The New York Mets, from the outside, look like a team and franchise that could be three months from going through the motions of a lost season. However, pitcher Christian Scott could give them a small glimpse of a future in which he could serve as a back-of-the-rotation starter they sorely need. Jared Greenspan of MLB.com detailed what the 27-year-old starter did to change his fate.
“Scott is working with two new pitches. He replaced his slider with a cut-fastball, using a grip that he picked up from former teammate Drew Smith during their respective rehabs. Though the cutter has similar movement qualities as the slider, it’s thrown 1.5 mph harder.”
GettyNew York Mets RHP Christian Scott throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 1, 2026.
Scott’s cutter isn’t quite new. According to Baseball Savant, he threw it twice in 2024. However, the cervical drop did change. Two years ago, the pitch topped out at 25.7 vertically. Now, that number jumped to 30.3 inches. That is to say that while the pitch out of Scott’s hand looks the same, it will cross the plate lower, missing the bat’s sweet spot.
Really nice start from Christian Scott tonight
5 IP, 8 K, 2 ER, 3 H, 0 BB
Settled in well after HR in 1st
Fastball great life, sweeper nasty
Cutter looked good
Retired 13 of last 14
Will need to find splitter for LHBHe needs to stay in this rotation pic.twitter.com/UiGPneNjbo
— James Schiano (@James_Schiano) May 2, 2026
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Confidence in the Cutter Separates Scott Early in 2026
While control hurt the Mets righthander in his first appearance of the year (five walks), Scott settled in. Over his last two appearances, which consist of 9.2 innings, with 14 strikeouts and a 3.26 earned run average. The entire repertoire just exudes confidence from the hurler.
GettynEW yORK mETS rhp Christian Scott pitches against the Colorado Rockies on May 1, 2026.
“With the cutter, Scott can attack left-handed hitters differently. He had strong platoon splits as a rookie, with lefties (.333/.567 BA/SLG) faring better than righties (.167/.300). Those problems have gone away this year. Lefties are 2-for-23 with zero extra-base hits against Scott through his first three starts, in part because he’s using his cutter 34% of the time.”
Christian Scott has a 14:2 K:BB in 9.2 IP since his “walk the farm” mishap start.
I’m gonna go ahead and say he’s going to be fine. And the arm talent is there to be a good ROS pitcher.
Remember, he was the #LGM top pitching prospect before Nolan McLean. pic.twitter.com/lqr5hVoAel
— Welcome to The Lab (@TheLab_FBB) May 7, 2026
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Surgery Rehabilitation Changed Dynamic
On September 18, 2024, Scott underwent Tommy John surgery. He missed the entire 2025 season. During that time, he underwent a vigorous rehab, gaining ten pounds in the process. The added mass translated into power as his velocity on all of his pitches increased.
GettyNY Mets RHP Christian Scott pitchen in a May 7, 2026 game against the Colorado Rockies.
Additionally, the three types of fastballs appear to confuse batters early in the season. Out of Scott’s hand, the four-seamer, cutter, and sinker look the same coming out of his hand. Yet, they veer in three separate directions, never landing in the same spot. Batters who sit on one pitch will not be able to play the guessing game with Scott’s offerings.
“This is the best I’ve ever seen his stuff”
On Mets Post Game, @JerryBlevins breaks down Christian Scott’s outing vs. the Angels pic.twitter.com/0JMaTon1Ky
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 2, 2026
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Prepare Brooms: Scott Sweeper Baffles Opponents
The Mets do not hit well enough to support bad pitching. Under those circumstances, the pitching will be the cornerstone of the team. Subsequently, Scott’s sweeper will play a role in how he performs during his appearances. With 17.5 inches of horizontal break, the Mets’ pitcher can either induce righties to lunge or lefties to bail out. Furthermore, the sweeper can be used as an out pitch because it preys on batters’ desperation.
Scott may not be the pitcher that Mets fans will automatically assume can be a key starter, but his willingness to craft his pitch set should impress. Also, with Clay Holmes and Freddy Peralta possibly leaving via trade, the team will need to fill spots. Can he be the one?
Mets Encouraged to Keep Former Top Prospect in Starting Rotation