MLB: New York Mets, June record of 18-8, overall record of 44-34, second place in NL East, 1.5 games back
Position Player of the Month: Third baseman, David Wright
Wright’s role as the centerpiece of the Mets offense was perfectly exemplified by his June. He powered the Mets lineup with his team-leading six home runs and 29 RBI’s throughout the month. The 29 runs he drove in during June were the most by any NL hitter and have helped him up his RBI total to a league leading 63 on the year. Additionally, his .404 average during the month led the Mets and the National League. With four stolen bases and a slight cutback on his strikeouts, Wright has had one of the most complete months in baseball, and the most productive in June for the Mets organization.
Pitcher of the Month: Left-handed pitcher, Jon Niese
The young lefty starter turned in a handful of quality starts for the Mets in June. Niese was victorious in four of five starts without losing a game in June. On June 10, Niese shut down a surging young Padres lineup by tossing a complete game shutout, the first of his career. Through 33.2 June innings, Niese displayed some excellent command, striking out 24 and walking just nine. His WHIP in June has ended up at 1.04. With several excellent starts, Niese has extended his 2010 record to 5-2 in 13 starts, with a 3.84 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. If Niese continues to develop and excel, he’ll represent a youthful and reliable force in the middle of the Mets rotation.
AAA: Buffalo Bisons, June record of 12-17, overall record of 41-39, third place in INT North, 4 games back
Position Player of the Month: Outfielder, Lucas Duda
Plenty of credit is due to left-handed hitting outfielder Lucas Duda. Mets fans might not be very familiar with the 24 year-old outfielder, but his power potential is turning some heads. After batting .286 with six home runs into June with AA Binghamton, Duda earned a promotion to AAA and immediately took advantage. In 14 games in June, Duda slammed 4 home runs while batting .308. Duda is young, has strength, and put together a breakout June that will definitely start providing him with some recognition in the organization.
Pitcher of the Month: Left-handed pitcher, Pat Misch
His June numbers may not be his most glamorous of the year, but his control has been phenomenal and makes it surprising that the Mets have not called him to the Majors for a bullpen role. In six June starts, Misch is 3-2 with a 4.08 ERA. Those numbers are simply okay, but what stands out most is that he walked just six batters in 39.2 innings pitched. His excellent command has been present all season long, and if the Mets require left-handed help in the bullpen beside Pedro Feliciano, Misch could get the call.
AA: Binghamton Mets, June record of 17-11, overall record of 41-37, third place in EAS Eastern Division, 6 games back
Position Player of the Month: First baseman, Nick Evans
Evans has been thriving at AA, and it seems that the only reason he is still there is that he’ll be shipped off in a trade. During 28 games in June, Evans has batted .292 with a good looking OBP. He hit three home runs and only drove in eight, but he is showing that he has worked on his plate discipline and at times is looking much more patient at the plate. He’s one of the most important components of the AA lineup at the moment, but he may or may not be around much longer.
Pitcher of the Month: Left-handed pitcher, Michael Antonini
This lefty is interesting in that he has had a great deal of success against lefty batters in 2010. This success contributed to a good looking June. In six starts, Antonini went 2-2 with a 3.13 ERA. He showed off his durability by tossing a complete game on June 10. During June, he walked just nine and struck out 32 in 37.1 innings of work. A solid month for another southpaw arm the Mets are developing in their system.
A Adv.: St. Lucie Mets, June record of 12-12, overall record (second half) of 4-3 in FSL South, 1 game back
Position Player of the Month: Shortstop, Jordany Valdespin
Lost in the muck of Mets middle infield prospects, Valdespin is often overlooked, especially with the 2010 he is having. During the month of June, the left-handed hitting Valdespin hit .310 with a home run and 14 RBI’s. His ability to get on based allowed him to put his speed to good use on the basepaths. The agile Valdespin swiped seven bases during June. He’s an unheralded minor leaguer in the Mets system, but his month of June and ability to connect with the baseball is helping him put together a year that warrants a promotion.
Pitcher of the Month: Right-handed pitcher, Eric Beaulac
Beaulac has been very consistent. Over his last four starts (all June starts), he hasn’t allowed more than two runs in a game. This means that the 23 year-old has put together four consecutive quality starts. In his June starts, he is 1-1. During these starts, Beaulac has struck out 21 and walked just eight. His consistency has stood out down in Port St. Lucie amongst a staff of more highly touted underachieving prospects.
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