During Terry Collins’ pregame press conference on Sunday, MMO’s Clayton Collier asked the Mets manager what it means now that all the young pitchers are up with the team after the promotion of Steven Matz.
To which Collins responded, “It means the future is now.”
“Matz is the last of the organization’s young arms. We always like to get them here as quick as can be,” Collins continued.
“It sends the message to our fan base that the future is now. They’re here. They’re going to pitch. It’s going to be exciting to see them grow.”
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Mets pitching prospect Steven Matz will make his long awaited major league debut on Sunday at Citi Field vs the Cincinnati Reds. It should be extra special for Steven personally because it will also be a homecoming of sorts for him.
Matz grew up in Stony Brook, Long Island, about 50 miles from Citi Field. On his first day in a major league uniform on Saturday, Matz commuted to the ballpark from his family’s Stony Brook home.
The Mets’ top pick in 2009 was selected out of Ward Melville High School and lost nearly three years to Tommy John surgery shortly after signing with the Mets.
But once he got back on the mound, he zipped through the Mets Minors in two years, culminating in an incredible performance for Triple-A Las Vegas where he went 7-4 with a Pacific Coast League-best 2.19 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 90 1/3 innings this season. He will wear No. 32 for the Mets.
Calling his promotion “a dream come true” Matz told reporters he kept an eye on the debuts and success of Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and Jacob deGrom, and hopes to follow in their footsteps.
“It was really cool to watch those guys live up to their hype and transition from the minor leagues to the major leagues. I’m definitely going to pick their brains about it while I’m here and see if they can give me any tips about how they did it.”
His arrival signals the end of the waiting and beginning of the future rotation the Mets have been selling for almost five years.
“I think it’s a great step forward for the organization to know that all these guys are up here now. Let’s teach them how to win games and watch them,” manager Terry Collins said. “Because they’re going to be really good.”
A lifelong Mets fan, Matz also told reporters that one of his most memorable Mets moments was the Endy Chavez catch in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS when he robbed Scott Rolen of a home run.
“Growing up watching Endy Chavez make that catch over the wall is probably the most vibrant memory I have,” said Matz who was 15 at the time.
So this is it, today’s the day, and the young southpaw will be making his major league debut at Citi Field in front of his hometown crowd.
“I’m happy it’s at home. My parents are excited,” Matz said. “My family is really excited. I’ve got a pretty big family. So there’s going to be a lot of people here, that’s for sure.”
