MACK - SUNDAY OBSERVATIONS - MACK'S #17 PROSPECT/SP JOEL DIAZ - Colin Pouch, A.J. Ewing, Blame For 2025, MacKenzie Gore, Bo Bichette, A.J. Ewing, Soto, Euniel, Bullpens, Vern Rapp

 

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. A perfect example of a player that didn’t make this list is catcher Ronald Hernandez. I still like the guy, but based on what he did in 2025, I don’t like him “top 30 guy”.

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.

Today, we move to #17:

                           17.       SP             Joel Diaz 

22/yrs old in February      6-2      208         RHSP 

2025:     A+ -  25-G, 18-ST, 5-5, 3.80, 1.22. 106.2-IP, 25-BB, 98-K

Díaz is a right-handed starting pitcher in the New York Mets' minor league system, born February 26, 2004, in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic. At 6'2" and 208 pounds, he has a solid, athletic frame with potential for further physical development. Signed by the Mets as an international free agent on January 15, 2021, Díaz has shown promise as a prospect despite inconsistent results as he progresses through the minors. 

Career Overview -     2021 (Dominican Summer League): Díaz had an outstanding professional debut at age 17, posting a 0.54 ERA over 50.1 innings with 63 strikeouts, 9 walks, and a .163 opponent batting average. His performance marked him as a high-upside prospect. 

2022 (Low-A St. Lucie):       Moving stateside, Díaz struggled at 18, recording a 5.86 ERA in 55.1 innings with 51 strikeouts and 25 walks. As one of the youngest pitchers at the level, his control issues were evident, but his underlying pitch data remained promising. 

2025 (High-A Brooklyn):          Díaz had a solid season with the Brooklyn Cyclones, throwing 106.2 innings, primarily as a starter, with a 3.80 ERA. He excelled in the playoffs, pitching 6.2 scoreless innings with 2 hits, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts, helping Brooklyn reach the South Atlantic League Championship Series. His ability to generate soft contact was notable, though his strikeout rate (8.27 K/9) was modest. 

Pitching Repertoire 

Díaz throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a short-arm delivery and a low release point, which aids in creating deception. His current arsenal includes four pitches: 

Four-Seam Fastball:        Ranges from 92-96 mph, averaging 94 mph, with peaks up to 97 mph. It features riding life due to a low vertical approach angle, making it difficult for hitters to square up (average exit velocity of 71.1 mph in 2022). The pitch generates swing-and-miss and has been a cornerstone of his arsenal. 

Sinker:                  Used less frequently but part of his mix, it complements his four-seamer by inducing ground balls. Specific metrics on its effectiveness are limited, but it adds versatility to his fastball offerings.

 Changeup:          Considered his best secondary pitch, it flashes above-average to plus potential with late fade. In his DSL debut, he threw it 20% of the time, using it effectively to keep hitters off balance. Its development has been a positive sign for his future as a starter. 

Curveball:           A high-70s offering that he introduces later in games, typically the second time through the order. Its effectiveness has been inconsistent, with control issues leading him to favor his changeup when the curve isn’t working. 

Scouting Notes 

Strengths:           Díaz’s athleticism, strike-throwing ability, and feel for secondary pitches (especially the changeup) stand out for his age. His fastball’s life and low release point generate weak contact, and his 2021 DSL performance showcased his potential as a high-ceiling arm.

 Weaknesses:     Control has been an issue in full-season ball, with a walk rate over 10% in 2022. His curveball needs refinement to become a reliable weapon, and his strikeout numbers have dipped against more advanced hitters. 

Projection:          Díaz is a high-risk, high-reward prospect due to his youth and distance from the majors. His 2025 performance suggests he’s adapting to higher levels, but he’ll need to improve command and secondary pitch consistency to reach his potential as a mid-rotation starter or high-leverage reliever.

                MACK –               

I REALLY like this kid. Don’t know why. Just do. I don’t see him someday becoming a starter for the Mets. No, I see the lab getting his arm under control and age will develop him a few more ticks on his velo… then… on to the back end of the pen. 

                ETA:       2028

Forgotten Ex-2025 Mets

LINK

Colin Pouch

Every rock was turned over this season for left-handed relief help. Several doses of Richard Lovelady poured down our throats, Colin Poche deserves the award for being the worst one. Yeah, it was just one game. But his 2 earned ferns in 0.2 innings finishing a brutal 9-2 loss versus the Pittsburgh Pirates seemed to help symbolize the collapse of the Mets before it was even official.

Poche actually signed with the Mets twice this year. The first was in mid-May. Released on July 1, he returned days later on a new contract but wouldn’t get back to the big leagues. His 4.82 ERA and almost as many walks as he had strikeouts in Syracuse explains this.

What makes Poche’s 2025 season really unfortunate is how good he was not all that long ago. A member of the Tampa Bay Rays for several seasons, he pitched to a 3.86 ERA last season and had an incredible 2.23 ERA the season prior. The unpredictable bug bit him on the shoulder. He was bad with the Washington Nationals to begin the year. He showed no improvements with the Mets.

Jonathan Pintaro had the same 27.00 ERA from his lone appearance from the Mets so if you did remember Poche, maybe you forgot about Pintaro. An actual prospect, but already 27, he could be a candidate to get a second chance. Poche never did.

Who are the next young studs for the Mets?

https://www.justmets.net/p/who-are-the-next-young-studs-pt-1

OF/2B A.J. Ewing (No. 7 prospect, Double-A BNG)

2025 MiLB Totals: 124 G, 564 PA, .315/.401/.429, 153 H, 3 HR, 26 2B, 10 3B, 87 R, 55 RBI, 70 SB, 18.6%-12.1% K-BB%, .113 ISO, .392 BABIP, .390 wOBA, 147 wRC+

Latest Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 / Power: 45 / Run: 60 / Arm: 50 / Field: 55 / Overall: 50

MLB Comp: Jacob Wilson (2024 Grades: 70 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 50 / Overall: 55)

Carson Benge wasn’t the only Mets prospect to fly through three minor league levels this season. Ewing just happened to post an OPS+ over 130 everywhere he went.

A.J. Ewing has been receiving praise since the moment he suited up in the orange and blue. A compensatory fourth-round draft pick in 2023 (received, funnily enough, as a result of the departure of Jacob deGrom), the course of Ewing’s development last season closely followed that of Reimer’s, with maybe even steeper odds attached at his journey’s outset.

When initially drafted, Ewing graded out far lower than his current projections. Seen as a ‘project’ with a ‘light’ arm that was destined for utility duties, Ewing’s development in his second year of action has significantly raised his initial ceiling.

Yet despite all the toolsy upside that Ewing’s already put on display, he has one particular skill (aside from his ability to make near-constant contact) that has established itself as a cornerstone to his overall game: base stealing.

(Hmm…there seems to be a theme developing down on the farm…)

Though slightly undersized, Ewing has already proven a threat on both sides of the ball, and his defensive development is showcasing a comfort in center field that scouts think will complement the likes of Carson Benge manning a full-time corner position. (That means Nimmo and/or Soto are likely destined for perma-DH duties eventually, but I think that’s a reality we all foresaw anyway.)

Whether he pops in for a few games in September 2026 or breaks camp in April 2027, I don’t doubt Ewing will also be in Queens sooner than later.

Mets fan survey results

LINK

Who or what do you blame most for the 2025 season? You can only pick one.

44% - The starting pitchers for their woeful second half

29% - David Stearns for his roster construction

9% -   The offense for its boom-or-bust inconsistency

8% -   The coaching staff for not fixing persistent issues

8% -   The defense for consistently giving away extra outs

4% -    Carlos Mendoza for not maximizing the talent

So far, the coaching staff has been held most accountable for what happened in 2025. The fans see it a little differently.

Potential Mets trade

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/new-york-mets/news/potential-mets-trade-deals-away-jonah-tong-ryan-clifford-65-million-all-star-ace/eca1f7dcd8f7183741eac0e2

Mets get: LHP MacKenzie Gore

Nationals get: RHP Jonah Tong, 1B/OF Ryan Clifford

Extract that rough patch, and Gore otherwise had a 3.19 ERA. He also struck out at least 180 batters for a second consecutive year, which is something only eight other pitchers can boast. He would immediately elevate the overall competency of this pitching staff, and at a fraction of the dollar cost it would take to sign a comparable free agent like Dylan Cease or Framber Valdez

Gore’s rough patch raised his ERA to 4.17, but he still had 185 Ks and a K/9 of 10.4. With some offseason work and the ability to be a little back in the rotation, he could thrive for the Mets.

 

Mets linked to Bo Bichette

https://www.si.com/mlb/mets/onsi/news/new-york-mets-linked-to-all-star-infielder-bo-bichette-in-free-agency-grant9

Mark Vientos didn't win the third base job like most expected he would in 2025. Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Luiangel Acuña all got opportunities to contribute and perhaps win their own starting role, but none played well enough to deserve the job outright. Jeff McNeil was decent, but his best days are likely behind him. And top prospect Jett Williams appears poised to make the Mets' big league team next spring.

In other words, all of those names are potential trade candidates this offseason. And given the solid return the Mets could get for any of those players, at least one of them could very well be on the move this winter — which would potentially open up a spot for New York to sign a more elite infielder.

 

A.J. Ewing

LINK

Ewing, a 2023 Springboro High School graduate who turned down a baseball scholarship to attend University of Alabama, is satisfied as a professional baseball player.

“My goal never was to be a college baseball player,” Ewing said during a phone interview from the Mets spring training facility in Florida. “This is about getting my feet wet and getting used to the pro environment. I want to get to the bigs.”

That means playing for the Mets one day at Citi Field. And the sooner the better.

So instead of being a junior at Alabama, Ewing has played 2 1/2 seasons of professional baseball.

In 221 games, Ewing, known as a contact hitter with blazing speed, is hitting .283 with 13 homers, 107 RBIs and 84 stolen bases.

 

Running From The OPS                 @OPS_BASEBALL

A small update to my Hitter Cards. Here is Juan Soto and his absurd 73% H-H% against 4-Seamers.

-xwOBAcon

-Chase%

-Bat Speed

-LA Sweet Spot%

have all been added

With the 2026 IFA Signing Day About 2 months out . Here are a few names for the 2027 Class, lead by Euniel de la Cruz rumored bonus is $3M-$3.3M.This looks to be a very good class for the Mets.

 

Elihu D Feustel                @d_feustel

Inning score only matters if you are holding bullpen for later games. If not, you simply want to minimize expected runs every inning. With no tomorrow, you should play your bullpen much more aggressively.

                   Tangotiger             @tangotiger

I was hoping someone would give a good answer to save me from typing something verbose, and this is a great terse answer. If your SP loads the bases in the 4th AND you intend to bring in a reliever, you would bring in Mariano Rivera, full stop

 

Jim Koenigsberger           @Jimfrombaseball

Umpire Larry Barnett: “One more peep out of you and you’re out of the ballgame.”

Vern Rapp: “Peep.”

Barnett ejected Rapp, who refused to leave because he felt the punishment didn’t fit the crime. Rapp said it was the first  time he’d been ejected for saying the word “peep.”

"Before a ballgame, Vern Rapp is as friendly as a collie dog. Once in a game, he’ll use anything up to poison gas to try to beat you. He is a tough loser, and in the heat of battle he can erupt  like a volcano."

Vern Rapp staged a protest by sitting on home plate after being ejected following a dispute with umpire Larry Barnett in a game at Albuquerque  in 1966.

When Rapp refused to move, the umpire called police, who escorted Rapp  from the field.

Rapp lost two full seasons, 1951-1952 due to service in Korea.