The Edge of Seventeen: Erik Goeddel

[Edgy MD]

Best of the rest? That's what they call me. I mean, that's what they call me somewhere, right? For a little over two years, I've been, like, the leading Mets bullpenner among guys that don't really have a designated role, and aren't really guaranteed a spot if we don't keep pitching effectively.

In 2015 I was indisputably effective. In 2016, not as much. And the never-solid foundation on which I stand grew shakier. Now I'm in camp and trying to hold off challenges from your Ben Rowens and your Paul Sewalds and enough guys named Taylor to outfit a Duran Duran lineup. So far, I'm DOING it. If, by doing it, you can count one scoreless inning with two strikeouts. Meanwhile Corey Taylor has gotten into four games. Should I count my lack of opportunities this far as an indication of the lofty status of a young, established veteran, or an indication of marginalization?

I've got 77 games in the majors, an ERA under 3.50, and despite being in the back end of the bullpen, I've also got more strikeouts than innings pitched. I say that adds up to big league reliever. What does your math say?

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[Guest d'Kong76]

No idea, but not expecting much Metly in 2017 and beyond...

[MFS62]

I have no idea how much time he'll spend with the major league club, but when he does, he'll pitch to the tune of 3.34 ERA in relief.

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

For some reason, I had pretty much forgotten that he exists. The Mets bullpen is pretty hard to predict -- which is probably true of a lot of bullpens. I figure that Familia, Reed, Robles, Salas, and Blevins will be heavily relied upon (if they're healthy and don't suck, of course) but beyond that I really don't know who will be in Queens and who will be in Vegas.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

He'll get about 18 outings over 3 visits to the big club, most pretty good but in true reliever fashion the handful of bad ones will make him look like he sucked, fans will get down on him, he'll only appear in games we're losing already and he'll get totally forgotten.

[G-Fafif]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: He'll get about 18 outings over 3 visits to the big club, most pretty good but in true reliever fashion the handful of bad ones will make him look like he sucked, fans will get down on him, he'll only appear in games we're losing already and he'll get totally forgotten.

I'm pretty much that fan where Goeddel is concerned. I'm always amazed when he creeps up in the pecking order and am never surprised when he is knocked back down to Vegas.

[Edgy MD]

Still only two innings so far, but two scoreless ones, with two hits, no walks, and three strikeouts.

Maybe he pitches today.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Here's Goeddel's write-up from Baseball Prospectus' 2016 Annual, published just before the start of the 2016 season:

Finally, the Mets' doctors have an excuse. Goeddel has had so many arm injuries that, when the team was predictably vague in diagnosing his latest malady in mid-June, he admitted that there was so much scar tissue in his elbow that the doctors literally could not see what was wrong with it. Before then, though, Goeddel had seemed ticketed for high-leverage work, and was solid after returning in September as well. He makes for a different look as a reliever, featuring a splitter and sharp 12-to-6 curve that keep his splits relatively even. So why was he left off the NLCS and World Series rosters after one bad postseason outing, while certain others [Clippard?] received chance after chance? You'd have to ask Terry Collins. Or, you know what, don't even bother.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

That was a bad bad postseason appearance, forced Terry to use Familia on a night he really ought to have rested. Who knows how things might have been different if...

[seawolf17]

Will be part of a CPF quiz in 2024 and Ben Grimm is going to say "I've literally never heard of this guy in my life."

[Edgy MD]

Gave up one run on two hits in his one inning today, lowering his spring ERA to 9.53.

[Ceetar]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Here's Goeddel's write-up from Baseball Prospectus' 2016 Annual, published just before the start of the 2016 season: Finally, the Mets' doctors have an excuse. Goeddel has had so many arm injuries that, when the team was predictably vague in diagnosing his latest malady in mid-June, he admitted that there was so much scar tissue in his elbow that the doctors literally could not see what was wrong with it. Before then, though, Goeddel had seemed ticketed for high-leverage work, and was solid after returning in September as well. He makes for a different look as a reliever, featuring a splitter and sharp 12-to-6 curve that keep his splits relatively even. So why was he left off the NLCS and World Series rosters after one bad postseason outing, while certain others [Clippard?] received chance after chance? You'd have to ask Terry Collins. Or, you know what, don't even bother.

who's writing these?

[ashie62]

Meh

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I was looking up Goeddel Wifey Watch material when I found an unsubstantiated claim that he's "confirmed" gay. Even more interesting, I learned that his father is a rock-star in the biochemistry world who helped to invest synthetic insulin and HGH and stuff.

[Edgy MD]

Science geek who has pioneered in genetic engineering? And HGH? And has two sons in big league baseball? One a hitter and one a pitcher?

That's a lot of red flags!

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I know right? I mean, Howie mentions that Mike Nesmith's mom invented white out 3-5 times every season.

Over dozens and dozens of appearances I've never heard anything about Goeddel's dad!