Clay Holmes Impresses as New York Mets Starter This Season

NEW YORK — Clay Holmes is focused on improving as he enters the next phase of a promising season. After five starts this year, he reflects on maintaining a solid performance.

“It’s really defining the pitch shapes,” Holmes said. “I’ve seen what they could be, but just making sure they continue to trend in the right direction.” Holmes’ mindset mimics his approach to his role in the Mets’ rotation.

In his first start against Houston in late March, Holmes felt it was premature to assess his performance. After a recent game against St. Louis, he has more data to reflect on his transition to starting. “This is what we thought he was going to be able to do,” said David Stearns, Mets’ president of baseball operations.

With a three-year, $38 million contract, the Mets expected Holmes to deliver after seven years since his last professional start. Entering his start in Washington on Saturday, he owns a 3.16 ERA and a strikeout rate that ranks among the top 10 for starters. Notably, he has not allowed a home run yet this season, contributing to New York’s 4-1 record in his starts.

Holmes has shown strength and endurance, managing to face opposing batters multiple times successfully. His performance has improved as he faces hitters the third time through the batting order. “I kind of like where we’re at right now,” Holmes stated.

He has developed a diverse range of pitches this season, including a changeup, four-seam fastball, and cutter, increasing his unpredictability on the mound. “Going into it, you just never know how the new pitches are going to play,” Holmes explained.

This season, 58 percent of the pitches Holmes has thrown to left-handed batters are non-traditional sinkers or sliders, indicating a strategic shift. Last season, almost all pitches to lefties were sinkers or sliders.

Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner praised Holmes’ changeup, which has led to significant swing-and-miss rates. “It’s getting more depth than his sinker, and guys are probably aware of the sinker,” Hefner noted.

Holmes aims to use his changeup more against right-handed batters. “It’s just something to slow the batter down,” he said. “It’s just enough of a wrinkle to maybe get him off something or to get a swing-and-miss if I need it.”

Although Holmes is enjoying his new pitches, he understands that hitters will adapt. Hefner warned, “I don’t think we can anticipate that to continue.”

Holmes instituted a six-day routine for his starts to maintain consistency. “You want to have something that’s ironed out and pretty consistent,” he stated. Stearns emphasized the importance of continuing this progress throughout the season.

“With Clay and this transition, so much of it is: How is this going to progress over the course of the season?” Stearns asked. For Holmes, staying intentional and adaptive is the key to his ongoing success.

“If he does what he’s doing right now for the rest of the year, I think everyone would be ecstatic,” Hefner said. “The sky’s the limit for sure.”