Final 2002 Scouting Report: RHP, Steve Bennett

Steve Bennett was a draft and follow signee in 2000 from Gonzaga University. The Mets selected Bennett in the 28th round selection in 1999. Bennett who is from Montana has limited experience because his high school did not have a baseball program. Bennett competed against Bill Traber of Loyola Marymount University.

Steve Bennett dominated at St. Lucie. Bennett's 5-5 record and 7 saves don't begin to tell how well Bennett pitched. The only concern was his high walk rate and 9 hit batters otherwise his ratios were dominating: allowing 5.7 hits per 9 IP; issuing 4.9 BB per 9 IP; and striking out 9.6 batters per 9 IP.

Year	Team	W-L	IP	Hits	BB	K	ERA
2002	St. Lucie	5-5	69	43	37	73	1.97
2001	St. Lucie	0-1	26	31	12	20	7.86
2000	Capital City	0-4	52	37	25	77	2.94
1999	Pittsfield	4-4	54	42	17	50	2.82

*Stats as of 10/01/02.

Repertoire. Steve Bennett's repertoire features a fastball (FB) and a slider (SL).

Fastball. Bennett throws a 93-94 mph fastball.

Other Pitches. Bennett has a solid slider to complement his fastball.

Pitching. Bennett has decent control.

Projection. A right-handed setup reliever.

ETA. 2005. Bennett doesn't project to move quickly through the Mets system.

Right-Handed Relievers	Team
Tyler Yates	AAA - Norfolk Tides
P.J. Bevis	AA - Binghamton Mets
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 projects to become a closer. Thus, the acquisition of Franklin provides a second closer candidate. 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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