Beisbols.org - SP - Noah Syndergaard

Good news Mets fans, as Noah Syndergaard has begun to dominate AAA Pacific Coast League hitting, or at least in his previous five starts. Over those starts, Syndergaard has an ERA of 1.88 in 28.2 innings pitched, striking out 32 batters, while walking only 11. This is a world of a difference from the individual who has a season ERA in AAA of 4.76 in 113.1 innings pitched. During this period, his strikeout rate has seen a slight uptick, from striking out 23.9% of batters faced in 2014 to 26% of batters over his five previous starts. With deGrom missing his start, the Mets opted to promote Rafael Montero over Syndergaard, which from a player development perspective is probably the right move. Syndergaard is just starting to come into his own after constant struggles and injury and to promote him to face major league hitters is far too risky and too big of a jump at this point in time. Alderson was quoted as telling Mets fans to be “patient” on Syndergaard after picking Montero, which is a pretty bland, inoffensive statement, but one I agree with, as Syndergaard needs more than a few good starts before he takes a bigger plunge. Rafael Montero got the start on Tuesday after pitching pretty well in AAA, posting an ERA of 3.28 in 74 innings. He was roughed up against the Washington Nationals, giving up five earned runs in five innings pitched, while walking two and striking out four. The goal of the Mets should be making Montero look as competent as possible for trade bait, as he, Syndergaard, or one of the other pitchers may be dealt in the offseason.

http://beisbols.org/2014/08/15/mlb-prospect-news-notes-81514/