Mets' Blade Tidwell: Showed better velocity this spring
Rotowire
Tidwell topped out at 99 mph with his fastball in big-league camp this spring, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
The 23-year-old right-hander saw his control desert him at Triple-A last season as he issued an ugly 53 walks in 85 innings, but Tidwell reported to spring training in better shape and made a strong impression with both improved command and improved velocity. If those results hold up at Triple-A Syracuse to begin the 2025 campaign, Tidwell could be among the first pitchers called up when the Mets' rotation is in need of reinforcements.
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Mets' Blade Tidwell: Reassigned to minors camp
Rotowire
The Mets reassigned Tidwell to minor-league camp Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.comreports.
Tidwell most recently threw two perfect innings -- one of which was an immaculate inning -- Saturday in a Grapefruit League game against the Rays. However, the 23-year-old righty finished last season with a 5.93 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 85 innings in Triple-A, so the Mets will keep him in their farm system until he can demonstrate more consistent success over an extended period of time.
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Mets' Blade Tidwell: Dazzles in spring start
Rotowire
Tidwell struck out five batters over two perfect innings and recorded an immaculate inning in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.
The 23-year-old right-hander needed nine pitches to strike out Josh Lowe, Eloy Jimenez and Jose Caballero in his second frame, after fanning Brandon Lowe and Christopher Morel to close out the first inning. Tidwell's prospect status tumbled last season when he was beset by control issues at Triple-A, but he posted a 2.41 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 44:11 K:BB over 37.1 innings at Double-A prior to that to earn the promotion. If Tidwell has corrected the issues that were preventing him from finding the plate consistently, he could be a factor in the Mets' big-league rotation at some point during the 2025 campaign. Per Adam Berry of MLB.com, Tidwell has trimmed his arsenal back to five pitches -- four-seam and two-seam fastballs, a changeup, a slider and a sweeper -- in an effort to put last year's stumble behind him.
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Mets' Blade Tidwell: Abandoned by control at Triple-A
Rotowire
Tidwell has a 6.15 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 67:53 K:BB in 79 innings across 18 appearances for Triple-A Syracuse.
Tidwell's ability to throw strikes has been very poor since his promotion from Double-A on May 21, when his stock was at an all-time high (2.41 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 44 Ks in 37.1 IP at Double-A). Even after Triple-A switched from automated balls and strikes in some games to only a challenge system in late June, there have been very few signs of improvement. He had a zero-walk game July 28, but still gave up four runs in six frames. From a results standpoint, his best Triple-A start may have been his most recent one Sunday, as he struck out four and walked two over five scoreless frames. Tidwell is talented enough to still develop into a quality starting pitcher if he shows up next season with improved control and consistency, as things may have snowballed on him this year for Syracuse. If it doesn't click next year, the Mets may explore how Tidwell's fastball/slider combo plays in relief.
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Mets' Blade Tidwell: Promoted to Triple-A
Rotowire
Tidwell was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Tidwell will join Syracuse after producing a 2.41 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 44 strikeouts over 37.1 innings in seven appearances, including five starts, with Double-A Binghamton this season. The 22-year-old will look to impress at Triple-A in order to earn a potential major-league promotion, which may not be far down the road.
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Mets' Blade Tidwell: Dominating at Double-A
Rotowire
Tidwell has posted a 1.23 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB through 29.1 innings for Double-A Binghamton over five outings (three starts) this season.
His last start was his best, as the 22-year-old right-hander struck out nine over eight scoreless innings Saturday against Hartford. Tidwell has incorporated a cutter into his arsenal this year along with his fastball and slider, and the results have been impressive. If Christian Scott sticks in the big-league rotation there will be a vacancy on the staff at Triple-A Syracuse, and Tidwell is making a strong case to claim it. A late-season MLB debut isn't out of the question if he keeps dominating in the high minors.
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Mets' Blade Tidwell: Moving to Double-A
Rotowire
The Mets promoted Tidwell from High-A Brooklyn to Double-A Binghamton on Saturday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.
The 22-year-old, who was selected 52nd overall by the Mets during last year's draft, struggled to start the season at Brooklyn with an 8.35 ERA in his first five starts, but he was dominant in his last 12 outings with a 1.56 ERA and 12.1 K/9. Tidwell has impressive strikeout potential but will need to improve his command, as he still had 4.7 BB/7 during that strong stretch at High-A.
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Mets' Blade Tidwell: Dominant at High-A
Rotowire
Tidwell has a 1.56 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 85 strikeouts in 63.1 innings over his last 12 starts for High-A Brooklyn.
Tidwell had a couple shaky outings early in the year, but he has been a machine this summer, going at least five innings in each of his last seven starts including two seven-inning outings. His power fastball/slider combination is clearly too much for High-A hitters, so he should get a bump to Double-A before the end of the season.
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Mets' Blade Tidwell: Promoted to High-A for 2023
Rotowire
Tidwell will begin the season with High-A Brooklyn, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
The 21-year-old righty made quick work of the lower levels, logging a 1.93 ERA and 1.18 WHIP between rookie and Single-A ball. Tidwell has been lauded as one of the top pitching prospects in the Mets organization, so he may be in line for another promotion during the season.
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