Final 2002 Scouting Report: Pitcher, PJ Bevis

The Mets acquired P. J. Bevis from the Arizona Diamondbacks for outfielder Mark Little. The Diamondbacks signed Bevis as an undrafted International free agent out of Australia.

Bevis emerged as a prospect in 2001 after he bulked up and the Diamondbacks made adjustments in his arm slot. After spending 3 seasons in short season leagues, Bevis started 2001 at Yakima (0.64 ERA), a rookie league team, jumped to El Paso (2.16 ERA) AA. He had a combined record of 1-1, 14 saves, and 41 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched.

In 2002, Bevis continued his success at AA. His combined record was 5-5 with 11 saves. Bevis allowed 55 hits, issued 32 bases on balls, and struck out 76 batters in 71 innings pitched.

Year	Team	W-L	SV	IP	Hits	BB	K	ERA
2002	Binghamton	1-0	0	7	5	3	14	1.29
2002	El Paso	4-5	11	64	50	29	62	2.83

*Stats as of 9/4/02.

Repertoire. 4-seam fastball (FB), curve ball (CB).

Fastball. Bevis' FB sits at 92-93 mph that tops off at 95 mph.

Other pitches. Bevis throws an overhand hard CB. He changes speeds on his CB and often is as slow as 66-69 mph.

Pitching. Needs to improve his command. Also, Bevis pitches backward in attempting to set up his slow CB with fastballs in strikeout situations. That might work at AA, but MLB hitters are likely to foul off the slow CB. He'll need to work using both CBs to set up his FB to get strikeouts.

Projection. Middle relief and eventually a setup.

ETA. Before the end of 2003.

Right-Handed Relievers	Team
Tyler Yates	AAA - Norfolk Tides
Heath Bell	AA - Binghamton Mets
Tim Lavigne	AA - Binghamton Mets
Steve Bennett	A - St. Lucie Mets
Nick Mattioni	A - St. Lucie Mets
David Byard	A - St. Lucie Mets
Quentin Patterson	A - Capital City Bombers
Jason Scobie	A - Brooklyn Cyclones

COMMENTS

With Tyler Yates requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery, the Mets don't have a RP pitching in the system who can be a closer. Bevis, LaVigne and Bell are setups at best. Jake Joseph projects to be as good as any of the RP prospects. A closer prospect will most likely come from a converted SP prospect such as Jeremy Griffiths, Kenneth Chenard, Matt Lindstrom, and Tyler Walker.

1. Paul Jon Bevis was an excellent acquisition by the Mets. The most effective relievers without dominant FB are those with a quality second pitch.

2. Kenneth Chenard has a serious repertoire and would make an excellent starter if he had better durability. The repertoire would make Chenard an outstanding swing type reliever.

3. Jake Joseph FB and SL combination should make him effective out of the bullpen. Joseph's best strikeout, SL, becomes less effective as a K-pitch the second and third time threw the order. Joseph's FB and SL are both difficult to elevate.

4. Tyler Yates' FB sat at 94-95 mph maxing out at 97 mph. He complemented his FB with a good SL.

5. Heath Bell's FB sits at 92-95 mph. He also complements with a good SL.

6. Tim LaVigne's best pitch is a big breaking CB complemented with a 88-92 mph FB with good movement.

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