JUPITER, Fla. — Saturday may not have been an ideal day for the current Mets, as the world learned of seemingly minor injuries to Jeff McNeil and Joey Wendle.
However, the outlook for the future was a little brighter.
Top prospects Christian Scott and Mike Bashir performed well in the Grapefruit League opener, recording back-to-back innings and giving the Mets a glimpse of what their rotation will look like going forward.
How far away? Maybe mid-season. Probably September. Probably next year. Although the arrival date has not yet been determined, the spring debut looks promising.
Before watching Scott and Bashir, both draft picks in 2021, pitch in a 4-1 loss to the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium, manager Carlos Mendoza said, I’ve been hearing about it for a while,” he said. “I got a chance to watch them pitch in a major league game for the first time…I’m very excited.”
Scott, who broke out as the team’s top promising pitcher, allowed one run, one hit, and one walk in each inning against major league batters. The 6-foot-4 right-hander threw four consecutive pitches to the first batter, John Barty, in the sixth inning, then used his new weapon to take out Trey Mancini.
Scott, who rose to prominence last season largely because he mastered his third-pitch changeup, is now at the mercy of the sweeper.
Scott threw three consecutive sweepers to Mancini, the first two with a strikeout, and the third Mancini watched as he landed in the strike zone.
Kurt Casali’s two-out double hurt Scott’s lineup, but he was encouraged by five of the Marlins’ 11 hacks.
“I’m seeing if mine can play at this level,” Scott said of his goal that day, which was achieved. “So I just go out there and throw my new sweeper as much as I can and throw my fastballs into the zone.”
Scott is the most touted of the group of young starters crowded in camp after reaching three levels and finishing at Double-A Binghamton last season, posting a 2.57 ERA in 19 starts. Scott had 107 strikeouts and only 12 walks in 82/3 innings, and his control was the most impressive aspect of his breakout season.
Vasyl’s caliber may be a step below, but the 23-year-old is still improving. The eighth-round pick from Boston is the closest possible starter to the majors, having played against Triple-A Syracuse last year, following Scott’s win with seven scoreless innings.
After being hit with a leadoff double by Griffin Conine, Bashir got the Marlins out of trouble with three consecutive shutouts (including a strikeout of Jose Devers with a good cutter).
Bashir, who represented the Mets in last year’s Futures Game, averaged 94.7 mph with his leading fastball. He’s not used to coming out of the bullpen, but appreciated the opportunity to follow his friend.
“It was amazing. We warmed up together in the locker room in the backfield. We were both so excited,” Vasil said of Scott. “It’s great to have another guy in your draft class, someone who’s a friend of his who you hang out with every day, and then the two of you can go out and pitch in a big league spring training game. It’s pretty special.”
Neither would be the first choice to shore up a Mets rotation that is already in need of help due to Kodai Senga’s injury.
They are not on the 40-man roster, so options like Tyler Megill, Jose Butt, and Joey Lucchesi will get the first chance.
But an organization that hasn’t been able to develop a true starter since the five-ace era now has some interesting options.
Another similarly rated prospect, Dom Hamel, is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Sunday against the Astros.
Tyler Stewart has not participated in major league camp, but was called up on Monday and pitched two scoreless innings, rounding out a group of homegrown prospects looking to change the Mets’ fortunes with young pitching.
“I think these are very exciting times,” Vasil said.
