Welcome to this week’s edition of Boom or Bust! This week’s topic is Las Vegas 51s starting pitching, Jacob deGrom. It’s been an interesting year for the right-hander, now two years removed from Tommy John surgery. He’s pitched in three different levels of the minors, finding a home in Triple-A. He’s 4-2 with a 4.40 ERA in 13 starts (73.2 IP) with the 51s. Here’s what are staff thinks about the young hurler’s future.

Kirk Cahill:

I must admit I was skeptical of deGrom until I really read up on him. I made the mistake of assuming he was just a guy who was too old for his levels, not realizing he didn’t pitch throughout college. Taking that into account, I see a lot to like about this kid. The first thing that jumps out to me is his control. Sure, a 2.8 BB/9 rate (in 2013) isn’t Wainwright-like but for someone who is as new to pitching as he is that’s really impressive. Scouts like his two-pitch mix– a 93-95 mph fastball with sink and potentially plus slider. They also rave about his athleticism (probably due to being a shortstop most of his life) and easy arm action. I think he’s a promising arm and a potential mid-rotation piece should the Mets decide to trade from their surplus of arms this offseason. Verdict: Boom.

John Bernhardt:

A live arm helped Jacob deGrom make the conversion from infielder to pitcher, and the kid has been on a fast track up the minor league ladder ever since. I charted deGrom’s first game on the mound at NYSEG Stadium, a brilliant 7 1/3 inning performance where Jacob struck out eight without walking a batter while surrendering only a solo home run. I saw him a few weeks later, pitching six innings of two run ball against Portland, fanning nine hitters. There is much that I like about Jacob deGrom: his 95 mph fastball, his quick and efficient pitching delivery, and the way he pounds the strike zone. Most of all, I admired deGrom’s mound presence. He is all business on the hill and doesn’t rattle easily. Although he is still developing his secondary stuff, deGrom’s accelerated advance through the system and his pitching results are signals he has a legitimate shot to land a spot as a long reliever at Citi Field next year. Verdict: Boom.

Vinny B.:

It’s easy to write off deGrom because he’s old for his level, but is age is deceiving. DeGrom didn’t start pitching until his junior year in college, and he missed all of 2011 with Tommy John Surgery. He’s pitched effectively in 2012 and in 2013, and he has the ability to be a successful major league starter. He features a low to mid 90’s fastball, and he has shown good control throughout his minor league career. Verdict: Boom.

Satish Ram:

Unfortunately for deGrom, his age is deceiving considering he was a converted position player and then he went ahead to have Tommy John surgery in ’11. The crazy thing about deGrom is he came back throwing in the mid 90s after the surgery with great control of his sinker-lite fastball, and solid control of the rest of his pitches. A tight slider backs up the fastball pretty well, but he has always looked like a bullpen arm to me. I was begging for the Mets to give him an audition this year, as he has most recently spent his time in Las Vegas, but as deGrom is approaching his innings limit, they wouldn’t bite. He’s going to be in the mix for the ‘pen next year for sure — but if the Mets trade him, don’t count him out as a player for the back-end of somebody’s rotation. He’s got stiff competition if he’s looking to make ours. Regardless, a young pitcher with an electric fastball, good mechanics, and a good reputation in terms of character is a boom in my book. Verdict: Boom

Matt Musico:

I have to agree with all these guys. While deGrom is still reasonably raw with his ability on the mound, he’s made a lot of progress this season. He went from struggling a bit in Double-A, to becoming a main cog in the Triple-A rotation after a successful spot start for Wally Backman. If he wasn’t nearing an innings limit, he probably would have gotten called up to the big leagues instead of the Mets signing Daisuke Matsuzaka. I think he has an outside shot at making the bullpen next spring, and he’s coachable enough to adapt to any role he’s given. Verdict: Boom.

Well, there you have, it. A unanimous boom for us here at MMN. What do you all think will come of deGrom’s future in the organization?