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Syndergaard Learning How To Pitch Through His Struggles

By Joe D.

July 4, 2014 No comments

Noah Syndergaard

In an interview with Robert Brender for MetsBlog, Noah Syndergaard said that he hopes Mets fans are not down on him as a top prospect because of his recent struggles.

“I’m still young, I’m just 21 years old, I hope Mets fans still have a little faith in me and have not given up on me quite just yet,” he said. “I’m still a baby here, I still have lots to learn.”

In his last five starts for Triple-A Las Vegas, Syndergaard has a 10.42 ERA and opponents are batting .372 against him.

“A lot of times I get fastball happy, and you can’t really sneak a fastball past these hitters. The key for me is to be pitcher not a thrower.”

“I need to locate my off-speed pitches when they start timing up my fastball. I need to try to make the hitter uncomfortable in the box, that’s always an advantage.”

That Syndergaard acknowledges the need to refine his craft as a pitcher is encouraging. Until he got to Triple-A, like most hard-throwers, he coasted through the lower minors throwing nothing but mostly gas and an occasional curve. He’ll need to pitch smarter, use that curve more, and keep developing that changeup which will be the ticket to his longterm success.

He’s young and he’s smart, and a full season in Triple-A sounds like the best thing for him and the team right now.

Nice interview by Rob Brender who has been doing an impressive job covering the Las Vegas 51s this week. Follow him on Twitter @robertbrender.

(Photo Credit: Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun)

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