Manny Acosta - Relief Pitcher

Starting today and going through the end of Spring Training, I will be looking at all players that should be making the 25-man roster heading into the start of the season.  Some will have more in depth information than others and every now and then I'll include a prospect or two that may soon be seeing Citi Field.

MANNY ACOSTA - RP
2011 stats - 4W, 1L, 4S, 3.45 ERA, 46 KO, 15 BB

It's always difficult to start any evaluation of a team with a relief pitcher because that position is very fickle one year to the next.  Outside of top closers in the game, middle relief pitchers have up and down seasons and up and down careers.

Acosta is a player that had a very strong 2011 for the Mets bullpen and will be looked at to repeat that performance in 2012.  After starting the season in Triple A Buffalo, Acosta came up to the big club in early June and stayed the rest of the time.  For the most part, the Mets knew what they were getting out of Acosta each time he took the hill.  His season averages almost evened out at one hit and one strikeout per inning pitched.  Near the end of the season, Acosta picked up four saves as the Mets were in a closer by committee mode.

With the additions the Mets made to their bullpen for the upcoming season, Acosta will most likely be battling for innings this year.  Hopefully this will help him keep his head level and not take on as much pressure as a late inning pitcher.  A repeat performance from 2011 is exactly what the Mets need from Acosta this season.