The New York Mets announced their list of non-roster invitees for Spring Training. We are 32 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Port St. Lucie. Baseball is closer than ever!
According to Anthony DiComo, the Mets spring non-roster invitees are the following:
LHP: David Peterson and Kevin Smith
RHP: Matt Blackham, Ryley Gilliam, Stephen Nogosek, Pedro Payano, Francisco Rios and Adonis Uceta
C: Austin Bossart, Patrick Mazeika, David Rodriguez
OF: Tim Tebow, Ryan Cordell, Johneshwy Fargas
INF: Jake Hager
Previously announced minor league signings like Jarrett Parker, Max Moroff and Chasen Shreve will also be in Spring Training. DiComo reports that 58 players will be there, so far.
Several interesting names in the Mets’ list
Of the list, several names jump out. Peterson is among the Mets’ most prized pitching prospects. He is 24 years old and figures to see the majors at some point in 2020. He is a left-hander, a polished one. He will likely start in Triple-A Syracuse but could use the experience of being in a Spring Training.
In 2019, he was in Double-A. There, he had a 4.19 ERA but a much better 3.19 FIP. In 24 games, he pitched 16.0 frames, with a 9.47 K/9 and a 2.87 BB/9.
Smith was dominant in Class A-Advanced in 2019 (3.05 ERA, 2.63 FIP, 10.72 K/9, 2.52 BB/9) in 17 games. He also pitched six Double-A games.
Gilliam will likely help the New York Mets in 2020. He struggled in Triple-A but had very successful stints in Class A-Advanced (2.53 ERA, 0.87 FIP in 10.2 frames with 13.50 K/9) and Double-A (4.34 ERA, 2.15 FIP, and 13.50 K/9.) He also excelled in the Arizona Fall League (0.96 ERA in 9.1 IP, 11 K.)
Mazeika is a left-handed hitting catcher who hit well in Double-A. He had 16 homers with 69 runs batted in and a .245 average, with a .738 OPS. He is famous for his defense and arm but has the tools to be respectable back there.