With spring training underway for pitchers and catchers in Port St. Lucie, left-handed pitcher Steven Matz is getting straight to work with Mets’ new pitching coach Jeremy Hefner.
According to the New York Post, the southpaw claimed in a pre-camp interview that he is learning more about analytics from Hefner. These changes could mean a winning season for Matz in 2020.
“I think he is really good at communicating some of the analytics stuff to us and translating it to a way where we can actually take action in it,’’ said Matz.
The southpaw has historically not been keen on analytics, as he said it is hard to implement changes based on the numbers. Out of fear that he would have to change everything, he has been reluctant to use analytics as an end-all-be-all.
With Hefner’s insight, the lefty has been able to implement subtle adjustments, such as hand positioning. Matz considers some analytics as “new,” but Hefner has been showing him how to manipulate the numbers with these adjustments, hopefully reflecting more successful strategies in the 2020 season.
Matz owned an 11-10 season with a 4.21 ERA in 2019. He upheld a solid 8-2 record at home with a 2.31 ERA. He struggled on the road, however, going 3-8 with a 6.62 ERA. He did show improvement in the second half, though; after a 5-6 record with a 4.89 ERA, Matz went 6-4 with a 3.52 ERA over 14 second-half starts. This improvement could mean great things with some extra refinement and attention to detail in the coming weeks.
The additions of Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha to the roster may make it anyone’s game for a place in the starting rotation. Matz has been dubbed the best hitting pitcher on the team, owning an impressive .228/.228/.281 slash line, and hitting coach Chili Davis believes Hefner’s insight on some minor adjustments in his pitching would make a big difference for his 2020 season.
