Faces on the Field: Jon Niese

Jon Niese chuckles just a bit when it's mentioned that he was destined to be a Met from birth. While he doesn't see the karma surrounding his situation, he does understand how someone, particularly from New York, could make the connection.

You see, Niese was born on October 27, 1986. That just happens to be the day the Mets won their last World Series. And after New York grabbed him in the seventh round of last June's draft, none other than Hall of Famer Gary Carter, one of the leaders of that '86 team, called Niese to encourage him to sign.

"I don't really think it's a cosmic connection," said Niese, 19, a native of Defiance, Ohio, who had committed to the University of Cincinnati. "There should be, but I don't really think about it that much. It is really ironic, though. Carter wasn't the reason I signed, but he did put things in perspective. It was completely my decision, and I really wanted to play pro ball.

"There was a misunderstanding about me being so committed to Cincinnati. Carter said pro ball was the way to go. He said that if I went to college, I wouldn't be able to make it through the system as quickly as I would have if I went directly into pro ball. If I went to college for three years, who knows what would have happened? This way, think of the experience I'll have."

So far, the experience has been pretty pleasurable for the southpaw, who comes from the same high school (Defiance High) that produced Chad Billingsley, the Dodgers' first-round pick in 2003. Niese is 2-0 in three starts for Hagerstown of the Class A South Atlantic League with a 2.70 ERA. He's struck out 15 and walked only three in 13 1/3 innings.

Though opposing batters are hitting .316 (18-for-57) against him, most of that damage was done in his first start against Greensboro when he allowed nine hits and three runs over 3 1/3 innings. He's settled down since then, allowing nine hits and one earned run in 10 innings, holding the opposition to a .237 batting average.

"His first game he faced a pretty good-hitting team on a field that plays real small," Hagerstown pitching coach Shawn Barton said. "They have a fast infield and a short porch and while he gave up nine hits, he scattered them. His last outing, against Lake County, he threw the ball much better, especially his curve. He threw it for strikes, and it makes him much tougher to face.

"It's a pitch [the curve] that he has to develop. He's a pretty bright kid who made some adjustments, and it made a big difference in the outcome of how he threw the ball. He's a pretty intense kid, and he tries to rush a little. When he stays back and within himself, that's when he throws the ball the best."

Barton said that his gut tells him that Niese should stay in Hagerstown for the entire season. Though he says Niese is advanced for a 19-year-old -- he has a wealth of international experience on his resume -- he points out there is no urgency for him to move up. Staying in the Sally League will afford him the time and opportunity to learn, make mistakes and head to the next level when he is truly ready.

Niese, however, wouldn't mind being reunited with Carter, for whom he played last season in the Gulf Coast League. Under Carter's watchful eye, Niese was 1-0 with a 3.65 ERA in seven games (five starts), striking out 24 in 25 innings. He's anxious to get back with The Kid even though he realizes such a move is out of his control.

"It would be awesome to be back in St. Lucie," said Niese, who became the first player in Ohio to win Gatorade High School Player of the Year honors in consecutive seasons. "Playing for Gary last year was amazing. He's a great guy and a great coach. He wants to win every game, and that's what I like about him. He'd do anything to win.

"Going in, I knew nothing about Gary at all. Once I got to know him, and I didn't know him as a baseball player, I knew him as a manager and a great guy. It was such motivation to talk to a guy of that stature. I even talked to him again during Spring Training. He wants me to move up in the system so I can pitch for him again."

And perhaps spend some time talking about 1986. It was a big year for the Mets, possibly in more ways than one.