Binghamton Mets and manager Tim Teufel faced the media for the first time on Tuesday and there are a lot of positive vibes coming from the Binghamton clubhouse as the 2010 season approaches.
"Top to bottom I think we've got a pretty exciting club," he said. My philosophy is don't cheat the game, play it the right way. Hustle, read balls in the dirt and try to get the extra base."
Teufel has managed a handful of players that the B-Mets will go to bat with this year. He managed St. Lucie (High-A) to a 66-68 record in 2009. The team finished third in the Florida State League South.
This team has experienced guys as well as young guys and Teufel is excited to see what the current crop of players can do.
"This year is gonna be a year of fundamentals and gettin' it done, playing the game the right way," said Teufel. That's what my eye is trained to do, so that's what I'll be keying on this year."
The skipper has been around this game a long time and knows that they are grooming these kids for the big leagues and that can happen anytime.
"I see a lot of opportunities for the guys that have been here before to catapult themselves," he said. "We are just a stones throw away from the major leagues and at any time they could call somebody up to Citi Field and I am sure they'll (New York) being looking at this club for help."
One of those guys that could get that call is Nick Evans, who has been there before and has shown promise. Evans had a stint in New York in May, Making his major league debut on May 24th against Colorado.
He made quite a splash that day, hitting three doubles which tied a team record. He was sent back down on June 5th, but was called back to the big club July 8th and hit his first ML home run on August 31st against Florida's Scott Olsen.
Evans obviously has aspirations of getting to the big leagues again soon, but he is looking forward to helping Binghamton
"I think we have a great outlook," he said when asked about the season. "The guys here are positive and everybody's excited."
Evans said he has been told he will likely start at first base, but can't answer that for sure.
Outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis, was the Mets' 2008 third-round pick and is featured in an article highlighting the Top 10 Eastern League prospects.
According to the article, he led the Florida State League in doubles, total bases and OPS, and also stole 16 bases. Nieuwenhuis, who was a Florida State League All-Star, ended the year by hitting .406 in an eight-game cameo with Binghamton. It will be interesting to see what he can do during a full season.
As far as the pitching is concerned, Teufel is expecting good things.
"(Brad) Holt and (Eric Niesen, those two guys pop out right away," said Teufel. "We got some strong arms out there and we are counting on them big time. (Mike) Antonini has been in this league too and (Eddie) Kunz is a big leaguer that came back down. He had some control issues, so he's working on that and this will be his first time as a starter.."
Teufel is expecting those guys to carry them with some innings and watch them progress.
"With Mark Brewer as the pitching Coach here, it is the perfect scenario."
Brewer was here in 2006 with the Mets organization and is happy to be back.
"I left the New York Mets organization for one year and they brought me back this year and gave me the opportunity to come back to AA-Binghamton," he said. "I am really comfortable with the surrounding area, it is the best of all worlds. I get to be in cool weather, hot weather, I get to fish and watch an teach baseball. I am with a bunch of guys on this staff that I am really gonna have some fun with."
Brewer shares Teufel's enthusiasm when it comes to the B-Mets staff as it is constructed now, but knows at this level, there is a lot of work to be done.
"I am really excited. There will be some bumps in the road at the AA level," he said. "They all have athletic abilities and it is my job to channel everything so they get the most out of that ability. They need to use their head along with their physical ability."
The roster will not be finalized until tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday), but Brewer said his starting rotation is set.
Eric Niesen will start the opener Thursday night against Akron, then Brad Holt, Scott Shaw, Mike Antonini and Kunz will round out the rotation.
Kunz's transition from the bullpen to a starter will be something to watch throughout the course of the season.
"He's got big league time, came back down and had a few bumps in the road as all minor leaguers do," said Brewer. "What we're trying to do in that situation is just get him more innings and also have time on the side, one-on-one so that he can learn the game from a starting standpoint and he understands the job at hand, it's just gonna take some gettin' used too."
Brewer said he expects Kunz's pitches to be the same, but he knows he will have to use them differently.
"He'll have to come in and establish both sides of the plate with his fastball," said Brewer. He'll have to let the hitter know, watch out I've got more than just one weapon for ya."
Thursday's game will start at 6:35 p.m. You can purchase tickets by phone at 607-723-METS (6387), or by stopping by the NYSEG Stadium box office. You can also purchase tickets online.
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