LOS ANGELES — The New York Mets came into this season as a postseason contender and a real threat in the NL East, a division they haven’t won since they went to the World Series in 2015. And while the addition of $765 million man Juan Soto to a club that finished its season in the NLCS is a big reason behind New York’s high expectations, what this team may end up being remembered for beyond the bats of Soto, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso, is the dominance of its pitching.
New York’s pitching has been its biggest strength throughout the first half of the season and even without having left-hander Sean Manaea, who was the team’s best starter in 2024, they’ve not only been able to manage, they’ve thrived.
Advertisement
The Mets currently lead all of MLB in team ERA this season and all five of the team’s starters currently have a sub-4.00 ERA, with each having at least 11 starts.
But how has New York turned itself into a factory for pitching?
Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner is considered one of the best in baseball and is a big part of the success of the staff. But if you ask any pitcher on the roster, they’d tell you it’s not a one-man show. The Mets’ pitching infrastructure, which includes the big-league coaching staff, player development and analytics department, have helped create an environment for the best pitching staff in baseball.
Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner (center) has played a big role in elevating the Mets to an elite pitching development operation. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
(Sarah Stier via Getty Images)
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has modeled his teams to be forward thinking when it comes to pitching. From the time he began running baseball operations in the fall of 2015 until his departure in 2022, the Brewers were always considered on of baseball’s best organizations for pitching development — a model that has followed him to New York.
Advertisement
What’s impressive about the Mets’ success this season it’s not just been guys who have had time in the organization to absorb years of information, like David Petersen, Tylor Megill or even veteran Kodai Senga. It’s also been arms who have recently come from other organizations, like Griffin Canning or Clay Holmes — which speaks to their talent, but also the consistent messaging players have been able to absorb.
“It’s a group effort,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “You got to give credit to the front office that is continuing to…