Mets Note Pad: Velo and pitch shapes ‘paying dividends’ for bullpen,
While Pete Alonso, Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor have, naturally, been the Mets’ biggest stars through the early part of the season, the bullpen is worthy of some credit too. Call them the unsung heroes of the Mets. Their Amazin’ efficiencies have helped safeguard the leads for the heavy hitters, and they reveal no indications of decreasing.
The relief group’s 2.02 period is the third-best in baseball behind the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. Incredibly, the Mets have not needed to make any lineup moves to shuffle around the arms and get fresh ones in right now, despite the truth that the Mets have only had a beginning pitcher make it through 7 innings as soon as (Kodai Senga), and six innings three times (two times for David Peterson, when for Griffin Canning).
The bullpen has benefited enormously from health and luck, along with a trio of relievers capable of picking up more than 3 outs in high- or low-leverage innings (right-handers Max Kranick, Jose Butto and Huascar Brazobán).
A number of qualities have led to the success of the bullpen, with velocity and pitch shapes being two of them. In current seasons, the Mets haven’t had a lot of speed in the ‘pen outside of Edwin Diaz. Two years ago, without Diaz, the Mets didn’t have any reducer who tossed particularly difficult.
Now, they have Ryne Stanek sitting 98-99, Kranick hitting 97-98 and Brazobán reaching back for 97 sometimes. Diaz’s speed has ups and downs as he’s struggled with constant control sometimes, however his fastball can still strike 99 with destructive movement.
It’s a more well-rounded, vibrant bullpen.
“It certainly assists,” supervisor Carlos Mendoza said Saturday at Citi Field. “Not just the velo, but pitch shape and movement. You talk about Stanek tossing 98, but he also has a slider, and he’s got a split. Kranick, same thing; he’s got the fastball, type of like a four-seamer with the slider. Brazobán throws 97 but it’s a sinking 97 that goes with the cutter and the changeup.”
TRAINER’S SPACE
After making a fantastic catch in the top of the 4th, Mark Vientos left Saturday’s game with groin pain. The third baseman doesn’t believe it was his leaping grab that intensified his groin since he felt it pull while chasing down a nasty ball one batter later on, however he didn’t rule it out.
Dehydration is what he thinks is the offender.
“I’m not concerned at all,” Vientos stated. “I believe I simply didn’t drink sufficient water. I made that play, and then just seemed like a little tweak. However I think I’m excellent tomorrow.”
The Mets will send him for imaging if the pain lingers into Sunday. Vientos will run out the lineup for the series ending against the Cardinals.
Catcher Francisco Alvarez (hamate surgery) is clinically cleared to return to the major leagues. The focus of his remaining rehab games will be on ensuring he’s ready to strike in the big leagues also. Alvarez captured nine innings Friday night for Double-A Binghamton and did the exact same Saturday, going 2-for-5 with 2 strikeouts and a run scored against Reading.
The Mets will likely have him DH Sunday and examine whether he’s all set to return for the next home series versus the Philadelphia Phillies, which starts Monday.
Second baseman Jeff McNeil (oblique stress) will play back-to-back games in Binghamton this weekend, and the team will evaluate his status Monday. He went 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored versus Reading.
Right-hander Paul Blackburn (aching knee) made a rehabilitation start with High-A Brooklyn on Saturday, tossing 38 pitches over 2 innings, allowing one made run on two hits. He walked 2 and started out one.
EXCELLENT FUNDIES
Brett Baty picked up right where Vientos ended at third base Saturday, making a strong toss to conserve a run from scoring in the fifth inning. With a runner on 3rd and one out, he fielded a ground ball from Yohel Pozo, and threw home to get the runner in lots of time.
He made the catch, set his feet, and made an accurate toss. It was a fundamentally sound play made by a player who hasn’t always shown a mastery of the principles.
The 25-year-old third baseman has a tough task right now, spending most of time at second base. The footwork in the middle infield is in reverse compared to what he’s used to and he’s not exactly seasoned at the position. Still, Baty has actually revealed well defensively at both bases this season.
“That’s a simple play where, if you’re attempting to be too fast it’s not a simple throw,” Mendoza said. “He was available in prepared to go. Certainly he got checked, and did the job.”
Originally Released: April 19, 2025 at 4:41 PM EDT