What's On

Thursday, April 4, 2013

MAKING THE PITCH: New York Mets

Felipe M

Even though the season has started, it's still early enough to take a quick look at the rest of the pitching staffs.


Check out our review on Roy Halladay and the Philadelphia Phillies.


Let's see how the New York Mets look for this season:

Jeremy Hefner was selected as the team's 4th starter by default due to all the injuries the Mets have suffered with guys like Shaun Marcum  (15-day DL) and Johan Santana (out for the year).  Hefner didn't impress in the spring and he posted mediocre numbers in both Double-A and Triple-A.

2013 Pitching Projections
Player
Team
K/BB
K/9
BB/9
H/9
WHIP
HR/9
Jon Niese
Mets
2.96
7.34
2.48
8.51
1.22
0.95
Shaun Marcum
Mets
2.80
7.71
2.76
8.27
1.23
1.07
Matt Harvey
Mets
2.21
8.90
4.02
8.25
1.36
0.91
Dillon Gee
Mets
2.18
7.11
3.26
8.53
1.31
0.89
Bobby Parnell
Mets
2.68
7.93
2.96
8.06
1.22
0.54












When Shaun Marcum is healthy, he can be a real solid starter.  When he's healthy. He's currently out with nerve inflammation in his neck and will not be making his next start.  Typical Marcum stuff.

Dillon Gee was pitching well in the 2012, but missed the 2nd half of last year due to a blood clot in his shoulder that required surgery.  He had a serviceable spring, but should be ready to go for this season and his projections are fairly accurate for Gee.  He pitched valiantly today against the Padres, but suffered a loss.  He walked three and struck out four.

Jon Niese was the Mets' Opening Day starter this year and he pitched well enough to get credit for the win.  Just like Gee before the injury, Niese had a career year in 2012.  Again, the projections are pretty accurate in terms of what you can expect out of Niese.  

Bobby Parnell becomes the de-facto closer due to Frank Francisco's current stint on the DL for elbow inflammation.  Francisco underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow and the last report indicated that he still couldn't pitch without succumbing to pain.  He's expected to be back by mid-April, but that's being overly optimistic for a pitcher that feels major pain every time he throws the ball.  

Parnell had a really good spring as he allowed only 2 baserunners.  His projections are not very impressive for a closer, but he does have experience as he has notched 14 saves in his career.  If Parnell is able to hold the 9th inning without much problems, he might be able to hold on to the job for the rest of the year, even if Francisco returns. 

And if there's a young pitcher that would be worth the price of admission this season, it'd be Matt Harvey.  Every time I see the name I get excited.  I am this close to becoming a Mets' fan just so I can pay attention to his games.  The projections believe that he will struggle with walks as many young pitchers do when they're pitching to big league hitters for the first time in their careers, but Harvey dominated hitters this spring.  Despite the projections and the bust label bestowed upon him by many fantasy experts, I'm really optimistic about Harvey blooming this season.  He is a young pitcher so there will be control and command issues, walls that will be hit and possible innings and pitch count limits, but he might do enough to help out fantasy teams; assuming he's not a top-tier starter for said teams.  

His first start of the season was fantastic as he mowed down the Padres.  I'm not expecting him to be dominant in every start, but he definitely has the upside to show flashes every once in a while. 

Matter of fact, the Mets have a decent pitching staff entering this season and they look like they can be a fun team to watch in 2013.  Not sure about their hitters, but their pitching might be enough to keep them in ballgames.

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