10 Predictions for Mets Ace Matt Harvey's 2015 MLB Comeback

After missing all of the 2014 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Matt Harvey will make his much-anticipated return to the New York Mets rotation in 2015. The Mets ace had a great 2013 season, and if he pitches as well in 2015 as he did then, he could really help the Mets push for a trip to the postseason this year.

Here are 10 predictions for Harvey this season.

1. Harvey Will Not Be the Opening Day Starter

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Despite being arguably the best pitcher on the Mets staff, Harvey most likely will not be the Opening Day starter, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN (h/t Brendan Kuty of NJ.com). It seems quite likely that he will instead make his first start in the Mets' home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies a week later.

This is a smart plan, because the Mets certainly will not want to overuse Harvey early in the season so he'll be able to pitch a lot in the second half. Furthermore, he will very likely be on an innings limit because he missed all of last season. As a result, his innings will have to be carefully monitored all season.

All in all, it's fair to say that Harvey will not be the Mets' Opening Day starting pitcher this season.

2. Harvey Will Make at Least 25 Starts This Season

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

As long as Harvey does not suffer any setbacks this season and get hurt again, there's no reason to not expect him to make around 25 starts this season.

Starting pitchers usually make over 30 starts in a full season, but with Harvey probably on an innings limit, he could get skipped in the rotation here and there. But he should still be able to make around 25 starts or so.

In other words, the prediction is that Harvey will be healthy this year and make around 25 starts—and possibly more if the Mets make it to the playoffs.

3. Harvey Will Be an All-Star Again

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

In 2013, Harvey made his first trip to the All-Star Game, which the Mets happened to host. If he pitches as well this season as he did that year, there's no reason not to expect him to make another trip to the All-Star Game this year in Cincinnati.

Harvey has the potential to be a consistent All-Star presence for years to come, and hopefully, he will be at least one of the Mets' representatives at the All-Star Game in July.

4. Harvey Will Win at Least 15 Games

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Win totals for pitchers are always tough to really predict, especially today with the value of the bullpen increasing and the presence of more strict innings limits.

A pitcher's performance of course is the biggest factor in determining whether he will get the win in his start. However, run support from the offense and the performance of the bullpen in the later innings can both have significant effects as well in preserving or denying a pitcher of a win.

In his breakout 2013 season, Harvey won only nine games in 26 starts. But both the Mets offense and bullpen this year are better than in 2013. As a result, Harvey should be expected to win more games this year.

5. Harvey Will Be Among the Top 3 in ERA Among NL Pitchers

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

In 2013, Harvey finished third in the NL with a 2.27 ERA. If he returns to similar dominance this year, he should be expected to be in the top three in ERA among NL pitchers once again. There's also a chance he may even lead the NL in ERA. Either way, Harvey will definitely be in the mix.

6. Harvey Will Be Among Top 5 in Strikeouts Among NL Pitchers

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

There's a good chance that Harvey could lead the league in strikeouts if he were not on an innings limit. But of course, based on what he has been through, an innings limit would be smart for him to be on.

In his rookie 2012 season, Harvey struck out 70 batters in 59.1 innings pitched. In 2013, he fanned 191 batters in 178.1 innings pitched. That's good enough for a career 9.9 K/9 mark.

Harvey is a power-pitching strikeout machine. Depending on how many innings he ends up pitching, he should finish in the top five in strikeouts among NL pitchers.

7. Harvey Will Hold His Own at the Plate and Even Hit a Home Run

Elsa/Getty Images

Matt Harvey is quite an athlete. Not only is he one of the best young pitchers in all of baseball, but he can hold his own with the bat as well.

Harvey's career .145 average at the plate may not sound like much, but for a pitcher, it's pretty good. He has 11 hits in 76 at-bats, including four doubles and five RBI. He even draw a walk in 2013.

This season, Harvey will take it one step further, and with his strong 6'4", 215-pound frame, he will hit a home run at the plate.

8. Harvey Will Win the 2015 NL Comeback Player of the Year Award

Elsa/Getty Images

Being that he missed all of 2014 due to injury, Harvey should be a very strong candidate for the 2015 NL Comeback Player of the Year Award. He may have some good competition, but if he pitches really well, he should be a favorite to win the award.

Harvey wouldn't be the first Met to win the award. Tommie Agee was the first Mets winner in 1969, followed by Ray Knight in 1986, Rickey Henderson in 1999 and Fernando Tatis in 2008.

He would, though, be the first Mets pitcher to earn the award, as all four of those former Mets were hitters.

9. Harvey Will Be the 2015 NL Cy Young Award Runner-Up

Elsa/Getty Images

If Harvey stays healthy and puts together a season at least as strong as his 2013 season, he will very likely be among the main contenders for the 2015 NL Cy Young Award, and there's a great chance he could end up being the runner-up this year.

He could even win the award himself, but it would take a remarkable season to beat out Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who has won three of the last four NL Cy Young Awards and should be expected to continue his dominance this season as well.

Expecting Harvey to pitch better than Kershaw is asking a lot, especially with the possible innings limit, but he will finish as a very deserving NL Cy Young Award runner-up this season.

10. Harvey Will Assert Himself as the Best Baseball Player in New York

Andy Marlin/Getty Images

One thing that will be very hard to deny by the end of the 2015 season is that Harvey will have turned into the best baseball player in all of New York City. In other words, the best player among everyone on both the Mets and New York Yankees.

He will become the new baseball idol in New York City, just like Dwight Gooden was for most of the 1980s and Derek Jeter was for most of his career, which lasted from 1995-2014. With Jeter retired, the stage is all Harvey's now.

No one else from either the Mets or Yankees right now can really compare to the talent and potential Harvey has. If a baseball player gets a billboard in New York City anytime soon, it will almost certainly be Harvey, who is clearly the best baseball player in all of New York.

All statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.