IS ZACH THORNTON FRANK VIOLA II?
On Sunday, Zach Thornton threw 60 pitches over 3 2/3, fanned just one, but allowed just one run, in the first inning, with a helping hand in that he dropped a ball on the mound that got called a balk that moved the eventually scoring runner into scoring position.
He sure looked sharp to me. I was scouting him from my easy chair in the living room.
He doesn’t throw quite as hard as some of the other fireballing prospects, perhaps, but I think he throws harder than Frankie V, and he’s got good control and a fine mix of pitches.
So why not Frank Viola II?
Or maybe Jerry Koosman is your preferred comp?
Let me know in your responses.
In his 2 outings this spring, 6.2 IP, 6 hits, one run, one walk, 4 Ks.
How nice is that?
Let’s skip the niceties…
When do you think he will be ready for call up to the Big Show?
12 comments:
I sure hope so… with all the arms in the pipeline would I be best not to sign peralta?
Thornton will be ready on opening day 2027 though I'm not sure what his role will be or on what team.
Let's assume some things...
- Peralta signs a hefty extension
- Tong is for real
-McLean remains a keeper
Add these three in the 2027 rotation to already signed Senga and Holmes
Now what?
Eddie, if Peralta gives the Mets a real hometown discount, because he wants to stay in Queens with the Mets, I think there is validity to doing that, but they do have a lot of arms, even after trading Sproat. McLean, Santucci, Wenninger, Thornton, etc. And Senga and Holmes each for another year after this one. Not shabby.
And of course Tong…whoops.
Nice problem to have. Will Watson, too.
And Wenninger
My brother Steve, a lefty, recounts when he was 16, and shortly after Frank Viola and John Franco had graduated from St John’s. Steve belies that at age 16, he threw as hard or harder than both of them, and he was asked to pitch BP to the St John’s batters during their workout. He was lobbing it in. They were hammering him. He recounts: “I did not handle it well. Remember, I’m supposed to let them hit the ball. I had enough. And I flat out just started to bring it. Which caught the ire and disappointment and anger of the St. John’s coaches. I faced three guys. Including one big muscular left-handed batting first baseman. I throw a wicked high fastball by him, then I dropped down to my side and threw it even harder and he just flailed at it. Then I just snapped over a wicked curveball. He dropped his bat on strike three. That team wanted to kill me. And the coaching staff have said to the guy I was with the coach that took me there. Get that kid off the mound he’s embarrassing my team. After embarrassing the three of them, I got off the mound. It was really cool. I had so many guys called afterwards and say dude, you were wicked. The lefty with the big mouth had no chance that day - I was really bringing it.”
Too bad Steve blew out his shoulder later on. I might have had a major leaguer in the family.
More Steve Brennan stuff. He was on a traveling tournament team at age 15, playing with and against guys 4-5 years older. I only saw him once - in Montreal, against what was billed as an All Star team. He pitched 3 innings each on two consecutive days. He fanned 17 of 18 outs. I only stayed for one of the two game days, in which he surrendered a single, got pissed, fanned the next 9 guys, and was telling the hitters what pitch he was going to throw them! It was wild and crazy. The crowd was no longer calmly watching a game. They were all animated about the kid on the mound!
He spoke to a number of scouts and colleges there, but he was a victim of his own overdrive. He also pitched for his HS team and in other leagues, throwing as many innings as Jack Chesbro, and winning 3 MVPs. One coach told him that despite his young age, he was the best player in the state. That ended with his severe shoulder injury. Scouts heard about it, and they stopped calling.
I am pretty sure Holmes has an opt out after this year and will need an extension or will be a free agent.
Dean, you are correct. Holmes is a 2027 player option.
In 2027, he will be 34. As such, I could see Stearns adding a year, perhaps, but that’s it. He knows the rule for aging guys is slippage. My best comp is Seth Lugo, who had a 3.00 ERA at age 34 and 4.15 at age 35. Slippage.
Would the Mets want to extend Holmes, given that comp, and given how many young and restless pitchers are rising thru the Mets system? I think not.
I will answer my own question: yes, I believe Zach Thornton is Frank Viola II.
And I think Jon Santucci is Jerry Koosman II.
Not shabby.
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