Starting Rotation
Jacob deGrom: The Mets most consistent starter. Took a step up from his stellar rookie year. At one point, he was nearly unbeatable from mid May to late August, becoming one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. Went through a tough stretch from late August through early September. But picked it up in his last two starts, earning the right to start Game 1. Finished with over 200 Ks and a 2.54 ERA.
Grade: A
Noah Syndergaard: Burst onto the scene in May and showed what the Mets future holds in their rotation. For the most part Thor was dominant at home. He struggled on the road but picked it up late. Was a strikeout machine who became considered the hardest thrower in the game now. But he also had pinpoint control, becoming one of the best in strikeouts to walk ratio. Finished with 166 Ks which is most by a Mets rookie since the great Dwight Gooden had 276 in 1984.
Grade: B+
Matt Harvey: In his first season back from Tommy John surgery, Matt was sharp for most of the season. He suffered through a few struggles here and there, perhaps from trying to recover from TJ. He, of course, also had the innings limit controversy, but considering he missed a year, Harvey had a great year, becoming more versatile by adding a curve and did a good job not letting his controversy get in the way by finishing strong and racking up Ks as he does best.
Grade: A-
Steven Matz: His rookie season was cut short by multiple injuries, but when he was healthy he also showed a lot of his potential. In his first start, not only did he get the win, but went 3-3 with 4 RBI, showing his prowess as a hitter. Another youngster who throws hard and as long as he can healthy, the sky is also the limit for him.
Grade: B-
Bartolo Colon: Considering his age (43), definitely an impressive year for him. Yeah when he wasn’t sharp he was roughed up in a big way, but when he was sharp, he was close to dominant especially when doing it with one pitch. Won 14 games and was perhaps the Mets most consistent starter down the stretch. And also showed more prowess with the bat this year too.
Grade: B+
Jon Niese: Niese had an up and down stretch. His best work was during the middle part of the year, even though he couldn’t win because he had no run support. He had consecutive stretches when he gave up 2 runs or less from late June to early August. But Niese fell back into inconsistency the rest of the way. He will pitch from the bullpen in the NLDS.
Grade: C
Logan Verrett: Had few fill in starts and pitched from the pen too. Had a few good starts, but didn’t pitch enough to justify a grade.
Grade: Incomplete
