1st Phase - ST - Starting Pitching

1st Phase Spring Traing Report

It’s tough to write anything conclusive at this point in the pre-season, but there are a few observations I’d like to make as the team breaks for the WBC:

1. Starting pitcher wise, the Mets are nowhere close to determining who the SP5 is going to be.

2. It certainly doesn’t look like Freddy Garcia will earn it, and Livan Hernandez is nowhere ready.

3. Ditto Tim Redding and Brian Stokes.

4. There are no big surprises in camp that will translate as a Cinderella story here. Prospects like Dillon Gee and Mike Antonini got clocked pretty good so far, which is normal for kids in that stage of development.

5. Right now, the obviously choice is Jon Niese, who, frankly, could use another year at AAA.

6. To be frank, if I was the GM, my 5th starter, if the season was to start right now, would be Nelson Figueroa, not only because of his experience, but the fact that he’s pitching well in camp. I would also send Niese to Buffalo and have him keep an overnight bag packed for the occasional 6th starter role

But... it's early