MACK - MY SUNDAY OBSERVATIONS - Jonah Tong, Roybert Herrera, #5 DSL Prospect, AJ Ewing, Elian Pena, Edwin Diaz, Playoff Rotations

 

Morning

Yesterday's outing by Nolan McLean was, in one word,  challenging.

He started out with only having his fastball effective.  His signature pitch, the sweeper,  was sweeping but just not enough to do the trick. In addition, poor fielding by Juan Soto and another shitty throw by Pete Alonso scored two unearned runs (why can't someone sit down Pete and explain to him if he moved towards first before throwing it to a covering pitcher, that his throws would.be more accurate?).

Pitch count, which was elevated by the extra batter that had to faced due to the two errors and throwing a ball into back of an advancing runner, cost Nolan from having any chance of pitching into the sixth. He did give up only one earned run and his season ERA is now 1.27. Not bad,  for a starter that had no team support. Ace.

The Mets need to address their ongoing defensive issues in the field. They can't change the members of the band that are currently putting them on the charts. 

They need to address to their affiliate prospects that the tiebreaker on becoming a starter over another bat first kiddie is going to be how well they play with a glove on the hand. 

They also need to instruct their draft room nerds that players with both offensive and defensive tools are also a future tiebreaker. 

Sad news regarding Tylor Megill going under the knife for TJS. That kills his 2026 season, and based on the talent coming down the road, takes him out of play for any future Mets rotation. I was his biggest fan.

Why in the hell do you try to chase a ball down to the wall behind you instead of getting in position to catch that ball off the wall and hold that hit to one that only produced one game? What was Mullens trying to do? He's supposed to be a defensive specialist out there. What was his plan? Catch an un-catcherble (sp) ball before running at top speed into a wall?

Gawd, get this guy off the playoff roster and let Taylor be your defensive centerfielder going forward.

30) Jonah Tong

The Good

Tong has one of the funkiest deliveries in baseball with his extreme over the top delivery. The fastball is easily plus-plus given its extreme ride and improved velocity. The growth of his changeup has propelled him into mid-rotation potential.

 

The Bad

The command and lack of chase are glaring concerns. He has shied away from his breaking balls this season, which likely need to return as he tackles AAA.

Mets Prospect Group       @bkfan09         DSL TOP 10

8.            3B/1B    Roybert Herrera

Roybert Herrera is an 18-year-old minor league baseball player in the New York Mets organization, born on June 30, 2007, in Caucaugua, Venezuela.

He played as a third baseman, first baseman, and second baseman for the DSL Mets Orange in 2025, a Rookie-level affiliate in the Dominican Summer League.

Standing at 6'2" and weighing 175 lbs, he bats left-handed and throws right-handed.

He is recognized as a prospect in the Mets' minor league system.

2024 – Mets DSL Blue:                   79-AB, 23-K, 1-HR, 9-RBI, .329/.407/.443/.850

2025 – Mets DSL Orange:             143-PA, 30-K, 6-HR, 17-K, 15-BB, .285/.371/.488/.858

New York Mets                                 @Mets

An incredible first season in Queens continues.

@JuanSoto25_    #LGM

 

Jim Koenigsberger                          @Jimfrombaseball

"I was just 19 years old and had been in high school the year before. There I was facing Henry Aaron, Eddie  Mathews, Felipe Alou, Joe Torre and Rico Carty.

It was very intimidating.

A couple years prior to that, I'd had all their baseball cards and here I was on the mound facing them"

Nolan Ryan recalling his first MLB appearance. Gary Gentry, Jerry Koosman, Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan.

Only eight pitchers started for the Mets all season, 1969

Mets Prospect Group       @bkfan09         DSL TOP 10

5.            C/DH/1B              Josmir Reyes

Name: Josmir Daniel Reyes

Team: DSL Mets Orange (Rookie Affiliate)

Position: Catcher (C)

Bats/Throws: Left/Right (L/R)

Physical Stats: 6'0", 180 lbs

Age: 18 (Born September 21, 2006, in Guatire, Venezuela)

Status: Active

Notable Performance: In a game on June 3, 2025, Josmir Reyes hit a double that allowed teammate Elian Pena to score from first base during a DSL Mets Orange game against the DSL Giants Black, contributing to an 8-5 victory

2024 – Mets DSL Orange:   4-PA

2025 – Mets DSL Orange:   190-PA, 4-HR, 28-RBI, 34-BB, only 15-K, .300/.426/.480/.906

Prospects Who Will Break Into the Top 100 in 2026

https://www.justbaseball.com/prospects/five-prospects-break-into-top-100-2026/?s=03

AJ Ewing, 2B/OF, New York Mets

At a Glance

2025 MiLB: 124 G, 564 PA, .315/.401/.429, 3 HR, 87 R, 55 RBI, 70 SB, 12.1% BB, 18.6% K, .113 ISO, .392 BABIP; 26 2B, 10 3B

Case for Helium

A 2023 draftee, Ewing has broken out in his second full pro season. He opened in Single-A and quickly earned a bump to High-A, where he logged a 140 wRC+ in 78 games with a 13.1% walk rate. For a prep bat, the plate discipline is advanced: it’s a patient approach, above-average contact, and mature swing decisions that turn him into an on-base engine.

The double-plus speed is a separator — he has 70 steals in 128 games across three levels, including 12 bags in just 28 Double-A games. He’s been more swing-happy since the Double-A jump, but that’s a normal adjustment for a fast-moving 20-year-old.

Overall Outlook

The missing piece is impact. Ewing has homered just three times in 2025, though the speed plays in the gaps (26 doubles, 10 triples) and props up the slug. He’s moved around the diamond but likely settles in the outfield; if he proves he can handle center, the ceiling pushes toward top 50 territory.

Even without big home run totals, the OBP/speed combo and defensive versatility make Ewing a firm top 100 candidate right now.

 

Baseball America                             @BaseballAmerica

Shortstop Elian Peña showed why he received the largest bonus for any Latin American prospect this year.

In the DSL he hit 292/.421/.528 in 228 plate appearances with 36 walks  and nine home run.

His success makes the Mets a team with a strong international class.

Mets All-Star closer could seek another lucrative deal in free agency

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/new-york-mets/news/mets-all-star-closer-could-seek-lucrative-deal-free-agency/5958968d717b74ceb1289377

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz is already one of the richest relief pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball, and he could seek an even more lucrative deal this winter.

Diaz is in the midst of the third season of a five-year, $102 million deal signed before 2023. Diaz has an opt-out after this season. Given his performance — pitching to a 1.85 ERA with 26 saves, and 87 strikeouts — some feel as though it’s likely Diaz will hit the open market.

Since a disastrous 2019 season — Diaz’s first with the Mets — Diaz has re-established himself as one of the top closers in the game. He’s been named to two All-Star teams with the Mets, and as such is arguably the top relief pitcher that could hit the open market this offseason

 

What we’re hearing about the Mets’ pitching plans into the postseason

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6645438/2025/09/19/mets-pitching-plans-into-postseason/

An off day Monday provides the Mets the luxury of setting up their rotation for a potential Wild Card Series a week early. Specifically, New York can move Nolan McLean up a day to pitch on regular rest Thursday in Chicago, pushing Brandon Sproat back to Friday in Miami. That would leave McLean in position to start Game 1 or Game 2 of a Wild Card Series.

In general, the Mets see some value in having your best starter throw Game 2 of a three-game series. That way, you have your ace to either clinch a series win or stave off elimination. And make no mistake: The Mets view McLean as their best starter. (This year, because there’s an extra off day between games 1 and 2 of the NL Division Series, there’s no penalty for saving your ace for Game 2 of the Wild Card Series; he can still start on regular rest in games 2 and 5 of the NLDS should you advance.)

With this specific team, though, the best play might be McLean in Game 1, given he’s the only sure starter for the Mets in a playoff series. Sproat and Jonah Tong have put themselves in the conversation for starts, and New York liked how the tandem of Clay Holmes and Sean Manaea worked Tuesday against the San Diego Padres. Provided Manaea was able to stay on routine while on paternity leave this week, that tandem will work again Sunday against the Washington Nationals.

Outside of McLean, be prepared for creativity. Even in a three-game Wild Card Series, the Mets would likely carry six starting pitchers, using the other five in hybrid roles, similar to how they deployed David Peterson last October.