NY Mets bullpen weapon seems to have lost its luster in 2025

The New York Mets have seen several unexpected standouts emerge from their pitching staff this season, particularly within the starting rotation. Yet, for every pleasant surprise, there are other arms on the pitching staff that haven't quite inspired the same confidence on the field this season, falling short of expectations.

This is undoubtedly the case for José Buttó. Once a renowned prospect within the Mets organization during his ascent through the minors, Buttó is experiencing a regression year after a strong showing in 2024. Based on this season's results and what the advanced metrics are currently revealing, Buttó does not appear to be a reliable arm the team can lean on in their pursuit of a championship.

This isn't the same Jose Butto we fell in love with last year

During the 2024 season, Buttó was arguably performing at the best level of his young career. He managed to limit opponents to an elite .288 wOBA (weighted On-Base Average), while also boasting the lowest hard-hit contact rate of his career, culminating in an impressive 2.55 ERA. However, the narrative has shifted dramatically in 2025.

Buttó has regressed in almost every conceivable metric. His strikeout rate has dipped, he's allowing a higher percentage of hard-hit contact, and there hasn't been any significant improvement in his walk rate. These declines have pushed his ERA well above 3.00, but more concerningly, his expected ERA (xERA) currently sits above 5.00. This disparity suggests that his current production is not sustainable and his on-field results are expected to continue their downward trend significantly as the season progresses.

Buttó's primary struggle appears to stem from his fastball, which has historically been his most frequently used pitch, typically accounting for about 30% of his offerings throughout his career. In 2024, his fastball was a dominant force, allowing a minuscule slugging percentage of just .188. Fast forward to 2025, and opposing hitters are slugging above .500 against it, despite its velocity and spin rate remaining similar. This points to a potential issue with his command and location, as hitters are clearly finding the barrel with much greater frequency.

Furthermore, his noticeable drop in strikeouts can be partly attributed to a decreased reliance on his changeup. In 2024, this pitch was a swing-and-miss machine, generating a whiff rate of nearly 43%. Limiting its usage has undoubtedly impacted his ability to punch out hitters. Similarly, the effectiveness of his sinker, a pitch designed to induce groundouts, has also diminished. The batting average against his sinker has climbed by over 200 points, indicating that it's no longer generating the weak contact it once did.

The Mets, as they navigate their championship aspirations, will need to address Buttó's struggles. Whether it's a mechanical adjustment, a strategic shift in pitch usage, or perhaps a different role entirely, finding a way to revitalize his effectiveness will be crucial. Otherwise, what was once considered a valuable bullpen weapon risks becoming a liability for a team with its sights set on October.