It’s not like he’s a kid any more. Binghamton closer Jeff Walters (pictured on the right) is 25 years old. It’s not like he’s lacking in experience. Walters pitched four years in college. In fact, starting in his senior year in high school, the B-Met closer was drafted four times, turning down four different major league offers (Giants, Nationals, Indians, Orioles) before signing with the Mets after his senior season at the University of Georgia. Binghamton is Walter’s fifth minor league stop in his climb toward a shot at making the big leagues. Jeff Walters is having a banner year as the B-Met closer. No other pitcher at any level of the minor leagues has more saves than Walters this year. Walters has made good in 33 of 35 save opportunities tied with Victor Moreno who pitches in the Triple-A Mexican League.
A live arm with a fastball that regularly touches 96 mph, an above average curveball, and a developing change-up — Walters can shut down a game. I’ve watched him throw 16 consecutive ninth inning fastballs all at 94 to 96 mph one night, then use a 73 mph breaking ball behind a 96 mph fastball the next. Walters is 4-2 with a 1.85 ERA, a 1.027 WHIP, and 9.4 K’s/9 innings — impressive stats indeed. Binghamton’s all-time single season save leader, Walters topped Jerrod Riggan who chalked up 28 ‘game-stoppers’ in 2000. With three more saves, Walters will become the B-Mets all-time save leader.
Walters seems to thrive on the pressure that comes with the 9th inning and crunch-time baseball. Earlier in the season, when I asked Wheeler how he handled the pressure that comes with entering a game in the final inning with the contest on the line he smiled broadly and said, “That’s the time to rock and roll.”
Walters’ Double-A season and the loss of closer Bobby Parnell and lefty specialist Josh Edgin from the Mets bullpen leaves you wondering if the B-Met closer should get a major league look. The Met bullpen has been brilliant as of late. A gritty LaTroy Hawkins has filled in admirably in the final frame. Yet, with no realistic chance for post season baseball would it be prudent to give Walters a look?
A good argument could be made in either direction. Walters is a pivotal part of Binghamton’s record winning season and could benefit greatly from the experience of closing in the B-Mets upcoming post season playoff push. On the other hand, it might be instructive for Walters to get his feet wet in the big leagues, particularly on a Mets team with a good clubhouse mix, a team not in a pennant chase but still playing hard, inspired and competitive baseball.
You be the judge. Would the Mets and Jeff Walters be best served with the B-Met closer continuing his 2013 stint in Binghamton or joining the major league Mets in Citi Field?
(Photo Credit: Gordon Donovan)
Why couldn’t he finish the season and playoffs and get a cup of coffee with the Mets afterward. The playoff experience is important also and he isn’t going to win a job this year if he’s here 6 weeks or 2. He’ll have to win that in ST. I say let him finish what he started then bring him up get a couple of innings in and a taste of the bigs.
I think he is ready. But I think they want to give him playoff experience first.
I would like to see Walters as an extra bullpen arm when rosters expand in Sept. to see where he stands right now vs. major league competition but I doubt so and not just because of the AA playoffs. I don’t think Sandy and his staff are going to decide which prospects or possible prospects such as Walters, MDD, Centeno etc. to protect on the 40 man roster until the offseason. Sandy and Depo are also against promoting a player from AA to the majors even a reliever citing the Edgin case.
Calling him up now would be so stupid. Call him up now and he’s going to have to be placed on the 40 man. Those spots are very valueable cause we have so many guys who will be up fur the rule 5 draft if not protected.
Walters needs to go on the 40 man roster this off season. The only issue is do the Mets want to see him September.They will have 3 spots on the 40 man roster once Hefner goes on the 60 day DL. Do you use the spot on Walters, den Dekker and deGrom, all of whom you will need to the 40 man anyway, or do you reward a minor league veteran for taking a minor league deal like a Jamie Hoffman Sean Henn to free up the 40 man roster? I always vote for seeing the kids.