GaryMrMets
12-17-2004, 06:04 PM
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nym/news/nym_news.jsp?ymd=20041217&content_id=923645&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp
12/17/2004 12:59 PM ET
Reyes finds groove in winter ball
Six steals buoy Mets hopes for healthy 2005
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
NEW YORK -- Jose Reyes may not need much time to warm up when the Mets report to Spring Training in March. He's looking hot enough in December.
Looking to improve his timing for the upcoming season, Reyes has produced stellar offensive output in the Dominican Winter League on the heels of a campaign that was trimmed short by injury. The 21-year-old infielder is batting .323 (31-for-96) with one home run and nine RBIs for Gigantes del Cibao.
Coupled with his six stolen bases in winter action, news of Reyes' solid performance has made its way all the way up to Shea Stadium. On Thursday, the newest Met, Pedro Martinez, hinted that he'd already heard Reyes was "doing great" in the Dominican.
Last week at the Winter Meetings in Anaheim, Calif., Mets general manager Omar Minaya said that he envisioned Reyes and Kaz Matsui as New York's starting shortstop and second baseman, respectively, despite media speculation to the contrary.
Meanwhile, right-hander Yusmeiro Petit continues to post impressive numbers for Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Petit, 19, has improved his record to 4-3 and continues to maintain a dazzling 2.18 ERA for the Magallanes over 10 starts, in which he's thrown 45.1 innings and allowed 37 hits. Petit is averaging better than a strikeout per inning, having fanned 48 against just seven walks, and projects to begin the year at Double-A Binghamton.
Teammate Blake McGinley, a left-handed reliever who split last season between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Norfolk, is 2-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 19 appearances for Magallanes. The 26-year-old McGinley has struck out 24 in 22.1 innings, walking just four.
In other Mets winter ball news, outfielder Victor Diaz's production has tailed off a notch with the Aguilas Cibeanas in the Dominican league. Diaz's batting average has dropped to .255 (24-94) through Wednesday's action, suffering a 3-for-19 skid that has dropped him from a .280 mark on Dec. 2. Two of those three hits have been for doubles, however.
Diaz had been considered a possible contender for a corner outfield position with the Mets next season, but Minaya said recently on a conference call that Diaz likely will begin the year at Triple-A Norfolk.
Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/07/21/j46JxkmB.jpg
Jose Reyes has six stolen bases this winter. (Julie Jacobson/AP)
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/07/15/iRMKCelo.gif
Jose Reyes was limited to just 220 at-bats in 53 games last season. (Frank Franklin II/AP)
12/17/2004 12:59 PM ET
Reyes finds groove in winter ball
Six steals buoy Mets hopes for healthy 2005
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
NEW YORK -- Jose Reyes may not need much time to warm up when the Mets report to Spring Training in March. He's looking hot enough in December.
Looking to improve his timing for the upcoming season, Reyes has produced stellar offensive output in the Dominican Winter League on the heels of a campaign that was trimmed short by injury. The 21-year-old infielder is batting .323 (31-for-96) with one home run and nine RBIs for Gigantes del Cibao.
Coupled with his six stolen bases in winter action, news of Reyes' solid performance has made its way all the way up to Shea Stadium. On Thursday, the newest Met, Pedro Martinez, hinted that he'd already heard Reyes was "doing great" in the Dominican.
Last week at the Winter Meetings in Anaheim, Calif., Mets general manager Omar Minaya said that he envisioned Reyes and Kaz Matsui as New York's starting shortstop and second baseman, respectively, despite media speculation to the contrary.
Meanwhile, right-hander Yusmeiro Petit continues to post impressive numbers for Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Petit, 19, has improved his record to 4-3 and continues to maintain a dazzling 2.18 ERA for the Magallanes over 10 starts, in which he's thrown 45.1 innings and allowed 37 hits. Petit is averaging better than a strikeout per inning, having fanned 48 against just seven walks, and projects to begin the year at Double-A Binghamton.
Teammate Blake McGinley, a left-handed reliever who split last season between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Norfolk, is 2-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 19 appearances for Magallanes. The 26-year-old McGinley has struck out 24 in 22.1 innings, walking just four.
In other Mets winter ball news, outfielder Victor Diaz's production has tailed off a notch with the Aguilas Cibeanas in the Dominican league. Diaz's batting average has dropped to .255 (24-94) through Wednesday's action, suffering a 3-for-19 skid that has dropped him from a .280 mark on Dec. 2. Two of those three hits have been for doubles, however.
Diaz had been considered a possible contender for a corner outfield position with the Mets next season, but Minaya said recently on a conference call that Diaz likely will begin the year at Triple-A Norfolk.
Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/07/21/j46JxkmB.jpg
Jose Reyes has six stolen bases this winter. (Julie Jacobson/AP)
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/07/15/iRMKCelo.gif
Jose Reyes was limited to just 220 at-bats in 53 games last season. (Frank Franklin II/AP)