The only remotely interesting thing going on in Norfolk is that Ring-as-sidearmer experiment. Could work, I guess.

Those corner outfielders they've got surrounding Milledge are just . . . well, wow. That's just awful.

Todd Self is okay, as Mike Aldrete-lite.

Posted from the other thread:

Omar's really committed to pushing the young guys this year, isn't he? Bannister and Hernandez are in the majors, Milledge (21) is in AAA, Gomez (20) skipped the FSL and will now be with the B-Mets, Coronado (20) is starting in St. Lucie and Fernando is making his professional debut at age 17 in low A.

You know, although it was gutted last year, there are quite a few interesting stories down in the farm this season:

Obviously, the performances of the aforementioned players. All are very young, and while they haven't mastered any of the leagues in which they've played (with the exception of Milledge), they've all held their own or were given a $1.4MM signing bonus. The debut of Pelfrey. The recovery of Humber (due back in June). The development of guys like Niese, Parnell and German Marte. The bullpen guys at Norfolk: Bell, Ring, Perez, Willye, Fortunato, LaVigne, and Owens (who's closing for the BMets, I believe). How Soler, amd Maine do. The 19 year old keystone at Hagerstonw (2005 draftees Pellot and Castro), the catching prospects: Wilson who was old for the league but led the FSL in HRs will start at AA, Hathaway, who had a nice showing in the FSL, will start there again and Flores who's coming from an injury plagued season.

So yeah, this fits a bit better here.

Those corner outfielders they've got surrounding Milledge are just . . . well, wow. That's just awful.

Is Self really that bad? He doesn't have great power, but the guy has hit everywhere he's been. He's not the worst 1b/RF insurance at AAA in the world.

He's got decent surface numbers, but aren't the places he's played all (or almost all) really good hitters' parks? Ah, maybe he's OK. Would have been nice if he'd gotten better instead of worse at Round Rock between the ages of 25 and 26, though.

FREE HEATH BELL!!!

Would have been nice if he'd gotten better instead of worse at Round Rock between the ages of 25 and 26, though.

You're forgetting that there was a level change there, even though the park didn't change, the franchise went from AA to AAA.

The main thing that happened to Self last year is that his strikeout rate ticked up, probably because he was told that he needed to generate more power (his ISO and ISOIP went up, also). He looks liek a Mark Grace-lite kind of player.

-- MWE

Not only is Mr Paradoxical Name himself (Angel Pagan) not in the system any more, he's on a major league roster. Maybe Base is secretly the GM of the Cubs.

Starting Carlos Gomez in AA looks a pretty dumb. He's [allegedly] just 20, and stolen bases aside, was pretty much a league average hitter in LOW A last year.

I think the Mets are being overly aggressive with a lot of these prospects. Millege played very well in AA in 2005, but his performance wasn't so outstanding that he should be advanced on the basis of 200 ABs, especially considering that he was already young for the level. I would give him another 100-150 ABs at AA, let him work on his plate discipline and prove that his performance last season was legitimate.

Putting Carlos Gomez in AA is silly. He would likely have had a hard time in high-A anyway, and while, because of park and league effects, I don't see much of a difference between high A and AA for Mets hitting prospects, Gomez is young enough that there isn't a need to rush him. If he could treaded water in high-A this season, putting up the same numbers he did in low-A in 2005, that would have been progress. Instead, I see him hitting .220 for the first half of the season and being demoted to high-A in the second half.

On the other hand, Brett Harper should be in AAA. Carlos Delgado has alleviated the need for a 1b, but Harper is 24 and can mash. the only way the Mets are going to make a real prospect out of him is if they challenge him. Maybe he won't be much use for the Mets, but if he has 20 Hrs by the all-star break in AAA, he could have some trade value. I guess I should just be happy that they're not demoting him to start the year again.

I think the Mets are being overly aggressive with a lot of these prospects. Millege played very well in AA in 2005, but his performance wasn't so outstanding that he should be advanced on the basis of 200 ABs, especially considering that he was already young for the level. I would give him another 100-150 ABs at AA, let him work on his plate discipline and prove that his performance last season was legitimate.

He also had over 100 PA in the AZ Fall League (coming in 14th in OBP, SLG and OPS) with 10 BB in 94 AB with good power (.330/.402/.574). I think he's shown the he is ready for AAA.

Putting Carlos Gomez in AA is silly. He would likely have had a hard time in high-A anyway, and while, because of park and league effects, I don't see much of a difference between high A and AA for Mets hitting prospects, Gomez is young enough that there isn't a need to rush him. If he could treaded water in high-A this season, putting up the same numbers he did in low-A in 2005, that would have been progress. Instead, I see him hitting .220 for the first half of the season and being demoted to high-A in the second half.

Gomez came on strong in the second half last year. I'd expect him to tread water in AA this year and start out next year in AA again.

Gomez came on strong in the second half last year. I'd expect him to tread water in AA this year and start out next year in AA again.

Do you have his splits by any chance?

FWIW, I think Gomez could do better at AA than a single A. The FSL would have buried him.

If Bartolome has anything near the stuff he did pre surgery he is going to dominate the IL..again.

Gomez came on strong in the second half last year. I'd expect him to tread water in AA this year and start out next year in AA again.

Do you have his splits by any chance?

I can't find them, but I know he his AVG was close to .230 in the first half and he ended up with a .275 AVG.

can't find them, but I know he his AVG was close to .230 in the first half and he ended up with a .275 AVG.

It wasn't that bad. On May 31 he was hitting .250; by June 30 he was hitting .266.

-- MWE

It wasn't that bad. On May 31 he was hitting .250; by June 30 he was hitting .266.

-- MWE

Really, glad to hear that- on a Met site I got flamed by a bunch of fans when I dared suggest that Gomez hadn't quite conquered A ball yet- more than one poster swore he was Mendoza line in the first half and well over .300 in the second half.