FanSided

NY Mets All-Star candidates: Who’s heading to Colorado this summer?

By Mason Smoller |
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 27: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets walks off the field after game one of a double header against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field on May 27, 2021 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.The New York Mets defeated the Colorado Rockies 1-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 27: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets walks off the field after game one of a double header against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field on May 27, 2021 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.The New York Mets defeated the Colorado Rockies 1-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
2 of 3
Next
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 01: Brandon Nimmo #9 of the New York Mets is looked on by a member of the Mets medical staff and manager Luis Rojas #19 after injuring his hand while batting during the seventh inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on May 1, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mets defeated the Phillies 5-4. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 01: Brandon Nimmo #9 of the New York Mets is looked on by a member of the Mets medical staff and manager Luis Rojas #19 after injuring his hand while batting during the seventh inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on May 1, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mets defeated the Phillies 5-4. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Entering the 2021 season, the potential for the New York Mets to have multiple All-Stars was through the roof. After all, on paper, this is one of the most talented rosters in all of baseball.

However, the number of hiccups the team has had in the first two months have hurt the odds of sending more than one player to the game. A delayed start to the season, rain-outs, and injuries all play a role in this.

Nevertheless, this is the New York Mets. They sit at the top of the National League East, despite having played fewer games than everyone else. That being said, let’s break down the Mets way-too-early All-Star candidates…

No batters

As previously mentioned, the Mets have a loaded roster. Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil, and James McCann all have an All-Star appearance to their resume. And would it have shocked anyone if Dominic Smith’s career year in 2020 carried over?

Yet, here they are, sitting with the fewest runs scored in the MLB. What was expected to be a high-powered offense has only produced 34 home runs and owns a .224 team batting average. All five of those former All-Stars have been underwhelming, to say the least at the plate this season, even when healthy.

In other words, barring a dramatic upswing in production, the Mets are not going to be sending any bats to the All-Star game in 2021. The only player who may have had an opportunity would have been Brandon Nimmo, who was hitting .318 with a .430 on-base percentage in 21 games before getting hurt.

Yes, there are many factors that would be behind the Mets not having a player in the field in the All-Star game. But the extent to which their stars have struggled on offense has been widely disappointing so far this year.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 27: Miguel Castro #50 of the New York Mets in action against the Boston Red Sox at Citi Field on April 27, 2021 in New York City. Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Mets 2-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 27: Miguel Castro #50 of the New York Mets in action against the Boston Red Sox at Citi Field on April 27, 2021 in New York City. Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Mets 2-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Maybe a bullpen arm, or two?

In recent years, one of the Mets biggest issues has been their bullpen. Between the blown saves and falling apart following quality starts, nobody could have seen the elite performance of the bullpen this season coming.

Set aside the fact Dellin Betances might be the new Jed Lowrie, the bullpen arms have all exceeded expectations this year. Players like Jeurys Familia, Robert Gsellman, Aaron Loup, and Sean Reid-Foley have been reliable arms out of the pen, with earned run averages under 3.00.

Just those are not the players who may represent the Mets in the All-Star game. Instead, it is the Mets big three – Edwin Diaz, Trevor May, and Miguel Castro.

Without a doubt, nothing has been better than seeing Edwin Diaz back in form. Through 20.1 innings pitched, Diaz may only have a 3.10ERA with 12.0 strikeouts per nine innings. Though, with nine saves, and not a single home run given up, he certainly has a case that can be built upon by July.

After a rough start to the year, Trevor May has been the shutdown righty the Mets needed when they signed him this off-season. In 18 innings, he owns a 2.50ERA and has everything from five holds to one save. Like Diaz, he sits at 12.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

If Diaz and May continue a strong stretch of play, they could pitch their way into the All-Star game. Nonetheless, because of the games, the Mets have had postponed, their numbers are hurt compared to the rest of the league.

As for Miguel Castro, that may not be the case, as he has just been that good for the Mets.

In his first full season with the Mets, Castro is putting up career numbers. In 19.1 innings pitched, Castro has a 2.79ERA with an amazing mark of 14.0 strikeouts per nine innings. Additionally, Castro has only given up one double and 13 total hits all year, as well as three holds.

Again, the Mets bullpen was never supposed to be a strength for this team. Yet, two months into the 2021 season, the Mets have one of the top five in the entire league.

ATLANTA, GA – MAY 17: Taijuan Walker #99 of the New York Mets prepares to pitch in the first inning of an MLB game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on May 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MAY 17: Taijuan Walker #99 of the New York Mets prepares to pitch in the first inning of an MLB game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on May 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Can the starters overcome the lack of starts?

Yes, the Mets schedule has been all over the place due to COVID-19 postponements and rainouts. At the same time, the starters have been absolutely dealing.

New York’s starters have compiled an earned run average of 2.85, easily ranking amongst the top five in the MLB. Now, David Peterson and Joey Lucchesi are not going to make the All-Star game. But the Mets big three of Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, and Taijuan Walker might.

Starting with deGrom, he will need to remain healthy to add on to his outrageous 2021 case. While he may have missed time, deGrom is just under 15 strikeouts per nine innings, has the lowest WHIP in baseball, and an ERA well below 1.00. Certainly, the numbers are there, he just needs more starts to solidify that bid.

Meanwhile, Marcus Stroman is having an even better year than his All-Star campaign in 2019. Coming off of a coronavirus opt-out season, Stroman has a 2.47ERA in 10 starts, and has been the heart and soul of the starting staff through all their injuries.

Last but not least is Taijuan Walker, who’s been pitching at an elite level out of the gate in his first year with the team. In eight starts, Walker owns a 2.05ERA with a 0.98WHIP, having the most wins above replacement on the team only behind deGrom.

Next. James McCann deserves more time to justify deal

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

The 2021 season has been an odd one so far for the New York Mets, with all the schedule mayhem and a beaten-up roster. Even so, it is looking like the team can watch at least one of their pitchers on the mound during the 2021 MLB All-Star game on July 13th.

Next
Home / New York Mets News

Schedule