The strength of a baseball franchise is rooted in it’s farm system and scouting department and the New York Mets are going through a transformation in both areas under general manager Brodie Van Wagenen and his assistant, Allard Baird.
They have added a new manager – Reid Brignac – at their Columbia, South Carolina affiliate and brought back their former scouting director Chad McDonald. Brignac replaces Pedro Lopez at Columbia.
“I’m extremely eager to start the next chapter of my baseball career,” said Brignac. “Fans can expect an energetic, competitive team that will hustle, play hard and play the game the right way. At this level, we will help build the character of these young men, both on and off the field.”
Brignac, 33, played for six teams in his nine-year major league career that included a stop with the Yankees that spanned from 2008-2016. He has no managerial experience but that seems to be the trend these days in the business.
McDonald is a big fish the Mets were fortunate to land. He should bolster the scouting ranks immediately.
MacDonald’s first stint with the Mets lasted only one year. He would leave the Mets to become the San Diego Padres vice president/assistant general manager of player personnel. Three years later, he was hired as the Atlanta Braves special assistant to the general manager.
During his time with the Braves, the organization has acquired a wealth of impressive young talent including players like Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, and Mike Soroka.
Not a bad resume. You can say what you want about ownership and Van Wagenen but they are brining in top people in areas where it counts. They recently hired Brian Schneider to manage at AAA Syracuse and Lorenzo Bundy will take over at AA Binghamton. This week the team also announced that Ed Blankmeyer will assume the managerial role with the Brooklyn Cyclones.