Noah Syndergaard
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 240 lbs.
Age: 21
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Noah Syndergaard has topped every 2014 Mets prospect list I’ve seen and mine is no different. At the time, Travis d’Arnaud was the main piece that convinced the Mets to deal R.A. Dickey to the Blue Jays and Syndergaard was just an added prospect. At the time, scouts wondered if he would be able to stick as a starter or have to be moved to the bullpen. It turns out that Syndergaard might be the most valuable piece the Mets got in that deal.
With a rare combination of plus velocity and quality control, Syndergaard has the potential to top a rotation for years to come. Last season across St. Lucie and Binghamton, Thor posted a 3.06 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 133:28 K:BB ratio. It’s hard to say he’ll be as good as Matt Harvey was last season. It’s hard to say anyone will be as good as Matt Harvey was last season but I do think he will ultimately be better than Zack Wheeler. Wheeler has the better curveball right now but I think Syndergaard’s command will take him a very long way. He throws an easy 96 mph with a fastball that tends to run in on right handers and has the ability to consistently reach 98. His motion and delivery look effortless and he uses his height to induce a good amount of groundballs. Although his curveball is a little inconsistent at the moment, it has the chance to be an above average pitch at the major league level. His changeup has the potential to be an above average offering as well. With above average command, a plus fastball and two potential above average secondary pitches, it’s scary to think what Syndergaard can do at his peak.
Outlook: Ranked the # 3 RHP prospect for 2014 by MLB.com, Syndergaard’s future is brighter than Zack Wheeler’s shaved head. He is poised to make his debut around midseason; the same time that Matt Harvey made his in 2012 and the same time Zack Wheeler made his last season. With a little more seasoning in AAA Las Vegas, Syndergaard will look to refine his curveball and changeup, while continuing to locate his pitches effectively. The more he can, the more effective his devastating fastball will be. With more development, he has the potential to be an ace or number 2 starter at his peak. When Matt Harvey returns next season, he’ll be the ace of course but that does not mean Syndergaard can’t attain the status of one. Every Mets fan in the world is looking forward to Syndergaard’s debut this upcoming season and looking forward to him, Harvey, and Wheeler, pitching in the rotation at the same time even more. The future for Mets pitching is certainly promising and hopefully we catch an extended glimpse of it this season when Syndergaard is called up.
