2023 Mets midseason grades: Starting pitchers

David Peterson - 2023 Mets starting pitcher first half grade

1st Half Stats: 54.1 IP, 11 starts, 2-7, 6.46 ERA, 60 K, 22 BB, 64 ERA-, .305 AVG against

This season, especially the first six weeks, was a brutal watch for David Peterson, because everything that could have gone wrong, did. Although his walk rate is down and strikeout rate is still above league average, Peterson still had trouble putting away hitters because his fastball and sinker velocities have dipped, leading to more foul balls and longer at-bats, and more importantly, a loss of confidence. That confidence kept creeping lower to the point that he needed six weeks in the minor leagues to regain his confidence back. He was the top culprit behind the Mets' pitching woes during the first two months of the season.

Since getting called back up two weeks ago, he turned in three starts, two of them really good, and one not terrible, which spares him from a failing grade in the first half. Now the second half is about continuing to gain self-confidence. He'll need to do that, especially since his first round of salary arbitration takes place this upcoming winter.

Grade: D-

Joey Lucchesi - 2023 Mets starting pitcher first half grade

1st Half Stats: 22.1 IP, 5 starts, 1-0, 4.43 ERA, 17 K, 8 BB, 95 ERA+, 4 home runs allowed

Joey Lucchesi triumphantly returned from Tommy John surgery when he tossed seven scoreless innings on April 21 against the Giants in San Francisco. The next four starts were not as effective, although one of his starts was cut short due to rain. He was sent down to the minors to make room for Brooks Raley on the active roster, who was due to come off the injured list. His first half stats, overall, were not bad, and there is a good chance he'll get another opportunity with the Mets in the majors before the season is over.

Grade: B-