“Feel Good About Him” – Buck Showalter Impressed at Max Scherzer and His Pitching Capabilities Amid Lockout Shortened Training Period

The New York Mets are in the conversation for a deep run into the post-season come 2022. And if they are to mount a serious challenge, manager Buck Showalter knows that he needs a full roster; Even more so with star pitcher Max Scherzer.

With the multiple Cy Young-winning pitchers starting a few games in Spring Training with blistering form, Showalter may have gotten exactly what he needs.

Max Scherzer is now set to take on the mantle of the New York Mets’ pitcher rotation; of course, along with the mainstay, Jacob deGrom. And with the two now ready to go for 2022, hitting lineups should be fearing lining up at the Citi Field this season.

However, with Scherzer being on the wrong side of 35, there were some doubts about his physical condition going into the season. Those doubts were dispelled as Showalter addressed the media after a spring training game.

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Buck Showalter opens up about Max Scherzer

Max Scherzer may have signed onto the New York Mets as a rotation pitcher, but his conditioning remains top notch, heading into the 2022 season. The multiple-time Cy Young Award winner was expected to turn up to Spring Training with some amount of physical conditioning yet to go, considering the lockout shortening the off-season. However, Scherzer seems to have taken the challenge head on and Buck Showalter is a fan of it.

Manager Buck Showalter seemed to be cognizant that training is a continuous process for athletes. Even more so for athletes performing at the level of Scherzer. Said Showalter, “Getting ready for the season but it’s not just Spring Training, its the lead-up to it.”

And Scherzer seems to have put in the hard yards when he turned up for his training regime in Florida. Said Showalter, “You watch how he works and goes about his business, it’s obvious he came here to camp ready to go.”

Scherzer keeps it going amidst the lockout

Acknowledging that this was one of the more challenging off-season periods, Showalter spoke of the lockout and the challenges it presented too. “You know we can’t talk to him during the lockout,” he added. However, the Mets seemed to be keeping track of Scherzer’s progress even in the offseason. Said Showalter, “We were getting a lot of reports that he was pitching 2 and 3 inning games.”

All in all, Showalter seemed satisfied with his progress. He added, “he was doing his part.”

Showalter seemed eager to get the season going with Scherzer on the mound, though. “We had no idea about the discipline he has about being ready for the season,” said Showalter, “I feel good about him.”

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How do you think Scherzer will do on the Mets? Could he be set for a bumper season or will the pressure get the better of him?