Calvin Zielger, Photo by Canadian Baseball Network

Calvin Ziegler, RHP

B/T: R/R     Ht: 6’0″     Wt: 205 lb.
Age: October 3, 2002 (19)
Acquired: Mets 2021 Second Round Draft Pick (TNXL Academy – Alamonte Springs, FL)
2021 Stats: DNP

With the New York Mets not signing Kumar Rocker, Ziegler was their top draft pick in the 2021 draft. Like Rocker, Ziegler didn’t pitch in the minor leagues in 2021. With respect to Ziegler, it wasn’t due to medicals. It was due to travel. That travel was also a big reason why Ziegler put himself in a position to be drafted.

As noted above, Ziegler was drafted out of a Florida charter school. Ziegler had enrolled in the school because COVID restrictions prevented him from pitching in his native Canada. Due to the restrictions, he first took residence in New York, and then he began the grueling travel between New York and Florida. It was a mark of his dedication to improving as a pitcher and putting himself in a position to be drafted.

As noted by Alexis Brudnicki of Baseball America, Ziegler honed his mechanics over the course of the year, and he would see an increase in his velocity. A pitcher who was sitting in the lower 90s was able to ramp up his fastball to 97 MPH. It wasn’t just the velocity, but it was also spin and movement. The fastball profiled so well Carlos Collazo, also of Baseball America, noted it was the best fastball from any of the players the Mets drafted.

What is noteworthy with his fastball is Ziegler has been able to maintain velocity deep into games. Mets scouting director Tommy Tanous said, “We really liked (Ziegler’s) delivery, he had a lot of athletic movements and he was throwing 95-96 (mph) in the sixth inning when I saw him.” (Mike Puma, Baseball America). While Ziegler showed good command in that start, command remains an issue for him.

Other issues include the development of his secondary pitches. MLB Pipeline denotes he has a slurvy breaking pitch which misses bats, and he has a change-up he doesn’t throw frequently. It should be noted this isn’t unusual for a high school pitcher coming straight out of the draft.

From MLB front office member on Mets second rounder Calvin Ziegler:

"Ziegler is a great pick. Rides his FB well, and the slider has a really interesting break profile. Changeup has a ways to go still, but it's two pretty good pitches from a high school guy."

— Michael Mayer (@mikemayer22) July 12, 2021

As noted, his travel during the 2021 year did inhibit his ability to get down to Port St. Lucie in time to pitch in the minors. However, Ziegler did throw during the instructional league. Fortunately, there should be no issues with his ability to report to Spring Training and for him to prepare for his first season of professional baseball.