Tag: Brian Schneider

Overachiever Ryan Church Carrying Mets

I have to admit that when the New York Mets traded top prospect Lastings Milledge to the Washington Nationals for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider I was unhappy. I thought this was another one of Omar Minaya’s misguided trades like Heath Bell to the Padres for nothing, or Brian Bannister to the Royals for Ambiorix Burgos. Wow… Have I been wrong!

Ryan Church, and to a lesser degree Brian Schneider, has been much more than the nondescript outfielder that I was expecting. Schneider has been hitting pretty well but without any semblance of power, and he does seem to provide some sense of comfort to the pitching staff. However, the catcher’s influence on a pitching staff is vastly overrated in my opinion.

Church has been a revelation, both in the field and at the plate, for the Mets. He’s currently hitting 34 points above his highest season average in 2005. His OBP is 18 points higher than his career high in 2006. His OPS is 13 points higher than his career high in 2006 as well. Without a doubt, he’s been the most consistent offensive performer for the Mets this season. He’s hit well in every spot in the order that Willie Randolph has put him in. He’s seemingly unaffected by changes that Randolph makes to the lineup. Continue reading “Overachiever Ryan Church Carrying Mets”

Santana Wins As Mets Crush Reds 12-6

It wasn’t Johan Santana’s best performance but it’s typical for him this season. He can get into trouble, giving up 10 hits and a walk today, but he can work his way out. Santana got his fourth win of the season against an outmanned Cincinnati team.

There was a lot of offense on display for the Mets in the first game of today’s double header. Particulary, Carlos Delgado had three hits including a home run. He batted seventh in the order for the first time since 1995. Mets fans have been calling for him to be dropped in the order for weeks and Willie Randolph finally came to same conclusion. It seems like Willie is always the last one to figure these things out.

Brian Schneider also homered today. Surprisingly it was his first extra base hit of the season. I would guess that we’ll see Ramon Castro catching for the first time this season in the second game today.

Box score

Video Highlights

Mets Getting Healthy

It’s great to see Brian Schneider and Moises Alou back in the dugout today. Schneider just got out of the hospital after a six day stay to treat an infected thumb.

Alou is coming back from hernia surgery and expected to come off the disabled list on Friday.

Getting two starters back in one week will be a big boost to the team both on the field and psychologically. The team is getting back to full strength and I believe will show improvement on the field.

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