Mets: 3 Max Scherzer replacements already on the roster
By Tim Boyle
2. Mets prospect Thomas Szapucki should be a consideration
Thomas Szapucki may actually be the better option if only to allow the Mets to keep Williams in the long-man role. Either one is fine, though. Chances are, if they’re on the same roster together, the other will be there to give the Mets two or three innings in relief anyway.
Szapucki got roughed up in his one major league relief appearance last season but that shouldn’t eliminate him from the competition. He is in a make-or-break season in 2022 and so far the results have been decent at Triple-A Syracuse.
In six starts which spanned 21 innings, Szapucki has a tough luck 0-3 record with a 3.00 ERA. He has walked batters at a rate of 3.9 per nine but made up for it with some huge strikeout numbers. In the half-dozen starts, he has a rate of 12.4 Ks per nine innings of work.
Szapucki is one of those fringe prospects whose 2022 campaign could likely determine his future. The Mets are continuing to use him as a starter in the minor leagues but his future could eventually lead to him getting more relief appearances. Out of pure necessity, he should be the next minor leaguer in line to start regularly for the team.