The Future of the Mets Starting Pitching – Updated:

SPs have gone two times around and it’s obvious that all Mets fans need to keep a watchful eye on what’s going on down on the farm.

Yes, both Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez pitched excellent outings in the past two nights, but the Mets rotation is far from establishing any kind of consistency so far. That being said, is there anyone down on the farm ready to help things out, if needed?:

Grade Up:

AA – Dylan Owen – Dylan is off to a great start… 2-ST, 11.0-IP, 0.82, 0.73… the 23-year old struggled last year in AA (4-10, 5.93), which is why he’s repeating it again this season. Nothing flashy here… Glavine-like control guy that projects out as an SP5.

No Grade:

AAA - R A Dickey – The knuckleballer tossed (btw, does a knuckle baller “toss”?) a complete game April 14 and lowered his ERA to 3.95. An occasional 6th starter works for Boston, so maybe this is an option down the road.

AAA – Pat Misch – Misch didn’t excite anyone with a 0.00 ERA in ST, so why would his 1.69, after two starts, light anyone up?

AA – Eric Niesen – Niesen has had an unglamorous Mets career so far, going 13-26, 4.24, over the past three seasons. This year, after two starts, he has posted 0-1, 3.12, 1.50, in 8.2-IP.

AA – Mike Antonini – Mike did not have a great first outing, but did pitch better Friday night. Stats so far are unimpressive.

Grade Down:

AAA - Tobi Stoner – Stoner has consistently been inconsistent throughout his professional career, throwing up stellar outings that make one thing there’s something here, only to be followed by a pounding. After two outings, nothing has changed here: 4.32 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP with only 5-K in 8.1-IP.

AA – Scott Shaw – Shaw wouldn’t be in the rotation if Brad Holt wasn’t on the shelf. After two starts: 12.27

A+ - Jeurys Familia – the Mets top pitching prospect has started twice so far this year at the A+ level. It’s important to remember that he was not promoted last season, thus, most of the players he’s pitching against the year are the same players (with the same talent levels) that he pitched against last year. Results so far: 10.13 ERA.

A+ - Robert Carson – the Mets’ other top prospect melted down earlier this week and didn’t even get out of the first inning. Yearly ERA so far: 15.75. 3.25 WHIP.

A+ - Scott Moviel – Scott gave up nine runs in four innings Friday night and his ERA has also soared to 15.75.

As we have said before, there isn’t that much ready down on the farm and, prospect wise, things seem depleted again.

Remember… the Mets ended the 2090 season with five pitching prospects. One graduated (Jonathan Niese), another was sent to the pen (Jenrry Mejia), another is injured (Holt), and the other two and a couple of years away (Carson and Familia), if ever.

Considering the team’s ERA is 7th in the National League, we might want to turn to the bats for some criticism.