Tom Brennan - Kodai Senga is - I Dunno - David Cone II?

Senga May Not Have a Muscular Physique, But He Pitched “Muscular”

After yet another fine outing in his final start of 2023, Kodai Senga wrapped up a memorable inaugural Mets season.

166 innings, 2.98 ERA, 202 Ks?  Feels like a David Cone season to me.

You probably remember Cone, possibly the Mets’ most favorable lopsided trade ever? 

The Mets sent catcher Ed Hearn (35 KC at bats, and done), pitcher Rick Anderson (barely pitched in majors after the trade), and pitching prospect Mauro Gozzo to Kansas City (7-7, 5.30 career) for the great Cone and one of the Royals top prospects in catcher Chris Jelic (11 MLB at bats, thankfully one career hit to brag to the grandkids about).

20-3 one Cone season, 200+ Ks five times as a Met. His 19 K game was electrifying.

Later he won 20 as a Yankee. 

He also won a Cy Young award when he latter end up back in Kansas City for a few seasons.

195-126 career. 

Loved the Cone-man while he was a 81-51 Met.

But…back to Senga.

Kodai got stronger as the season marched on. Post All Star game, 13 starts, 5-2, 2.58 ERA.

And by my count, he pitched very well in 8 games where he took a no-decision, or picked up a loss.

With the vaunted Braves offense behind him, he wins 18-20.

Senga was 104-51, 2.42 in overseas pitching before joining the Mets. 

So he is now 116-58 (.667 win %) as a pro. When all is said and done, maybe he will have a better career total than Cone’s 194-126. We’ll see.

When the Mets signed Senga, many speculated if he would be an SP3 or SP5.

We now know we have a 2024 ace. An SP1. 

His full name?  

Kodai David Cone Senga.

Brendan Hardy:

He is in Arizona, and had a very solid relief season for Brooklyn with limited innings.  I always wondered about his stuff, as I consider each player from the perspective of, will their stuff work in the big leagues. 

A Mayo/Dykstra/Callas article in MLB.com on sleeper AFL prospects said this about Hardy:

Hardy lacks velocity with a 90-92 mph fastball but can make it play up with good extension from his 6-foot-4 frame. 

His standout pitch is a 79-81 mph sweeper that helps generate K’s 

Draw your own conclusions. Edwin Diaz, velocity-wise, he is not.

Our AFL STARS

J.T. Schwartz was 2-3, walk, run scored, RBI.

Rowdey Jordan doubled twice, multiple RBIs. 

D’Andre Smith hitless, but and RBI.

Result: 7-1 win.

Final Note: Look up Miranda Devine’s article concerning Trevor Bauer in today’s NY Post. It may give you an entirely new and less unfavorable view on Mr Bauer. Understanding he isn’t saintly Tim Tebow…but was he set up? You decide.