Prospect Calvin Ziegler looking stronger and confident

The New York Mets are cruising in the top of the National League East, while the Mets farm system is looking healthy and active. With pitching always a hot topic in Mets land, right-hander Calvin Ziegler of the St. Lucie Mets has started the season in promising fashion. 

Calvin Ziegler is ranked 11th in the Mets top 30 prospects for 2022. He was drafted in 2021, 46th overall in the second round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft.  The Canadian north-paw started 2022 with the Mets single-A affiliate.  Although he’s fresh blood in the professional baseball world, his make-up sure looks promising so far. Ziegler has had 4 appearances so far, in the form of starts. He’s 0-1 on record, with a 3.07 ERA, on 14.2 innings. He’s given up 5 earned runs on 5 hits, walking 9, but striking out an impressive 26 batters!

How does NY Mets Calvin Ziegler look so far?

Ziegler is a strikeout pitcher. He’s working averagely between 94-95mph, and has touched 97. He works 3 main pitches, mixing in a good curveball and changeup. Ziegler looks stronger and more “filled-out” off the mound.  His body have seemed to have developed athletically, and his delivery is a lot sharper, consistent, and sound. He continues a good stabled wind-up, staying symmetrical on the rubber, cocking the lead side of his hip, and powering off the back side, reaching back, and delivery over the top. His delivery is a modern day Nolan Ryan.

His start and finish are consistent, with good recovery. Ziegler’s command has improved a ton, working the fastball top shelf, bottom shelf, and good use of the breaking ball. His pitch selections speaks confidence; he’s able to use all of his weapons at any point of the count.  He works lefty’s just as effective as righty’s. On April 29th, he struck out a career high of 9 batters, in 4 and 1/3 scoreless innings.

Ziegler has shown the ability to be effective so far; the Mets surely have a lot to look forward to as this kid climbs the ranks of the minors.