IN FOCUS: Mack's #5 Mets Prospect - Edward Cabrera, Vaughn Grissom, Pablo Reyes, Yogi Berra, Bobby Jenks

 

We continue with my countdown of Mets prospects with… 

        #5           1B/OF                   Ryan Clifford

 

        Ryan Clifford is a promising prospect in the New York Mets organization, known for his power-hitting potential. Born on July 20, 2003, in Raleigh, North Carolina, he’s a 6’3”, 200-pound left-handed batter and thrower who plays first base and corner outfield. Drafted by the Houston Astros in the 11th round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Pro5 Academy, he signed for $1.26 million, forgoing a commitment to Vanderbilt. The Mets acquired him in August 2023, along with Drew Gilbert, in a trade for Justin Verlander.

In 2024, Clifford played at High-A and Double-A. In High-A (Brooklyn Cyclones), he hit .216/.412/.304 over 31 games, with 6 doubles, 1 home run, 32 walks, and 43 strikeouts. In Double-A (Binghamton Rumble Ponies), he posted a .231/.359/.457 line over 98 games, hitting 21 doubles, 18 home runs, drawing 63 walks, and striking out 117 times. His 95 walks in 2024 were the most among minor leaguers aged 20 or younger at Double-A or higher, showcasing his plate discipline, though his strikeout rate and passive approach are areas of concern.

AA 2025 stats through 7-5:

310-PA, 258-AB, 15-HR, 46-RBI, 49-BB, 84-K

,244/.365/.477/.841

Scouts praise his double-plus raw power and above-average on-base skills but note his below-average speed and defensive limitations in the outfield, where his strong arm is an asset. He’s likely to settle at first base long-term. At 21, Clifford’s 2024 Double-A performance, including a top-10 OPS among regulars, suggests he’s close to Triple-A readiness. His high walk rate and power potential make him a candidate for a future MLB role, though he may not hit for a high average.

Trade Targets

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6467560/2025/07/02/mlb-trade-deadline-predictions-alcantara-naylor/    

Edward Cabrera, RHP, Marlins

Cabrera is under control through the 2028 season and is arbitration-eligible next year. He has a 3.41 ERA over 14 starts with 75 strikeouts over 71 1/3 innings. In his last seven starts, he’s 3-1 with a 1.46 ERA and 42 strikeouts to 16 walks. The key for Cabrera, 27, has been the improved command and control of all his pitches. (He has averaged 3.79 walks per nine innings, but that’s down from 4.67 last year and 5.96 the year before.)

Cabrera isin his prime and has multiple years of control, both of which increase his trade value. The Marlins are not looking to move him, but if they can “win” a trade, they’d have to consider it.

Best Candidates for a Change-of-Scenery Trade

https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/mlb-best-change-of-scenery-trade-deadline-candidates/

Vaughn Grissom – INF – Boston Red Sox (AAA)

2025 MiLB Stats: .275/.352/.425, 7 HR, 107 wRC+

Grissom came over in the deal that sent Chris Sale to Atlanta ahead of the 2024 campaign. Yes, the Red Sox traded the eventual Cy Young winner, and now we are talking about Grissom as a player to be moved. Boston has higher-end infield options such as Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell, making Grissom’s path to the roster unclear.

The reason this deal is less likely is that Grissom hasn’t been great, and the Red Sox might be closer to sellers than buyers. However, Grissom only has one option left, and the Red Sox’s 40-man roster is going to be in a crunch soon. They could look to move him now before they are even more in a corner to do so later.

Ernest Dove                               @ernestdove

31 yr old utility IF Pablo Reyes since joining back with Syracuse Mets this season

10 gm            .406/.537/.906/1.443      7 XBH    6 BBs     2 Ks        2 SB

Pablo Reyes is a 31-year-old Dominican professional baseball infielder and outfielder currently in the New York Mets organization. He has played in MLB for multiple teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and the Mets, with his MLB debut in 2018. Known for his versatility, Reyes can play multiple positions, including second base, third base, shortstop, first base, and outfield, making him a valuable utility player.

• 2024 Season: Reyes was traded to the Mets from the Boston Red Sox on May 25, 2024, for cash considerations. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Syracuse, where he batted .283/.361/.478 with 10 home runs and 35 RBI in 58 games. On September 1, 2024, the Mets called him up during roster expansion. His only MLB appearance with the Mets was as a pinch runner in a 2-0 win over the Chicago White Sox, where he scored a run. He was designated for assignment (DFA) on September 9, 2024, without a plate appearance, and sent back to Syracuse after clearing waivers. He elected free agency on October 21, 2024.

• 2025 Season: On June 21, 2025, Reyes signed a minor league contract with the Mets and was assigned to Triple-A Syracuse. As of now, he remains in the minors, providing organizational depth.

Career Highlights

• MLB Stats: Across seven MLB seasons (through 2025), Reyes has a career batting average of .245, with 8 home runs, 56 RBI, and 14 stolen bases in 552 at-bats. His 2025 stint with the Yankees saw him hit .194/.242/.226 with 2 RBI in 24 games.

• Versatility: Reyes has played multiple positions, with significant time at second base (30 games), shortstop (31 games), third base (4 games), first base (2 games), and outfield roles. He’s also made relief pitching appearances, notably for Boston in 2023 and Milwaukee in 2022.

• Minor Leagues: Reyes has a strong minor league track record, consistently hitting above .260 with power and speed. His 2024 Syracuse performance (.283, 10 HR) highlights his potential as a depth option.

• Notable Moments: In 2023 with Boston, he set career highs with 48 hits, 27 runs, and 7 stolen bases. Posts on X praised his impact that season, with a .320/.360/.417 slash line in 40 games.

Why He’s with the Mets       The Mets value Reyes for his defensive versatility and speed, ideal for a bench role or emergency call-up. His 2024 call-up over prospect Luisangel Acuna was due to the Mets’ preference for Acuna to get regular at-bats in Triple-A, while Reyes could handle a limited role like pinch-running or defensive substitutions. However, his limited MLB action in 2024 and DFA suggest he’s primarily a depth piece rather than a core roster player. His recent minor league deal in 2025 indicates the Mets see him as a low-risk, high-utility option in case of injuries.

Additional Notes

• Nickname: Reyes is nicknamed "Tomkim."

• Background: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent in 2012, Reyes progressed through their system before bouncing between teams. He faced an 80-game PED suspension in 2020

 

Jim Koenigsberger                          @Jimfrombaseball

Story by Whitey Ford

"We were out on the field at Yankee Stadium for about an hour-long ceremony, where they were giving a summary of the players. There were a lot of players and it went on for a long, long time. Anyway, on the scoreboard there was a list of  guys who had passed away over the last year. I was standing next to Yogi Berra.

Yogi looked up at it and then turned to me and said,

‘Boy. I hope I never see my name up there.’

Another guy standing next to me asked,

‘Did I just hear him say that?’

I said, ‘Yep.'”

 The Athletic                       @TheAthletic

Bobby Jenks, a former All-Star closer for the Chicago White Sox, died Friday in Sintra, Portugal, at 44, the team announced Saturday.

Jenks died of adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer.

Bobby Jenks was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Chicago White Sox (2005–2010) and Boston Red Sox (2011).

Born March 14, 1981, in Mission Hills, California, he was a 6'4", 275-pound right-handed reliever known for his powerful fastball, which reached up to 102 mph. Jenks had a 16-20 record, a 3.53 ERA, and 173 saves over seven seasons, all with the White Sox, ranking him second in franchise history for saves.

He was a two-time All-Star (2006, 2007) and played a key role in the White Sox’s 2005 World Series championship, earning saves in Games 1 and 4, including the final out in the series-clinching game against the Houston Astros, ending an 88-year title drought.

In 2007, he tied a major league record by retiring 41 consecutive batters.

Jenks faced challenges early in his career, including academic struggles that prevented him from playing high school baseball at Timberlake and Inglemoor High Schools. He was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 2000 but dealt with injuries and off-field issues, including alcohol-related problems, before being claimed by the White Sox in 2004. After retiring in 2011 due to injuries, he coached in the minors and managed the Windy City ThunderBolts in 2024.

He is survived by his wife, Eleni, and six children.