Mets Adjust Pitching Strategy as Brandon Sproat Remains in Syracuse
When Jonah Tong’s phone rang, it meant that Brandon Sproat’s wasn’t. The Mets, in a move fueled by a combination of strategy and scheduling, have recently called up Tong while Sproat stays put with Triple-A Syracuse.
This decision comes after Tong’s standout performance, possibly the best in minor league baseball this season. The Mets needed to bring in a sixth starter to face the Marlins on Friday. This meant that David Peterson, despite a rough 6.31 ERA over four days of rest, would pitch Saturday. Meanwhile, Kodai Senga, who just had his own four-day rest test, was slated for Sunday.
Interestingly, Tong had pitched last Saturday and is ready to take the mound again this Friday.
Sproat, on the other hand, has been tested multiple times. He pitched twice on four days of rest but did not make the cut for this Friday’s start. Originally seen as a top pitching prospect, Sproat has seen his debut pushed aside in favor of both Tong and Nolan McLean. His 15 starts this season have resulted in a 5.95 ERA, and he’s struggled to maintain consistent velocity and pitching changes.
However, it seems Sproat has made some adjustments. He mentioned a new mindset: giving each pitch his fullest effort might be the key to turning things around.
“Brandon did an incredible job,” Mets president David Stearns remarked, highlighting Sproat’s significant growth during the season. “He made real adjustments and has shown he can pitch effectively.” Struggling as a bulk starter recently, he found himself behind the opener for the first time this season.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza clarified the team’s strategy: they aren’t completely sidelining Sproat; instead, they’re looking to provide him with valuable experience pitching behind an opener.
Mendoza added that Sproat’s situation isn’t a direct reflection on his abilities but rather a testament to Tong’s dominance on the mound. The need for that lineup adjustment was clear.
In the meantime, Sean Manaea, another pitcher, is aiming for improvement. He was charged with two runs in eight innings but couldn’t manage fast enough at-bats due to rising pitch counts, resulting in just 4²/₃ innings. Manaea acknowledged that while he feels he’s on the right track, he’s still figuring out how to finish strong.
Before these changes, Stearns commented on a recent performance where he allowed 12 runs in his first 7¹/₃ innings at his new club but emphasized the importance of patience during this adjustment period.
Healthley added a two-run home run during the Mets’ victory against the Phillies, while Tylor Megill is set to make his fourth rehabilitation start in Syracuse after recovering from an elbow sprain.
The Mets will kick off their next season at Citi Field against the Pirates on March 26, with a noteworthy series set for September 11 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the attack.
