Fansided

MLB power rankings: Best player on each team

By Brad Berreman

Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
18 of 30
Next
Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Mets: SP Noah Syndergaard

Amid injury concerns for Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom, “Thor” has become the ace of the Mets’ starting rotation. In his first full major league season last year, he went 14-9 with a 2.60 ERA over 183.2 innings (31 appearances-30 starts) with a 10.7 K/9 and a 2.1 BB/9. He has kept it up through three starts this season, with a 0.95 ERA and a 9.5 K/9 with zero walks. He has left two of his three outings early, with a blister and a torn finger nail respectively, which could become concerning regarding how he’s gripping his pitchers and any adjustments he has to make.

Syndergaard also holds his own as a hitter, for what it’s worth, with four career home runs (three in 2016) while going 2-for-6 at the plate over his first three starts. He is far from an automatic out, like most pitchers this side of Madison Bumgarner are.

Syndergaard led the majors with a 2.29 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) last year, with a .334 BABIP against, which suggests some untapped upside with better luck when he does allow contact. That is a scary though for National League hitters, though it’s worth noting Syndergaard won’t turn 25 until August 29.

It’s hard to pinpoint a position player as the best the Mets have to offer, with Yoenis Cespedes as a possible choice. So I’m going with Syndergaard, who may be just starting to tap into the kind of power indicated by his Marvel superhero nickname.

Home/MLB