With spring training approaching in 2024, now is a good time to check in on some homegrown talent. Many prospects hope to make an impact during Major League Spring Training, while others hope to do so as backups in the major league games. Several players, however, are simply looking to return to the field. While most of the prospects below have been injured, that won’t diminish their hopes of playing this upcoming season.
Below I have listed several pitchers to look out for in this upcoming spring training.
Photo by Richard Nelson
Bryce Montes de Oca
Bryce Montes de Oca was a big storyline last spring as he mesmerized fans with his triple-digit fastball in a strong sample during Major League Spring Training. Unfortunately, in one of the final games of spring, his velocity took a sharp dip down to 96, leading to concern. Ultimately, after initially being diagnosed with bone chips and a stress reaction in his elbow, the surgeon discovered a lack of tension in his UCL. This led to his second career Tommy John surgery–this time also including an internal brace–hopefully leading to as indestructible an elbow as possible. He is also progressing well in his throwing program and isn’t to the mound quite yet but should be soon and is targeting a mid-2024 return. When healthy, Montes de Oca has one of the best pitch combinations in baseball with a sinker up to 102 with elite depth, a sweeping slider in the upper 80s, and a cutter that he throws as his primary pitch in the mid-90s. He made his MLB debut at the end of the 2022 season after posting a 36% strikeout rate in Triple-A and could be a serious boost to the Mets bullpen if he executes well.
Calvin Ziegler
Calvin Ziegler was the Mets’ second-round pick in the 2021 draft and is still just 21 years old. Despite some lower-half injuries in his first pro season, he posted some promising statistics including 73 strikeouts in 48 innings. His walk rate was high at 18%, but he was still a teenager at the time. His fastball averaged over 93 mph with his signature over-the-top delivery and hammer curveball in the low-80s. He returned to the mound after bone spurs and a quad injury at the tail end of the 2023 season for one inning with St. Lucie and struck out the side. In that inning, he averaged 95 which should encourage fans that he has a clean bill of health.
Jonah Tong
The 2022 seventh-rounder out of high school in Ontario, Canada, was an extremely similar pick to Ziegler. Jonah Tong made his professional debut in June of last season after battling injuries in the early going and had an intriguing beginning to his career in the orange and blue. His fastball has an interesting shape categorized as “cut-ride” meaning it has very little arm-side movement–sometimes even showing glove-side movement–and still holds a strong vertical break. This fastball shape typically leads to higher ground ball rates than normal for four seams and high miss rates. Tong reaches 96 miles per hour on the bump but typically sits in the mid-90s. His primary off-speed is a 12-6 curveball but he is likely to throw his gyro slider more in the future. A possible off-speed pitch for him to learn would be a harder, shorter curveball, termed a downer or “Death-Ball” that other relievers with his slot throw, namely James Karinchak and Pete Fairbanks. His season included ample amounts of strikeouts and walks. He posted 38 Ks and 22 BBs in just 21 innings. His command is going to need to improve regardless of how unique his pitch shapes are which should be his top priority in 2024.
Troy Miller
Troy Miller was acquired from the Blue Jays back in 2021 for Jacob Barnes and went straight to Double-A, switching from the Fischer Cats to the Rumble Ponies. Miller, recovering from Tommy John surgery, pitched just 3.2 innings before succumbing to injury in 2023. He should be back a couple of months into the 2024 season and has consistently boasted high strikeout rates along with elevated walk rates. He’s been throwing bullpens and is back in the upper 80s already and has always had a deep mix of pitches. His mix includes a low 90s heater with a high vertical break, a cutter in the mid-upper 80s, a change-up with good depth in the mid-80s, and a big two-plane curveball in the upper 70s. He has worked as a starter his whole career but could move to the bullpen in his return to maximize velocity, arm health, and stuff.
Josh Hejka
The Mets’ most recognizable submariner sustained his elbow injury last offseason and went under the knife for Tommy John surgery in January. Now throwing full-intensity bullpens, Josh Hejka should be back to full strength during spring training. When last healthy in 2022, Hejka spent nearly the entire season in Double-A, showcasing elite walk rates albeit with low strikeout rates. He has never had a walk rate above 9% at any stop in his minor league career and has an extremely unique 2’8″ release height. While he only throws in the mid-80s, the downward movement on his fastball and rising movement on his slider is similar to that of the Giants’ Tyler Rogers who throws even slower. Look for him to push himself through the upper minors upon his return.
