Each year at 213 we look through the Non-Roster Invitees to spring training and get to know them a bit. Are they in camp to get a look at big league hitting/pitching to aid their development? Are the Mets just trying to get a better look at a future rookie? Are they a veteran trying to get back to the major league level? What can we expect from them this season?
Today we are looking at Trevor Hildenberger who signed with the Mets at the end of November in 2020. He was drafted in 2014 with the Twins and made his major league debut in 2017. His stint with the Twins ended in 2019 and last year he signed with the Red Sox (although he didn’t see any major league time in 2020).
Trevor came out strong in his rookie season, pitching in 37 games and 42.0 innings with a 3.21 ERA, 3.02 FIP, 1.048 WHIP and a 139 ERA+. It was the only time his ERA+ was over 100. The following year was his first full year, pitching in 73 games and 73.0 innings with a 5.42 ERA, 4.53 FIP, 1.384 WHIP and a 79 ERA+. Trevor didn’t see a lot of time in 2019, pitching in 22 games and 16.1 innings with a 10.47 ERA, 4.81 FIP, 2.265 WHIP and 44 ERA+.
Signing Trevor was a depth signing for the Mets. As stated over and over in other articles, the Mets are just incredibly thin in AAA. So there are going to be a lot of people ahead of Hildenberger on the Mets depth chart. During spring training we’ll be looking to see where his stuff is and how major league hitters are dealing with it. The most likely way he makes the majors this year is if the Mets need an additional pitcher on a double header day. That being said, his time in the majors is an asset, maybe the Mets can help him find his 2017 self again.
