Yes, Hunter Strickland did pitch for the New York Mets in 2020 and he is the final player evaluation. The two-time World Series champion joined the Mets in an attempt to latch on to a role in the bullpen. As expected, his better days were behind him and he could not replicate the success he once had.
Heavy dose of sliders from Hunter Strickland in his first appearance in a #Mets uniform. pic.twitter.com/NloLgFYmRQ
— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) July 20, 2020
Strickland started the season with the big league roster but allowed runs in two of his first three outings. His Mets debut came in the extra-inning loss to the Atlanta Braves where he allowed three runs in the 10th inning and picked up the loss. Strickland made two more outings before being shipped to the alternate site for over a month.
When he returned on August 31, he threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts in his final outing before he was DFA’d for the second time. At this point in his career, Strickland does not have the heat on his fastball to threaten hitters anymore but he did have good success with his slider. It is hard to see Strickland pitching in the big leagues again without rethinking his course of attack as a pitcher.
2020 Grades On 20-80 Scale (2021 Projection)
4-Seam Fastball: 20 (20), Batters hit .429 with an 11.8% whiff rate
Slider: 35 (45), Should be his main pitch in the future
Sinker 40 (45), Only threw 4 on the season
Changeup: 35 (35), Only threw 1
Command: 60 (60), Walked one in 3.1 innings pitched
Overall: 20 (25)