I was talking to a scout from an American League team a few days ago and, surprisingly, he brought up an interesting player in the Mets system.

He mentioned 25-year-old right-hander Tobi Stoner, who went 9-9, 3.55 in 23 starts with Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Buffalo.  The scout was impressed with the fact Stoner walked only 47 batters in 144.2 innings and allowed just 120 hits.

The hurler had a cup-of-coffee with the Mets in September, making four relief appearances, allowing four runs and nine hits in nine innings (0-0, 4.00).  He is on the 40-man roster.

Stoner, who I saw pitch in Binghamton in 2009, is not the type who will blow you away, although his fastball has reached 93 mph.  His best pitch is his slider, which is close to big-league ready. Both his curveball and changeup improved last season, showing the progress he made since a 6-2, 2.15 effort at Brooklyn in 2006.

The native of Landstuhl, Germany – his father, Neil, was an Air Force Intelligence Officer – is emerging as one of the stars of the Dominican Winter League season.   In seven starts against tough competition, Stoner is 4-1, 1.94 with 25 strikeouts in 41.2 innings.

He has pitched into at least the sixth inning in each of his starts for Escogido and has allowed just two home runs.

If Stoner, who will likely start 2010 with Buffalo, which will have Ken Oberkfell back as manager, gets off to a strong start, there is no reason why he could not be an eventual option in the Mets starting rotation. He has good control, induces ground balls and gets batters out.

How Stoner was signed by Mets scout Matt Wondolowski after being drafted out of Davis & Elkins College is a bit of a story in itself.

Wondolowski was in Elkins, W.Va., to watch a player from West Virginia State, which was playing D&E that day.  Stoner caught his attention by striking out 15 batters, but also allowed a game-winning home run.

The 15 strikeouts prompted Wondolowski to give Stoner a Mets questionnaire to fill out and the pitcher was taken in the 16^th round of the 2006 draft.

Advancing through the Mets system in under-the-radar fashion, Stoner needs to continue to work on his changeup.  Whether or not that pitch is effective in spring training will determine what track the Mets put him on for 2010.

Stoner may not have the overpowering stuff of a Brad Holt or Bobby Parnell, but his performance last season and in the Dominican definitely show he has earned a look at Port St. Lucie this spring.

Tags: Binghamton Mets, Buffalo Bisons, Davis & Elkins College, New York Mets, Tobi Stoner