Mets fans can get glimpse of future on the mound during this week’s Yard Goats homestand
Mets fans have had it pretty good lately. Since 2020, they’ve been rid of the disappointment that was the Wilpon ownership, their new owner, Steve Cohen, is splashing the cash, they’re off to a 10-6 start this season and one of their top prospects is finally, officially, on the big-league club.
Fans in Connecticut can bask in the glory of this doubtlessly endless optimism while they take in a glimpse of their future in Hartford this week, as the Yard Goats host the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Double-A Mets affiliate) in six straight games at Dunkin’ Park.
Many Mets fans have spent April clamoring for the organization to call up top prospect Brett Baty from Triple-A Syracuse, and they did just that on Sunday. Baty is expected to help a struggling offense that ranks in the middle of the pack in runs scored and near the bottom in batting average (.217). But fans who flock to Dunkin’ Park will mostly be getting a look at what the future might look like on the mound for the Mets– or at least some of the prospects they can trade away in a deadline deal that helps the big club.
Two of the organization’s top pitching prospects — righthanders Dominic Hamel and Mike Vasil –– are scheduled to make starts in this series.
Hamel, a 6-foot-2, 24-year-old third-round pick in the 2021 draft, has given up just one run in 7. 1/3 innings over two starts so far this season. He’s the team’s No. 2 pitching prospect, according to MLB.com and is scheduled to take the mound on Thursday night.
Vasil, a 6-5, 23-year-old eighth-round pick in 2021, has shown the ability to miss bats, striking out 13 batters and giving up two runs in six innings while walking just one. He’s scheduled to get the start on Saturday.
Probable starters and promotions:
Tuesday: Yard Goats RHP Nick Garcia vs. Binghamton RHP Jose Chacin 7:10 p.m.
Most Improved Student Night
Wednesday: Yard Goats RHP Case Williams vs. Binghamton RHP Luis Moreno 7:10 p.m.
Most Improved Student Night
Thursday: Yard Goats RHP Mike Ruff vs. Binghamton RHP Dominic Hamel 7:10 p.m.
Most Improved Student Night
Friday: Yard Goats RHP Andrew Quezada vs. Binghamton RHP Junior Santos 7:10 p.m.
Irish Night
Saturday: Yard Goats RHP Chris McMahon vs. Binghamton RHP Mike Vasil 6:10 p.m.
Fireworks after the game
Sunday: Tuesday: Yard Goats RHP Nick Garcia vs. Binghamton RHP Jose Chacin 1:10 p.m.
Kids run the bases
How to watch/listen
Radio — FM 100.9 or AM 1410 WPOP; Video Stream — MiLB.tv; Internet — newsradio1410.iheart.com (iHeartRadio app)
For tickets and information: Visit yardgoatsbaseball.com or call 860-246-4628.
Goat Notes
Highly-regarded catcher Drew Romo is off to a rough start in his first eight games at the Double-A level, batting just .161 (5-for-31) with only one extra-base hit (a double) and one RBI. Romo is ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Rockies’ system by MLB.com, though he hit just .254 with five home runs in High-A ball last season. Speaking of top prospects, Rockies No. 2 prospect Zac Veen has also struggled at the plate so far, hitting .233 (7-for-30) with one home run and two RBI. Left fielder Hunter Goodman (.313 BA, .450 OBP, 4 HR, 8 RBI) and center fielder Bladimir Restituyo (.303 BA, 2 HR, 9 RBI) have been the Goats’ best offensive players so far this season.
More on Binghamton
The Rumble Ponies (it’s still tough to remember not to call them the Mets) are off to a bumpy start this season, checking in at 3-6 entering Tuesday’s action. Binghamton’s offense has struggled of late, scoring just three combined runs in its last three games against the Somerset Patriots (Yankees affiliate). Left fielder Matt Rudick (.333 BA) is the only player hitting over .300, and he and first baseman JT Schwartz are the only two with more than 4 RBI through nine games.
