Mets Morning News: Harvey makes first spring start, Lagares making an impression

Meet the Mets

Matt Harvey made his spring training debut yesterday as the Mets visited the Braves. He felt great in the process of throwing three innings. Pitching coach Dan Warthen says Harvey's approach at spring training has been all business. His fastball touched 97 miles per hour. He looked strong. His slider is "where it needs to be," or perhaps it's in "peak form." But there's till work to be done, says Harvey.

Outfielder Juan Lagares is said to be benefiting from better conditioning and attitude early in spring training, and he had a good day in the Mets' game against the Braves yesterday. If Lagares looks like his 2014 self this year, that's a pretty great fourth outfielder.

Jay Jaffe wrote up a list of rookies who could have the biggest impact on the National League, and his list includes Mets lefty Steven Matz, who still has his rookie eligibility thanks to the time he spent on the disabled list during the regular season.

Ted Berg made a list of seven extreme pitches in Major League Baseball and included Jeurys Familia's ridiculously awesome splitter. Mets pitchers are good.

Mike Piazza had his orientation at the Hall of Fame and was overwhelmed. One of the very best Mets of all time, Piazza sounds like he truly appreciates his induction into the Hall.

The Mets are hosting a memorial service for the late Shannon Forde this afternoon at Citi Field. If you missed it, Greg Prince wrote a great piece about her.

Around the National League East

Marlins manager Don Mattingly and Marlins hitting coach Barry Bonds certainly have something in common: They liked hitting.

Around Major League Baseball

The Wall Street Journal writes up young major league players' salaries, which are much, much lower than those of their veteran teammates.

Red Sox pitching prospect Michael Kopech broke his pitching hand in a fight with one of his teammates.

Grant Brisbee presents his five most interesting players of the American League Central.

Are the Orioles going to strike out too much this year? Fangraphs takes a look. Also at Fangraphs, Jeff Sullivan writes about one of the few spring training metrics we can believe in: velocity. And for the first time in a long time, the Mets' projected Opening Day payroll ranks respectably among major league teams.

Eno Sarris writes up Kyle Hendricks and his big adjustment last year.

Yesterday at Amazin' Avenue

Speaking of Fangraphs, the site's list of the Mets' top prospects for the upcoming season was something else.

Jeff Walters, who returned from Tommy John surgery in the minors during the 2015 season, might have a shot at making his major league debut sometime this year.

This date in Mets history

"Meet the Mets" was penned on this day!