More Middle Relief

PEDRO BEATO - RP
2011 Stats - 2 W, 1 L, 4.30 ERA, 39 SO, 27 BB

Pedro Beato was a small breath of fresh air for the Mets in the early part of last season.  A Rule 5 draft pick from the Baltimore Orioles, Beato had to stick with the big club for the entire season (except for injury rehab session), or be offered back to Baltimore.  Well Beato did his part.  The 24 year old rookie started his career with 17 scoreless innings pitched as he worked his way into the 7th inning role.  A minor stint on the DL in the middle of May slowed down his momentum but he proved his worth throughout the summer and completed his rookie season as one of the reliable arms in a battered bullpen.

Looking ahead to the 2012 season, Beato falls into the same category as Manny Acosta.  With the bullpen additions the Mets made this off-season, the club should not be expecting much more from Beato in the upcoming season.  He most likely will not be classified as a specific inning guy, but rather as a fall back option to help give relief, no pun intended, to the other relievers.

One area that Beato can improve, and this may be nit picking a bit, is to miss more bats with his pitches.  Beato only recorded 39 SO in his 67 innings pitched so limiting the number of balls that are put into play can only improve his confidence and overall performance.