10 pitchers who have surprised in 2015
By Jason Evans
Jeurys Familia
Coming into this season, the New York Mets thought they had a plan to end the game. Jenrry Mejia was going to be the guy. He did it last season. But he got suspended for PED’s not once, but twice this season and his Mets days are probably over. Bobby Parnell was next in line, but his recovery from surgery last season didn’t progress as the Mets and him had hoped.
The Mets then turned to Familia who came up as a starter, but was transferred to a setup man last season. All he has done this year is turn himself into one of the best closers in the National League.
Familia is tied for third in the majors in saves and is in the top 15 of all relievers in WAR. Familia could have certainly found himself on the All-Star team this season.
The Mets may not be in first place right now if not for guys like Matt Harvey, Jacob degrom and Yoenis Cespedes, but without Familia locking down those games at the end in his first year as closer. No one thought about Familia as a closer and no one thought he would be as good as he has been in that spot.
With the trade deadline acquisition of Tyler Clippard, he and Familia have formed a lockdown eighth and ninth inning combo.