Over the last couple of seasons, Jon Niese has dealt with a variety of arm issues which has resulted in a number of stints on the disabled list, and questions about his durability and sustainability.
He missed significant time in 2013 after being diagnosed with a partially torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. While he finished the 2013 campaign strong – he went 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 66 innings over his final ten starts of that season – his arm problems returned in 2014 when he experienced shoulder and elbow problems last spring. He continued to deal with those arm issues all summer and was placed on the disabled list just prior to the All-Star break.
More than just discomfort came with Niese’s arm problems. He saw a dip in velocity on all of his pitch types in 2014, his fastball falling by an average of nearly two miles per hour, according to FanGraphs.com.
2015 could be bringing different fortunes for Niese, however. He says his arm is completely healthy and he has no pain, a stark contrast to the way his spring was going a year ago.
“Last year, I was just trying to find an [arm] angle where it didn’t hurt. So this year, I’m 100 percent healthy so I’m able to actually work on my mechanics and have proper mechanics,” Niese told Marc Carig of Newsday recently.
Both his health and his emphasis on proper mechanics have been clearly on display over his first two Grapefruit League starts. On Friday, he allowed only three hits and a walk in 3 2/3 innings against the Braves, and he’s allowed only two runs in 6 1/3 innings this spring.
Most important, Niese has shown a consistent, over-the-top arm angle in each of those outings, something which Terry Collins has been specifically pleased about.
“His arm angle is completely different than it has been the last year and a half,” Collins recently told reporters. “You’re seeing the ball come out of his hand better.”
Niese’s velocity hasn’t quite returned to what it was prior to last year just yet, although he has shown signs it could be coming. His fastball is still steady in the upper 80s, but he has kicked it into the low 90s on occasion. A clear improvement has been with his curveball as he’s he’s getting better 12-6 action on that pitch. That is likely due to his improved arm angle which allows him to get on top of his curve again.
It’s not clear if Niese’s velocity will return to what it was. But, it may not have to. Despite the arm problems he had last year, people with the team were pleased with his ability to adjust to what he had and show an ability to command his stuff even if it was diminished.
When and if Niese’s velocity does return, the Mets could have themselves a completely evolved pitcher, which could be a very good thing for the Mets.
Just Mets 