Just when you thought we were out of high-upside pitchers, the Mets find another one in Flexen. He may be one of the more underrated pitchers, and one that we had chosen as a breakout prospect earlier this month. He joins our top 80 individual profiles with number 20 Akeel Morris, number 19 Milton Ramos, and yesterday’s number 18 left-hander Max Wotell.

#17 RHP Chris Flexen

Ht: 6’3″ Wt: 215 Age: 7/1/1994 (20)

2015 Level: Gulf Coast League, Short-Season A, & A-Ball

Statistics: 12 G, 9 GS, 2.42 ERA, 52 IP, 45 H, 16 BB, 51K  .232 BAA

Since Sandy Alderson has become general manager of the Mets, there has been a slew of young projectable pitchers in the mid-rounds of the draft such as John Gant, Robert Whalen, Rob Gsellman, Corey Oswalt, Matt Bowman, and Paul Sewald. In the 14th round of the 2012 draft, Flexen joined that club for an over slot bonus of $374,000 after a dominating high school season with Newark Memorial High School in California. He went 9-2 with a 0.44 ERA, with 125 strikeouts in 80 innings. 

At first he struggled, giving up too many hits, and struggling with control in his first time as a pro, and had a 5.62 ERA. The next year, repeating the level he improved drastically, and dominated the Appalachian league. In 2014 he struggled at Savannah before succumbing to Tommy John Surgery in July. In June 24th of last season, Flexen returned and dazzled in 19 games with a 2.42 ERA in 52 innings pitched.

In his pre-draft report, Flexen was a young arm that could reach up to 93 employing a high leg kick to garner velocity. However, recent reports have him sitting in the low to mid 90’s and at times hitting higher such as 96/97 when he truly reaches back. As well, he has the potential for a plus slider, and above average changeup with time to hone them as he climbs the minor league level as a finally healthy pitcher. However, he has to be able to pitch more innings in a season than 68.

You should expect him in High-A St. Lucie for the 2016 season.

Prior Top 80 Articles: 25-21, 30-26 35-31,  40-36,  45-41, 50-46, 60-51, 70-61, 80-71

Ted’s Prospect Extras:

2012 Draftee’s 2015 Stats: