Seth Lugo came out of nowhere and produced for the Mets last season. Matt Harvey went down, Steven Matz was banged up, Jacob deGrom wasn’t perfectly healthy, and Zack Wheeler never made his much anticipated return. With spots open in the rotation, enter #67 Seth Lugo.
Lugo was not one of the Mets top pitching prospects, and pitched much better than anticipated. He started the season in the bullpen, then as injuries piled up was moved into the rotation. In 64 innings, he went 5-2 with a 2.67 ERA and 4.33 FIP.
Lugo pitched beautifully and consistently after being thrown into the rotation for the Mets. However this season he may not have access that spot again, not that he didn’t earn it. With the rest of the rotation expected to start the season fully healthy, Lugo and fellow rookie Robert Gsellman figure to be the odd men out.
Talking to Matt Ehalt of NorthJersey.com, Lugo said he will do “whatever they need and whatever helps me get onto the team.” Seth is most likely destined for a long relief role out of the bullpen, where he had some success last season. In nine relief appearances, he had a 2.65 ERA with a 0.941 WHIP and a 8.5 K/9.
Despite not having a feel for two of his secondary pitches, he still managed to pitch well. Lugo said, “My change-up and curveball, I didn’t feel real comfortable with them last year.” His change-up is still being developed, however his curveball statistically was great last season. In fact, his curveball recorded the best spin rate in the majors last season, setting the record for the most revolutions per minute.
His performance this upcoming spring will determine which role Lugo will be pitching out of this season. He could pitch out of the bullpen as a long man and be inserted into the rotation when need be. Or, on the other hand, he could be sent down to the minors and start down there. Whatever the club decides, Lugo is “ready to do my job for whatever team I make.”
