The New York Mets were busy this winter in terms of adding starting pitching.
The rotation was dealt a tough blow with the departure of Jacob deGrom.
However, the Mets added three big pieces to compensate for the loss in Jose Quintana, Justin Verlander, and Kodai Senga.
Senga was signed to a five-year deal in December.
In Japan, Senga was one of the most dominant starters the game had to offer.
The veteran right-hander has carried that over to the Mets, and he ranks among the best pitchers in the league in an elite category.
Senga is averaging 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings.
On Twitter, SNY, the TV home of the Mets, posted a graphic featuring the MLB leaders in strikeouts per nine innings.
Kodai Senga ranks top 5 among all MLB starters this season in strikeouts per 9 innings ♨️ pic.twitter.com/tlxPTNjESM
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 31, 2023
Other pitchers on the list include Spencer Strider, Hunter Greene, Shohei Ohtani, and Kevin Gausman.
Senga ranks fifth on the list, nearly four strikeouts behind Strider, who tops the list.
The 30-year-old is off to a hot start this season with the Mets and has been one of the team’s most dependable starters.
The veteran righty is 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 10 starts.
He also has recorded 70 strikeouts and owns a 1.345 WHIP over 55 innings of work.
So far, Senga has been an impactful addition for the Mets, who had a tough start to the season but are now seemingly finding their footing again.
Senga shares a rotation with Verlander and Max Scherzer, both of whom have dealt with some struggles this season.
But the right-hander has given the Mets a little bit of everything so far.
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