Though he has experienced an up-and-down year in his first taste of Triple-A, it's still not clear if Mets' prospect Noah Syndergaard will join New York when rosters expand in September.
Will he or won't he? That's the question Mets' fans—and apparently GM Sandy Alderson—are asking in regard to seeing top prospect Noah Syndergaard next month in Queens. Though the Daily News recently mentioned that New York was 'unlikely' to call up the right-hander, it's still a possibility, according to Alderson.
"There may be something to be gained from the familiarity he may acquire during that month. Just what goes on at the major league level."
If the pitcher nicknamed 'Thor' were to join the Mets, he likely would pitch out of the bullpen, if at all, as he is quickly approaching the club's imposed innings limit. Following his most recent start on August 22, Syndergaard is now at 124 innings, or roughly 25 innings short of his limit with the playoffs looming for Las Vegas. But it's not just the workload that may stand in the way of the 22-year-old making his major league debut in 2014; it's a number's game, says Alderson.
"We don’t have 40-man roster spots readily available for everyone we’d like to see in September."
The Mets' 40-man roster currently stands at 37.
Expected to follow a similar track to Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler to the major leagues, Syndergaard has been inconsistent during his initial Triple-A experience. He has posted strong peripherals for the 51s, striking out 135 in 124 innings (9.77 K/9) while walking 41 (2.97 BB/9). His strikeout-to-walk ratio of 17.2% is ninth best in the Pacific Coast League and his FIP of 3.79 is third.
Due partly to the hitter-friendly environment, his own inconsistencies, and bad luck, Syndergaard is just 8-7 with a 4.85 ERA in 24 starts for Las Vegas. Much of that can be explained by an opponent's batting average against of .291, a number that is inflated by an obscene BABIP of .380, an astronomical figure considering how many innings he has thrown.
Although he surrendered five runs in his most recent start, Syndergaard is finishing 2014 strong. The Mansfield, Texas native has posted a 2.95 ERA and 48-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last seven starts, spanning 39 innings.