Over this past week, I have searched for anything positive to grab hold off. Every Met fan in Met Nation has been searching as well… I too, just like Mr. Hernandez, wish to see the return of “The Warrior.”
In his brief stint so far with the Mets, I see Igarashi as an important arm in the Met bullpen. Due to the ‘capabilities’ of our 4 and 5 starters, or lack thereof up till now, the Met bullpen has been taxed.
Fernando Nieve must have a clause in his contract that he must get up and throw everyday to get paid. I tip my hat to “Everyday Nieve” as Gary Cohen calls him. But, Nieve has a history of arm woes. The loss of Igarashi, coupled with the ineffectiveness in the lower half of the Met rotation has only served to exacerbate the strain on this relief staff.
He is not the answer to all that ails this team, but Ryota Igarashi, who throws in the mid to upper 90’s with his fastball, and who has an explosive split finger pitch will be a factor for this team over the long haul.
I look forward to seeing ‘Iggy’ on his quest to compete with the best, to use that power arm and devastating splitter to become a premier setup man. I’m not saying it’s a lock to occur, but it’s refreshing to have a Met pitcher, reliever or otherwise throw a fastball in the mid nineties. That is something this franchise has been lacking since the early part of ‘06 when Duaner Sanchez took his famous cab ride for food on a hot night in Miami…
