In 2022, the Mets’ bullpen had the third-best ERA in the National League with a 3.55 mark. They blew just 15 save chances all season, the second-fewest in baseball behind the Orioles. This year, the bullpen took a blow before the season even started when Edwin Díaz tore a patellar tendon during the World Baseball Classic. In his absence, Met relievers have already been charged with 20 losses on the season – 13 of which came in the month of June. They’ve blown 11 save opportunities, allowed the third-most home runs of any bullpen in the majors, and as a result, their ERA has risen to 4.12.
NOTE: Since there have been many relievers shuffled on and off the roster, we are only evaluating those who have received substantial opportunities to pitch and are still in the organization.
David Robertson. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
David Robertson: A
Stepping in as the team’s closer, Robertson has done everything he can to keep the bullpen afloat. Even with a pedestrian month of June, Robertson boasts a pristine 2.06 ERA/3.59 FIP with 46 strikeouts and 13 saves in 39 1/3 innings (10.5 K/9). The 38-year-old has cut his walk rate down from 13.3% to 7.1%, which is his lowest mark since 2015. Robertson’s cutter has been particularly effective, registering a negative-9 run value with opponents hitting just .143 against it.
Adam Ottavino: C
Coming off arguably the best year of his career in 2022, Ottavino received a two-year contract to remain in Flushing in the offseason. This year, he has struggled to replicate his success, as his ERA has risen to 3.97 and his FIP is up to 4.79. Walks have plagued the 37-year-old, with his walk rate nearly doubling from 6.2% to 11.1%. He’s also allowed five home runs in 36 1/3 innings after surrendering just six all of last year. Ottavino’s strikeout rate is down too, and his average fastball velocity has dropped from 94.8 miles per hour to 93.6. Most of Ottavino’s work has come in the eighth inning of games, but he owns a 6.00 ERA in the eighth inning this year. Ottavino is expected to do plenty of heavy lifting for the Mets, and they will need him to turn it around in the second half.
Brooks Raley: B+
In his first month as a Met, Brooks Raley struggled to a 4.76 ERA and eventually was placed on the injured list with left elbow inflammation. Since returning on May 14, Raley has been fantastic, allowing just two earned runs in 20 innings with 23 strikeouts and not allowing any homers. All told, Raley owns a 2.30 ERA and has allowed runs in just four of his 38 appearances.
Walks have been a bit of a weakness for the 35-year-old, as he’s issued free passes at a nine-percent rate this year, up from 6.9% in 2022. The southpaw has actually been much more effective against righties, holding them to a .179/.313/.268 slash line as opposed to the .267/.328/.433 line that lefties have against him. His 3.57 xERA, 3.98 FIP, and 4.47 xFIP indicate that he may regress a little, but he’s also held his opponents to just a 26.5% hard-hit rate and an 85.9 MPH average exit velocity.
Drew Smith: C-
Much like last year, Drew Smith got off to a fast start to begin the season. Through May 12, he owned a 1.88 ERA and had yet to allow a homer in 14 1/3 innings. Since then, he’s endured a 10-game suspension for having an illegal substance on his hand, and has a 6.46 ERA with four homers surrendered in 15 1/3 innings. While Smith’s fastball has registered a strong negative-9 run differential, his slider, curveball, and change-up have a combined plus-9 mark. Opponents are slugging upwards of .600 against each of Smith’s secondary pitches. Smith’s walk rate is up as well to a career-worst 10.5%. With the Mets’ pitching depth running thin, Smith will likely continue to receive high-leverage opportunities, giving him a chance to redeem himself from his lackluster first half.
Jeff Brigham: D
Similar to Drew Smith, Brigham was strong out of the gate, owning a 2.76 ERA through his first 16 appearances of the season. Since May 27 though, Brigham has been tagged for 12 earned runs in 13 1/3 innings (8.10 ERA) and while he’s only surrendered 11 hits in that span, he’s issued eight walks and hit four batters. The 31-year-old was optioned to Triple-A on July 3. The long ball has been the downfall of Brigham’s season, as he’s surrendered six in just 29 2/3 innings. Opponents have torched Brigham in high-leverage spots, to the tune of a 1.188 OPS, and five of the six home runs he’s allowed have been in late and close situations. Brigham’s 3.98 xERA and 4.65 xFIP indicate that he could improve, but he should stay away from pitching in big spots.
Dominic Leone: D
Another pitcher who wasn’t on the Mets’ Opening Day roster, Leone has had an up-and-down tenure as a Met. He pitched four straight scoreless outings from May 23-June 2 but then was charged with a loss after giving up a two-run homer to Brandon Belt against the Blue Jays on June 4. He had six straight scoreless appearances from June 7-18, including getting the win on June 14 against the Yankees, but was charged with a loss when he surrendered two-run homers to Chas McCormick and Yainer Diaz against the Astros on June 21. Currently, Leone has a 4.74 ERA/5.02 FIP and is working on a string of five consecutive scoreless appearances.
Like most of the Mets’ pitching staff, Leone has struggled to keep the ball in the yard, giving up five homers in 24 2/3 innings. He’s been hit hard in high-leverage situations, to the tune of a 1.115 OPS, and opponents have a 1.025 OPS against him in late and close spots. Leone has been an above-average reliever as recently as 2021, giving reason to believe he can be productive in the second half.
John Curtiss: C-
After spending a year recovering from Tommy John surgery, Curtiss broke camp with the Mets and was solid through his first six appearances. However, he allowed four runs in his next two appearances and was sent to Triple-A on April 21. He was recalled to the majors on April 29 and gave up runs in consecutive outings before getting sent back to Syracuse on May 4. In his latest stint with the big club, Curtiss was strong, allowing just one run in 4 2/3 innings before getting optioned back to Triple-A on June 19. His 3.22 xERA and .198 xBA indicate that Curtiss can be an effective option out of the Mets’ bullpen if he gets another shot in the majors.
Grant Hartwig: B
The right-hander made his major league debut with a scoreless inning against the Astros last month. Hartwig has allowed only one run in 11 1/3 innings to start his big league career and he’s had four straight scoreless outings. The walks are a tad high at six, but he’s allowed only seven hits and has a 55.2% ground ball rate.
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