MORE SNOW ON TAP FOR NYC
PITCHERS & CATCHERS
- Off-Season: Like a Nor'Easter Over Flushing Bay
- Pitchers & Catchers: deGrominator Rising
- Pitchers & Catchers: Pressure on Marcus Stroman to Form One-Two Punch
On the Resilient Carlos Carrasco
In 2011, Carlos Carrasco underwent Tommy John surgery. After missing all of 2012, he returned in April 2013 to pitch fifteen games in which he posted a 6.75 ERA, a 1.757 WHiP, a 12.3 H/9 average, and a 5.6 K/9 average over 46.2 innings. Carrasco returned to form the following season, from 2014 through 2018, he posted a 3.26 ERA with 963 strikeouts through 856 innings pitched.
Then, in 2019, Carlos was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (blood-related cancer). With medication, he has been in remission for over a year now. Last season at 33-years of age, Carrasco rebounded with a 2.91 ERA and 10.9 K/9 average through twelve starts, and 68.0 innings pitched. He also recorded his lowest BABIP since 2016, and his .219 average against was the second-lowest of his career. Despite his condition, Carlos has maintained a steady fastball throughout, clocking in at 94.8mph while averaging a 10.7 K/9 average over his last four seasons.
Carrasco appears craftier than ever. The only outstanding concern about Carlos is his stamina. Last season he averaged 5.2 innings per start - no issue there. However, Carlos turns 34-years old in March and is entering what we all hope is his first full season since 2018, the year before his diagnosis.
Along with Marcus Stroman, he, I believe, are the two main keys in the Mets 2021 quest for post-season glory. Although both have yet to firmly establish themselves in the National League, their respective pitching performances have the potential to either make or break the upcoming season. It's no stretch to say the Mets can still get by should one or the other falter. However, they will not survive substandard performances from both.
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