New York Mets: Dellin Betances’ diminished velocity is a worrisome problem

When the New York Mets signed Dellin Betances in December 2019, they figured he would be healthy and throwing his usual bullets by this time of the year in an absolutely worst-case scenario. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case, and in a couple of appearances in the shortened 2020 season, his fastball velocity has been diminished.

The situation has impacted his performance on the mound: in four games and 2.1 innings, the Mets’ new signee has a 15.43 ERA. It comes in a tiny sample, and his FIP is a much more respectable 3.05, but despite a good K/9 of 11.57, he has been wild with 7.71 BB/9.

According to Fangraphs, Betances has averaged 93.9 miles per hour with his fastball, a far cry of his career-high of 98.4 of 2017 and his usual 96-97 mph. He claims he feels healthy and he has full confidence in his Achilles tendon, so the New York Mets hope that his fastball velo can come back eventually with reps.

“Obviously, I’m not there yet,” Betances said to MLB.com. “But I’m continuing to work, and as the season progresses, I hope to be there.”

The Mets patience is being tested

He did appear with the Yankees in one game last season, but Betances says he has missed practically a season and a half, and that likely has had an impact on his arm and his velocity.

Despite the frustrating situation, Betances feels like he can be a successful reliever without his top velocity. Instead, he says, he needs to work on control and the command of his fastball and his curveball.

“I feel like the more repetitions I get, the better I’ll be able to get,” Betances said. “I’m still not there right now, but I feel like right now, I’ve just got to attack the strike zone and change speeds with what I have, and make the batters a little uncomfortable, and I feel like I can have a little success that way. But if I put guys on and fall behind, it’s not ideal for any pitcher.”

The Mets badly need Betances to put it together, since their vaunted bullpen has been in shambles. Even top setup man Seth Lugo has allowed crucial runs, not to mention Edwin Diaz and Justin Wilson.