Has Pelfrey Started his Rise Towards Stardom?

That's a question that should be on the mind of all Mets Fans these days. Despite Mike's record, he's become a different pitcher in recent starts. Against the Dodgers, he went 7 innings and only allowed 2 runs while retiring the last 12 batters he faced. Last night against the Padre's, he went 6 innings, threw a career high 112 pitches, and only allowed 1 run. While working in and out of jams, he never seemed rattled.

One of the hardest things for young inexperienced pitchers to learn is how to stay in the game when things get sticky. All too often young pitchers have a habit of digging themselves into a deeper hole. They lack the confidence and mental toughness to settle down and make their pitches. They get that "deer in the headlights" look about them. Mike was no different earlier this year. Young pitchers start gripping the ball harder, muscling up, trying to get too fine with their pitches, and trying to throw the best breaking ball ever thrown.

Mike has seemed to finally realized that his stuff is good, and to trust it and his defenders. He seems to have learned that not every pitch has to be perfect, or thrown 96MPH. Earlier this year he had a no-hitter going into the 7th inning against the Nationals, and his last 2 starts he's only allowed 3 runs. He was asked during the Dodgers' game by Schneider why he wasn't throwing the ball 95+mph. Mike told Brian he wanted to dial it back a bit so he could control his pitches better. That right there shows that he gets it. If he had been given some run support, his record could very well be 5-4, not 2-6. The light has gone on in Mike's head and he's taken the first steps towards stardom. He may never be a 200 game winner, or the ACE of the staff, but he could be a consistent 13-17 game winner in the future. He has the arm, and the build to be a durable starter for years to come.

People tend to forget that Mike had very few innings in MLB coming into 2007. If I'm not mistaken, I believe he only had about 150 innings in the minors before making the team last year. Growing pains are to be expected, but progress has been visible. It has come and gone in fleeting glimpses over the last year or so, but they are becoming more common than not. Now those glimmering hints of big league bravado and talent are growing with every start. Mike seems like a nice guy with a good and humble attitude. I hope he continues to improve, and shows all his fans the true talent that resides inside that strong right arm and the desire that beats in that kingsized heart.