Jul
5
2012

Jon Niese Has Gone From Unreliable To Untouchable

An article by John Delcos

Sometimes it is better to hold a pat hand, which is what the Mets have done with Jonathan Niese over the past few years. More than a few times we heard Niese’s name mentioned in a possible trade.

Whom the Mets would have received in return would not have lifted them from their 2007-2011 funk. At least, not as much as Niese is lifting them now. He’s 7-3 after last night’s 11-1 rout of the Phillies.

The players the Mets might have received could have given them a temporary spark, but they were in need of a deep rebuilding with their pitching and that begins with a stud left-hander, and Niese certainly fits that mold.

Niese was dominant on Tuesday night with all his pitches, working quickly and staying ahead in the count. Give him a few runs and he’s golden. Last night he had more than he needed.

Niese is a major reason why the Mets, if the season ended today, would be in the playoffs. There’s nobody that could have predicted that. Nobody.

At one time the Mets were eight games over .500 and poised to go on a roll. Instead, they faltered and threatened to go below .500. However, this has been a resilient team – perhaps its best attribute and they are seven over with two more games against the Phillies and three against the Cubs. Ten over by the break is very possible.

The Mets are doing what they should be doing against the reeling Phillies, and that is to beat up on them as they did in the first game of the series. When facing a down team go for the throat. While they are hurting, the Phillies still have that strong rotation and Ryan Howard due back. The season is not over for them. Other teams have made up more ground in less time, so putting as much space between them is essential for the Mets. With Dickey on the mound tonight, a series win is all, but certain.

About the Author: John Delcos

I am an active member of the BBWAA and have covered Major League Baseball in several capacities for over 20 years, including ten in New York working the Mets' and Yankees' beat. I covered the Baltimore Orioles for eight years and the Cleveland Indians before that. I currently serve as an editor and senior staff writer for Mets Merized Online. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos.

7 Comments + Add Comment

stick July 5, 2012 at 2:55 pm

not sure why people wanted to give up on Neise so quickly. he is what, 25 now? Still relatively young for a SP, certainly a lefty.

Most prospects do take a few years to fully develop in the majors. Guys like Gooden are the exception not the rule.

If you want some other lefties that took time, Glavine and Cliff Lee. And they ended up turnign out OK
Metsie July 5, 2012 at 5:33 pm

Niese has Ace potential…This would be the year we start to see glimpses and we have seen some improvement. What his issue has always been was the late fade, but if he can overcome that this year it bodes well for what he might do next year.
K Maxx July 5, 2012 at 6:46 pm

Jon Niese is NOT untouchable.
- Kymets July 5, 2012 at 7:04 pm
  
  An above avg pitching on a cheap contract why is that not untouchable
  - Kymets July 5, 2012 at 7:10 pm
    
    Pitcher*
sarge69 July 6, 2012 at 12:18 am

Niese has shown the knack to get out of tough situations in his career, makes you think he was a reliever in his former life , but he has now taken that mental toughness to another level.
His ability to continue to learn to pitch and adjust as the game progresses shows his maturity and his value as a lefty on this team.
Niese has given toughness and depth to this rotation that was not expected.
Morning Links: 7.6.12 » Up Along First | A New York Mets blog July 6, 2012 at 9:19 am

[...] Jon Niese Has Gone From Unreliable To Untouchable- John Delcos- MetsMerized Online [...]

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	24	18	.571	-
Nationals	23	20	.535	1.5
Phillies	20	23	.465	4.5
Mets	16	24	.400	7.0
Marlins	11	32	.256	13.5

Last updated: 05/18/2013

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