For the purpose of our series of posts, we define the word fringe as any prospects, which we considered, that were absent from MMN’s own Top 40 Prospect lists. The purpose of the series is to identify prospects that are showing promise above what fans might expect and what their futures will hold within the Mets organization.
**************************************************
Erik Goeddel, SP
DOB: 12/20/1988
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
2013 Total Stats: 134 IP, 4.37 ERA, 4.15 FIP, 8.40 K/9, 3.90 BB/9
2013 Review
Goeddel pitched his entire age-24 campaign for the Double-A Binghamton Mets. He struggled in April, posting a 5.55 ERA in five starts. Erik would eventually turn things around, especially in June when he posted a 1.05 ERA in four starts. The right-hander struck out 25 hitters and walked only five during that impressive string of outings. Goeddel would struggle in August, posting another ERA north of five and surrendering six homeruns– tarnishing the final numbers on what could have been a breakthrough year for him. Hopefully we can chalk those struggles up to fatigue.
Prospect Outlook
Like I mentioned previously, Goeddel’s final numbers were dragged down by his awful August. For the most part Goeddel pitched well against the stiff competition of the Eastern League. Going forward he’s going to have to show more consistency across the board. His command comes and goes, and for the first time in his career he appeared to be susceptible to the long-ball. Also, if he wants to stick as a starter he’s going to show the ability to both go deeper into games as well as pitch more innings overall.
2014 Prediction
Goeddel, who will be 25 when the season starts, will likely head to Triple-A Las Vegas. As with any pitcher, the hitter-friendly environment of the Pacific Coast League will be a tough assignment. Erik will have to fix his late-2013 issue of serving up homers in order to survive. Having seen Goeddel in person, he’s got the stuff to meet the task. Keeping his fastball down in the zone will be key. 2014 will also likely determine whether Goeddel has the stamina and the stuff to remain in the rotation after struggling down the stretch of 2013 and failing to develop his changeup as an effective weapon against lefties.
Prospects On The Fringe:
Wintertime is the time for optimism regarding prospects, so I will submit that Goeddel’s apparent fatigue was probably attributable to his finally getting to pitch through a full season, something that had not happened in 2011 or 2012. Eric is not young for his level, but he is relatively inexperienced, certainly in the matter of throwing 150+ innings. Just because he is somewhat older doesn’t mean he has built up to the demands of professional ball, yet.
I am looking forward to seeing what he does in 2014.
Agreed. A lot of people have Goeddel pegged as a reliever but I think he has a chance as a starter if fatigue isn’t going to be a major hurdle.
But even if he does end up a reliever, I think he’ll be a really good one.