3 important observations from the first NY Mets spring training game

As if there wasn’t enough excitement surrounding the 2025 season, the New York Mets' performance in their first spring training game only amplified it. This was likely the most anticipated spring training game in franchise history, and Juan Soto made it one of the most memorable by launching a home run in his first at-bat. While spring training overreactions are common this time of year, there were still key moments from Saturday’s game that offer a glimpse into what’s to come in 2025. Here are three important observations that could shape the Mets' season ahead.

1. Clay Holmes' new pitch mix was effective

In 2024, Clay Holmes did not throw a single pitch that wasn’t a sinker or slider, and one of the biggest questions surrounding his potential as a starter was his limited pitch mix. During the offseason, Holmes expanded his arsenal by adding a four-seam fastball, sweeper, cutter, and a "kick" change up to complement his dominant sinker and slider. When Carlos Mendoza announced that Holmes would get the first start, everyone was eager to see his revamped repertoire.

Clay Holmes shined in three innings of work on Saturday. He threw 34 pitches, struck out three, and did not allow a baserunner. What stood out the most about his outing was his ability to dominate without relying on his slider, throwing just once. He instead used his sweeper to compliment his sinker, and it was highly effective—coming in over 12 mph slower than his sinker garnering a 100% chase rate. His cutter, four-seam fastball, and kick changeup were all impressive, with movements that had hitters looking foolish at times. While it’s only spring training, it’s encouraging to see Holmes gaining that confidence back as a starter.

Clay was initially seen as a solid signing for rotation depth, but now he may be called upon to play a bigger role than originally anticipated. Following Frankie Montas' injury, FanGraphs projects Clay Holmes as the fourth starter in the rotation. If his revamped pitch mix proves to be effective in getting through the order two or three times, Stearns' vision of a six-man rotation could come to fruition sooner than expected.