Feb
28
2012

Matt Harvey To Start Intrasquad Game On Friday, Will Pitch In Spring Opener 3/5

An article by Joe D

RHP Matt Harvey is expected to start Friday’s intrasquad game at Digital Domain Park according to Terry Collins who also announced his pitching assignments for the first three games of the Grapefruit League season as follows:

March 5 Mets vs. Nationals: Dillon Gee, Matt Harvey, Miguel Batista, Daniel Herrera, Tim Byrdak, Frank Francisco

March 6 Mets (SS) vs. Cardinals: Johan Santana, R.A. Dickey, Pedro Beato

March 6 Mets (SS) at Astros: Jeurys Familia, Jeremy Hefner, Josh Stinson

Yesterday, Michael Baron of MetsBlog spoke to top prospect Matt Harvey while on assignment in St. Lucie. Here is part of that interview:

Michael Baron: Last year, you dominated the Florida State League. After being promoted to Double-A, what were some of the challenges you faced, and the immediate adjustments which were necessary to make?

Matt Harvey: The biggest thing in the jump to Double-A was staying in my approach, and not trying to do much. Hitters are hitters; they’re trying to hit me and I’m trying to get them out. I can’t try and change that just because I was promoted. Early in the move, I got away from that, but it was a learning experience and I got more comfortable there as time went on. I really learned that no matter how many jumps I make, just to not change and go about my business the way I’ve always done.

Michael Baron: When you were promoted to Double-A, initially you struggled. But you were lights out towards the end of the season. Did you have to make any mechanical adjustments, or was it a matter of simply needing to execute better?

Matt Harvey: I just had to make things smoother – not to force things, and just letting things happen. Whether it was trying to throw a curveball for a strike, or keeping my change up down – it was a matter of trusting my stuff and doing everything I should have been doing. I really worked on that this winter – I smoothed everything else out, and trying to eliminate differences in my delivery between pitch types. That helped me tremendously.

Michael Baron: Were you given a set of goals by the organization this winter?

Matt Harvey: Just to work on location, and keeping my pitches down. As I progressed in Double-A, they had trouble hitting everything down.

Check out the entire interview at MetsBlog.com.

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.

9 Comments + Add Comment

Metsie February 28, 2012 at 10:50 am

Well we all know he is going to (and should) start the season in the MiLs.
But I hope they don’t do what they usually do and send him to the Minor League field too soon in ST.

They have a tendency of pulling the kids they know are not going to start the season or have a shot at the MLB roster and sending them to finish the rest of spring with the other MiLers.

In Harvey’s case I would like to see them delay that a bit, Give harvey a little longer a taste of MLB hitters and also help to push the remaining staff of starters by showing them their potential replacement!

It might even make the fans excited for next year so they might buy tickets and solve this financial mess!
- t agee February 28, 2012 at 11:20 am
  
  That’s a good point Metsie.
  
  Wouldn’t kill him in terms of seeing some things that work, and seeing somethings to work on and to increase his confidence that he can get guys out even if it’s just ST.
  
  I would like to see him, Familia and Mejia pitch against ML teams for an extra couple of weeks especially out of Division teams if possible.
  - trs86 February 28, 2012 at 11:36 am
    
    Did not think Mejia was going to be ready to pitch in games during ST?
  - Metsie February 28, 2012 at 12:54 pm
    
    Well there is a bigger reason why they quickly get them onto the MiL field ASAP.
    
    Not because he can’t handle it but also because they don’t want to see him struggle at all and ruin his trade value!
    
    I don’t personally agree with that but it’s a main reason why they don’t let the kids they know are not part of the roster stay with it too long.
    
    I think it can only be a plus for him though.
    He sees what he will face, If he does well it gives him the confidence to have a really good season in AAA facing lesser batters and if he struggles he knows what he needs to work on!
srt February 28, 2012 at 11:23 am

Looks like that 6 March game against the Cards is the one that will be televised on SNY.

Hope Familia then pitches in another game that will be televised. I’m looking forward to getting a glimpse of him in ST.
Jon February 28, 2012 at 11:44 am

Did they announce the times of the Intrasquad games?
Alex68 February 28, 2012 at 12:53 pm

MARCH 6TH, I KNOW WHERE I’LL BE!!!! SOMEHOW WATCHING JEURYYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!! ok, maybe DVR’ing it LOL… Harvey and Jeurys will be up this year, with the team looking at 60 to 70 wins it’s good to see how they handle the Majors for a bit…
- Mr North Jersey February 28, 2012 at 12:58 pm
  
  Did you see this yesterday?
  
  http://www.twitvid.com/W3QTL
- Alex68 February 28, 2012 at 1:03 pm
  
  MNJ. Yeeeessss!!!! i saw it, THANKS man.. that was pretty cool, i still get goose bumps when i see stuff like that..

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	25	18	.581	-
Nationals	23	21	.523	2.5
Phillies	21	23	.477	4.5
Mets	17	24	.415	7.0
Marlins	12	32	.273	13.5

Last updated: 05/19/2013

MMO Mets Chat

Need Tickets To The Mets Game?

Check Out These Great MLB Links!

For wholesale prices on New York Mets gifts and equipment, check these stores out!
Mets Autograph Signings
Mets Fan Apparel
Mets Autographed Baseballs
Baseball Card Supplies
Baseball Equipment

For the best seats and lowest MLB ticket prices, go to PurchaseSeats.com. Get your Mets Tickets now and follow them on the road with Yankees Tickets, Phillies Tickets, Nationals Tickets and Braves Tickets!