Feb
28
2013

Sickels Really Likes Mets Righthander Noah Syndergaard

An article by Craig Lerner

syndergaard

Prospect maven John Sickels really loves righthander Noah Syndergaard, who he ranked #12 on his Top 50 Pitching Prospects list inside his 2013 Baseball Prospect Book.

He shared what he wrote about Syndergaard on his site Minor League Ball this morning:

Noah Syndergaard is one of my very favorite prospects. A supplemental first round pick in 2010 from high school in Texas, he’s thrived thus far in pro ball, generating very enthusiastic scouting reports to go along with excellent statistics. Syndergaard has a 92-98 MPH sinking fastball that gets on top of hitters quickly. He picks up a lot of grounders (2.16 GO/AO), while maintaining a strong strikeout rate (122/31 K/BB in 104 innings in Low-A, just 81 hits). He’s developed a very good changeup, and I think his curveball is underrated. He commands all three pitches well, shows positive mound presence, and seems like he will be durable. The Blue Jays have managed his workload well. Assuming no injuries or weird command slippages, Syndergaard can develop into a number two starter. I really like him. He was traded to the Mets in the R.A. Dickey deal. Grade A-

“The knock on Syndergaard has always been his breaking ball, which needed a lot of tightening, ” says Sickels. But he adds that in the second half of last season he saw much improvement. He admits that he likes the new Mets addition better than most, and that other sources don’t share the same enthusiasm, and mentions that Baseball America has Syndergaard ranked at #54 due to concerns about the righthander’s secondary pitches not being very impressive.

To see a video of Syndergaard, check out SNY’s Toby Hyde interviewed him over at Mets Minor League Blog. Hyde talks to him about how he found out he was traded for Dickey and also asks him about his arsenal which now includes a slider to go with his fastball, change and hook.

About the Author: Craig Lerner

I'm a data analyst and researcher for a leading news agency who loves life and is hooked on the Mets. I love following the Amateur Draft and have a particular fondness for the Mets Minor Leagues who I follow each day. Give me a cold beer, a summer day, and a Mets game, and I'm good to go.

11 Comments + Add Comment

srt February 28, 2013 at 9:48 am

Here’s hoping Sickles is spot on regarding Noah.
- Alex68 February 28, 2013 at 11:27 am
  
  THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
TX February 28, 2013 at 10:26 am

The return on Dickey might be a bigger feather in Alderson’s cap than Beltran, If Darno does his thing and Shingaard can fine tune that curve. I know everyone waxes ecstatic in the spring time about prospects but it does look like exciting times on the horizon for a few of them. I was so jealous of ATL when they were rocking the Smoltz/Glavine/Maddax trio. Would love to have the Mets drop a 4 pack on the league of Harvey/Wheeler/Niese/Shingaard. Now that brings a smile to one’s face for sure. Lot of hope and fingers crossed on that rotation, but it feels like it could be something great for the next couple few years.
- srt February 28, 2013 at 10:35 am
  
  Darno and Shingaard…..nice. LOL. I’ll have to borrow these.
- juan February 28, 2013 at 11:16 am
  
  In about two seasons it could be: Wheeler, Harvey, Syndergaard, Niese, Fulmer and even with Gee, Montero, Tapia, Mateo for insurance. Great rotation and depht, if everything goes well.
DrDooby February 28, 2013 at 10:26 am

Syndergaard also has the above average control for a 20-year-old pitcher working in his favor.
At least that part of progression shouldn´t be an issue.

Syndergaard reminds me a lot of Mike Pelfrey as a pitching prospect – albeit with slightly better secondary stuff already supposedly and hopefully more toughness.
For now, barring injuries, what Pelfrey has become should be Syndergaard´s floor.
The upside depends on whether he can further improve his breaking stuff and changeup, besides most of all staying healthy.
taskmaster4450 February 28, 2013 at 10:41 am

A very nice piece to add to the organization but we must remember it is a long way from Low A ball to NYC. But if he remains healthy and develops, he could be a block in the Mets rotation for years to come.
Peter February 28, 2013 at 12:23 pm

Syndergaurd gets better this year and goes in trade with Flores and 3 others to Miami for Stanton. Or he cones up in 2015 like Harvey fid and in the rotation in 2016. Can not trade him unless you get a you g power hitter like Stanton.
Met Maniac February 28, 2013 at 12:42 pm

Hoping for all these kids to come through as I love the draft, minors, and prospects. But you never know, they could end up like the Milledge People or the Acostalypse. So if Syndergaard and D’Arnaud turn out to be busts, I’ve got first dibs on SplashGaard and D’Raino.
Hitman February 28, 2013 at 3:03 pm

There’s something about them kids from the great state of Texas.

I have a good feeling about this one.
Metsie February 28, 2013 at 3:44 pm

The thing that encourages me most about what he said is he has a sinking fastball which means he will keep the ball down which is always a good thing to hear about a pitcher…

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	42	28	.600	-
Nationals	34	35	.493	7.5
Phillies	34	37	.479	8.5
Mets	25	40	.385	14.5
Marlins	22	47	.319	19.5

Last updated: 06/18/2013

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