After two seasons as a workhorse in the New York Mets bullpen, Paul Sewald saw his role take a significant step back during the 2019 season. Sewald was another frequent member of the shuttle between Triple-A and the MLB roster.
Here's a very happy Paul Sewald on his first career Major League win: pic.twitter.com/9RpvbMk6lN
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 25, 2019
Seward started the season in the minors but only had to wait until April 14 to get the call-up to the Mets. He sandwiched one solid long relief appearance between two, where he allowed runs. Seward flew back to Syracuse just a week later, where Sewald stayed until mid-May. He returned on May 17 to pitch two innings out of the bullpen and allowed a run. Sewald promptly got the option back to Syracuse when Steven Matz came off the Injured List.
Surviving the DFA
The Mets designated him for assignment on May 22, but no teams claimed him, so he went back to Syracuse. Since Sewald was out of options, the Mets has to be very selective with the next time they brought him back. He returned in mid-August when the Mets made multiple changes in the bullpen, including shutting down Robert Gsellman for the season.
This is cool: The winning Mets pitcher tonight was Paul Sewald.
Prior to tonight, Sewald had appeared in a Major League record 118 games without a win. That was 38 more than any other pitcher in MLB history. He had also thrown a record 139.0 IP without a victory.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 25, 2019
Sewald looked like a revamped pitcher when he returned. His velocity had increased, and he only allowed one run in his first six outings, while striking out 13. As quickly as things seemed to turn around, Sewald was front and center for the Mets ninth-inning collapse against the Washington Nationals. He allowed four runs and only retired one batter before Edwin Diaz blew the save.
Sewald only allowed two runs in his five outings following, but the outing against the Nationals put a damper on a promising turnaround. In his second to the last outing of the season, Sewald finally picked up his elusive first career win after 14 career losses.
It will be a tall task for Sewald to crack the Mets bullpen in 2020. More than likely, he will have to start the season in Triple-A once again. He has never had a year where his ERA was below 4.5, and the current options the Mets have are all better ones.
Grades:
Pitching Repertoire: C, His fastball started the season around 89-91 but moved to 91-94 later in the season. Due to his release point, he also had a wipeout slider.
Control: A+, Only 1.4 BB/9, and his K/9 increased to 10.1, the highest of his career.
Composure: C+, Hitters batted below .200 with RISP, but Sewald had a 16.88 ERA during the ninth inning.
Intangibles: B
Overall: C-, It was an okay season from Sewald, but the Nationals loss lingered on him for the rest of the year.