Blade Tidwell's Mets call-up was a ‘complete surprise' with debut a chance to showcase growth
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ST. LOUIS — Blade Tidwell received a worksheet Friday expecting information pertaining to the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate he was scheduled to face in his next start.
Instead, the message read: 'You're going to the big leagues, kid.'
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That news was delivered to him by Mets director of pitching Eric Jagers, who insisted on a FaceTime conversation with the 23-year-old pitching prospect as he was reviewing the worksheet.
Tidwell, who is scheduled to face the Cardinals on Sunday in his major league debut, soon found himself outside barefoot pacing with his 12-week-old Cavapoo puppy, Bentley.
3 Blade Tidwell throws a pitch during the Mets' spring training game on March 1.
Imagn Images
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'I thought I was close, but I didn't know how close, so it was a complete surprise,' Tidwell said before Saturday's rainout at Busch Stadium.
Tidwell, ranked as the organization's No. 15 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has pitched to a 5.00 ERA in six starts this season for Triple-A Syracuse, but team officials see underlying numbers that point to greater success.
Among them: Tidwell's 37 strikeouts in 27 innings this season.
That includes 18 strikeouts and one walk in his last nine innings, over two starts.
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After watching Tidwell in spring training with the club over the last two seasons, manager Carlos Mendoza is interested in seeing how the right-hander responds to the real thing.
'You're talking about a guy that everybody knows about him and he's a prospect and he's just inserting more youth to the team,' Mendoza said. 'A lot of people should feel proud of him. A lot of people had a hand in it, especially in player development and scouting. It's a big win, so now you have got to go out and do it.'
The Mets initially summoned Tidwell with the idea he would lengthen the rotation during a stretch of 13 straight days with a game scheduled.
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3 Blade Tidwell throws a pitch during the Mets' spring training game on Feb. 24.
Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
As it turned out, Saturday's rainout turned the extra starter into a necessity.
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Tidwell will start Game 1 of a split doubleheader with Tylor Megill slated for the second game.
Last week, the Mets promoted left-hander Brandon Waddell from Syracuse to pitch behind an opener, lengthening the rotation.
3 Blade Tidwell prepares to throw a pitch during the Mets' spring training game on Feb. 24.
Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
The Mets have also used Justin Hagenman behind an opener to provide rotation length.
Waddell and Hagenman both excelled in their respective appearances.
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'We knew that going in, not only were there prospects, but some of the minor league free agents, some of the veterans, we knew they were going to play a big role on this team,' Mendoza said. 'We've seen guys … getting opportunities. You know what you can count on and every team is going to need it. Tidwell is getting an opportunity to help the team and that is exciting.'
A second-round pick by the Mets in the 2022 draft from the University of Tennessee, the Loretto, Tenn., native appreciates the fact his major league debut will occur within a six-hour drive from home.
Only a start in Atlanta would have been closer for his family, among MLB cities.
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Tidwell was asked if his familiarity with so many of his teammates from spring training the last two years has eased the transition.
'It's not nearly as nerve racking as I built it up in my head,' Tidwell said. 'I might have over-built it up.'
Tidwell features a high-90s fastball with a sinker, slider, sweeper and changeup.
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He said he's tried to simplify his approach by eliminating variations of the slider he was utilizing.
'I'm not putting an over-emphasis on stuff because my stuff's what it is and I'm just trying to make them hit it,' Tidwell said. 'And then trying to put them away when I get ahead.'
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