3 Mets relief pitchers who have unexpectedly stepped up big in 2022
The New York Mets bullpen could be one of the bigger questions surrounding the team. Fortunately, they have gotten some nice performances from some unexpected players.
In 2022, it’s these three relievers we need to give a little extra credit to. They handled some big innings in the absence of Trevor May and underperformance of others. Save some high fives for them.
First, let’s give an honorable mention to Colin Holderman who gave the Mets a 2.04 ERA performance in 17.2 innings of work. Hang your head in a brief moment of silence if you feel the need.
1) NY Mets relief pitcher Adonis Medina stepped up big in 2022
Adonis Medina might turn into the club’s best quiet move of the offseason. Purchased from the Pittsburgh Pirates back in April, he has been a rather exceptional addition to the bullpen on a regular basis throughout this season.
Medina’s minor league options have allowed the Mets to move him up and down from Triple-A to the majors. Having guys like this is important to get fresh arms without having to designate anyone for assignment. When the year began, this was going to be a slightly problem for the team. While still a minor concern, Medina is a guy the Mets can call upon regularly for big league innings.
In his 21 innings, Medina has given the Mets a 3.00 ERA performance. He hasn’t been overpowering or shown signs of being much more than a quality relief arm they can turn to. The fact that we never had all that many expectations for him and he still managed to get some big outs is good enough.
Players like Medina can fly under the radar. Considering how many free agent relief pitchers the Mets have this winter, he could be in for a spring battle for a more permanent roster spot.
2) NY Mets relief pitcher Stephen Nogosek stepped up big in 2022
Maybe even more surprising than the performance from Medina is what Stephen Nogosek has been able to accomplish for the Mets this season. He was first acquired by the team at the 2017 trade deadline in the Addison Reed deal with the Boston Red Sox. Granted free agency after last season, he re-signed with the Mets and has actually become an option for them when they need an arm.
In 2022, Nogosek has delivered a 2.30 ERA in 9 appearances spanning 15.2 innings. The ability to eat up more than a frame per appearance is a nice trait to have. Whether entering the game when the Mets are ahead by a lot or trailing, keeping things from getting out of hand has been a nice quality Nogosek has brought to the mound.
Prior to this season, Nogosek had only 9.2 innings of big league work. He wasn’t particularly good either, getting smacked around for 8 earned runs in 6.2 frames back in 2019 and 2 more in 2021 in only 3 innings.
If there is one concern, it’s how many home runs he has given up. Nogosek has surrendered 4 home runs already this season in only a limited number of innings. It was a problem in all of his big league innings and one reason why he hasn’t had all that much staying power in a big league bullpen.
3) NY Mets relief pitcher Tommy Hunter stepped up big in 2022
Tommy Hunter became a fan favorite last year with the way he pitched and more so his attitude. When he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for Rich Hill in July, he was hurt and never would throw a professional pitch again. Once a free agent, he re-signed with the Mets on a minor league deal.
Hunter is a veteran reliever whose best days are in the past. However, at least in the innings he has gotten for the Mets in 2022, he appears to have some time traveling abilities. When given the chance, Hunter has been vintage.
Now on the IL, Hunter was able to give the Mets 14.1 quality innings resulting in a 2.51 ERA. It’s not quite at the level of the 8 shutout frames from last year prior to his injury and subsequent trade to the Rays. Nevertheless, his return was productive and hopefully he comes back to offer a little more.
Time will tell if Hunter has any staying power with the Mets. He does not have minor league options which means they would have to DFA him if they wanted to make a roster change. But if Hunter does continue to pitch well, there isn’t much of a point to make him the roster casualty.