Among the relievers that have been a part of the Mets make-shift bullpen has been Erik Goeddel. And so far, he’s been quietly excellent, earning more and more high leverage spots as time goes on.
Goeddel didn’t work too much over the first month of the season. He only made seven relief appearances through the team’s first 23 games, working middle relief and a lot of low-leverage situations.
However, Goeddel was impressive in those seven appearances. He had only allowed six base runners to reach in six innings over that span, holding the opposition to a .190 average while stranding three inherited runners during the month of April.
As the calendar turned to May, Terry Collins has begun to utilize Goeddel more and more. He’s already appeared in four games the team’s nine games this month, and he’s answered the call most every time with success, earning more critical situations in the process.
He’s been used only in the seventh or eighth inning in his appearance. He did allow his first inherited run to score in the club’s win against the Phillies on Sunday on a sacrifice fly, but he’s stranded the other two he’s inherited this month – he’s stranded the other five he’s inherited this season.
Overall, Goeddel hasn’t allowed an earned run in 8 1/3 innings over 11 appearances this season.
He’s not an overpowering guy by any means, but he started to work his way onto the club’s radar a year ago in spring training. He’s a guy the team has always liked, as he has typically always had command of his entire arsenal throughout his professional career.
He was transitioned into a full-time reliever last year while with Triple-A Las Vegas, and he struggled in that role throughout the season. He issued too many walks, allowing a total of 108 base runners in only 63 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. Still, he earned himself a cup of coffee when rosters expanded last September, and he was the first to be recalled when Jenrry Mejia went on the disabled list on Opening Day.
He might not otherwise be here if not for Mejia, but he’s showing more and more he can be an effective big league reliever. He’s throwing strikes, pitching to his defense, getting big outs and bailing his other pitchers out to this point.
With Buddy Carlyle’s back barking, Goeddel could be thrusted into even more high leverage situations late in games starting immediately. That may not be a bad thing, considering the body of work he’s putting together.
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