1/9/26

MACK - The Friday Report - Cam Tilly, Cleiner Ramirez, Robinson Martinez, 4-Seam Fastball Hard-Hit% Leaders, Out Of Options, Ofreidy Gómez

 


Got another 2025 Mets draftee that didn’t pitch a professional inning last season…


7.223 – RHP Cam Tilly

6’2”    207    Auburn University

Slot Value: $254,000      Signed  ($397,500)

Excelled at Castle High School, going undrafted in 2023 despite strong prep rankings, then played two seasons at Auburn.

As a draft-eligible sophomore in 2025, he appeared in 19 games (6 starts), posting a 5.48 ERA over 46 innings with 58 strikeouts (27.8% K rate) and 29 walks (13.9% BB rate).

Scouts view him primarily as a reliever due to control issues, though some see starter potential if he improves command.

Pitch Repertoire

Fastball: Sits 92-94 mph, touches 97 mph.

Slider: Low-80s with sharp two-plane break; often his best swing-and-miss pitch.

Split-changeup (splitter): Mid-80s with significant drop; effective for both in-zone strikes and chases.

Curveball: Mid-70s with more vertical break; used as a mixer less frequently.

He throws from a three-quarter arm slot with some crossfire in his delivery, which contributes to flattened approach angles but hurts his command. His stuff carries upside, especially in a bullpen role, with good strikeout potential from the slider and splitter.

He's a developing prospect with raw arm talent but needs to refine control to climb the ladder.

I have no idea where he will debut this season, nor do I have any idea if he will come out of the dugout or the pen. I assume he was drafted for his velo potential. It can’t possibly be his lack of ability of getting batters out. He sort of throws more ball fours than Jim Bouton.

My current money, due to his age, is the St. Lucie pen.


Daniel Wexler                        @WexlerRules

As previously reported at Baseball America

 Mets signing 2 of the top 50 players in the class

#3 SS Wandy Asigen

#21 OF Cleiner Ramirez when signings become official on 1/15

                                      Cleiner Ramirez is a highly regarded international baseball prospect from Venezuela, projected as a top outfielder (OF) in the 2026 international free agent (IFA) class.

He's a 17-year-old right-handed hitter known for his excellent bat speed and potential as a power-hitting outfielder, with some sources also listing him as capable of playing infield positions (INF/OF).

As of early January 2026, multiple reports indicate that Cleiner Ramirez is set to officially sign with the New York Mets on January 15, 2026, when the 2026 international signing period opens.

He's considered one of the Mets' top targets in this class, with projections of a signing bonus around $1.3 million, and rankings place him around #23-24 in the overall 2026 international prospect list according to MLB Pipeline and Baseball America.

He's reportedly the brother of Leiner Ramirez, a shortstop who signed with the Mets in the 2024 international class but has been injury-plagued and hasn't played professionally yet.

Cleiner is often highlighted for his athleticism, bat-to-ball skills, and upside in the outfield, making him a promising addition to the Mets' farm system once the deal becomes official.

 

 

The Mets signed RHP Robinson Martinez to a minor league deal.

                                              Robinson Martinez

Turns 28 in March    6-0    220    RHP

2025:    A+/AA    1-0, 4.76, 1.81, 18-apps, 22.2-IP, 22-BB, 25-K

He originally signed as an international free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2014.

Over the years, he's played in the minor league systems of the Phillies, Miami Marlins, and most recently the Baltimore Orioles (who signed him to a minor league deal in November 2024 before he elected free agency).

He has no Major League experience yet, with 151 minor league appearances, mostly in relief.

Recently, in winter ball (likely Dominican Winter League), he posted a 3.52 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 15.1 innings, which caught the Mets' attention for this depth signing.

He's currently assigned to the Syracuse Mets (Triple-A).

He's a minor league depth addition for the Mets' bullpen rather than a high-profile prospect. If he performs well in spring training or Triple-A, he could get a shot in the big leagues in 2026.


Running From The OPS                 @OPS_BASEBALL

4-Seam Fastball Hard-Hit% Leaders

 


Daniel Wexler                        @WexlerRules

Mets players out of options for 2026

Mark Vientos, Luisangel Acuna, Adbert Alzolay, Richard Lovelady, Cooper Criswell, Christian Arroyo, Cristian Pache, Robert Stock, Brandon Waddell, Joe Jacques, Kevin Herget, Mike Baumann

                  MACK -

I don’t see any reason to panic here. Vientos is now a major league player. The rest are basically roster fill-ins at the minor league level.

 


Mets News and Links                      @JohnFromAlbany

Recent Mets Minor league Free agent Ofreidy Gómez K's Ex-Minor League Met Aderlin Rodríguez to end the 6th - 1.2 innings, no runs, 1 hit, 1 K - 0.00 ERA in 4 playoff games this Winter.

                  MACK –

                  There is a chance here that the Mets found a live one here and Gomez could start this upcoming season off in the Queens pen.


10 comments:

TexasGusCC said...

Proud to see our boys well represented in the fastball damage category. Still trying to understand how a 35 year old Aaron Judge is holding his peak so well. Alonso must be wondering too.

Don’t like my aunt Tilly on the mound. I don’t know if you can teach control and why they bother trying. How did it go for their roster this year in the majors that led the league in walk percentage by a starting staff?

The players out of options is bewildering to me. Can’t understand the fascination with scrubs, but Stearns has that Alderson gene of turning over every rock. Acuna can be a good utility player, and if he’s allowed to swing the bat may get on first base. Vientos had a sophomore slump and should get back to his normal this year. Alzolay may become a relief option. Waddell might see a game or two. The rest are a waste of time.

TexasGusCC said...

Sorry, 34 year old Judge… still “very impressive”.

It’s my spell checker writing the wrong age.

Tom Brennan said...

They plan on turning Cam Tilly into Bret Saberhagen. You can do anything in a lab these days.

I’m already a Cleiner fan, due to his name.

Somebody better tell Aaron Judge that big Frank Howard declined in his 30s. For that matter, both of the big Frank Howard’s did.

We were #1 on hard hit 4 seamers….but missed the playoffs because the pitching staff had a short half life. By August the staff was essentially depleted uranium. Only the irate fans were radioactive.

Tom Brennan said...

Gus, he used 46 pitchers last year. Sixteen of whom threw 10 or less innings⚾️

Mack Ade said...

I'm guessing here on signings like Tilly... it costs pennies to pay a minor league minimum Jan-Mar, plus housing allowance, and signing from 1-50 wild ones and hoping the lab dudes can fix maybe two or three. Then, throw the rest down like a hot potato

Mack Ade said...

you are kinder than I would be on the option guys

Mack Ade said...

let's remember a high percentage of the guys that hit those hard hit four seamers will now be doing it for other teams

RVH said...

Was just actually looking at that. Brutal use of fringe pitchers last year. We all saw it but the data is telling. Best starters also averaged 5.1 5.2 IP/srart (Petersen and Holmes). Need these cheap fill-in types to round out the depth chart. Occasionally find a hidden gem for a low cost. Part of the talent portfolio theory

TexasGusCC said...

As a starting staff, the Mets were 26th in innings pitched per start with 4.9. The leader, Minnesota, had 5.7 innings per start. So, the league as a whole was less than six.

RVH said...

Agree. The 1 inning is 162 innings extra on the BP though. It definitely adds up