The New York Mets dropped their spring training opener on Saturday. However, one pitcher impressed greatly in the 10-5 outing. That being 24-year-old, left-handed reliever, Nate Lavender.
Lavender, a non-roster invitee to spring training camp, pitched the eighth inning in Saturday’s opener against the Cardinals and was nearly perfect. He struck out the side on only 14 pitches while inducing four swing-and-misses. He got Cardinals Mike Amtico looking and both Moisés Gómez and Nick Raposo swinging.
Of the 14 pitches he threw, nine were four-seam fastballs. This fastball only averaged 91.3 mph but induced each of the four swing-and-misses. Both of the sliders he threw hit the strike zone. The fastball generated each of the strikeouts.
Lavender is an extremely intriguing option for the Mets this season. Across Double-A and Triple-A last season, Lavender tossed 54 1/3 innings while striking out 86 batters. His ERA on the season was a strong 2.98. This was just one year removed from posting a 1.70 ERA and 67 strikeouts across 47 2/3 Single-A and High-A innings.
The 2021 14th-round selection has done nothing but impressed since being drafted. Hopefully, he is able to build upon what he did on Saturday as he faces stiffer competition as spring goes on. Look for him to factor into the bullpen as another left-handed arm with the big club at some point.
