13
2013
Mets’ Matt Harvey Could Be The Next Big Thing
An article by 
It’s not exactly the variety of a film festival when watching the Mets in spring training. It’s the Nationals, Braves, Marlins and Cardinals on a rotating basis. For the Mets in Port St. Lucie, it’s like watching the same episodes of Seinfeld over and over. After awhile, you know how ``The Contest’’ will end.
For a young guy like Matt Harvey working on a pitch, those teams don’t have to worry about the film as they can see him first hand. I’ve always wondered if that’s a disadvantage to the pitcher.Johan Santana once made his final exhibition start against a minor league team rather that against the Marlins, a team he would face in the first week.
Harvey is busy working on his change-up, which was flawless in his last start. He has no choice but to keep throwing against a team he could face five times this season.
“It’s usually the last pitch that comes around,’’ he said. “Everything went well with all my pitches the other day.’’
Considering he worked into the fifth and didn’t give up a hit, that’s kind of an understatement. While nobody expects no-hit ball every time out, the expectations for Harvey are enormous. When talking about Harvey’s low pitch count, he said that’s imperative if he’s going to pitch over 200 innings.
That’s one of the things that first struck me in talking with Harvey. He’s very unassuming and keeps an even keel, both on and off the mound. I covered Mike Mussina for years, with Baltimore and the Yankees, and I see similarities in their demeanor and confidence.
Mussina didn’t let things rattle him and had a methodical plan of doing things. Harvey is the same way in that he knows what he wants, and just as important, knows how to get it.
It is premature to say Harvey will have a career like Mussina, or Roger Clemens, or a Roy Halladay. But, spring training is for imagining such things.
Speaking of Clemens, Dan Martin of the Post has a very interesting piece where he got Frank Viola to compare Harvey to Clemens. Viola, a former Met, was Clemens’ teammate for three years in Boston.
Said Viola: “On the field, you knew Roger was the man and he showed you why he was the man. Matt’s the same way.’’
Let’s hope the comparisons end there.
Thoughts from Joe D.
I’m usually the one that tells fans to temper their expectations, but not where Matt Harvey is concerned.
While one of my colleagues said Harvey will never win a Cy Young Award, I envision more than just one for this kid.
I have seen his determination and I have witnessed the fire that burns within him.
I have seen him stare down some of the biggest and most feared hitters in the game without so much as breaking a sweat.
Matt Harvey has got the stuff to do it, nobody disagrees there. But more importantly, Harvey has got that edge - that “Eye of the Tiger” – that fearlessness that sets him apart from everyone else… You all know what I’m talking about…
Harvey, the next big thing? Hell yeah, I can see that…
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.
24 Comments + Add Comment
Recent Comments
- Satish Ram: on Mets Offense Comes Up Empty In 4-0 Loss To Reds: Hey Neil, You'd be surprised how many players...
- Neil S.: on Mets Offense Comes Up Empty In 4-0 Loss To Reds: I hope the players and their families...
- alfred: on Mets Offense Comes Up Empty In 4-0 Loss To Reds: Though looking on the bright side Ike...
- Markcomic1: on Choo Could Be Impact Outfielder For Mets In 2014, But Would Cost A Pick: Choo is a nice player but, Citifield...
- alfred: on Mets Offense Comes Up Empty In 4-0 Loss To Reds: Following team sing 67. Most unwatchable...
MMO Mets Chat
Need Tickets To The Mets Game?
Check Out These Great MLB Links!
Photographs From Gordon Donovan
5379 Fans Follow Us On Twitter!
1269 Fans Like Us On Facebook!
2341 Fans Read Our Feed!
1702 Fans Subscribe via Daily Email!
I agree with you Joe. Hard not to be excited over this kid. So far, he just looks like the complete package from pitching talent to maturity to his bull dog type demeanor on the mound – just to mention a few.
I don’t think anyone is expecting lights out each and every time but it’s kind of hard not to think about Harvey winning a CY one day.
Loved this kid from the second they drafted him. Good to see a potential huge bright spot for this organization…finally.
Curios as to everyone’s opinion about Santana working in the bullpen. He certainly has the mental toughness, it would lessen the load on his fragile arm, the rotation can be very good to excellent without him – Niese, Harvey, Marcum, Gee, Wheeler, Hefner, Mejia…. – and because of his fragility I don’t see any other team picking him up even if he starts and remains healthy
Others did it, although earlier in their career (Eckersley), Smoltz for a while, so it is not unthinkable
I can’t see Johan in his FA year agreeing to that.
I don’t see it.
I’m not sure Johan has come to terms that he might not be an ace anymore, let alone a SP.
Metsmerized rocks!!! Matt Harvey is going to be one of the best!!!! LETS GO METS!!!!
I thought omar left the farm system in shambles when he left, yet he might’ve left a future MVP in Ike Benjamin Davis, a future gold glover in tejada, a super good lefty in niese and maybe, just maybe a future CY winner in Harvey. The bad rap he gets in here is very unfair, i blasted him as a GM, but as a scout he did very well.
yeah, that was always his strength, from his first go round with mets as a scout to his days with expos. he’s probably still a useful guy to have in an organization, just couldn’t fully assemble an organizational plan from top to bottom.
Probably reaching quite a bit there for Ike and Tejada. Might gives you a lot of wiggle room, but very long shots at this point.
I do like Neise though. Always have.
the bigger problem though is time. We are going on 10 years from when Omar came in to have any of you predictions come though. And when people get on Omar for his dealings on the farm, a lot has to do with the fact that he basically missed a generation. in 2007/2008, when the team was desperate for help, there was no one. and that led to the 09/10 lean years and Jason Bay.
you get on Sandy because his draft picks have not made an impact yet, but want to five Omar 8 years?
while yes, when Sandy took over there were a couple of potentially good young players on the ML roster (or about to be), there was a serious lack of depth and star potential. So far, harvey could be it, with a few more guys still having a chance.
You are absolutely right that Omar has an excellent eye for talent.
Unfortunately he made some major blunders which will always (and unfairly) overshadow the good things he did.
Why all the hype? This guy will never win the Cy Young.
Cool logo. Can I get a t-shirt with that logo?
From heyman: mets appear to have interest in brennan boesch. why wouldn’t they?
I like this kid, problem is he’s a lefty and have plenty of those, but i’ll give him a look, he proved he can actually hit major league pitching unlike some of the you know what sandy brought in.
They got to jump all over this kid. His defense isn’t as bad as the others and the others plain suck.
4th OF with pop and shaky D.
If they do bring him in, someone gotta be on the chopping block.
“The Mets appear to have interest in Boesch, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). Anthony DiComo of MLB.com doesn’t get the sense that GM Sandy Alderson will pursue Boesch (Twitter links). However, DiComo points out that it’s too early to dismiss the possibility.”
Yes they are, no they’re not, yes they are dammit. LOL
I think they should pursue him but as you said someone might have to hit the chopping block, specifically on the 40 man. As for the actual roster you could go
Duda, Cowgill, Byrd, Baxter and Boesch with V-Spin as a super utility.
That would leave the bench
Byrd, Baxter, V-Spin, Omar Q/ Hicks, Recker?
Am I missing someone other than Turner?
I’ve said it before, maybe even said it first and nothing has changed my mind yet….
The Kid REALLY reminds me a lot of Seaver in his demeanor if not completly with his Pitching but he’s pretty close to that too.
For me it’s Clemens (also since I was too young to see Seaver play when he was good). Nice easy pitching motion and all business. You know exactly what you are getting when you go out there.
My hope/fantasy is for the Wheeler/Harvey/Niese tandem to become an approximation of the Braves Maddux/Smoltz/Glavine rotation base. Hopefully this will not turn into Generation K redux.
except we dont have leo mazzone…
Oh God! This site. just cracks me up! The other day this site posted an article stating that Matt Harvey would never be a 20 game winner or win a Cy Young award,
today ,,,? Hahha. .. Harvey IS Cy Young!
I do believe the article saying Harvey would never win a Cy Young was commenting on a post from Metsblog saying that and it’s impact.
Yep. The post the other day was Joe disagreeing with Matt Cerrone´s post on MetsBlog.
Joe D…..I saw the article that was written that Matt Harvey will never win a Cy Young Award and wondered if it was just an attempt to stir the pot. I, however do know this with a big degree of certainty…The only thing that could prevent Matt Harvey from being the next great Met pitcher is a serious injury. This kid was mature, and confident from day 1 last season. Yes, his stuff is electric but it is the poise and determination to be “the guy” that should result in us having a workhorse starter for 8-10 years. The last time I felt this way was when Dwight Gooden burst upon the scene in 1984. Dwight’s first two years had me thinking that he could have surpassed my favorite Met player of all time, Mr. Seaver. A shame for Dwight that he fell victim to drugs and booze! I look at Matt Harvey and anticipate greatness..I really do believe that we have some great years ahead and Matt Harvey is gonna be a huge piece of the puzzle.
What scares (excites me ) me is that many experts say that Wheeler could be even better!