LOS ANGELES – Reed Garrett’s Rising Role

Edwin Diaz has been a comfort for the Mets recently, but Reed Garrett has quietly been a key contributor to the team’s efforts at preventing runs this season.

Garrett’s performances have been impressive, highlighted by an 8-game streak without giving up any runs. On Sunday, he threw eight scoreless innings against the Rockies, maintaining a remarkable 0.70 ERA over 26 appearances as the Mets kicked off a four-game series against the Dodgers.

So, what’s been working for Garrett?

His arsenal includes a variety of pitches—cutters, sinkers, sweepers, four-seam fastballs, and splitters. The cutter stands out, making up about 32.8% of his pitches this season, but his success can’t be attributed to just one pitch alone.

“When you throw 97 or 98 mph with sinkers, cutters, and other types, it makes for tough at-bats,” said coach Carlos Mendoza. Garrett’s adaptability is a real asset; he’s someone who can handle multiple innings, which is definitely a plus.

At 32 years old, Garrett has emerged as a crucial bullpen player for the Mets, particularly following a good season last year. Though he started strong earlier in the season, he’s increased his cutter usage recently, helping him regain form for the later part of the season.

Last season, Garrett made his big league debut with the Tigers and mentioned the growth he’s experienced. “I’ve learned how to prepare myself and trust my instincts,” he reflected. “If I just stay true to myself, I can succeed.” It seems to have taken him some time to settle into his role.

In his last 7²/₃ innings, Garrett has notched 12 strikeouts and only issued two walks. While walks can be an issue for him—his walk rate is at 12.5%, which places him in the bottom 9th percentile of MLB—his ability to strike out batters is impressive, sitting in the 83rd percentile at 28.8%. Additionally, his average fastball clocks in at 96.8 mph, putting him in the 87th percentile.

According to pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, Garrett’s success can be partly attributed to his decreased reliance on the four-seam fastball. “He’s been using more sinkers to mitigate risk, and his cutter has really improved,” Hefner noted.

Garrett credits his pre-game preparation as a key to his performance, which has benefited the bullpen overall. Together with Diaz and Juascal Brazovan, they form a strong trio, with Lin Stanek, Jose Butto, and Max Kranick effectively handling important innings.

“It’s not just one or two people; the whole group contributes,” Garrett said. “This organization has done a fantastic job providing the information we need to succeed. We all feel we’re using this knowledge effectively during games.”