1/30/26

MACK - Top 28 Prospects - #28 - CF - Cleiner Ramirez

 

The excitement about the Mets' prospect pipeline has been building year over year as the team improves their domestic and international scouting.  Many of the Mets' picks are being discussed throughout baseball, so Mack has boiled it down to the top 28 to give the readers a glimpse into the team's future.  This series will run for 28 days, counting down from #28 to #1.  The entire list can be viewed by clicking "2026 Top 28 Prospects" on the top menu bar.

1.#28  -        CF  Cleiner Ramirez

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GROK

Cleiner Ramirez is a promising young outfielder prospect recently signed by the New York Mets as part of their 2026 international free agent class (the signing period opens January 15, 2026).

He's ranked as one of the top prospects in the 2026 international class. According to Baseball America, he was the #21 overall prospect in the class.

From recent discussions among prospect watchers and Mets insiders:

He's described as a smaller-built player but generates solid power despite his size.

He's solidly built and viewed as a solid to plus defender.

He transitioned from infield to center field (CF), which aligns with the Mets' needs for athletic outfield talent.

The Mets appear committed to him, even exploring trades for additional international bonus pool money after securing Asigen (who required shifting funds). This suggests Cleiner was a priority signing they wanted to protect and fund.

He's still very early in his pro career—likely debuting in the complex leagues or rookie ball in 2026—and hasn't played professional games yet under the Mets.

As an international signee from the Dominican Republic (common for top IFA talents), his development will be watched closely for his power-defense combo in center field.

For context, this is a fresh signing in the current offseason cycle, so detailed scouting reports and stats are limited until he starts playing in the system.

He's one to follow as part of the next wave of international talent joining guys like the recent draft picks and other prospects.

 

1-9-2026

Daniel Wexler                        @WexlerRules

As previously reported at Baseball America

 Mets signing 2 of the top 50 players in the class

#3 SS Wandy Asigen

#21 OF Cleiner Ramirez when signings become official on 1/15

 Cleiner Ramirez is a highly regarded international baseball prospect from Venezuela, projected as a top outfielder (OF) in the 2026 international free agent (IFA) class.

He's a 17-year-old right-handed hitter known for his excellent bat speed and potential as a power-hitting outfielder, with some sources also listing him as capable of playing infield positions (INF/OF).

As of early January 2026, multiple reports indicate that Cleiner Ramirez is set to officially sign with the New York Mets on January 15, 2026, when the 2026 international signing period opens.

He's considered one of the Mets' top targets in this class, with projections of a signing bonus around $1.3 million, and rankings place him around #23-24 in the overall 2026 international prospect list according to MLB Pipeline and Baseball America.

He's reportedly the brother of Leiner Ramirez, a shortstop who signed with the Mets in the 2024 international class but has been injury-plagued and hasn't played professionally yet.

Cleiner is often highlighted for his athleticism, bat-to-ball skills, and upside in the outfield, making him a promising addition to the Mets' farm system once the deal becomes official.


Ernest Dove - Prospect Profile: Jack Wenninger


Mets Prospect Guru, Ernest Dove, reports on one of the top pitching prospects in the New York Mets development system: Jack Wenninger

For more of Ernest's wisdom and lots of great Mets Prospect Videos subscribe to Ernest's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ernestdove.

You can also catch Ernest on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Reese Kaplan -- What Kind of Job Has David Stearns Done?


A lof of people are praising the rebuild job David Stearns performed over this off season as a result primarily of landing Bo Bichette and Freddy Peralta.  The other additions received thus far mixed reviews as questions exist over Devin Williams’ ability to handle New York, Marcus Semien’s trend of declining offense, Jorge Polanco’s still projected role at 1st base where he’s never played before, Luis Robert, Jr.’s inconsistent offense and high price tag, and how Luke Weaver may be overpaid for two good seasons across town while many, many more before that were flat out awful. 

Then we need to look at what problems still exist even after the recent flurry of personnel moves.  We’ll temporarily forget the corner infield positions and tentatively latch onto the new truth defensively about Bichette and Polanco.  However, there is still no left fielder and no clearly identified DH.  Yes, both Brett Baty and Mark Vientos are still around but neither has a consistent role identified.  The team is also a bit too right handed at the plate and could benefit from another left handed swinger in the lineup. 

The pitching situation is another matter of debate.  Assuming Jonah Tong and Christian Scott are slated as backups in Syracuse, they still have 6 starting pitchers and need to decide how to juggle them or move one of them in a trade to become a more standard five man starting rotation.  We’ve all done the math and it still appears that David Peterson is the most marketable with a modest salary and only one year of forced payroll commitment for his acquiring team.

Many prospective trades have been floated usually for extra relief arms with one of the trio of Peterson, Baty and Vientos being sent packing in a one-for-one type of trade.  While the incoming bullpen addition would be welcome, any of these moves does not address the left field nor DH issues.

There are still players out there in free agency who could serve the outfield or DH roles.  Most starting quality outfielders are long gone off the board while role types or platoon partners exist.  

For DH pretty much any kind of solid bat could work such as Marcell Ozuna who at this stage would be a short term investment for moderate money.  Eugenio Suarez is coming off a 49 HR/118 RBI season and has yet to land anywhere.  That kind of production might even make up for his .228 batting average and about 2 weeks from Spring Training perhaps he’d be surprisingly less expensive than he anticipated.

On the pitching side Framber Valdez, Zac Gallen, Nick Martinez, Chris Bassitt, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are still looking for jobs.  Relievers David Robertson and Danny Coulombe are still waiting for bidders.  No one is sure

Trades, of course, can still be made and to some extent Stearns may be waiting for key Spring Training injuries on other teams to raise the value of his spare parts.  Waiting continues to be his primary strategy for roster construction.


At this point I’d certainly give him a higher grade than I would have anticipated when the door flew open and a huge multitude of players from the 2025 Mets hit the road after he did nothing successful to address the issues during the team’s long June through September tailspin.  Being charitable the best I can offer up is a B- which is an improvement but until the weird position assignments actually work and the still slew of vacancies are addressed it can’t be any higher.   

MACK - The Friday Report - Trey McGough, Yordan Rodriguez, Tobias Myers, Carson Benge

 

 

Good Morning –



The New York Mets have signed Trey McGough to a minor league contract. The pitcher has 267 strikeouts in 280.2 innings pitched throughout his minor league career.

GROK

Trey McGough is a left-handed pitcher (LHP) recently signed by the New York Mets to a minor league contract (reported as a two-year deal in some sources).

He was born on March 29, 1998 (age 27), in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, stands 6'3" tall, and weighs around 200 lbs.

McGough was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 24th round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Mount St. Mary's University.

He has minor league experience across several organizations: Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and now the Mets.

His career minor league stats include a solid 3.21 ERA over 280⅔ innings, with 267 strikeouts and 93 walks (good control, with a 1.15 WHIP in reports).

He primarily worked as a reliever in the upper minors.

In 2024, he pitched in the minors (including time with Bowie Baysox, Norfolk Tides, and Charlotte Knights) and posted a strong 1.98 ERA over 81⅔ innings before retiring in May 2025 while with the White Sox's Triple-A affiliate.

He came out of retirement to sign with the Mets on January 15, 2026.

He's been assigned to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Double-A) as of late January 2026. This signing adds left-handed pitching depth to the Mets' system, likely as organizational relief depth rather than an immediate MLB contributor.

Repertoire

Fastball (four-seam or sinker variant) topping around 92-93 mph.

Offspeed pitches like a changeup.

Breaking balls (slider and/or curveball) in the upper 70s to low 80s.

He's a depth piece for the Mets' farm system—nothing flashy, but a low-risk add with upside if he builds on his 2024 performance.

 

 


Mets Prospect Group      @bkfan09

Love this flyer for the Mets in the Jeff McNeil trade. 2026 could be a breakout  season for Cuban Pitcher Yordan Rodriguez ($400K)

GROK

Yordan Rodriguez is a young pitching prospect in professional baseball, currently in the New York Mets' minor league system.

He's a right-handed pitcher (RHP) born on January 29, 2008, in Cuba (listed with El Salvador, Cuba origin in some records), making him 17-18 years old as of late 2025/early 2026. Standing at 6'3" (about 190 cm) and weighing around 190 lbs, he has solid physical projection for a pitcher.

Background and Career

So Far, Rodriguez signed as an international free agent with the Oakland Athletics in January 2025 for a $400,000 bonus.

He made his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League (DSL) with the DSL Athletics in 2025, where he pitched 15.1 innings across several appearances (likely relief outings early on), posting a 2.93 ERA, solid strikeout numbers (around 11.7 K/9), and good but not elite command.

In December 2025, the Mets acquired him from the Athletics in a trade that sent veteran infielder Jeff McNeil (plus cash) to Oakland. He's now assigned to the Mets' DSL affiliate (DSL Mets Blue).

Scouting reports highlight him as a promising teenage arm with starter potential, listed among notable international prospects (e.g., top 20 in some Athletics rankings pre-trade). He's viewed as a long-term developmental project with upside due to his age and tools.

Repertoire and Stuff

His pitching arsenal stands out for someone so young, showing advanced feel and power for his level:

Fastball: Primary pitch sitting 91-95 mph, with reports of touching up to 96 mph. It's a plus-velocity offering for a 17-year-old.

Slider: A key secondary pitch, thrown in the 79-83 mph range with high spin (around 2650 rpm noted in some breakdowns), suggesting good shape and sweep potential.

Other pitches: Reports mention a curveball and changeup with good mixability and feel, supporting a starter profile rather than pure relief. The overall package combines pitchability (command/feel) with exciting stuff.

He's still very early in his career (just one pro season in rookie ball), so expect further development in velocity, consistency, and pitch refinement as he progresses through the minors.

No MLB debut yet—he's years away, but the tools make him an intriguing name to watch in the Mets' system. 

 Thomas Nestico        @TJStats

Tobias Myers (acquired by NYM) is a depth arm who spent 2025 is a hybrid role split between MLB and AAA

His carrying trait is a high-riding fastball which struggled to produce positive results in 2025 and a deep array of secondaries. Two intriguing traits the Mets can play with

MACKPaul Articulates asked me who I thought was going to be the biggest surprise on the 2026 Mets. I told him this guy.

I’m still not sure what role he will plan but I expect Mets fans to be very happy with this “throw in” in the Freddy Peralta deal.

 

Keith Law – Top 100 Mets Prospects

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6985939/2026/01/26/top-mlb-prospects-2026-keith-law-konnor-griffin/

#18    Carson Benge    OF

2025 Ranking: NR

The Mets’ 2024 first-round pick, Benge was a two-way player at Oklahoma State who gave up pitching when he signed — smart move all around — and really took off last year after making a small adjustment at the plate to stop rolling his front ankle. He’s an excellent athlete with very quick hands and more power than his home-run total (15) would imply, getting to some more power as the season went on with plenty more to come if he continues to adjust. Because of the way he strides and lands and the start of his hand movement, he can end up having to make a huge move to get the barrel into the zone, flying open as a result and, especially early in 2025, rolling his front ankle because he can land too closed. The more he loosened that up — and he did improve it between April and June — the more he could get to his pull side without having to overexert, and he has easy plus power that way. He showed more advanced swing decisions last year than I expected, with excellent pitch recognition, although he gets way, way too aggressive with two strikes. He’s a center fielder now and could end up an above-average defender there, with plus defense in right field his absolute floor, as he has a cannon for an arm that used to produce mid-90s velocity in relief. I’m more of a believer now that I’ve seen him make some adjustments at the plate, even though there’s more work to do.

 

        TJStats – https://tjstats.ca/2026/01/27/2026-top-100-prospects/#carson-benge

        Carson Benge -

        Scouting Grades

        FV 55   Hit 55/60   Power 50/55   Decisions 55/60   Speed 55/55  

        Defense 50/55

Carson Benge solidified himself as one of the most complete prospects in baseball with an excellent pro debut season where he posted a .857 OPS across 116 games. His profile is balanced with above average tools across the board while manning the outfield. A solid 20.1% Whiff rate paired with a strong 21.9% O-Swing rate helped him maintain a 17.7% strikeout rate while walking at an elite rate. His underlying power metrics indicate he has above-average to plus raw strength, however his flatter bat path and spray tendencies may limit his slugging potential. His above average speed, good route running, and cannon of an arm greatly helps his outlook as a CF. Benge is one of the safer bets to be a MLB regular and looks poised to join the Mets early in the 2026 season.


1/29/26

ANGRY MIKE: LAST CHARGE OF STEVE COHEN & HIS IMMORTALS


ANGRY MIKE 



The Mets capped off their busy off-season with arguably their biggest move, acquiring Brewers “Ace”, Freddy Peralta and swingman man Tobias Myers, for top prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat. It was a shocking move that materialized rather quickly after there were reports the Brewers made a formal offer of Freddy Peralta for Williams and Sproat. After the smoke and flames from the "Hot Stove" settled, the Mets were able to get the established “Ace” their rotation sorely needed, as well as a high upside arm for the bullpen. 

The cost was expensive, as Williams and Sproat are not only both high impact prospects, they’re both “MLB-ready” and capable of contributing for the Brewers during the 2026 season.  






This was one of the rare trades where teams exchanged players from positions of strength, to supplement areas of need. The Mets have the deepest farm system in the MLB, and the “Rich got even Richer”, when they were able to sign the #1 Prospect from the 2026 I.F.A. Class, Wandy Asigen, who has been lauded as a true franchise-altering talent. It was speculated all winter by the media and “industry experts”, if the Mets were serious about acquiring a true “Ace”, they would have to surrender Jonah Tong and other top five prospects. The fact the Mets were able to keep players with the highest upside and still acquire an All-Star like Peralta is a testament to how phenomenal of job they have done in recent years to quickly build their stockpile of high-upside talent within their farm system.






FREDDY PERALTA  SCOUTING REPORT:

Peralta has been one of the most consistent starters in the MLB over the past few years, possessing electric stuff that qualifies him as the #1 SP on almost any franchise. What makes Peralta even more intriguing is the fact as good as he’s been, there is still room for improvement, that could help elevate him into a true candidate to win a Cy Young. The Mets have done a tremendous job helping pitchers of various pedigrees unlock their best versions, and that was even before they hired Justin Willard to be their new pitching coach. The combination of Willard, the Mets Pitching Lab, and Peralta’s electric stuff, make for an interesting pairing  that should help Peralta continue to improve and deliver the type of “Ace Caliber” season the Mets are hoping for.

4-seam Fastball  ->  60+ Scouting Grade 94.8 MPH AVG., tops out 98 MPH, perceived velocity is significantly higher, generates run value Top 15% MLB.

Slider  ->  legit 70  Scouting Grade, generated a 53% Whiff rate in 2025, that features sharp horizontal break.

Changeup  ->  55-60  Scout Grade, he used it significantly more last year & it is a pitch that is continues to get better

Curveball  ->  50-55  Scouting Grade, features 12-6 drop & above average vertical drop.

<->    FREDDY PERALTA   <->  3  Consecutive Seasons of:

<->        30+  ->  Game Starts 

<->      165+  ->  Innings Pitched

<->      Fewer hits allowed  ->  than innings pitched

<->      Fewer Hits allowed  ->  than Strikeouts

<->      K-RATE  ->  of 28% or Higher 

<->      Averaged 13 Quality Starts per season 

<->      Double digit wins 

<->      Averaged  18 Outings per season  ->   2 earned runs or fewer

<->      Averaged  20  Outings recording   ->   6+ Strikeouts or more 













METS ACQUIRED   <->  TOBIAS MYERS   ->  SP  /  RP

<->    SCOUTING REPORT:

Myers is an interesting swingman, who’ll take over Max Kranick’s multi-inning role for the 2026 season. He has a similar pitching mechanics to Jonah Tong, with a mid-90s fastball that is deceptively fast. Myers best off-speed pitch is his splitter, which he uses to induce chase & thrown for strikes. Myers also uses a curveball and changeup but they are not close to his splitter. Myers has the potential to be a valuable piece out of the bullpen, but he gets hit hard at times and will need to earn Mendoza’s trust if he is to graduate to high-leverage situations. I wouldn’t put him on par with Luke Weaver just yet, but he provides much needed depth for the bullpen and can eat innings in a multi-inning role to help prevent having to use other key high-leverage arms on a daily basis.

Myers also provides another benefit that I believe is being overlooked. Myers has the same delivery as Mets phenom Jonah Tong, who could greatly benefit from learning how to develop a similar plus splitter like the one Myers throws. Did Stearns choose Myers over other potential RP, because he could help teach his prized pitching prospect another potential 60+ grade pitch that he can add to his arsenal, which he’ll elevate him into a frontline starter? 

I’d like to think so, because that’s exactly what I would’ve done.

Many felt the Mets had to make a move to get a bonafide “Ace” after the way 2025 season ended, and being able to acquire Peralta without having to surrender either Carson Benge or Jonah Tong, as well as several other prospects makes this a huge win for the efforts. The Rangers surrendered 5 prospects for Mackenzie Gore and the Orioles paid a similar steep price for Shane Baz, who might have additional years of control, but aren’t remotely as close to being as accomplished as Peralta is. Having Peralta at the front of the rotation takes a tremendous amount of pressure off of the rest of the rotation and it provides the Mets with the luxury of letting Tong further develop his secondary pitches in AAA to start the season. After a flurry of moves to close out the off-season, the Mets have positioned themselves as legit playoff contenders and better compete with the Phillies for the N.L. East Division.




Until Peralta signs an extension, critics will continue to harp on how much the Mets overpaid for a rental, but Peralta’s has already voiced a willingness to sign an extension if he feels he lands in great situation, which Cohen and Stearns should have no problem convincing him as such. They had a similar situation when they traded for Lindor, which was resolved quickly after the season, and I believe they will be able to get an extension done with Peralta as well. Regardless of whether Bichette opts out or not, the Mets will have over $90+ million coming off the books, leaving more than enough room to extend Peralta and still pursue Tarik Skubal. 

The Mets have positioned themselves well to have a great 2026 season, as well as having the payroll flexibility to continue investing in elite caliber talent by utilizing short-term high AAV contracts or if they feel a player is worthy of locking up using a long-term contract.





RVH - Why This Roster Has More Upside Than It Looks

 

Engineering Upside Potential (aka Positive Variance) Is a Skill

Yesterday, I presented two scenarios for the Mets 2026 season. After a busy trade week, most roster conversations collapse into a binary debate: Is this good enough or not? That question misses the point.

The more useful lens for this Mets roster is positive variance — not random luck, but upside that emerges when a roster is intentionally constructed to allow multiple things to go right at once.

Good organizations don’t eliminate variance. They design for asymmetry.


What Positive Variance Actually Means

Positive variance isn’t about miracles. It’s about clusters.

It shows up when:

  • Several players have plausible rebound paths, not long-shot ones

  • Those paths are independent, not correlated

  • And the roster doesn’t collapse if only some of them materialize

That’s exactly how this Mets roster is structured.


Where the Upside Lives

1. Rotation Reversion (Not Reinvention)

The Mets aren’t asking their starters to become something new.

They’re asking them to return to baseline health and sequencing.

  • Kodai Senga doesn’t need to reinvent his arsenal — he needs his lower half synced again.

  • Sean Manaea isn’t chasing velocity — he’s chasing efficiency and durability.

  • David Peterson doesn’t need growth — he needs better workload management.

These are lab-friendly problems. That matters.

If two of the three revert meaningfully, the entire staff stabilizes.


2. Position-Player Optionality

This roster doesn’t hinge on one breakout bat.

  • Mark Vientos doesn’t need a new swing — modest gains in pitch recognition alone change his value profile.

  • Luis Robert doesn’t have to play 155 games — he has to play enough.

  • Carson Benge isn’t being rushed — his value is timing, not headlines.

None of these bets require perfection. They require partial hits.

That’s intentional.


3. Depth as a Variance Multiplier

Depth isn’t about names. It’s about when options become available.

Because the Mets didn’t empty the system:

  • Injuries don’t force premature promotions

  • Slumps don’t trigger panic trades

  • July doesn’t become a bidding war out of desperation

Depth doesn’t raise the ceiling by itself — it protects upside when it appears.


The Quiet Advantage

The biggest mistake fans make is assuming upside requires risk concentration.

It doesn’t.

This roster spreads upside across:

  • Health reversion

  • Mechanical efficiency

  • Developmental timing

  • Trade flexibility

That’s how you end up with seasons where several things go right without needing everything to.


Why This Feels Different

Previous Mets teams chased certainty:

  • Big contracts

  • Fixed roles

  • Narrow paths to success

This team accepts uncertainty — and manages it.

That’s not lowering expectations.
That’s how you keep them alive.


Positive variance isn’t luck.
It’s a skill.

And this roster finally reflects that.