Spring Training ’13: Darin Gorski Will Get Long Look As Reliever

On Monday, general manager Sandy Alderson talked a little bit about Mets left-handed pitching prospect Darin Gorski.

Alderson said that Gorski will get a serious look as a reliever in Spring Training, but it is unlikely he’ll make the Opening Day roster. The Mets just want to see how Gorski performs in that role.

Gorski, 25, has been used mostly as a starter during his minor league career and just 16 of his 90 appearances have been in relief including one stint in relief in 2012.

It’s possible that the Mets are intrigued by Gorski’s ability to hold lefthanded hitters to a stingy .219 batting average.

We got to meet Darin a few times last season and we have a kid here who is well grounded, dedicated and highly motivated. It wouldn’t shock me to see him excel as future MLB lefty specialist.

MMO Minor League Analyst, Mitch Petanick:

I’m starting to get the feeling the Mets are looking to add a second left-handed arm to the bullpen this season with the talk last week of Jack Leathersich possibly making his debut with the Mets in 2013, and now Alderson saying something similar about Darin Gorski.

Gorski was the Mets Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2011 after posting an 11-3 record and a 2.08 ERA at St. Lucie. His stats were a little less impressive in 2012, but he made what is considered the most difficult jump for prospects from Single-A ball to Double-A ball. He’s been used mostly as a starter throughout his professional career, and although his mechanics are pretty smooth, he profiles better as a reliever. He isn’t an overpowering pitcher. He stands 6’4,” so his fastball, which is clocked around 90mph, is considered below average for a guy of his size.

Michael Baron of Metsblog recently reported that Gorski’s velocity is deceptive because of his height, which leads to a longer stride, making it feel as if he is right on top of the hitter when he releases the pitch. However, if you watch some footage on Gorski, you will will notice that his stride is actually shorter than it should be for a guy his height. This ultimately costs him a few miles-per-hour on the heater. But he has excellent control, and his change-up is pretty nasty (nice movement – away from rightys and in on the hands of lefties).

I personally don’t see him making the Mets’ roster at the end of spring training. He had a difficult time adjusting from Single to Double-A in 2012, so a jump to the big leagues at this point doesn’t seem fair to Gorski. He will probably start the 2013 season back in Double-A, and depending on his mastery at that level, may find a spot in the Mets bullpen sometime after the All-Star break.