Loup There It Is
Taijuan Walker has looked like one of the best free agent signings of the entire offseason, Kevin Pillar and Jonathan Villar have filled in valiantly after signing to be bench players, and then there’s left-handed reliever Aaron Loup.
The 33-year-old is another free agent signing from the offseason that has the Mets front office looking smart. Loup has a 1.93 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 18 2/3 innings for the Mets this season. He’s struck out 22 and walked only two all season.
After pitching only three times in the Mets first two weeks of the season, Loup has pitched on back-to-back days five times and he’s fourth on the Mets team with 23 appearances.
Loup has functioned as the only left-hander in the Mets bullpen for most of the season and he’s been automatic against lefties, holding them to a .326 OPS in 26 at-bats. Righties do have a .716 OPS against him, though they’ve also struck out 15 times in 42 at-bats.
A big key for his overall success, is that Loup has yet to allow a home run in 2021 after giving up three in 25 innings last season.
One of the Mets key needs as we get closer to the trade deadline might be a second lefty for the pen, but for now, Loup at only $3 million for the 2021 season looks like a a great deal for the Mets.
The post Loup There It Is first appeared on Metsmerized Online.