The Crane Pool Forum

Mike Vasil? YEAH, MIKE VASIL!

Listen, I didn't create ZiPS. To me, ZiPS are what you tie your trash bags with, or those lines that you go flying through the forest on at a real cool birthday party when you're 10 years old, except you didn't get to do it, because you're mother had a cousin who really busted his ass on it. And while I'm still kind of bitter, that's not a thing for today.

For today, you just need to know that this crazy ZiPS projection tool has me down for the third-most WAR among Mets pitchers for 2024. ME! Mets Roster Central has me ranked the #2 starter in Binghamton, but ZiPSiddydoodah has me producing more as a Met this year than the likes of MLB veteran season-opening rotation cogs such as Adrian Houser, Luis Severino, and José Quintana!!

That's bullish! And maybe you're bullish too if you'd seen me take a no-hitter into the ninth with Syracuse last season. I generate a hard sinker with my lower half and I get better as seasons progress. I may start at Bingo or at Syracuse, but I'm coming fast. What happens when I get there ... well, ZiPS has its theory, and I'm betting that you have yours.

Bullish on my kid.
Starts the year in AAA, then joins the rotation after the trade deadline.
Goes 6-4 3.95 in 13 starts down the stretch.

Later

He'll be the ninth guy to start a game for the Mets this season, after the original five, then Senga, Butto, and Scott.

I must have seen him pitch last season, though I can't say I have a specific memory of it, here in the 'Cuse. I will try to remember to keep an eye out for this kid. Opening day is a week away but it's only going to get up to 30 degrees today. March baseball is stupid essentially everywhere besides a domed stadium or a Grapefruit/Cactus league game, but it's especially stupid here where I live.

He sorta looks like an old-school pitcher, with a blocky, wide body. I have no idea how he'll perform.

Yeah, going through shots of him for this post, he kind of struck me as having a Seavery/Clemensy build. Strong legs that might take some punishment off the arm, but he might have to work to keep the weight off.

Finds himself thrust into the backend of the rotation early August and
doesn't look too shabby and pretty damn exciting to have around.

2-3 with a 4.98 ERA in 5 late-season starts.