New York Mets: Noah Syndergaard Year in Review

Noah Syndergaard’s 2019 season featured more drama than both he and the New York Mets wanted. It was a year marked with inconsistency for Syndergaard as it was another year where trade rumors surrounded him.

Syndergaard struggled mightily through the first two months of the season. He had a 4.90 ERA at the end of May and looked nothing like the hyped up Thor the Mets expected. Syndergaard had seven starts when he allowed four or more runs and four starts of allowing two runs or less. Only once did he have back to back starts of allowing two runs or less.

The Turn-Around

From June to August 22, Syndergaard was dominant.  He had finally put together the consistency that was missing. He had a 2.66 ERA and only allowed five home runs during that period. The combination of Syndergaard, deGrom, and Wheeler were inching the Mets out of the hole they dug themselves in.

After his red hot stretch, he fell back into the inconsistency that plagued the beginning of his season. Syndergaard was lit up for ten runs against the Chicago Cubs, in a series that homered the Mets chances to make the postseason. He rebounded with a ten strikeout performance against the Washington Nationals but allowed four runs in the following four starts.

He finished the season with seven strong innings against the Atlanta Braves, striking out 10.

Concerns Going Forward

Syndergaard’s inability to hold runners on has been prevalent since he arrived in the big leagues. Base stealers were 42-for-45 in their stolen base attempts against him with was part of the reason why he led the NL in earned runs allowed. It is hard to keep runners from scoring if a walk turns into a double and potentially a triple. This has to be Syndergaard’s main focus in the offseason if he wants to return to an elite level.

For someone who has closer stuff, Syndergaard does not produce the strikeout numbers we expect from him. 9.2 K/9 is a good number for most pitchers, but it should be closer to the 11 K/9 Jacob deGrom puts up. Syndergaard is more comfortable pitching as a sinker dominant pitcher, which will limit how many strikeouts he can rack up.

Trade Rumors

The Mets have always teased the idea of moving Syndergaard but never pulled the trigger on any deals. He still has a couple more seasons of control, which makes the idea of moving him very enticing. Unless the Mets are absolutely out of the race, it seems very unlikely for the Mets to make a move unless they are blown away in the deal.

Grades:

Pitching Repertoire: A-, The fastball still has life on it, but I think the sinker hurts him more than it helps.

Control: A-, Solid year with the control, think he can still get to a higher level.

Composure: B+, Some starts looked on top of the world, and others he let the elements get to him.

Durability: A+, 32 starts just like deGrom

Intangibles: C+, Very inconsistent, and the drama with the catchers was a distraction.

Overall: B, This was not the best version of Syndergaard, but we expect to see a massive 2020 from him.