3 NY Mets players whose early success proves Jeremy Hefner is a wizard

2) Huascar Brazoban

Huascar Brazoban was a late bloomer with the Miami Marlins. His numbers with the Fish were solid, with a 3.56 ERA and 3.62 FIP. The Mets hoped they could get a solid middle reliever to reinforce the bullpen down the stretch, out of Brazoban, when they acquired him at the trade deadline. Instead, he struggled mightily, allowing a dozen earned runs, and 14 walks in only 21 innings pitched.

With 2025 being Brazoban’s age-34 season, there wasn’t much excitement surrounding the right-hander at the start of the season. But he’s been outright dominant this year, posting a 1.01 ERA, 3.27 FIP, and 0.71 WHIP. He’s struck out just over a quarter of opponents with a 25.3% K%, but walks, which plagued him in his first look with the Mets last year, have been a non-issue. His BB% clocks in at just 6.1%. Brazoban has only allowed two home runs and is in the 74th percentile of exit velocity. But his 8.2% barrel rate is about average.

Brazoban, who primarily used a cutter in previous seasons, has put that on the back burner, utilizing his sinker and change-up as his most-used offerings. He is still mixing in a cutter, but it’s his third-most-used pitch now. While he’s not using that pitch as frequently as previous seasons, he did make adjustments for both more velocity and horizontal movement.

Brazoban has been valuable to the Mets’ pitching staff, and not just because he’s doing excellent. He’s opened two games this year, has recorded a save, and has pitched at least two innings in six of his 20 games. He’s been outstanding on the mound and has served multiple roles this year for the Mets.