The past two seasons have been dubbed “The Year(s) Of The Pitcher.” This is a retread of the label first trotted out in 1968, in response to record-shattering mound performances by the likes of Bob Gibson, Denny McLain and fine years by several other hurlers, including our own Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman. At that time, a more apt title would have been “The Year Of The Infield Pop-Up,” according to the poet laureate of baseball, Roger Angell. In its current incarnation, “TYOTP” could more accurately be called “The Year(s) Of No Steroids,” considering the advantage pitchers gain by throwing to suddenly-shrunken hitters. In any case, the pitchers rule the roost right now, and that bodes well for the future of the New York Mets.
Several reports on the state of the Mets’ farm system have come to light the past couple of days, most of them glowing about the young arms ripening in the bushes. Such futures brokers as Jim Callis of Baseball America, John Sickles of minorleagueball.com and Jonathan Mayo of MiLB.com have been waxing poetic about the abundance of talented pitchers the Mets currently call their own. Sickels even gives Noah Syndergaard a rarer than rare “A” grade. He also is impressed with the number of youngsters who can wind up a number three, four or five starter on a major league roster. Some say that the consensus among those who pay attention is that “the Mets have an elite farm system when it comes to pitching. However, if you add in their hitters, the overall system drops to middle of the pack.” This news cannot help but call up echoes of the mid-‘60s, when the farm system could boast names like Gary Gentry, Jon Matlack, Jim Bibby, Danny Frisella and Steve Renko – pitchers who would have an impact on pennant races and post-seasons into the 1980s. Will Syndergaard, Rafael Montero, Jacob DeGrom, Steven Matz, Cory Mazzoni, et al reach those heights? It remains to be seen, but it’s a good sign that the organization is stockpiling quality arms in the highly-likely event that a few of these prospects don’t fulfill their present promise: there’s strength – and safety – in numbers. While the major league staff is held together by thin thread and thick Bartolo Colon in the absence of Matt Harvey, the bedrock is being established at the lower levels and the youngsters are being prepped to step in at Citi when needed.
Let the tradition continue.
Follow me on Twitter @CharlieHangley
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I was also pleasantly surprised that Sickels gave Syndergaard an A grade. Strength in numbers.
I think its kinda funny how Wheeler seems to be under the radar. The Harvey phenomonon last year coupled with the Syndagaard/Montero call-ups seem to be taking the pressure of Wheeler this year…which I like. Not that there should be pressure in his first full year, but I find his name is very scarce amongst the Mets writers.
He’s got real control problems. If he gets that straightened out, then he’s gonna be a lot to watch; otherwise, he’s a middle of the rotation guy IMO.
Love that picture Charlie!!!
Agreed…love the photo too. Potential further injuries to contributing pitchers is why I said that we should be bundling them up to obtain a position player. At least not unless he’s a game changer…for instance a top graded 2nd baseman blocked by a still-in-their-prime major leaguer.