Josh Edgin is already with the Mets, Darin Gorski was just added to the 40-Man Roster, Greg Peavey is well on his way, and Zack Wheeler was also added to the 40-Man Roster.
The Mets announced last night that they added six players to their 40-man roster in order to protect them from the upcoming Rule-5 Draft in December. The Rule-5 Draft is used to keep teams from stockpiling too many minor leaguers in their system that could and potentially should be moved up to the Major Leagues.
The Mets protected six players, who primarily spent time with either Double-A Binghamton or High-A St. Lucie. We all know the biggest name on the list and it’s Zack Wheeler, the Mets’ top prospect will start the season with Triple-A Las Vegas next year (which he should) before bringing him up to the Majors before he’s ready. Other players added were Hansel Robles, Gonzalez Germen, Greg Burke, Darin Gorski and Wilfredo Tovar.
If you remember earlier this season when the Mets were going through shortstops like water with Ruben Tejada, Justin Turner and Omar Quintanilla out hurt, Tovar was rumored to be called up from St. Lucie, which in reality is never heard of.
Zack Wheeler (AAA-Buffalo/AA-Binghamton) – 12-8, 3.26 ERA, 149 IP, 59 BB, 148 K
- We all know Wheeler, so I won’t bore you anymore with anything aside from his impressive stats.
Hansel Robles (A-Brooklyn) – 6-1, 1.11 ERA, 72 2/3 IP, 10 BB, 66 K
- Robles made 12 starts for Brooklyn, but has been with the Mets since August 2008. He needs to take a step forward and at least have a good showing in what will likely be St. Lucie in 2013.
Gonzalez Germen – (AA-Binghamton/A-St. Lucie) – 12-12, 4.34 ERA, 153 1/3 IP, 43 BB, 121 K
- Like Robles, Germen has been a little slow in terms of his development but if you look at his control it’s definitely worth the wait. In 2013 he should start in Binghamton and move up to Las Vegas in July/August.
Greg Burke – (AAA-Norfolk/AA-Bowie) – 3-1, 1.53 ERA, 64 2/3 IP, 15 BB, 50 K
- Burke comes over to the Mets from the Oriole organization in 2013, he’ll be in Las Vegas as a veteran arm (he’s already 30 years old) but he’s got a big frame at 6’4″ 230 lbs. and a low ERA at 1.53.
Darin Gorski – (AA-Binghamton) – 9-8, 4.00 ERA, 139 2/3 IP, 50 BB, 118 K
- I’ve only been saying for the past two years that Gorski has been one of “My Guys.” I’m a big Gorski fan and feel he will likely start in Binghamton, and potentially get moved into the bullpen with Las Vegas and could be a left-handed September call up for the Mets in 2013.
Wilfredo Tovar – (AA-Binghamton/A-St. Lucie) – .270 AVG, 1 HR, 50 RBI, 28 2B, 40 BB, 14 SB
- Tovar is an OK hitter with a little bit of speed, he brings a solid glove and will be used as a depth player in terms of defense. He’ll play at Binghamton in 2013.
The Mets are no strangers to using the Rule-5 draft in order to pick players from other organizations. In 2010 the Mets selected both Brad Emaus (from Toronto) and Pedro Beato (from Baltimore). In 2008 they picked up Darren O’Day (from Anaheim).
Other recent moves saw future All-Stars Joakim Soria get picked by the Royals from San Diego, and one pick later the Chicago Cubs picked Josh Hamilton from the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays before being traded to Cincinnati. Other notable picks include Dan Uggla (Florida from Arizona), and Shane Victorino (Philadelphia from Los Angeles).
-For Other Minor League News Check out the Rest After the Jump-
Other Mets Minor League Notes
The Mets have signed…
Brian Bixler (OF) – .269 AVG, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 12 2B, 27 BB, 59 K
- A veteran guy to provide some depth at Triple-A in case someone at the big league level goes down.
Jamie Hoffmann (OF) – .254 AVG, 11 HR, 44 RBI, 19 2B, 54 BB, 74 K
- He’s pretty much replacing Fred Lewis as the Triple-A team’s veteran outfielder along with Bixler.
Scott Rice (LHP) – 54 G, 2-3, 4.30 ERA, 59 1/3 IP, 22 BB, 47 K
- A lefty-reliever, once again added for depth. He’ll come out of the bullpen at Triple-A with Danny Herrera.
Carlos Torres (RHP) – 14 G, 13 GS, 5-4, 3.98 ERA, 61 IP, 25 BB, 59 K
- Split time with Triple-A Colorado Springs and with the Rockies, is the most likely of these four to make the team out of the bullpen.
Other Notes
The Buffalo Bisons have shed their Mets colors and have gone to a traditional looking logo to begin their new era as the top affiliate with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Yankees have also had a name-change and a new logo to their Triple-A team as they will no longer be known as the Yankees. They will now be known as the RailRiders. It’s a move made because the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre organization were paying the Yankees money to use the ‘Yankee’ name.
