Exciting Spring Training for Kodai Chiga
ST. LOUIS — During spring training, Kodai Chiga definitely stood out among Mets pitchers, drawing considerable attention.
The right-handed pitcher showcased impressive ball speed and a finely tuned second pitch. There’s an increasing sense of optimism around the Mets, hinting they may soon add a top-tier talent to their revamped rotation.
On Tuesday, Chiga was set to return to a major league mound for the first time since August 31, in what was anticipated to be an important game. However, after some struggles during the second half of the previous season, the Mets asked him to consider a reassignment to the minors. He accepted and spent his last month playing for Triple-A Syracuse.
This spring, he made three appearances in the Grapefruit League, achieving a 1.86 ERA along with 11 strikeouts over 9.3 innings. Notably, he only conceded two solo home runs during his initial start.
Before departing camp, Chiga remarked through an interpreter, “The results are what they are, and I’ll approach them cautiously.” He continued, “Looking at the metrics of my pitches, I believe they reflect my performance this season — some have been effective, while others… not as much. But overall, I feel I’m performing at a higher level compared to last year, and I’m determined to maintain that.”
During spring training, Chiga’s fastball even hit 99 mph, which encouraged Mets officials, especially considering Senga averaged 94.7 mph with his four-seam fastball in the last season.
Pitching coach Justin Willard expressed his excitement, noting, “The way Chiga has developed, his improved physical strength, and how he carried that into spring training — it’s all very promising. He’s consistently attacked the strike zone, which is fantastic to see.”
Chiga faced setbacks last June when he sustained a right hamstring injury while playing defense at first base. Despite missing a month, he managed an impressive ERA of 1.47 before a sharp decline in performance followed a promising outing in Kansas City.
He ultimately concluded the second half with a troubling 13.73 ERA, which led him to accept the minor league transfer.
Chiga mentioned, “If I can stay healthy and pitch to my fullest potential, I believe the results will follow. That’s what I aim for and why I came to America from Japan. It doesn’t always go as planned, but when it does, I’m ready to put in the work and trust it will pay off.”
In his rookie year, Senga excelled, achieving a 2.98 ERA and striking out 202 batters over 166.1 innings. Unfortunately, injuries hindered Chiga’s participation in the subsequent season, limiting him to one regular-season start; still, he made two playoff appearances.
Before leaving camp, Senga discussed his ongoing refinement process regarding his signature pitch, the Ghost Fork. He stated, “I can definitely drop a forkball. I’m not satisfied yet; it’s an evolving process, and I hope to master it completely.”
Manager Carlos Mendoza has been a consistent supporter of Chiga since his first start this spring, mentioning, “I’m truly excited about his spring training performance. His throw mechanics, the way the ball moves, and, honestly, even just his smile and our interactions — it all makes me optimistic.”
