The Keepers: – #8 – SP Jeurys Familia

8. SP Jeurys Familia

“Family” signed with the Mets during the October 2007 International signing period. 2008 was spent with with the GCL Mets, where he went 2-2, 2.79, 1.14 in 11 starts. He quickly became the dean of the staff.

 
In 2009, Familia pitched for the Savannah Sand Gnats: 10-6, 2.69, 1.16, 109-K, 134.0-IP.

His two year professional stats are: 12-8, 2.72, 1.16

 

 
1-1-10 Forecast: – Nothing but blue sky for the 19-year old, but his job is just beginning. We’ve seen many a pitcher do well in rookie and A ball, only to fade away by the time they compete AA. Familia definitely loos like the real deal, but it is too early to tell. He’ll rotate with his Sand Gnat buddies for a new coach in Flordia and we wish him well.

 

 
5-22-10: – SP Jeurys Familia: Famila started off the season with a horrendous outing in which he gave up 7-ER in 3.2-IP (17.18). Four outings later, he’s worked his ERA down to 7.06, but he definitely has settled down his last two outings, giving up only 3-ER in 9.0-IP. You won’t see him pitching for anyone other than St. Lucie this season. One good sign is his K/IP ratio has remained high (23-Ks in 21.2-IP). He’s only 20-years old so there’s plenty of time. (update… five more decent innings tonight, giving up only one run…)

 

 
6-22-10: – Familia has had a tough time this season and some have speculated that he might be returning to Savannah to get his game together; however, he put together a good outing Monday night, with stats of: 6.2-IP, 1-ER, 7-K, 3-BB. His yearly ERA is now 6.16 and this was especially a heart breaker, since it was a 7-inng game. Jeurys was one out away from a complete game victory, but was relieved and the game was lost eventually to Bradenton. Bad game, but good outing.

 

 

6-28-10: – Giving up three earned runs in 6.1-IP may not be considered the best of outings, but it’s a good one for Familia, who’s been struggling all year long. He struck out five, but walked four. Regardless of the tough year, he still is considered a top pitching prospect

 

7-28-10 from: – we don’t have to talk about what a frustrating year it’s been for Familia, but he did manage to put together a decent outing last night against Brevard County. Familia went: 6.0-IP, 6-H, 2-ER, 7-K, 2-BB and lowered his season ERA to 6.13. Let’s remember he is only 20-years old and did come off two great years in 2009 (Savannah: 2.69) and 2008 (GCL: 2.79). We’ll give him a push this season and it sure looks like he will repeat Lucy in 2011.

The Keepers: – #7 – SS – Ruben Tejada

 

 

 

 

Photo by Michael G. Baron

 

7. SS Ruben Tejada

Tejada started the 2007 season with the VSL Mets where he had a wonderful season (.364/.466/.479 in 121 at bats, 16 SB). He was promoted and came stateside to finish the season starting for the GCL Mets (.283/.401/.367 in 120 at bats, 16 SB).

2007 Tejada was named the recipient of the 2007 Sterling Award as the MVP of the VSL Mets.

1-1-10: Forecast: – 2010 will be the come to Jesus year for Tejada. So far, his combined three year, three level, pro career has produced .262/.331/.341/.672 in 1105 at bats. And, he’ll play 2010 as a 20 year old. Trust me, if he hits .280 in AAA, there will be a lot of meetings in Queens over whether or not they renew the Reyes option year.

I wrote on 2-10-10: – Ruben Tejada – one of the future “Class of 2011”… Tejada is being converted to a second baseman (who isn’t in this organization?), so we’ll keep an eye on any increase in errors. He’s still very young and the only reason that his next step is Queens is because he’s done with all the levels by the end of this season. Will he become the 2011 Mets second baseman. Did Brian Bannister become the Mets SP5? We’ll see…

5-22-10: – SS Ruben Tejada: The 19-year old Tejada impressed everyone during ST and almost made the 25-man, but common sense took over and he was returned to the minors for seasoning. He has hit at every level which includes this season at AAA (.299), and, with the recent developments involving the health of Luis Castillo, might be back in Queens before I finish writing this. Tejada experimented with second base (who doesn’t on this team?) but he’s now back playing short, sparking rumors involving just who is going to play that position in Queens next season

1-27-11: – New manager Terry Collins is on record saying that Tejada will play AAA/Buffalo in 2011 unless there is an injury or trade involving Jose Reyes. He has also returned to his natural position, shortstop. Good. That’s where he belongs. It will be interesting to see where the Mets play all the prospect-type shortstops behind him, especially Jordany Valdespin. JV was protected on the 40-man during the off-season and is also ready to play at the AAA level.

2-24-11 – Up: – SS/2B Ruben Tejada – you always have to appreciate a ballplayer that takes the off-season serious, and Ruben has. No one has ever questioned his defensive skills, but his first shot at playing in Queens caused comparisons to Anderson Hernandez. So, Tejada went home and concentrated on bulking up and perfecting his swing. Word is he will never win the home run crown; however, everyone is impressed with his new dedication to improve his offensive statistics.

3-3-11: – Up – SS/2B Ruben Tejada – no one expects Tejada to make the 25-man, but you have to agree that he has impressed so far this spring… with the bat. Through March 3rd, he’s hitting .556. I still think this is the 2012 Mets shortstop, so let the kid keep working on his hitting in Buffalo

The Keepers – #34 – RP – Scott Moviel

 

34. RP Scott Moviel

 
Moviel was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 draft by the Mets. He finished his last season this year in high school, going 3-2 1.47 and striking out 69 batters in 38 IP. Moviel’s fast ball tops off at 94 and is quite intimidating on the mound, standing 6-10 and weighing 245 pounds.

 
Moviel spent much of 2008 dinged up, but still managed to post a combined record of 10-8, 4.25 in 25 starts for Savannah and St. Lucie.

 
2009 wasn’t much better, injury wise, but he did pitch a combined 4-5, 3.56, in 5 starts, for the GCL Mets (rehab) and St. Lucie.

 
1-1-10: – Forecast: Moviel is one of those forgotten prospects that falls down the chain because of a little thing called surgery. A knee injury cost him almost three months of the season this year, but he has bounced back well. Frankly, his 3-year minor league totals are still impressive: 14-15, 3.89, 1.34. I have him projected as the SP5 in Binghamton, simply because with the graduating class from Savannah all going to St. Lucie, there’s no room for him to repeat there. If he’s healthy, he should be ready for the jump.

 
5-5-10: – Stock Down: Moviel was a big-time second rounder who has played scuffed up for the past two seasons. Everyone was looking forward for a strong start this year from Scott, but it simply hasn’t happened: 3-starts, 10.29, 16-H, 9-BB, in 14.0-IP… only 9-K. He would be in jeopardy of losing his gig if it wasn’t for the fact that most of the so-called Mets SP prospects have been off to a slow start this season.

 
6-30-10: – Moviel has been removed from the St. Lucie rotation and threw three relief innings last night following Brad Holt. Frankly, his stat line wasn’t much different from when he was starting: 3.0-IP, 2-ER, 4-H, 3-BB, only 1-K. His 2010 ERA now stands at 6.32.

 
8-20-10: – I don’t know if you noticed, but once-prospect Scott Moviel got back on the horse Thursday night and threw four scoreless, one-hit innings for St. Lucie. The Mets haven’t been too lucky with second round picks in the 2000s. Remember Matt Durkin? Anyway, Moviel rose as high as #7 on some of the prospect lists and simply has never come bakl properly from knee surgery. The Mets are far from giving up on the 6-11 righty, if for no other reason than, how many times do you get your hands on a seven foot pitcher? Numbers so far for the season at Lucy: Only 22-years old… 23-G, 2-6, 5.78, 1.70, 80-K, 95.0-IP, 52-BB.