Photo by Ed Delany, MMO
Anthony C. Asks…
It’s obvious the Mets need starting pitching and I’m sure we’re gonna sign one of Marcus Stroman or Trevor Bauer. That still leaves us needing another starter. I really don’t want to see Seth Lugo in the rotation. Is there anything down on the farm who could help in 2021?
Joe D Replies…
Left-hander Thomas Szapucki has become an afterthought after a couple of years as the Mets’ top pitching prospect before tearing his UCL in 2017 and missing two seasons following Tommy John surgery.
It was a real shame too for the 2015 5th round draft pick. The Palm Beach, Florida native hit the ground running and impressed scouts with a hard 96-98 four-seamer and a major league ready 12-6 curve with one of the top spin rates in the minors.
Photo: Ed Delany, MMO
Szapucki was soon climbing up many prospect lists including being ranked No. 69 in baseball by Baseball Prospectus.
Szapucki returned from TJS in 2019, and was assigned to Class-A Columbia where he tossed 21 2/3 innings while posting a 2.08 ERA, 1.105 WHIP and a 10.9 K/9.
That earned him a promotion to High-A St. Lucie, where he continued his success with a 3.25 ERA, 1.333 WHIP and 10.5 K/9.
The Mets continued to move Szapucki through the system and the southpaw would make one start for Double-A Binghamton to wrap up the 2019 season.
So in his return from Tommy John, Szapucki made 21 appearances including 18 starts, while posting a 2.63 ERA, 1.216 WHIP, 72 strikeouts and only 26 walks over 61 2/3 innings.
The Mets added Szapucki is to their 40-man roster and he has continued to pitch at the team’s alternate site.
Now 24, I feel very strongly that Szapucki will make his MLB debut at some point in the first half of the 2021 season. I’m really high on this kid.
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