Mets Weekly with Gab: March 2nd-March 9th, 2025
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL—Another week of Mets spring training is in the books, and with Opening Day inching closer, roster battles are heating up, key arms are rounding into form, and a few unexpected names are making their case.
Recapping the Latest from Camp
(L) March 2, 2025: Mets 4, Red Sox 6
- Starter: Paul Blackburn
- IP: 1.1 | H: 3 | R: 4 | ER: 3 | BB: 2 | K: 0
- Key Moments:
- Jose Siri home run (3) to left field in top of the third
(T) March 3, 2025: Mets 1, Marlins 1
- Starter: Kodai Senga
- IP: 2.0 | H: 2 | R: 0 | ER: 0 | BB: 0 | K: 2
- Key Moments:
- Kodai Senga first start of spring training—sat between 92-96 mph
- David Peterson 5 Ks in 2.0 innings
- Max Kranick 3 Ks in 1.1 innings
Ace, Ace Baby: Senga’s Strong Start
Ace Kodai Senga made his first appearance against the Miami Marlins on Monday, tapping out at 96 mph on the radar gun. Pitching coaches are saying his best pitch of camp has been his sinker, which he only recently added to his mix, and for him to have a solid start is promising.
He’s repeatedly said to be feeling great and already looks to be making the impressive comeback he’d hoped for in 2024.
(L) March 4, 2025: Mets 1, Cardinals 6
- Starter: Tylor Megill
- IP: 2.2 | H: 2 | R: 1 | ER:1 | BB: 1 | K: 2
- Key Moments:
- Jesse Winker single in top of the second
- Francisco Alvarez single in top of fourth
- Brett Baty single in top of seventh (Runner: Yonny Hernández)
- Alex Ramírez reached on fielding error—drove in Y. Hernández for run scored)
(L) March 6, 2025: Mets 1, Astros 5
- Starter: Brandon Sproat
- IP: 2.0 | H: 2 | R: 2 | ER: 2 | BB: 1 | K: 2
- Key Moments:
- Francisco Lindor RBI single in bottom on the fourth
- Sproat unhittable fastball/upper 80 mph changeup/Sinker (that’s touched 99 mph) is a real threat in his mix
- Joey Meneses double in bottom of the seventh (With Jesse’s commentary)
Brandon Sproat fastballs go brrrrrrr pic.twitter.com/yhZQO4g7CD
— Mets’d Up Podcast (@MetsdUp) March 6, 2025
(L) March 7, 2025: Mets 4, Nationals 5
- Starter: Paul Blackburn
- IP: 2.1 | H: 5 | R: 3 | ER: 3 | BB: 2 | K: 0
- Key Moments:
- José Azocar RBI single in top of third
- Francisco Alvarez RBI single in top of fifth
- Brett Baty drove in (2) runs by reach on a fielder’s choice in top of sixth
- Kranick still scoreless through (7) innings pitched this spring
Kranick Could be Strong Bullpen Addition
Max Kranick is a name to watch this season. After getting DFA’d by the Mets early last year, he made the most of his move to the bullpen, ramping up his fastball to 98 mph by season’s end. This spring, he’s pitched seven shutout innings, with eight Ks and zero walks.
With his ability to go multiple innings and the added velocity, he’s making a legitimate case to be a bullpen piece.
(W) March 8, 2025: Mets 7, Marlins 3
- Starter: David Peterson
- IP: 4.0 | H: 1 | R: 1 | ER: 0 | BB: 2 | K: 2
- Key Moments:
- David Peterson solid through (4) innings
- Juan Soto 3-3 on the day with a RBI double in top of the first
- Meneses home run to left field in top of the fifth
- Baty RBI double in top of the sixth
- Jared Young RBI single in top of the sixth
Peterson Eyeing Front-End Rotation Spot
David Peterson continues to strengthen his case for a spot in the Mets’ rotation. He delivered four scoreless innings against the Marlins on Saturday night, allowing just one hit while keeping hitters off balance with a well-mixed arsenal.
David Peterson this spring:
7.0 IP
0 ER
7 KThis is going to be a big year for Peterson 🔥 pic.twitter.com/so8dHiuAAL
— MetsMuse (@MetsMuse) March 9, 2025
His fastball sat at 92-93 mph, his slider was sharp, and he effectively utilized his sinker to generate weak contact. As the competition for the back end of the rotation heats up, Peterson is making sure making sure his name stays in the conversation.
(W) March 9, 2025: Mets 7, Nationals 6
- Starter: Clay Holmes
- IP: 3.2 | H: 1 | R: 0 | ER: 0 | BB: 3 | K: 8
- Key Moments:
- Holmes still scoreless in over (9) innings pitched this spring
- Mark Vientos home run to left center field in top of the first
- Jakson Reetz grand slam in top of the first—next on depth chart behind Luis Torrens after Francisco Alvarez’s fracture landing him on IL
- Edwin Díaz 2 Ks in 1.0 innings pitched
- Travis Swaggerty double in bottom of the eighth—advanced to third on fielding error
Grand Slam Jakson Reetz!!!💥 pic.twitter.com/DBHwPgwEi1
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 9, 2025
Pitching Holding Steady Amid Injury Setbacks
Despite what everyone has said about the Mets’ supposed “doomed” pitching staff—these arms have really held it down despite injuries landing Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas on the IL
Could Clay Holmes be Mets’ No. 2 for Opening Series?
Holmes has been untouchable this spring—9 2/3 scoreless innings across three starts so far, just two hits allowed, four walks, and 13 punchouts.
“I’m doing a little more than just throwing sinkers,” Holmes told MLB.com. “Reading swings, kind of seeing what they’re doing; as I start to stretch out and see guys multiple times, it’s going to really allow me just to get a feel for the starting role in that aspect.”
He opened the spring by tweaking his four-seamer and added a “kick-change” to deepen his mix and stretch to (hopefully) six innings, proving a strong addition this spring throughout his transition from reliever to starter.
9.2 scoreless innings to start the spring for Clay Holmes 💪 pic.twitter.com/SPwUwwVsZi
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 9, 2025
Kick-Change Clay
A unique take on the changeup, the “kick change” is built for pitchers who naturally supinate—those who rotate their hand outward, like when throwing a curveball or slider. Traditional changeups usually require pronation (inward rotation), which can be tough for pitchers with that natural supination.
The kick-change works around that by allowing a supinated release while still creating the same velocity drop and movement you’d want in a changeup.
Clay Holmes’s new “Kick Change.” pic.twitter.com/YU1sWTfPuj
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 22, 2025
For someone like Clay Holmes, this pitch makes a lot of sense. With his high release point and heavy sinker/slider combo, a traditional changeup won’t always work. But the kick-change lets him throw with fastball intent, keeping hitters off balance with late movement while still working within his natural mechanics.
It’s a nasty addition to a pitch mix that already features a sinker, slider, cutter, and four-seam fastball.
Nimmo to Return from Knee Pain, Alvarez’s Fracture Lands Him on IL
Outfielder Brandon Nimmo should return to baseball activities this week after suffering knee pain bad enough to warrant an injection. However, the pain doesn’t seem too concerning at this time.
Even with Francisco Alvarez slated for 6-8 weeks while recovering from surgery to repair a fractured left hand, the Mets fought for the win on Sunday, aided by depth-catcher Jakson Reetz’s grand slam in the top of the first.
