Ernest Dove - We May Have Ourselves a Closer

  Back in 2010, before Sandy and Company were convincing all Mets fans that a 23 year old Matt Harvey, a 22 year old Zack Wheeler, a 23 year old Rafael Montero, and a 21 year old Noah Syndergaard were not ready for pro ball, before extensive work at every minor league level, there was a 20 year old pitcher named Jennry.

  Depending on who you believe, at the time, it was either talent, readiness, or GM desperation which led to young kid from the Dominican Republic taking the field.  And, just as it is today, the idea was to put the starting pitcher in the bullpen. 

  I feel like I have to do a complete double take, when I check the career stats on Mejia, and notice that Mejia still has currently had his most appearances in the majors,  during this 2010 season.  And what a miserable start it appeared to be.  10.6 hits per 9 innings; 4.6 BB per 9 innings, and 5.1 Ks per 9 innings, in 33 appearances, spanning 39 innings.

  Four years, and what seems like 400 setbacks later, Jennry burst back onto the scene for the Mets.  However, all along the way, Mejia continued to find himself right back where he has been comfortable, in a starting rotation.  Which brings us back to 2014.  Which brings us back to the current Sandy Alderson era.  Which brings us to maybe the one decision many Mets fans were actually happy with.  The decision to give the SP5 spot to Mejia, over the 'veteran' Dice K. For fans, the decision seemed easy.  Go with youth. Go with potential, go with something new and exciting. 

  Then there is the other side of the coin.  The side in which you have a pitcher, coming off numerous injuries.  A pitcher who just couldn't find himself on a minor or major league mound for anything close to even 100 total innings.  What's the innings cap on a young man who's never even seen a 110 inning season?     
  Yet, there he was, taking the mound every 5th day, pitching his heart out.  All the setbacks, all the doubters, all the young arms being drafted and traded for, over the past 3 years.  Still he remained, a young man on a mission.  However, there seemed to be one main concern. Mejia, who never broke 100 innings in a major league season, had not yet even broke 100 total pitches in a major league outing. 

  And, when this 2014 season began, we began to notice something.  It turned into something stat lovers are all over.  The dreaded 5th inning/90 pitch/3rd time in the batting order statistics. Mejia, who always appeared to come out strong, also appeared to begin wearing down in the later innings. The young talented arm, which has waited 4 years to show full potential, began to lose some steam.  And I can't say its about terrible pitches. I can't say if its about him tipping any of his pitches, or truly losing any legitimate velocity.  However, Something just seemed to be going well, at least for someone so talented. 

 

So, there three options:  1) learn on the job, struggle, and fight through it 2) be sent back down to AAA, to get used to pitching over 100-150 innings, out in the Nevada Desert 3) send him to the bullpen, and see if that first through third/forth inning magic could happen, nigh in and night out, one inning at a time.
  The initial concerns for Mejia seemed obvious.  He tried this once before, and it led to an eventual arm injury.  He's been practicing, training, and preparing, while starting, every 5th-6th day, for the past few years.  And, he obviously always pretty much knew (minus injury setbacks) exactly when, in advance, he would take the ball. 

  However, just like 2010, the team had a major need.  Only, this time, he's not a 20 year old kid anymore.  He's no longer labeled 'the next big thing'. He's not being asked to save the franchise.  However, maybe he is ready to be asked to save a bunch of games.

  And now, a couple of initial career saves later, we seem to have ourselves a closer.  A young closer. A closer with some fire, and passion. A young man who continues his attempts at perfection, domination, and success, one possible inning at a time, on a given night.  Individual hitters get one chance at him.  One look.  Facing a kid who wants to succeed, help his team, and confuse the hell out of you with wicked/filthy stuff. 
  Hats off to the Mets for putting Mejia in this position, and giving  him the chance. Hats off to Mejia for being accepting of the role, and seemingly getting all kinds of excited each and every time he heads out there for his new role.  And hats off to the all the Mets fans out there, who only want to see some success, see potential, and see some electricity coming from this team....................

  Well, bring on the excitement Mets universe.  We may have ourselves a new closer.   He's got style, he's got fire, and he's got some fabulous hair.........................................