Player Data: Age: 23, B/T: Right/Right

2017 MILB Stats (St. Lucie and Binghamton): 10 GS, 61.1 IP, 6-1, 1.76 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9, 9.2 K/9

2017 MLB Stats: 14 G (9 GS), 48 IP, 3-6, 7.88 ERA, 2.021 WHIP, 6.6 BB/9, 6.8 K/9

Grade: D

2017 Review: 

Chris Flexen started the season off at Single-A St. Lucie this season and looked nothing short of spectacular in his three starts at the level. He only allowed three runs and struck out 13 batters in his 12.2 innings of work.

This prompted the Mets to promote him to Double-A Binghamton in which he extended his dominance even further. In his seven starts there he allowed only nine runs and struck out 50 batters in 48.2 innings of work.

As this was happening, the Mets rotation depth was thinning by the day and they needed any help they could get. As a result, the Mets reached to call-up Flexen.

He made his MLB debut on July 27 against the San Diego Padres and did not look good to say the least. He lasted only three innings while surrendering four runs (three earned), walking four batters, and striking out only two. Things did not get better in his next start as he again only lasted three innings and this time allowed five runs.

However, over his next four starts, Flexen would manage to get into a groove of sorts and allow between two and three runs while lasting between five and six innings in each start. This would actually give him a 3-2 record on the season and lower his ERA to 5.79.

Things would all go south from there though as he would seven runs in each of the next two outings before being banished to the bullpen upon the return of some of the pitching depth.

He did, however, make one more start though on September 25th in which allowed four runs in five innings against the Atlanta Braves. His last appearance would end on a bad note unfortunately. He would pitch in relief on Oct. 1 and allowed six runs (five earned) in 1.1 innings of work against the Phillies.

I landed on a D for grade because it’s tough to give a guy an F that shouldn’t have been pitching in the big leagues.

2018 Outlook: 

It’s hard to blame Flexen for how he looked last season, he simply wasn’t big league ready. The Mets clearly rushed him and he should never have been allowed to get pummeled in the majors as much as he was.

That being said, it is hard to say that Flexen was successful at the MLB level. So, as a result, he should not be considered anything more than depth for the roster next year. He should start the year at either Binghamton or Las Vegas in order to hopefully get his confidence back up and get back to pitching aggressively.

The Mets should leave him in the minors until at least the middle of the season this time around so that they do not risk stunting his development any further than they have already.