Interesting article on ESPN New York by Adam Rubin who differentiates how the organization vies Jenrry Mejia as compared to Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and and Jeurys Familia.
Terry Collins already has stated Mejia is expected to contribute in the Mets’ bullpen in 2012. And Sandy Alderson has differentiated Mejia from fellow prospects Matt Harvey,Jeurys Familia and Zack Wheeler. That trio will develop at their own paces and not be forced into the Mets’ bullpen. In Mejia’s case, though, the needs of the organization will play a major factor in determining the role.
What’s a little curious to me is that while pitching at St. Lucie and Binghamton thus far, it’s been exclusively as a starting pitcher and now with his promotion to Buffalo he’ll continue to be used in that role. He is slated to start fro the Bisons on Wednesday.
My guess is that once Colin McHugh or Zack Wheeler get bumped to Buffalo, they will slide Mejia over to the bullpen and thus begin his transition from starter to reliever.
“He has a little more experience,” Alderson said, separating Mejia from the other highly regarded arms. “He’s coming off an injury. He’s pitched at the major league level before. And if we were to move him to the bullpen, in that scenario, we think he can help us perhaps in a way the other guys are not ticketed for.”
That said, this doesn’t exactly mean Mejia will be stuck in the bullpen, because according to Paul DePodesta, the Mets might be taking a page out of the Texas Rangers playbook. The Rangers of course made headlines when they took closer Nefatali Feliz out of the bullpen and put him into the rotation.
As for Mejia, he just wants to pitch in the majors and will take whatever opportunity he can get.
So look for the big three to pitch and develop at their own pace, while Mejia gets groomed for a quick return to the majors as soon as he is deemed ready.
