Why your new favorite Mets player should be Kodai Senga

Coming off of his first start with the New York Mets on Sunday afternoon in Jupiter, Florida new starting pitcher Kodai Senga left quite the impression on fans after his debut. While there are big expectations surrounding Senga after his successful run in Japan, there is so much to like about him both on and off the field that I believe many Mets fans may have a new favorite player by the end of the season.

While there are many fan-favorite players on this year's team such as Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, and Max Scherzer just to name a few, there is always room for another player to enter that list. Kodai Senga has all of the characteristics and skills to elevate himself into that conversation.

Kodai Senga has the ability to become many Mets fans' favorite player with a successful debut season

The 30-year-old right-hander already comes equipped with a mythical "Ghost Fork " pitch that has many players and fans alike curious to see the pitch in live-action. With all of the hype surrounding the unique pitch, it will be fun to watch Senga make hitters around the league look silly at the plate while throwing it. Senga had been using the pitch early on in camp while facing some of the Mets hitters and he seemed to have many stymied at the plate.

When looking at Senga off of the field, since his introductory press conference, he carries himself with a fun and bubbly personality that will endear himself to fans and the press alike. Despite the language barrier, Senga has been able to have fun with the press in some of his answers as well as appeared in the Mets Super Bowl ad that they recently ran.

There is so much mystery and intrigue that surrounds Senga going into the regular season, and if his on-field performance matches his off-field energy there is going to be a new player in Flushing who will captivate Mets fans' hearts.