Rainy Lara is expected to make his second start in the Florida State League tonight for the St. Lucie Mets. His first one went very well despite an eight-day layoff; he went eight innings and allowed three runs (one earned), four hits, no walks, and four strikeouts. He’ll try to continue his strong 2013 season tonight as St. Lucie continues their series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Tradition Field. Before Lara steps on the mound, he was the focus of Adam Rubin’s Farm Report on ESPN New York, and for good reason.

The right-hander doesn’t have the most wins in the organization this season (four wins in nine starts) and he won’t be an elite strikeout pitcher (55 Ks in 58.1 innings pitched), but he’s economical and knows how to pound the strike zone. He leads all Mets minor league pitchers in ERA (1.38), WHIP (0.84), and opponent batting average (.196).

His incredibly low ERA has been the most impressive. The next closest to Lara is Rafael Montero, who has a 2.71 ERA. If you’re thinking what I’m thinking, you’re right: that’s not very close at all.

This isn’t the first time Lara has convinced Mets officials to continue progressing him through the farm system. He found himself pitching for the Brooklyn Cyclones last season after having a great extended spring training in Port St. Lucie. Lara didn’t disappoint, posting an 8-3 record, 2.91 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 12 walks, and 77 strikeouts in 68 innings pitched (12 starts).

Since signing with the Mets out of the Dominican Prospect League in 2009, Lara has built the reputation for being a strike-thrower, while limiting base runners. In 215 innings pitched since 2010, Lara has a career 17-9 record, 2.13 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 38 walks, and 201 strikeouts. In ’09 and ’10, he did some relieving, but has been used exclusively as a starter since (51 career appearances, 33 starts).

With a fastball that will touch 93 mph on occasion, Lara is aware he needs to be accurate with his pitches in order to be successful. At the young age of 21, he’s been doing so. In the limited time he’s watched the righty pitch, St. Lucie pitching coach Phil Regan likes what he sees:

“It’s impressive in that he threw very few balls above the knees, kept everything down, went eight innings. I think after five innings he only had 50-something pitches, which is unusual for a young pitcher. He got every pitch over. I guess the thing that really impressed me, probably even more than that, was his composure. He wasn’t nervous. He seemed like he fit right in.”

There’s still plenty of time before we find out exactly what Lara could contribute to the Mets, but he’s already done a good job of making a name for himself within the organization. I’m excited to see how he does in his second start for St. Lucie tonight, and how he progresses the rest of the season once he surpasses his previous career-high for innings pitched in a season (68 IP in 2012).