Clay Holmes, the starter
When the Mets signed Holmes last offseason with the idea of turning the career reliever into a starting pitcher, many people were skeptical that it could work. Even if it worked and Holmes acclimated to the change and pitched well, concerns about his innings pitched were always at the forefront of discussions.
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Despite an at-times shaky second half, Holmes actually pitched well in his first year as a full-time starter. The right-hander went 12-8, finished with a 3.53 ERA in 33 games (31 starts) and pitched a career-high 165.2 innings.
The only time the right-hander really faltered was in July when he posted a 4.91 ERA (1.57 WHIP) in six starts, and while he finished strong (3.09 ERA in September/October), Holmes’ midseason struggles were to be expected as he entered uncharted territory for the first time in his career.
But with that experience under his belt, Mendoza believes his starter is now much more prepared heading into his second season in the Mets’ starting rotation.
“In the second year after a full year as a starter, he has a better understanding of what the routine is like between starts, how he is going to pace himself in the starts, the use of pitches, how he is going to attack a lineup not just once or twice, but three times in the order,” Mendoza said. “…This is a guy who wants to use all the resources, wants to use all the information and continues to play with pitches. He has a pretty good repertoire against lefties and righties and he’s in a good place.”
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Holmes not only has more knowledge of how to be a starter, but he looked like one during camp with his 2.84 ERA (0.71 WHIP) in 12.2 innings. Not only that, but Holmes also looked dominant in his only WBC appearance, working three scoreless innings and striking out six against Great Britain.
With the addition of freddyperalta as well as the emergence of Nolan McLeanNew York’s pitching staff should be less of a question mark than it was last season, and the fact that Holmes continues to improve has a lot to do with that.
Carson Benge, the starter?
While it’s too early to tell if Benge has proven enough this spring to be the team’s starting right fielder on Opening Day, the 23-year-old has been spectacular for the Mets and has at least put himself in the conversation.
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“Hopefully that’s the case and we get to those final days and we have to make some tough decisions because we have a lot of guys playing well and they’re healthy,” Mendoza said. “That’s the case with Carson. He continues to come out, he continues to put up good at-bats, play good defense, run the bases, left and left, so he’s doing what he’s supposed to do on his part.”
In an extended look at camp, Benge went 10-for-27 (.370) with a triple, five RBIs, four runs scored and a stolen base along with an .858 OPS in nine games.
After playing primarily right field so far, Benge will be in center field on Saturday (hitting third), which Mendoza said is to give him exposure, as they have done with other players, to “prepare them for potential scenarios that can happen in the regular season.”
Mendoza isn’t worried about how his son will handle the position change because, from everything he’s seen and heard about Benge, he’s as level-headed as can be. It’s something that will benefit him in the majors, whether he’s on the Opening Day roster or not.
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“You go by what you hear from people in player development,” Mendoza said. “(Benge is a) quiet baseball guy who doesn’t get too high or too low and that’s what we’re seeing here. I don’t think the moment is going to be (too) big for him. He’s a pretty neutral guy to be honest with you. He goes about his business, plays baseball, goes home and comes back the next day and does it again.”
Francisco Lindor ‘day to day’ after minor league game
After playing in his second minor league game since hamate surgery, Lindor is considered “everyday,” according to Mendoza.
The shortstop remains on track to play on Opening Day, which has been New York’s message throughout the process. It remains to be seen what Lindor does next, but he looked good in the game and had a couple of at-bats, according to Mendoza.