Christian Scott Dealing With Growing Pains

Loaded with talent and a bright future, Christian Scott stands out as a promising prospect for the Mets, aiming to bolster the starting rotation. Despite displaying moments of brilliance, Scott is experiencing some growing pains, particularly with giving up home runs.

Sunday afternoon was another example of this struggle. Making his ninth start of the year, it would be his second against Miami—his first time facing an opponent a second time. In May, Scott allowed four runs on seven hits, including a three-run homer, over four innings.

On Sunday, Scott navigated through three scoreless innings, working out of a couple of jams to keep the Marlins at bay. However, in the fourth inning, Jazz Chisholm Jr. launched a three-run homer against the rookie, marking the eighth homer Scott has allowed in 47 1/3 innings this season. This homer was the dagger that led the Mets’ 4-2 loss to the Marlins.

Scott was removed after the fourth inning, having thrown 75 pitches. Overall, he allowed three earned runs on seven hits, with four strikeouts and two walks, resulting in a 4.56 ERA over his eight starts for the Mets.

History seemed to repeat itself as Scott, with two runners on and one out in the fourth, gave up the crucial homer to Chisholm. Despite finishing the inning with a flyout and a strikeout, the Mets couldn’t rally back, and Chisholm’s homer proved decisive.

Scott has allowed at least one homer in seven of his nine starts this season. Despite having a good mix of pitches, Scott’s main issue seems to be a few misplaced pitches rather than consistent hard contact or excessive walks—something that the Mets feel like they can fix with experience. He’s also not missing quite as many bats with his pitches as he did during his development in the minors. That’s not unexpected when you make the jump, but he’ll have to adjust.

Considered an aggressive pitcher, Scott seems to cause more flyouts than most, with a fly ball rate nearly seven percentage points higher than the MLB average. He’s also producing far less ground balls than he did in the minors. Though there isn’t an explicit innings cap on Scott this season, but the inability to make the right pitch at the right time and wanting to protect his arm (he’s crossed his innings total from last year) might prompt a change in plans for his role with the major league club.

With the trade deadline approaching and Kodai Senga‘s return, the Mets might consider moving Scott to the bullpen. The Mets hope that by implementing a six-man rotation, they can preserve Scott and possibly use him as a second long man in the bullpen, similar to Jose Butto‘s current role if it comes down to it. (Perhaps Butto and Scott could switch places.)

Despite his current challenges with home runs, make no mistake: Christian Scott is poised to be a reliable arm for the team for years to come. But it’s not coming without growing pains. Scott will have to learn to adjust and work through his first stretch of struggles in his MLB career.

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