DeGrom hits 99 mph in live batting practice
PORT ST. LUCIE – The only thing hotter than the FIorida sun is Jacob deGrom’s fastball. Even though it’s early, the Mets ace is bringing the heat. DeGrom took the mound for a live batting practice session on Tuesday afternoon and the only way his coaches knew it wasn’t a real game was because of the smile he kept flashing after he threw his pitches.
“It’s getting ridiculous,” manager Luis Rojas said of deGrom. “Showing up today, he’s throwing 99.”
DeGrom faced Jeff McNeil, who seemed utterly relieved that he won’t have to dig in against him during the regular season, Pete
Alonso, who made some contact but only for sharp grounders, and newcomer Jonathan Villar, who managed only foul balls off the right-hander. DeGrom threw to catcher James McCann as members of the team’s analytics department, pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and Rojas gathered nearby.
Rojas, who said deGrom looked like he was in “midseason form,” didn’t stick around for the entire live BP because the two-time Cy Young award winner is one of the few players he doesn’t spend time worrying about.
“I saw the repetitions, then I went to other fields to see other guys, because you know what you’re seeing,” Rojas said.
DIAZ SET TO CLOSE
Edwin Diaz indicated on Tuesday he’s far removed from his first season with the Mets (5.59 ERA over 66 games) that he said “wasn’t good.” He prepared hard this offseason in hopes of bringing results similar to 2020, when he bounced back to record a 1.75 ERA and 50 strikeouts over 25.2 innings in the shortened season.
Rojas won’t commit to Diaz being the team’s closer, but all signs are pointing to the 26-year-old Puerto Rican getting several opportunities to secure saves in 2021.
“Every offseason, I prepare myself to be the closer of the team,” Diaz said. “I think last season was really important for me. I had a tremendous season last year. I’m not the one who makes the decisions, but I know my mindset in my preparation is to be the closer of this team.”
Diaz said the biggest difference in his success last year was the location of his pitches. He was able to better command his fastball and slider, which are two key pitches Diaz needs to have a powerful season.