3 Mets pitchers who should get their share of relief innings in 2021

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Mar 2, 2021; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jordan Yamamoto (45) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Mets bullpen hasn’t been so bleak this year. Can you believe it? There actually is some sunshine after the starters leave. While they have had struggles, their relief pitchers haven’t been the most aggravating part of the club.

Several important players in the bullpen have performed well. Others have performed better than expected. It’s actually quite surprising. I expected so much worse.

There are a couple of guys out there who aren’t looking so hot right now. Their roster spots are in jeopardy and should remain so unless they become unhittable. Fortunately, there are some guys in the minor leagues who could replace them and possibly do a better job.

The Mets brought Jordan Yamamoto in to compete for a rotation spot but he could give them some relief innings

I wasn’t as excited as some other people to see the Mets bring Jordan Yamamoto to town. In 90 innings with the Miami Marlins, Yamamoto was 4-6 with a 6.20 ERA. Aside from a high strikeout rate—which everyone seems to have these days, there wasn’t much I liked about the addition.

Yamamoto ultimately failed to make the Mets roster out of camp. However, I do think he could be a nice addition to the club’s bullpen this year.

Yamamoto’s minor league numbers from 2016-2019 were pretty awesome. He never actually pitched above Double-A before making his MLB debut. Perhaps rushed to the big leagues, it makes sense why the Mets didn’t try to force anything with him. After all, he’s coming off a year in which he had an 18.26 ERA in 11.1 innings of work.

It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Yamamoto becomes a regular starter for the Mets. Outside of something outrageous and unforeseen, he’s a spot starter at best and more likely a guy we see plugged into the bullpen.

I’m always intrigued by what a struggling young starter can do with a transition to the bullpen. Yamamto, still in his mid-20s, has caught my attention.

JUPITER, FLORIDA – MARCH 01: Sean Reid-Foley #61 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Miami Marlins in a spring training game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 01, 2021 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Sean Reid-Foley is another young starting pitcher the Mets may get more out of as a reliever

Around the same age as Yamamoto is Sean Reid-Foley. He arrived in New York this winter in the Steven Matz trade. A better MLB career thus far at 5-8 with a 4.40 ERA, Reid-Foley is a guy the Toronto Blue Jays had already thought about moving to the bullpen last year.

After some struggles starting in 2018 and again in 2019, Reid-Foley looked good in limited action last year. He turned in a 1.35 ERA in his 6.2 innings. Hardly enough to judge him, he still struggled with his control. This has been a theme throughout his professional career, even in the minor leagues.

Reid-Foley has seen his ups and downs on the farm. He had a 6.47 ERA in 2019 while pitching in Triple-A. However, one year earlier in a season where he spent time in Double-A and Triple-A, he looked much better when he was 12-5 with a 3.26 ERA in 24 starts.

There’s less doubt in my mind that we ever see Reid-Foley start a game for the Mets than Yamamoto. He has already made the transition to the bullpen and performed well. Considering the other options the Mets have available to them to begin a game, I would like to see what Reid-Foley can do as a full-time relief pitcher.

Reid-Foley was officially promoted to the Mets on April 22. Taking Trevor Hildenberger’s spot on the roster, he’ll need to pitch well for a prolonged time to stay in the majors and not get swapped out for someone else at the alternative site.

MESA, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 24: Sam McWilliams #52 of the Kansas City Royals delivers a pitch during the spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at HoHoKam Stadium on February 24, 2019 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Sam McWilliams got a major league contract from the Mets, let’s give him some major league innings

The Mets signed Sam McWilliams to a major league contract this winter despite not having a single major league inning under his belt. I hope this doesn’t become what he’s best known for. I want to actually see this guy pitch.

McWilliams has pitched well in a variety of places for numerous organizations. Probably the best of the three names on this list to actually become a regular in the Mets rotation, I wouldn’t be opposed to him beginning out as a relief pitcher for the 2021 squad.

Nothing seems to suggest the Mets are in any rush to promote McWilliams to the show. However, he did pick up a pair of saves during his three appearances in spring training. McWilliams didn’t allow a single run either. Only the five walks allowed fall into the negative column.

A big part of the offseason strategy the Mets implored was to grow the farm system by acquiring players drafted by other teams without sacrificing much that they had. McWilliams is one of the top young pitchers they brought in. His exact role, though, has yet to be defined but I do believe any innings he gets this year will come in the form of relief.

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I understand the hesitation to promote McWilliams to the major leagues. In the doubleheaders the Mets have played, they have turned to Stephen Tarpley and his experience over the promise someone else might bring.

Home / New York Mets News

The Mets brought Jordan Yamamoto in to compete for a rotation spot but he could give them some relief innings

Sean Reid-Foley is another young starting pitcher the Mets may get more out of as a reliever

Sam McWilliams got a major league contract from the Mets, let’s give him some major league innings

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