Zanghi has been ‘sweet music’ for former Met Viola, Binghamton
HARTFORD — Joe Zanghi has called three different ballparks home this season, from Florida to Las Vegas to upstate New York.
He’s had ups and downs — 13 scoreless innings to start the season with High-A St. Lucie; a 9.00 ERA in two outings with Triple-A Vegas — spent some time on the disabled list, renewed bonds with teammate Tim Tebow and developed a third pitch in his arsenal.
The Milford native and Foran High graduate was back close to home at Dunkin’ Donuts Park this past week with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the Mets’ Double-A affiliate. Zanghi entered the twogame set with the Yard Goats sporting a 5.59 ERA in 13 Double-A outings.
That may not look too impressive. But as far as Binghamton’s well-known pitching coach is concerned, Zanghi has, for the most part, been “sweet music.”
“Great work ethic, terrific poise on the mound,” said Frank Viola, who won a World Series and Cy Young with the Minnesota Twins and also pitched for the Mets and Red Sox. “He’s only 23 years old. He’s moving up the ladder and doing a really nice job.”
Viola added that a couple of bad outings (including four runs in one inning Monday in Altoona) has hurt his ERA.
“The thing I like about him is he’s aggressive, he goes after hitters, gets ahead in the count, and he’s not afraid to attack the zone.”
Zanghi boasts a fastball in the mid-90s and an 88MPH slider that’s his “out” pitch. He has added a change-up to his repertoire this season, the root of his early-season success.
“I think that’s made a huge difference in my ability to pitch,” Zanghi said, prior to Wednesday’s game against the Yard Goats. “Being a fastball/slider guy was tough. Being able to incorporate that third pitch really helped my game.”
“We talked about it in spring training,” added Viola, who’s in his first season as the Rumble Ponies’ pitching coach. “It was a pitch that he really wanted to get a feel for and at least try throwing in games, and he’s been able to do that. For a relief pitcher who pitches an inning or two, he’s got three pitches he can use. That’s good weaponry to have as you go up the ladder.”
Zanghi didn’t give up a single run until May 10 (nine outings) with St. Lucie and had a nifty 1.44 ERA at that level when he got his first career Triple-A promotion on May 28.
“That was a lot of fun,” Zanghi said of his two brief stints in Vegas. “It was pretty surprising to go up there. I knew I was only going up there to fill in, they had a couple of guys who had to go long. I tried to go up there and give it all I could.”
Fortunately for Zanghi, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas — at least on the pitcher’s mound.
He returned to St. Lucie on June 11, sprained his ankle while fielding a comebacker and went on the disabled list for a week. Soon after his return, he was promoted to Binghamton, where he’s been since June 30, complete with another stint on the D.L. thanks to that sore ankle.
His parents, Marc and Diane, were at Dunkin’ Donuts Park for last week’s two-game set, but Zanghi expects plenty more friends and family to be in attendance when Binghamton returns for a four-game series with the Yard Goats beginning Thursday.
“I’ve had my struggles, but I’ve also had my successes,” Zanghi said. “Now, I think it’s just becoming more consistent, trying to limit those bad outings and have more good outings. That’s the name of the game.”
YA GOTTA BELIEVE
At least Zanghi is healthy again, which is more than can be said for Tebow, the college football legend who’s tried his hand at baseball the past two years. Tebow was Zanghi’s teammate last season at Single-A Columbia and again this year with Binghamton before suffering a seasonending injury last month.
“He’s an awesome guy,” Zanghi reported. “He’s everything you see on TV. He’s a very genuine guy, a great human being. He’s somebody who you learn a lot of good life lessons from.”
In truth, Tebow could probably learn a lesson or two from Zanghi, at least when it comes to baseball. Zanghi didn’t play major college ball, lasting just one semester at UConn and wound up playing two years at Cumberland County College in Vineland, New Jersey. He was a 24th-round draft pick by the Reds in 2015, got released before ever suiting up for the organization, and signed with the Mets as a free agent in February, 2016.
But, more so than any other sport, there are numerous examples of lateround draft picks making it in the majors. Look no further than current Mets reliever Seth Lugo, a 34thround draft pick.
“Guys will see you,” Zanghi said. “If you can play, they’ll see you. People say, ‘You’re from the northeast’ — a lot of guys from the northeast are playing pretty big-time baseball. I think it’s important that, no matter where you are, you can always have an opportunity.”
Added Viola: “If a kid knows how to pitch, a kid knows how to pitch. It’s up to the organization to really give him that opportunity to see what they can do. The Mets are real good. If you do your job, you’re gonna get an opportunity. That’s what I like about this organization. That’s why I’ve been with them for eight years now. It’s fun to know, when these kids go out and do what they’re supposed to do, they’re rewarded for it. That’s what baseball should be all about.”