DEEP DIVE - SP Will Watson - SP Jack Wenninger - C Yovanny Rodriguez

 

Ernest Dove                                       @ernestdove

Listed starter tonight for the Cyclones is RHP 22 yr old Will Watson.

Since his promotion to High A:

8 app     35.1 inn    28 H    9 ER (2.29 ERA)    13 BB    41 K

.219 opp AVG    .564 opp OPS

Was told in spring he’s a 'surprise' 'wildcard' arm depending on how fast he develops

                A deep dive…

                

        Full Name: William Joseph Watson

Born: November 7, 2002, in Mount Vernon, Washington

Height/Weight: 6'1", 180 lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Draft History:    Selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 20th round (607th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft from San Joaquin Delta College but did not sign.

Selected by the New York Mets in the 7th round (203rd overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft from the University of Southern California (USC), signing for $281,300, slightly below the slot value of $283,800.

Athletic Background       Grew up in an athletic household; his father played football at Puget Sound University, and his stepfather played baseball at Pacific Lutheran University.

Attended Burlington Edison High School in Washington, where he played varsity baseball for three seasons, earning Washington All-State honors in his senior year with a 0.24 ERA over 29.2 innings and 57 strikeouts. He also played basketball and ran cross-country track.

Played as a two-way player (pitcher and shortstop) in college but is now focused solely on pitching with the Mets.

College Career                 

California Lutheran University (2022):    Posted a 1.82 ERA over 34.2 innings with 40 strikeouts and 13 walks. Also played as an infielder, hitting .247/.346/.371 with 7 doubles, 2 triples, and 4 stolen bases.

San Joaquin Delta College (2023):            Appeared in 19 games (5 starts), posting a 2.97 ERA over 57.2 innings with 82 strikeouts and 21 walks.

University of Southern California (2024):              Made 16 appearances (9 starts) with a 3.93 ERA over 50.1 innings, recording 46 strikeouts and 27 walks.

Professional Career

2024 (St. Lucie Mets, Single-A):

signing with the Mets, Watson was assigned to the St. Lucie Mets, where he pitched 2.2 innings, allowing 1 run, 2 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 3.

2025 (St. Lucie Mets and Brooklyn Cyclones, High-A):   

Started the 2025 season with St. Lucie, where he excelled in his first full professional season. Through 7 appearances (5 starts, 2 relief outings), he pitched 28.2 innings with a 2.77 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 32 strikeouts, and only 1 home run allowed.

Promoted to High-A Brooklyn Cyclones, where he continued to impress (see above).

Assigned to Brooklyn Cyclones from St. Lucie Mets, showcasing his rapid development.

Pitching Profile

Fastball:               Sits in the low-to-mid-90s, topping out at 97 MPH with elite induced vertical break (up to 22 inches) and spin rates around 2300 RPM. Highly effective when thrown high in the zone.

Slider:                   Mid-80s with sweepy break, considered his best secondary pitch. Effective against both left- and right-handed hitters.

Changeup:          Low-80s, still developing but shows flashes of above-average potential, particularly against left-handed hitters.

Cutter:                  Recently added to his arsenal, used as a bridge between his fastball and slider, though still refining its usage.

Control:               Fringe-average, which slightly limits his pitch effectiveness, but improvements could elevate his overall repertoire.

Delivery:              Throws from a low-three-quarters arm slot with a leg kick and long arm action. His athletic 6’1” frame aids his pitching mechanics.

Prospect Status    Ranked as the Mets' No. 29 prospect by some sources, indicating his potential but also the depth of the Mets' farm system.

Noted for his athleticism (stemming from his two-way background) and potential as a starter, though he has experience in both starting and relief roles.

Benefiting from the Mets' highly regarded pitching development program, which has helped him refine his skills and adapt to a full-time starting role.

Outlook               Watson has shown significant promise in 2025, particularly with his promotion to High-A Brooklyn. His ability to miss bats (41 strikeouts in 35.1 innings at High-A) and limit hard contact (.564 opponent OPS) suggests he could rise quickly through the Mets' system.

Described as a "surprise" or "wildcard" arm by scouts, with his development trajectory depending on how quickly he refines his control and secondary pitches.

His transition to a full-time starter role has been smooth, leveraging his lifelong experience in both starting and relief roles

                Me?

Watson is all bonus to the system. Some Mets scout out there ought to be sent a case of Jack for this one.

The development of all these pitchers in the system make it a lot easier to snag players like Gregory Soto. I will be very surprised not to see him in some future deal for a bat.

If not, expect him to be a major part of the Binghamton rotation in 2026.

Matt Eddy                           @MattEddyBA

It's been a great season for Mets player dev, batters and pitchers alike

One unheralded riser is Double-A RHP Jack Wenninger, who has amped up the quality of his stuff and gotten results

Rank among qualified AA pitchers

3rd: 22.7 K-BB%

7th: 3.07 FIP

                A deep dive…

Jack Wenninger is a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher in the New York Mets organization, drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft from the University of Illinois.

Born March 14, 2002, in Barrington, IL, he stands 6’4” and weighs 210 lbs, with a left-handed batting and right-handed throwing profile.

Career Overview

Wenninger began his collegiate career at Murray State, earning All-OVC Freshman Team honors with a 5.26 ERA over 51.1 innings. After transferring to Illinois, he posted a 4.59 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 80.1 innings as a junior, leading to his draft selection by the Mets for $225,000. In 2024, he pitched across Single-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn, totaling 115 innings with a 4.30 ERA, 140 strikeouts, and 40 walks. His performance improved at Brooklyn, where he posted a 3.12 ERA and a 0.21 HR/9 rate.

In 2025, Wenninger has emerged as a breakout star at Double-A Binghamton, starting the season as the Opening Day starter. Through 18 starts, he’s recorded a 2.96 ERA, 109 strikeouts, and 25 walks over 91.1 innings, ranking among the Eastern League’s leaders in strikeouts and ERA. His 22.7% K-BB% and 3.07 FIP rank third and seventh, respectively, among qualified Double-A pitchers. A standout performance on July 6, 2025, saw him strike out 11 over six innings, allowing just two hits and no earned runs, pushing him to 100 strikeouts for the season, joining Jonah Tong as the only Mets prospects to reach that mark.

Pitching Repertoire

Wenninger’s arsenal is diverse and evolving, with a focus on his fastball-splitter combination, complemented by secondary pitches that are developing as he climbs the minors.

Here’s a breakdown of his repertoire:

Four-Seam Fastball (50-grade): Sits 91-94 mph, occasionally touching 96 mph, with 18 inches of induced vertical break and 13.5 inches of horizontal movement. His high three-quarters arm slot and 6’4” frame create good extension, making the pitch appear faster. Command can waver in longer outings, with velocity sometimes dropping to the low 90s. In 2025, he’s shown increased velocity, sitting 94-95 mph at Double-A.

Splitter/Changeup (55-grade): His best pitch, thrown at 82-85 mph with late drop and fade, generating high whiff rates (over 50% in 2025). It’s a plus-plus offering due to its vertical separation from the fastball and ability to induce swings and misses against both left- and right-handed hitters. The splitter is his go-to out pitch, used frequently in any count, and its effectiveness drives his reverse splits potential.

Two-Seam Fastball/Sinker: Recently added to target right-handed hitters, this pitch enhances his ability to attack hitters on the inner half. Specific velocity and movement details are less documented, but it’s part of his effort to deepen his arsenal.

Slider (45-grade): Evolving from a sweeper and cutter, Wenninger has merged these into a mid-80s gyro slider with shorter break. It’s shown promise as a fringe-average offering with depth, used more frequently at High-A and Double-A to complement his north-south fastball-splitter mix.

Curveball (45-grade): A high-70s to low-80s offering, recently developed into a spike curveball reaching up to 84 mph with depth and power. It serves as a get-me-over pitch but is still developing in terms of control and consistency. It’s less frequently used but adds a different look for hitters.

Scouting Notes

Wenninger throws from a high three-quarters to near-over-the-top arm slot with a clean, repeatable delivery, allowing consistent strike-throwing (65% strike rate in 2024). His 6’4” frame and athleticism suggest room for further physical development, potentially enhancing his velocity and durability. His splitter and fastball form the core of his arsenal, with the splitter’s late movement making it a true swing-and-miss weapon. The addition of a sinker and gyro slider in 2025 reflects his efforts to diversify his pitch mix, particularly against advanced hitters at Double-A. His control (50-grade) is solid, with a 6.3% walk rate in 2025, though his command needs refinement to maintain effectiveness in longer outings.

Future Outlook

Wenninger’s breakout 2025 season has positioned him as a potential mid-rotation starter, with his plus splitter and improved velocity making him a pitcher to watch. His ability to limit walks and generate strikeouts, combined with his reverse splits potential, keeps him intriguing as a starter. However, his success at Double-A will be a critical test, as his secondary pitches (curveball and slider) need further development to handle higher-level hitters. If he continues progressing, he could reach Triple-A by late 2025 and debut in the majors by 2026

                Me?

I believe in this guy. I believe he has the ability to push himself past some of the more, loud prospect pitching names and make it to Queens as a starter. I believe this because of his consistency. Sort of the next David Peterson.

Some of these prospect starters have to be traded or sent to the pen in the next two years. There just is so many of them.

I hope Wenninger isn’t one that is traded, but, according to my sources, the seats behind home plate are filled with scouts when he pitches.

We’ll just have to wait and see, but either way, Wenninger will be a successful major league pitcher.

Remember my words.

 

Ernest Dove                       @ernestdove

Remember, this is future top 3 Mets prospect Yovanny Rodriguez.

                A deep dive…

Yovanny Rodriguez is an 18-year-old right-handed hitting catcher from Guarenas, Venezuela, signed by the New York Mets as their top international free agent in January 2024 for a $2.85 million bonus. Ranked as the No. 6 international prospect by MLB Pipeline and the top catcher in his class, Rodriguez is considered a high-upside talent with the potential to become a star on both offense and defense.

Defensive Skills:               Rodriguez is an advanced defensive catcher for his age, with a plus arm (graded 60-70 on the 20-80 scale) and pop times under 1.9 seconds, comparable to elite MLB catchers like J.T. Realmuto. He has soft hands, advanced framing, quick footwork, and strong game-calling ability, which give him the potential to be an above-average defensive catcher.

Offensive Profile:            Offensively, Rodriguez shows strong bat-to-ball skills, good barrel control, and the ability to spray the ball to all fields with hard contact. While his current power is modest, his 6’0”, 175-pound frame is expected to fill out, potentially leading to 20-plus home runs as he matures. Scouts praise his strike-zone judgment and contact consistency, projecting him as a hitter with both average and power potential.

2024 Performance:         In his professional debut with the DSL Mets Orange in the Dominican Summer League, Rodriguez played 44 games (33 as a catcher, 12 as a DH), posting a .219/.359/.356 slash line over 181 plate appearances, with 2 home runs, 3 triples, 8 doubles, 4 stolen bases, 34 strikeouts, and 30 walks. He finished the season strongly, hitting .341/.400/.568 with 13 RBIs in August, achieving a 101 wRC+ and a 16.6% walk rate.

Outlook:              With his advanced defensive skills, leadership, and offensive upside, Rodriguez is a high-ceiling prospect generating significant buzz. Mets fans and analysts are optimistic, with some predicting he could be a top-3 Mets prospect within two years. His development will focus on gaining experience behind the plate and building strength to unlock more power.

Me?

There really is nothing to not like here.

Far too early to determine if he will go all the way, but what a hell of a season he is having this year.

Through 7-25:

                79-AB, 1-HR, 18-AB, 19-BB, .316/.450/.456/.906

And this is an 18-year old.

Obviously, he will go stateside in the spring, but it is currently undetermined what Florida team he will play for. It seems to me that he’s a far better prospect than either Julio Zayas or Josmir Reyes, so my guess he will catch for St. Lucie team.

The Dove-mon could be right here.