MACK - The Rotation Is So Bright, I Need Shades

 

Morning 

I need to show you how the future of the Mets rotation could actually develop. These are just young, team controlled, hurlers that finished the 2025 season either as a member of the Mets or AAA-Syracuse and AA-Binghamton. Meaning everyone of these guys will be fully developed by opening day 2027. 

Sit back and enjoy this.

 

Jonah Tong – I bet you didn’t think Tong would be my lead. His major league debut is something I’m sure he can’t wait to leave behind and he will next season. Tong’s best pitch is his 4-seamer, not because of it’s 91-94 velocity, but because of its elite induced vertical break that sometimes exceeds 20”. Add to that his over-the-head delivery and 6.9’ of extension and this is a pitch that makes a pitcher an ace. Folks, this is your future Mets ace. He has Sandy Koufax/Doc Gooden potential.

 

Nolan McLean – I think you have heard of this dude, but you may be surprised I have him as my future SP2. He really did nothing wrong once he was promoted to Queens and I expect the same kind of dominance from him in 2026. The mix of his repertoire is simply sick. He has one of the signature pitches in the league… his 84-87 sweeper that has elite spin and exceptional 15-16” horizontal movement. When on, it is virtually unhittable. Me? McLean will start 2026 off as the SP1 for the Mets, but will eventually settle in as SP2.

 

Jack Wenninger – here’s one of my favorites. Wenninger pitched the entire 2025 season for Binghamton, going 12-6, 2.92, 1.15 in 26 starts. He threw 135.2 innings, walked only 42 batters, and struck out 147. These are ace-like numbers and he will take them to Syracuse for opening day. Me? I have him as the eventual SP3 behind Tong and McLean.

 

Zach Thornton – Thornton was shut down near the end of the 2025 season for an oblique issue, but reports are that he is now fully healed. He will work the backfields of Clover Park this off-season. He will turn 24 in January. He had four silly starts for A+ Brooklyn (3-0, 0.44). then moves on to AA-Binghamton (10-starts, 3-2, 2.60, 0.86. He combined for 1.98, 0.81, 72.2-IP, 78-K, and only 11-BB. He has a five-pitch repertoire that includes a 2600-rpm 94-fastball. Did I tell you he was a lefty? Right now, scouts have him as a potential back-end starter, but that could change. Remember… Jake deGrom was only projected at this level when he pitched AA ball. Me? My potential SP4

 

Brandon Sproat – Sproat is like a stray cat that won’t go away. He really didn’t pitch particularly well in Syracuse last season. He doesn’t strike out a lot of batters. And his debut was nothing to write home about. But he keeps trudging along Sid Fernandez wise and will get plenty of opportunities next season that he’s a keeper. His most effective pitch is his 84.5mph sweeper and has resulted in a 34.6% whiff rate, .077-BAA, and .153 wOBA (whatever that is). Me? SP5 workhorse material.

 

Christian Scott – As we all know, Scott shot out of a cannon when he debuted for the Mets, seemed to lose his command overnight, which turned into a season ending diagnosis of the need for the dreaded UCL injury. This took away his entire 2025 season. His best pitch was his 86.5mph slider, which produced an elite 38.2% whiff rate. Word is he is now 100% healed, but only time will prove if his stuff will come back. Even if it does, he’s far from a sure bet that he can crack a rotation with this much projected talent. Me? I have him slow paced as the SP1 in Syracuse next spring and eventually becoming my SP6.  

Will Watson – y’all need to know more about Watson. The 22-year old righty impressed all the pitching coaches over three levels. He did the lion share of his time in Brooklyn (14-G, 13-ST, 1.70). but did get a cup of coffee in Binghamton before the season ended (4-G, 2-ST, 3.44). Overall, he went 28-G, 23-ST, 2.60, with 142-K in 121.1-IP. Watson does need to cut down on his walks (58), but he will have all of 2026 to work on that. The fact that there are so many starter prospects, and his high K/IP ratio, could segue him into a backend reliever role.

 

So. Is there reason to dream? Yes, there is folks. Yes, there is.