The Potential Tools: 60 FB, 60 CH, 55 CB, 50 SL, 55 Command

Strengths: Loose, fluid arm action from left side; easy, repeatable delivery; deception in delivery; fastball works in the low 90s but can touch higher consistently; sinking action will generate ground balls; changeup is his out pitch; pulling-of-the-string action; vertical drop; will generate swings-and-misses; curveball has continued to improve; 1-to-7 shape with some depth; can vary depth and throw as a chase pitch; has added slider; shows natural feel for pitch, showing some depth with tilt; could miss bats; high pitchability and will toy his pitches to manipulate them; above-average command projection.

Weaknesses: SL is raw; still learning how to work it into arsenal; curveball can become inconsistent; could still blend the two breaking pitches together; fastball can get squared if lower velocity and elevated; will go to FB/CH often – sometimes can be too much.

Role Ceiling: 60; Low #2/High #3 SP

Risk: Moderate; still developing fourth pitch; needs to prove late-season/postseason starts were real.

Summary: Matz proved his worth to the organization last year down the stretch heading into the playoffs. He has a quality four-pitch arsenal and command projection that should propel him to MLB stardom sooner rather than later. The ability to adjust and pitch to experienced major leaguers the second and third times through the lineup was the most impressive thing we saw from Matz. Add the upside of Matz’s arm to the Mets’ rotation and they look potentially lethal from #1 to #5; they could very well be neck-and-neck with the other top teams in the National League come September.