Mets pitching prospect Mike Vasil left Wednesday’s game for Double-A Binghamton with trainers after allowing a leadoff single in the fifth inning.
Vasil, 23, was selected by New York in the eighth round of the 2021 MLB Draft after three seasons at the University of Virginia and has shown promise during his time in the minors.
The right-hander entered Wednesday’s game with a 2.19 ERA before allowing six runs in just four-plus innings against the Richmond Flying Squirrels, bumping his ERA to 3.29 over eight starts this year.
Overall, Vasil now owns a 1-2 record in Double-A with 48 strikeouts over 41.0 innings of work and has a 0.78 WHIP.
SNY’s The Mets Pod co-host Joe DeMayo recently spoke to three scouts about Vasil’s progress in the minors and all three believe “there is little doubt that he is a future big-league starter.”
Vasil struggled a bit with his control and command during the 2022 season, as he pitched to a 3.53 ERA across 18 appearances (17 starts) mostly between Low-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn. Although, the righty was still able to show off his stuff and get the ball by hitters with success — owning a 10.7 K/9 overall, including an 11.9 mark at the higher level in Brooklyn.
The 23-year-old showed improvements during the Arizona Fall League, pitching to a 2.93 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 15.1 innings of work and earning a spot in the Rising Stars Game (the AFL’s All-Star Game).
Heading into the 2023 season, DeMayo ranked Vasil as the Mets’ No. 3 pitching prospects behind Blade Tidwell and Dominic Hamel. One scout added said they envision Vasil becoming a No. 3-type of starter, while the other two said No. 4 or No. 5 types.
“The biggest point that stood out to me is they all said they wouldn’t be surprised if Vasil potentially made his big-league debut later this summer,” DeMayo wrote.
“If he keeps this up, I imagine the Mets will give him a look with Triple-A Syracuse before long.”