Lets take a trip back in time exactly one year ago. At this time last year, Mejia was fighting for the last spot in the rotation, which he eventually got. After a trip to the minors timed with the Mets bullpen going through three closers due to injury and other reasons (Parnell, Valverde, Farnsworth), the Mets tried Mejia, and it was successful. Now Mejia will be with two other pitchers fighting for the closer spot (Parnell, Familia) and all three are capable. Let’s take a look at the stats behind the end of game stomp:
2014 Stats: 6-6, 28 G, 63 IP, 93.2 IP, 98 K, 41 BB, 1.48 WHIP, 3.65 ERA
What do the computers think he can do in 2015?
PECOTA (BP): 4-4, 8 SV, 32 G, 79.1 IP, 66 K, 28 BB, 1.27 WHIP, 3.74 ERA
PECOTA (MLB.com): 3-3, 25 SV, 60.0 IP, 51 K, 21 BB, 3.45 ERA
MLB.com: 3-4, 18 SV, 69 IP, 70 K, 31 BB, 3.78 ERA
ZiPS: 43 G, 78.1 IP, 81 K, 30 BB, 3.68 ERA
Steamer: 3-3, 22 SV, 65 G, 65 IP, 65, K, 22 B, 3.38 ERA
ESPN: 4-4, 21 SV, 77 K, 1.33 WHIP, 3.24 ERA
Average: 3.4-3.6, 18.8 SV, 46.7 G, 70.1 IP, 68.3 K, 26.4 BB, 1.30 WHIP, 3.55
On average, the computers see an improvement for Mejia this season, however some other stats like innings per games, games pitches, saves, etc are a little wonky because of how computers project. Since Mejia has gone between the bullpen and the rotation so many times, and the Mets don’t have a clear cut closer, they have him pitching some starts or closing half the season, etc. But you have to be happy with his average numbers vs last year, especially a drop in WHIP, which was his killer last season.
