2025 DRAFT - Current Leaders - College Pitchers

 

ERA -

 

1 – Dylan Brown    Old Dominion        19.1-IP    0.00

2 -  Liam O’Brien    Hawaii                     17.1-IP    0.00

3 -  Adam Brower   Northern Illinois   17.0-IP    0.00

4 -  Hunter Elliot     Ole Miss                  16.0-IP    0.00

5 -  Adan Perez        Pacific                     15.1-IP    0.00

 

K/BB Ratio –

 

1 -   Nathan Mertens    Southern Mo. State    16-K/0-BB/0.00

2 -    Luke Roggenburk   St. Bonnies                  13-K/0-BB/0.00

3 -    Tyler Bremmer       UCSB                             12-K/0-BB/0.00

4 -    Connor Harris         Winthrop                     11-K/0-BB/0.00

5 -    Patrick Forbes         Louisville                     30-K/1-BB/30.00

 

K/9 Ratio –

 

1 -     Liam Doyle             Tennessee    14.2-IP/34-K    20.86

2 -     Patrick Forbes        Louisville   15.0-IP/30-K    18.00

3 -     Logan Lunceford    Wake Forest    15.0-IP/29-K    17.40

4 -      Jake Blackwell       McNeese State    12.0-IP/22-K    16.50

5 -    Wyatt Cameron     Central Conn. St.    3.1-IP/6-K    16.20

 

WHIP

 

1 -    Reese Arbogast    South Dakota State    0.24

2 -    Liam O’Brien         Hawaii                           0.29

3 -    Ryan Bilka              Richmond                    0.38

4 -    Joseph Dzierwa     Michigan State           0.42

5 -    Haden Dow             SE Mo. State              0.43

2025 DRAFT - NCAA TOP PITCHERS

 

Top Pitchers – Results:

 

LHP James Arnold    FSU

    5 IP  4 H  2 R  2 ER  2 BB  8 K 

    SEASON    3 STARTS  2-0  1.12  16 IP  2 BB  24 K

 

RHP Cam Leiter    FSU  

    Out – Injury… in rehab

 

RHP Tyler Bremner  UCSB   

    5 1P  4 H  2 R  2 ER  8 K 

    SEASON:  3 STARTS  2-0  1.12  16 IP  24 K  2 BB

 

RHP Malachi Witherspoon   Oklahoma

    5 IP   6 H   1 R   0 ER   1 BB   4 K

    SEASON:   3 STARTS   2-0   1.88   1.33   14.1 IP   7 BB   13 K

 

RHP Kyson Witherspoon    Oklahoma

    6 1P  5 H  0 R  0 ER  1 BB 7 K  3-0

    SEASON:   3 STARTS   3-0   1.29   0.72   18 IP   28 K  3 BB

 

     MLB Pipeline        @MLBPipeline

Kyson Witherspoon through his first 3 starts of the year:

1.50 ERA | 28/3 K/BB ratio in 18 IP

Scouting grades and more on the flamethrowing 2025 Draft-eligible hurler

 

    Baseball America

Kyson Witherspoon’s draft year is off to a roaring start. The Oklahoma righty owns a 1.50 ERA and 28 strikeouts against three walks in 18 innings. His latest contribution was a six-inning strikeout Friday against Cal State Northridge with six strikeouts and no runs allowed.

Witherspoon has been successful without expanding his pitch usage much beyond a fastball and slider that he can throw harder and manipulate into more of a cutter. The Sooners’ ace also has an effective curveball and developing changeup in his back pocket should he need to expand his list of offerings against SEC foes. For now, simplicity is working well.

     

RHP Chase Shores    LSU

    5 IP   7 H   4 R   4 ER   3 BB   5 K   3-0

    SEASON:    3 STARTS   3-0   3.00   15 IP   5 BB   18 K

 

LHP Kade Anderson    LSU

    5.1 IP  3 H  2 R  2 ER  3 BB  10 K

    SEASON:   3 STARTS  2-0  2.30  1.05  15.2 IP  6-BB  26 K

 

    Baseball America –

Through three starts, LSU’s Kade Anderson has comfortably validated coach Jay Johnson’s preseason prediction to Baseball America that the lefthander would take a big step forward as a sophomore.

On Friday, Anderson struck out 10 and allowed just two earned runs over 5.1 innings against a Kansas State team that has already toppled three top-25 teams. Though his fastball sits in the low 90s, Anderson generates impressive cut-ride on the pitch and backs it up with a curveball, slider and changeup.

Despite striking out 59 batters in 38.1 innings last year, Anderson recorded a much less impressive 29% overall miss rate. He had upped that figure to 44% entering yesterday’s start.

   

LHP Connor Ware    LSU

    2 IP   2 H   5 R   5 ER   3 BB   5 K  

    SEASON:   3 STARTS   1-0   6.00   9 IP   4 BB   13 K

 

RHP Matt Scott    Stanford

    6 IP  5 H  2 R  2 ER  4 BB  5 K  3-0

    SEASON:    3 STARTS  3-0  1.56  17.1 IP  7 BB  19 K

   

RHP Kolton Smith    Georgia

    2.1 IP  2 H  2 R  1 ER  1 BB  3 K      

    SEASON:    2 G  1 START  0-0  11.25  4 IP  2 BB  5 K

 

RHP Payton Graham    Gonzaga  - did not pitch

   

RHP James Ellwanger    Dallas Baptist

    4 IP   1 H   0 R   0 ER   2 BB   4 K

    SEASON:   3 STARTS   0-0   0.90   0.80   10 IP   4 BB   14 K

 

RHP Patrick Forbes    Louisville

    5 IP  5 H  6 R  0 ER  0 BB  10 K 

    SEASON:   3 STARTS  1-0  1.20  0.87  15 IP  30 K  1 BB

   

RHP Gabe Davis    Oklahoma State

    3 IP  4 H  3 R  3 ER  3 BB  6 K  0-1

    SEASON:   3 GAMES  2 STARTS  0-1   6.48  1.68  8.1 IP  6 BB  13 K

   

LHP J.D. Thompson    Vanderbilt

    5.1 IP   1 H   2 R   2 ER   1 BB   8 K   1-0

    SEASON:    3 STARTS  1-0   3.29   13.2 IP   4 BB   19 K

 

LHP Ryan Prager    TAMU

    6.1 IP   3 H   1 R   1 ER   2 BB   10 K  

    SEASON:    3 STARTS   1-0   0.55   0.86   16.1 IP   6 BB   20 K  

 

Baseball America –

Texas A&M’s grip on No. 1 in the Top 25 is slipping following three consecutive losses, and it averaged just 3.4 runs over its last five games. But the Aggies’ early-season woes aren’t because of the performance of ace lefty Ryan Prager, who was sharp again on Friday against Arizona in Houston.

Though he primarily worked behind a fastball that sat in the 89-92 mph range, Prager kept the Wildcats off balance, striking them out 10 times and allowing one run on three hits and two walks over 6.1 innings.

   

LHP Zane Adams    Alabama

    4 IP   4 H   3 R   3 ER   3 BB   6 K  

    SEASON:    3 STARTS   2-0   5.11   12.1 IP   8 BB   12 K

   

LHP Ben Jacobs    Arizona State

    6 IP   5 H   4 R   4 ER   3  BB   4 K  

    SEASON:    3 STARTS   0-0   6.60   1.27   15 IP   5 BB   20 K

   

LHP Liam Doyle    Tennessee

    4.1 IP  3 H  0 R  0 ER  2 BB  9 K 

    SEASON:    3 STARTS   2-0   0.61   14.2 IP   3 BB   34 K

 

       Thomas Nestico        @TJStats

        Liam Doyle (UT, #75 Draft Prospect Pipeline) was incredible today as he struck out 9 across 4.1 Scoreless Innings

His arsenal is highlighted by a lively fastball and depthy slider that makes batters look foolish. Expect his stock to rise rapidly prior to the draft!

 

      Codify      @CodifyBaseball

Liam Doyle has struck out 34 batters in 14⅔ innings this year while allowing only 1 run

Liam Doyle's strikeout total in his first 3 starts of 2025:

🟠 14

⚫️ 11

🟠 9

   

        Kurt Moody        @DET_Guru_Kurt

Liam Doyle is being pulled by @Vol_Baseball

Doyle went 4.1 IP with 3 H, 2 BB, 9 K

Brings Liam's season total to 34 K in only 14.2 IP; a seismic ~21 K per 9

 

    On The Clock | College Baseball and MLB Draft Pod       @OnTheClock_1

Is Liam Doyle the best Friday night starter in the SEC and college baseball?!

First three starts:

2/14 - 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB 11 K

 2/21 - 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 14 K

 2/28 - 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K

Good for a 0.61 ERA, 34 K's, and 69.4 K%

 

RHP Nate Snead    Tennessee

    SAT - 1 IP  0 H  0 R  0 ER  0 BB  0 K

    SUN – 3.2 IP   4 H   0 R   0 ER   2 BB   3 K

    WEDNESDAY

    

RHP AJ Russell    Tennessee – did not pitch

        

RHP Trace Phillips    Middle Tennessee State

    5 IP   7 H   6 R   4 ER   1 BB   5 BB

        

LHP Joe Ariola    Wake Forest – did not pitch

 

LHP Nelson Keljo    Oregon State

    4 IP   3 H   2 R   2 ER   1 BB   4 K  

    SEASON:    3 STARTS   0-0   3.00   1.33   12 IP   10 BB   12 K

   

LHP Landon Beidelschies     Arkansas

    6.1 IP   4 H   1 R   1 ER   1 BB   7 K

    SEASON:    3 GAMES   2 STARTS   2-0   1.29   14 IP   3 BB   14 K

 

RHP Christian Foutch    Arkansas

    FRIDAY:   1 IP   0  H   0 R   0 ER   0 BB   1 K

    SEASON:   3 APPS   1-0   0.00   4.1 IP   2 BB   2 K

 

Jay Woolfork  Virginia

    6  IP  2 H  1 R  1 ER  0 BB  10 K

    SEASON:   3 STARTS   1-0   2.63   13.2 IP   3 BB   21 BB

 

Danny Suarez  UC Irving

   5 IP  4 H  2 R  2 ER  2 BB  12 K 

    SEASON:    3 STARTS   0-0   6.55   1.82   11 IP   8 BB   10 K

    Baseball America

    Danny Suarez, RHP, UC Irvine

    UC Irvine’s Danny Suarez certainly doesn’t throw the hardest, nor does he have much experience after injuries derailed the last two seasons, but the Anteaters’ coaching staff has expressed a high degree of confidence in him. On Friday, it finally paid off.

Suarez put together one of the best outings of his career against Louisiana with 12 strikeouts and just two runs allowed in five innings. He leaned on a high-80s fastball that occasionally crept into the low 90s and a low-80s slider that drew its fair share of whiffs, too.

Suarez is fully healthy for the first time in over two years. He could be a major boon to UC Irvine as it chases down a conference title and takes aim at a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Final line: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 12 K

 

Jared Spencer  Texas

    6 IP  4 H  1 R  1 ER  2 BB  9 K  1-0

    SEASON:   3 STARTS   1-0   1.12   16 IP   8 BB   21 K

   Baseball America

Jared Spencer, LHP, Texas

Indiana State transfer lefty Jared Spencer had opportunities to turn pro over the offseason after largely serving as a reliever for three successful years with the Sycamores. Instead, he transferred to Texas with his sights set on proving that he could start.

So far, that looks like a great bet.

Spencer dismantled Washington on Friday, striking out nine batters over six winnings while allowing just one run. He now has 21 strikeouts over his first 16 innings with Texas and has surrendered just two earned runs.

Previously more of a two-pitch reliever, Spencer has transformed into a more well-rounded starter under the tutelage of highly regarded pitching coach Max Weiner. Spencer added a changeup to his repertoire and showing more velocity on his fastball, which has plenty of life.

Command has been a concern for Spencer in the past. He walked just two Huskies batters on Friday, but has issued eight free passes through three starts. Still, Spencer is turning himself into quite an intriguing senior prospect.

Final line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 9 K

 

Dominic Fritton  NC State

    6.0 IP   6 H   2 R   1 ER   2 BB   12 K   1-1

    SEASON:   3 STARTS   1-1   1.20   15 1P   10 BB   21 K

 

    Baseball America -

Dominic Fritton put together arguably his best outing since his 2023 freshman season on Friday against Canisius when he struck out 12 and allowed just one earned run on six hits and two walks over six innings.

The fastball-reliant lefthander posted a 7.64 ERA over 73 innings in his first season as a full-time starter last year, but the Wolfpack coaching staff remained confident that he’d eventually round into form thanks to a great feel for spin and raw movement on his pitches.

Fritton has allowed just two earned runs and struck out 21 in 15 innings. His 10 walks are something to monitor closely.

Final line: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2/1 R/ER, 2 BB, 12 K

 

Samuel Dutton   Auburn

    6 IP   2 H   0 R   0 ER   0 BB   9 K   2-1

    SEASON:   3 STARTS   2-1   0.56   16 IP  4 BB  23 K

Baseball America –

There’s a lot of season left, but it’s certainly starting to look like Auburn hit the jackpot in the transfer portal when it scooped up former LSU righty Samuel Dutton, who generally performed poorly over the last three years but put enough good stuff on tape to intrigue Auburn coach Butch Thompson and his staff.

Dutton on Friday against Ohio State threw six scoreless innings and struck out nine, setting new career-highs in both categories.

He owns a 0.56 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 16 innings. The senior has never thrown more than 38.2 frames in a season.

 

Joseph Dzierwa  Michigan State

    6 IP   4 H   1 R   1 ER   0 BB   10 K   3-0

    SEASON:   3 STARTS   3-0   0.47   0.42   19 IP   2 BB   33 K

 

    Baseball America -

Few have performed better than Michigan State junior lefty Joseph Dzierwa, who continued his dominance Friday with 10 strikeouts, no walks and just one run allowed on four hits over six innings against Harvard..

The 6-foot-8 Baseball America Preseason Big Ten Pitcher of the Year has struck out 10 or more in all three of his outings and owns a minuscule 0.47 ERA with 33 strikeouts against just two walks in 19 innings.

Dzierwa checked in at No. 110 in BA’s preseason Top 200 draft rankings. The projectable lefthander is poised to rise if he can continue on his current track. He entered his third start of the year generating a 45% overall miss rate.

 

Ethan Darden  Clemson

    7 IP   3 H   0 R   0 ER   2 BB   6 K

    SEASON:   3 STARTS   2-0   1.06   17 IP   6 BB   15 K

Reese Kaplan -- A Closer Look at Who Replaces Injured Pitchers

Yesterday we took a crack at predicting the opening day roster given the in-camp battles, the health of various players and the concern to keep the payroll from escalating any further than it already has.  Today let’s take a closer look at the starting pitching and how things both fair and unfair lead to decisions being made.

Everyone is fully aware of Sean Manaea’s alleged less severe right oblique strain which everyone has written in ink will require his season to begin on the 15-day IL.  Right now rest and corresponding treatments are being done to attempt to minimize the length of his absence from leading the Mets pitching rotation.

Now the situation with fellow starter Frankie Montas is quite a bit worse.  His evaluation of a high grade lat strain is met initially with an order to shutdown for up to eight weeks.  The next phase afterwards would be the equivalent of having gone through a normal spring training ramp up to the season.  Estimates vary but the most optimistic numbers which assume no setbacks nor recurrences have late May to mid-June as a timetable. 

Everyone is aware there are four capable starters who can vie to fill in for these two starting pitchers.  In alphabetical order you have Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning, Max Kranick and Tylor Megill.  None immediately jump out as being the equivalent of what they’re asked to replace but at the same time you’re looking at in Manaea’s case perhaps May 1st as a start date but then another 6 weeks or so later for Montas.  In terms of starting pitching, 4 weeks is 5-6 stars and 10 weeks is 11-12 revolutions of the pitching rotation. 

Paul Blackburn was a mid season scratch your head acquisition in 2024 after having played regularly for the Athletics.  His baseball card numbers don’t fill you with a lot of confidence.  Since debuting back in 2017 he’s functioned primarily as a starting pitcher.  

Since then he’s accumulated a track record of 22-28 with a 4.85 ERA, a terrible WHIP of 1.409 and a less than 2.5:1 ratio of strikeouts to walks.  His best season was arguably as a rookie when he was 3-1 over 10 starts with a 3.22 ERA and a respectable WHIP.  It’s all been downhill since then. 

Now some GMs are so obsessed with their ego and reputation that they will often extend a poorly performing player a longer-than-wise interval of appearing regularly.  Last season some feared that outcome would happen with David Stearns’ former Brewers hurler Adrian Houser, but after seven mediocre starts he was cut loose.  Some wonder if the same can be said about the less productive Blackburn whose only real attribute right now is apparently full health.

Griffin Canning is another pitcher that got people wondering what was the appeal?  If you look over his numbers, Canning debuted in 2019 for the Angels and spent his entire career there until the Mets acquired him during the offseason.  

His career is summed up by a 25-34 record with 4.78 ERA.  His WHIP is slightly better than Blackburn’s number as is his modest strikeout to walk number.  He makes little money in today’s economy so you wonder how long his leash will be.

Max Kranick has pitched for the Pirates before spending all of 2024 in the minors.  His modest two partial years in Pittsburgh were ugly and his major league record is best not even cited.  However, in a combination of St. Lucie, Binghamton and Syracuse he appeared in 45 games as both a starter and reliever, finishing with aggregate totals of 2-2 with a 3.82 ERA, a 1.288 WHIP and a 2.67 Strikeout-to-Walk ratio.  

In spring training this year he’s been even better than that and at 27 years of age he may just be a bit of a late bloomer.  For now the minor league numbers are far better than what the previous duo did in the majors.

Then there’s many fans and writers’ whipping boy, Tylor Megill.  He has had parts of the last few seasons with the Mets.  He occasionally looked like a solid pitcher and future key player.  Then there are other times he was simply a batting practice pitcher for opponents.  He did finish 2024 strongly and thus far has shown higher velocity than the others. 

If you’re a businessman, you want to see return on your investments.  Tylor Megill was made a part of the Mets organization long before David Stearns was a part of it, but he’s also stood on the mound for manager Carlos Mendoza so there is familiarity there.  He is also working on his last option, so it’s now-or-never time for him.  I’m assuming he is one of the two starting pitchers chosen. 

Based upon their career histories and Port St. Lucie spring performances you would think both Blackburn and Canning are the bottom two of this quartet of possible starting pitching replacements.  However, major league experience (even at a mediocre level) often trumps common sense. 

Max Kranick is the mystery man.  He has pitched both as a starter and reliever in his career.  If he is given the second starting slot alongside Tylor Megill, then he could shift to the pen when Sean Manaea is deemed ready to play.  Neither Blackburn nor Canning offer that flexibility.  

It would seem that hoping the younger two with some experience and higher potential are superior choices to the older two whose experience has not been good at all.  Then again, I didn’t acquire either of the would-be also-rans so I have no ego in this race to color my decision.

Clay Gregory---Let's Argue Some Balls and Strikes

 

Today, ladies and gentlemen, we are going to talk about ABS. No, we are not talking about the results of the winter workouts you have been putting in, but instead, we are going to talk about some balls and strikes. MLB has been testing its Automated ball-strike system for the first time at the major league level this spring.

You will find those who hate this system and long for the days of baseball going back to how it once was, living and dying by the umpire's call on the field. On the other hand, you will find those who find this system exciting, as they will say it leads to more accurate balls and strike calls during a game.  You can count me on the in-between side of things. While it has been nice to see the actual players challenging balls and strikes without getting ejected, I like that it is solely up to either the pitcher and catcher or the batter, and while you only get two per game, if you keep winning, your challenges, then you do not lose one.

The downside would be that I do not want to take the human element out of the game. Has the ABS shown to be accurate in identifying the challenges this spring? The answer is yes, it sure has. How is that a bad thing, then? Well, to some, it may not be. I am a stickler for keeping the game the way it once was. While not always correct, the human element has led to some memorable moments in baseball history. Depending on what team you root for, some of those memories can be good or bad.

Many of my friends are unsure whether they like how the game is evolving. Those younger enjoy all the new changes, whether the pitch clock or how many times you can do a pickoff during an at-bat. The ABS challenge system is another evolution coming to the big leagues sooner rather than later. I know there is already talk of a lockout happening after the 2026 season, and I am sure these rule changes will be front and center of the negotiations among the salary cap talk that will take the headlines.

The Mets are pretty good at challenging the strike zone, whether it's Pete Alonso challenging or Francisco Alvarez calling the challenge behind the plate. David Peterson pointed out that if Francisco Alvarez challenges a strike, it’s a strike. Mets games are always fun all on their own, but the challenges we have seen during Spring Training have added a little flair to the games, especially hearing the SNY booth talk about it, which is always entertaining. The ABS challenge system will not be in a major league game this season, and while it’s a new wrinkle that can be fun and exciting at times, the Mets' winning the World Series this October tops it by a landslide. 

Tom Brennan: Frank Thomas and Pete Alonso, Compared; Yesterday’s Spring Highlights

 

Everyone Remembers The Big Hurt, Especially Pitchers, and the Ladies, Too

Right up front, this article is about the Hall of Famer Frank Thomas, not the 1962 Met by the same name who resoundingly ripped 34 HRs and knocked in 94, both numbers being Mets records not eclipsed until many years thereafter.

Not that the older Frank Thomas was bad, but the newer Frank Thomas was a much better hitter, in point of fact a no-doubt Hall of Famer.

At the age of 22, the Big Hurt hit a remarkable .330 over 60 games. 

In the 10 years that followed, through his age 32 season, he hit well over .300, with an OBP far above .400 and tons-of extra base hits, runs and RBIs. Look up his stats for yourself….WOW!

Following that gem of a 10 season stretch, over the next 8 seasons, he had a few very good seasons, but the average seasonal offensive output in those 8 years very much paled in comparison to the prior 10 seasons.

Pete Alonso has had 6 exceptional Mets years, collectively, but with far lower batting averages and OBPs than Big Frank had in his prime.

Pete is in his age 30 year. Two more years thereafter to reach his age 32 season, after which Frank Thomas started to decline. As did Albert Pujols and Ken Griffey Jr., both of whom were great, and unquestionably better than Pete.

Hence Pete’s contract challenges after 2025, even if he has a great year. 

Age related decline is a statistically well-established fact. 

And one that owners are hesitant to bankroll.

LAST NIGHT

We hoped last night that Brandon Sproat would pitch with great gusto, especially since his opposing pitcher was named Ryan Gusto.

Well, Gusto was wild but put up zeros. Sproat meanwhile allowed 4 hits, a walk, and 2 runs in 2 IP, with 2 Ks.

I stopped watching in the 6th inning, down 5-1.  Vientos the right offensive light with 3 for 3. Edwin Diaz was not impressive, but he doesn’t need to be for another 3 weeks. In 3 weeks, he better be.

OK, I peeked back. They lost 5-1.

ADDENDUM

What spring would be complete without thoughts of Tom Szapucki who, when he was drafted many felt would be another Steve Matz.  But could never stay healthy.

His current status is:

February 24, 2025

Szapucki signed a minor-league contract with the Detroit Tigers on Monday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reported.

ANALYSIS
Szapucki will not be in big-league camp as part of the deal and will likely open the year in the upper minors. He was once a prominent Mets pitching prospect, but arm injuries have hampered Szapucki's ability to settle into a role in the majors. 

A shoulder injury limited him to one minor-league appearance in 2024 and zero appearances in 2023.

Reese Kaplan -- A Premature Opening Day Mets Roster Prediction

With the first round of demotions the Mets are starting to draw the line in the sand between who might actually travel north to New York and who most definitely needs more seasoning before they are deemed major league ready.  None of the names on the list of demotions was a surprise at all.  What it does do is put additional pressure on the remaining major league camp contenders to prove to the club that they belong at Citifield.

Now one of the more interesting developments was the release of Sean Reid-Foley.  It was a little surprising given his 1.66 ERA last year and his overall positive contributions to the Mets over the years when he’s been healthy enough to play.  What it does mean is that the Mets needed that 40-man roster spot for someone to be added who is not currently on that list of easily movable players who can go back and forth between the minors and the majors.

While it’s over three weeks early, let’s take an early crack at who is in camp that might actually get to freeze his but for early season games in Queens.  Let’s get the easy ones out of the way first.

Starting Lineup

• Pete Alonso
• Jeff McNeil
• Francisco Lindor
• Mark Vientos
• Francisco Alvarez
• Brandon Nimmo (injured but expected to be ready)
• Jose Siri
• Juan Soto
• Jesse Winker

Backup Players on the Bench

• Luis Torrens
• Tyrone Taylor

Hitting Contenders

• Luisangel Acuna
• Jose Azocar
• Brett Baty
• Alexander Canario
• Jared Young

Hitter Injury List

• Nick Madrigal
• Starling Marte
• Ronny Mauricio

Starting Pitchers

• Kodai Senga
• Clay Holmes
• David Peterson
• Tylor Megill 

Relief Pitchers

• Edwin Diaz
• Jose Butto
• Ryne Stanek
• Reed Garrett

Pitching Contenders

• Paul Blackburn
• Huascar Brazoban
• Griffin Canning
• Justin Hagenman
• Kevin Herget
• Max Kranick
• Austin Warren
• Danny Young
• Tyler Zuber

Pitching Injury List

• Adbert Alzolay
• Sean Manaea
• A.J. Minter
• Frankie Montas
• Dedniel Nunez
• Christian Scott
• Drew Smith

OK, so now we see who are on the making-the-team list for certain.  By my count it’s eleven offensive players, four starting pitchers and four relievers.  That’s only nineteen ballplayers on the northbound airplane.  So what we have to figure out is who will comprise the additional seven needed to complete a full 26-man roster.

For the infield it would seem that the Mets are likely going to give one of the slots to Brett Baty who is hitting well and for the first time playing positions other than third base.  Rumor has it that the younger Luisangel Acuna is being judged as someone in greater need of refinement in his batting eye and may be better off playing every single day in Syracuse rather than once or twice a week in Queens.

For the outfield, the natural and easy addition to replace Starling Marte while his knee heals is young slugger Alexander Canario.  He’s just 24 years old and has already had a 37 HR season in the minors which suggests some serious power.  He’s at an age where playing as a DH platoon or substitute outfielder may be more suitable than someone just 21 or 22.  These two additions would give the Mets 13 offensive players.

Now for the starting rotation the obvious choices are Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning.  Neither has posted much in terms of major league solid work but considering the fill-in need could be as little as 2-3 weeks before Sean Manaea returns, it’s possible to live with one or the other.

The other starting pitcher contender is Max Kranick who has had a very strong start to his 2025 spring training.  Given the stronger numbers he posted in the minors in 2024, his health and his young veteran status you would think he would be under serious consideration as well, yet it seems they’re envisioning him as a perhaps long relief pitcher if he comes north at all. 

For the bullpen there are a great many contenders here.  A few who look promising include Huascar Brazoban who didn’t pitch like he had in Florida when he was obtained and Danny Young whose left handedness helps temporarily fill the potential temporary IL stint for A.J. Minter. 

The other bullpen arm not listed here is the minor league contracted veteran with major league experience, Jose Urena.  While his numbers don’t stun you with put away potential, he has a long resume of major league experience and they didn’t create the 40-man roster spot for no reason. 

So if you pick one of Blackburn and Canning, add in Kranick, Brazoban, Young and Urena, that would give you five additional pitchers.  Added to the eight existing pitchers on the roster that is a total of 13. 

Now it’s entirely possible some of the currently disabled or at least nursing their way back pitchers do reestablish themselves.  It’s also theoretically viable for trades to be made or DFA acquisitions done.  For now, however, these 26 players would be my best guess at the opening day roster for the New York Mets.

MACK - MY Thursday Observations

 

Thomas Nestico                 @TJStats

Tylor Megill has a chance to start the season in the Mets rotation and today he showed off why he deserves it!

Megill has been a favourite of mine for quite some time thanks to his incredibly deep array of pitches.  His arsenal is filled to brim with exciting stuff!

The criticism of Megill as a starter is he drops a huge percentage of velo after four innings. This is what has held him back as a Mets starter. I’m rooting hard for him this spring 

Pitch Profiler           @pitchprofiler

The Mets pitching factory strikes again lol

Ryne Stanek’s stuff looked sharp this afternoon, racking up a 40% whiff rate!

Looks like he’s also added a baby sweeper!

A great first outing for Stanek.

Pitch Profiler                      @pitchprofiler

With all the buzz around the Mets developing insane stuff monsters, I almost forgot about Reed Garrett—who’s a stuff monster himself!

Isaac              @isaacgroffman

Tyler Zuber’s sweeper was the nastiest it’s ever been tonight

Nearly 2 FEET of sweep and 7.2 inches of lift, reminiscent of his indoor shapes this winter

He also flashed an incredibly flat VAA 4-seamer, though VAA is not stable

        Pitch Profiler      @pitchprofiler

       180 proStuff+ oh my god

So… who is Tyler Zuber?

Zuber is a 29/year old RHRP, standing 5-11/190.

Drafted in the 6^th round 0f the 2017 draft, by Kansas City, out of Arkansas State University

Came to the Mets in 2024 from Tampa Bay, in a trade for P Paul Gervase. (not a favorite trade with Ernest and Tom)

2024 – Tampa Bay:    0.1-WAR  2-G   0-0   2.70   3.1-IP   4-K 

Sat out 2022 with a right shoulder impingement

Fastball – low 90s, T-94   Upper 70s curve   low 80s change

Just Baseball - New York Mets Top 15 Prospects

https://www.justbaseball.com/prospects/new-york-mets-top-15-prospects/?s=03 

4. Nolan McLean – RHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 215 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 3rd Round (91), 2024 (NYM) | ETA: 2026

Outlook

After a strong first full season of pitching as a starter, McLean is a candidate to make a big leap in 2025 given his feel to spin it and athleticism on the mound.

For context, he threw twice as many innings in 2024 as he did in his entire collegiate career. The part-time hitting he was doing in his first pro season and a half is no longer as well, only adding to the intrigue of what McLean can progress to with his focus now being more isolated.

With his pitch mix and ability to get contact on the ground, McLean has a good chance to stick as a back-end starter, with the upside to be a strong No. 4 option in a good rotation.

 

5. Luisangel Acuña – SS – (MLB)

Height/Weight: 5’10″, 180 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $425K – 2018 (TEX) | ETA: 2024

Outlook

Acuña still has some developing to do at the plate, but his athleticism, advanced glove and at least decent offensive tools give him a great chance of at least filling a big league role as a utility piece. Still just 23 years old for the entirety of the 2025 season, Acuña has a chance to develop enough as a hitter to be an everyday middle-infielder.

 

6. Jesus Baez – 3B – (High-A)

Height/Weight: 5’10″, 180 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $275K – 2022 (NYM) | ETA: 2028

Outlook

Baez’s breakout season was cut to just 72 games due to season-ending knee surgery after a hot eight game start with High-A Brooklyn. Baez has the skill set to become an above average third baseman, and assuming he is able to rebound from his knee injury, he could hit his way to Double-A in his age 20 season. He could benefit from being more selective in the box along with some small mechanical tweaks that could have him providing average hit and above average pop.

Medium - The Really Big 2025 Mets Prospects Ranking

https://medium.com/@mdonodeo8/the-really-big-2025-mets-prospects-ranking-5c0fbaaa49f0

3) RHP Jonah Tong

The fastball shape is still his defining trait. He’s getting 20 vert with some cut, a shape that you would usually expect from someone with an absurdly high release, but he’s able to achieve this from a 5.7 release height and solid extension. It’s an outlier, outlier combination that comes from a unique delivery where he gets into a pronounced trunk tilt that creates a massive lean at ball release, leading to a very vertical arm slot. However, despite this arm slot, his smaller frame and ability to hold hip internal rotation down the mound create a low center of gravity, which keeps the release height lower than an average pitcher’s. The vert and release combo leads to some VAA traits for whiffs, and there is even some contact suppression from the cut on the pitch. Even at 93, it’s a fantastic pitch. 

His secondaries all grade out around average to me, although I have a bit lower of a confidence level on a couple of them than I usually would. The one I feel pretty comfortable about being an average pitch is the bridge breaker I’d call a slider, thrown in the mid-80s with around 2/6 shape. It should be perfectly fine, if unspectacular. The more interesting breakers are the curveball and changeup, as both run very high whiff rates despite not having a ton of traits that traditional pitch shape scouting would value. The curve is only thrown in the mid-70s, although it does have the outlier quality of depth — close to -20 vert with minimal sweep. This could lead to it playing as a whiff pitch against big leaguers despite not reaching the 80 mph threshold, but there is a world where it turns into an early-count strike stealer. The changeup is in a similar spot as a pitch that got a ton of whiffs despite being a fairly generic straight change with around 15 vert and minimal run in the mid-80s. I’m guessing this is at least partially usage related, so it would be interesting to see if the whiffs can stay if he increases usage of the pitch. If they don’t, a splitter makes a lot of sense from a slot standpoint, but I don’t think there’s a huge need for one yet and they are notoriously difficult to command. 

Even with a likely four pitch mix and improved-but-not-amazing walk rates, the whole profile still feels kind of relieverish — the mechanics are not just weird but can create a late arm, and also imagine that fastball if he can just rip it in the mid-90s — but as of now he looks like he could be a mid-rotation starter, albeit with a lower confidence level on either side of the bell curve. It’s a super weird profile, and weird is good. It’ll play.

Scouting grades: 65 FF, 50 SL, 50 CU, 50 CH, 45 command

Optimistic comp: Can I say the fastball is Alex Vesia-esque?

24) Daiverson Gutierrez

Every prospect list needs a Venezuelan catcher, and Guiterrez is the most notable in the Mets system. He started the season as a repeat in the DSL but quickly earned a promotion stateside and eventually got a cup of coffee in the FSL by the end of the season. Ultraphysical in the box and swinging with intent of damage, he opened his stance significantly to get into a better launch position, and the results followed as he went up the low-minors ladder. It’s still a lot of moving parts that might not work at higher levels, but he made a ton of contact and hit the ball very hard for his age, with a near-MLB average EV90 across the 2024 season. He’s pretty filled out already, so it’s hard to project too much of a power ceiling, but the exit velos could be above average in time. He can expand the zone too much — the chase rate ballooned to around 40% in his limited time in the FSL — but there are the building blocks for an impact bat here. Projecting catcher defense at this stage is harder than winning the lottery, but the arm seems at least above average. There are a lot of bad left-tail outcomes, but Gutierrez is a fun breakout pick who could be one of the top organizational prospects this time next year if the bat keeps playing.

Thomas Nestico         @TJStats

Personal prospect crush team

SP Richard Fitts

SP Grant Taylor

SP George Klassen

SP Emiliano Teodo

SP Chen-Wei Lin

C Dillon Dingler

1B Nick Kurtz

2B Kevin McGonigle

3B Jesus Baez

SS Jacob Wilson

OF Emmanuel Rodriguez

OF Luke Keaschall

OF Alan Roden

RP Craig Yoho

RP Zach Maxwell

 

Top 10 Best Players in the NL East for the 2025 MLB Season -

Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso (NYM)

Pete Alonso is the biggest-name player who missed the cut in our top 10, coming off two relatively down seasons ahead of his free agency this winter. Alonso’s diminishing value as a star player was evident in the market, as he struggled to command interest in a long-term deal.

Instead, Alonso returned to the Mets on a two-year deal with an opt-out, which will pay him $30 million for the 2025 season. This makes Alonso the highest paid first baseman in the game this year.

A four-time All-Star, Alonso’s is a bigger name than some of the players who ranked ahead of him on this list, but that is because this is a list of the top 10 best players in the NL East, not the top 10 biggest stars (a list Alonso would have made).

With that said, while the WAR numbers might not be there for Alonso, a season batting behind Lindor and Soto should provide him with ample RBI opportunities, as he is sure to once again be featured prominently among league leaders in RBIs, and home runs, and could very well lead the NL East in both departments.

Alonso’s longtime teammate Brandon Nimmo is another honorable mention who nearly made this list, as he has consistently been one of the best outfielders in the NL East.

Nimmo is coming off a down-year in terms of his wRC+ (109) and fWAR (2.7) totals, but he did reach new career-highs with 90 runs batted in, and 15 stolen bases. If Nimmo can continue to produce in those departments, while returning to being the 130 wRC+ hitter he has largely been throughout his career, there is every chance Nimmo has another 4-5 win season in him in 2025.

 

Daniel Wexler        @WexlerRules

Mildly surprising. Mets have released LHP Brayhans Barreto. Barreto posted a 3.74 FIP, 10.63 k/9 in 2024 with St. Lucie.

 

Jim Koenigsberger      @Jimfrombaseball

"I’m lucky. Usually you’re dead to get your own museum, but I’m still alive to see mine"

Yogi Berra

 

Tom Seaver`s media nickname referred to the cartoon character "Tom Terrific". In 2019, NFL quarterback Tom Brady was denied the trademark on the name "Tom Terrific", when the United States Patent & Trademark Office said it "may falsely suggest a connection with Tom Seaver"

In the introduction to his book, "The Great Big Book of Tomorrow, Tom Tomorrow" author Dan Perkins says that he chose his pseudonym through misremembering the name of Tom Terrific.