Toronto Blue Jays to Get First Look at Former Top Prospect Noah Syndergaard

After sweeping the Boston Red Sox and running their win streak to a franchise record-tying 11 straight games, the Toronto Blue Jays will now head to New York where they will play an interleague series with the New York Mets. The Blue Jays will play two games against the Mets at Citi Field and will then host the Mets for two games at the Rogers Centre.

Starting the first game of this series on June 15 for the Mets will be a very familiar face for Blue Jays fans: Noah Syndergaard.

Drafted and signed by the Blue Jays in 2010, the 22-year-old was one of the players whom Toronto traded away to the Mets in order to land Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey in 2012. Also part of that trade was Travis d’Arnaud, a catcher who is now a regular for the Mets.

At the time of the trade, Syndergaard was one of Toronto’s top prospects. With a fastball that could touch 100 mph, an effective curveball and above-average control of all his pitches, Syndergaard had the makings of a potential ace. During his final minor league season with Toronto (2012), Syndergaard went 8-5 with a 2.60 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 103.2 innings pitched.

Now, after more than two years after being traded to the Mets, Syndergaard has made it to the majors. The rookie has made six starts this season, posting a 4.15 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 34.2 innings pitched.

Dickey, meanwhile, has been a steady contributor for Toronto since the 2013 season. But, the knuckleballer has struggled to replicate his prior success with the Mets during his time with the Blue Jays. In 81 starts for Toronto, Dickey has posted a 30/32 record with a 4.17 ERA. Those are solid, albeit unspectacular, numbers.

The 2015 season especially has been a struggle up to this point for 40-year-old Dickey, who has posted a 2/6 record with a 5.29 ERA in 81.2 innings pitched. Keep in mind that Dickey could become a free agent this offseason if the Blue Jays decline their $12 million 2016 team option on him. That could become a possibility if Dickey’s numbers this season don’t improve.

Syndergaard, meanwhile, is just beginning his career with the Mets. While his upcoming start against Toronto won’t be enough to judge whether trading him away was a mistake, it will still give Blue Jays fans an opportunity to think about what could’ve been.

*All stats are from MLB.com