A veteran of three MLB seasons, the bulk of Duarte’s 38 1/3 career innings as a member of the Reds bullpen came in 2023, when he threw 31 2/3 frames in 31 games. Duarte has a respectable 3.99 ERA during his limited time on the Show, though he only has a 17% strikeout rate and a disturbingly similar 14.5% walk rate. An extreme groundball pitcher early in his minor league career, Duarte still has a 47.3% grounder rate in the majors, but hitters have capitalized when they’ve been able to get the ball in the air — Duarte has given up seven home runs in his 38 1/3 career innings.
It remains to be seen how Duarte will look after such a long absence, although his return to the mound in the Mexican winter league this offseason has resulted in 19 2/3 scoreless innings. A strikeout rate of 5.71 BB% and 21.43% are further steps in the right direction.
New York was impressed enough to sign a contract extension for the 29-year-old, and Duarte will get a chance to show the team his progress firsthand during Spring Training. There’s no risk for the Mets to bring Duarte and several other pitchers into camp on minor deals, and there appears to be plenty of opportunity given the way the Mets so often cycle relievers back and forth between Triple-A and the active roster. Duarte still has a minor league option year remaining, so this gives some advantage over players who are out of options in the competition for roster spots.
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