5 who could thrive on mound for Mets
PORT ST. LUCIE — Everybody is waiting for Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom and Jason Vargas to make their Grapefruit League debuts this spring, but each is about a week away from getting his first game action.
With the Mets starting games on Friday, opening with Zack Wheeler on the mound against the Braves, there are still plenty of interesting young arms to look out for.
Here are five pitchers who have created some buzz among coaches, catchers and scouting personnel early in camp that you should keep your eye on:
GERSON BAUTISTA
When announcing the pitching schedule for the first three spring training games, Mickey Callaway touted Bautista, 22, as the pitching prospect everybody wants to see. With a fastball that touches 100 miles an hour that he commands well, he has the highest ceiling of all the young pitchers getting looks this spring. Some in the organization think that once he gets better command of his slider he could be a pitcher who moves through the organization very quickly.
Acquired in the deal that sent Addison Reed to the Red Sox last August, Bautista had a 4.22 ERA in 37 appearances between both organizations’ High-A teams. He struck out 73 in 59.2 innings pitched. He struggled with command, walking 4.7 per nine innings.
“Whoa. Tremendous raw tools. He’s far from a finished product. He can run up there 100 miles an hour with movement. Has a good split and breaking ball. We’re working on something as far as his delivery goes to make him a little more consistent, but he’s got that electric arm,” Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland said. “He has a slider, curveball, he’s got a lot of things we might simplify as we move forward. He’s a young arm, who is very raw, but if he trends the way we think he’s going to, then he’s got a chance to be a really good major pitcher.”
He is expected to begin this season in Binghamton.
TYLER BASHLOR
The 24-year-old right-hander had the catchers buzzing early in camp with his deceptive power. The converted college outfielder stands a little smaller than the 6-feet he is listed at in the media guide, but he has a deceptive delivery and he brings power to the mound. His fastball sits around 95-96 miles per hour and he can touch 99 when he needs to. After 2014 Tommy John surgery, Bashlor has moved quickly through the Mets’ system. He struck out 84 and walked just 24 in 49.2 innings pitched last season between High-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton. After his promotion to Double-A, Bashlor did not allow a run in 14.2 innings pitched.
“He stays on the attack, his fast ball plays really well. It’s hard, but it plays even harder because it gets on you quick,” Eiland said. "He has some explosion and some late life. He’s always in attack mode.”
COREY OSWALT
Oswalt, 24, should not be a surprise to Mets fan. After all, he was named the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year in 2017. He had an impressive season at Double-A Binghamton going 12-5 in 24 starts. He struck out 119 and walked just 40 in 134.1 innings pitched. His eight strikeouts per nine innings are fine, but the 2.7 walks per nine innings made the Mets’ player development staff very happy.
In his first major league camp, Oswalt has impressed with his plusstuff. He has a fastball that sits at 95 mph and other pitches — curveball, slider and changeup — he can command.
“He’s more of a typical pitcher, a typical starting pitcher. Four pitches — moves the ball in, moves the ball out. Changes sequences,” Eiland said. “He can pitch backwards when he has to.”
MATT PURKE
Not so young anymore, Purke (27) was signed to a minorleague deal this winter with the idea that he could come into camp and compete for a bullpen spot as the second lefty in the pen. He missed the first week of camp with the flu, but Eiland and Callaway think they can mold him into someone who can compete for the job.
In 65 innings pitched last year, Purke allowed four home runs, walked 28 and struck out 80. He held lefty batters to a .198 average and just two extra-base hits in 121 plate appearances.
“Mickey and I have both seen him really good in the big leagues, then we’ve seen him not so good,” Eiland said. “When he’s on, he’s pretty tough. In the process now of finding out, I have a pretty good idea of why he’s had the inconsistency. I won’t reveal, but it’s being addressed as we speak.”
Purke is not on the 40-man roster, an obstacle for him. But with P.J. Conlon the only other lefty in camp, he’s got a good shot.
DREW SMITH
Acquired in the deal that sent Lucas Duda to the Rays last year, Smith, 24, is also not on the 40-man roster, but he’s impressed the coaches and catchers early this spring with his deceptive delivery. His arm comes across his body, making it hard for hitters to pick up the ball’s trajectory. In 60 innings pitched last season, Smith pitched to a 1.65 ERA with a 0.90 WHIP. He struck out 57 and walked 14. Smith said that coming in with a brand new pitching coach and manager has given him a chance to get a fresh start. He’s already made an impression. “He’s very similar to Bashlor. A little more funky. He’s kind of across his body more so there is some deception there. He gets on you quick, too. Very similar profile as Bashlor,” Eiland said. “His fastball doesn’t get up there quite as high, but it plays, it plays better than the guns will show.”