Frank Viola On WFAN: Mets' 2016 Rotation Could Be Best In Franchise History
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- The Mets have arguably the best starting rotation in the major leagues, and few people -- if any -- know more about the club's young starters than Frank Viola.
Viola, a Long Island native who pitched for the Mets from 1989-91, is the pitching coach of the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s. He's seen all these prized arms mature and develop, and he told WFAN host Steve Somers on Monday night that this group has the potential to be historically good.
"As long as our pitching staff remains healthy, and we get a healthy Zack Wheeler back sometime in 2016, it is gonna be so much fun to watch these kids grow up," Viola told Somers. "One's gonna try topping the other, and they're gonna have friendly competition. They're gonna have everything positive going for them.
Frank Viola
"This could be -- and I was there in '69 when the Mets put a pretty good rotation together with (Tom) Seaver and (Jerry) Koosman and (Jon) Matlack and (Gary) Gentry and all that for the World Series. I think this one, in 2016, could match any rotation the Mets have ever put out there. That's how much confidence and ability I think they possess."
The Mets' rotation is anchored by reigning National League Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom -- who was selected to his first All-Star game on Monday night -- and Matt Harvey.
Former top prospects Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz have made their major league debuts this season and have been brilliant.
The ERAs speak for themselves. DeGrom has a 2.30 mark in 105 2/3 innings pitched, Harvey is at 3.11 in 104 1/3 innings pitched and Syndergaard is at 3.38 in 58 2/3 innings.
In two starts, Matz has surrendered just two runs on seven hits in 13 2/3 innings pitched.
Wheeler, who is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, went 11-11 with a 3.54 ERA in 2014.
