3 Mets players whose 2024 season expectations changed for the better after spring training

Spring training has a way of mattering and being inconsequential at the same time. It’s a first look at some players in a New York Mets uniform. In other instances, it’s a chance to see what certain players were working on all offseason as they attempt to get in better shape or just improve their baseball skills.

The Mets were pitcher-dominant this spring with only a small number of hitters who put up big numbers. Other than Pete Alonso, none of the regular hitters did all that much at the plate.

In terms of expectations, it’s the pitchers who did the most to adjust theirs. These three Mets pitchers accomplished the most this spring when it comes to changing their expectations for the better.

1) Luis Severino

The 14 innings Luis Severino offered the Mets in the preseason obliterated any thoughts of him having a repeat of the disastrous year he had in 2023 with the New York Yankees. Yes, it’s only spring training but by gawd it was smooth.

Severino would finish 2-0 in his 4 starts with a 1.29 ERA. He struck out 12, walked only one batter, and held opponents to a .176 batting average.

Among the three starting pitchers the Mets brought in this offseason, no one needs to perform more than Severino. Sean Manaea has never been an ace nor should we expect him to become one suddenly just because his velocity has gone up. Adrian Houser, who didn’t have a great spring, is a fifth starter. A reliable one, yes, but nothing more than a back of the rotation arm.

Exactly how high do we raise the bar for Severino this year? Opinions will vary. As someone who was less than thrilled when this signing first happened, he has me convinced there’s some premium fuel left in the tank. Contending for a Cy Young would be a dream. Much less is still acceptable.

2) Tylor Megill

Tylor Megill’s stock went way up this spring even if the overall numbers ended up a lot more “mid” than some would have you expect. In his team-leading 20.2 innings, Megill would finish 1-3 with a 3.92 ERA. The ERA is a bit deceptive in the worst way. Fanning 23 batters along the way, he showed awesome stuff plus some improved control with only 6 walks.

The 1.02 WHIP from spring training and .197 batting average against are two more positives which have fans eager to see him in the regular season. First viewed as depth, he won what became a near non-existent competition for the rotation when the team learned they’d be without Kodai Senga to begin the year.

Megill’s final appearance of the spring was a bit peculiar. In five innings, he gave up 3 earned runs to the Miami Marlins but did strike out 7. Megill gave up a run in each outing where he went more than 3 innings this spring which should have fans tapering back their expectations even just a little bit.

Throughout his big league career, Megill has been a good pitcher at times and a very hittable one at others. His MLB numbers are below average but armed with his new “American Spork” pitch, believers are drinking the Kool-Aid.

3) Jose Butto

For a couple of years now, Jose Butto has floundered around as a Mets pitching prospect ranked around 10-15. He never put up any dazzling numbers in the minor leagues. An eventual move to the bullpen seemed (and still might) the likeliest way for him to ever receive regular playing time for a team always interested in contending; at least under the current ownership.

Butto, in the race for a rotation spot, couldn’t have done much better. He surrendered a single earned run in his 10 innings. A 1.10 WHIP and .237 batting average against failed to match what Megill did, but the positive vibes are there with him.

The Mets probably never had Butto in mind to begin the year in the rotation with Megill and the even more MLB-experienced Joey Lucchesi available. However, after this spring, Butto is almost right there with Megill and probably ahead of Lucchesi. When David Peterson and Max Kranick are back from the IL, it’ll be interesting to see how things shake out with the starting pitching depth chart.

Butto had a strong regular season last year too, aiding in his rise up the depth chart heading into the 2024 season. He’ll begin the year in Triple-A and we can expect to see him in April when the Mets face a challenging 13 straight days without an off-day.

This article was originally published on risingapple.com as 3 Mets players whose 2024 season expectations changed for the better after spring training.