Noah Syndergaard

New York Mets: Why Noah Syndergaard Should Rehab With Nolan Ryan

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New York Mets, Noah Syndergaard

As Noah Syndergaard begins the process of recovery from Tommy John Surgery, he should reinvent himself to prevent future injuries. One of the things on top of his list should be working with former New York Met, Nolan Ryan, to regain confidence in his 4-seam fastball. Ryan even offered advice for Syndergaard to put pickle juice on his blisters in 2017.

Randy Johnson credits Ryan for allowing him to reach his full potential. All it took was a short period for Johnson to absorb all of the information he needed to become the “Big Unit.” Syndergaard and Johnson are in two different points of their careers, but Syndergaard needs to return to what got him to the big leagues.

Two Texans

Syndergaard and Ryan draw a lot of similarities, both from Texas, both intimating pitchers and both with lively arms. The reason for Syndergaard to learn from Ryan would be to move away from the sinker and back to his traditional 4-seam fastball. Ryan threw near triple digits, with a nasty curveball and a good changeup. He mastered those three pitches and had kept himself in great shape, which allowed him to pitch for 27 seasons.

That is the potential Syndergaard has, even coming off of Tommy John. Syndergaard had shown the same demeanor as Ryan as well in the 2015 World Series and when he threw behind Chase Utley. Becoming a sinkerball pitcher has done more harm than good to Syndergaard’s production.

During his first two seasons, he threw the 4-seam fastball 38 and 30 percent of the time, which resulted in a 2.89 ERA, 10.8 K/9, and a 0.8 HR/9. In the following three, he has thrown the 4-seam fastball less than 30 percent of the time, in exchange for an increased sinker usage. His numbers resulted in a 3.67 ERA, 9.2 K/9, and the same 0.8 HR/9.

Why Fix Something That Isn’t Broken?

Syndergaard had no problem in the home run department but still sacrificed velocity to get more groundballs and contact. For someone who holds runners very poorly, he should be looking to prevent any possibility of runners getting on base.

When Syndergaard comes back from surgery, he will get less than a full season before heading into arbitration. If he wants to get paid what he deserves, his 2016 form needs to be what he presents. Anything less will not get him more than the $9.7 million he already makes.

 

New York Mets’ Noah Syndergaard underwent Tommy John surgery

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New York Mets, Noah Syndergaard, yankees

The New York Mets‘ starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard underwent successful elbow reconstruction surgery on Thursday. This week, more precisely on Tuesday, it was announced that the talented hurler had a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow that required the Tommy John procedure.

The surgery was performed in Florida. There was a controversy because some people in the industry saw the procedure as “nonessential” and those were banned until further notice because of the coronavirus. However, Florida doctors gave the green light.

Thor will be sidelined for the whole 2020 season, if there is one, and for at least a couple pf months of next year, as well. Given that recommended rehab for the surgery is between 12 and 15 months (it could extend to 18 months in some cases) he has a shot to return prior to the 2021 All-Star break, although it’s not a given.

A Mets’ statement

“Noah is an incredibly hard worker and a tremendous talent,” Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. “While this is unfortunate, we have no doubt that Noah will be able to return to full strength and continue to be an integral part of our Championship pursuits in the future.”

Losing Thor for such an extended period of time represents a huge blow for the Mets’ postseason odds. He was slated to follow ace Jacob deGrom in the rotation, where his pedigree and strikeout prowess were going to be useful for the team to make a run at the playoffs.

After all, Syndergaard had a 4.4 fWAR season in 2019 even though it wasn’t his sharpest year. Overall, his 4.28 ERA was mediocre but his 3.60 FIP was much better. He still struck out over a batter per inning and was dominant for stretches.

The Mets will now have deGrom as the ace, with Marcus Stroman, Rick Porcello, Steven Matz and Michael Wacha completing the rotation.

What do the New York Mets have behind the top five healthy starters?

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Simeon Woods-Richardson

As Noah Syndergaard goes down with Tommy John surgery, the New York Mets need to move on and find solutions to re-arrange their starting pitching depth. After all, Thor is slated to miss the next 14-18 months of action with the procedure and rehab. That represents a huge blow to the team’s playoff hopes.

Right now, five healthy starters sit atop the Mets’ depth chart. Jacob deGrom, 2018 and 2018 NL Cy Young award winner, is the ace. Marcus Stroman will follow him, Rick Porcello will likely follow him, and Steven Matz and Michael Wacha complete the group.

As of right now, the New York Mets are an injury away from disaster in their rotation. If someone in that group were to get hurt, the team would have to pencil a name with which it won’t feel entirely comfortable, for one reason or another.

Here is a glimpse of what the Mets have after the top five pitchers in the rotation:

David Peterson: Manager Luis Rojas referred to Peterson as the Mets’ seventh starter, which means that, after Thor’s injury, he would be the preferred option to enter the rotation if something were to happen to one of the top five remaining hurlers.

Peterson is a lefty that already had a good season in Double-A and showed up to spring training throwing harder. He is now sitting in the mid 90s. If he dominates Triple-A, a call to Queens will be in the horizon for him.

Walker Lockett: Lockett is out of options and is now an alternative to make the Mets. He doesn’t have a high ceiling but could develop into a backend starter if given the opportunity.

Erasmo Ramirez: The spring training invitee was dealing before play was halted: he threw eight innings of a 1.13 ERA, with 10 strikeouts and only five hits allowed. He has plenty of big league experience and is nice insurance.

Stephen Gonsalves: He was claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins in the winter. He is slated to start the season in Triple-A, if there is a season of course.

Corey Oswalt: Oswalt was once among the first pitchers in line for a rotation spot last year, but despite his minor league success, he hasn’t been able to translate it to the majors so far. He had a good spring, with only one run conceded in eight frames. He struck out six with no free passes.

Franklyn Kilomé: A Tommy John survivor, Kilome could contribute this season, but it isn’t likely. 2021 seems like a more appropriate ETA.

Pedro Payano: The New York Mets signed Payano to a minor league contract in December. He posted mediocre numbers in Triple-A and the bigs (5.73 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, and 17/15 K/BB ratio in 22 innings.)

Kevin Smith: Another talented lefty that needs Triple-A success to be considered as an option for this year.

New York Mets: Thor’s injury will test the team’s pitching depth

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The New York Mets received some bad news on Tuesday regarding Noah Syndergaard’s health. As it turns out, he has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow, which means he will be undergoing Tommy John surgery on Thursday, March 26th.

The usual timetable for these injuries and surgeries is around 18 months. Some pitchers return a little earlier, but most of them do it around or after the year and a half mark. The Mets shouldn’t count on Syndergaard contributing until around the All-Star break of 2021.

That year, 2021, also happens to be the last of Syndergaard’s tenure with the Mets unless the two sides reach an agreement for an extension, which seems unlikely now.

The Mets are going to have to find a way to replace Syndergaard in the rotation. When it comes to names, they can easily slot new signings Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello (who was already expected to be a starter) to complement Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman and Steven Matz.

Do the Mets have options to replace Thor? What about if another injury strikes?

But if we are talking numbers and performance, only deGrom carries a similar ceiling/floor than Thor. Stroman is a fine mid-rotation starter and Porcello, Matz and Wacha are good options to round out the group, but none of them carries the strikeout prowess and dominating potential of Noah Syndergaard. Only deGrom does. Of course, he is the National League’s best hurler. But there is no denying that Thor’s injury will hurt the Mets, this year and next.

The thing about Syndergaard’s Tommy John is that the team’s depth is now razor-thin. It’s amazing what an injury can do to a team’s plans: the Mets went from having six capable starters with experience to only five. What if another injury strikes?

Prospects David Peterson and Kevin Smith could be ready to contribute later this season if they prove they can master the Triple-A level first. Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman both have experience starting games, but they are too valuable in the bullpen, especially the former.

Walter Lockett could develop into a backend starter, and Erasmo Ramirez was pitching very well in spring training before play was halted. Neither one represents a particularly enticing option, to be honest.

The New York Mets have some alternatives, but there is no sugarcoating it: losing Noah Syndergaard hurts the team’s playoff chances.

New York Mets: Noah Syndergaard has a torn ligament in his elbow and will undergo Tommy John surgery

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New York Mets, Noah Syndergaard, yankees

The 2020 season hasn’t even started yet, and the New York Mets already received their first major injury blow of the year. Noah Syndergaard, who was expected to be the team’s second starter, will not pitch at all this year and will miss at least the first half of the 2021 campaign.

As it turns out, the Mets’ starter has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The expectation, according to Jeff Passan, is that he goes under the knife with the Tommy John surgery.

Per the Mets’ official Twitter account, Syndergaard will undergo the surgery on Thursday, March 26. The team’s medical director David Altchek will perform it.

The New York Mets had six starters for five rotation spots prior to receiving the Thor news. Now, Michael Wacha and Steven Matz will likely make the rotation alongside new signing Rick Porcello, righty Marcus Stroman and ace and two-time Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom.

The Mets’ playoff odds get a huge hit

The Mets’ odds of making the playoffs suffer a severe hit with this development. Thor was looking good in spring training before play was halted because of concerns surrounding public health due to the coronavirus outbreak. His slider was biting and he put up a lot of work during the offseason to get in shape.

For his career, Syndergaard has a 3.31 ERA in 716 innings pitched, with a much better 2.92 FIP. He has been dominant in the past but struggled a bit in 2019, at least for his standards: the overpowering Mets’ righty had a 4.28 ERA (3.60 FIP) in 197.2 frames, with a 9.20 K/9 and a 2.28 BB/9.

The New York Mets will have to replace the 4.4 fWAR Syndergaard accrued in 2019. While Wacha and Porcello are quality righties in one-year deals, they don’t have the sheer upside that a healthy and motivated Thor contributes to the rotation. Manager Luis Rojas will have to cope with the absence of one his most talented hurlers for the 2020 season, if it ever starts.

New York Mets: McNeil Stays Red Hot in Loss to Marlins

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Tuesday’s matchup between the New York Mets and Miami Marlins featured Noah Syndergaard‘s second Spring start. It was not as dominant as his first, and the three early runs he allowed were too much for the Mets to make up.

In the first inning, Syndergaard retired the first two with ease before allowing a homer to Garrett Cooper. The second inning also led to some two-out magic for the Marlins. A hit by pitch and fielder’s choice moved Harold Ramirez to second base, and Chad Wallach knocked him for the Marlins second run. An ill-advised throw from Amed Rosario on a fielder’s choice allowed Lewis Brinson to score for the third run.

Syndergaard put together a 1-2-3 third inning to complete his outing on a high note. Overall, he threw three innings, allowed three runs (two earned), two hits while striking out five. One of the positives for Syndergaard is the five strikeouts to zero walks he produced.

McNeil Carries the Offense

The Mets have been dead last in runs through the early part of Spring Training, but none of that is Jeff McNeil‘s fault. The All-Star supplied two hits, including a leadoff home run. He is hitting .533, the highest mark in Spring Training. Andres Gimenez also continued to stay hot by supplying a double off the bench to move his average to .333 with a 1.010 OPS.

Brandon Nimmo is quietly hitting .357 after his 1-for-3 game today, but the rest of the lineup is in the dust. Robinson Cano is hitting .200, Pete Alonso is hitting .143, with a .333 OPS, and Amed Rosario still has not recorded an out yet. Thankfully there are multiple weeks left in Spring Training, so the pressure to right themselves is not high yet.

Bullpen Work

Robert Gsellman threw two innings, allowing one run after Syndergaard left. Jeurys Familia followed up with one strikeout over his inning of work. He still has not allowed a run in the Spring. Brad Brach and Paul Sewald also pitched scoreless innings. Despite allowing two runs, Adonis Uceta, struck out three batters in the ninth.

Marcus Stroman faces the St. Louis Cardinals once again for his third Spring start. He should be the first Met to get to the four-inning plateau in Spring Training.

 

New York Mets: Syndergaard and Diaz Opposite Spring Debuts

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Wednesday’s matchup between the New York Mets and Houston Astros came with plenty of headlines. Noah Syndergaard and Edwin Diaz made their first appearances of the Spring, and the villain Astros made their first trip to Clover Park. Syndergaard was dominant, Diaz struggled, and the Astros were booed.

Syndergaard had his good stuff working over his first two innings of work. He only allowed one hit and struck out two batters, both with his revamped slider. The slider looked brand new from 2019 with a more downward tilt and got four swings and misses on it.  Syndergaard’s velocity on his slider was in the 97-98 range as expected, with the four-seamer touching 99.

Diaz Struggles

Anxious was the word that summed up Diaz’s first outing of the Spring. He gave up three runs on two hits while striking out one over his only inning of work. The inning was no different than the ones that defined his horrible 2019. Electric stuff but inconsistent location. All three hits we hit extremely hard, and everything was center cut. The poor outing could be first outing jitters, but nothing was promising, which is an early concern.

Ryan Cordell was a late entrant into the Mets lineup but made a considerable impact, building on his strong Spring. He went 2-for-4 with a homer and a diving catch in Center Field. Cordell is 4-for-11 through his first four games. Despite being a minor league invite to camp, his strong play is giving him an outside chance at a roster spot in the future.

Thursday in Jupiter

The Mets travel to Jupiter on Thursday to take on the Miami Marlins as Rick Porcello makes his second start. He allowed a run on two hits during his first outing of the season against the same Marlins. Miami is the final undefeated team in Spring Training and hopes to make it six in a row to begin the Spring schedule.

 

New York Mets will face Houston Astros; Ramos to catch Syndergaard

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After an eventful Tuesday game in which Tim Tebow hit his first spring training home run and J.D. Davis hurt his shoulder on a diving catch, the New York Mets will play the Houston Astros at 1:10 PM ET.

The game will mark the first time the two teams face off this spring after the Astros were punished for sign-stealing in the 2017 season. The Mets, who appointed Carlos Beltran over the winter to be their skipper, had to part ways with him because of his role in the scheme back when he played in Houston that year.

The Mets will send Noah Syndergaard to the mound. The righty is determined to improve upon his 2019 season. Last year, he had a 4.28 ERA, but it came with a much better 3.60 FIP. As his track record suggests, Thor can be much better than that.

According to manager Luis Rojas (who took over Beltran a few weeks ago) his slider is showing more bite this season.
For the game, Jeff McNeil will play third base and lead off, with center fielder Brandon Nimmo as the second hitter. Pete Alonso, who hit 53 home runs in 2019 and was tagged as the Rookie of the Year in the National League, will hit third today. Michael Conforto will occupy the leadoff spot.

Here is the full lineup:

Jeff McNeil 3B
Brandon Nimmo CF
Pete Alonso 1B
Michael Conforto RF
Wilson Ramos C
Amed Rosario SS
Dominic Smith LF
Eduardo Núñez DH
Luis Guillorme 2B

Noah Syndergaard RHP

The Mets want Ramos and Thor to patch things up

One of the biggest storylines to watch for the New York Mets this spring is the development of the Wilson Ramos – Noah Syndergaard catcher-pitcher tandem. Last season, Thor openly said that he preferred to pitch to Tomas Nido or Rene Rivera.

Luis Rojas wants the starting catcher and Syndergaard to iron out the little issues that make the latter think like that. Ramos, for his part, has said recently that he wasn’t mad about Syndergaard’s comments and that intends to put any potential controversies behind him.

Tebow’s Homer and Davis Injury Headlines New York Mets Loss to Tigers

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New York Mets, Andres Gimenez

Tim Tebow playing in New York Mets Spring Training games is already a headline in itself. When Tebow homered off Detroit Tigers reliever Alex Wilson, it is a 100 percent guarantee to throw the baseball world for a loop.

Tebow showcased his opposite-field power with a no-doubt home run to left-center field. It was his first during his Spring Training career, and it was the fourth time he reached base in eight Spring plate appearances. Expectations are meager for the 32-year old former quarterback, but we still know he has a flair for the dramatic.

Wacha’s Debut

Michael Wacha made his first Spring start. He is in a battle for the fifth starter spot and was on par with Steven Matz through their respective first starts. Wacha threw two innings, allowing two walks, a hit, and struck out two batters. The outing was not anything special but is a decent way to settle into the beginning of the Spring.

Davis Injury

The other major headline came when third baseman, J.D. Davis, left the game with a left shoulder injury. He jammed the shoulder after diving and spending a moment on the ground. Davis said, “right now it feels fine,” but also said the shoulder is weak and stiff. He will have an MRI Wednesday, but the early news is there is no damage to his rotator cuff or labrum.

This is the first injury scare of the Spring, and the MRI will give a clearer timeline on Davis. Initially, the injury seems minor, and it will likely have more of an effect on his offense over his defense.

Zamora Shines and Gimenez Struggles

Daniel Zamora is a projected minor leaguer to start the season but pitched a scoreless third inning, all against righties, where the only baserunner came from an Andres Gimenez error. Gimenez is known for his slick defense but already has two errors in the Spring.

Wednesday Preview

A couple of big names will face the villainous Houston Astros on Wednesday. Noah Syndergaard makes his first start of the Spring and has already poked at Houston’s cheating scandal during the offseason and early in camp. He is not afraid about throwing up and in, but there should be no shenanigans, especially in his first outing.

Edwin Diaz will make his long-awaited debut in his quest to regain the closer role. Justin Wilson will also throw as the combination of the three pitchers will likely be the crew to start the game.

New York Mets: Thor faces hitters and his slider is already impressing Luis Rojas

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New York Mets, Noah Syndergaard

The New York Mets announced their rotation of starters for the opening weekend of the Grapefruit League. Spring training games are about to start and we can’t hide our excitement about it!

Per Christina de Nicola of MLB.com, right-handers Rick Porcello and Marcus Stroman will start Saturday’s Grapefruit League-opening split-squad games vs. the Marlins and at the Cardinals, respectively. Left-hander Steven Matz will get the nod on Sunday.

The Mets rotation is among the strongest in the National League East. It has reigning two-time Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom at the top, plus Noah Syndergaard, Stroman, Porcello, Matz, and Michael Wacha.

But the man expected to follow deGrom is Syndergaard. The righty showed up to camp with a ripped physique and a very good mindset.

He threw his first live batting practice of the spring on Wednesday under the focused look of Mets’ manager Luis Rojas. During the session, Thor faced Robinson Cano, Amed Rosario and the team’s third-best prospect per MLB Pipeline Andres Gimenez.

The Mets’ starter is focusing on his slider

During their first matchup, Syndergaard broke Rosario’s bat. Rojas, who had a perfect view of the session because he was watching behind home plate with the protection of a screen, was impressed.

“I saw a slider moving a lot better,” Rojas said to MLB.com. “That’s something good that we’re never going to see from a side angle, and I can actually tell that’s a slider right there. Some of these guys have such electric stuff that you’ve got to look at the radar gun to make sure that’s what that was. Learning their pitches and the action, you can tell now after seeing them that close. I’m looking at that and about what they’re doing, just the little things. It’s been a really good week with the live BPs.”

The slider is instrumental to Syndergaard’s success. He threw it 15.1 percent of the time last season. Thor (and the New York Mets) wants the pitch to regain its bite, as its 2019 version had the lowest pitch value (1.8, per Fangraphs) since 2015.