Flamethrowing NY Mets prospect gets praise and valuable warning from Carlos Mendoza

Ryan Lambert made his spring training debut for the New York Mets this week and he did what you’d expect. He threw hard. He struck out the side around a hit. He’s bound to be one of the more talked about prospects the Mets have. They’ll undoubtedly need optional relievers at some point this year. With a projected place in Syracuse to begin the year, he’s going to get discussed every time a big league reliever struggles.

Carlos Mendoza was impressed with his debut. Along with some praise, he issued an important warning Lambert and others competing for a job or at least some attention this spring should take to heart.

Carlos Mendoza isn’t ready to lose future bullets because they’re trying too hard to impress him in the preseason

A hard-thrower like Lambert has the added concern of injury. It’s easy to forget how many of the team’s pitchers from the Opening Day roster last year suffered season-ending injuries early on.

A.J. Minter, Danny Young, Max Kranick, and Reed Garrett all went down at different points. The first three were lost early in the year with Garrett landing on the IL for good later on. The Mets also had starters Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning suffer season-ending injuries. That’s only from the Opening Day roster.

With Lambert, the concern is more in the same level of pitchers who’ve impressed in past spring training stints. Bryce Montes de Oca, Colin Holderman, and Nate Lavender are three who come to mind. While not hurt in spring training action, they were young pitchers who would spend time on the IL later in the year. Was it out of the need to do a little too much?

Mets management knows what Lambert can achieve. Striking out 3 players in a spring training game is impressive, but it’ll hardly change where Lambert fits into their plans. He’ll be an early-season promotion candidate if things are going well in Syracuse. The Mets have been guilty at times of holding back players from MLB debuts. They won’t be with a relief pitcher.

Lambert has more leeway to winding it back in comparison to some non-roster invitees. Someone like Nick Burdi could end up cut from the organization. A talented arm whose worst ability has been staying healthy, he’s a guy who might have to throw heat in order to stick around.

Former Mets pitcher Adam Ottavino was critical of the Mets and Mendoza for a couple of reasons. Included was how Mendoza handled the pitching staff and injuries. Although subtle, Mendoza’s public declaration with praise toward Lambert is a sign that he heard it and is going to speak up about the importance of throwing smarter, not harder.