The Mets currently have 5.87 ERA from their supposedly revamped bullpen, a number that is the fourth highest in baseball and only the Nationals’ bullpen ERA of 8.01 is worse in the NL.

Aside from closer Edwin Diaz, everyone in the Mets pen has struggled at times early on in 2019. Given that, let’s take a look at the options the Mets have in the upper levels of the minors that might be able to help.

Triple-A Syracuse 

  • RHP Tyler Bashlor – 3.2 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, 3 K – It’s been a struggled to start the season for the 26-year-old and that’s evident by the Mets recalling Jacob Rhame over him, despite both being on the 40-man roster.
  • RHP Arquimedes Caminero – 4.1 IP, H, 0 R, 4 BB, 5 K, 3 Saves – The veteran hard thrower hasn’t allowed a run yet this year, though he has struggled with his control. I’ve watched two of his outings, and his splitter was unhittable in both while pumping fastball up to 97 mph. He is not currently on the 40-man roster.
  • RHP Eric Hanhold – 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K – The former starter came over to the Mets in return for Neil Walker. His stuff hasn’t been as consistent since suffering an oblique strain late last season that landed him on DL. He made is MLB debut last year with the Mets and is on the 40.
  • LHP Ryan O’Rourke 9.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 6 K – The 30-year-old has helped out Syracuse with a couple of multiple inning outings already. O’Rourke posted a 1.74 ERA in spring despite posting a 1.55 WHIP. As you can see, walks have been an issue. He’s another veteran that is not on the 40-man roster.
  • RHP Corey Taylor – 9.1 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K – The sinker/slider pitcher is another Syracuse reliever that has pitched multiple innings on several occasions this year. The former seventh round pick is not on the 40.
  • LHP Daniel Zamora – 5 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 7 K – The funky lefty was very good last year for the Mets at the end of the season with 16 strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA in his first nine big league innings. Lefties are 0-for-6 with three strikeouts against him to begin the season. He is on the 40-man roster.

The Mets have been using both Justin Wilson and Luis Avilan as crossover guys that can possibly go multiple innings giving Zamora a potential chance to help despite giving them three lefties. We’ve already seen Jacob Rhame and Paul Sewald get the call up from Syracuse.

Another name to consider is right-hander Casey Coleman. The former Royal has started two games this year, though his stuff likely plays much better in the pen. He threw six shutout innings this spring for the Mets after signing a minor league deal this offseason. He has pitched eight inning this year allowing three runs (3.38 ERA) while striking out eight.

He has been up to 95 mph with his fastball, curveball at 75-78 has been an out pitch, and his funky delivery makes him hard to time. However, he is not on the currently full Mets 40-man roster.

Double-A Binghamton

  • RHP Matt Blackham – 5.1 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 9 K – Blackham may be short but he brings it, with a fastball in the mid-90’s and a nasty knuckle-curve. His issue has always been control, but through 5.1 innings this year that has been the case. The 26-year-old has a career 12.4 K/9 innings while limiting hitters to only 103 hits in 161.2 innings.
  • RHP Zack Jones – 4 IP, 2 H, 5 ER, 6 BB, 4 K – The former Twin has good stuff (mid-90’s fastball, sharp slider) but he’s had trouble with the strike zone. The former fourth rounder does have 281 strikeouts in 197 minor league innings.
  • RHP Stephen Nogosek – 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, K – The final piece of the Addison Reed trade with Boston has struggled since joining the Mets organization.
  • RHP Ryder Ryan – 3.1 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 2 K – People laughed when Ryan was acquired for Jay Bruce in 2017, now he’s a legitimate MLB relief prospect. the 23-year-old posted a 3.57 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 10.0 K/9 during the 2018 season between St. Lucie and Binghamton. He rides his slider as a strikeout pitch.
  • RHP Joshua Torres – 4 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 5 K – The short right-hander has pitched really well since the Mets scooped him up on a free agent deal in 2017. However, he’s a fly ball pitcher without a MLB strikeout pitch.
  • RHP Adonis Uceta – 3.2 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 4 K – Uceta made a name for himself in 2017 when he posted a 1.51 ERA between three levels in 2017. Unfortunately, arm issues limited him to just 26 innings last year. The 24-year-old is known for his ability to use his changeup in any count.
  • RHP Steve Villines – 4.2 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K, 2 Saves – If you follow me on Twitter you know I have a soft spot for sidearmers, and even more so for ones with a career 13.1 K/9 in 98.2 minor league innings. His fastball is unlikely to touch 90 mph and he throws a frisbee breaking ball that has been tough on righties and lefties.
  • RHP Joseph Zanghi – 5. 2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB (2 IBB), 6 K – There’s quite a story behind the travels off Zanghi to this point. He was drafted by the Reds in 2015 out of Cumberland County College but never signed and an injury that didn’t allow him to swing forced him to the mound. The former catcher has a 2.40 ERA in 157 minor league innings and has allowed only five home runs in that span.

None of the Binghamton relievers are currently on the Mets 40-man roster. I believe that likely changes before the years over with Villines, Blackham, and possibly Ryan making their debuts. Villines was in big league camp with the Mets this year and has been flat out dominant as a pro.

One bonus name I will add to this group is St. Lucie Mets reliever Ryley Gilliam. He was the Mets fifth round pick last year and was lauded by many as college arm that could move quick to the big leagues. The former Clemson closer has thrown 8.1 scoreless innings this year with zero walks and 12 strikeouts.