Bryce Hutchinson/Photo by Ed Delany, MMN

On Friday, it was announced by the Columbia Fireflies that Bryce Hutchinson was named relief pitcher of the Month for May. During the month, Hutchinson has made seven appearances, logging 18.2 innings with 14 Ks and a 2.41 ERA while also recording his first save as a pro.

The big 20-year-old right-handed pitcher was originally drafted out of DeLand High School by the Mets in the 12th round of the 2017 draft. Since that time, Hutchinson has battled through numerous nagging injuries and set backs leading to him only pitching a total of 27.2 innings through his first two pro seasons in the organization.

Prior to the start of this 2019 season, Hutchinson spent the entire winter getting into the best shape of his life, shedding weight and increasing his flexibility all in efforts to produce on the field and get back his fastball velocity. Bryce is a starter by trade, but after a slew of injuries arose at the Low A level the Mets organization made the decision to pull Hutchinson out of extended spring and jumped him all the way up to the affiliate after being no higher than the GCL Mets so far in his young career. Bryce was reportedly putting up dominating numbers and stats kept during extended spring games prior to his call up.

The development and improvements have continued for Hutchinson now while with the Fireflies, where as a reliever he is consistently pitching multiple innings to the point of piggy backing other starters at times including fellow young rising star Simeon Woods Richardson.

Radar has Bryce Hutchinson hitting 91-94 MPH with his FB to go with an 86-87 MPH slider with ever improving command of both.

He remains an interesting arm to follow and check back on through the summer. The organization was very high on Hutchinson at the time of the draft and pegged him as high riser to fly through the system. Having now jumped up to full season league ball with the Fireflies he is back on track to start making even further moves ahead.