Paul Articulates – Meet the 2024 Binghamton Rumble Ponies

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies have been the AA franchise for the New York Mets for many years.  Last year was a very successful season, as they rode a crop of top prospects all the way into the Eastern League Championship series.  This year one could expect more of the same with seven of the top 30 Mets’ prospects on the opening day roster.

Minor league teams tend to have very dynamic rosters, so nothing is a given, but this year’s opening roster has solid talent in the infield, outfield, and pitching staff.  With more top talent in AAA, these players may stick around a little longer and show off their skills in Binghamton’s loyal fan base.

Let’s start with the pitching staff because it is going to be a noteworthy group.  

Starting pitcher Blade Tidwell returns after playing an important role on the run to last year’s championship series.  Tidwell is the #10 prospect for the Mets to begin the 2024 season.  He compiled a 3-3 record in 8 starts with the Ponies after being called up last year.  He features a high 90’s fastball and a sweeping slider and an above-average change-up.  Blade is an athletic pitcher with a strong competitive drive, so he will undoubtedly be an exciting player to watch.

Starting pitcher Tyler Stuart (#18 prospect) also pitched in the Spring Breakout game for the Mets in March and had a very strong inning.  Stuart is an imposing 6’9” 250lb hurler with a mid-90s fastball and excellent control.  His 2.20 ERA and 1.1 WHIP were among the minor league leaders for qualified starting pitchers, and batters have even more to worry about in 2024 because Stuart has learned to throw a cutter to complement his other pitches.

Starting pitcher Joander Suarez returns to the Binghamton staff this year as a two time Eastern League pitcher of the week award winner.  His first came after Joander no-hit the Hartford Yard Goats in September.  That game was part of a 17-inning span over three games in which Suarez did not surrender a hit.  For those that think the Mets have never been a player in the international player market, Suarez was signed for $10k as an 18-year-old out of Venezuela in 2018.  Suarez is scheduled to start opening day.

The Rumble Ponies also expect to get some quality starts from Luis Moreno who pitched well for them down the stretch in 2023.  Junior Santos, who we wrote about last month, is a returning pitcher on the staff that started 15 games last year.  I am hoping they convert him to a reliever this year because he is capable of dominating hitters over small stretches.

In the pen, the Rumble Ponies have several good arms.  The most notable of the group is Paul Gervase, a 6’10” right-hander in his third year out of LSU.  Gervase spent most of 2023 in Brooklyn, where he was honored with selection to the post-season all-star team in the South Atlantic League.    There he posted the league’s lowest ERA (1.72) and hits-per-nine innings (4.60), and highest strikeouts-per-nine inning ratio (14.55) for pitchers with at least 45 innings.

All those strong arms will be throwing to one of two very talented catchers.  This year’s AA roster includes #9 prospect and top 2022 draft pick Kevin Parada and last year’s minor league Platinum Glove award winner Hayden Senger.  Parada will likely be the primary starter due to his prospect rating.

The infield will feature #1 prospect Jett Williams at short, though Jett is being developed into a multi-position player with spring training reps at short, second, and center field.  Williams will certainly draw some attention as he has moved up quickly in the organization, succeeding at every level along the way.  

Alongside Williams on the left side will be Jeremiah Jackson, received in a steal of a trade for Dominic Leone last year.  Jackson has also shown some multi-position versatility, but will likely see a lot of time at third base with the Rumble Ponies.  Jackson hit .264 last year with the Ponies, recording a .801 OPS.

JT Schwartz will begin his second season with the Rumble Ponies at first base.  Schwartz missed a couple months last year with a quad injury, but came back strong, batting .348 with a .921 OPS over his last 39 regular season games.

Second base will be contested by Wyatt Young and Jose Peroza.  Both of these players have shown flashes of brilliance in their minors careers, and consistency may be the attribute that wins the playing time in Binghamton.

The Binghamton outfield will feature some future stars this year.  

Rhylan Thomas is back this year, with his defensive player of the year trophy on the mantle and 12 more pounds of muscle on his athletic frame.  Thomas hit .328 last year across three levels of ball, including .353 with the AA Rumble Ponies.  He will be a legitimate threat this year.

He will be joined by Alex Ramirez, who was touted as a top prospect two years ago before having an off year in Brooklyn in 2023.  The organization is still high on Ramirez, so look for him to showcase his #16 prospect ranking with a strong arm and plenty of speed.   

Speaking of speed, Brandon McIlwain will also be in the Binghamton outfield.  Brandon stole 20 bases between Binghamton and Syracuse last year.  He is electric on the base paths, so don’t turn around for that hot dog vendor or you will miss his circuit around the diamond.

There is so much more to say about this roster, but so little space to say it.  Suffice to say that the hardest challenge in Binghamton this year will be with manager Reid Brignac, who will have to figure out how to get innings for all this talent.  As Reid would say, “Go Ponies”!