According to Brooklyn Cyclones beat writer Mark Suleymanov, the Cincinnati Reds wanted pitching prospect Thomas Szapucki included in the Jay Bruce deal, but the Mets balked at including him in the trade.
Szapucki, a Toms River, New Jersey native, was just named to MiLB Pipeline’s Prospect Team of the Week for the third time in his brief seven game 2016 season. Quite the feat for the young 20-year old southpaw who has scouts buzzing.
In his last start on Sunday, Szapucki dazzled the crowd with a 10-strikeout gem, allowing just two hits and walk in a hard-luck loss that left Cyclones manager Tom Gamboa beaming afterwards.
“The kid Szapucki is really fun to watch pitch,” Gamboa said. “He had everything working today, I could see after the first inning they were going to have their hands full with him. He pitched a masterpiece. It was a really fine performance from a kid who has a good future ahead of him. I’m glad he’s here, he’s fun to watch.” (NY Sports Day)
A 5th round selection from the 2015 Amateur Draft, Szapucki has a sterling 0.862 WHIP and .144 BAA in two starts spanning 12.1 innings for the Cyclones since being promoted from Kingsport last week, where he dominated that league with a 0.62 ERA. His strikeout rate in 10 games as a pro is at 14.1 with a 5.23 K/BB.
Currently ranked No. 8 by MiLB among Mets prospects, it wouldn’t surprise me to see this fire-balling lefty in the top 4 or 5 by next January when the new rankings come out.
That the Mets were able to keep this kid out of yesterday’s Jay Bruce deal is worthy of applause. This one is going to be something special.
