sunday action, but now to worry there is still plenty of time for the team to stage a comeback and win the division to head to the playoffs. On the bright side the team has won two in a row beating Augusta 6-2 and 3-0 the past two days.
-As for the hitters, Long Island native and catcher Camden Maron is leading the team in hitting with a .298 average while hitting two home runs on the year with 25 RBI, he’s been hot of late hitting .325 over his last 10 games. Aderlin Rodriguez leads the way in terms of power with 12 home runs and 48 RBI and has also hit .325 over his last 10 games.
Brooklyn Cyclones (9-4, 1st Place Tie)
-The Brooklyn Cyclones are now well into their season at two weeks in, and are now in a first place tie with the Hudson Valley Renegades, both teams are five games ahead of Staten Island and Aberdeen entering action on Sunday.
-Last night was a big day for the Mets and Mets fans as 2011 First Round Draft Pick Brandon Nimmo hit his first professional home run to right field at MCU Park against Aberdeen, not bad from your eight hitter who had been struggling as a hitter with a still solid on base percentage with his 13 walks already. Cole Frenzel is going his best David Wright impression hitting over .400 with a .421 average through 38 at bats this season.
Kingsport Mets (3-9, 5 GB)
-They may be in last place and five games back but the Kingport Mets won three games this week after losing their first six games of the season. The Mets have a big three game series with first place Greeneville starting today before a series against the team tied for first place Elizabethtown after that.
-Dominican native Eris Peguero is leading the way with a .408 average, as the 22 outfielder begins his second professional season with the Mets organization. He also leads the team with eight RBI, two ahead of a log-jammed second place with six RBI. The three players with six runs batted in are outfielders Maikis De La Cruz and Michael Bernal, as well as 2012 First Round Draft Pick Gavin Cecchini who is hitting .256 thus far.
