Mets flameout Chris Flexen has instantly redeemed himself

There’s nothing higher than a fantastic comeback story.

Tales like George Foreman returning to the ring at age 45 to win the heavyweight title, or Tiger Woods profitable the 2019 Masters to earn his Fifteenth-career main championship win after years of accidents and private turmoil, or Michael Jordan returning to the NBA after dabbling with baseball for a yr to win three extra titles with the Bulls.

Although not all redemption tales are on these kinds of ranges, they’re nonetheless tales value telling.

From 2017-19, Chris Flexen might barely be thought of a below-average huge league hurler with the Mets. Throughout his three seasons in Flushing, the Mets’ 2012 14th-round choose was 3-11 with an 8.07 ERA, 2.132 WHIP and a 49-54 strikeout-walk fee in 27 appearances (11 begins).

After being launched by the Mets in 2019, Flexen performed within the Korean Baseball Group in 2020. In 21 begins with the Doosan Bears, he went 8-4 with a 3.01 ERA, 132 strikeouts and simply 30 walks. His 10.2 strikeouts per 9 ranked eighth within the KBO, whereas his 1.09 WHIP ranked tenth and his 2.3 walks per 9 (far under the 7.1 per 9 he averaged with the Amazin’s) ranked seventeenth.

After his yr in Korea, Flexen, who continues to be simply 27, signed a two-year take care of the Mariners. In his first eight begins, it appeared like the identical outdated story (with a greater strikeout-walk fee). He was 4-2 with 24 strikeouts and simply 9 walks, however had a 5.09 ERA and .333 opponent common.

Over his subsequent eight begins, nevertheless, Flexen went 4-1 with a 2.26 ERA, 39-10 strikeout-walk fee and a .208 opponent common. He additionally pitched six or extra innings, and allowed three earned runs or much less, in seven of these eight outings. (Not dangerous for a man who beforehand reached the sixth inning in a begin as soon as in his profession — Aug. 23, 2017.)

In 17 begins, Flexen is 9-3 with a 3.35 ERA, 1.198 WHIP and 65-20 strikeout-walk fee. Although his 5.9 Okay/9 was the third-lowest within the majors, his ERA ranked ninth within the AL and his 1.81 walks per 9 was the ninth-lowest within the league.

On the floor, Flexen nonetheless appears just like the man who pitched for the Mets. His pitch choice is similar, although he has ditched his sinker. His fastball is averaging 92.7 mph, which is what he averaged in 2017 and 2018. His spin charges are all consistent with what he did previous to his season in Korea, too.

Although Flexen’s swinging strike fee (8.8 %) is across the league common, he has induced extra swinging strikes over his previous eight begins.

Exterior of the large discount in walks, the largest distinction would be the success Flexen is having together with his curveball, a pitch he’s utilizing 15.1 % of the time. Opponents are hitting .250 towards the pitch, with a 25.7 % whiff share and a career-high 11.5 % swinging-strike fee. It’s his put-away pitch 15.6 % of the time, and he’s getting extra vertical motion on it than he has prior to now.

Flexen, who’s owned in 55.6 % of ESPN leagues, has additionally upped the utilization of his changeup (16.3 %), which opponents are hitting .164 towards, with 19 strikeouts. Opposing hitters have a 29.3 whiff fee and 15.5 % swinging-strike fee towards the pitch.

On the down facet, Flexen’s line-drive fee is way under the league common, and although his FIP (3.67), xFIP (4.45) and xERA (3.96) all point out there might be some regression, he ought to nonetheless be helpful in the proper scenario.

Flexen’s redemption story won’t ever be among the many biggest ever advised, however it’s a story value telling — particularly because the second half will get going and fantasy homeowners search for assist to get them to the promised land. Flexen is on the cusp of being a everlasting fantasy rotation piece, however nonetheless has extra to show. For now, he stays a stable streaming choice.

BIG HITS

Garrett Cooper 1B/OF, Marlins

In his first 15 video games since coming back from the IL (again), he was 19-for-41 (.463) with 4 homers, 10 RBIs, 13 walks, 12 runs, a stolen base and a 1.422 OPS.

Kwang Hyun Kim SP, Cardinals

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Gained three straight selections earlier than the break, permitting one earned run and a .175 opponent common in that span. He has a 2.55 ERA, .206 opponent common and 26 strikeouts over his previous seven begins.

AJ Pollock OF, Dodgers

Entered the break on a four-game hit streak, going 9-for-15 with 4 homers, 4 RBIs and a 2.267 OPS in that span.

Jameson Taillon SP, Yankees

Lasted six innings or extra on 4 of his previous 5 begins whereas going 3-0 with a 3.38 ERA, 28-7 strikeout-walk fee and a .227 opponent common.

BIG WHIFFS

Caleb Smith SP, D’backs

Has not fared properly over his previous 4 begins, going 0-4 with a 8.50 ERA, 20-11 strikeout-walk fee, six homers allowed and a .368 opponent common.

Amed Rosario SS/OF, Indians

In 12 video games previous to the break, he was 8-for-48 (.167) with one run, two RBIs, 13 strikeouts and a .375 OPS.

Antonio Senzatela SP, Rockies

Has not gained since June 2, going 0-3 with a 4.75 ERA and .308 opponent common in that span. That being mentioned, he did carry a formidable 31-5 strikeout-walk fee throughout that stretch.

Tony Kemp OF, Athletics

In 15 video games earlier than the break, he was 3-for-42 (.071) with one RBI, one run, 12 strikeouts, a .245 OBP and .364 OPS.

CHECK SWINGS

Regardless of going 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA and .189 opponent common over his previous eight begins (together with a one-hit, eight strikeout effort towards the Yankees on July 8), Seattle’s Logan Gilbert is owned in lower than 50 % of ESPN leagues. In different Mariners information: Jarred Kelenic is again within the bigs, trying to snap his 0-for-37 streak.
The Crimson Sox began the second half by calling up stud prospect Jarren Duran — who was hitting .270 with 15 homers, 32 RBIs, 12 stolen bases and a .926 OPS in 46 video games at Triple-A. He’s owned in 37.5 % of ESPN leagues. In different Sawx information: Chris Sale started his rehab task on Thursday with Boston’s Florida Complicated League affiliate.
Eloy Jimenez (torn pectoral muscle) went 1-for-6 in his first two rehab video games because the outfielder works his approach again to the White Sox. The 24-year-old stays obtainable in 30 % of ESPN leagues after being essentially the most added participant this week.