My Favorite Pictures from Day 3 of Spring Training

Love Jose's smile.

Great teaching Moment

Gee also throws a knuckle curve?

Angel's hair-do.

Videos from Day 3 of Spring Training

I know I usually focus on the pitching videos, but the highlight today was a play by Castillo turning a double play. It's at the end, so make sure you watch the whole video.

This is another video watching the other side of the double play, which is more difficult to turn, especially for the newcomers of Emaus and Murphy.

 

Here is the much anticipated Pedro Beato, throwing from the 3rd base angle.

Again, J Mejia was electric today, and here is his video of his poor mechanics.

T Buchholz also impressed me today.

Lastly, this is for those of you who want to see video of J Luhan.

I do have Misch and Gee videos, but that will be saved for the scouting reports on each player on the 40-man roster, which will begin next week.

Day 3 Picture highlights

The morning started off very slowly, with only two fields running at the same time, and they were both working on run-downs/1st and 3rd situations, with the coaches acting as the base-runners. I ventured to the backfield off the beaten path to watch the pitchers covering home plate receiving a simulated throw from the catcher. It was interesting that the coach questioned R.A. Dickey at one point asking what they had been taught to do last year.

After that session, infield and outfield practice began, while the pitchers were warming up in the bullpens to throw live BP. I spent the time concentrating on the 2nd baseman, and was able to learn a lot more today than the previous days, as they spent a lot of time working on the double play pivots. Luis Castillo obviously still has great, quick hands, and can turn a double play as quick as anyone in the game in my opinion. I was pleasantly surprised with Emaus and his ability to turn two. Murphy was the slowest of the bunch, but wasn't a complete disaster.

After the defensive workout, then the real fun of the day began. First up was P Beato. The whole organization and beat writers came out to watch this young man who has a great pitcher's body and the ball explodes out of his hand. For those who aren't aware, he was a rule 5 pick from the Orioles; so the Mets need to keep him on the 40 man roster all year, or offer him back to the Orioles. Everyone in the organization is eager to see if he is polished enough to stay on the roster all year. Kevin B. of SNY obviously was very impressed with Beato, and said he has the best fastball on the Mets.

I was impressed with how free and easy his arm action is, and the ball does seem to explode out of his hand. BUT, the pitcher who followed him on the mound was J Mejia, and as I teased this morning, he was ELECTRIC. I was excited and loved that I saw from him. I'm not saying he's ready for the big leagues yet, as obviously he needs to show he has the endurance to be a starting pitcher, as well as the command of his secondary pitches. But, when he came off the mound, he had a smile like a little kid, and he was greeted by the batters he just faced (D Murph, Reyes, D Wright) and they all gave him a pat on the back. I was able to capture D Wright talking to Mejia in the dugout, and I would love to have heard that conversation. Mejia absolutely froze D Wright with an off-speed pitch earlier.

I'm still not thrilled with Mejia's arm action (too much hyperabduction), and a poor front side load, but there is no denying his ability. I just hope he can stay healthy and be durable enough to be an impact starting pitcher.

I also was able to watch Taylor Buchholz throw today, and came away impressed by him as well. He has a live arm, and a nice arm action. I know a lot of people are questioning the Mets bullpen, but after seeing the arms of these guys in camp, the bullpen isn't my primary concern. Not to say that they will be perfect, due to the fact that they most likely will be responsible to throw 25 innings or so each week (yes, I'm not anticipating receiving 6 innings a night from the starting pitchers).

Manny Acosta, D Gee, P Misch and J Lujan also threw. There were no surprises with Acosta, Gee or Misch. I had never seen Lujan throw, nor knew much about him. He's a non-roster invite who was a picked up by the Mets after the 2009 season from the White Sox. He was originally drafted by the Rangers in the 14th round in 2004. He had > 10K/9 split between AA and AAA last year.

Any comments from the loyal readers with what I would say re: his mechanics based on those two pictures?

I will be posting the videos later tonight, and also my favorite pictures today, including a great shot of J Reyes, Pagan and T Collins.

Why there are not more updates yet.

Lots of video and discussion of today's action will be posted tonight including some double play turns by the 2nd baseman, and video of Mejia and Beato. Very exciting I promise!

Jeff Wilpon

Wilpon watching an outstanding bullpen session by J Mejia. ELECTRIC STUFF BY MEJIA

Pitchers working on covering the plate

Picture perfect day

Palm trees

Working on run-downs

Another beautiful day here though

Videos from Day 2

Here are a couple pitching videos from today for those of you who haven't seen M Alvarez, O'Connor, Tankersley, Stinson, Byrdak, or Beato.

Byrdak

Tankersley

 

O'Connor

 

Stinson

  

Alvarez

Beato in the front, K-Rod in the back

2nd Day Recap Continued

D.J. Carrasco threw the ball well, and surprised D Wright when he threw side-arm. I liked his arm action and his pace. Although I disliked the 2-year deal he was given this off-season, he does seem versatile at least from what I saw today.

R Igarashi threw and had very little following compared to last year and the media circus he had. He didn't seem to be throwing very hard, but at the same time, it's early in camp and don't read too much into it.

I also saw B Boyer throw, and I don't see him having much of a chance making the big club (he's a non-roster invitee right now).

The rest of the pictures were just some fun shots that I captured today. Enjoy!

Manager and GM discussing potential Bullpen Options

Right before this picture Pagan was shadow boxing Reyes.

The Key to the Mets offense...

K-Rod has been very quiet and no one has heckled him as far as I've heard.

D Wright making a routine play without throwing across the diamond.

Picture Recap of Day 2 of Spring Training

The highlight of my day today was as previously posted, Ike Davis' mammoth home run off D.J. Carrasco. My initial guess was that it would've easily cleared the Shea Bridge. Yes, that mammoth of a shot.

I also got a chance to see a couple of young pitchers on the 40-man roster/the lefties trying to make the team.
 Taylor Tankersley, Michael O'Connor, Tim Byrdak. Tankersley was the most impressive from my vantage point, as he had some deception/hitch in his delivery (which you will see in the videos later tonight). I was very disappointed and talked to Tankersley asking why he shaved his mustache, but he didn't have much of an answer...

Here are the trio of lefties fighting to fill Feliciano's big shoes.

Tankersley shaved his infamous mustache!

All arm and no front side Byrdak. Ugly.

High effort Tankersley

Michael O'Connor. Not that impressive

So in the running for the LOOGY, my first impression is that it's between Ollie P. and Tankersley. Obviously there is a lot of baseball to be played and my 'impression' means nothing, but I know you are looking for some data.

Fernando Martinez had a great round of BP when I was watching him, driving the ball to all fields. I'm getting tired of typing "if healthy", but this guy really is very talented.

Once again, the defensive drills at 2nd base were at below game speed and I can't make any definitive statements re: who is in the lead/if Emaus or Murphy are capable of manning 2nd base. Here are a couple pictures of the 3-headed race.

I got my first look at Pedro Beato, Manual Alvarez, and Josh Stinson. Beato I just saw from a far working on mechanics, but his arm action was free and easy, although he hooks his wrist out of the glove which I didn't love. M Alvarez (on 40 man roster and has great minor league stats) looked good to me, although I don't know if he has enough velocity to make a big impact in the majors (reports say he sits at 91-92). J Stinson is a potential reliever with a fastball and slider.

Beato in the front. Nice pitcher's body

Great external rotation by Alvarez

Stinson

I will post some more pictures tonight with some close-up player shots and other observations, as well as video.

It's 86 degrees and Sunny...

Soooo, I'm headed to the beach. Updates with pictures and video will be posted later. Enjoy the day!

W Harris and R Adams

everyone else is stretching or in the clubhouse. But Willy Harris and Russ Adams are now taking fly balls in the outfield. Utility guys willing to do whatever it takes to make the club.

Spring training day 2 quick hits

Just about to leave the park, another great day. Overcast but still 85 degrees. Plenty of pitching videos today (and check out the videos from yesterday. They were supposed to post last night at 10PM and didn't for some reason). One highlight today was Ike Davis taking D.J. Carrasco DEEP; 400+ feet to right center. What a shot. It created some ooh's and ahh's from the crowd (which was bigger than yesterday). More to come after lunch.

Ollie P. Running Between Stations

This was taking from my cell phone (sorry for it being sideways and that it's Ollie P.)

Pitching Videos of Day 1

Pelfrey and Dickey throwing side by side in the bullpen before throwing BP. Just slightly different approaches!

Chris Young from the 3rd base side.

Jon Niese from the 3rd base side.

Spring Training Day 1 Videos

Meet and greet with Fred Wilpon. I said "I look forward to seeing you vindicated." As I've said earlier, Fred was very nice, talking, signing autographs and taking pictures with a lot of fans.

This was my favorite interaction of the day. If anyone else that needs help getting off of work for opening day, be sure to show this to your boss! Terry Collins, you are awesome and this made my day. And I can't wait for my boss to see this...

Look for a couple pitching videos (Chris Young, Jon Niese) later tonight.