Grant Hartwig has risen like a rocket through the Mets system, and according to last year’s MLB Pipeline rankings, he’s looking at a major league debut at some point this season.
Hartwig was a pitcher at Miami University of Ohio where he posted a 4.32 ERA over his collegiate career. He finished off his time in Ohio with his best season, a 3.44 ERA over 73 1/3 innings, but wasn’t selected by any teams in the 2021 draft. The Mets signed him as an undrafted free agent in July 2021.
Hartwig earned his invitation to camp this year because of his performance last year. He pitched in St. Lucie, Brooklyn, Binghamton and Syracuse last season, totaling 56 2/3 innings over 39 games while posting a 1.75 ERA and 1.094 WHIP. One big change – his role. The Mets pretty much immediately switched him from a starter to a reliever and he got into a lot of games last season.
Grant is angling for one of the last bullpen spots. Barring something incredibly surprising (an injury, Grant not allowing a hit all spring, etc.) most likely he’s looking a debut deeper into the season as a injury replacement, the need for a fresh arm, or someone else in the pen hits a wall (and has minor league options). Last season Grant had an opportunity to face higher tier talent in the Arizona Fall League. Things didn’t go so well as he allowed 12 runs, 10 earned, over nine innings of work from 15 hits. Spring training will give him another chance to face top talent. MLB Pipeline wrote about his sinker and his tendency to produce grounders. If he can do that in spring, and in Syracuse once the season starts, we’ll see him in Queens this season.
