[EmpireWF]

sny.tv

Breaking news! Mets placed Xavier Nady on the DL and have called up the crown jewel of the system, OF Lastings Milledge. He's going to start tonight in RF.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

sny.tv

Breaking news! Mets placed Xavier Nady on the DL and have called up the crown jewel of the system, OF Lastings Milledge. He's going to start tonight in RF.

I am really high on Milledge...he is said to be a five tool player...

Lastings Milledge- Vitals

Date of Birth: April 5, 1985
Height: 6'1
Weight: 185 lbs
Hometown:
High School: Palmetto HS (Florida)
Drafted: 1st round (12th overall)

Biography

Milledge was perhaps the top high school talent leading up to his senior year at Lakewood High in Florida, and his senior season didn’t disappoint. However, scouts raised questions about his ability to read the breaking ball, his previous trouble with wooden bats, and allegations of improper sexual conduct with a minor. For these reasons, Milledge fell to the Mets at the twelfth pick of the 2003 draft.

Milledge signed late in 2003, and struggled in fall instructional league, but the Mets decided to challenge him nonetheless. He started 2004 in Capital City.


Scouting Report

After missing the first month of the season with a broken finger sustained in bunting drills, Milledge tore up low class A Capital City. In 261 at bats there, Milledge hit .337, stroking 22 doubles, 1 triple and 13 homeruns. He also stole 23 bases.

Milledge struggled a bit when promoted to high A St. Lucie, where his average fell over 100 points, to .235 in 81 Abs. Milledge hit 6 doubles, 2 triples and 2 homers, while stealing 3 bases. His plate discipline did improve at St. Lucie, though; he walked 9 times in those 81 at bats, much better than his 17:261 ratio at Cap City.

Batting: Milledge has tremendous bat speed, which helps him get around on the best of fastballs. At just 19 years old, Milledge boasts the ability to use the entire field to his advantage, spraying base hits and homeruns to all parts of the park. Additionally, Milledge has terrific raw power, and at 6'1, 185, he has plenty of room to fill out with extra muscle, even if he doesn't grow in height. His terrific speed allows him to beat out infield hits, stretch singles into doubles, and doubles into triples.

Before the draft, some scouts questioned Milledge's ability to hit the breaking ball, but front office members note that 90% of high school hitters have that caveat on the strengths and weaknesses chart in their scouting report. Part of that judgment came from the opinion that Milledge had a one plane swing, Mets brass insist he has no problem adjusting and hitting pitches on all parts of the plate.

His one "weakness" right now is his over aggressiveness at the plate. Still, the Mets feel that his aggressiveness is a positive thing, and they plan to only help educate him on the strike zone and how to work the count to get his pitch. Also, having only played one professional season, Mets brass believe that more experience and at bats will help Milledge refine his approach even further. It is unclear now whether he is more suited to a leadoff or middle of the order role, and his development will likely make that more clear as time goes on.

Speed: Milledge is one of the fastest players in the Mets' organization. He stole 26 bases last season and as he learns to better read pitchers and time his jumps, there is no reason why he won't be near the top of the league in thefts year in and year out.

Defense: There is no better defensive outfielder in the Mets' system than Milledge. He has expansive range in centerfield, possesses good baseball instincts, and has a very good arm. In fact, one source told us that when he's ready to come up to the big leagues, he could be better than Carlos Beltran in center. He would have no problem with a move to rightfield, where his arm plays well.

Overall: You'd be hard pressed to find a player with better pure tools in the the minor leagues. Despite rumors of makeup problems on Draft day '03, Milledge has a good work ethic, partly thanks to his parents following him throughout his first full professional season. He should start the season in A+ St. Lucie, and with a good first half could move up to AA Binghamton.

[EmpireWF]

This year, he started off red hot hitting over .400 in Triple-A Norfolk but he experienced a slump through the past month or so. He was able to get his BA around .290. He had 4 HRs, which has been another knock on him is that he doesn't have all that power yet but it should come sometime. His defense is said to be damn good as he is a converted CF.

He's starting tonight in RF and will bat 8th (Willie has a history of easing young guys in the line-up...as he did with Wright).

[MJHMarc]

I thought I'd never see the day when this kid will play in the majors. I've heard so much about this prized possesion who is worth more than Dontrelle Willis (as they say).

This night is a historical night for one reason, Lasting Milledge's major league debut! I'll be watching it. Hopefully there won't be a rain delay like yesterday. It looks like a bright, sunny day here in New York.

How do you think he will do in the majors? Will he make a quick adjustment or will he take a few days, months or years?

[ThePundit]

He went 1 for 4, a single, no RBI's, no runs.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

He went 1 for 4, a single, no RBI's, no runs.

It was double

Thankfully, he got his 1st ML hit out of the way tonight. His first AB, he walked to the plate to the sound of roaring cheers from the Shea faithful. If I remember correctly, David Wright was called up on the road (I may be wrong) and even he when he played at Shea, didn't receive such loud cheers. Jose Reyes surely didn't.

But looking at this team, it's refreshing to see such a mixed group of young kids, vets and knowing that more young guys are on the way.

HomeGrown Youngsters: Reyes, Wright, Milledge, A. Hernandez, Bannister (60 day DL), Pelfrey
Via Trade/FA Young: Beltran, Nady
Vets: Delgado, Floyd (will leave at end of season), Lo Duca, Pedro, Glavine, Trachsel, Wagner, Valentin

[legend]

If Milledge wants to be "lasting" in the majors, he would do well not to go along the stands and give the fans high fives every time he hits a home run! Wilie Randolph, I am sure, spoke to him about that yesterday after his homer against the Giants. Armando Benitez- the more things change, the more they stay the same. 2 solo homers allowed to the Mets to allow them to tie the game.

[EmpireWF]

Oh c'mon, it wasn't such a big deal. I smiled when I saw him going out to the outfield and slapping hands with the fans. I don't feel as though he showed up the opposition. If anything, it's refreshing to see players acknowledge the fans.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

Oh c'mon, it wasn't such a big deal. I smiled when I saw him going out to the outfield and slapping hands with the fans. I don't feel as though he showed up the opposition. If anything, it's refreshing to see players acknowledge the fans.

I would say Milledge is just excited to make it to the big show...they might have a small talk with him, so he doesn't get a pitch in the ribs next time...but I doubt he meant to show anyone up...

[MJHMarc]

He said that he just wanted to experience the love of the fans. Who can blame the youngster for accepting the appreciation of the fans? It was his first big impact in the major leagues.After all, who's game is it? The players can't survive without the love, money, cheers, and enthusiam of the fans. Somebody has to fill the seats!

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

He said that he just wanted to experience the love of the fans. Who can blame the youngster for accepting the appreciation of the fans? It was his first big impact in the major leagues.After all, who's game is it? The players can't survive without the love, money, cheers, and enthusiam of the fans. Somebody has to fill the seats!

You go Lastings...show them the Looove...cause fate is a fickled mistress ...one minute you are on top of the world...the next...well...

Got to say, if I had an ounce of talent to get to the Big Leagues I would do the same...

Of course if my buddy Legend was pitching against me...he would bring the heat high and tight next at bat... ...all part of the game.

[ThePundit]

I'm a Yankee fan, and I didn't have a problem with it. How is this any worse than constant curtain calls and batters posing in the batters box for 4 hours after they hit dingers?

[Lefty Noob]

After kicking this in around in my head for a while, I've got to agree with Pundit, DK, Marc and anyone else wondering why this is such a big deal. In fact, not only isn't this worse than a curtain call, it's better. The kid refused to take a curtain call, and instead went out after the home run and acknowledged the fans. He did nothing to embarrass the other team whatsoever. I truly don't understand why Randolph or Floyd would have a problem with what Milledge did. Someone on the other side of the fence, please explain to me what he did that was so wrong?

[legend]

If you are Armando Benitez, who has been giving up these kind of homers for a living, especially as a Met, and just blew a chance for your team to win, and now watch the kid who hit his home run running along the stands high fiving the fans, I suppose you would smile and say "Way to go youngster!"
Baseball, especially before the DH, had a code that players stuck to, or they paid a price next time up. Henry Aaron told Dusty Baker, the first time he faced Bob Gibson, "If you hit a home run, run around the bases, don't look at him, and just run inot the dugout. If you don't, he will hit you. If he hits you, don't charge the mound or he will kick the crap out of you." Baker's 17 game hitting streak ended that night.
You are talking about pride here, in a sport that demands you have it or you won't be around long. Randolph, who was taught how to play the game the right way by guys like Munson, Nettles, and the like, recognized that the kid made a mistake. A curtain call shuts the fans up for a bit and has become accepted by the pitchers. Perhaps I was too intense a competitor when I played sports, but I still, and always will, have a problem with guys that do these things.

[EmpireWF]

legend, the time of Gibson is long passed. Today's sports, you've got to do some serious and intential disrespecting to piss off your opponent. I just don't see how high-fiving fans in between innings is a sign of disrespect to anybody.