7/25/08

Early Morning Madness: Brandon Knight is having a pretty good couple of months edition

Brandon Knight was playing baseball this season with the Somerset Patriots. Then, he got picked up by the Mets, and moved into their farm system. A pretty good day.

Recently, he was named to the US Olympic baseball team, and will travel to China to compete for a gold medal. An awesome day.

Now, Knight might get another shot at the bigs.

With Pedro Martinez home after his father's death, the Mets need a starter for Saturday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. It looks like Knight might be that guy.

Knight has tasted the show before, pitching in 11 games with the Yankees, amassing an ERA of 10.71. But at AAA New Orleans this year, through 11 games, he is 5-1 with an ERA of 1.60. In 39 1-3 innings for the Zephyrs, has surrendered 23 hits and seven earned runs. He's walked 10, but struck out 49 batters.

Here's the quandary in my mind: Where would you rather be? Experiencing a once in a lifetime opportunity, going to China for the Olympics and participating in something so grand? Or getting possibly just one shot at showing the Mets what you have to offer in a spot start in Major League Baseball?

Honestly, that is a tough choice. This could all be moot if the Mets tab Brian Stokes or someone else as their starter. I'm just glad I don't have to make this decision for the Mets.

Hey, whatever happened to Nelson Figueroa?