MACK - Plop Plop Fizz Fizz, Oh What A Relief It Is

 

                      Good morning.

 

Let’s face it. The Mets just haven’t been that successful in developing great relief pitchers. Oh, there are exceptions. Name three.

Seriously, the current crop of relievers in the chain is (or is it are?), in my opinion, showing some signs of life.

I believe there are two “must promote” guys on this list and three “maybes”. But that’s me.

The “must” guys are:

 

RHRP Dylan Ross – Ross pitched 2025 at the A+/AA/AAA level in 54 games, producing a stat line of 2-0, 2.17, 1,15, 19-GF, 7-SV, 54-IP, 33-BB, 80-K. I know teams don’t target relievers in the draft until the later rounds, but how’s this for a 13^th round pick (2022)? Ross’ most effective pitch is his slider. In Syracuse, led the league in whiff rate with 77.3%. It also doesn’t hurt that his fastball has been clocked at 102. Me? I would make a hefty three year offer to Edwin Diaz, but if he says no mas, Ross would become my 2026 closer in Queens.

 

RHRP Ryan Lambert – The 6-3 righty is known for his elite velocity and raw power. He’s pitched in only 56 innings since 2022 which is good news for those of you that worry about arm wear. Lambert tosses a 98-102 fastball, with elite induced vertical break, which when coupled with his most effective pitch, his slider, becomes unhittable more than not. Last season, he pitched in seven games for A+ Brooklyn (0-0, 1.13, 0.50, 1-SV, 8-IP, only 1-BB, 17-K) and was then sent off to AA-Binghamton (39-apps, 2-1, 1.17, 1.28, 6-SV, 42-IP, 26-BB, 64-K). For those of you not counting, that’s 81-K in 50-IP. These killer numbers will definitely make him a member of the AAA-Syracuse opening day team; however, don’t be surprised if the Mets invite him to pitch with the parent team in spring training

The maybe ones are:

 

RHRP Ben Simon – Simon started off the 2025 season in A+ Brooklyn, going 4-0, 3.86, 1,20, 2-SV, 37.1-IP, 13-BB, 40-K. It earned him a promotion to AA-Binghamton, where he finished with an impressive stat line of: 11-apps, 1-0, 1.06, 1.00, 17-IP, 5-BB, 20-K. His most effective pitch is his high-90s fastball, which has high spin rate that gives it late life and zip. Simon will pitch as a 24-yr. old righty in 2026 which calls for a giddy-up in planning. I’d love to see him start the spring for AAA-Syracuse, but look for him to end there after opening up for the Rumble Ponies. Either way, that will be the end of his minor league career, giving him an ETA of OD 2027.

 

RHRP Saul Garcia – Nobody ever writes about this guy. I just don’t understand it. All Garcia did in 2025 was go 4-2, 1.85 for A+ Brooklyn, followed by 1-0, 1.32 for AA-Binghamton. Combined stats: 38-apps, 5-2, 1.70, 1.19, 6-SV, 47.2-IP, 28-BB (work is needed here), 76-K. Garcia’s most effective pitch is his T-97 fastball. It has strong induced vertical break, producing a lively ride and low barrel rate.

The 6-0 righty will turn 23 in June. Similar to Simon, he needs more time in AA, will definitely finish in AAA-Syracuse and his ETA will be OD 2027.

 

RHRP Brian Metoyer – a favorite of writers here, Metoyer has had a long road back from setbacks. Because of this, age is not on the side of this 28/year old righty… however, he did pitch 2025 for A+Brooklyn/AA-Binghamton, producing a stat line of: 33-apps, 1-1, 1.70, 1.09, 42.1-IP,23-BB, 59-K. Metoyer’s most effective pitch is his mid-70/low-80 curve, which features an average spin rate of 3,200+ RPM, peaking at 3,492. It also has a50-60” vertical drop, and 12-16” horizontal movement. My guess is he will open up in AAA-Syracuse and be ready sometime later in 2026 for a well deserved call-up.

Honorable mention: Hoss Brewer