Brandon Sproat: Reflecting on His Spring Training Performance
Brandon Sproat’s second spring training start with the New York Mets didn’t quite measure up to his first, but the 24-year-old right-hander remained undeterred. After the Mets’ 5-1 loss to the Houston Astros, Sproat took a moment to reflect on his outing, expressing satisfaction with his performance despite the less-than-ideal results. “Thought I threw the ball pretty well,” he said. “Went out there and attacked and threw every pitch I had with conviction and the results are what they are. I was pleased with how I threw the ball.”
A Positive First Big League Camp
Sproat’s initial foray into big league camp was nothing short of a dream come true. “It’s been a great experience… couldn’t ask for more,” he remarked, underscoring the invaluable lessons and insights he gained from the experience. The young pitcher’s enthusiasm and resilience were evident as he approached each challenge with a determined mindset. Despite the bumpy second start, Sproat’s confidence remained intact, a testament to his growth and the supportive environment provided by the Mets organization.
Performance Against the Astros
In his start against Houston, Sproat allowed two runs on four hits (all singles) and a walk, while notching a couple of strikeouts. His pitch mix included a sinker, fastball, and cutter, each showing promise. He threw 35 pitches, with 23 landing as strikes, and managed to get five called strikes and whiffs on his sinker, three on his fastball, and two on his cutter. Manager Carlos Mendoza was quick to praise Sproat’s effort, noting, “I thought he was good, threw strikes, stayed on the attack. Got swing and misses… the sweeper was good. Probably got a little tired that first time he goes for a third time up, but I thought he was good overall.”
The Challenge of Battling Fatigue
The outing did have its moments of difficulty, particularly in the third inning when Sproat walked ex-Met Luis Guillorme on six pitches and then gave up a hard-hit single to Cooper Hummel, which prompted Mendoza to consider a pitching change. However, Sproat’s velocity remained impressive, throwing 16 pitches faster than 95 mph and topping out at 97.7 mph. His ability to consistently throw hard, even in challenging situations, is a key asset that has the Mets organization excited about his potential.
Moving On to Minor League Camp
With his time in major league camp coming to a close, Sproat will now head to minor league camp, a move that is seen as a natural progression in his development. The change of scenery won’t deter him, as he plans to focus on the mental aspects of the game and continue taking it one day at a time. “When it’s my turn to go out there and pitch, attack every single pitch and whatever happens happens,” he said. Sproat’s approach emphasizes control and ownership of his pitches, regardless of the count or the batter. “Be the controller and take ownership with what pitches I want to throw to whatever pitcher it is and to whatever count it might be,” he added. This mindset ensures that he can leave the field each day with his head held high, knowing he gave his best effort.
Setting Goals for the Season
As Sproat prepares to begin the season at Triple-A Syracuse, where he struggled last year with a 7.53 ERA in 28.2 innings after excelling in the Mets’ system (2.45 ERA in 62.1 innings at Double-A, 1.07 ERA in 25.1 innings at High-A), he has some work to do. President of baseball operations David Stearns emphasized the importance of Sproat proving himself at the Triple-A level. “We want to see him really have significant success at the Triple-A level,” Stearns said. “I think he wants to prove he can do that as well. And once we see that, we can start talking about when is the right time at the major league level.”
A Bright Future Ahead
The question of Sproat’s eventual MLB debut is more a matter of when, not if. When asked about his goals for the year, Sproat remained grounded and focused on the process. “I’m just going to continue to take it day by day,” he said. “Whenever the team and the Mets need me, I’ll be ready.” This approach reflects a maturity and determination that bodes well for his future with the big league club. With continued focus and improvement, Sproat is poised to make a significant impact in the Mets’ rotation.
