10/5/25

MACK'S SUNDAY OBSERVATIONS - Mack's #29 Mets Prospect, Gregory Soto, 2023 and 2022 IFA Class, David Peterson, Cody Bellinger, Rob Gardner, Dylan Ross, Kyle Schwarber

 


1.      I promised all of you that, as soon as the season ended, I would breakout and post my current Top 30 prospects.

This is performance based, not players that came to the Mets full of promise but have only produced butterscotch pudding.

Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, and Jonah Tong are not on this list. They have graduated.

I will post them in each of my weekly Observations and In Focus posts… one player at a time… beginning with #30.

T   Today, we move to #29: 

S                                  SP           Osiris Calvo 

Osiris Calvo is a 21-year-old left-handed pitcher from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, signed by the New York Mets as an international free agent on January 15, 2023. 

Standing at 6'4" and weighing 195 pounds, his tall frame gives him a physical advantage, allowing for a higher release point that can generate more spin and movement on his pitches. He’s considered a prospect in the Mets’ minor league system, though not currently ranked among their top prospects due to his age relative to the Dominican Summer League (DSL) and limited stateside experience. 

Calvo missed the entire 2024 season due to an unspecified injury but made a strong comeback in 2025 with the DSL Mets Orange, earning the Mets’ Dominican Academy Pitcher of the Year award. In 11 appearances (9 starts), he posted a 5-1 record with a 2.51 ERA over 43 innings, striking out 45 batters while walking only 9, resulting in a 0.98 WHIP. His performance included a career-high 8 strikeouts in 5 hitless innings against DSL Phillies Red on June 30, earning him DSL Pitcher of the Week honors for June 30–July 6. He was also selected for the DSL Midseason All-Star Game, allowing one or zero earned runs in 8 of his 11 outings.

In 2023, his first season in the DSL, Calvo had a 3.82 ERA over 30.2 innings in 15 starts, with 40 strikeouts, 9 walks, and a 1.17 WHIP. His strikeout rate was notable at 31.3% in 2023, dropping slightly to 26.2% in 2025, but he showed significant improvement in limiting home runs, reducing his HR/9 from 1.47 to 0.42.

Despite his success, analysts remain cautious about his prospect status because he’s 21, which is older for the DSL, and he has yet to pitch in the U.S. minor leagues. His ability to maintain effectiveness in higher levels will be critical to his development.

Calvo’s size, left-handedness, and strikeout ability make him an intriguing prospect, as MLB teams highly value lefty pitchers with his physical profile. However, his age and lack of experience in U.S.-based leagues temper expectations. To elevate his prospect stock, he’ll need to prove himself in stateside affiliates like Low-A St. Lucie or High-A Brooklyn. His injury history also raises some durability concerns, but his 2025 performance shows resilience. 

In summary, Osiris Calvo is a promising left-handed pitcher with a strong frame and solid strikeout numbers


These 9 Mets might as well pack their bags

https://fansided.com/mlb/these-9-mets-might-as-well-pack-their-bags-along-with-ryan-helsley-01k694jksg0g

LHP Gregory Soto

One month after the trade deadline, Gregory Soto appeared to be an ideal fit in this Mets bullpen, as he allowed just two runs in 11 innings of work. In the month of September, though, Soto allowed 10 runs in 11.1 innings of work. Why he struggled to the extent he did down the stretch is unclear to me, but he simply did not get the job done. For that, his time with the Mets should come to an end.

Soto did admittedly run into quite a bit of bad luck, and actually displayed better control with the Mets than he had in several stops in his career, but the results matter, and Soto did not bring them. The Mets need to overhaul much of their bullpen and bring new faces into the mix. That starts with letting Soto go.


Mets Prospect Group                     @bkfan09

Outside of the Three Big Signings( Gutierrez , Baptist, Larez) Of The Mets 2023 IFA Class  this is where they finished 2025


Mets Prospect Group                     @bkfan09

Mets 2022 Class On Signing Day .. Simon Juan($1.9M) was the Top Mets Prospect In Their Class


NY Mets players most fans wouldn’t mind trading away

https://risingapple.com/ny-mets-players-5-fans-wouldn-mind-trading-away-offseason?utm_source=bleacherreport&utm_medium=referral&_branch_match_id=1408222371212362866&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXTyrSSywo0MvJzMvW9zUxzs4LzAs2C0%2ByrytKTUstKsrMS49PKsovL04tsnXOKMrPTQUAyPtJ%2BjkAAAA%3D

2) David Peterson

An All-Star for the Mets in 2025, David Peterson is one of several pitchers who fizzled late. He ended the first half 6-4 with a 3.06 ERA. In his last 12 starts after the All-Star Break, he was 3-2 with a 6.34 ERA.

Inconsistencies have plagued Peterson in parts of his career. From season-to-season, it has been unknown what he’d deliver. His masterful consistency throughout 2024 was easy to gloss over because of how effective so many of the other Mets starters were and how forgotten he became in the postseason.

Arbitration eligible for one more season, Peterson is a low-cost arm for the Mets to have in their rotation. But so is Nolan McLean. Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong should have some role (at some point) in the big leagues, too. Peterson, one year away from free agency, feels unlikely to remain with the Mets after losing favor late in the 2025 season. Trading him could make sense if it means improving the ball club elsewhere.

Peterson’s popularity never rose to the same levels as some others the fans are ready to move on from. More appreciated than beloved, a lot of the praise has turned into questions about whether he is capable of getting through a full big-league season without crashing.


Decisions, decisions: These 3 looming free agents might as well opt out now with Pete Alonso

https://fansided.com/mlb/decisions-decisions-these-3-looming-free-agents-opt-out-now-pete-alonso

Cody Bellinger, New York Yankees

When the Yankees acquired Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs, it always felt destined to be a one-year marriage. And after Bellinger’s strong season, it’s now virtually a lock he opts out of his contract and tests free agency.

Just look at his production from this season. In 152 games, he hit .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI. His 5 bWAR was the second-best of his career and his best since 2023 when he posted a 4.8 bWAR with the Cubs. It’s possible that he returns to the Bronx, but the interest in Bellinger could lead to a bidding war in free agency.


This Day in Mets History                              @NYMhistory

10/2/1965 The Mets and Phillies play 18 scoreless innings of baseball, resulting in a 0-0 tie. New York’s Rob Gardner allows just five hits across 15 shutout innings. His 112 game score is the highest in Mets history.

 


Syracuse Mets                                  @SyracuseMets

Dylan Ross is your Syracuse Mets Earned Run Average Leader for the month of September

 



Scout suggests New York Mets will try to sign MVP candidate in free agency

https://www.si.com/mlb/mets/news/scout-suggests-new-york-mets-will-try-to-sign-mvp-candidate-in-free-agency-grant9

Kyle Schwarber would be a great fit in every MLB team's lineup.

A member of Philadelphia's media scene also spoke about this topic in the article, saying, "The fans here would never forgive [Phillies owner John Staubus Middleton] if Schwarber signed with the Mets. And honestly Schwarber is so much the heart and soul of that team -- and he takes that role seriously -- that it’s hard to see him taking the money to go to such a big rival. But you never know; everybody has their price.

New York won't re-sign beloved slugger Pete Alonso and also get Schwarber. But them getting either guy would be major win.


14 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Schwarber would be interesting.

Greg Soto gave up a lot of hits. I’d look elsewhere. But his arm did not fall off, so I would not completely discount his return. But, more likely, they try to get by with Minter and Raley as lefties in the pen.

Ross hopefully makes the big step up.

Cody loves the Porch.

Despite those 15 scoreless innings, Gardner ended up with a 4.35 career ERA in 331 innings. Other that that one game, his ERA was closer to 4.60.

Cal o? Velocity will be key. Unlike nearly all DSL pitchers, his ability to limit walks was excellent.

The DSL Released/promoted chart shows how little comes out of the DSL that is useful in even the mid-minors. But some do rise to stateside ball. Yonaton Henriquez is most definitely one to watch in 2026, and Franklin Gomez is interesting, too, as is Julio Zayas.

Mack Ade said...

Lefties in Pen -

I'm fine with Raley and Minter as lefties in my pen

I just want Helsley and Rogers back as righties

And, let's not forget Drew Smith and Ross will be back

That's six and counting

Mack Ade said...

DSL

this percentage, or lack of, of successful DSL players mirrors the domestic draft as well

You only have 26×30 players each year in the majors

Not much room for the 1000+ players signed every year

Paul Articulates said...

I like those choices. Make a deal with Diaz. That makes seven. Six starters later, you have a full roster on the pitching side.

Paul Articulates said...

I agree that you can't get both Pete and Schwarber. So the priority has to be Pete. I would just engage in Schwarber discussions so the Phillies have to pay more to retain him.

TexasGusCC said...

I’d like to bounce some ideas off of you fellas, if you want to dedicate a few minutes:
1. What do you think of reacquiring DeGrom since the Rangers want to pare payroll? I love all his numbers, including his low walks, I don’t think he’d be expensive to get since his K’s are also down, but I think that he is just conserving. He is still throwing at 100.
2. I want the get rid of Peterson. I am tired of the walks and I think this roster has to be remade to curtail walks.
3. What do you think of resetting the Tax? May be difficult to do with DeGrom, but still possible.
4. Do y’all trust Clayton Holmes to stay healthy after doubling the innings he has pitched in a season?

D J said...

Holmes looked good in his last game. I like him as both a starter or as a possible bridge to Diaz in the eighth inning.
I would pass on DeGrom. I think he wanted out of New York for some reason, just not sure why.

Mack Ade said...

I would always go with what I know and I know Alonso is a good thing for this team... for so many reasons

Mack Ade said...

1, why would you want someone that doesn't want to be a member of this team?

2. I agree but he has very little trade value unless he is part of a package

3. resetting the tax is aloss of both Alonso and Diaz. Plus, doesn't monies eaten still count against your salary?

4. I do until Christian Scott returns or Jack Wenninger is ready

TexasGusCC said...

Thank you guys.

Gary Seagren said...

DeGrom is probably like Ryan who also wanted out of NY and headed to Texas which of course was his home. Resetting the luxury tax so how do you really do that? We have the richest owner in baseball w/o the casino deal so when he gets that he'll want to cut back on his beloved team....don't think so. I think we need to forget about the draft and concentrate on IFA and of course the FA market and trades after all lets embrace being the team with the highest payroll because billionares tend to always want more right Mack? Personally I'd love a Schwarber/Alonso middle of the order and really pissing off the phillie fan base big time. I'm old and tired of waiting but DS must be smarter than last year on his decisions. I hate when money enters into the final choices (when you again have SC as our owner) and the call on signing Siri (which just maybe the worst decision in Met history though it's a long list) instead of Bader which cost us a PO spot plain and simple as Harrison was coming of a 10 million dollar salary and Siri cost us "only 2.4" and by the way a playoff spot.

That Adam Smith said...

Peterson is a guy who - when he’s on - pitches above his peripherals because his extreme ground ball tendencies tend to cover up for the walks. The problem is that the minute he’s not 💯 and being a ground ball machine, those runners tend to score. He was great in ‘24, but remember he only pitched half a season. This year, he clearly wasn’t ready for a full-season workload, gave us a very Peterson half-season this year (deep into games, ton of ground balls, still walking too many, all-star), and ran out of gas. I’m not sure what you do with him, and not sure what his trade value is, and I wouldn’t complain if he was part of a package (with Vientos say, and a couple of prospects) for a top young SP. but if you find no takers at a reasonable valuation, you hope that maybe he can build up and has more stamina next year, or maybe you treat him with kid gloves and get what you can from him for as long as he goes.

Mack Ade said...

No state or local tax in Texas

Imagine what the taxes will be after the election

Mack Ade said...

I loved him until I didn't