Photos From PSL: Last Day of Pitchers and Catchers

New York Mets right-hander Matt Harvey has been a hot topic during the first week of camp with manager Mickey Callaway saying, “He might never be the Dark Knight again. But the Mets don’t need him to be that….We need the best version of who Matt is today, and that version’s going to be good enough.”

Harvey’s Mets career could be on it’s last leg as the free agent after this season is coming off back-to-back disappointing seasons.

Corey Taylor struggled for the first time in his pro career in 2017 with the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies. He posted a 3.61 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a career worst 43.3 groundball percentage. Despite the struggles, the 24-year-old right-hander received a non-roster invite to major league camp.

Seth Lugo is coming off a  2017 season in which he had a 4.71 ERA and 3.95 FIP. He did make 18 starts and pitch in 101.1 big leagues innings. He also pitched better than the ERA would indicate seeing a dip in his walk rate, increase in strikeouts and posted a 1.7 fWAR. The issue for Lugo was the 1.37 WHIP and an increase in home runs from his 2016 major league stint.

The Mets think they have their short-term and long-term answer at shortstop in the 22-year-old Amed Rosario. There was both good and bad from the youngster in his 46 game big league cameo last season. Rosario showed his inexperience at times on defense but overall looks like he will be a huge boost at the positon where the Mets have had a hard time finding good defense.

Rosario did show some pop (.145 ISO) and speed (7 SB), but struck out 28.8% of the time and only walked three times in 170 plate appearances.

Robert Gsellman was one of the bigger disappointments for the Mets in 2017. He had a 5.19 ERA, 4.89 FIP and struck out only 6.17 per nine innings. Another huge issue for Gsellman was his home run spike from 0.20 HR/9 in 2016 to 1.28 HR/9 last season.

The 24-year-old righty will battle with Steven Matz, Zack Wheeler and Lugo for one of the final Mets rotation spots. He could also find himself back in the bullpen where he’s made four major league appearances.

Gerson Bautista is sure to be a name Mets fans will quickly learn this spring once the hard throwing right-hander makes his first appearance in a game. The 22-year-old former starter is the hardest thrower in the Mets system with his fastball hitting 101 MPH last season and sitting at 97-98 frequently.

The talented youngster came over to the Mets as part of the return from the Red Sox for Addison Reed. He struck out 20 batters in 14.1 innings for the St. Lucie Mets following the trade and picked up five saves down the stretch as well.