Jim Callis of MLB.com, predicts that Mets righthander Noah Syndergaard will win next year’s NL Rookie of the Year award, following the same path as RHP Jacob deGrom.
“He doesn’t have as clear a path to a regular big league role…at least not at the moment, but Syndergaard should claim a spot in the Mets’ rotation even with Matt Harvey returning from Tommy John surgery. New York could trade some pitching for some needed offensive help, and Syndergaard is too talented to send back to Triple-A for a second season.”
“Unlike most young pitchers his size, the 6-foot-6, 240-pound Syndergaard repeats his delivery easily. That gives him better command than most 22-year-olds, enhancing his premium stuff. Syndergaard regularly pitches at 95-97 mph with his fastball and can crank it up into triple digits, and the run and sink on his heater make it even more effective.”
Syndergaard will have plenty of competition in 2015 when one of the most talented rookie classes in years is set to debut.
Third baseman Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs is predicted by many to be a top contender, but Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson, Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler, Marlins starting pitcher Andrew Heaney, and Braves second baseman Jose Peraza should all be in the mix as well.
Last week, Baseball America ranked Syndergaard as the 5th best prospect in the Pacific Coast League and wrote:
Managers and scouts held mixed opinions on the physical Syndergaard, based on his performance at Las Vegas’ notoriously hitter-friendly Cashman Field. He led the PCL in strikeouts but took his lumps as well. One rival manager called Syndergaard a “good prospect, but not an accomplished pitcher right now,” while a scout from a rival organization called him “probably the best pitcher in the PCL, prospect-wise.”
Syndergaard touched 100 mph this season and pitched at 95-97 with heavy run and sinking action on his fastball, BA wrote. He adds to that a deceptive changeup for which he has feel and a curveball that flashes average. He was slowed in 2014 by injuries to his right forearm and left shoulder.
The only thing standing in Syndergaard’s way to the majors is a glut of seven starting pitchers to fill five spots in the Mets rotation. Sandy Alderson will try to chisel that number down this offseason, but Syndergaard is slated to begin the season in Triple-A regardless to work on his consistency.
