Former NY Mets player Jay Bruce. Credit: Twitter
By William Coppola
This is how much Jay Bruce was worth to the Mets. They got Ryder Ryan, a 22 year old RHP, 6’2” – 205 lb. who has pitched a total of 60 innings, with an ERA of 4.50 over his first two years of pro ball. He left the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after his sophomore year.
Ryan was the 902nd pick overall in the 30th round. He was also drafted out of high school by Cleveland in the 40th round of the 2014 draft. He pitched one inning in two years at North Carolina, used sparingly as a hitter, and appeared in 33 games for the Tarheels.
We’ve acquired minor league RHP Ryder Ryan from Cleveland in exchange for OF Jay Bruce. Ryan will be assigned to the Columbia Fireflies.
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 10, 2017
He didn’t find much success as a hitter. But Ryan was clocked at 97 mph in HS and thus the Indians felt he could turn into a decent pitcher. You see, if you can throw a ball 97 mph, people think you can pitch. Well, they think they may be able to teach you how. Good luck with that one. Guess it’s better than nothing. Don’t expect to see Ryan in uniform at Citi Field in the near future. Matter of fact, I’d be surprised if he gets out of AA ball before he takes a job in something other than baseball. He should be strictly an organizational guy. That is someone who every team needs, to fill a roster at various levels of their minor league teams, so the better prospects have a place to play. Sometimes there is a surprise find at the bottom of the draft like Michael Joseph Piazza. But don’t hold your breath over that happening here. The Mets and their fans are just happy to see Bruce go. Nice guy, but both he and the Mets fan base never hit it off. Bruce has hit 20 or more home runs ten times in his career including 29 this year for the Mets. 270 home runs over a ten year big league career so far? You do the math. This is a guy who can help a team win a pennant and he is actually having a decent year.
#MetsWIN!!! Jay Bruce powers us to victory with a pair of home runs! Box: https://t.co/A4P0byehwQ pic.twitter.com/E1lB17Ou2A — New York Mets (@Mets) April 20, 2017
I think the Mets could have gotten more for Jay Bruce. For whatever reason, Bruce never quite got comfortable in Queens. Getting off to such a bad start when he came over from the Reds last year didn’t help. He was booed mercilessly yet remained a class act. I wish him well.
Okay, who’s next?
WILLIAM COPPOLA IS FORMER PLAYER, COACH, UMPIRE, AND SCOUT.
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