The Top
Performers From Last Week in Minor League Baseball 7/28-8/3
https://www.justbaseball.com/prospects/top-performers-minor-league-baseball-news/
Carson Benge, OF, New York Mets
Last Week:
5 G, 20 AB, 7 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .450/.476/1.000, 1.476 OPS
Although
it’s a different level, the Mets’ stretch of dominance has only continued with
Carson Benge’s big week in Double-A. Over the past couple of weeks, he’s been
one of the hottest hitters on the planet, which translated to a decent jump on
our top 100.
Last week,
Benge blasted two homers while posting an OPS of 1.476, continuing his great
start at Double-A. Since being promoted, Benge has recorded a 227 wRC+ with
eight of his twelve homers being hit at the level.
Ranking
number 19 on our top 100, Benge is truly looking like one of the best prospects
in the minors this season.
Thomas
Nestico @TJStats
Carson Benge (NYM) has garnered a ton of buzz
lately, and it is totally warranted!
He has
been nothing short of exceptional, posting a .953 OPS this season while
showcasing formidable tools across the board. He is one of the most complete
prospects in baseball
Just
Baseball – Updated Top
100 Prospects – 7-29
https://www.justbaseball.com/prospects/top-100-mlb-prospects/#entry-112912
47. Jonah Tong – RHP – New York Mets
Height/Weight:
6’1″, 180 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 7th Round
(209), NYM (2022) | ETA: 2026
FASTBALL Curveball Slider Changeup COMMAND FV
60/60 50/50 40/45 60/70 40/45 45
Tong was
the breakout arm in the Mets system for 2024, riding a nearly two tick leap
with his fastball to a 3.03 ERA in 113 IP with a ridiculous 34% strikeout rate
across mostly Low and High-A. The stuff has been even better in 2025,
catapulting Tong into the conversation with some of the better pitching
prospects in the upper minors.
Arsenal
A unique,
over-the-top release and slight cross-fire delivery make Tong an uncomfortable
at-bat for hitters. Tong enjoyed another uptick with his fastball in 2025, now
averaging 95 MPH the pitch plays up further for Tong as he averages more than
19 inches of induced vertical break from a release height slightly above six
feet.
With the
carry and deception, Tong dominates within the zone, generating elite whiff
rates, while also getting chase at the top. An even bigger development than the
uptick in velocity has been Tong’s changeup in 2025. Sitting in the mid 80s,
the pitch is difficult to pick up out of his hand. It averages roughly 20
inches of total separation from the fastball, one of the highest marks in MiLB.
Tong’s
downer curve ball in the upper 70s flashes above average, but his inconsistent
feel for it makes it difficult to rely on. When he is able to locate it, it’s a
strong third offering.
Tong made
progress with a mid 80s slider in 2024, mostly utilizing it against righties
with success, but he will tend to tug it glove side too frequently. The
development of his changeup and effectiveness of it right on right has cut into
the usage further and much like his curveball, Tong has really struggled to
land it consistently.
Outlook
Yet another fastball uptick paired with what now could be a double plus changeup has elevated Tong significantly. When he’s on, there’s few arms in the minor leagues more effective and overpowering. He will need to find more consistency with his spin and overall command to reach his potential as a starter, still fighting to stay above an overall strike rate of 60%. He has middle-rotation upside, but there’s still some reliever risk with the right-hander.
The Top 30 Mets Pitching Prospects
3. Brandon Sproat
FF: 55/55 | CH: 70/70 | SL: 55/55 | SW: 55/60 | SI: 55/55
| CB: 50/50 | Control: 45/45 | Arsenal: 55/60 | Uniqueness: 55 | FV: 55
Despite impressive velocity (touching 101 mph), his four
seam shape limits its effectiveness, and it likely shouldn't be his primary
offering at the MLB level. His low arm slot helps diversify his arsenal despite
modest spin rates. The sweeper he developed in pro ball is a solid 84 mph pitch
with some lift, complementing a standout 70-grade changeup at around 90 mph,
and a dependable sinker with good arm-side run. He has the makings of a solid
east-west arsenal, which could allow him to significantly reduce reliance on
the four-seam fastball.
His unique profile, characterized by low slot, lift on
breaking balls, funky delivery, and excellent changeup depth, earns an
above-average uniqueness score. With a six-pitch mix and potential to add a
true cutter in the Nathan Eovaldi mold, Sproat’s absolute ceiling could be as
high as a #2 starter, though his realistic reliever floor keeps his FV just
above average.
The Mets’
next center fielder is… ?
Jett Williams
A Mets
first-round pick in 2022, Williams has rebounded from a lost 2024 season by
making it look like it never happened. In spring training, Williams wanted to
rediscover the swing that propelled his 2023 breakout; his numbers this season
are proof that he has. He entered Thursday hitting .282 with a .389 on-base
percentage and .873 OPS while spending the full season so far with Binghamton.
A natural
shortstop, center field is less of a priority for Williams right now. He plays
there once or twice a week to expand his versatility.
For the
Mets, it might be less a question of whether Williams can defend at the
position and more whether that’s the best fit for him long-term. After all, he
could be Jeff McNeil’s successor at second.
Mets Post
Trade Deadline Bullpen
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6539288/2025/08/07/mlb-best-bullpens-post-deadline/
They had
one of the best closers in the game and then they added one of the other best
closers in the game in Ryan Helsley, and then they added the funkiest
submariner in baseball in Tyler Rogers. According to the Stuff+ leaderboard,
which looks at the physical characteristics of a pitch, they added two of the
three best relievers in baseball at the deadline.
Is there a
weakness? Maybe. This group has a 95 Location+, meaning they have
worse-than-average command, even among the reliever population. Edwin Díaz can get a wild hair up his nose, Helsley has the odd struggle with the
strike zone, and Gregory Soto has improved over the years, but still
has a mediocre walk rate. But if a team takes too many pitches against the
Mets, they might just bring in Rogers, who has the best walk rate among
qualified relievers in baseball this year.
This a
great ‘pen with lots of different looks, which seems important come playoff
time.
Mets
Analytics @MetsAnalytics
When Juan Soto is hitting the ball hard, he’s hitting it in the air. When Juan Soto’s
not hitting the ball hard, he’s not hitting it in the air.
Consistent
negative correlation going back to last season; could be related to
streakiness, approach, or a little of both!
22 comments:
I have Tong metrics. after his first two season starts, 15 Ks per 9; 1.12 ERA; 4 hits per every 9 IP. Command? He tries (quite successfully) to get batters fishing for balls out of the strike zone. A++.
Benge is MLB ready. So is Jett. So is Sproat.
It is a shame that the Mets don't operate similarly as other teams do
At the least, the entire starting Binghamton outfield should currently be playing for Syracuse right now.
I guess everything remains on hold because the Mets are playing so well right now.
Part of the problem is Syracuse has been sizzling the last several weeks. So it is hard (not impossible) to move folks up. Brazoban got obliterated yesterday, though.
Syracuse was 30-44 in late June, but winners of 30 of their next 38. If they were flopping, Binghamton would be emptying.
While we have our star Mets SS hitting .190 over his last 50 games, THEIR SS, Pablo Reyes, is hitting .331 since late June. Baseball is a funny game.
Still, the minor league teams are all about developing
NEVER delay prospects that are producing and have nothing left to accomplish at the level they currently are playing at.
NEVER
The purpose of the minors is player development with winning being the secondary objective. Time to promote those who earned it.
Can't really understand Mets/Stearns unwillingness to promote these players.
Is this just another sign of Stearns forcing his I'm the smartest guy in the room belief. Because he wants to show everyone they won because of his "brilliant" moves.
How's that working out for you David.
It doesn't seem to be anyone in the Met world can figure this out
Here's my question to all: What's the plan if we don't make the playoffs? I won't get over the stupid Mullens deal any time soon. Gilbert good bad or indifferent would at least bring youth and enthusiasm something we're sorely lacking. Also changing that deer in headlights look on players lately Mendy thats your job. The ripple effect of signing Juan "Solo" like not bringing back our second most important player last year Jose Iglesias as well as Harrison Bader and going with the disastrous Siri/Taylor combo because of their contracts smells of going cheap and who exactly will replace that energy this year? Our best hope going forward is our solid minor league system (if DS ever decides to bring anyone up before its to late) so please David DON'T SCREW THIS UP!
Gary
Hope things are
well in Hurricane-land
The only person that knows this kind of plan is Stearns
I assume Steve will fund his wishes
Me?
Doesn't matter. Not part of the decision process
I'm sort of wearing thin on the dude
I have to agree with both of you. I am definitely wearing thin on Stearns. All that promise when he first took over has faded.
I feel like he came in with a plan and that quickly disappeared. I do like all the new systems he put in place, such as the various labs, player development, etc. But his player decisions, signings and trades have been very so-so.
I think the Soto signing changed his whole philosophy. I personally don't believe he ever wanted him, you can thank Uncle Stevie for that one.
Now he has traded 11 prospects with nothing to show for it if we don't make a deep run.
I said it multiple times prior to the trade deadline, I didn't want Mullins on my team. Just don't like him as a ballplayer.
Joe
Don't take this wrong but it hard to decipher your opinions because they are so tainted with your bias of the Soto signing
Ya know what?
Mullins might agree with you after seeing this mess
Right there with you. Just what we needed, another .210 hitter. At the cost of 3 prospects.
For that trade alone you have to question his baseball acumen. is he trading all the prospects he didn't draft just to further prove how good he is.
Mack, I don't take it personally, but I really dislike the signing. I've never disputed how good he is, but his signing changed the whole locker room dynamic.
My opinions are actually straight forward. I don't believe a team should give everything to one player. It never works out and causes many more problems.
Let's call this for what it is. It's all about money. More merchandising, right now greater attendance. But will that last if we don't win. No, the boos are starting already.
Can't help how I feel.
Stearns: he hasn’t finished his second year yet. We all know he had a great first year and we should remember that everyone has a cold spell, so we need to be realistic. Four trades, and of the four only Soto was absolutely necessary. Helmsley was good. Mullins was foolish because McNeil and Taylor had that position. Rogers was very, very, foolish except that he’s different. But, they overpaid for that very different and talked about needing to walk away from some deals.
On the FA signings: Soto was not his call. Alonso fell into Stearns lap and he stayed disciplined and didn’t listen to Boras’ bullshit. Manaea also fell into his lap by not listening to Boras’ bullshit. Montas was an overpay where he was misled by “friends” in Milwaukee; he will learn from that. Stanek for just one year at $7.5 we all liked. Raley we liked. Minter we liked. Winker “we” liked (I don’t like him). Holmes has been a good find. Canning was good. Blackburn should have been non-tendered and resigned to a minor league deal so he can rehab, but I don’t know how hard feelings work in MLB for injured veterans not under contract.
My point is, some good and some not as good. The trade deadline was an overreach to satisfy Cohen’s huge ego, since it’s year five. The free agents were ok. It’s the holdovers - Nimmo, Lindor, Senga - mostly hurting this team. We need to let the organization lay their foundation.
They can afford it Joe
You're making too much sense here
Alonso, McNeil, and Marte are carrying this team
The Baby Mets still hit like babies and field like they are blind.
It's Lindor, Nimmo, and Mullins that's failing
Worse than that is the pitching and the decisions being made for them
Did you know that only ONE starter has pitched more than 50 innings since mid-June?
Sorry Mack, money doesn't buy everything. 340m payroll, .220 team BA. That's not money well spent. We are losing draft picks, international money, ridiculous luxury taxes. We are now stuck with 3 players, Nimmo, Lindor, and yes Soto forever.
Gus, many good points. While Stearns had a very good first year, this year is equally bad. Agree with almost everything but Winkler. He just took someone's roster spot; he's just an average player at best.
I've been saying forever that Soto was not his call, but he still let it happen. Should have had some balls and told Cohen he was hired for a reason.
Very happy Sproat is back in this list. People gave up on him waaaaay too early. He still needs to do some work on that fastball movement, but with an arm like that he will be good in the future.
JoeP, Stearns was happy to have a player of Soto’s caliber in his team - who wouldn’t - especially knowing that he won’t have to hear his owner constantly telling him that we can’t afford this and we can’t afford that, due to Soto’s presence. Hence, Stearns doesn’t need to worry about that. He needs to built around that. The pitching staff is not well built. Even next year, it’s liable that Senga and Holmes will still not have proper stamina. Montas should. Peterson and Manaea should. Scott won’t. They will need a horse for the front, be it King, Cease, or Kelly, they need a horse for the front and two horses would only help the bullpen.
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