AUDIO: Eddie C's Mets Notebook — Noah's Arm, Young's Confidence & More

By Ed Coleman
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All eyes were waiting for the ball to explode out of Noah Syndergaard's hands, and the young prospect on the fast track with the Mets didn't disappoint. As manager Terry Collins put it, "wow."

It was only the first official workout for Mets pitchers and catchers, but with team brass and plenty of media in attendance, Syndergaard was amped up and looking to impress.  He definitely did.  The fastball and curve are no-brainers.  The changeup, as is the case with all young pitchers, still needs some work, but Syndergaard threw some pretty good ones on Monday.

The Mets will probably keep an innings cap on their young phenom this season -- somewhere in the 150-inning range is a good guess -- but there's no doubt that Syndergaard is ticketed for the same route that both Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler traveled -- a midseason promotion to the majors

Chris Young showed up in Port St. Lucie on Monday to join the crowded outfield configuration.  The Mets are taking a big gamble on the first free agent they signed this offseason, and after playing with both Arizona and Oakland, Young sees similarities between his old clubs and the Mets.

Young could end up playing any of the three outfield spots depending on what happens with Eric Young, Jr. and Juan Lagares, but he left little doubt where he feels he's best suited.

Regardless of who's patrolling the vast real estate at Citi Field, Young believes that the Mets could potentially have one of the best defensive outfields in all of baseball.

So where will Young end up in the Mets' lineup?  Well, that may depend on if Young is in that same lineup, but general manager Sandy Alderson shared some thoughts.

But wherever C.Y. ends up hitting, he knows that consistency at the plate has to be a bigger part of his game than it has been previously in his career.

A much fitter looking Ruben Tejada showed up at camp, proclaiming to be ready to win the shortstop position and professing to know or care little about the hubbub over free agent Stephen Drew.

Wilmer Flores arrived on Tuesday and said yes, he still can play shortstop, and looked forward to some time there.

And Jeremy Hefner -- coming off Tommy John surgery 173 days ago -- made 20 throws at 60 feet to begin his long rehab.

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