Kodai Senga's 'ghost fork' pitch already impressing his Mets teammates
Among the many acquisitions made by the New York Mets this offseason, Japanese right-hander Kodai Senga may be the most intriguing.
The Mets inked the five-time Japan Series champion to a five-year $75M deal in December to be the team's third starter. While New York could have a third ace in its rotation if he pans out, there's no guarantee his transition to MLB will be smooth.
Last week, Senga threw 52 pitches in his first bullpen session of spring training. It wasn't his sharpest outing, as he's still getting acclimated to the feel of MLB baseballs, despite touching 96 MPH on the radar gun. Against live hitters on Sunday, the results were different.
Facing off against his new teammates, including SS Francisco Lindor and first baseman Pete Alonso, Senga unleashed his patented "ghost fork" pitch.
Named for its incredible downward movement, the "ghost fork" is more of a splitter than a forkball based on the pitch's grip, although it's considered a forkball in Japan.
"First day of school, and he looks really good," Lindor said of Senga's first time competing against batters in spring training. When asked if he saw Senga's forkball, he joked, "No, I didn't see it because it's a ghost ball."
Alonso, who struck out twice against Senga, once by way of the "ghost fork," provided his assessment of the pitch.
"I don't really have anything to base it off of; it's like its own pitch. It's a pretty good one," said Alonso. As for the pitch's shape, he couldn't quite describe it, "I don't know. That's why it's the ghost pitch.
"I'm happy I don't have to face him, that's for sure. I'm happy he's on our side," Alonso added.
The lore surrounding the "ghost fork" even made waves during the Mets' Super Bowl commercial, as Senga made a cameo saying it wasn't a "real ghost."
After hearing Alonso rave about his performance, Senga confirmed that his line in the ad was just part of the script and that the pitch actually is a ghost.
Besides his forkball, Senga's pitch arsenal includes a four-seam fastball, cutter, and slider. He has used a curveball in the past, but it may not be a part of his repertoire in 2023. During a start last season, he topped out at 101 MPH with his fastball.
Senga, 30, posted a 1.94 ERA with 156 strikeouts in 144 innings with Nippon Professional Baseball's Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2022.
As part of the Mets' newly constructed rotation, he'll join future Hall of Famers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, along with veterans José Quintana and Carlos Carrasco. Young arms David Peterson and Tylor Megill will also likely be involved.
The Mets open their season against the Marlins in Miami on March 30.
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