The GCL Mets finished the regular season at 31-25, qualifying for the playoffs as a wild card. They would lose their only playoff game, 8-4 to the GCL Phillies.
Top Prospects
LHP, Juan Urbina- 5-3, 5.01 ERA, 48 1/3 IP, 54 hits, 14 bb, 38 K, 2.61 BB/9, 7.08 K/9
The 17-year old Urbina came into the season with great expectations. The Mets top 2009 International signee, Urbina made his professional debut in 2010, and was dominant at times, but also struggled at times. At this stage of his career, the key for the young left-hander is to stay healthy and to throw strikes. Urbina oozes potential, with his above average raw stuff, and his family pedigree (son of Ugeth Urbina, former All-Star Closer).
Mets Minor League Pitching Coordinator Rick Waits on Urbina- “You want to develop someone in the right order and it’s happening for him right now….First thing we had to deal with was protecting his arm. Learning how to throw strikes with the fastball. He already has a good changeup. He already has a good breaking ball, but not a consistent one. He’s an exciting kid. Touching 90. We demand 65% fastballs every game.”
The Mets organization is very excited at the progress of the young Urbina. Look for the Mets to be very cautious and patient with his develpment. Urbina will most likely pitch in extended spring-training once again, and pitch in Kingsport in 2011.
RHP, Akeel Morris- 1-1, 2.19 ERA, 24 2/3 IP, 13 hits, 17 bb, 28 K, 6.20 BB/9, 10.22 K/9
Morris, the Mets 2010 10th round pick out of the Virgin Islands, impressed in his professional debut. Blessed with a plus fastball, Morris racked up strikeouts, but was spotty with his control. The Mets are very high on Morris, and he is only scratching the surface of his potential. Being from the Virgin Islands, Morris did not have the exposure as most draftees.
Waits on Morris- “Talk about a quick arm. Electric arm… hasn’t had a whole lot of pitching in the Virgin Islands. It’s good baseball, but not enough.”
Morris is a power arm that the organization desperately lacks. Look for Morris to join Urbina in extended spring training, and pitching for Kingsport in 2011.
LHP, Zach Dotson- 0-1, 3.31 ERA, 16 1/3 IP, 12 hits, 9 bb, 18 K, 4.96 BB/9, 9.92 K/9
The Mets went overslot to sign the left-handed Dotston, their 13th round pick in the 2009 draft for $500,000. The 19-year old Dotson, is a big kid (6′ 1″, 180lbs), and has above average stuff.
Waits on Dotson: “I’ve been really excited about him. He’s got a really good arm. He’s gonna be in the 90s. He’s got a sharp slider right now, it’s just his delivery isn’t consistent right now. Right now, he’s just learning how to repeat his delivery. It’s not a matter of arm strength and it’s not a matter of stuff.”
Dotson was off to a strong start in his pro debut, until he was suspended for 50 games, detailed by Toby here. I am not sure what the suspension means for next season, but look for Dotson to possibly be in Kingsport in 2011.
OF, Julio Concepcion- .282/.326/.466, 10 2B, 5 3B, 4 HR, 7 BB, 34 K.
The recently turned 21-year old Concepcion, checked in at #36 in Toby’s Top 41 for 2009. Concepcion repeated his stay in the GCL, and improved his power numbers; improving his SLG % by over .100 points (2009-.356, 2010-.466), and his ISO power as well (2009-.050, 2010-.184). However, Concepcion walk rate did regress (2009-5.6%, 2010-3.7%). Concepcion has the size (6’4″, 194lbs) and the power potential, to make him an interesting prospect. At his age, Concepcion needs to play with a full-season team in 2011, which maybe a difficult task considering the outfield depth in the organization.
Other prospects of note: RHP, Erik Goeddel, RHP, Domingo Tapia, SS, Randoll Santana
SS-A: Brooklyn Cyclones 6, @ Connecticut Tigers 1
The Brooklyn (45-22) offense racked up 14 singles in the 6-1 victory over Connecticut. J.B. Brown (2-5, RBI), Cory Vaughn (2-5), Joe Bonfe (2-4), William Cherry (2-5, RBI), Blake Forsythe (2-4, RBI), and Wilfredo Tovar (3-4, RBI) all had multi-hit games for the Cyclones. Jonathan Kountis picked up his first win of the season: (5 IP, 6 hits, 1 run, 0 er, 3 bb, 5 K).
SS-R: Bristol White Sox 2, @ Kingsport Mets 1
The struggling Kingsport offense sudddenly got weaker when their top hitter, Aderlin Rodriguez, was summoned to finish the season with Class-A Savannah. The K-Mets could only produce 1 run on 3 hits, in the 2-1 loss to Bristol.
Carlos Vazquez- 6 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 1 er, 3 bb, 4 k.
SS-R: @ GCL Phillies 8, GCL Mets 4
The GCL Mets qualified for the GCL playoffs as the wild card representitive. In a one game series to reach the championship round, the GCL Mets were eliminated 8-4 by the GCL Phillies. SS Yucarybert De La Cruz (2-4, HR, RBI, SB) and OF Gilberto Gomez (2-4, 2 RBI) were the lone standouts offensively. Domingo Tapia (1 1/3 IP, 6 hits, 7 er, 2 bb, 1 K) got shelled in the loss.
SS-A: (Sat)- Brooklyn Cyclones 10, @ Connecticut Tigers 0
(Sun)- @ Connecticut Tigers 6, Brooklyn Cyclones 3
The Brooklyn Cyclones (44-22) clinched their 5th division title in 10 seasons, in style with a dominating 10-0 victory over Connecticut on Saturday night. With the victory combined with a Hudson Valley loss, the Cyclones are division champions for the first time since 2007. The dominating performance was led by starting pitcher, Yohan Almonte. Almonte (8-4) went the distance for the complete game shutout, as he gave up 6 hits, while walking none and striking out 5. The complete game was the first for Almonte in 14 starts this season. Over his last 10 starts, Almonte has been dominant: 6-2, 1.42 ERA, 63 1/3 IP, 46 hits, 10 er, 9 bb, 43 K.
The Cyclones offense produced 10 runs and 15 hits, including homeruns by Blake Forsythe (2-4, HR, RBI) and Jeff Flagg (2-4, HR, RBI). Other offensive stars include: Darrell Ceciliani (2-5, 3B, 3RBI, SB), Cory Vaughn (2-4, 2B, RBI), James Schroeder (2-4, 2 2B, RBI), and Justin Schafer (3-5, 3 runs, 2B, RBI).
On Sunday, the Cyclones offense could only muster up a three-run homerun by Cory Vaughn (1-4, HR, 3RBI), his team leading 13th on the season. Vaughn also leads the team with 49 RBI. Angel Cuan (5-1) suffered his first loss of the season, pitching 5 innings, giving up 6 hits, 4 runs, 3 earned, walking 1, and striking out 3.
SS-R: (Sat)- Kingsport Mets 6, @Greenville Astros 4
(Sun)- Bristol White Sox 4, @ Kingsport Mets 3- Game 1
(Sun)- Bristol White Sox 3, @ Kingsport Mets 1- Game 2
Aderlin Rodriguez continues to swing the bat well, as the Kingsport Mets (28-37) are just playing out the string. Over the weekend Rodriguez was 5-10, with 2 doubles, a homerun, and 4 RBI. Rodriguez has gotten stronger at the plate as the summer moves forward, as he is hitting (.343/.369/.556), his highest batting average over any month this season. For the season Rodriguez is hitting (.312/.352/.556) with 13 HR and 48 RBI.
SS-R: GCL Mets 6, @ GCL Astros 1
A six-run 2nd inning led the GCL Mets (31-25) to a 6-1 victory over the GCL Astros.
Ernesto Yanez (1-2): 5 IP, 4 hits, 1 er, 1 bb, 4 K.
SS-A: @ Brooklyn Cyclones 2, Aberdeen Ironbirds 0 
Chris Hilliard was the star of the show, pitching 8 shutout innings in the 2-0 victory over Aberdeen. The Brooklyn Cyclones (43-21) left-hander gave up only 2 hits, while walking only 1 and striking out 4. Hilliard (pictured) improved to 9-1, 3.77 ERA on the season. Ryan Fraser pitched a scoreless 9th, for his team leading 12th save.
The win cuts the Cyclones magic number to two, to clinch the McNamara Divison title.
SS-R: Burlington Royals 4, @ Kingsport Mets 3
Aderlin Rodriguez (2-3, 2 RBI, BB) continues to hit, and is now at .304/.344/.538 for the season. The 18-year old is 15-40 (.375) with 9 rbi over his last 10 games. ZeErika McQueen (2-4) and Ismael Tijerina (2-3, 2 runs, 2 SB) also had multi-hit games for Kingsport (27-35).
Michael Weldon pitched 4 perfect innings, while striking out four, in relief of starter Jhonathan Torres (5 IP, 8 hits, 4 er, 4 k, 2 HR).
SS-R: @ GCL Mets 2, GCL Cardinals 1
Nestor Moreno (1-4, 2 RBI) drove in 2 with a single in the 3rd inning.
Zack Cox, the Cardinals 1st round pick, started at 3B and was 1-3, with a walk and 2 strikeouts.
SS-A: @ Brooklyn Cyclones 4, Aberdeen Ironbirds 3- 10 innings
Darrell Ceciliani (2-5, 2B, HR, RBI) took the Cyclones home in style as he homered in the bottom of the 10th, to cap off a wild comeback to defeat the Aberdeen Ironbirds 4-3. Brooklyn (42-21) trailed 3-1 in the eighth inning, when an Aberdeen throwing error on an Jeff Flagg (2-3, RBI, 2 SB) steal attempt sailed wayward, allowing Cory Vaughn (1-2, 2B, 2BB, SB) to score. Then leading off the bottom of the ninth, William Cherry (1-4, HR, RBI) delivered a clutch game tying homerun, to tied the score at 3. This set up Ceciliani’s walk-off blast to lead off the tenth. Ceciliani (pictured) now bring his season totals to: .350/.405/.524. Ceciliani leads the NYPL in batting average, runs, hits, triples, and total bases, and is in the top 10 in 4 other categories.
A.J. Pinera with another solid start (6 IP, 5 hits, 3 runs, 1 er, 1 bb, 6 K). Pinera is now 2-1, 1.99 ERA in 9 starts for the Cyclones. Johan Figuereo (2 IP, 3K) pitched two perfect innings to pick up the victory.
Notes: C Blake Forsythe had a rough game all around, going 0-4, 2 K at the plate and allowing 2 passed balls, giving him 8 total in 25 games for the Cyclones. With the victory, Brooklyn’s magic number to clinch the division title is down to 3.
Photo courtesy of brooklyncyclones.com
SS-R: Burlington Royals 6, @ Kingsport Mets 4
Kingsport (27-34) could not overcome a Burlington five run first inning, as their comeback fell short in the 6-4 defeat. Michael Hebert (6IP, 6 hits, 6 runs, 1 er, 3 bb, 7 K) was let down by two Brandon Brown errors in the first, as all five runs in the inning were unearned.
Chase Greene (2-5, 2B), Aderlin Rodriguez (3-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Albert Cordero (2-4, HR, RBI), and Nelfi Zapata (2-4) all had mutli-hit games for Kingsport.
SS-R: @ GCL Nationals 5, GCL Mets 4
Two things we know about Akeel Morris so far, is that he has been tough to hit and he can miss bats. Morris gave up only 2 hits and struck out 6, in his five innings of work, although he walked three and gave up three earned runs as well. Morris has allowed only 13 hits in his 24 2/3 innings so far, holding opponents to a .148 BA. Morris has also shown he can miss bats as well, striking out 28 in those 24 2/3 innings (10.2K/9). The 17-year old Morris has been a pleasant surprise so far this summer.
SS-A: @ Brooklyn Cyclones 7, Aberdeen Ironbirds 4
William Cherry (2-4, HR, 2RBI) hit a 2-run homerun to cap a 3-run fifth, to lead the Brooklyn Cyclones (41-21) to a 7-4 victory over Aberdeen. The victory gives the Cyclones a league leading (23-6) home record, and opens up a 10 game lead in the McNamara Division.
The Ironbirds jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, and knocked out Cyclones starter Jonathan Kountis (1/3 IP, 1h, 3 er, 4 bb) after recording only one out. Kountis faced six hitters on the night: walk, double, walk, pop out, walk, walk. To say that’s a rough outing is an understatement. Nelson Pereira picked up the win in relief, as he held the Ironbirds scoreless over the next 3 2/3 innings (2 hits, 3bb, 4K). Wes Wrenn was also solid in relief (4 IP, 1 hit, 1 er, 1 bb, 2 k), and Ryan Fraser (1bb, 2K) pitched a scoreless ninth for his team leading 11th save.
The Cyclones opened their half of the first with a rbi single by Cory Vaughn (2-4, 2B, RBI). The Cyclones then scored 3 more runs in the bottom of the second, capped by a Wilfredo Tovar (1-4, 2B, 2RBI) 2-run double. Joe Bonfe (2-4, 2B, RBI) and J.B. Brown (1-4, 2B, RBI) each drove in runs for the Cyclones.
SS-R: @ Kingsport Mets 5, Burlington Royals 2
The Burlington defense melted down in the bottom of the eighth, as they committed 4 errors in the inning, to help Kingsport (27-33) rally for the 5-2 victory. Trailing 2-1, Kingsport took advantage of the sloppy Burlington defense. Albert Cordero (3-4, 2B, 3B, RBI) tied the game in the eighth with a rbi triple, then after a Nelfi Zapata walk, the K-Mets took the lead with a John Semel (2-3, rbi) rbi single; a Burlington error allowed Zapata to score on the play as well. The 20-year old Cordero was a homerun short of the cycle, and raised his season totals to .281/.303/.476. Starter Carlos Vazquez , making his first start for Kingsport, was solid in the no-decision (6 IP, 2 hits, 2 er, 0 bb, 3 k, HR).
SS-R: GCL Marlins 4, @ GCL Mets 2- 11 innings
Juan Urbina was long gone to figure in the decision of this marathon. Urbina finished only 3 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned, while walking 2 and striking out only 1. The 17-year old Urbina has been up and down this summer, but overall he has shown health and solid velocity (88-90 mph) with his fastball. Urbina also has showed the ability to miss bats (48 1/3 IP, 38 K), and a solid BB/K ratio (14/38) which for a young raw left-hander is very promising.
Francisco Pena (1-4, bb, K)- .313/.436/.344
SS-A: Brooklyn Cyclones – PPD
SS-R: @ Danville Braves 8, Kingsport Mets 1
The Kingsport bats were held silent in the 8-1 loss to Danville. Kingsport managed a rbi single by John Semel, for the only scoring output of the game. In total, the offense was held to 4 singles and struck out 10 times.
Making his 1st start of the season, Chase Huchingson was awful (3 IP, 5 hits, 5 er, 1 bb, 1 k, HR).
SS-R: @ GCL Mets 4, GCL Astros 2
Francisco Pena went 3-3 with a double, and scored 2 runs in the 4-2 victory. The 20-year old Pena raised his season totals to: 9 games, .321/.441/.357, with 5 bb and 4 k. Pena has had a history of struggling with the lack of walks and a propensity to strikeout. So far so good, so this is somewhat encouraging.
Domingo Tapia was solid in the victory (6 IP, 7 hits, 2 runs, 1 er, 0 bb, 6 k).
SS-A: Brooklyn Cyclones 8, @ Vermont Lake Monsters 7- play suspended in the bottom of the 12th
Play was suspended due to rain, with one out and two Vermont runners on-base. The game was to be resumed on Sunday, but heavy rains cancelled all baseball activity on Sunday as well. There is no word when the game will be resumed, and when the cancelled game will be made up.
Game notes: Cory Vaughn made his return to the Cyclones line-up after missing the previous 3 games with a hyper-extended elbow. Vaughn served as the DH in the game.
SS-R: @ Burlington Royals 1, Kingsport Mets 0
Kingsport Mets 12, @ Burlington Royals 7
Saturday: John Semel 2-3, 2 CS. Gonzalez German- 8 IP, 6 hits, 0 runs, 0 bb, 6K.
Sunday: Kingsport (25-32) pounded out 12 runs on 17 hits. Brandon Brown (3-6, 2 2B, 3RBI, SB), Aderlin Rodriguez (2-6, 2B, RBI, SB), Lucas Stewart (4-6, HR, 2 RBI), ZeErika McQueen (2-4, 2B), John Semel (2-4, 2B, 2RBI), Ismael Tijerina (2-4, RBI). Orlando Tovar- 7 2/3 IP, 9 hits, 4 er, 1 bb, 5K.
SS-R: @ GCL Mets 5, GCL Nationals 4
@ GCL Cardinals 1, GCL Mets 0
Saturday: Francisco Pena (2-3, 2BB), Julio Concepcion (2-4, 2B, RBI), Edioglis Villasmil (6 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 er, 2 bb, 4K).
Sunday: Marcos Camarena (7 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 0 er, 1bb, 7K), Nestor Moreno (2-3, BB).
SS-A: Brooklyn Cyclones 6, @ Vermont Lake Monsters 1
The Brooklyn Cyclones (40-20) open up a 9 1/2 game lead in the McNamara Division of the NYPL, with the 6-1 victory over Vermont.
Chris Hilliard: W (8-1), 6 IP, 5 hits, 1 er, 0 bb, 6K
Nelson Pereira: SV (1), 3 IP, 3K.
Patrick Farrell: 1-4, HR, 2RBI.
Cory Vaughn: DNP (There has to be an injury that is keeping Vaughn down. Stay tuned for more info)
SS-R: @ Burlington Royals 7, Kingsport Mets 2
Michael Hebert was not good: 4 IP, 5 hits, 5 runs, 3 er, 5 bb, 2K.
Lucas Stewart: 2-4, 2B, RBI
SS-R: @ GCL Marlins 1, GCL Mets 0
GCL Mets 2, @ GCL Marlins 1
Akeel Morris: 4 IP, 3 hits, 1 er, 3 bb, 4 K (Game 1). For the season, Morris is 1-1, 1.37 ERA, 19 2/3 IP, 11 hits, 3 er, 14 bb, 22K. The Mets front office is excited about the future of their 2010 10th round draft pick.
In game 2 Ernesto Yanez pitched 5 no-hit innings, while walking none and striking out 4.
SS-A: Brooklyn Cyclones 7, @ Staten Island Yankees 6
Wilfredo Tovar (2-5, 2SB, 2RBI) singled in two runs in the 7th inning, to lead the Brooklyn Cyclones (39-20) to a 7-6 victory over the Staten Island Yankees. The Cyclones opened the game with a four-run 1st, highlighted by a J.B. Brown (1-4, HR, 3RBI) 3-run homerun. Staten Island then rallied in a 5-run 3rd inning, off of Brooklyn starter A.J. Pinera (4 1/3 IP, 7h, 5r, 3er, 2bb, 3K) to take a 5-4 lead. Darrell Ceciliani (1-4, 2 runs, 2B, SB (19)), Joe Bonfe (2-5, 2RBI), and James Scroeder (2-4, run) helped the Cyclones attack. Wes Wrenn (2 2/3 IP, 1h, 0r, 1bb, 2K) picked up the win in relief of Pinera, and Ryan Fraser (2/3 IP, K) notched his 10th save.
Notes: Cory Vaughn did not play for the second consecutive game. I do not have any further information concerning Vaughn. Also, C Juan Centeno was forced to leave the game after a 1st inning triple, and was replaced by Blake Forsythe.
SS-R: Kingsport Mets 8, @ Burlington Royals 3
The Kingsport Mets (24-30) team bus broke down on the way to Burlington, but their bats showed up to defeat the Royals 8-3. According to Brian Boesch, of MiLB.com, the K-Mets did not arrive to the stadium until 7:45pm, due to the bus breaking down and traffic. After completing the first inning, the already late starting game was delayed for more than an hour due to rain. Kingsprort scored three in the 1st, two in the 8th, and three more in the 9th. Offensive stars include: ZeErika McQueen (2-5, 3 runs, 2SB), Aderlin Rodriguez (2-5, 2B, 2RBI), Lucas Stewart (2-5, HR, 2RBI), and Albert Cordero (2-5, RBI). Jhonathan Torres (4 IP, 2h, 6K) picked up the win with four shut-out innings.
Notes: OF Javier Rodriguez (.323/.357/.519) returned to the Kingsport lineup, after missing the previous 8 games.
SS-R: @ GCL Astros 3, GCL Mets 2
Juan Urbina was solid in the 3-2 loss to the GCL Astros. Urbina pitch 5 innings, giving up 6 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned runs, while walking none and striking out 5. Overall for the season Urbina is 5-3, 5.16 ERA in 10 starts. Urbina has given up 2 or less earned runs in 6 of his 10 starts.
1B Nestor Moreno was 4-4 with 2 doubles and a SB. Francisco Pena saw his first action behind the plate, before being lifted in the 6th inning. He committed a throwing error and was 0-2 with 2K at the plate.
The GCL Mets finished the regular season at 31-25, qualifying for the playoffs as a wild card. They would lose their only playoff game, 8-4 to the GCL Phillies. 
