Chris Flexen

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #9 prospect in 2018
  Flexen began the 2017 season on the disabled list after having surgery to remove a bone spur from his right knee. He ended it in the big leagues after a 10-start run through the minors that included his first seven turns at Double-A. Flexen missed time in 2014 and 2015 recovering from Tommy John surgery and wasn't ready for prime time as an emergency callup in 2017, as indicated by his 7.88 ERA in 48 innings. Flexen added a few ticks to his fastball, threw more strikes and improved the effectiveness of his mid-70s curveball in 2017. In fact, he recorded the second-highest curveball spin rate on Mets' big league staff, finishing (a distant) second to Seth Lugo, owner of the highest-spin curve of the Statcast era. Flexen pitches at 92 mph and can reach 96, while adeptly adding sinking or riding life to his fastball by changing his grip. He made progress with his average changeup, but would benefit from developing his fringe-average slider into a chase pitch. Flexen commands three pitches but lacks a knockout offering. Without an out pitch, he profiles as a No. 5 starter or reliever.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #22 prospect in 2017
  The Mets under Sandy Alderson like to speculate in the draft on athletic high school pitchers after the 10th round and buy them out of college commitments. This philosophy has yielded righthander Robert Gsellman (2011) and trade chips such as John Gant (2011), Erik Manoah (2014) and Rob Whalen (2012). Flexen would have joined that group had his inclusion in the July 2016 trade to the Reds for Jay Bruce not been nixed amid elbow concerns. Flexen had Tommy John surgery in July 2014, returned late in 2015 and made 25 starts at high Class A St. Lucie in 2016. Scouts regard him as having No. 5 starter upside because he throws strikes with three pitches and has a durable frame. He pitches at 92 mph and bumps 94 with a tailing fastball that grades as plus with its movement. He mixes in a solid-average cutter in the high 80s and a mid-70s curveball that plays as fringe-average but has potential. He struggles to repeat his stabbing arm action and command his breaking ball and below-average changeup. Flexen could come into focus as a big league option in 2018.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #26 prospect in 2016
  Signed for an above-slot $374,400 as a 14th-round pick in 2012, Flexen throws three pitches for strikes and has a physical, 6-foot-3, 215-pound build that suits him as a starter. He didn't turn 18 until after he signed and then spent two years at Rookie-level Kingsport. When promoted to low Class A Savannah in 2014, he pitched poorly before having Tommy John surgery that July. Flexen returned to Savannah in August 2015 and recorded a 1.87 ERA in six appearances, with 33 strikeouts in 34 innings. He pitches with a 90-94 mph fastball that grades as plus thanks to its late life. His heater sets up a pair of secondary pitches--a curveball and changeup--that flashed average in his 2015 return. The knock on Flexen dating back to his amateur days is that he has a long takeaway and stabbing arm action that could inhibit his ability to command his secondary stuff. His 2016 campaign at high Class A St. Lucie will be telling.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #306 prospect in 2012 draft
  Still just 17 years old, Flexen already has an impressive body at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds. He sits in the 90-91 mph range and tops out at 93 mph. Mostly a two-pitch guy right now, he scrapped his curveball in favor of a slider this spring and it shows flashes of being a plus pitch with nasty life at times. Flexen has some effort to his delivery and scouts say his arm action could be smoothed out, but they love his competitive fire on the mound. Flexen could be pushed up draft boards because it will likely take second-round money to buy him away from his Arizona State commitment.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked National League #19 prospect in 2013
  The Mets gave Flexen third-round money ($374,400) to forgo his Arizona State commitment last year. He teamed with Whalen atop the Kingsport rotation and had a dominant season, finishing among the league leaders in ERA, innings, walk rate (1.6 per nine innings) and K-BB ratio (5.2). Flexen is a fierce competitor who attacks hitters and is a diligent worker. He made significant mechanical adjustments in extended spring training and it allowed him to excel with solid stuff, good command and an ability to change speeds. He has an average fastball that sits in the low 90s, and his velocity could improve as he matures. He gets good downhill plane, though the pitch can lack life. Flexen has a solid-average curveball that has improved dramatically, with good depth and late tilt. He also throws an average changeup and a slider. With command of three average or better offerings, polish and a delivery that offers deception, he should advance as a starter.

• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Flexen began the 2017 season on the disabled list after having surgery to remove a bone spur from his right knee. He ended it in the big leagues after a 10-start run through the minors that included his first seven turns at Double-A. Flexen missed time in 2014 and 2015 recovering from Tommy John surgery and wasn't ready for prime time as an emergency callup in 2017, as indicated by his 7.88 ERA in 48 innings. SCOUTING REPORT: Flexen added a few ticks to his fastball, threw more strikes and improved the effectiveness of his mid-70s curveball in 2017. In fact, he recorded the second-highest curveball spin rate on Mets' big league staff, finishing (a distant) second to Seth Lugo, owner of the highest-spin curve of the Statcast era. Flexen pitches at 92 mph and can reach 96, while adeptly adding sinking or riding life to his fastball by changing his grip. He made progress with his average changeup but would benefit from developing his fringe-average slider into a chase pitch. THE FUTURE: Flexen commands three pitches but lacks a knockout offering. Without an out pitch, he profiles as a No. 5 starter or reliever.