Steven Matz, LHP

Player Data: Age: 26, B/T: L/L, Free Agency: 2022

2017 Primary Stats: 2-7 Record, 13 GS, 66.2 IP, 6.08 ERA, 5.05 FIP, 1.530 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, -0.2 WAR

2018 Contract Status: Pre-Arbitration

Grade: D-

2017 Review:

My first instinct was to give Steven Matz an incomplete, but then decided that 13 starts is a pretty significant sample size for a starting pitcher. I didn’t flunk him because he was injured, but his numbers were still very poor.

It wasn’t the smoothest of sailing for the southpaw in 2017 as the pitcher’s year was derailed by injury. However, when he was on the field he struggled mightily, registering a whopping 6.08 ERA.

He missed the first two months of the season with an elbow injury. Upon returning, he would reportedly skip bullpen sessions to ease the pain between starts.

In the same report linked above, his elbow would swell up to the size of a grapefruit at times after a start. This all came on the heels of him missing time last year with a shoulder impingement and surgery to remove a bone spur in his pitching elbow.

Had he qualified, his ERA would have been one of the worst in the majors along with Matt Harvey, who finished with a 6.70 ERA.

Matz underwent surgery in August to correct irritation in his ulnar nerve. This is the same procedure that Jacob deGrom underwent in 2016.

Overall, it was a tough year for the Long Island native. He showed flashes at times of the pitcher we have seen in the past, but trying to pitch through an injury never garners great results.

2018 Outlook:

If there’s any Mets pitcher I think can bounce back next season, it’s Steven Matz. It’s unfortunate he has been plagued by injuries, especially over the last season plus, but I think he has the best skill set to be the No. 3 starter.

He’s had bouts with the injury bug throughout his professional career, which is why I think the Mets still need to bring in external pitching depth. However, if Matz can return to form and Matt Harvey has a strong walk year, it would really lengthen the rotation.

New Mets skipper Mickey Callaway is also going to be reportedly working with the pitchers to ensure they don’t get hurt as alarmingly as they did this past year, which could benefit the team as a whole.

The main thing for Matz is staying healthy. He pitched in just 22 games last year and 13 this year, so keeping him on the field will be of utmost importance. If he can do that, then I think he can be a solid middle of the rotation type of guy.