Mets’ Top Performers in Grapefruit League Play

The New York Mets wrapped up 2021 Grapefruit League play on Monday afternoon with a 3-3 tie with the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The team finished up with an overall record of 11-11-2 during spring training.

We certainly saw a ton of positive things from the Mets during these exhibition games. This past weekend, Mets manager Luis Rojas said he’s satisfied with how much the team has improved, and they can’t wait to get out there for Opening Day.

Now, I do understand these are just exhibition games and the stats don’t count, but it was certainly encouraging to see so many Mets put together such strong spring performances. With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the top performers during 2021 Grapefruit League play for the New York Mets.

Starting Rotation

Of course as expected, Jacob deGrom went out and just got his work in and did his thing during spring training. The two-time National League Cy Young award winner looked absolutely dialed in and was already in midseason form out there.

deGrom touched 102 MPH on his fastball early on in camp, and allowed just one run and walked three while striking out a stellar 21 batters over 13 innings. The crafty right-hander just keeps getting better and better, and looks locked-in and ready to lead this Mets rotation in 2021.

The other two starters that stood out were both Jordan Yamamoto and Joey Lucchesi. The competition for the fifth starter spot was neck and neck to the very end, with Lucchesi ultimately coming out on top.

The funky left-hander allowed just four runs and struck out 15 over 13 innings of work. He threw well pitching behind an opener during Sunday afternoon’s outing as well, which is something the Mets are considering using to begin the season.

Lucchesi definitely looks ready to take advantage of this ‘new beginning’ with the Mets.

Despite being optioned to the Triple-A roster, Yamamoto certainly was impressive out there too. The 25-year old pitched in just three games before being shipped down, but only allowed one earned run on seven hits, and walked just one over eight innings.

Yamamoto is still so young, has some great upside, and definitely looks like someone who can help this team will ballgames at some point this season.

Either way, the much improved pitching depth in this Mets rotation was certainly on display during the spring. Marcus Stroman and Taijuan Walker both also pitched well in camp, so as expected, the starting rotation is looking very strong heading into the 2021 season.

It should also be noted that Luis Rojas said pregame on Monday that Carlos Carrasco is progressing “really really well,” and has begun a throwing program. Righty Noah Syndergaard has also been progressing well, and he topped out at 97 MPH during a bullpen session this past week.

Bullpen

Right off the bat the two relievers you have to tip your cap to are Edwin Diaz and Miguel Castro. Aside from one outing, both righties were absolutely lights-out for the Mets during spring.

With a renewed confidence, Diaz allowed just three runs (all in one outing), and struck out ten over six innings of work. Most importantly, he didn’t allow a single home run and didn’t walk any batters. As Luis Rojas has said throughout camp, Diaz showed up to camp prepared and is “becoming a monster” out there.

Throughout camp, Rojas also has mentioned how much he’s been impressed by Castro. Rojas feels Castro matured a ton over the offseason and looks extremely confident out there. The hard-throwing righty certainly has showed that, as he allowed just one run and struck out eight over his six innings.

Like Diaz, most importantly Castro showed much improved control, walking just one batter. If he can continue building off this success, Castro could be a huge piece in the late innings for this club.

With Seth Lugo out to begin the season, the Mets are absolutely going to need both Diaz and Castro to keep this strong pitching up.

Trevor May and Aaron Loup both also threw well, and despite a very small sample size, Arodys Vizcaino looks like someone that can help this team out in a big way if he can prove he is healthy at the alternate site. Jacob Barnes also impressed a ton, and looked very strong in his one appearance being used as an opener ahead of Lucchesi.

I personally was impressed with veteran right-hander Tommy Hunter, and was a bit surprised the Mets released him early last week. The bullpen certainly has some strong potential, but they are going to need Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances, and Robert Gsellman to figure things out.

Offense

The Mets showed a ton of good things at the plate throughout Grapefruit League action. They certainly put on display how deep this lineup is, and when it rains it pours. They all seemed to feed off of each other, and when one guy gets it started they all just kept the line moving.

This offense is certainly going to be very fun to watch throughout this season. Hopefully 2021 is the season Jacob deGrom actually gets some run support for once!

Easily the biggest standout of spring training as a whole for the Mets, was the performance from Pete Alonso. The slugger showed up to camp in great shape, with a new and improved approach at the plate, and has been just absolutely locked-in.

As Dom Smith said numerous times throughout camp, Alonso truly looked like the 2019 Pete. He’s been using all fields, hitting absolute lasers to the gaps, and has shown a much more patient and selective approach at the plate.

Alonso cracked four homers, one of which was a grand slam, and posted a 1.121 OPS which finished as the seventh highest mark in baseball. He also hit .340 with a .421 OBP, struck out just eleven times and drew six walks. Alonso looks like a man on a mission, and appears headed for a monster 2021 season.

After a bit of a slow start, Francisco Lindor of course did his thing at the plate. The superstar shortstop popped four homers of his own and posted a 1.063 OPS, which was the twelfth highest in baseball. You can already tell Lindor is going to mean so much to this team not just on the diamond, but also in the clubhouse as well.

Kevin Pillar impressed at the plate, Luis Guillorme’s 22-pitch walk stood out the most for him but he also looked good swinging the bat and of course defensively this spring.

James McCann used all fields a ton which was very encouraging to see, and he very quietly put together a solid spring. Brandon Nimmo looked good both offensively and defensively in center. Nimmo’s been playing deeper in center field, so that should be something to keep an eye on this season.

Again, I understand these numbers do not count. Overall though, I’d say there were definitely a ton of positives to take away from Grapefruit League play heading into what figures to be a very fun and successful 2021 season for the New York Mets.