MACK - MY WEDNESDAY OBSERVATIONS - Mack's 13th Mets Prospect, Fangraphs Top 23 Mets Prospects, Alex Ramirez, Dave Parker, Phil Blackburn

 

We continue with my countdown of Mets prospects with…

 

#13 – OF A.J. Ewing 

A.J. Ewing is a 20-year-old outfielder and second baseman in the New York Mets' minor league system, drafted in the fourth round (134th overall) of the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft from Springboro High School in Ohio. Born on August 10, 2004, in Kettering, Ohio, the 5’11”, 160-pound left-handed hitter signed with the Mets for a $675,000 bonus, forgoing a commitment to the University of Alabama.

Ewing is noted for his athleticism, speed, and contact-oriented hitting. In 2024, his first full professional season, he split time between the Florida Complex League (FCL) Mets and Single-A St. Lucie, posting a combined .233/.361/.390 slash line with 10 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases across both levels. His 2024 stats at St. Lucie included a .228/.345/.344 line with 5 home runs and 8 stolen bases in 299 plate appearances, while in the FCL, he hit .254/.422/.571 with 5 home runs and 5 stolen bases in 83 plate appearances.

In 2025, Ewing has emerged as a breakout prospect, particularly after a promotion to High-A Brooklyn. As of mid-June 2025, he’s shown significant improvement, slashing .357/.451/.563 with a 1.014 OPS and a 180 wRC+, leading all Minor League batters aged 20 or younger. His speed is a standout tool, with 50 stolen bases in 2025, ranking third in all of Minor League Baseball. He’s also reduced his strikeout rate from 29.1% in 2024 to 13.3% in 2025 and improved his whiff rates against fastballs and off-speed pitches.

Defensively, Ewing transitioned from shortstop, where he played in high school, to primarily center field and second base in 2024, with some left field reps. His arm strength is considered average, projecting him as a likely second baseman or utility player long-term, potentially in the mold of Jeff McNeil. Scouts note his above-average running (55-grade) and solid defensive skills, though his smaller frame (6’0”, 175 lbs) and limited power (45-grade) suggest a bench role unless he continues developing.

Ewing’s energetic playstyle, strike-zone discipline (19% chase rate), and surprising pop for his size make him an exciting prospect to watch, though his development will hinge on maintaining contact and adapting to advanced pitching.

Mets Prospect Group                     @bkfan09

From Fangraphs  NYM Prospect list

                MACK –

My friends at Fangraphs have Brandon Sproat as the number one prospect and starter. My opinion is this is currently way off. In order, my top pitchers would be Jonah Tong, Nolan McLean, Jack Wenninger, Zach Thornton (who I can’t even find on their list) , and then Sproat.

Tong would be my overall #1.

Past this… you’ll have to wait for a future Mack’s Top 15 post.

Mets announced they've released longtime prospect Alex Ramírez.

Full Name: Alexander Ramírez

Born: January 13, 2003, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Physical Stats: 6'3", approximately 200 lbs, bats right, throws right

Position: Primarily center fielder, with experience in right and left field

Signed: International free agent by the Mets on July 2, 2019, for a $2.05 million signing bonus, one of the highest for an international rookie in Mets history.

 

Career Overview:

Prospect Status: Once a top Mets prospect, ranked as high as No. 68 on top-100 prospect lists by Baseball America and MLB Pipeline in 2023. However, his stock has declined due to recent performance struggles.

2021 (Debut): Began with Low-A St. Lucie at age 18, one of the youngest in the league. Hit .258/.326/.384 with 5 HR, 16 SB (23 attempts), and a 23 BB/104 K ratio in 76 games, showing promise but with notable strikeouts.

2022 (Breakout): Split between Low-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn, hitting a combined .281/.346/.436 across 121 games, with 30 doubles, 7 triples, 11 HR, 21 SB (37 attempts), and 44 BB/122 K. His 140 hits led all Mets prospects, and he showed plus speed and athleticism. Highlighted by a 6-for-6 game with 3 SB and a home run robbery in 2023.

2023 (Struggles): Spent the full season at High-A Brooklyn, where his performance dipped significantly: .221/.310/.317, 7 HR, 21 SB (27 attempts), 56 BB/114 K in 120 games. Struggled with breaking balls, leading to a 21.4% infield fly ball rate (up from 13.6% in 2022), and chased pitches out of the zone too often.

2024 (Double-A): Promoted to Double-A Binghamton but continued to struggle, posting a .602 OPS.

The Mets released him in June 2025, but re-signed him to a minor league contract in December 2024 with an invitation to 2025 Spring Training.

Playing Style:

Strengths: Exceptional athleticism, plus to plus-plus speed (double-digit stolen base potential), and a plus arm that could suit right field if he moves from center. Good at reading balls off the bat in center field, with range to cover gaps.

Weaknesses: Plate discipline needs improvement, particularly against breaking pitches, leading to weak contact (high infield fly ball rate) and high strikeout rates. His aggressive swing mechanics, including a unique bat tip and wrist movement, may require refinement.

Development Needs: Better pitch recognition and swing decisions to reduce chasing pitches and improve contact quality. Physical growth (adding muscle to his frame) could boost power but may impact his ability to stay in center field long-term.

                MACK –

Sad ending to a career that never happened. Some team will pick him up because he is still young and drips of tools, but the kid just can’t hit. I expect to see him in some Latin league for years to come.

Dave Parker, nicknamed "The Cobra," was a standout right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1973 to 1983. He played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball, 11 with the Pirates, and finished with a .290 batting average, 2,712 hits, 339 home runs, and 1,493 RBIs. He won two National League batting titles (1977, 1978), the 1978 NL MVP, three Gold Glove Awards (1977–1979), and was a key part of the Pirates’ 1979 World Series championship team. He also won a second World Series with the Oakland Athletics in 1989.

Known for his powerful arm and all-around skills, Parker was a seven-time All-Star and earned the 1979 All-Star Game MVP with standout defensive plays. His larger-than-life personality made him a clubhouse leader, though his career faced challenges, including injuries, weight issues, and admitted cocaine use in the early 1980s, which led to a dip in performance and fan backlash in Pittsburgh. 

He rebounded with the Cincinnati Reds (1984–1987), leading the NL with 125 RBIs in 1985, and later played for Milwaukee, California Angels, and Toronto.

Parker, a Cincinnati native, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025 but tragically passed away on June 28, 2025, at age 74 from Parkinson’s disease complications, just before his induction ceremony. He was also involved in raising awareness for Parkinson’s through his Dave Parker 39 Foundation. His legacy as a five-tool player and Pirates legend endures.

6-28 – Paul Blackburn

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6460007/2025/06/28/mets-players-postgame-meeting/

After a 90-minute rain delay midway through the first inning, the Mets’ brain trust decided the best thing to do was to have starter Paul Blackburn return to the mound for the second inning. Granted, the game shouldn’t have started on time, and when it did in the first place, Blackburn was right to call it “bizarre.” During the delay, he kept throwing. Still, it was an unconventional choice to stick with him. In the second inning, Blackburn allowed five straight hits and failed to record an out.

At best, Blackburn was supposed to give the Mets another 35 or 40 pitches, which amounts to another couple of innings. They felt they needed to ask that of him. And they did so because of the state of their bullpen, Mendoza said.

Mack – State of the bullpen bullshit. State of not having the balls to promote either Nolan McLean from Syracuse or Jonah Tong from Binghamton more like it.