5 positive Mets predictions for the 2023 season we all want to believe

4) Kodai Senga's Ghost Forkball guarantees him the National League Rookie of the Year award

One of the most intriguing players entering the 2023 season is Kodai Senga. The 30-year-old Japanese right-hander comes to MLB with the Mets team after signing a five-year, $75 million contract after completing 11 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan.

Senga is shaping up to be a dominant shooter. With a fastball that can reach triple digits of speed and a rare forkball that is his most interesting and strange pitch.

Despite having to go through adaptation processes in MLB such as changing the size of the ball, or mound, or preparing it to pitch every five days, Senga is a young man with diverse abilities who has been studying MLB baseball for years. His focus on spring training has been tremendous in getting him ready for the season.

The dominance of his Ghost Forkball is relevant as it will take time for hitters and opposing teams to analyze and study this pitch. This offers a comparative advantage for Senga being able to make the most of the situation.

In terms of his experience versus players of North American caliber, Senga pitched in relief against the United States national team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic striking out 5 in two innings. Among the players, he retired with complete dominance were All-Stars of the time Buster Posey, Christian Yelich, Giancarlo Stanton, Andrew McCutchen, and Eric Hosmer.

Kodai Senga has the stuff, maturity, adaptability, and potential to achieve a great season this 2023, thus achieving the rookie of the year award. His numbers and his Ghost pitch will speak for him and will place the Mets with a great advantage by having a pitcher with ace potential as their third starter.