Mets’ Rotation Faces Challenges, but Scott Shows Promise
The Mets have been dealing with a shaky rotation for a good part of the season. With Clay Holmes sidelined due to a broken leg, Kodai Senga currently in the minors, and Nolan McLean not quite meeting expectations, the team has been juggling pitchers like Sean Manaea and David Peterson shifting between starting and bullpen roles. However, there might be a glimmer of hope on the horizon.
Christian Scott took the mound for his eighth start of the season in San Diego on Friday night, aiming to build on what were arguably his two best performances so far.
After delivering five shutout innings in Miami, Scott followed that up with another solid outing against the Marlins at Citi Field, where he allowed just one run and secured his first big league win.
A scout from the National League commented, “What we saw was good. A player coming back from Tommy John surgery typically needs time to regain sharpness and improve, and it looks like Scott is on that path.” It’s worth noting that Scott, who turns 27 soon, displayed significant potential when he first came up to the majors in 2024, but he still feels like a work in progress for the Mets.
This season hasn’t gone as planned for the team, yet the ongoing rotation struggles have given Scott the chances he needs to develop on the mound.
His four-seam fastball velocity has improved compared to 2024, and he seems to have a consistent pitch repertoire, including the cutter he had frequently used in earlier games.
What stood out was how Scott managed to rebound from a shaky first start of the season, which included five walks and an ejection after just two innings. “You never know how surgery will affect you at this level, and when things go wrong, it’s hard not to worry,” the scout reflected. “But for him to shake it off and perform like he has is a really good sign.”
Since that rocky start, Scott has issued only 11 walks over 29 innings during six subsequent starts—after which he was briefly considered for a return to Triple-A. Yet, instead of that, he came back to Queens to fill in for the injured Senga.
Since his return, Scott has been performing better overall, giving up more than two earned runs only once in his last six outings.
Since his second start on May 1, Scott’s strikeout rate stands out, with only eight starting pitchers topping his 11.48 strikeouts per nine innings. As Holmes remains out, Scott has emerged as one of the best options for the Mets. In fact, he’s been a key factor in helping the Mets clinch five wins in his seven starts.
