Mets Pick Matt Harvey with First Pick

Here’s the release:

FLUSHING, N.Y., June 7, 2010 – The New York Mets today announced that they have selected righthanded pitcher Matt Harvey from the University of North Carolina with the seventh overall pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

Harvey, 21, just completed his junior season as the Tar Heels were eliminated in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The righthander was 8-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 14 games this season.  In 96.0 innings, he allowed 80 hits, 42 runs, 33 earned, with 35 walks and 102 strikeouts.  Harvey held opponents to a .224 batting average.

The 6-4, 225-pounder struck out nine batters over 6.0 innings on June 4 against California in the Norman Regional during the NCAA Tournament.  Harvey was named to the Normal Regional All-Tournament team.

Harvey, who was born in New London, CT and resides in Mystic, CT, ranks ninth all-time in UNC history in strikeouts (263) and 10th in wins (22).

Harvey is 22-7 with 3.73 ERA in 54 games, 43 starts during his three years with the Tar Heels.  In 238.2 innings, he has allowed 220 hits, 142 runs, 99 earned, with 124 walks and 263 strikeouts.

He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week for his 15 strikeout performance on April 23 vs. Clemson.

Harvey went 6-1 with a 0.64 ERA with 112 strikeouts in 54.2 innings of work during his senior year at Fitch High School in Groton, CT and was named the Connecticut Player of the Year by the Hartford Courant and Gatorade.  He was a 2007 third-round selection (118th overall) by the Los Angeles of Anaheim but elected to attend the University of North Carolina.

Harvey is the highest Mets draft pick since the club selected righthanded pitcher Philip Humber with the third overall pick in 2004.

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Hello Tejada, Santos; Goodbye Matthews, Castillo

I’m at Citi Field tonight, so I will ave more later.

FLUSHING, N.Y., June 4, 2010 – The New York Mets today announced that they have placed infielder Luis Castillo on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to June 2, with a bruised right heel and recalled infielder Ruben Tejada from Buffalo (AAA) of the International League. Castillo underwent a CT scan yesterday at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery which was negative.  The Mets also designated outfielder Gary Matthews, Jr. for assignment and recalled catcher Omir Santos from Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League.

Tejada will wear #11 and Santos will wear #9 and both will be available for tonight’s game vs. Florida.

Tejada, 20, made the Mets Opening Day roster and appeared in three games, including one start on April 9, going 1-6 (.167) with one walk and one strikeout.  He was the youngest position player to make the Mets Opening Day roster since Tim Foli in 1971.  Tejada was optioned to Buffalo when Jose Reyes returned to the team on April 10.  The 5-11, 160-pounder hit .294 (50-170) with 21 runs scored, eight doubles, one home run, 11 RBI, 10 walks and 28 strikeouts in 51 games for the Bisons.  Since May 1, Tejada has batted .311 (33-106).  He made 46 starts at shortstop and four starts at second base for the Bisons.

Santos, 29, began the year at Buffalo, hitting .194 (7-36) with two runs scored, four doubles, and two RBI in 10 contests.  He was optioned to Binghamton on May 6. In eight games with the B-Mets, the 6-0, 213-pounder hit .074 (2-27) with one double and three RBI.

Santos batted .260 (73-281) with 14 doubles, seven home runs and 40 RBI with the Mets in 2009 while being named to the Topps All-Rookie team.

Castillo is hitting .241 (34-141) with one double, two triples, 14 RBI and a .347 on-base percentage in 44 games this year for the Mets.

Matthews, Jr. hit .190 (11-58) with three doubles and one RBI in 36 games for New York.

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