We all have our blind spots. Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog wanted to put Chris Capuano in the bullpen. Manager Terry Collins wants to start Luis Hernandez at second base. And I have never been right about Mike Pelfrey.
He was the ninth overall pick of the 2005 Draft with a fine college resume so I thought he was going to be an ace. Then he struggled in his first two trials in the majors and didn’t strike anyone out so I thought he needed more seasoning.
Pelfrey proceeded to turn in a fine year in 2008 and despite the statistical warnings to the contrary, I thought he was on an express ride to stardom. Then he was absolutely brutal in 2009 so I suggested that he and his one pitch would be better in the bullpen.
What happened in 2010? Pelfrey got off to a phenomenal start, struggled in the middle of the year and then turned it back on again down the stretch to record an impressive 15-win season. Now he is being counted on to be the ace of the staff.
His first few Spring Training starts are solid and I write a piece about how the Mets SP are off to a strong start. So what happens? Of course he immediately gets knocked around in his next few outings. It’s uncanny.
For the good of the team, I am going to declare that Pelfrey is a stiff. And I am not going to waver from that belief for the remainder of his time on the Mets. Not only is Pelfrey no good – the Mets should have Dillon Gee on speed dial ready to take his spot in the rotation after he bombs in his first three starts. Don’t believe me? Check out these last few outings since I wrote the SP piece on March 9th:
3/10 – 4.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
3/16 – 5.0 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
3/21 – 3.1 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
That’s 11 ER in 12.1 IP – how can you have any confidence in that guy?
Pelfrey is slated to be the team’s pitcher today against the Braves. The rest of the Mets better get a good night’s sleep and eat an extra dose of Wheaties because if the Mets are going to win today, the hitters are going to need to put a bunch of crooked numbers on the scoreboard.
Remember, you heard it here first, Pelfrey will be the Achilles’ heal of the 2011 Mets.
I hope you are wrong, even though I know you are right.
And Big Pelf goes out and trows a ‘decent’ game. Keep it up Brian!
Only because Manny Acosta bailed him out and stranded two Pelfrey runners. Of course the offense scoring 8 runs didn’t hurt, either…
Thats why I said ‘decent’. (:
Brian,
I am interested in your views and would like to subscribe to your newsletter. 😉