It’s only Spring Training and it wasn’t exactly a Murderer’s Row lineup that Marcus Stroman faced yesterday. Still, there’s at least a little question how Stroman would fare after opting out of playing in 2020 and he passed his first test with flying colors, retiring all six batters he faced in his two innings of work. Let’s see how those at-bats played out:
1. F9
2. 1-3
3. 6-3
4. KL
5. 3U
6. KL
That’s three groundouts, two strikeouts and one ball to leave the infield. That 75.0 GB% is a great thing to see. Stroman had GB% in the 60s each year between 2014-2018 but in 11 games with the Mets in 2019, he had a 48.3 GB%. Now for most pitchers that would be a really good number. It’s just that the bar is higher for Stroman in that department.
The best way to eliminate homers is to strike people out and get them to beat the ball into the ground. Stroman had some gopher ball issues with the Mets in 2019, with a 1.21 HR/9, which was up from the 0.72 mark he had in 21 starts with the Blue Jays earlier that season. You couldn’t ask for a better outing than to see five of the six batters he faced either whiff or ground out.
Alderson has restructured the starting pitcher into a formidable and deep staff. In 2019-2020 there were 155 starting pitchers that threw 80 innings or more. There is need to have 150 starting pitchers to fill out the 30 rotations. Based on just ERA deGrom ranked 1st, Stroman 18th, Carrasco 54th, Syndergaard 74th, Lucchesi 78th and Yamamoto 129th. If Walker and Peterson qualified in innings they would have been ranked 6th and 32nd respectively. That is an impressive staff, deep and experienced at the major league level (except Peterson but he had a stellar debut). Prospect Szapucki should also make it to the majors some time this year. This year when they need a starting pitcher from the minors the results should be better than last year.
That is an impressive story, Metsense. We have to keep in mind that numbers from 2019 were juiced, hurting Syndergaard especially hard and any fastball pitcher. I loved Peterson, his head as much as his arm. Good arm, great demeanor and intelligence as a pitcher. I will not be surprised if his impressive outings continue. I’d like to see Tarpley and Lucchesi fill out the staff too, to add LH depth. Who’s going to pitch to Soto and Harper with the game in the balance? Jerry Blevins does not give me loads of confidence. Hope we don’t miss Justin Wilson.
I’m intrigued as to why the Mets haven’t started Dominic Smith yet. I’m sure he’d working hard on getting ready to play left field but it’s still surprising he’s been held from the first three games.
He was one of the guys who arrived late to camp. Carrasco was another. Speculation was that maybe someone they were in close contact to contracted Covid and they needed to self-isolate.
I recognize that is all speculation. Maybe it’s a factor why he hasn’t started – Mets rewarding guys who’ve been here the whole time.
This year should be interesting to see the effects of the unjuiced ball.
Incredible! $200+MM payroll and they’re under .500 already!
Relax Gus,relax, it’s early!
LOL
Check checking to see if ready for the season yet.
I was surprised at Mauricio’s size. I watched him in spring a year or two ago and did not think he was noticeably big, but yesterday he looked like Didi Gregorius, and I realized the Mets need to protect this guy.
I remember the first time I watched Didi, I complained that somehow the Yankees had upgraded from Jeter. He dominated the infield, even if he was not perfect with the glove. I expect Mauricio can be the same,,, big and fast, hopefully quick and sure-handed. A player like that at an important position like SS can elevate a team for a decade.
I’m a little surprised over the lack of teeth-gnashing over the Jackie Bradley Jr. signing with Milwaukee for 2/$24. It’s still an overpay compared to the 2/$18 estimate from FG at the start of the offseason
This seems like a reasonable deal to me. At $8 million per fWAR on the free agent market, this values him at 1.5 fWAR, which sounds about right. Steamer projects him at 1.1 and ZiPS has him at 1.5
Teeth-gnashing from the Met fan point of view?
I have gotten accustomed to the Mets always have a higher price on a player, whether it be via free agency or trade. Of course, this is from the outside looking in, and after years of disappointments. Realmuto, Bauer, JBJ… Would I rather have JBJ over Pillar/Almora? Yes. Will it hurt more if there is a last minute agreement on the DH? Yes. But, as all things seem to be somewhat connected, the Mets seem to be sold on Nimmo at leadoff and with enough improvements defensively to play the majority of CF with solid defensive options when circumstances dictate. I can’t argue with that. And, with that money, would I rather have Walker in the rotation plus Pillar/Almora or would I rather have JBJ plus a lower cost veteran starter without the upside possibility and maybe more downside possibility? I’ll take Walker/Pillar/Almora with Nimmo my leadoff batter. And, if it is a fail, the Mets will likely get another shot at overpaying a year-older JBJ next winter.
JBJ is under some intense pressure. Unless he holds firm or improves offensively, his 12M price tag will get heavier, and he will be forced to hang around with the same pressures next season. If after two years, he is only a defensive player, he will be relegated to a bench player status and his next contract will be significant shorter and cheaper.
I will restate that I like the Almora/Pillar play.
I like the age and low mileage on Almora, and I have some faith he can learn the Chili Davis approach. No worse than Legarus, more speed.
I like Pillar’s veteran status and unlikeness to hurt the team in the field. He puts the ball in play, has some pop, can steal a base.
If we can get .260/15/40 combined from them in their limited ABs, I’d be ecstatic. Facing primarily lefties should help.
I don’t play Dom against lefties, maybe sit Nimmo too sometimes. The more every guy gets on the field, the more overall production the team gets. If someone has a differing opinion, please share.
I agree, Pillar should start against LHP. That does not means that Nimmo sits, it means all the LHB outfielders will take break and stay fresh.
Agree with that
Cepeda,McCovey was once Alonso,Smith. No DH and neither could play LF so Giants traded Cepeda who remained a great player and won a MVP i think. Lucky for us Smith can play LF and there will probably be a DH soon. Maybe Alonso, Smith will be as good as Cepeda,McCovey.
From a casual viewing of today’s game:
Loup looked nasty… very tough on lefties.
May looked strong.
McCann way way better than Ramos.
Mostly though, Alonso has immense power. I was thinking that to hit 53 as a rookie, you know he swung at some balls he shouldn’t, but still connected… hit some bad pitches out… at least a few. Wait till he becomes more selective… It speaks to his raw power, which we will get to watch on display… what’s he 23?
I’m not confident that any of Familia, Betances or Gsellman can be relied on this year. I’m holding out hope that we can land one more reliever. Shane Greene is still out there. David Robertson is healthy again.
Betances was the only pitcher to give up any runs – and he gave up four of them with two walks and a homerun – but he somehow got a win…
Not sure if you got to watch the game but in a rare moment when ESPN wasn’t ignoring the game completely, the announcers talked about how Betances could have gotten out of the inning but then he wouldn’t have thrown enough pitches in a competitive situation and had to have thrown in the bullpen later to make up for it.
It was quite the rationalization for pitching lousy.
I want to like Betances but his pitching sure makes that a difficult task.
Not to make excuses for Betances, or having any insight to where he stands, or admit to even having seen him pitch yesterday (I didn’t), but…the most important thing for him right now is health and fastball velocity. Again, my recollection is he had several spring trainings with the Yanks where he looked lousy and had no velo, including late March appearances. Yesterday wasn’t good, but it is very early spring training from a traditionally slow starter. Hitting 93+ was a major accomplishment, and mechanics for those real tall guys are always a headache. Let’s give him some time…I’ve got to see him stink for March and April (low leverage spots) before I’m ready to cut bait.
I agree with most of what you say here.
But I think that he has to get back to consistent 95+ with his fastball to be effective. Can he do it? I’m not willing to wager on that one way or the other at this point. He has time to get his act together. But that time is not unlimited.
I’m excited about the Mets’ future infield:
Alonso / Smith
Mauricio / McNeil
Lindor / Guillorme
Baty / JDDavis
I know, some of these names will change… but a lot of home-grown talent and considerable control.