Edwin Díaz throws live BP, and a new swing for Brett Baty
Plus, a closer look at the Mets best pitching prospect who has ascending to the top of their prospect charts
What’s up with the Mets? ⚾️ 🌴
The Mets held their 2nd official workout for pitchers and catchers in Port St. Lucie on Thursday
Brett Baty is putting an emphasis on hitting more balls in the air this spring (Newsday)
Edwin Diaz threw live BP for the first time since last March (Newsday)
A look at some of the positional battles in Mets camp this spring (The Record)
Recently, our own Michael Baron sat down with Taylor Tarter to discuss the 2024 season in the latest episode of Fastball Podcast (Link)
Christian Scott is emerging as the pitcher to know in the Mets system ✍️
Nothing excites and energizes a fan base more than a collection of homegrown stars that emerge as difference makers and catapult a team into contention.
Trading for and signing stars is fun. Developing them is even better.
A decade ago—God how has it been that long?—the Mets were well on their way to putting together the most enviable young starting rotation in baseball. By spring training 2014, Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler had already enjoyed tremendous success at the big-league level. Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Steven Matz were all not far behind.
Led predominantly by their young starters—as well as a dynamic Jeurys Familia in relief—the Mets took the 2015 playoffs by storm and won the National League pennant.
When the Mets signed Max Scherzer a few years ago it was fun. Justin Verlander obviously didn’t work out here (although he wasn’t given a lot of time here either) but bringing him in was exciting. Yet, I can honestly sit here and tell you that diehard fans like us never connected with those imported veterans the way we did with the staff of hurlers we watched grow up in the Mets system.
The Mets currently have an excellent homegrown position player core, led by Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and Brandon Nimmo—with names like Francisco Álvarez, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos hoping to be included in that list.
On the mound, though, they’ve failed to deliver the type of impact starter they seemed to produce at will a decade ago.
Heading into this spring training, the Mets do have a handful of exciting young arms they hope can author the next chapter in this pitching rich franchise, and the guy that’s begun to break away from the pack is right hander, Christian Scott.
New York selected the former Florida Gator in the fifth round of the 2021 draft, and in short order he’s ascended all the way to the top of the Mets’ pitching prospect rankings. Scott made 18 starts between Brooklyn and Binghamton last summer and was simply special, delivering a 2.52 ERA and striking out 104 hitters in 85.2 innings.
Scott pitches with an edge, attitude, and guile, and he’s put himself on the fast track towards debuting later this summer.
The Mets opening day rotation looks pretty well set, and should one of the projected five go down, experienced arms like Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi, and Jose Butto would be in line for the first promotion.
But if Scott continues on his upwards trajectory, and an injury opens up a long term hole in the team’s rotation, don’t be shocked if the Mets give the kid a chance. And if that type of opportunity arises, I expect him to take it and run with it, similar to what deGrom did back in 2014.
Hot Stove 🔥
Veteran Whit Merrifield is expected to decide on his new team later this week (Morosi)
Players have taken their grievances over the new uniform to the MLBPA (Athletic)
The Yankees are discussing an advisory role for Corey Kluber (Newsday)
Orioles’ righty Kyle Bradish has a sprained UCL and could be headed towards Tommy John (ESPN)