Is Adrian Houser's rotation spot in jeopardy? Mets calling up top pitching prospect

NEW YORK — As Christian Scott stacked up strikeout after strikeout in his first month with Triple-A Syracuse, the Mets front office was taking notice.

After five elite pitching performances at the top level in the minor leagues, the Mets' No. 5 prospect will now get his chance at the major-league level. Manager Carlos Mendoza announced that Scott will make his major-league debut for the Mets against the Rays on Saturday night in his home state of Florida.

As the Mets continue a stretch of 13 straight games. Scott's promotion will help provide some rest for the team's aging rotation, namely Luis Severino and Sean Manaea.

"Compete. Go out there and be yourself," Mendoza said of his expectations for Scott. "We saw it one outing in spring training and we see what he's doing in Triple-A. Just continue to attack hitters. He's got good makeup, I just want him to be himself and go out there and compete."

How long will Christian Scott be up with the Mets?

Scott continues to impress after being named the club's Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2023 after pitching to a 5-4 record with a 2.57 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 87⅔ innings while pitching mostly in High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton last season.

In his first season in Syracuse, Scott has struck out 36 batters in 25⅓ innings while pitching to a 3.20 ERA and a 0.71 WHIP.

Scott has evolved overwhelmingly since his time as a two-pitch reliever at the University of Florida. In addition to a high-90s fastball, he molded a quality changeup to go along with a slider and a sweeper.

"Obviously the fastball plays, but the way he uses his pitches, his demeanor, we’ve been following him pretty closely," Mendoza said. "This is a guy that’s given up a couple of homers early in games and then he’s able to go five, six and dominate. That shows you that he can handle it.

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"Obviously, this is a different level here. He’s going to be facing big-league hitters, but we feel like he’s in a pretty good spot and that’s why we’re bringing him here."

For at least one turn through the starting rotation, the Mets will deploy six starters. Then the team's leadership will have to make a call about who remains.

"We’ve got an off day after the next time through the order of the rotation and we will have to make some decisions then," Mendoza said. "For now, (Scott's) pitching Saturday."

Adrian Houser's spot secure?

The struggles continued Thursday for Mets right-hander Adrian Houser, who could not limit the traffic on the bases and felt the pinch against the Cubs.

He gave up four earned runs on four hits and four walks as the Mets fell behind early before rallying to score an 8-7 win in extra innings. After Thursday's outing, he has given up 18 combined earned runs on 20 hits and 10 walks in his last three outings.

There was some slight encouragement with a return to his ground ball ways. Houser produced 10 ground balls, but his lack of command came back to bite him when he served up a three-run home run to Christopher Morel in the fifth.

Following Houser's April 27 start against the Cardinals, during which he allowed six earned runs in 4.1 innings, Mendoza said that the righty's spot in the rotation was secure. But other options provide a cloudy mix over the next few weeks.

"We’ll have those conversations," Mendoza said after Houser's start on Thursday. "Our job is to get him back on track.

Jose Butto has been efficient in his five games with the Mets, turning in three quality starts while pitching to a 2.57 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and striking out 31 in 28 innings.

Meanwhile, on the injury front, Tylor Megill was set to make his second rehab appearance on Thursday for Double-A Binghamton as he works back from a right shoulder strain. Kodai Senga, who isn't eligible to return until May 27, pitched his first live batting practice earlier this week.

Veteran left-hander Joey Lucchesi is also pitching well, turning in a 2-1 record with a 2.25 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 32 innings. And then Scott could also back up the Mets' decision to call him up with a strong debut on Saturday.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets to call up Christian Scott, where does Adrian Houser fit