LOS ANGELES — The Mets’ roster is littered with surprise stars in their feel-good 12-9 start. (After six straight wins, they lost 10-0 Sunday to the celebrity Dodgers. But we’ll try to forget that one for now.)
There’s Jose Butto, who didn’t make the team out of spring and is their best starter so far.
There’s Tyrone Taylor, who was scarcely noticed when he came in trade from the Brewers but contributes with both bat and glove.
There’s Luis Severino who told us last year he’s the “worst pitcher in the game” and is now one of the better ones.
Reed Garrett celebrates during the Mets’ win over the Dodgers’ on April 20, 2024. Getty ImagesBut no one compares to 31-year-old journeyman Reed Garrett, who’s lasted for a decade in pro ball, almost without notice, and might be the best reliever in MLB in 2024. Statistically speaking, it’s inarguable. It’s the guy who entered the season with a 7.10 ERA and WHIP too unsightly to mention.
It’s the guy who’s spent his career being designated, outrighted and optioned, the guy who spent two years in Japan only to keep himself financially afloat, and keep his real hopes alive.
It all finally paid off for him this month when he’s transformed from unremarkable to unhittable. Garrett, who didn’t make the Mets out of spring, leads the majors with 21 strikeouts out of the bullpen in 10 ²/₃ innings (an Edwin Diaz-like rate) and carries a perfect 0.00 ERA.
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The 2024 season is one big highlight for him. But the biggest highlight came Saturday when manager Carlos Mendoza called upon Garrett to close out a 6-4 win against the league’s marquee team, and he did so in the most impressive fashion impossibly. He whiffed all three Dodgers batters for his first big-league save.
“It’s one of those you dream about,” Garrett said. “And that was really a dream come true.”
And it’s no fluke. James Outman and Andy Pages were called out on strikes, and Gavin Lux went down swinging.
Reed Garrett has been a pleasant surprise for the Mets this season. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST“He throws hard, the splitter’s good. He’s got a good mix,” Outman said.
“Very good stuff — he’s one of the top pitchers in the league right now,” Pages said.
The next big questions is: How did this happen? There are many explanations, but here are maybe the best:
1. He refined his curveball, making it more of a sweeper (exactly what this means you’ll have to ask a pitching coach).
2. He brought back the two-seam fastball (he also throws a 96 mph fastball, cutter and outstanding splitter, his calling card).
3. He found someone who truly believes in him — Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner.
4. And this is probably the big one. “I think it’s just attacking the strike zone, and doing the best I can to go right after guys. I feel like the most important thing is if you get ahead in the count it’s a whole lot easier,” Garrett said.
That’s it? I followed up by pointing out he’s been pitching a long time, and that would seem rather obvious. He was nice about it. (If you’re going to needle someone, I find it’s best to do it on someone’s best day; he also happens to be a terrific sport.)
“To be honest, I feel like I’ve had the stuff to do it. And earlier in my career, I fell behind,” he said. “You can’t throw stuff to get chases and swings and miss if you’re not ahead in the count.”
Whatever the reason, it’s been quite a ride. There have been 11 minor league teams (three of them twice and Frisco three times), five big-league organizations (Texas twice) and one two-year stay in Japan. He actually left to pitch for the Seibu Lions four days after his first child, Beau, was born, and spent nine months alone in the Tokyo suburbs at the start of the pandemic. He was alone and didn’t know the league or language. But he had his dream and a wife, Mary, who he credits as an “incredible trouper.”
He stayed a second year but around the time daughter Lucy was born, in 2022, he came home to Richmond, Va. and signed a minors deal with the “hometown” Nats. He got 9 ¹/₃ innings in Washington (and a lot more in the minors) before he was designated for assignment yet again.
He got another chance with Baltimore, the next closest team to home, but after 2 ²/₃ big-league innings (and a lot more in the minors) he ended up designated(which is baseball’s nice way of saying you’re fired).
The Mets’ previous regime claimed him off waivers last June 25, and he wound up logging 17 big-league innings in Queens. He posted a 5.82 ERA but felt better about his stuff and status. He finally had the necessary confidence.
His dream finally wasn’t far off.
Reed Garrett (R.) celebrates with Omar Narvaez during the Mets’ win over the Dodgers on April 20, 2024. APHe said he never came close to giving up. And he’s going to keep going as long as he can from here.
“They’ll have to rip the jersey and cleats off me,” he told me.
He needn’t have to worry about that now. For today, anyway, he’s the best in the bigs.
