Mets Captain, David Wright had some kind words to say about his pitcher after his performance in their 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. The world is currently in awe of the skills of Noah Syndergaard and Wright puts it in the most eloquent way.
“Friends ask me about him,” Wright said. “I say, ‘Think of it this way: When you used to play video games as a kid, if you build the player that you want to build and put all the abilities up to like max 10, he’s that guy that you build in the video games — his presence physically, the stuff, the command.’ He throws 100 mph. If he’s not throwing 100, and he’s throwing 96 or 97, he can beat you with hitting his spots and his secondary pitches. When he’s out there throwing 2-1 sliders or 2-1 changeups or 3-1 curveballs, that just makes it completely unfair when he’s got 100 in his pocket.” (ESPN)
That may be one of the most fair comparisons for Thor. He is a maxed out video game character. What normal human being can hit 100 MPH on the radar gun in the sixth inning after already throwing 70+ pitches on the night? His power seems impossible to match. It is coming to the point where you almost expect perfection out of him each time he takes the mound.
“When he gives up a run, it’s almost like you look at him and you’re like, ‘What’s wrong with you tonight?’” Wright said. “Very rarely do guys put good swings on him and get a chance to get two or three hits in an inning to score a run.”
Syndergaard, 23, was hitting over 100 MPH a few times during the course of the game. He was registered at hitting 101 MPH three times in the first inning. Watching him live last night, the balls look like pure darts coming out of his hand and a blur as they reach the plate. It is incredible to witness his presence on the mound.
“Every once in a while I’ll get a feel for how hard I’m throwing,” Syndergaard said. “The first inning, everything was clicking mechanically. My arm felt great out there.”
Syndergaard had a great night, throwing seven innings of one run ball to pick up his second win of the season. He allowed five hits and two walks, while striking out eight. His ERA stands at a paltry, 0.90. He is showing that he may be the elite pitcher that we heard he was capable of when the Mets acquire him for former Cy Young award winner, R.A. Dickey.
“I think the biggest thing that keeps driving him is being good or being great isn’t enough. He wants to be in that elite level,” Wright said. “I think he’s certainly in the talks, at least through three starts.”
Syndergaard became the seventh pitcher in franchise history to allow one run or fewer and pitch at least six innings in each of his first three appearances in a season. He joins great company in Matt Harvey, Rick Reed, Frank Viola, Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan and Jerry Koosman. We all may be in the midst of witnessing something very special with Noah during the 2016 campaign.
