Former Red Sox minor league pitcher signs MLB deal with Mets
The New York Mets signed right-handed pitcher Justin Hagenman, who spent all of last season with the WooSox, to a one-year MLB deal, the team announced.
Hagenman, 28, came over from the Dodgers with right-hander Nick Robertson during the 2023 season for Kiké Hernandez. During his year and a half in the Red Sox system, Hagenman spent his entire time with Worcester.
Last season, the righty pitched in 28 games, making 15 starts, posting a 4-6 record with a 4.91 ERA with 98 strikeouts to 31 walks over 91 2/3 innings.
Hagenman pitched in different roles for WooSox skipper Chad Tracy, being utilized as a starter, reliever, spot-starter, and tossing bulk innings.
When the Red Sox acquired the righty from the Dodgers, his initial role was to toss bulk innings.
“When we acquired him, the interest level was being in a bulk bullpen role,” Tracy said of Hagenman back in 2023 after the trade. “It is more like a multiple-inning reliever somewhere in the middle part of the game to carry it to the back end, and we have used him primarily that way.”
This past offseason, he was given an invite to Red Sox spring training with the intent of stretching him out into a starter. Hagenman throws from a low three-quarters arm slot and offers a four-pitch mix on the mound. He offers a 92-94 mph fastball with arm-side run, a low-80s whiff-inducing slider, a mid-80s changeup, and an occasional cutter.
The Mets are in need of additional pitching depth this winter with nine key pitchers on the free agent market, including Sean Manaea, who is expected to reject the $21.05 million qualifying offer on Tuesday, Luis Severino, Brooks Rally, Jose Quintana, Adam Ottavino, Ryne Stanek, Phil Mason, Joey Lucchesi, and Drew Smith.
New York will have numerous holes in both their rotation and bullpen, opening a door for Hagenman to win a spot on the major league roster.
