NY Mets: 1 pitcher meeting, 1 exceeding, 1 short on expectations

Jul 21, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) talks with first baseman Pete Alonso (20) in the dugout during the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) talks with first baseman Pete Alonso (20) in the dugout during the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mets
Aug 6, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Aaron Loup (32) throws a pitch in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports /

No Mets pitcher has exceeded expectations more than Aaron Loup

Who saw this coming from Aaron Loup? If you predicted he’d be one of the best left-handed relievers in the game, you need to share this week’s lottery numbers with me pronto.

Loup has been more than the lefty reliever Luis Rojas could turn to face fellow southpaws. A brilliant season at preventing runs, his debut season with the Mets could go down as one of the greatest from a reliever in franchise history.

When the club signed Loup in the offseason, I didn’t expect him to be one of the aces in the bullpen. Behind Edwin Diaz, Trevor May, and Seth Lugo, his major innings would come earlier on when a string of lefties were to step up to the plate. Rojas hasn’t used Loup in any unexpected fashion. However, when called upon to get outs, nobody on this staff (outside of deGrom) has been more effective.

I know non-closer relief pitchers are often overlooked in the grand scheme of things. Mets fans do appreciate what Loup has done this year. He has been so near-automatic for the club that it’s easy to sometimes forget he even exists.

Loup was an easy selection as the Mets pitcher who has exceeded expectations. While other guys have done so as well (shout out to Tylor Megill and Drew Smith), nobody has accomplished more than Loup.