According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, the Mets have signed Pedro Payano to a minor-league deal.
Payano represents the third starter the Mets have signed in the last day and a half. He made his Major-League debut in 2019, pitching six games for the Texas Rangers. He spent the majority of the season with the Rangers Double-A and Triple-A affiliates, pitching to a 4.93 ERA over 18 starts with a 10.0 K/9 and a 4.9 BB/9.
He’s spent the winter with Phil Regan‘s Toros del Este, posting a 7.71 ERA over five games. Current Mets Tyler Bashlor, Chris Mazza, and Daniel Zamora are also on the Toros.
Payano has a four-pitch mix. His sinker sits in the low-to-mid 90s while his slider and change-up average 84 and 83 mph, respectively.
MetsMerizedOnline‘s own Jacob Resnick notes Payano’s impressive curveball. Additionally, MMO’s Mathew Brownstein tweeted out Payano’s curveball was in the 84th percentile in spin rate.
Pedro Payano is a potentially interesting guy to take a flier on. As @mikemayerMMO noted, he's currently playing for Phil Regan's winter ball team.
Small sample size, but among 277 pitchers who threw 50+ curveballs last year, Payano's SwStr% was in the 94th percentile: https://t.co/LGgJ4B7Xss pic.twitter.com/7H3lD1iEod
— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) December 12, 2019
Payano will provide some upper-level rotation depth to a system that’s seen many of its starters leave the organization this winter.