Results tagged ‘ Frank Francisco ’
Projecting the Opening Day roster, 2/19
Some reorganization this week given Terry Collins’ recent proclamation that Marlon Byrd is the favorite in right field, and Frank Francisco’s injury. As for the rest of the bullpen, it’s still anyone’s guess at this point. Grapefruit League performances will be telling.
I’ve also reordered the starting rotation to what it should look like the first week of the season.
C : John Buck
1B: Ike Davis
2B: Daniel Murphy
SS: Ruben Tejada
3B: David Wright
OF: Lucas Duda
OF: Kirk Nieuwenhuis
OF: Marlon Byrd
Bench: Collin Cowgill
Bench: Mike Baxter
Bench: Justin Turner
Bench: Brandon Hicks
Bench: Anthony Recker
SP: Johan Santana
SP: Shaun Marcum
SP: Jon Niese
SP: Matt Harvey
SP: Dillon Gee
RP: Bobby Parnell (CL)
RP: Brandon Lyon
RP: Scott Atchison
RP: LaTroy Hawkins
RP: Pedro Feliciano
RP: Josh Edgin
RP: Greg Burke
DL: Frank Francisco
In the running: C Landon Powell, 1B Josh Satin, INF Zach Lutz, INF Brian Bixler, INF/OF Jordany Valdespin, OF Andrew Brown, OF Matt den Dekker, RHP Jenrry Mejia, RHP Jeurys Familia, RHP Jeremy Hefner, RHP Collin McHugh, RHP Elvin Ramirez, RHP Carlos Torres, LHP Aaron Laffey, LHP Robert Carson, LHP Darin Gorski.
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Meet Bobby Parnell, new Mets closer
The Mets installed Bobby Parnell as their closer last night, assuming Frank Francisco begins the season on the disabled list. Despite his fantastic season in 2012, Parnell struggled in a few of his save opportunities when Francisco was injured, leading to the perception that he’s not closer material.
The numbers, however, say that he is. Parnell can still throw over 100 miles per hour when he wants to. He has found a trusted secondary pitch in the knuckle-curve that Jason Isringhausen taught him two years ago. He wants badly to be a closer.
But perhaps most importantly, Parnell took an enormous step forward with his control in 2012, walking 2.6 batters per nine innings. He issued 4.1 free passes per nine in 2011, in line with his career rate of 4.0. As long as Parnell can hold steady with his control as a closer in 2013, there is no rational reason to believe he will struggle.
As for Francisco, who knows? If Parnell seizes this opportunity and Francisco remains sidelined for any significant period of time, the closer’s job may be in new hands for good. Certainly, the Mets are excited to see what Parnell can do in the role.
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Report from Port St. Lucie, 2/28
Another day, more home runs for Lucas Duda, who continued bombing balls over the right-field fence on Field 7 despite being hit by a Matt Harvey pitch.
Today at Mets.com we took a look at the pitching trio of Frank Francisco, Jon Rauch and Ramon Ramirez, who should help stabilize a bullpen that ranked 28th in baseball in ERA last season. We also talked to some of the popular Mets on Twitter. Rauch, not coincidentally, joined Twitter this afternoon. You can follow him @jrauch60.
Follow me on Twitter: @AnthonyDiComo.
Anthony DiComo
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