Tyler Bashlor struggled in his second season

After an impressive 2017 in the minors, Tyler Bashlor made his big league debut in 2018. Though not exactly a successful year, there was optimism that Bashlor, perhaps, could have a role in a Mets’ bullpen of the future. Though that dream is not totally dead, Bashlor’s ‘future closer’ mantle looks to be.

A shorter pitcher with a surprisingly live fastball, Bashlor was one of the more intriguing arms the Mets brought up in 2018, though the results were far from ideal. But there was a lot of optimism in the 2018-19 offseason that Bashlor would be able to contribute to the Mets’ bullpen with authority come spring.

Bashlor appeared in 24 games in both 2018 and 2019, but pitcher ten fewer innings in 2019, giving up more earned runs and walks, and striking out five less, in those 22 innings than he did in 32 in 2018. Only six of his 24 appearances featuring innings without baserunners, and his 7.0 BB/9 illustrates just how much of a problem free passes were last season.

A 6.95 ERA, 1.727 WHIP, and 7.26 FIP illustrate that no one part of Bashlor’s game was really working for him in the majors. He wasn’t limiting contact or stranding baserunners very well. However, at Triple-A Syracuse, his 3.41 ERA and 9.0 K/9 were far more palatable. Obviously, there is a real difference between talent at the two levels, but if one was looking for a silver lining or hope for next season, this may be where it is found.

Unless the Mets’ bullpen gets a total makeover in 2020, it is very possible that Bashlor could get another shot at the big league level But unless he really rights the ship, this may be his last shot in Queens.