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If you’re looking to test your memory, try recalling every reliever whom the New York Mets employed in 2018. It’s a lot harder than it sounds. Of the endless parade of pitchers who occupied the bullpen this year, Chris Beck was one of them. He lasted a little under one month, performed poorly, and was gone as quickly as he had arrived.
The Mets claimed Beck off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on June 13. The former second round pick arrived with a lifetime 5.94 ERA, 6.23 FIP, and 1.71 WHIP in 119.2 innings across parts of four seasons. Prior to 2015, when he made his major league debut, Beck was ranked as the number ten prospect in the White Sox farm system by MLB Pipeline.
It’s worth noting that the move came with a recommendation from Mets manager Mickey Callaway. Beck came to New York sporting a 4.18 ERA and a 6.08 FIP in 23.2 innings of work with the White Sox this season. The bullpen was struggling at the time, having recently posted a 5.33 ERA and a 4.78 FIP in 108 innings during the month of May, and Beck provided a fresh body that Callaway could call on. The results, unfortunately, were not there.
Beck appeared in six games for the team. In 10.1 innings, he posted a 5.23 ERA, an 8.58 FIP, and a -0.3 fWAR. He struck out only five batters while walking nine, which resulted in a 10.9% strikeout rate and 19.6% walk rate. He allowed at least one earned run in five of his six outings and did not pitch in a game between June 29 and July 8.
In his final appearance against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 8, he allowed two earned runs on two hits and four walks in three innings. Beck was designated for assignment the following day so the team could reinstate Jerry Blevins from the bereavement list. He did not fare much better in notoriously hitter-friendly Las Vegas, as he pitched 17.2 innings and ended with an 8.15 ERA and a 3.97 FIP.
On October 2, Beck elected for free agency along with a handful of minor leagues in the team’s farm system. With that, the Beck era officially came to an end in Queens.