Some love for Pat Misch

#48 LHP Pat Misch, congratulations on the first career victory in the major leagues.

It's a testament to his talent that Misch has lasted this long without earning a win. Misch had tied a major league record by going 0-12 in starts, overall; he's made 55 appearances since 2006 without recording a single win. If he didn't have at least decent stuff he would be long gone from baseball.

Misch won his first career victory against a team that is in the middle of a wild card race and playing in mile high Coors field. It was his second start for the Mets and both were impressive outings.

In both games he went seven innings in which he allowed three runs in all, in his first game he went up against the Cubs, who are having a disappointing season but have a tough power hitting right handed line-up.


Misch was doing well out of the bullpen for the Mets as well, in 15 appearances he has an ERA of 2.89.


Jerry Manuel equated him to a young Tom Glavine, meaning his fastball hits around 88 mph and he relies on hitting his spots with off-speed pitches.

The Mets used a plug for today's game of watching the future battery and while some agree in regards to Josh Thole but I was surprised how many fans took exception to the reference in regards to Pat Misch.

Now after two starts I'm not ready to start the Misch bandwagon, but a 27 y/o lefty who is under control for the next four years and has options, who only cost 450k is someone I would definitely would try to work into my long term plans.

While the best Misch has ever been is an honorable mention on the SF Giants prospect list ( 2007 & 2008) at Jon Sickels Minor league blog, I'd hardly call him the scrap heap.

The Giants have found pitchers like Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez, Matt Cain and Noah Lowry. But they're also known to have very little patience with pitchers;they gave up on first round pick Brad Hennessey after four seasons, Kevin Correia was DFA in the off-season, Lowry or Cain were on the block depending on the package before Lowry got hurt and Sanchez was rumored to be in trouble before his no hitter.

The Giants never seemed to figure out what to do with Misch, each year since 2006 he filled in as the fifth starter when someone else was injured but spent most of his time as a reliever working out of the pen. In all as a reliever he made 42 major league appearances with a 2.85 ERA and in 12 starts he has a major league ERA of 6.32.

In the minors Misch was predominantly a four pitch starter, he appeared 168 minor league games and 116 of those games were as a starter with a 3.59 ERA.

The Giants went for it this year and brought in numerous veterans players, they needed the roster room and Misch was a casualty, otherwise he'd still be with the Giants.

Just as the Giants weren't sure how to use him, I don't believe the Mets have figured it out yet, is he a fifth starter or a second lefty. I know one thing, Misch should be back next year as they try to figure it out how to use him, especially since he still has options...