After a Long and Winding Road, Jeurys Familia Has (Finally) Arrived

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Jimmy:

You know, Mike, I’ve been thinking about Jeurys Familia. Obviously, he’s been sensational for the Mets this season.

It seemed like we’d been hearing about him forever. But in the way back, the dream was not that he’d become a set-up man.

Mike:

Yes, at one time he was a big starting pitching prospect, as so many relievers are. I remember listening to Paul dePedosta talk about Harvey, Mejia, and Familia on WFAN during the 2011 winter. Paul spoke about how fortunate it was to inherit three high-powered arms like these in the system. But in 2012, while Matt Harvey continued to ascend, Familia stumbled in Buffalo, posting a 4.73 ERA as a starter. He did get a late look in September in the major league bullpen and the Mets re-targeted him for relief in April of 2013. Familia showed some promise, and we actually saw his first big league save in Atlanta on May 4. Soon after, however, he injured his elbow and needed Tommy John surgery.

Jimmy:

It is hard, sometimes, to get a real line on the personality of some of these Latin players. I think of it as a failure in traditional media, where so many of these reporters are non-Spanish-speaking white guys. “Hey, there’s Ike Davis, he’s a swell guy!” As English-speaking fans we are divided by language. We watch, we infer, but it’s not the same immediate connection for us as hearing, say, Daniel Murphy comment after a game. But one thing I did hear about Familia was that he embraced the role of reliever, and recognized it as his best, surest path to the Major Leagues. I’ve wondered if he had a positive effect on Jenrry Mejia in that regard.

Mike:

It’s hard to know, but surely possible. Mejia does appear into it now. I do think it was smart that Mejia was moved right into the closer’s role. Ego seemed to be a big part of why Mejia didn’t want to shift to the pen, but he was moved into the limelight. He seems to relish that.

Jimmy:

Oh, yes, he does like the bright lights, that’s for sure. If there’s an object lesson in this, Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.it’s that the bullpen is critically important. And it is imperative for organizations to develop those bullpens in-house. Last week I read how Hansel Robles was just converted to the pen in Binghamton. Big arm, but he’s struggled as a starter and failed to progress. But who knows now? It feels like by simply making that move, he gave himself a better shot at making a positive impact in NY.

Mike:

I couldn’t agree more. Even now, in 2014, you will read things about how much more valuable a starter is than a reliever. I just don’t know. Nobody goes nine, even the best pitchers, and if you don’t have reliable guys to pitch the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, you can’t win games. Which is still the overall goal.

Jimmy:

You know, I do think that Jeurys could possibly be a better closer than Mejia, but I also suspect that his current role, which has more flexibility by current standard usages, might be the more important one to a team’s success. Jeurys doesn’t seem to need to be the star. So until it’s time to get paid, it’s all good. It will be interesting when Bobby Parnell returns, who is another guy who doesn’t crave the limelight. I’d love to keep them all.

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Mike:

That would be nice, and with any kind of a logical budget it should be possible. But this being the Mets, we will see.

I’d love to keep them all too.

Jimmy:

One last note about Jeurys, and I’ve commented about it previously, his RH/LH splits are beginning to look worrisome. He destroys RH batters, but the LH guys are crushing him consistently. The contrast is astonishing:

• vs. Left:   .323/.417/.475/.892
• vs. Right: .125/.201/.158/.359

Which means: He’s a young guy and therefore another work in progess. Jeurys absolutely must develop another pitch to attack those lefty hitters. The last thing this team needs is a ROOGY.

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