*All results from games played on Wednesday, May 31st, 2012

Send all of your questions about the Mets farm system to AAProspectMailbag@gmail.com to see them answered here!

AAA - Buffalo Bisons (31-23)_______________________________________

COLUMBUS 3, BUFFALO 0 (Box)

Shutout aside, yesterday was a successful day out in bucolic Buffalo, NY where three regulars did the rehab thing and looked good doing it. Thole, Chris Young and Pedro Beato all showed signs that they'll be in Queens before too much longer. As far as the game action...well let's just focus on the positive today and move on.

• REHAB ALERT: C Josh Thole: 1-4; Back with the big club tomorrow
  
• 1B Josh Satin: 1-3, BB, 2 K
  
• 2B Brad Emaus: 0-4, 2 K
  
• OF Matt Tuiasosopo: 0-3, BB, K
• REHAB ALERT: RHP Chris Young: 6 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K; 50 of 87 for strikes (57%)
  
• REHAB ALERT: RHP Pedro Beato: 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 IBB, 1 K; Both inherited runners scored
  
• RHP Jeff Stevens: 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K; Elvin Ramirez is on his way but Stevens is another guy who can throw in the mid-90's and has actually got some major league reps with the Cubs, and after posting a 1.54 ERA over his last ten he may be an under the radar option for the big club at some point in 2012
  

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*All results from games played on Thursday May 24th, 2012

Send all of your questions about the Mets farm system to AAProspectMailbag@gmail.com to see them answered here!

AAA - Buffalo Bisons (27-20)_______________________________________

BUFFALO 6, SCRANTON/WB 2 (Box)

Matt Harvey looked very good early in this one. In fact, he didn't allow his first baserunner until the fourth and his first hit until the fifth. Unfortunately three straight hits -- including a two-run double -- chased Harvey with one out in the sixth, putting a damper on an otherwise impressive day. This goes back to the point Sandy brought up on the broadcast last night about consistency. Either way, Elvin Ramirez did his thing, quieting the Yankee rally and ensuring a Bisons victory. It really shouldn't be much longer before we see him in Queens, ideally swapping roster spots with the completely overmatched Manny Acosta. (As an aside I'm thinking Acosta may be out of options, meaning he'd be exposed to waivers but at this point I don't really care enough about him to check.)

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In case you hadn't heard, Wilmer Flores is on a tear.

The former top overall prospect in the Mets system is currently batting .330 in May with an OPS well over .900 (.310/.347/.497 overall). And the key has been the development of his power game. He's currently sitting at seven home runs through just 42 games for St. Lucie. For reference his career high is 11 in 133 games back in 2010.

Interestingly enough, Flores is rapidly approaching his 1000th career at bat with the Hi-A St. Lucie Mets, a mark that few top prospects hit at any one level.Now don't get me wrong, this is certainly not a damning bit of information; players develop at all different rates (hell, look at Bryan LaHair who logged over 2500 ab's at Triple-A) and Flores himself is still just 20 years old.

Just for kicks, let's take a look at the longest -- contiguous -- stays with a minor league affiliate for a few other current Mets:

Probably meaningless considering the new -- and much more conservative -- regime that's now in place. But it's at least worth thinking about as we evaluate this sudden power surge. It does stand to reason that after a third look at a given pitching environment a player should improve his performance -- assuming he's any good. Though the problem is that improvement does NOT always represent actual, intrinsic growth. Therein lies the rub.

The verdict in this case? Hard to say. It could just as easily be a prospect actually taking a few years to develop -- believe it or not that does happen -- as it could be a so-so hitter eventually learning to hit so-so pitching. There's really no way of knowing, at least not until he finds his way up to Double-A

Either way, I thought it might be interesting to take a look at Flores' increase in power over those thousand or so at bats graphically. So here we have the rare and elusive minor league Mets infographic (click to embiggen):

Pretty simple -- yet critically important -- question for you today: Who has the best hair on the Mets?

Despite some very intriguing options, this is clearly a showdown between two guys, Mike Nickeas and Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Cast your vote below.

Further photo evidence beyond the break.

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With a couple of interesting questions trickling through I'd say it's most certainly about time for our first Prospect Mailbag of 2012.

Our first question came in the Comments section of Friday's 'Mets Daily Farm System Report'. Michkin asked:

Rob, what do you think about this (quote from Bisons Pitching Coach Mark Brewer), especially the part about the thought process and lack of change up:

"Matt (Harvey) did a good job last night without his best stuff, and without the use of his changeup that he’s going to have to throw a little more often. But he got through those six innings and put up six zeroes, and it was good to see for us and for him. But there’s some things that he needs to work on. And we’ve talked about it, and he’s capable of taking it to the next level, for sure. But he’s got to become more efficient and throw less pitches in six innings.

"His thought process at this point is, ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,’ from the standpoint of putting zeroes up. You know, this is part of development, even at the Triple-A level. And if you don’t take your changeup with your other two pitches to the big leagues, then it won’t take long for those guys that are making that big league money to catch on." Link

This was my response:

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*All results from games played on Thursday May 10th, 2012

Send all of your questions about the Mets farm system to AAProspectMailbag@gmail.com to see them answered here!

AAA - Buffalo Bisons (20-14)_______________________________________

BUFFALO 3, GWINNETT 5 (10) (Box)

Frustrating one. Tied at 1-1, middle of the eighth. With two outs Wally pulls Hefner who had just thrown seven more very strong innings and replaces him with the scuffling Josh Edgin. Edgin allows a fly ball to right but with the Buffalo roster depleted Valentino Pascucci was out there. Needless to say the ball was dropped (Braves announcer: "Another belly flop for Pascucci!"), two runners score. The Herd fought back with two runs in the top of the ninth to tie this one up, thanks to clutch hits by Buffalo's elder statesmen Omar Quintanilla and Bobby Scales. However, though he was able to come in and clean up Edgin's mess, in the tenth Fernando Cabrera allowed only his second and third runs of the season for the Gwinnett walkoff win.

• 3B Zach Lutz: 1-3, 2 BB, K (.321/.418/.500)
  
• 1B Josh Satin: 0-4, BB, K (.255/.294/.373)
• LF Fred Lewis: 2-5, R (.316/.350/.342)
• RHP Jeremy Hefner: 7.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HR (3-1, 1.77, 40.2 IP, 31 H, 6 BB, 23 K, 3 HR); He's now posted a 1.23 ERA over his last four starts, going at least 7 innings in each one...and Miguel Batista is starting why? Seriously, Hefner's on the 40-man and Batista looks like a corpse out there, this shouldn't even be a discussion
  
• LHP Josh Edgin: 0.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, K (1-0, 8.22, 7.2 IP, 13 H, 6 BB, 10 K, 0 HR) K-rate still looks good (11.05) but he's been drastically more hittable since joining Bisons, especially against lefties who are batting .429 against him
  

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According to Metsmerized Online, 2009 top draft pick Steven Matz has hit yet another speed bump on the seemingly endless road to his pro debut. After throwing a bit this spring, the 20-year-old lefty from Hicksville East Setauket felt some discomfort in his elbow, the same elbow which necessitated Tommy John surgery last year. Needless to say this precipitated another visit to Dr. Andrews, and the results weren't ideal.

From Matz himself:

"I threw a bunch of innings in Spring Training and my velocity was back to normal, anywhere from 90-95 mph. The elbow still wasn’t really feeling right, but I was trying to get through it. I went and saw Dr. Andrews again and he was concerned a little bit. But it’s very tough to read an MRI after you have a surgery. So I am going to give it one more try and see what happens."

So yeah, that sucks. Nice to hear that his stuff looked good when he threw (95 velo sounds great), but pretty much anything the team gets out of Matz would be a bonus at this point. Before this news the club was pretty anxious to assign Matz to an affiliate -- likely Rookie-level Kingsport -- so hopefully we'll see him out there at some point this summer.

The Mets have a crappy bullpen. Exhibit A (as of 5/6):

Obviously on it's face that's already not a good thing. But what makes it worse is that what little resources Sandy Alderson had this offseason, he allocated to the relief corps. Because in 2011, the Mets had -- you guessed it -- a crappy bullpen. They posted a 4.33 ERA, they were fifth in blown saves, 11th in runs allowed/game and 11th in inherited scoring %. All in all, a bad collection of pitching talent.

And obviously things are going no better this year. Now perhaps that's because the key acquisitions were a troika of 30-somethings, one a goliath who -- despite quite a fearsome demeanor -- has a mediocre 3.86 ERA since 2008. The other a so-called closer with a similarly mediocre career 3.80 ERA. And the third -- Ramon Ramirez -- should get better but let's not forget that this is the same guy Boston dumped just two years ago after he posted a 4.46 ERA. But let's not dwell on the crapiness of the current situation. Let's figure out how to make things better.

As we've already gone over, all available funds have likely been spent. Maybe Sandy goes shopping in the deep discount aisle looking for a flier come the trade deadline, but chances are he won't. Or at least won't find anything good. That leaves internal options. And fortunately they've actually got a few of those.

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*All results from games played on Thursday, May 3rd

Send all of your questions about the Mets farm system to AAProspectMailbag@gmail.com to see them answered here!

Let's skip to the big news of the morning, that being Binghamton starter and Mets top prospect RHP Zack Wheeler being placed on the 7-day minor league DL with what the team is calling a 'right middle finger avulsion'. No word yet on how the avulsion was suffered, the severity of said avulsion or what an avulsion is.

Actually, basically this sounds like he somehow ripped his finger nail off. Ouch. Not extremely surprising though as a similar injury forced him to the DL back in 2010. I don't expect he'll be out all that long but more importantly hopefully this isn't an indication of a long-term issue. Though I suppose the question should be asked if a certain grip or throwing tendency places him at higher risk for such a painful malady.

Wheeler has pretty much looked the part of the Mets top pitching prospect thus far in 2012, posting a 1.75 ERA through five starts, allowing just 17 hits through 25.2 innings while striking out 30 batters.

AAA - Buffalo Bisons (15-12)_______________________________________

SYRACUSE 5, BUFFALO 6 (Box)

The Chiefs found that it's really hard to win when you go 3-for-14 with RISP. Fortunately for them they also found that it's a little easier when your opponent goes 2-for-14. So this one was pretty much up for grabs going into the eighth inning knotted at four. Consecutive hits by Brad Emaus and Rob Johnson got the ball rolling and a nice shutdown ninth from veteran reliever Fernando Cabrera -- who is now sporting a sub-1 ERA -- put a bow on this one. Starter Jeurys Familia was a bit shaky but good enough, buoyed by an RBI double that we may as well just assume was struck using Matt Harvey's wonder bat (video below).

• 3B Zach Lutz: DNP; Always nervous when I see that
  
• PH Josh Satin: 3-4, 2 2B, BB, K; That's the Satin we know and love
• 2B Brad Emaus: 1-4, R, E(1)
  
• RF-CF Fred Lewis: 1-4, RBI, K
• OF Dustin Martin: 1-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K
• 3B Matt Tuiasosopo: 0-3, BB, K; Former M's top prospect batting .237 on the young season
  
• RHP Jeurys Familia: 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 WP; Control was still a little shaky last night as his BB/9 hovers around 9, but frankly he's a kid getting his first exposure to Triple-A and he's still rather young for the level so I wouldn't get too worked up about it yet...especially since his K/9 is still well over 10, so the dynamic stuff is still there
• LHP Josh Edgin: .2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K; Has definitely found the going a little tougher at Triple-A
• REHAB ALERT: RHP D.J. Carrasco: 1 IP, 1 HR, 1 K; Allowed a homer to the second Triple-A batter he faced
  

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*All results from games played on Thursday April 26th, 2012

Send all of your questions about the Mets farm system to AAProspectMailbag@gmail.com to see them answered here!

AAA - Buffalo Bisons (11-10)_______________________________________

OFF DAY - The Bisons will return home tonight to start a four-game series with Rochester, RHP Jeurys Familia will get the start off his best performance of the season. Additionally, OF Adam Loewen has been placed on the 15-day Disabled List with a stress fracture in the 2nd right metatarsal...aka he hurt his foot. He has not played since April 20th; he's currently batting .270 with 3 homers and 9 RBI's. RHP Jeremy Hefner took his place on the Buffalo roster.

AA - Binghamton Mets (10-9)_____________________________________

NEW HAMPSHIRE 16, BINGHAMTON 3 (Box)

Not a good night if your name is Greg Peavey. After retiring the first batter the sequence went single-single-homer-single-single-error...and it goes on like this. He allowed five runs twice in the first three innings. The B-Mets lineup went 0-for-7 with RISP but that didn't much matter. Best not to dredge this one up any more than we already have.

• LF Juan Lagares: 1-4, 2 K (.266/.347/.391)
  
• CF Matt Den Dekker:3-5, HR(3), E(2) (.308/.360/.538); His single in the seventh was just his third hit against a lefty in 2012
• 3B Jefry Marte:1-4, 2B, RBI, R, K (.358/.407/.491) Still no errors in 15 games, he's come a long way from the 49 he made in '09
  
• RHP Greg Peavey: L, 2.1 IP, 9 ER, 12 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 HR (2-1, 7.56, 16.2 IP, 26 H, 14 K, 4 BB, 3 HR); After going scoreless in his first 10 +IP, he's allowed 14 earned over his last six with a .347 opp. avg. (after posting a worrisome .289 mark in Hi-A last year)
  
• RHP Armando Rodriguez: 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 WP (0-0, 1.50, 12 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 12 K, 1 HR) Between A-Rod, Elvin and Edgin, suddenly there's a nice little wave of relief prospects not too far from helping
• INJURY UPDATE(S): 1B Allan Dykstra was placed on the Disabled List with a fracture in his right forearm suffered reaching for a throw from starter Darin Gorski. His estimated time of return is around five weeks. He's currently batting .227 with a homer and 2 RBI's in eight games. His would-be replacement at first Eric Campbell was also placed on the DL with a right shoulder strain.

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According to ESPN New York's Adam Rubin, after he was placed on the minor league Disabled List with Triple-A Buffalo, Mets doctors found a small tear in Herrera's left elbow which will require Tommy John surgery, effectively ending his 2012 campaign.

The 27-yr old Herrera had posted a 1.50 ERA in three games for Buffalo so far this season before he hit the DL. In 16 relief appearances with the Mets in 2011 he posted a 1.13 mark.

That leaves the Mets with Garrett Olson, Chuck James -- who are also on the Buffalo staff -- and of course spring training star Josh Edgin as their primary support options to spell Tim Byrdak as a second lefty out of the 'pen. Olson has been used a starter for the Bisons thus far, posting a 2.35 ERA through three starts; he has not surrendered a hit to a lefty this season. In 6.2 relief innings James has yet to allow a run, holding lefties to a .125 mark. And as the closer for Double-A Binghamton Edgin has a 2.08 ERA in five outings.

Additionally, fellow B-Mets lefty Robert Carson has been discussed as another option. Thus far the 23-yr old has a 3.86 ERA with six strikeouts in 4.2 IP for Binghamton. Unfortunately he's also surrendered seven hits, which has been a serious issue for the hefty lefty over the last couple years (see, .299 opponent average in '11, .308 in '10) and at least in my mind takes him out of the running.

*All results from games played on Thursday, April 19th

Send all of your questions about the Mets farm system to AAProspectMailbag@gmail.com to see them answered here!

AAA - Buffalo Bisons (7-8)_________________

LEHIGH VALLEY 8, BUFFALO 4 (Box)

The run in the first off starter Garrett Olson put Buffalo behind the eight ball early but it was the five that reliever Jack Egbert allowed in the eighth that truly sunk them. Now the Bisons hitters certainly didn't go down without a fight as evidenced by their 11 hits and a more than respectable 16 men on base. Homers from Val and Val -- despin and Pascucci -- certainly didn't hurt either. But 1-for-13 with RISP doesn't usually cut it on the best of days, doubly so on a sloppy night when three errors led to three free IronPig scores.

• CF Jordany Valdespin: 3-4, HR(2); Pretty much playing center every day now
  
• PH Zach Lutz: 0-1; Batting .364 over his last ten games
• 3B Josh Satin: 2-5, RBI; Just doing his thing down in Buffalo
  
• RF Adam Loewen: 2-2, 2B, 2 BB, SB(1)
• LHP Garrett Olson: 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 H,1 BB, 5 K, 1 HR
• RHP Brad Holt: .1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K; Baby steps I suppose...better watch out though because Elvin Ramirez wants that roster spot

INJURY UPDATE: According to Adam Rubin, Daniel Herrera will require Tommy John Surgery, effectively ending his 2012 season. This leaves Garrett Olson, Chuck James and of course Josh Edgin as potential secondary lefty options for the big league bullpen.

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*All results from games played on Thursday, April 12th

Send all of your questions about the Mets farm system to AAProspectMailbag@gmail.com to see them answered here!

AAA - Buffalo Bisons (4-4)_______________________________________

SCRANTON/WB 7, BUFFALO 2 (Box)

For the second day in a row the Bisons sent a Yankees top pitching prospect to the showers early. Talented lefty Manny Banuelos lasted just two innings, giving up three hits and handing out six free passes on a day when very few pitchers had much command. Unfortunately, that includes Buffalo's starter Chris Schwinden, who allowed five walks of his own. So few strikes were thrown in this game that I'm going to once again assume the horrible April weather up in Buffalo was to blame. The real problem was that somehow Banuelos skated around nine baserunners to allow just two earned. Even worse the Yankees 'pen authored seven more scoreless. Meanwhile Schwinden and the Bisons 'pen had a lot more trouble stranding their runners in this 7-2 loss.

• 2B Jordany Valdespin: 1-5, R, K, SB(1)
  
• 3B Zach Lutz: 1-3, RBI, BB
  
• 1B Josh Satin: 0-2, R, 2 BB, K
  
• RHP Chris Schwinden: L, 4 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 5 BB, 4 K; Threw just 46 of 84 pitches for strikes, good for a 55% strike rate...though the overall average on this chilly day was 54% so don't fret too much
  
• LHP Daniel Herrera: 2 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR

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You're damn right I just made that sweet Marvin Gaye pun.

*All results from games played on Wednesday, April 11th

Send all of your questions about the Mets farm system to AAProspectMailbag@gmail.com to see them answered here!

AAA - Buffalo Bisons (4-3)_______________________________________

SCRANTON/WB 3, BUFFALO 12 (Box)

In a battle of top New York prospects, Jeurys Familia bested Yankees' stud righthander Dellin Betances. Familia wasn't exactly stellar as he once again battled a bit of wildness -- throwing just 58 of 100 pitches for strikes. Side note: The game time temperature once again hovered around 40 degrees. However, his stellar stuff shone through as he struck out eight Yankees batters, six of them swinging. Back to Betances: The Bisons had their way with the top prospect in this one, notching eight earned in 3+ innings despite going just 2-for-13 with RISP. Kudos to Zach Lutz for finally answering the would-be bell, knocking his first two homers of the season with David Wright's status unclear...and they were absolute moon shots. Big Val also mashed his IL-leading fourth bomb of the season in this one.

• 2B Jordany Valdespin: 1-4, HR(1), 3 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB; Valdespin pulled out the tape measure as well
  
• 3B Zach Lutz: 2-4, 2 HR(2), 3 RBI, 3 R, K; Unless an extended DL stint for DW is in order he probably won't get a shot, but there's little doubt that this guy is ready to hit major league pitching...as long as Ronny Cedeno is around to man the MI would the big club be better served with Lutz backing up the corners over Turner? Hint: Yes
  
• 1B Josh Satin: 1-4, R
  
• RHP Jeurys Familia: W, 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 8 K, 1 HR; 100-58

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*All results from games played on Friday, April 6th

Send all of your questions about the Mets farm system to AAProspectMailbag@gmail.com to see them answered here!

AAA - Buffalo Bisons (3-3)_______________________________________

BUFFALO 3, ROCHESTER 5 (Box)

Not a ton to dissect here. Harvey was markedly better than last time out as he bumped his 56% strike rate on Opening Day up to a much more acceptable 66%. Now he's still clearly getting used to Triple-A baseball, but that's certainly nothing out of the ordinary. Remember, he allowed 13 runs in his first three starts in Double-A before posting a .218 opponent average over the final nine. Unfortunately a poorly-timed error/homer combo -- allowed by Lutz and Jeff Stevens respectively -- was all the Red Wings would need in this one (despite a monstrous Pascucci bomb).

• 2B Jordany Valdespin: 1-5, CS(2)
  
• 3B Zach Lutz: 1-4, 2 K, E(1); Depending on the severity of Wright's injury, there will certainly be more than a couple eyes on Lutz over the next few days
  
• 1B Josh Satin: 1-4, R
  
• RHP Matt Harvey: 5 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 WP; Once again a little uneven, showing flashes of dominance betrayed by bouts of wildness...though at 47 degrees, 22 mph wind and sporadic rain I'm still willing to chalk some up to weather

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*All results from games played on Friday, April 6th

Send all of your questions about the Mets farm system to AAProspectMailbag@gmail.com to see them answered here!

AAA - Buffalo Bisons (1-1)_______________________________________

BUFFALO 2, PAWTUCKET 1 (Box)

Another shaky night from one of the big three pitching prospects as Familia exhibited similarly shaky command as Harvey in the season opener. In fact he posted an eerily similar line, right down to the number of pitches and only bested Harvey's 56% strike rate but three points. Fortunately, Familia was a bit luckier with his strand rate meaning that the Bisons were still locked in a close one when Raul Reyes -- just off the bus to replace Kirk -- was driven in by Omar Quintanilla in the ninth.

• 2B Jordany Valdespin: 1-5, K
  
• CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis: DNP; He's hoping to never set foot back in Buffalo
• 3B Zach Lutz: 2-3, RBI, BB
  
• 1B Josh Satin: 1-4, 2B
  
• RHP Jeurys Familia: 4.2 1 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 K, WP; Shaky but like Harvey, we should remember that this was his Triple-A debut after barely half a season in Double-A
  
• RHP Dylan Owen: 3.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K; Nice performance to keep this one close

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That's right, your favorite daily Mets minor league recap is back for it's third year! Like last year I'll be joined by Jeff, Pack and Steve to help bring you guys all you need to know from the wonderful world of Mets prospects. We hope you'll check back every morning for your daily dose of scores, wraps and general prospect craziness as we embark on yet another great season!

And don't forget to send all of your questions about the Mets farm system to AAProspectMailbag@gmail.com to see them answered here!

*All results from games played on Thursday, April 5th

AAA - Buffalo Bisons (0-1)_______________________________________

BUFFALO 2, PAWTUCKET 4 (Box)

Pretty anti-climactic huh? Matt Harvey battled himself throughout this one and after dancing around some wild pitches and errant throws in the first couple, he paid for his transgressions in the third, fourth and fifth before he was yanked. Not the way we all wanted him to start the season but what are you gonna do. Byrdak understudies Herrera and Olson calmed the tide, but unfortunately the damage was done on a night when the Bisons bats managed just five hits. Josh Satin and Val Pascucci share were the hitting stars as they both knocked their first homers of the season. Say goodbye to the Captain who very well may not be back.

• 2B Jordany Valdespin: 1-4, PO, CS, E(1)
• CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis: 0-2, 2 BB, SB(1); And just that quickly his ticket has been punched
• 3B Zach Lutz: 0-3, 2 K
  
• 1B Josh Satin: 1-4, HR(1), 2 K
  
• RHP Matt Harvey: L, 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 3 K, 2 WP, E(1); Control was an issue for the Mets top prospect all night as he threw just 54 of 95 for strikes (57%)
  
• LHP Daniel Herrera: 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 0 K
  
• LHP Garrett Olsen: 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K

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Per ESPN's Adam Rubin, here are the remaining Mets minor league roster assignments:

TRIPLE-A BUFFALO

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On Tuesday night the Savannah Sand Gnats -- the Mets Low-A South Atlantic League affiliate -- became the first club among the organization's full season affiliates to officially release their 2012 Opening Day roster. Check it out here.

It's an interesting group, especially that pitching staff. In fact, aside from Buffalo the Gnats may boast the most intriguing group of starters in the entire system.

Obviously we have to start with 2011 44th overall selection RHP Michael Fulmer. The big-bodied 19-yr old features top shelf stuff and is one of a handful of pitchers in the system with true top of the rotation potential. Says Paul Depodesta, 'Fulmer has the chance to join a staff led by Frank Viola that will have three accomplished college starters in the rotation. That has the potential to be a great developmental experience for him.'

And speaking of accomplished college starters, Mets 2011 third and fourth rounders RHP Logan Verrett and RHP Tyler Pill will also be part of the Gnats' rotation. Verrett didn't sign soon enough to make his debut in 2011, while Pill posted a 4.00 ERA in nine games between the Gulf Coast League and Brooklyn. Both college draftees should have the opportunity to make the jump to St. Lucie by mid-season, much like Greg Peavey did last season.

Additionally, 2011 ninth rounder out of Univ. of Florida LHP Alex Panteliodis has recovered from the hip injury that held him out last season.

Perhaps more interesting is another pair of righties with top of the line stuff, Domingo Tapia and Rafael Montero. Both Dominicans feature mid-to-high 90's heat and at the ages of 20 and 21 respectively, the sky is the limit. Interestingly, Tapia (listed at 6'4" but FWIW he's grown) uses his big frame to generate his velocity while the generously listed 6'0" Montero uses top notch arm speed. Paul DePodesta referred to the duo in his BP chat earlier today:

"Both guys have a chance to emerge as our next group of top tier potential ML starting pitchers. They both have power stuff (Tapia routinely touched 100 mph last summer), and both pound the strike zone."

Finally, add in LHP Jack Leathersich, proud owner of the most dynamic pro debut in the system last season. For anyone that forgot, the 5'11" 21-yr old struck out 26 batters in 12.2 IP last season as a reliever for Brooklyn. He'll likely piggyback with another starter to stretch out his innings in 2012 as the club wants to try him in the rotation.

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Have I mentioned that riding on the outer fringes of traditional media has its perks? You may remember last season I was lucky enough to take part in a Citi Field first, a tour of some of the best culinary options that the ballpark has to offer.

Well, last week I was invited back for Round Two, which highlighted the newest and most interesting gustatory treats that Mets fans will be able to find around the park in 2012. Citi Field's Executive Chef Robert Flowers and his team of highly trained cooks emphasized the importance they placed on developing innovative new options for the coming season, and let me be the first to say they did not disappoint.

However, before we dive into the feeding frenzy that was my night I should point out that this year's festivities were quite different than before. For one, this year was more of a media event. Numerous Mets higher-ups, all sorts of media outlets, hell there were various foodies there that wouldn't know the Mets from a hole in a bagel. A far more formal affair, complete with Mr. Met-head cake.

Additionally, instead of an informal walking tour they decked out the Delta Sky360 Club and provided helping upon helping of foods from all over the stadium in one centralized location. Actually, it featured miniature versions of all the food we could expect, literally piled in delicious stacks all over the room. It kind of felt like this:

Of course, this provided a much better context in which to make a fool of myself. But embarrassing myself in front of the masses was a risk I was willing to take; I knew the stakes when I signed up for this thing/skipped breakfast and lunch in preparation.

So let's get to the actual food. Once again, we'll be rating all of our fancy, newfangled ballpark fare against the old standard, the hot dog. Five dogs = great, one dog = not great. Simple enough. Now let's get started as we had a whole lot more to scarf down this year -- and to be clear, I ate everything (I'm worried what you just read was, "I ate a lot". What I said was "I ate everything").

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As usual, let's start with a little bit of news. According to Adam Rubin Mets top prospect Brandon Nimmo will not be starting the 2012 season with Lo-A Savannah (or any full season club). Sort of disappointing as we all wanted to see the kid really get his pro career underway but in the long run it doesn't really matter. In fact, if anything it underscores the new regime's emphasis on a slowed timetable, which is definitely a good thing.

And thanks to the wonders of the internet age, we also know that after a so-so .259/.351/.361 season with Savannah Darrell Ceciliani will be beginning 2012 with Hi-A St. Lucie. Expect to see a flood of assignments becoming official by the end of the weekend.

Additionally, the cuts just keep on coming as the Mets report the releases of IF Justin Schafer and RHP Michael Weldon. Schafer is a 23-yr old 2010 32nd rounder who battled injuries and appeared in just eight games with the GCL Mets in 2011, batting just .226. Weldon is a 24-yr old 6'4" righthander who has had decent success -- including a 3.00 ERA across three levels of A-ball in 2011 -- but doesn't feature even average major league stuff.

BISONS 1, REDBIRDS 2 (AAA)

The Buffalo Bisons were defeated by the Memphis Redbirds, 2-1, on Friday from Jupiter, FL. The club has just two more spring training games before heading up to Buffalo for their first team workout at Coca-Cola Field on Tuesday afternoon.

The game was scoreless until the top of the seventh inning when C LUCAS MAY singled home INF VALENTINO PASCUCCI to give Buffalo a 1-0 lead. Pascucci finished the game 2-4.

The Redbirds came back with two runs in the bottom of the second inning to hand RHP MATT HARVEY the loss. Harvey allowed both runs in his 6.2 innings of work.

BISONS 6, ZEPHYRS 16 (AAA)

The Buffalo Bisons were defeated by the New Orleans Zephyrs by a 16-6 score from Vero Beach, FL.

The Bisons pounded out 13 hits, but couldn't keep up with the Zephyrs. INF JOSH SATIN finished the game 3-3 with a walk, a double and a solo home run. INF VALENTINO PASCUCCI also homered in the loss.

C ROB JOHNSON finished the game 2-4 with a pair of doubles and OF ADAM LOEWEN also doubled as the Bisons had eight extra-base hits.

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We've got a couple days of news and notes to cover so let's get started.

Opening Day Assignments

So that whole discussion about Jordany Valdespin or Matt den Dekker possibly making the Opening Day roster has dried up in a hurry, huh? Both were optioned to minor league camp in the past couple days with the returns of both Scott Hairston and Kirk Nieuwenhuis and reports of Andres Torres on the mend.

• Jordany Valdespin figures to begin the season back at Triple-A Buffalo. The bat certainly looked close to ready during camp, though he'll no doubt continue to work on honing his plate discipline in the minors as that could still be a deal-breaker in terms of his success at the next level. The bigger question right now though is whether or not the Mets plan to follow through on the whole outfield experiment. Should be interesting to watch going forward.

• Matt den Dekker will be doing his thing back in Binghamton where he'll continue to see if his bat develops to the level that he can play every day in the bigs. If spring training told us anything it's that he looked entirely overmatched by major league pitching. At age 24 his growth curve is a little bit shorter, though I've never really subscribed to the mindset that a prospect is necessarily finished developing as he approaches his mid-20s.

• As for Josh Edgin, it did seem at one point that he might surprise everyone by making the Opening Day roster. However, Terry Collins has said that that won't be the case, as Danny Ray will take Tim Byrdak's place for the first week-plus. The remaining intrigue there revolves around how high Edgin ends up. Under normal circumstances you'd think Double-A, but there's a good chance his spring performance greased the wheels a bit, earning him a spot in Buffalo and only a strong month or two from Citi Field.
  

• Finally, it's no big surprise that Chris Schwinden was sent back to the minor league side -- destined for Buffalo -- in lieu of Miguel Batista. It should be interesting to see how that Bisons rotation shakes out.

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