MLB

Mets’ top pitching prospect shaky in second start

LAKELAND, Fla. — Noah Syndergaard isn’t perfect.

The latest highly-touted Mets pitching prospect, who was sensational in his spring training debut last week against the Braves, showed he still has some improvements to make before he is ready to live up to his high expectations.

He struggled with his fastball control in the second inning of the Mets’ 3-2 win over the Tigers Saturday and wound up walking three batters and allowing a pair of runs in three innings.

“Today he just fell behind and walked some guys, which is very uncharacteristic of him,” manager Terry Collins said.

The 21-year-old recovered, and while working on his off-speed pitches in the third, recovered well.

“He settled down,” Collins said.

Still, even on what wasn’t his best day, Syndergaard made an impression.

While the Mets continue to wait for their stellar young arms to develop and stay healthy, most other teams don’t know much about them.

Neither Ian Kinsler nor Torii Hunter had any idea who Syndergaard was before facing him for the first time Saturday.

“He’s got a great arm,” Hunter said after lining a single to left-center. “He had a good curveball and I saw him work on his change. He’s got late life on his fastball.”

It wasn’t until both veterans were about to walk to the plate that they learned how highly-touted Syndergaard is.

“He showed it [Saturday]” Hunter said. “He’s not a prospect for no reason.”

Kinsler added: “He looked like he belonged out there.”

Despite the three walks during the 52-pitch outing, Syndergaard once again routinely got his fastball up to 95-97 mph at Joker Marchant Stadium. And he was pleased with how he did.

“Even though they weren’t strikes, they were barely off the plate,”

Syndergaard said. “I know the results don’t show it, but I felt a little more confident with my fastball.”

But the walks led to both runs, as Syndergaard walked Don Kelly to start the second. He retired Nick Castellanos on a short fly out to center before Daniel Fields drew a walk. Syndergaard came back to strike out Bryan Holaday, but Kelly and Fields pulled off a double steal without a throw.

With most of the Mets’ regulars back in Port St. Lucie, Eric Young Jr.

got the start at second and was unable to grab Steve Lombardozzi’s grounder, which bounced off his glove and into right field, permitting both runners to score.

Syndergaard rebounded to pitch a strong third, focusing more on his off-speed pitches, at the request of pitching coach Dan Warthen.

“I think they got a little frustrated with me in the second inning since I had only thrown one changeup,” Syndergaard said. “It’s something I’ve got to work on to make next step to the big leagues.”

That doesn’t figure to happen until midseason.

General manager Sandy Alderson was asked about the chances of Syndergaard making the team out of spring training and responded: “If you pitch well, it’s always a possibility. But…”

And then Alderson stopped himself and added: “I’m not trying to be a bubble-burster here.”

Whenever it happens, Syndergaard will need to be able to rely on his changeup, which he can’t do yet.

“He’s got to,” Collins said. “If he’s going to be a big-league pitcher, which he’s going to be, you saw guys in fastball counts take advantage… He’s going toget a lot better. I thought that third inning was proof he’s got all he needs.”

Taylor Teagarden, who caught Syndergaard, doesn’t think he’s that far away.

“He’s just starting to learn how to pitch,” Teagarden said. “These guys can hit fastballs, so he needs that third pitch.”