Photo by Ed Delany
With a month’s worth of plays and statistics to scour through for nine teams just to identify the players of the month, this story is running a little late in the day. With the short season and rookie league performances, it is quickly becoming evident who should be pushed further along the development curve. All the players can do is perform at the level they are at, we can’t fault them for their assignment.
Without further ado here is the MMN Short-Term Apprentices of the Month…
Offensive Player of the Month
Amed Rosario (Binghamton Mets) He was finally promoted, (something we here at MMN had been calling for since April) and he hasn’t disappointed. Since being promoted, Rosario is hitting .455/.500/.636 with eight RBI in nine games. More applicable to the player of the month honor though, Rosario has a 13 game hitting streak and reached base in all but one game during the month of June. He had 18 total RBI during the month to go with 12 runs and 11 extra base hits (eight doubles, three triples).
Honorable Mention: Andres Gimenez: (DSL Mets2) In his professional debut, Gimenez is quickly proving he should be stateside. He failed to reach base in only one June game and did so with triple slash of .375/.475/.563 to go with his 11 extra base hits (eight 2B, two 3B, and a HR) in his first 99 PA.
Photo Credit: Allen Greene Photography
Starting Pitcher of the Month
Thomas Szapucki (Kingsport Mets) So dominant has been the left-hander that the 2015 5th round draft pick is our honoree in only two starts for short season Kingsport. He has faced 42 batters and struck out 19 of them. His 16.0 k/9 is on par with Andrew Miller and better than any other player in the Mets organization (including Thor). He has also not allowed an earned run, and only permitted four base hits while reportedly hitting the mid-90’s with his fastball.
Honorable Mention: Ricky Knapp (St. Lucie Mets) Had Szapucki not been so dominant, Knapp would have been an easy selection for the Pitcher of the Month. In four starts he struck out 20 in 27 innings, permitting only 21 base hits along with eight free passes (1.07 WHIP) He had a 1.66 ERA for the month that also included a complete game.
Relief Pitcher of the Month
Bryce Beeler (Brooklyn Cyclones) Beeler picked up his first save of his young career. He also did not allow a hit in seven innings on the month, permitting on one walk (0.143 WHIP) to go with his seven strikeouts
Honorable Mention: Tyler Bashlor (Columbia Fireflies) For the third straight month Bashlor is the honorable mention. In 12.1 innings he allowed three earned runs (all in one outing) earned two wins and striking out 14.
Defensive Player of the Month
Luis Guillorme (St. Lucie Mets) has returned to his natural SS position mid month and was a part of 23 double plays in June. He and new middle infield mate Vinny Siena look to be solid the rest of the way.
Honorable Mention: Milton Ramos (Columbia Fireflies) Yet another honorable mention for Ramos, who is in the discussion weekly. His six errors kept him from taking home the prize this month,. Though that should not detract from the quality defender he is day in day out.
