Reed Garrett navigating a completely different type of spring training after his Mets breakout
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets from spring training PORT ST.LUCIE — What a difference a year makes for Reed Garrett.Last spring training, he had to battle for a spot in the Mets bullpen, having pitched just 44 ¹/₃ innings and owning a career 7.11 ERA across three seasons in MLB, which were sandwiched around a stint in Japan.
He made nine appearances for the Mets in 2023 after being designated for assignment by the Orioles and subsequently signing with the Mets in June of that year, recording a 5.82 ERA.But Garrett enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, recording a 3.77 ERA in 53 outings and emerging as a trusted late-inning arm for manager Carlos Mendoza.He’s not battling for a roster spot this time around — he’s being counted on as a critical piece.“Obviously you don’t want to take anything for granted, but last year was a big year,” Garrett told The Post on Sunday.
“I learned a lot, threw a lot of high-leverage situations and stuff like that.It plays a part, and I think the biggest thing for me this year is it’s the first time in a while I’m in the same spot [for two consecutive seasons] for spring training.
Having that sense of familiarity with people and knowing who everybody is and not having to meet a bunch of new people and sharing teammates again, it’s been great.”What allowed him to enjoy the best season of his career last year?“I think it all started in 2023, at the end of the season,” Garrett said.“Threw the ball really well at the end of that season and I think that gave me the confidence going into last offseason to build on that.
I got an opportunity at the beginning of the season last year and I took advantage of it.It was just more of having that confidence and knowing that I was here and knowing the people that were around and just taking advantage of the opportunity I got.”Job security has allowed Garrett,...