Mets minor league reliever Zack Thornton has been named the Venezuelan Winter League Setup Pitcher of The Year for the regular season. He had a 4.02 ERA and 1.28 WHIP for the Navegantes del Magallanes to go along with 11 holds. He pitched 15.2 innings in 17 games allowing seven earned runs on 12 hits and eight walks while striking out nine.
During the 2015 season the right-handed pitcher was 4-4 with a 3.94 ERA and 1.346 WHIP for the Las Vegas 51’s. He struck out 55 batters in his 61.2 innings (63 games) and collected two saves. He is known for being a ground ball pitcher and only allowed two homeruns last season in the hitter friendly Pacific Coast League.
The Mets got Thornton from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2014 along with left-handed pitching prospect Blake Taylor for first baseman Ike Davis.
Speaking of Blake Taylor, didn’t he get injured last season? I thought he was a great pick up, but I’ve read that his velocity has been very low lately. Any word on him? Seems like another great arm in our system that just hasn’t gotten to that elite status yet.
TJS
HE WENT UNDER TOMMY JOHN SURGERY LAST YEAR AFTER A SHORT WHILE ON DISABLE LIST. HE IS STILL ON DISABLE LIST UNTIL AFTER JULY THIS YEAR