New York Mets prized possession Noah Syndergaard is one strong kid, that’s for sure. The 6 foot 6 tall 242 pound right hander has dazzled, showing off his overwhelming stuff since he’s come up earlier this month, but to see him not only pitch, but hit like a professional player is just as entertaining to watch.
The 22 year old threw 7 and a third innings of shutout baseball, giving up just six hits, walking zero, and striking out six yesterday afternoon against Philadelphia. He became the first Mets’ rookie to ever strike out at least five hitters in each of his first four career starts. Syndergaard has shown flashes of dominance and has looked much more comfortable on the mound. This has definitely been his best outing thus far. In 24 and two third innings this season, he’s given up just 22 hits, 8 runs (7 earned), has walked just five and struck out 22.
It’s funny because with Syndergaard you almost can’t tell him to bunt. I know he’s a pitcher but why bunt when the guy can drive in runners and be productive swinging the bat? He’s 4 for 9 and I know people will be thinking I’m just jumping the gun, but with his swing, you know he can hit. It just comes natural to him. After I first watched him hit, watching him try to force a bunt down the line after that was almost insulting. He proved it again yesterday going 3 for 3 including this moonshot of a 430 foot home run to center field.
This is not the only one of these Mets’ young pitchers who is a natural athlete. Second year starter Jacob deGrom isn’t only a great pitcher, but he can field his position, runs, and handles the bat really well too. Syndergaard is 6 foot 6 inches tall and 242 pounds of muscle, and is on a team who’s lineup desperately needs another bat in it. Why make him do something he’s clearly uncomfortable doing at the plate? Let him swing! He can drive the ball farther than a decent amount of the players on the roster can.
It was also the first home run a Mets pitcher has hit since Jeremy Hefner hit one in 2012.
