Photo Credit: Allen Greene Photography
Earlier today, left-handed pitcher Thomas Szapucki was promoted to the Brooklyn Cyclones. Szapucki was completely dominant in five starts for the Kingsport Mets in the Appalachian League. He is in his first full professional season, after the 2015 fifth round draft pick got into a few games in the GCL after signing last year.
With a 2-1 record, a microscopic 0.62 ERA, and 47 strikeouts in 29 innings the southpaw only allowed two earned runs on 16 hits. Szapucki joins a Cyclone pitching staff that currently leads the NYPL in strikeouts with a combined 305. Szapucki will only add to that total as he brings his 14..6 k/9 north. He rounds out an impressive group that includes, Merandy and Harol Gonzalez, Nabil Crismatt, Gabriel Llanes, and Eric Manoah.
In a recent Baseball America article, by Josh Norris, he talked about needing to work on his change up as he gets to the higher levels. “My changeup, definitely my changeup location and keeping those mechanics fluid and able to get on top of the changeup and actually throw it for strikes,” he said when asked what he’d like to achieve this year from a developmental standpoint. “In high school I really didn’t have a changeup—I had no need for one. I was pretty much fastball-curveball.”
He added: “I’m trying to move up,” he said. “I’ll do the best I can to move up and help my team get some W’s. I’m trying to move through the process as quickly as possible.””
There hasn’t been any corresponding roster moves as of press time. It also hasn’t been announced when he will take his turn on the mound.
We at MMN would like to congratulate Thomas on a well earned promotion and look forward to watching his mid-90’s fastball in Brooklyn.
So how do you say his name?
Szapucki is the kind of prospect that excites. He has been absolutely fantastic. Once he’s able to command his change-up the sky is the limit. It be great if he can develop a 4th pitch to round him a out a bit more. I love kids like Thomas, because, they seem to come out of no where. All it takes is good coaching and the Mets; as an organization, have several good pitching coaches throughout the system. I am looking forward to reading up on Szapucki, as he progresses through the minors. I think the Mets have another phenomenon on there hands.
Za-pù-ki
<<o. ✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤:::::::!ja604s:….,….,..
Still time for him to add a curve or two-seamer but two plus pitches is a very good start for a 20-year old left-hander.
I hope this kid makes it big just so we can screw up his last name over and over.
Every time I hear a name screwed up I fondly imagine how badly Ralph Kiner would butcher it
Clayton part dos.
Lol, yes! My dad had a favorite. I think he called gooden … Goodwin