Rafael Montero took s the hill for Binghamton today and dominated.
When it comes to pitching prospects in the Mets organization, Zack Wheeler is the guy that the majority of fans will stop to see how he performed the night before. However, it seems that with every start Wheeler makes, he is getting further and further away from making his Citi Field debut. On the other hand, Rafael Montero seems to be getting closer and closer with every start he makes.
Is there a more impressive pitcher in the Mets organization right now than Montero? He started today’s game for Binghamton and dominated again. He pitched six innings, allowing no runs, struck out six batters and walked none. He now has 27 strikeouts this season, and has only given up one walk. I think I have to say that again for effect – He now has 27 strikeouts this season, and has only given up one walk. That is about as phenomenal a ratio as you will see. He is holding opposing hitters to a .182 average against him. In other words, the batters that are reaching base against Montero didn’t have a bowl of Wheaties for breakfast, they had Lucky Charms.
I never thought I would be pondering this question, but if Montero keeps up this pace, is there a chance that we will see him in Citi Field before Wheeler?
The answer is yes, it is a definite possibility — especially with the way Wheeler has been pitching lately. Montero is showing complete mastery of the strike zone, something that we have yet to see from Wheeler. Wheeler may have better stuff than Montero, but at this point, Montero is a better pitcher. By the All-Star break, expect Montero to be with Las Vegas. And if he continues this level of dominance at Triple-A, expect him to be a September call up.
As of right now, I would place Montero as the No. 3 pitcher in the Mets organization, but he is hot on the heels of the pitchers ahead of him. Wheeler still hangs on to the top spot, and Noah Syndergaard hangs on to the No. 2 spot, but that is simply due to their high ceilings. The better pitcher of the three of them right now is Montero, and there is a chance that Montero makes it to the show before both Wheeler and Syndergaard if he continues pitching like he is from another planet.
