Jeurys Familia

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Mets #18 prospect in 2014
  Following Familia's powerful-but-wild year in the Triple-A Buffalo rotation in 2012, the Mets shifted him to the bullpen and expected him to blossom in 2013. He looked sharp at Triple-A Las Vegas initially, but elbow soreness cropped up in May while in the big leagues and he ultimately succumbed to surgery to remove bone chips. Familia missed June, July and August, then made just three September appearances, though he headed to the Arizona Fall League to recover innings. He still shows the same tantalizing attributes that made him the organization's pitcher of the year in 2009: mid-90s velocity with power sink, a strong work ethic and a pair of interesting secondary pitches. Everything Familia throws features late, crisp action, including his live 94-96 mph fastball that touched 99 in the AFL and a high-80s slider that often behaves like a cutter. He's getting better at commanding a spread-finger changeup that behaves like a splitter. A physical righthander with hard-to-repeat mechanics and slow times to the plate, Familia could see a lot of big league time in 2014, though he has one option remaining if more minor league seasoning is required.
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  Ranked New York Mets #8 prospect in 2013
  An unheralded international signee in 2007, Familia broke out by winning Mets minor league pitcher of the year honors in 2009. He reached New York three years later, earning a September callup and maxing out at 98 mph in a relief role. Though he led the Triple-A International League with 28 starts in 2012, he averaged fewer than five innings per turn and ranked third with 73 walks. Familia holds steady 94-95 mph velocity and touches triple digits with his fastball deep into starts, but a hard-to-repeat delivery and below-average control mean a bullpen role is most likely in the majors. He previewed coming attractions by relying on his fastball and a mid-80s slider with short break as a reliever in New York. He has a sinking changeup but didn't throw it much in relief. Some scouts wonder if he'll need to add a splitter to combat lefties. He's slow to the plate and easy to run on. With a pair of major league-caliber offerings, Familia could grow into a late-game relief option for the Mets. He has ample time to figure things out in Triple-A if he doesn't make the club out of spring training.
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  Ranked New York Mets #4 prospect in 2012
  Familia earned Mets minor league pitcher of the year honors in a breakout 2009 and then represented the franchise at the 2010 Futures Game, even though his performance that season (5.58 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) seemed incongruous with the honor. He began rounding into form late in 2010 and then dominated the Florida State League for six starts in 2011 before earning a bump to Double-A, where he pitched well before and after missing a month with shoulder tendinitis. Familia touches 99 mph with his fastball and pitches comfortably at 92-96 mph with natural cutting action down in the zone. At the behest of former pitching coordinator Rick Tomlin, Familia stands taller in his delivery now and has eliminated a crouch that caused his arm path to swing away from his body in 2010. He now generates more plane on his pitches, including a mid-80s breaking ball that features inconsistent spin but flashes average three-quarters break. His fringy changeup features some sinking action and works well enough to keep batters off his fastball. Below-average control might ultimately limit Familia's upside to mid-rotation starter or power reliever, but he could be just half a season away from a callup. He joined the 40-man roster after the season and will open 2012 in Triple-A.
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  Ranked New York Mets #13 prospect in 2011
  Familia earned organization pitcher of the year honors in 2009 when he ranked third in the low Class A South Atlantic League in ERA (2.69) and fourth in WHIP (1.16). That same pitcher went missing in action for much of last season. Familia represented the Mets in the Futures Game despite running up a 6.38 ERA through his first 16 starts for high Class A St. Lucie. He didn't fare much better in the prospect exhibition, serving up two runs on three consecutive doubles while recording only one out. Everything fell into place for a seven-start stretch in July and August, during which Familia went 4-2, 3.38 with 58 strikeouts in 43 innings. He fought his delivery all season and finished with 5.5 walks per nine innings and 25 wild pitches. He still maintained a strong strikeout rate (10.2 per nine innings) and kept the ball on the ground, thanks mostly to plus-plus fastball velocity. Familia scatters the lower half of the zone at 94-97 mph and can sniff triple digits. He's broad-shouldered and has an ideal pitcher's frame, so he keeps his velocity deep into games. His long arm action affords the batter a long look at the ball, however. Familia buries his 86-87 mph slider as a chase pitch, but he struggles to throw it for strikes because his release point tends to wander. He'll throw an occasional average changeup with sink and fade, but it's not consistent. Even scouts outside the organization laud Familia for his work ethic, though they also foresee a shift to the bullpen in his future. He figures to spend a good portion of 2011 in Double-A as a 21-year-old.
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  Ranked New York Mets #15 prospect in 2010
  Familia has had no problems making the transition to the United States. After leading the GCL Mets with a 2.79 ERA in his 2008 pro debut, he encored by winning the organization's minor league pitcher of the year award. He ranked third in the South Atlantic League in ERA (2.69) and fourth in wins (10) and opponent average (.221). Familia's primary asset is his arm strength, which allows him to deliver fastballs in the low 90s and top out at 95 mph. He has a strong frame and is heavier than his listed 185 pounds. Familia's future success depends on his ability to improve his secondary pitches and his mechanics. His slider is better than his changeup, and while both offerings have gotten better in the last year, they're still a long ways from being major league caliber. He lacks balance in his delivery, which restricts him from consistently following through and driving balls down in the strike zone. Nevertheless, he overmatched SAL hitters and the Mets look forward to seeing what he can do in high Class A this season.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked International League #14 prospect in 2012
  The Mets kept Familia in the Buffalo rotation all season, hoping he could gain enough polish to be a rotation option for a rebuilding 2013 club. A big, durable body helped him tie for the league lead with 28 starts, and his live arm helped him rank fifth with 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings. New York opted to use Familia out of the bullpen in September, however, and that most likely will be his role in the future. He can work at 94-95 mph and touch 97 with his fastball, but he doesn't command it despite a compact arm action. More thrower than pitcher, he falls behind in the count often enough to get punished, even by Triple-A hitters. His short, hard slider is a plus pitch at times and his sinking changeup has its moments, but Familia trusts neither pitch because of their inconsistency. When he gets into jams, he resorts to heat and more heat.
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  Ranked Eastern League #13 prospect in 2011
  Familia started the year in dominant fashion in the warm weather of the Florida State League, then made his Double-A debut in May and earned league all-star honors. He posted a 3.38 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 56 over his first 10 EL starts, then missed a month with a shoulder impingement and wasn't quite as effective upon his return. Familia toned down his delivery from his phrenetic motion he showed prior to 2011, and that allowed him to throw more quality strikes with one of the EL's most explosive fastballs. His loose, whippy arm helps him sit at 92-96 mph with hard life down in the zone. His curveball has improved, and while it has slurvy shape, it has late break at times and gives him another swing-and-miss pitch. His changeup is too firm but is a decent third pitch that plays up thanks to his premium fastball. His youth and inexperience show up most with his erratic defense and difficulties holding runners.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: An unheralded international signee in 2007, Familia broke out by winning Mets minor league pitcher of the year honors in 2009. He reached New York three years later, earning a September callup and maxing out at 98 mph in a relief role. Though he led the Triple-A International League with 28 starts in 2012, he averaged fewer than five innings per turn and ranked third with 73 walks. Scouting Report: Familia holds steady 94-95 mph velocity and touches triple digits with his fastball deep into starts, but a hard-to-repeat delivery and below-average control mean a bullpen role is most likely in the majors. He previewed coming attractions by relying on his fastball and a mid-80s slider with short break as a reliever in New York. He has a sinking changeup but didn't throw it much in relief. Some scouts wonder if he'll need to add a splitter to combat lefties. He's slow to the plate and easy to run on. The Future: With a pair of major league-caliber offerings, Familia could grow into a late-game relief option for the Mets, who love his makeup. With two minor league options remaining, he has ample time to figure things out in Triple-A if he doesn't make the club out of spring training.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Familia earned Mets minor league pitcher of the year honors in a breakout 2009 and then represented the franchise at the 2010 Futures Game, even though his performance that season (5.58 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) seemed incongruous with the honor. He began rounding into form late in 2010 and then dominated the Florida State League for six starts in 2011 before earning a bump to Double-A, where he pitched well before and after missing a month with shoulder tendinitis. Scouting Report: Familia touches 99 mph with his fastball and pitches comfortably at 92-96 mph with natural cutting action down in the zone. Familia stands taller in his delivery now and has eliminated a crouch that caused his arm path to swing away from his body in 2010. He now generates more plane on his pitches, including a mid-80s breaking ball that features inconsistent spin but flashes average three-quarters break. His fringy changeup features some sinking action and works well enough to keep batters off his fastball. The Future: Below-average control might ultimately limit Familia's upside to mid-rotation starter or power reliever, but he could be just half a season away from a callup. He'll open 2012 in Triple-A.