The Compotation: Pelfrey, Humber, Vargas

In today’s start against the Rockies, Mike Pelfrey could simply not find the strike zone. He pitched 3 innings, giving up 8 hits, and 6 runs. Pelfrey said, "I didn't execute my pitches. When I missed, I missed over the plate, and they made me pay." In 3 games this season Pelfrey is 0-2 with a 7.90 era. He has given up 12 earned runs with 20 hits in 13.2 innings along with 7 walks to 6 strikeouts. So why should 23 year old Mike Pelfrey stay in the Majors if he continues to pitch poorly. In every start he has gotten worse going less innings and increasing by 2 more runs.

Did everyone forget that there is another first round draft pick in AAA who is actually pitching well. His name is Phillip Humber and he was the Mets first round draft pick in the 2004 draft. 24 year old Humber has not lived up to his potential at this point because he has had constant arm injuries. This season Humber is playing with AAA New Orleans. In 4 games, Humber is 2-1 with an era of 3. He has given up 7 earned runs with 16 hits, along with a 6 walks to 17 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched. Humber was named the Pacific Coast League player of the week for April 16-22. Humber has shown he is capable of pitching in the majors by his dominance in AAA thus far this season.

Jason Vargas has also had success this season in AAA. Lefty Jason Vargas was acquired from the Florida Marlins along with LHP Adam Bostick in exchange for RHP Henry Owens and RHP Matt Lindstrom. Vargas is 2-1 with a 3.42 era in 4 games. He has 9 earned runs with 22 hits along with 5 walks to 19 strikeouts in 23.2 innings pitched. The Mets really did not give Vargas much of chance to make the team in spring training with pitchers like Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa, and Mike Pelfrey as the main contenders. It doesn’t matter much right now because 24 years old Vargas is pitching very well right now.

Phillip Humber and Jason Vargas are both pitching pretty evenly for the Zephyrs. Both Humber and Vargas are extremely similar in era, strikeouts, walks, earned runs, hits, and innings pitched with the same amount of wins, losses, and games started.

But who will the Mets call up if they send Pelfrey back down. It is hard to say because Humber has so much potential, but Vargas also has potential to become a solid lefty pitcher. The New York Mets have a hard task to first decide the fate of Mike Pelfrey. He has only had 3 starts but they have been gradually getting worse. Pelfrey says his bullpen sessions are going well but during the game things change. Pelfrey had this to say about today’s start. “I don’t know if I missed a spot in the bullpen. I felt great. Then I get across the lines and, you know, maybe when I step across the lines the adrenaline kicks in and I’m trying to do too much, and instead of backing off and letting my ability take care of itself.” If the Mets do decide to replace Pelfrey it will be very interesting and exciting to decide who they choose. Personally, I feel the Mets organization likes Humber more than Vargas and will end up choosing Humber over Vargas if they decide to send Pelfrey down. But hey, they might not even send pelfrey down.