Sure, we already know the New York Mets starting staff is the best in the land, but where does each specific pitch rank within the group?
By Jeremy Fialkow
superheroes pitchers on their roster. Flame-throwing is their hobby, strikeouts are their job.
The Metropolitan starting staff is comprised of two bonafide aces, an ace on the way, a top-prospect southpaw, the real-life Benjamin Button, and, don’t forget: yet another top-tier starter in the late stages of rehabbing Tommy John surgery.
All but one are under the age of 28 and barely scratching the surface of what could be a historic streak of dominance in the prime of their careers.
Matt Harvey, 26. Jacob deGrom, 27. Noah Syndergaard, 23. Steven Matz, 24. Bartolo Colon, 42. Zack Wheeler, 25.
Dark Knight.
DeGrominator.
Thor.
SuperMatz.
Big Sexy.
Hot Wheels. (Sorry, Zack. This one is a work in progress)
According to Baseball Savant, the Mets threw 22% of their pitches at 95 mph or above during the 2015 regular season. After them? Zero MLB teams exceeded the 15% threshold. To give you a little perspective, just five years ago, the Mets pitches at the same speed lingered around the 5% mark.
These guys are in a league of their own. It’s about time we thrust them into competition pitting them against one another.
So, one question remains: Who’s got the best ‘stuff’?
Honorable Mention: Jeurys Familia, Splitter
I know, I know. Starting pitchers only.
Nevertheless, it’s hard not to include one of the most mystifying pitches in all of baseball, coming from New York’s closer. In the absence and subsequent lifelong suspension of Jenrry Mejia, Familia stepped up out of nowhere to save 43 games and posting an ERA of 1.85.
Familia’s splitter is borderline unhittable and thus, unfair. It can reach speeds around 94-96 mph. Overall, its average velocity was 93.9 mph, a full three mph faster than any other player in baseball. The next highest velocity for a splitter in the Bigs? Pirates’ pitcher Arquimedes Caminero at 89.7 mph.
It once prompted a mesmerized David Ortiz to say: “That Familia, man, throwing that splitter 95 miles an hour, you crazy? No one can hit that.”
6. Zack Wheeler
It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen what Mr. Wheeler can do. If you needed a reminder, this is for you.
Come mid-July when he returns to the mound from TJ surgery, Wheeler will be impressing yet again as he rounds out this legendary Mets rotation.
5. Bartolo Colon, Everything He’s Got
This guy is amazing.
At 42-years-old, Big Bartolo turned down many offers and opportunities to make more money in order to return to “his family,” the New York Mets, and exceptional talent that comes with it.
He also turned himself into a semi-competent and hilarious batter.
Yes, he’s the funniest comedian in New York, whether that’s his intention or not.
Yes, he barely tops 90 mph on any of his pitches like he once could (about a century ago).
Yes, he still get’s roughed up by the opposition from time to time.
Yet, Bart’s found a way to display the most incredible of evolutions by becoming one of the most precise pitchers in the game. He is the epitome of resilience.
Inside or outside, high or low: Colon will place the baseball wherever the catcher wants it.
He, along with the rest of the team, has unfinished business, and Big Sexy doesn’t care whether that means pitching from the start or coming out of the bullpen. Whatever gets the job done.
4. Steven Matz: Curveball
Utter nonsense.
That’s the only thought running through Yasiel Puig‘s mind as Long Island native Steven Matz delivers a mean curveball.
Not to get out of hand here, but the break on his curve is reminiscent to that of fellow-southpaw Clayton Kershaw‘s.
It comes as no surprise SuperMatz is ranked as the top prospect in New York’s system after wowing batters, coaches and fans, alike, with his immense talent and poise in two (injury shortened) months in the Bigs.
The kid can do everything. Everyone remembers his major league debut, where he amazed not only on the mound, but also at the plate. In doing so, earning a rousing ovation from the Mets faithful and an unforgettable “Holy S***” from his very own Grandpa.
The next step for Matz is to prove he can stay healthy throughout a full 162-game schedule, and stay on top of consistently locating his fastball.
3. Matt Harvey: Slider, Fastball
Maybe Harvey is being sold a little short here, but don’t let the No. 3 ranking fool you. He’s as good as the two guy’s preceding him on this list. If not, better.
Amid all the nonsense of the innings limit and pitch-cap, Harvey put together an impressive campaign that stretched to the World Series and ended in the most heartbreaking of ways (Sorry for the not-so-subtle reminder).
He ended last year’s regular season with a 2.71 ERA and 188 Ks. He ended the postseason in devastating fashion, but not without reiterating his commitment to becoming the best of pitcher in the game and the best teammate to his Mets peers.
Harvey has begun a refreshing change to a pitcher’s approach on the mound. Instead of starting out with gas to get batters on their toes, Harvey has begun to reverse the status quo, throwing his breaking-stuff earlier in the count.
By now, everyone know’s about the “Warthen Slider.” That is, the disgusting pitch that Dan Warthen teaches his pupils.
The one pitcher who has truly mastered this pitch is the Dark Knight of Manhattan.
In 2015, his first season post-TJ surgery, Harvey seemed to lose any semblance of the slider that once was.
Well, guess what? It’s back, baby.
Add in a fastball that averages 96.5 mph (capable of reaching 98-99) to the 92 mph slider, and you’re beginning to chef up a real buffet.
2. Jacob deGrom: Fastball, Changeup
The DeGrominator is as wise as they come. Maybe that’s why he’s found such staggering success in two years as a major leaguer following a solid, yet hardly amazing minor league career.
Or, maybe it’s his lushes locks, which he vows will never be cut after learning of the advantage it provides.
Or, maybe it’s the endless command he has over every single one of his pitches. It’s hard to top the interplay between his fastball and changeup. No one mixes speed with off-speed better than this guy.
Mets’ fans, you have Johan Santana to thank for that. The once legendary pitcher, who hurled the only no-hitter in NYM history, was the man who taught deGrom his grip on the changeup. The rest was history.
In addition, his fastball is hard to pick up on, because of the appearance that it rises after deGrom slings it. In 2015, hitters batted only .172 when facing deGrom’s fastball.
Two years ago, the converted shortstop-turned-pitcher was the National League’s Rookie of the Year. Last year, he was an All-Star exceeding 200 strikeouts and leading the Mets with a 2.54 ERA. Now he’s arguably the leader of this Amazin’ staff.
1. Noah Syndergaard: Fastball, Curveball
The man they call Thor strikes fear into opposing hitters faster than lightning strikes ground. Or at least, faster than any pitcher in baseball.
Just ask Alcides Escobar.
On a staff of power hurlers, the 6′ 6″, 240 pound right-hander’s supply tops the list.
Throwing it 61.7% of the time in 2015, the blazing fastball averaged out to a velocity of 97.1 mph. Although, most of the time, you’ll see it hitting 98, 99…even 100+ mph.
The slight addition of backspin to the four-seamer leaves batters staring in amazement, and swinging long after the ball reaches the catcher’s glove.
The man mixes a humble demeanor with a subtle confidence. He doesn’t give his curveball nearly enough credit it deserves, often calling it a ‘work in progress.’ As you can see in the video above, not much work is needed. Breaking at 80 mph immediately after nailing 101 on the radar gun is a match made in heaven, bound to produce a plethora of downright ugly swings.
As Syndergaard gains more experience, he’ll learn to maximize efficiency by mixing different pitches in his repertoire and removing any chance for the batter to predict what’s coming.
In other words, he’s becoming a complete pitcher.
The 23-year-old is on the fast-track to superstardom and he’s got the attitude and the stuff to become the best pitcher on this talented team.
Another winner! Well done