What's In a Name? Best (or Maybe Worst) Names of 2011 Mets Draft Picks

The 2011 MLB Draft was this past week, and since it is way too early to try and analyze or predict how these picks will turn out, let's have some fun instead. This year's draft provided us with some gems when it comes to names. Here are a few of the best (and sometimes worst) names from this year's draft, picked by the Mets.

Best Name

Right-handed pitcher from Sante Fe Community College, Malcolm Clapsaddle. I can hear the chants now: "Mal-colm Clap-saddle." Name just rolls off the tongue.

Name Made For The Headlines

Clint Sharp, a right-handed pitcher out of Howard College. Possible headlines: Clint Is (or Is Not So) Sharp In Win/Loss.

Name I'm Most Likely To Spell Incorrectly

Alexander Panteliodis. This name will drive my spell check crazy if he ever makes it to the big leagues.

Worst Team Name

Midgets. That was the name of 7th round pick Cole Frenzel's high school team. I don't even know how that name was approved to put on school jerseys.

When looking through the names, I had to look for images as well. Here are the top two.

Best Mugshot



Well, maybe not the best. Probably the worst. This would be catcher Edward Rohan from Winthrop University, who was picked up in the 50th round. If you sign, try not to look so happy in your Mets mugshot.


Worst Facial Hair




He's no Dale Thayer, but this 'stache would belong to Chad Zurcher out of the University of Memphis. The shortstop was chosen in the 31st round. I for one, find this look to be incredibly creepy. Sorry, Zurcher.

Mets Morning News: Johan's Return, & HoJo Calls BenchingBay 'Ridiculous'

After Friday's game, Terry Collins said Tim Byrdak may be leaving the team soon because of an illness in his family.

While many would have liked for Johan Santana to return by the All-Star break, Terry Collins says don't expect Santana back until late July. Santana may return to New York for the team's next home stand to visit him teammates and throw in front of Major League staff.

"Should we plan on [the All-Star break]? I don't know if we should. In a perfect world if everything continues at the pace that it is, it's a realistic goal. But I'm probably looking more toward the end of July than the All-Star break."

Howard Johnson felt the need to speak about the Mets' handling of Jason Bay.

"It's ridiculous it's come to that. If he's supposed to be part of the solution, I don't see the point of taking him out of the equation. It's sending him mixed messages. I don't care if he's 0-for-50, you're not going to get him relaxed by taking him out of the lineup."

He may not be more relaxed by being taken out of the lineup, but I'm certainly more relaxed while watching games he's not in. I guess HoJo will be the only one happy to hear that Bay is in Saturday's lineup.

Gee Money: Gee Shuts Down Pirates, Improves Record to 7-0

The Mets dominated the Pirates tonight, winning by a score of 8-1.

• Dillon Gee went eight innings, giving up just one run on eight hits, while striking out five. Gee is now the only undefeated pitcher in the majors and the first rookie to win seven consecutive games since 2006.  You have to believe he's had a little luck on his side throughout all of his starts, but you can't deny he is talented as well. He should seriously be considered for the All-Star Game.

• The Mets had an offensive explosion tonight, scoring eight runs, five of which were scored in the fourth inning alone.

• Jose Reyes was 3-5 with one RBI and three runs scored. He showed a little power at the plate tonight, hitting his second home run of the season. PAY THE MAN.

• After getting called up from Buffalo today, Lucas Duda went 1-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored.

Next up: The Mets continue their series with the Pirates in Pittsburgh. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Mets To Face A Familiar Starting Rotation As They Begin Series WithPirates

June 10, 2011

7:05 PM ET

PNC Park, Pittsburgh

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Dillon Gee (6-0, 3.33 ERA)

Gee is looking to tie a franchise record with seven consecutive wins. The last time Gee faced the Pirates, he allowed three runs in seven innings of work. Lifetime against Pittsburgh, he is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Starting Pitcher: Charlie Morton (6-2, 2.52 ERA)

Morton has not allowed more than two earned runs in a game since May 1. Against the Mets, he is 0-0 with a 2.08 ERA.

METS LINEUP:

Reyes-SS; Turner-3B; Beltran-RF; Murphy-1B; Pagan-CF; Duda-LF; Thole-C; Tejada-2B; Gee-RHP

NOTES:

The Mets called up Lucas Duda from Triple-A Buffalo today, to take Nick Evans' spot on the roster.

The Pirates starting rotation will feature the same four starters (Morton, McDonald, Correia, and Maholm) in this four-game series as the series a few weeks back at Citi Field between the two teams.

Mets Morning News: Evans DFA'd, Bay Benched, & Reyes' Bat

In case you missed it, Nick Evans was designated for assignment after last night's game. All signs point to the Mets calling up Lucas Duda from Triple-A Buffalo for tonight's game in Pittsburgh.

After giving Jason Bay the night off last night, Terry Collins plans to have Bay sit the bench tonight as well.

"I'm just giving him some time off. We talked [Wednesday] night and visited about the whole process about getting him going, and I just thought, right now, give him a break for a couple of days."

Bay is is being understanding about it all, which he should be.

"The biggest thing is the mental break, but also with the way I'm going right now, I'm not really helping a lot out there. You get some other guys in there and give them a chance."

According to Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal, Jose Reyes is on pace to finish the season with 29 triples.

"Only four players in major league history have hit that many three-baggers in a season, and three of them did it in the 19th Century. Chief Wilson holds the all-time record, hitting 36 for the 1912 Pittsburgh Pirates."

Niese Throws Three-Hitter In Series Win

The Mets beat the Brewers by a score of 4-1.

• Jon Niese went 7.2 innings, and allowed one run on three hits, while striking out eight and walking four. He retired 11 in a row before walking Ryan Braun and giving up an RBI double to Prince Fielder in the fourth inning.

• Angel Pagan went 2-4 with an RBI and stole his ninth base of the season.

• Ruben Tejada had another multi-hit game, going 2-4 with an RBI

• Jose Reyes did not get on base tonight, going 0-5 at the plate and snapping a twelve game hitting streak.

• Terry Collins tried to avoid the bullpen like the plague tonight, but had to bring in Francisco Rodriguez in for a four-out save after Niese got himself into trouble in the eighth. K-Rod allowed a double to Fielder, but was able to get things under control quickly and record his 18th save of the season.

There was a roster move following the game:



I almost hope he gets grabbed by another team that will allow him to play. The Met have wasted him on the bench for far to long.

Next up: The Mets head to Pittsburgh for a four-game series against the Pirates beginning Friday night. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Bay Rides The Pine As Mets Close Out Series With Milwaukee

June 9, 2011

8:10 PM ET

Miller Park, Milwaukee

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Jon Niese (4-5, 3.75 ERA)

In his last start, Niese went 7.2 inning, giving up just two runs and striking out seven. He has not fared well against the Brewers in his career. In two starts against Milwaukee, Niese is 0-0 with a 17. 47 ERA.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Starting Pitcher: Yovani Gallardo (8-2, 3.72 ERA)

Gallardo has won six consecutive games since May 2. In his last start, he allowed two runs over six innings. Against the Mets, he is 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA.

METS LINEUP:

Reyes-SS, Turner-3B, Beltran-RF, Murphy-1B, Pagan-CF, Pridie-LF, Thole-C, Tejada-2B, Niese-LHP