26
2012
Matt Harvey Draws Rave Reviews After An Impressive Showing
An article by 
Mets top pitching prospect Matt Harvey had everyone abuzz yesterday after an electric early spring performance while facing live batters.
Teammates, coaches and everyone on hand raved about his velocity, his command, and the wicked movement on his breaking pitches. The baseball exploded out of his hand and bore down on hitters. Harvey exhibited a tremendous amount of mound presence and a confidence that caught Terry Collins’ immediate attention.
The reviews are in:
“Did you see him? (Bleeping) unbelievable. The last one he threw to me started on my hip. I jumped out of the way and it was down the middle. You don’t see that on an everyday basis.” ~ Josh Thole
“Obviously, these guys aren’t throwing as hard as they can and breaking it off as hard as they can, but his mechanics are real smooth and when he stays on top of the ball it jumps out of his hand. He’s got tremendous run and it just keeps on going. I’d like to see him when he’s in a game throwing 97 like he can, with that movement — it can be pretty nasty.” ~ Ike Davis
“Obviously, that’s a pretty impressive looking pitcher. The thing besides his stuff, this guy’s makeup is off the chart. You can see he has an edge to him. He’s bound and determined to make this team. He talks to every coach about it. What do I need to do? How do I make this team? It’s got to be the right time, the right moment and the right situation…but once in a while they dictate when they come.” ~ Terry Collins
So what did Harvey have to say after his first real test of the Spring?
“I just want to play. I feel like if you don’t have the mindset of trying to make the team, then you’re kind of lost already. I’m here to make the team. In my mind that’s what I’m going to try and do. I’m always going to have that mentality.”
It’s pretty exciting when you consider that Harvey has only one pro season under his belt. Last season, the young right-hander split time between the Single-A St. Lucie Mets and Double-A Binghamton where he went 13-5 with a 3.32 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 135.2 innings pitched.
From the moment he threw his first pitch as a Met, Harvey has done nothing but impress… and mow batters down.
He won’t be rushed, but that doesn’t mean he won’t push the envelope and force the Mets’ hand if he continues to dominate.
I’m going to love following Matt Harvey’s progress this season. He gives me hope that things are going to be pretty special for the Mets before too long. It’s been a long time since a Mets pitching prospect has stirred that kind of emotion from me.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
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Been a big fan of his since The Mets drafted him. Can’t wait to see him on the opening day roster in 2013! I still think it would be best if he started this season in AAA and got a little more experience before making the jump to the show already…unless, he does something amazing in ST, like throwing 20 innings and having an ERA of around 1.
Sounds like he’s already ahead of Pelfrey. Let’s hope Mike isn’t finished and is our next Oliver Perez.
Pelf is only on a 1 year deal and making a salary on target for a for a #4 starter.
Sounds like he could be the first guy up for an injury.
It’s not even certain that Harvey will start the year at Buffalo. He probably will have to dominate at Binghamton before being promoted to AAA.
Batista will probably be the first guy called up to start, if an injury or a failure occurs in NYC.
Yea I think that may end up being what happens. Him starting out at AA and if he gets off to a strong start moving up to AAA soon after. Unlike a few projections I saw last season that had Harvey in AAA by September 2011 I think the Mets will be careful how they handle him and move him accordingly.
We shouldn’t get too crazy after 5 batters in the first week of ST, but such is our psyche. We are so desperate for ‘the goods’ being delivered to us that we push the envelope along with Harvey anxious and determined to make the team out of ST.
i agree. i think he should start the season either in AA/AAA and be primed for promotion at some point in the year. And ready for a full season in the Show in 2013.
This is very exciting. And to think, we’ve got a few more prospects ‘on the cusp’ also: Familia, Niewenhuis, Valdespin, Havens, maybe Wheeler sometime next year, and Mejia maybe sometime this year.
Things could start to look promising over the next 1 – 2 years.
Long ago, in an MMO shoutbox far, far away. I talked about Matt Harvey’s quick progression before he even pitched one game for the Mets. Here is what I said:
2011 – Start in Single A, mid season promotion, finish season in Double A
2012 – Start in Double A, May promotion to Triple A, promotion to Majors by July, definitely by September.
As I argued with others, that’s not rushing him, that’s an indication of how polished and close to major league ready he was coming from an excellent college baseball program.
very, very excited about this team. I have gotten over the whole Reyes thing, and i even still think they will be an exciting team this year. Even perhaps in the wild card standings come Sept. And im totally excited about following Harvey and Wheeler, and Familia to see how they progress this year. I dont wanna see Harvey until the sept callups. He should get as much seasoning as possible first…..Lets go Mets…..D Murph, Duda, and Ike are gonna be fun to watch too
more players make the jump from AA to the bigs now than ever before. not to say this could happen. he might be too valuable to rush. but it is not out of the realm.