IN FOCUS: Mack's #7 Mets Prospects - Top 100 Prospects (4 Mets), Zac Gallen, Wellington Aracena, Mets Top 100 Risers, Zach Pop, Billy Huner, Brett Banks, Roster Moves, DSL Prospects

 

We continue with my countdown of Mets prospects with… 

        #7     RHSP    Zach Thornton

 

                        Zach Thornton is a left-handed pitching prospect in the New York Mets organization, selected in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB Draft from Grand Canyon University. Born in Lawrence, Kansas, the 23-year-old has shown promise in the minor leagues, particularly with his control and strikeout ability.In 2024, Thornton split time between Single-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn, posting a combined 5-4 record with a 4.10 ERA over 68 innings, striking out 54 and walking 18. His performance improved significantly in 2025. At High-A Brooklyn, he went 3-0 with a 0.44 ERA over four starts, striking out 24 and walking just two in 20.2 innings, earning South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month honors. After promotion to Double-A Binghamton, he continued to impress, notably throwing 6.1 perfect innings on May 24, 2025, with six strikeouts and no hits, runs, or walks, lowering his Double-A ERA to 2.84. For the week of May 19-25, he was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week.

Thornton’s strengths include his control, developed through his time in the MLB Draft League, and his ability to generate strikeouts and ground balls. 

        Fastball: Sits around 90 MPH, topping out slightly higher. While not elite in velocity, it features deception due to Thornton’s funky, up-tempo delivery with a long arm action and crossfire release. The pitch has spin rates between 2,200-2,400 RPM, generating 16.1 inches of induced vertical break, leading to high whiff rates. 

Slider: In the low-80s with two-plane break, boasting 2,400-2,500 RPM of spin. It produces 3.9 inches of induced vertical break and 7.3 inches of horizontal break, making it a strong secondary pitch. Some scouts consider it his best off-speed offering. 

Curveball: A mid-70s pitch with a big 11-5 break, adding depth to his repertoire. It complements his other pitches by offering a different look and trajectory. 

Changeup: Sits in the low-80s with 1,700 RPM of spin, creating sudden tumble with 10.8 inches of induced vertical break and 14.5 inches of horizontal movement. It’s effective but noted as underutilized by some analysts. 

Cutter: A newer addition, thrown in the mid-to-high-80s with 2,400 RPM of spin. It generates 6.4 inches of induced vertical break and 3.3 inches of horizontal break, keeping hitters off balance

 

Binghamton Rumble Ponies    

                         @RumblePoniesBB

Four of our 2025 Rumble Ponies hold spots on the MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospect List

Jonah Tong climbed 33 spots, the third highest of risers, as well as Nolan McLean, who rose 21 spots!!!

Trade Targets

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

Zac Gallen, RHP, Diamondbacks

Gallen is not having the free-agent walk year he wanted, going 6-9 with a 5.45 ERA over 18 starts. But he has three top-10 finishes in the NL Cy Young Award voting in his career, including the third-most votes in 2023, and a 3.53 ERA over 160 starts.

His secondary pitches have not been as crisp this season and his average fastball is down a half mile an hour. Meanwhile, his walk and home run rates have increased while his strikeout rate has fallen. Maybe he’d benefit from a change of scenery. A trade could help him finish the season strong and boost his free agent value.

Mets Player Development                  @MetsPlayerDev

Wellington Aracena was DEALING in June!

After posting a 1.13 ERA in 24 innings, he collects the Florida State League Pitcher of the Month Award!

                       

                        Wellington Rafael Aracena is a 20-year-old right-handed pitcher and a prospect for the New York Mets in Minor League Baseball. Born on December 27, 2004, in Mao, Dominican Republic, he stands at 6'3" and weighs 180 pounds. He’s currently active with the St. Lucie Mets, the Mets’ Single-A affiliate in the Florida State League.

In June 2025, Aracena had a standout performance, earning the Florida State League Pitcher of the Month award. He posted an impressive 1.13 ERA over 24 innings, allowing only 8 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 29 batters. For the 2025 season, he’s recorded a 2.56 ERA over 52.2 innings with 68 strikeouts, though his walk rate remains a concern.

A notable outing came on June 28, 2025, when he pitched 5.2 innings in relief for St. Lucie, allowing 2 hits, no runs, and striking out 8 to earn the win.

Aracena signed a one-year contract with the Mets for $70,000, but specific details like signing bonuses or long-term salary info aren’t widely available. He’s not yet ranked among top prospects but is gaining attention for his recent performances.

MLB Pipeline                            @MLBPipeline

These prospects made the biggest leaps on the updated Top 100 list

 

Robert Murray                          @ByRobertMurray

Free-agent reliever Zach Pop and the New York Mets are in agreement on a major-league contract, source said. Pop was recently designated for assignment by the Mariners.

 

Zach Pop is a Canadian right-handed relief pitcher who has played five MLB seasons with the Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners. Born September 20, 1996, in Brampton, Ontario, he stands 6'4" and weighs 220 lbs. Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 7th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, he was later traded to the Baltimore Orioles in the Manny Machado deal and selected by the Marlins in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft.

His career stats include an 8-5 record, a 4.75 ERA, and 126 strikeouts over 161 innings in 162 games. His best season was 2022, where he went 4-0 with a 2.77 ERA across the Marlins and Blue Jays. In 2025, he struggled with the Mariners, posting a 13.50 ERA in four appearances before being designated for assignment.

On July 3, 2025, he signed a major league contract with the New York Mets, where he’s expected to provide bullpen depth, likely in low-leverage roles due to recent struggles.

His minor league performance in 2025 was stronger, with a 3.52 ERA in Triple-A.

Pop underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019, impacting his early career. His sinker, with above-average vertical movement, is a key pitch, though he’s worked to improve strikeout rates. Posts on X highlight his potential but note inconsistency, like a rough 2025 outing against the Twins where he allowed 7 earned runs in one inning

Baltimore Orioles                    @Orioles

The Orioles mourn the passing of Bill Hunter, the last surviving member of the 1954 inaugural Orioles team and the St. Louis Browns franchise, at age 97.

Bill was the Orioles’ first shortstop and later spent 13 ½ seasons as the Orioles third base coach, 1964-77. He was elected to the Orioles Hall of Fame in 1996.

 

Gordon William "Billy" Hunter (June 4, 1928 – July 2, 2025) was a significant figure in Baltimore Orioles history, known for his roles as a player, coach, and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB). Here’s a comprehensive overview of his life and career, with a focus on his contributions to the Orioles:Early Life and BackgroundBorn: June 4, 1928, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Upbringing: Grew up in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and attended Indiana High School.

Education: Attended Indiana State Teachers College (now Indiana University of Pennsylvania) in 1947 and transferred to Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) in 1948 on a baseball and football scholarship, where he played as a T-formation quarterback.

Physical Stats: Listed as 6 feet (1.83 m) tall, 180 pounds (82 kg), and threw and batted right-handed.

Playing Career   Early Career: Signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948, Hunter spent five years in their minor league system, with his best season in 1952 with the Fort Worth Cats of the Double-A Texas League. However, with Pee Wee Reese established as the Dodgers' shortstop, Hunter’s path to the majors was blocked.

St. Louis Browns (1953): Traded to the St. Louis Browns on October 14, 1952, for three players and a significant cash payment (reportedly $95,000–$150,000). As a rookie, Hunter became the starting shortstop and was selected for the 1953 American League All-Star team, though he served as a pinch-runner for Mickey Mantle without fielding or batting. He hit the Browns' final home run in their last season in St. Louis and made a notable defensive play to preserve Bobo Holloman’s no-hitter on May 6, 1953, diving to catch a line drive and throwing out Joe Astroth from his knees.

Baltimore Orioles (1954): When the Browns relocated to Baltimore in 1954, becoming the modern Baltimore Orioles, Hunter was the team’s first shortstop and Opening Day starter. He played 125 games, hitting a career-high .243 with 100 hits, 5 stolen bases, and 5 triples. He was the last surviving player from both the 1954 Orioles and the St. Louis Browns, a distinction noted until his passing in 2025.

Later Playing Career: After the 1954 season, Hunter was part of a massive 17-player trade with the New York Yankees, which included notable players like Bob Turley, Don Larsen, Gene Woodling, and Gus Triandos. He then played as a second-string infielder for the Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, and Cleveland Indians, concluding his playing career. 

 

Ernest Dove                               @ernestdove

Another Mets P prospect quietly rolling along now after a delayed start to his milb season is 23 yr old RHP Brett Banks. The former 2023 draft pick updated numbers spanning FCL-Low A-High A.

13 app          15 inn   8 H         3 ER       7 BB       14 K

Brett Banks is a right-handed pitcher and a prospect in the New York Mets organization. Drafted in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft from UNC Wilmington, he signed with the Mets for a $50,000 overslot bonus. At 23 years old, Banks has been progressing through the Mets' minor league system, with appearances across multiple levels in 2025, including the Florida Complex League (FCL), Low-A, and High-A.

Outlook               As a lower-round draft pick, Banks is likely a long-term project for the Mets. His ability to miss bats (14 strikeouts in 15 innings) is encouraging, but reducing walks will be key to his development.

Fastball: Banks’ primary pitch is a plus-plus fastball that sits in the 94-96 mph range and can touch 98 mph. It’s a high-spin pitch with significant carry, boasting around 20 inches of induced vertical break, making it a challenging pitch for hitters to square up. The combination of velocity and movement makes this his standout offering.

Slider: His main secondary pitch is a slider thrown in the 80-85 mph range. It’s considered a developing pitch with the potential to become average or slightly above-average with refinement. Some evaluators believe he could develop an above-average cutter as an alternative or complementary breaking ball, though the slider is his current go-to.

Potential Cutter: While not yet a primary part of his arsenal, there’s speculation that Banks could develop a cutter, which some scouts project could become above-average. This pitch is not currently a significant part of his repertoire but is noted as a potential area of growth.

Banks’ control is described as “only fair,” with a tendency to miss the zone, as evidenced by his 12.4% walk rate in college and 7 walks in 15 innings willow innings in 2025. His strike-throwing needs improvement to maximize his effectiveness as a reliever. His two-pitch mix and high-velocity fastball make him a candidate for a middle-relief role in the future, but refining his command and developing his secondary pitch will be critical for his progression through the Mets’ system.

New York Mets                         @Mets

We have made the following roster moves.

 

Mets Prospect Group