As the New York Mets aim to make a return to the National League Championship Series, there’s a significant storyline to follow out of spring training—though it has nothing to do with Juan Soto’s home runs or his contract. Instead, all eyes are on closer Edwin Díaz, particularly his unexpected drop in velocity during Grapefruit League play.
According to MLB.com, Díaz’s velocity this spring has raised some eyebrows. While spring training radar gun readings should be taken with a grain of salt, it’s still unusual for Díaz to be averaging just 95.7 mph on his four-seamer. This marks his lowest velocity benchmark since Statcast began tracking these stats at Grapefruit League stadiums in 2020.
For comparison, Díaz averaged 99 mph on his four-seam fastball during spring training two years ago, before a knee injury sidelined him. Even last year, coming back from surgery, he was throwing at 97 mph on average. While this drop isn’t necessarily a major concern yet, it’s something to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
At 31 years old, Díaz is a seasoned eight-year veteran, having played for both the Seattle Mariners and Mets. Over the course of his career, he has posted a 22-23 record with a 3.00 ERA and has accumulated 225 saves, including a league-leading 57 saves for Seattle in 2018. Díaz is also a two-time All-Star.
He did face some struggles last season, finishing with a 6-4 record and a 3.52 ERA. Although he saved 20 games, he was temporarily removed from the closer role at one point during the season.
The Mets are set to begin the 2025 season on March 27, facing off against the Houston Astros on the road. Last season, the Mets were eliminated in the NLCS by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who went on to win the World Series. As Díaz’s velocity is worth monitoring, it could play a crucial role in the Mets’ bullpen as they look to make another postseason run.