Three New York Mets Pitchers to Keep Tabs on This Spring
The New York Mets did some heavy lifting this winter in constructing their bullpen.
The three big signings, of course, were re-signing closer Edwin Díaz and 2022 setup man Adam Ottavino, and bringing in veteran reliever David Robertson. They also traded for left-hander Brooks Raley.
However, the Mets also brought in a slew of intriguing arms via trade, the waiver wire, the Rule 5 draft and off the free agent market.
In cohesion with some of the arms they already had in house, here are three players to follow as Spring Training progresses.
BRYCE MONTES DE OCA
Mets fans got a glimpse of the 6 feet 7 inches tall right-hander in 2022 and saw him blow away six hitters in just three innings of work.
Between Double-A and Triple-A last year prior to his call-up, Montes de Oca fanned 80 hitters in 51 1/3 innings.
There's no doubt he's got the raw stuff, but there are two things that have plagued the 26-year-old in his pro career, and that's injury and control.
Despite his high strikeout clip last year, Montes de Oca also walked 38 hitters.
Montes de Oca also didn't see a professional inning until 2021, three years after he was drafted by the Mets.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in high school, to ulnar nerve transposition surgery during his time at Missouri, he was no stranger to injury before he was even a minor leaguer.
Post being drafted, Montes de Oca underwent four different surgeries before finally debuting in 2021.
If he can stay healthy and gain a little more control, Montes de Oca could solidify himself as a true weapon on this Mets squad.
Especially if he can consistently clock 101 mph like he did this week.
GRANT HARTWIG
Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2021, right-hander Grant Hartwig has rapidly risen through the Mets system and made it all the way to Triple-A in 2022.
Hartwig, the Mets No. 30 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, is a player that could definitely make it to the show in 2023 and help out the 'pen.
A starter in college, Hartwig was moved to the bullpen by the Mets after becoming a pro and thrived.
A high strikeout guy (35.5 percent strikeout rate last year), Hartwig has also seen a big uptick in his velocity since his college days.
While he likely won't break camp with the team and head to Queens to begin the season because he's not on the 40-man roster, Hartwig should be one of the first guys called upon if there's injury or roster shuffling.
JOHN CURTISS
Right-hander John Curtiss has actually been with the Mets organization since this time last year after signing a two-year pact with the team.
Curtiss tore his ulnar collateral ligament at the end of 2021, but New York scooped him up with the intention of having him pitch in 2023 when he finally got healthy.
The 30-year-old has bounced around between a few different MLB squads before latching on with the Mets.
Should he impress this spring, there's a good chance Curtiss could make the Opening Day club because he's on the 40-man roster.
The Texas native also looked good in his first spring appearance earlier this week, as his heater clocked in at 96 mph and he tossed a perfect inning.
Prior to his injury in 2021, Curtiss put together two solid seasons, highlighted by a 2020 campaign where he had a 1.80 ERA and was worth 0.4 fWAR.
A good thing with Curtiss as well is that even if he doesn't crack the ball club out of Spring Training, he does have options.
While there are other intriguing names in camp, these three have impressed early on.
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