In 2015, the New York Mets had one of the best rotations in baseball, led by a trio of ace-caliber starters. The Mets made it to the World Series and lost to the Kansas City Royals. Although they did not win, their trio of aces were memorable. Here’s a look back on their 2015 seasons, their Mets careers, and where they are now.
Remembering the 2015 Trio of Mets Aces
Matt Harvey
Matt Harvey’s first three seasons with New York were nearly perfect. His ERA was below three, and he had high strikeout numbers. Once known as the “Dark Knight,” Harvey dominated the zone and scoreboard, reaching the All-Star team and finishing 4th in Cy Young voting in 2013. His 2.27 ERA in 2013 was the third-best in the majors.
Harvey missed the 2014 season due to injury but made a remarkable return to New York in 2015. He helped the Mets to the World Series with his MLB 8th-best ERA of 2.71. Unfortunately, Harvey allowed the Royals to tie and ultimately win the final game of the 2015 Fall Classic. In 2016, Harvey struck out 76 and walked 25 in just 17 starts; he ended the season on the IL and never returned to stardom for New York. Harvey’s final season with New York saw him pitch to a 7.00 ERA in four starts and four relief appearances, leading to his eventual DFA. Harvey was never able to rebound, and eventually, his 2021 season, where he had a 6.27 ERA with the abysmal Baltimore Orioles through 28 starts, was his last season.
Noah Syndergaard
Noah Syndergaard was once the Mets’ hardest-throwing starter. With the ability to blaze a 100-mph fastball and a 92-mph changeup, “Thor” quickly became an ace for the Mets. In 2015, as a rookie, Syndergaard pitched to a respectable 3.24 ERA in 25 starts. He also struck out 166 batters in 150 innings pitched. Syndergaard helped the Mets reach the World Series and continued to pitch well for New York in the 2015 postseason. Syndergaard started the Mets’ lone wild card game in 2016, where he struck out 10, walked 3, and allowed just 2 hits and no earned runs. He was an ace until 2019, when he struck 202, yet had a relatively high 4.28 ERA.
Unfortunately, things crumbled quickly for Syndergaard, who missed all of 2020 and almost all of 2021 due to injury. In 2022, Syndergaard got off to an okay start with the Los Angeles Angels, throwing with lowered velocity, before joining the Philadelphia Phillies. Syndergaard eventually collapsed in 2023 with a 6.50 ERA with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Guardians. Syndergaard’s time in MLB may not be over yet. However, his velocity is no longer what it was, thanks to injury. Another season in the MLB is not impossible, yet not too likely.
Jacob deGrom
Jacob deGrom‘s first season with New York in 2014 saw him earn NL Rookie of the Year honors, thanks to a masterful 2.69 ERA. In 2015, he lowered that figure to 2.54 while punching out 205 batters and walking just 38. He became one of the premier MLB pitchers, with his velocity climbing and better control of the strike zone. deGrom pitched incredibly well in four starts in the 2015 postseason, posting a 2.88 ERA and striking out 29.
In Game 1 of the 2015 NLDS at Dodger Stadium, Jacob deGrom had 13 strikeouts in a 3-1 @Mets win. pic.twitter.com/aS2BztiZ13
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) August 20, 2021
deGrom managed to strike out at least 239 batters from 2017-19. In 2018 and 2019, deGrom earned the Cy Young Award, and in 2018 had a jaw-dropping 1.70 ERA. Now with the Texas Rangers, deGrom has had to deal with injuries since 2020, which have hindered his chances at another Cy Young. However, in his last 32 starts, deGrom has 293 strikeouts, 47 walks, and a masterful 2.03 ERA, giving insight into his capability when he is healthy.
Although the Mets came up just short in their title quest in 2015, they may have never had a better rotation than the one led by their trio of aces that season.
Photo Credit: © Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
