Where Mets Fifth Starter Competition Stands

Joey Lucchesi and Jordan Yamamoto standing out, David Peterson has a minor issue

Image via New York Mets

The New York Mets have an interesting fifth starter competition, which is somewhat complicated by Noah Syndergaard. To wit, whoever wins the fifth starter competition this spring may find themselves out of the rotation when Syndergaard is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list.

That puts David Peterson at a bit of a disadvantage as he’s a top prospect, and the Mets are not likely going to want to remove him from the rotation to send him to Triple-A. His walk rate and 4.52 FIP last year were also indications he needs more seasoning in the minors.

A total of 13 Double-A starts before making his MLB debut last summer also points to additional development being a viable option for the young southpaw.

Further complicating Peterson’s case to make the Opening Day rotation has been his performance in spring training. In two games, he has allowed three earned in six innings pitched. In those six innings, he has allowed six hits while walking two, hitting one, and only striking out one.

In and of itself, that’s not terrible and not particularly worrisome. There is still time for him to grow and work on things, and he may well still have a strong finish to camp. That said, he is putting himself at a disadvantage in the battle for the fifth starter spot.

So far, both Joey Lucchesi and Jordan Yamamoto have distinguished themselves. With each outing, they make it seem as if this is really just a battle between the two of them, and they are not giving an inch to the other.

Yamamoto has made three appearances pitching 8.1 innings. A strong showing, no doubt.

Over those 8.1 innings, he has allowed just one earned on seven hits and one walk while striking out five. More than anything, the one walk stands out as Yamamoto had struggled with walks with a 4.3 BB/9 over his 19 MLB appearances.

While this is impressive, Lucchesi has been arguably better. In his two spring appearances, he has pitched 5.0 scoreless and hitless innings while striking out seven batters. The only hesitation you have to fully celebrate this dominant performance is Lucchesi issuing three walks.

Right now, it just appears like the Mets could do no wrong in opting to put either Lucchesi or Yamamoto in the rotation. Ultimately, who they are going to tab may rest on ancillary concerns.

Notably, Lucceshi is a 28-year-old pitcher with two minor league options. He has an interesting pitch in the churve, which could arguably be more of a weapon if he was coming out of the bullpen. That said, if neither he nor Peterson is in the rotation, there will be no left-handed starters in the rotation.

Yamamoto is younger at 24, but he also only has one minor-league option remaining. It’s very possible the Mets may not want to burn that option when they could put Lucchesi or him in the bullpen.

What the Mets do from here, including the possibility of utilizing a six-man rotation, remains to be seen. The organization could make a strong case for any of these three pitchers. Ultimately, there are many moving pieces here, but one thing remains clear.

Lucchesi, Peterson, and Yamamoto give the Mets enviable depth. Entering this offseason, the Mets said they wanted to build depth, and it is clear the Mets did an excellent job of that during the offseason.

No matter what, having all three of these pitchers puts the Mets in a good position to succeed in 2021.

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