The Triple-A Syracuse Mets coaching team was focused on ensuring Blade Tidwell was ready for his forthcoming encounter with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders. The 23-year-old right-handed pitcher was taken aback when he saw the note revealing his upcoming schedule – ‘You’re off to the majors, son!’ Thrilled and surprised, Tidwell commented in the visiting locker room at Busch Stadium on Saturday, ‘I sensed it was imminent, but I couldn’t predict just how imminent it’d be,’
Upon receiving the news, Tidwell anxiously gathered his young Cavapoo dog named Bentley and ran outside, barefoot, for a moment of solitude. Tidwell, who was chosen by the Mets in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, will make his first appearance in the big league during the inaugural game of a split doubleheader, scheduled for 1:15 p.m. in St. Louis.
Carlos Mendoza, a member of the staff, shared his excitement, ‘It’s always thrilling when a well-known prospect gets the call-up. Incorporating more young talent into the team is refreshing. Now, we are eagerly preparing to watch his performance in a major-league game. A significant number of people should feel a sense of pride for him – credit to player development and scouting. Now it’s his moment to show what he’s got.’
Tidwell, who ranks 15th in the Mets prospects as per MLB Pipeline, made significant progress in the minor leagues the previous season. His performance as a righty consisted of an impressive 2.41 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 44 strikeouts in seven showings for Double-A Binghamton, which turned a few heads in the minor league.
Tidwell’s stats in the Triple-A this season might be less eye-catchingly stellar, with a 5.00 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, but Mendoza suggests these numbers are inflated due to several unlucky instances during the play. ‘Over time, such things tend to balance out,’ Tidwell agreed, ‘If I stay consistent in my throw, especially given what I accomplished there, things should settle.’
Tidwell brandishes a four-seam fastball that can peak at 99 mph, but it’s his sinker that he considers his best performance at the moment. His pitching repertoire also includes a sweeper, changeup, and gyro slider. Tidwell explains his strategy as , ‘The focus is firmly on attacking, developing game tactics for the hitters, recognizing their strengths, my strengths and attempting to deliver. I keep the essence of my stuff as it is, aiming to make them hit it and then strike them out once I take the lead.’
Given the Mets’ intense schedule of 13 matches over 13 consecutive days and considering the extra rest required by Kodai Senga and Clay Holmes, the management had to delve into the reserves to manage the early innings. Tidwell is the latest addition, but it has also provided the Mets an opportunity to evaluate Brandon Waddell and Justin Hagenman.
‘The past several days have shown us the significance of providing opportunities and understanding who can be relied upon when it comes to transactions and player movement,’ offered Mendoza. ‘There’s always a need for it in every team. And here we are.’
Meanwhile, the Mets are still expecting the recovery of Sean Manaea (oblique) and Frankie Montas (lat) from injuries they encountered during the spring training. Montas appears to be in better shape than Manaea, who suffered a recent setback. However, both players have yet to begin mound throwing.
Earlier last Wednesday, Waddell performed impressively against the Diamondbacks, making a promising comeback after not playing in the majors since 2021. The 30-year-old managed to pitch 4? scoreless innings, striking out four and allowing just three hits.
In an away match against the Twins on April 16, Justin Hagenman was provided an opportunity to follow Mets reliever Huascar Brazoban. Hagenman’s performance was commendable, allowing just one run on three hits and four strikeouts in 3? innings.
The post Mets Prospects: Tidwell’s Big League Surprise appeared first on Real News Now.
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