Tyler Bashlor

New York Mets Send Three Players To Syracuse

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New York Mets, Andres Gimenez

Despite Spring Training coming to a quick end, the New York Mets are making roster cuts to prepare for the season to resume eventually. The moves were not a surprise as all three were likely going to start the season at triple-A.

The three players sent down were Andres Gimenez, Tyler Bashlor, and Ali Sanchez. Gimenez started Spring strong but faltered towards the end. He slashed .214/.290/.393 over 14 games and showcased his defensive prowess at shortstop. Though he was not hitting for average, the increased power was an encouraging sign.

Bashlor’s Home Run Issues

Bashlor still could not contain the hone run and the big innings, which hurt his 2019 campaign. Over 4.2 innings, he allowed six runs, 11 hits, and three home runs. There has always been good stuff in Bashlor’s repertoire, but he can never seem to put it all together.

Sanchez did not receive many at-bats but seemingly had no chance to take the backup catchers job over Tomas Nido or Rene Rivera. Over nine games, he only had eight at-bats and recorded a double as his only hit.

New York Mets: Porcello, Fargas the Story in 7-7 Tie

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New York Mets, Rick Porcello

The New York Mets offense is starting to come together as the starting pitching continues to dominate. Despite some bullpen struggles, the Mets finished in a 7-7 tie with the St. Louis Cardinals in a back and forth game. Their offensive output over the last two games finally moved them out of the bottom spot in the runs scored category.

Rick Porcello continued his solid start to Spring Training. Over three innings, he allowed two hits, a walk and struck out four. Porcello lowered his ERA to 1.50 and is showing why he deserves to hold a spot in the Mets rotation.

Tyler Bashlor‘s outing was a nightmare at best. He only recorded two outs and allowed seven hits, six runs, and three home runs after Porcello left the game. The home runs were the pitfall for Bashlor in 2019, and he served them up in bunches on Thursday.

Spring Training Cycle

The little known prospect Johneshwy Fargas pulled off quite a feat by hitting for the cycle. He received a non-roster invite to Spring Training after stealing 50 bases in double-A. For a team with very little speed, Fargas gives the Mets a speed threat to throw in their outfield late in the season. Jarrett Parker and Patrick Mazeika also blasted home runs on a day where most of the regulars were on the bench.

Amed Rosario finally recorded his first hit of Spring Training after going 0-for-15 to start camp. Pete Alonso recorded two hits and now has a hit in five of his last six games as his bat is starting to come around. Robinson Cano and Dominic Smith both went hitless to drop their averages to .125 and .130, respectively.

The Mets head to West Palm Beach to face the Houston Astros for a rare night game. Michael Wacha makes his third start of the Spring against Lance McCullers, fresh off Tommy John Surgery.

New York Mets Bullpen Solid in Tie Against Cardinals

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On day two of Spring Training, the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals finished in a 3-3 tie. Jake Marisnick‘s solo home run, Ryan Cordell‘s double and a J.D. Davis sacrifice fly accounted for the three Mets runs.

Like most early Spring Training games, the big league ready arms threw the first half of the game. Steven Matz threw the first inning for the Mets and allowed a leadoff home run to Harrison Bader. Matz settled in to retire the following three batters and struck out one. His much-improved charge-up looked good during his one inning of work.

Bullpen Dominance

The slimmed-down Jeurys Familia took over after Matz in the second inning. He worked around a couple of baserunners to pitch a scoreless second. Familia is back to throwing his sinker, slider, and splitter full time and featured each of them during his inning. He threw a couple of sinkers in the high 90s but mostly worked in the 93-95 range.

Brad Brach took over for the third and allowed a couple of baserunners but also struck out two. He was throwing in the high 80s, but his change-up looked in midseason form. The double Brach allowed mostly had to do with Tim Tebow playing left field. It was a tough play, but most Mets outfielders make the play.

Robert Gsellman put together a quick but eventful inning. It started with an Andres Gimenez error, followed by possible double play turned into a fielders choice, and the final batter flew out into a double play on a failed hit & run. Tyler Bashlor‘s one inning of work featured a strikeout, and his curveball was his best pitch with his velocity sitting at 93-95.

Minor league relievers finished off the rest of the game with Franklyn Kilome as the only one to allow runs. He allowed a line drive two-run homer to Edmundo Sosa, which tied the game. Velocities from most pitchers on both sides seemed lower than usual. It either had to do with pitchers still getting themselves game-ready along with the radar gun reading not playing as key a role it does in the regular season.

It was a solid day for the key Mets relievers, which will be something to build on as the first full week of games starts. We still have not seen Edwin Diaz pitch, and his Spring debut will be the most anticipated of Spring Training.

New York Mets: Tyler Bashlor Year in Review

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The hard-throwing Tyler Bashlor could not seem to find his footing during his 2019 New York Mets campaign. Home runs and lack of command derailed an expected progressive year for Bashlor.

Bashlor had to wait a month before earning his call up to the big leagues. He was very effective during his first nine outings, he allowed only one run in 9.1 innings and struck out ten batters. Opposing hitters only batted .097 against Bashlor.

Quick Change of Events

Right when the Mets thought they had something in Bashlor, three of his next four outings results in him allowing runs. When Jeff McNeil came off the Injured List on June 4, the Mets optioned Bashlor. He came back up on July 20 and had a similar stint. Bashlor threw three straight scoreless outings before back to back three-run outings and went back down to Triple-A on August 3.

Bashlor returned during the September roster expansion and struggled with his consistency again. In limited September action, he allowed four runs in 5.2 innings and walked an alarming seven batters.

Bashlor is very interesting for the Mets bullpen in 2020. He has a very live arm and put together outings where he seemed untouchable. His fastball-curveball combination can be downright nasty, but it is control with both of those pitches that will determine if he is major league ready. It will be interesting to see what adjustments he makes with Jeremy Hefner as the pitching coach.

Grades:

Pitching Repertoire: B, His fastball sits around 95-96 but can touch triple digits. If he can hone in his curveball and changeup, it gives the Mets another weapon in their bullpen.

Control: F, 7.0 BB/9 doubled his 2018 total and was a massive regression. He also relied on his fastball velocity getting outs instead of locating.

Composure: D, Batters hit .385 in high leverage situations, but if he can limit the big innings, he will last longer in the big leagues.

Intangibles: A, He has a lot of confidence in his ability and pitches with swagger. Bashlor will be a weapon if he puts it all together.

Overall: D-, There were some excellent moments for Bashlor, but a lot of improvements have to be made for him to crack the 2020 bullpen.