Mets Spring Training Photos And Video: Domingo Tapia Throws A Bullpen

This morning, Domingo Tapia, ranked fifth overall in Rob Castellano's top fifty prospects list, threw a bullpen session on the back fields of Mets spring training. Sandy Alderson was hand to watch the highly-touted right-handed pitcher throw. Once again, I was able to get some video.

Here's what Rob had to say about Tapia:

2012 saw the 20-year-old take the next step as his historically pedestrian strikeouts per nine figure ticked up to a very strong 8.39, thanks to increased reliance on a four-seamer that regularly hit triple-digits. Paired with his Mejia-esque low-to-mid-90s two-seamer -- perhaps the single best fastball in the system -- the 6'4", 200 lbs righty baffled SAL hitters as he notched the fourth-best swinging strikeout rate in the league among starters. And don't be fooled by the so-so 3.98 ERA; Tapia posted the second-best FIP in the SAL (2.68). He was able to do so while maintaining the league's top ground ball rate and the best part was that he maintained his characteristically strong command (2.65 walks per nine). The only problem is that lagging behind the rest of his repertoire was his slurvy breaking ball, which will have to continue to improve if he's to hold onto a starting profile. The good news is that he's still just 20, absolutely oozes projection, and looks like a high-impact major league arm, whatever the role.

I took some photos of Tapia, too, and several of minor leaguers, and here they are:

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