With the trade deadline approaching, it is rumored that the Mets may be willing to shop around pitchers with the hope of acquiring a big time offensive contributor. The reason why the Mets can afford to make a maneuver like this is because they have a surplus of young pitching, and are in need of some offensive help. If a pitcher gets traded after the deadline, someone might need to be called up. This leaves us with the question, should the Mets call up Rafael Montero or Noah Syndergaard?
Montero has already pitched with the big league ball club this year, and his record was 0-2, with a 5.40 ERA and had a 1.60 WHIP in 20 innings. This was not what the Mets were hoping to see, as he is known to be a strike-throwing machine, and there were hopes that he would stick with the major league team. However, Jake deGrom impressed the organization so much, that he stayed in the rotation, while Montero was sent down. Montero is now on a rehabbing his oblique, as he is pitching in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League. In his first rehab start, he pitched two innings, allowed a run and struck out three batters. He may make another rehab start and then get promoted to Las Vegas. If he makes a string of successful starts, he may be pitching for the Mets come August or September.
Syndergaard is the Mets’ top prospect has huge expectations placed upon him, as Sandy Alderson, and us fans, hope that he is the next Matt Harvey. While pitching in Las Vegas, Syndergaard has struggled big time, and has a 5.31 ERA in 79.2 innings. Although these numbers cause concern, his stuff is still there, as he has struck out 82 batters this year. His last start against Albuquerque was impressive, as he pitched seven innings, allowed one run and struck out eight batters. If he continues to pitch like this, he may become the front-runner to get promoted. We may become worried about another Generation-K unfolding, but it is important to remember that Syndergaard is just 21 years old, and Las Vegas is definitely a hitter’s paradise.
When comparing Montero and Syndergaard, we see two young pitchers who have had tremendous success in the previous season, as both started against each other in the Futures Game at Citi Field, and both earned promotions. Both pitchers are going to pitch in the majors, and it may be more valuable for Syndergaard to get experience towards the end of the season. Even if the Mets are out of the playoff race, Syndergaard can learn about the majors, and enter the 2015 season as a 4th or 5th starter. Fans would also make sure to watch every game he pitches, as excitement would surely rise.
It is easy to get eager, as we want to see what Syndergaard can do, but it makes more sense if Montero gets the call. He already has experience in the majors, and has been the better starter in Las Vegas. If there is a need to call someone up, Montero should get the nod if he is healthy. However, the Mets do have Jon Niese on the disabled list, and Harvey rehabbing. Niese will return at some point this season, and Harvey may make a comeback, even though it doesn’t make too much sense.
Both these pitchers need more seasoning. I think they will call back up German. Don’t forget Logan Verritt who is also having a good season at Vegas
Thank you for the read Wilponzi! You’re right that both guys need seasoning, but I do feel that one of them will be called up to gain some major league experience. I think one of them may have a chance to be a backend starter for the Mets come next year. Verrett has had a nice record for AAA, but too many hits for my liking, but I wouldn’t be surprised if his name is mentioned to get a call-up.
I’d bet if the next pitcher that comes from Las Vegas in order to start a ML game is Darin Gorski.
LHP, with a good track record of throwing a shitton of strikes. With innings count and all, I’m not sure of where he stands.
But especially if Niese fails to be effective, Gorski could be the guy.
Thanks for reading Jerry Grote! Haven’t heard of Gorski too much, but his numbers seem pretty good. I think they’ll give him more seasoning in Vegas before he gets a call-up.
I also like your point about in case if Niese is effective. One of my worries was left handed pitching in the minors, but that has ended with Gorski and Matz pitching well this year.
I agree that Montero should get the call of the two. Gorski would probably have to really impress more so than he already has. Plus he’s coming off an ass-whopping. Verrett is interesting, but he’s had plenty of big ups and downs this year, and might need to stay down in AAA to refine his approach. Don’t see anyone else making a big claim to jump Montero.
Thanks for the read Patrick! Montero makes a lot of sense in my opinion, and I agree with what you said about Gorski and Verrett. Both pitchers need to get more consistent. It’s not only them, as I would like to see Montero and Syndergaard get a little more consistent too, but they seem to be a step ahead of the pack.
I think the sleeper in the bullpen for a call up is leathersich. He leads all of minor league baseball in strikeouts /nine. 65 k’s on 32 innings and his walks are way down.
I have wondered why Leathersich is still at Binghamton. You’d think he would have been promoted (at least recently) to Vegas.
Thanks for the read Steve! I completely agree, and think that he may be called up sooner than later.
Thanks for the read AJ! I agree that Leathersich should be promoted or on the verge of joining the big league ball club. I feel like it’s normal to hear about him and his progress in the minors, but he still hasn’t joined the club. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get called up in September.
2014 might have been very different had Syndergaard started with the team out of Spring Training. He appeared to have been shocked by the demotion, in spite of the warnings that he was going to start in AAA. He sounded embittered and, it is possible, lost concentration and drive in the early months.
What if he had pitched the way he did in Spring Training, or the way he has recently?
What if the Mets had not given all those at bats to Chris Young?
Just these two possibilities, alone, could have meant more wins.
I hope he gets called up. DeGrom could be pitching his way towards Rookie of the Year nods. He, Syndergaard, Harvey, Wheeler…2015 could be the year of the arms for us. No way, even with current ownership, that these arms are left without a new hitter in the line up.