ANGRY MIKE: Mets Farm System developing Frankensteins, not just ballplayers…

 ANGRY MIKE

 

“As far as the laws of Mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality…”

~ ALBERT EINSTEIN

One of the tougher aspects of M.LB. scouting and development, great athletes possessing a wide array of elite physical tools, doesn’t readily translate to success on the field. Unlike other professional sports, you have an exhausting vetting process, consisting of a half-dozen levels of organized competition, that are used to qualify players for a chance to compete at the Major League level. Advancements in technology have helped franchises equip scouting departments with the tools to better identify current and future potential, as well create developmental infrastructure that helps players reach their potential, but it will forever remain an imperfect science.

Successful development of a prospect is predicated on that player’s ability to consistently exhibit the skills that define their future potential. The most common result is for a prospect to reach the potential that was identified earlier in their development. In very rare cases, a prospect continues to redefine their future ceiling, by not only exhibiting the skills that were previously identified, but by developing skills few believed would be possible. I call these rare cases, “Frankensteins”.

Simply put, you’ll never be able to predict who will be the next Juan Soto, teams place bets on who they believe has a chance to come close…

The Mets farm system remains one of the best in baseball, because they have the highest concentration of “Frankensteins” currently, and because of the tens millions of dollars invested by Steve Cohen, they have the infrastructure in place to continue creating more such cases in the future. 

Let’s take a look at the current group of “Frankensteins”, players who have drastically elevated their future overall potential within the Mets system, as well as a few players exhibiting the potential to become the next wave of future “Frankensteins”.

FIRST GENERATION “FRANKENSTEINS”:

FRANCISCO ALVAREZ  ->  C

Alvarez wasn’t even ranked in the Top 10 of his I.F.A. Class, but was signed for one of the highest bonuses awarded that year. After a few short seasons, Alvarez proved that signing bonus was a huge bargain.

- Accelerated through MiLB -> debuted in MLB at age 20

- Ranked by many as #1 Overall prospect in MiLB prior to MLB debut

- Remains only catching prospect EVER to receive 70 scouting grade for “Power” in the last 15+ years. 

- 2026 will be year Alvarez establishes himself as difference-maker -> BOOK IT 🦾

NOLAN MCLEAN -> SP

McLean wasn’t even ranked first drafted by the Orioles as an outfielder in the 2022 Draft, only to return to school, and then be drafted as a two-way player by the Mets in the third round of the 2023 Draft. McLean only pitched 57 career IP during three seasons at Oklahoma State. He became a full-time pitcher midway into his first professional season with the Mets.

- Highest ranked SP Prospect in the MiLB -> wasn’t even a SP in college

- Dominated the Minors in his first full season as a SP

- One of the best 6-pitch arsenals in the MLB that -> every pitch is future 60+ or 70+ scouting grade offering

- Historic start to his MLB career -> exhibited “Ace” potential.

- Frontrunner for 2026 N.L. R.O.Y. & potential CY Young votes

JONAH TONG -> SP

Tong was the 109th pitcher drafted during the 2022 Draft, and selected 226th overall. He was considered a very raw prospect, with limited upside, because of unorthodox mechanics and fastball velocity that only averaged 91 MPH & topped out at 94.

- Fastball is 70 scouting grade + 95 MPH AVG. VELO & 99 MPH Max Velo (during AAA & MLB outings) + 20+ inches of I.V.B. 

- Developed a Vulcan Changeup -> already exhibits elite traits & 60+ Scouting grade

- Curveball is also 55 Scouting Grade -> 60+ inches of vertical break

- 2025 had most dominant MILB season history -> 1st SP to lead in ERA & Strikeouts

A.J. EWING -> CF

Ewing was drafted as a 4th round compensatory selection for the loss of Jacob DeGrom during the 2023 Draft. After only 2 full-seasons of minor league ball, Ewing has transformed himself into a legit 5-tool player, after his breakout 2025 season. 

- Ranked as high as #31 overall | 2026 Top 100 Prospects List 

- Last Mets Prospect was David Wright to post a season with the following numbers:

-> 0.315+ BA | 35+ XBH | 20+ SB | 55+ BB | 0.400+ OBP

- Arguably fastest player in Mets organization right now

- Hit machine, with more power on the way

ZACH THORNTON -> SP

Thornton was a 5th round pick from the 2023 Draft, who elevated his prospect profile significantly, after his breakout 2025 season. Despite limited experience at the D-1 level, he has advanced through the minors rapidly as a SP, and should spent the bulk of the 2026 season at AAA. 

- Continues to improve his arsenal -> exhibiting upticks in fastball velocity in 2025 & potentially again in 2026. 

- 4% walk rate by SP -> lowest since Christian Scott

- Career numbers on par or better than SP drafted among top 3 rounds of 2023 Draft

- Projection + plus athleticism -> offers exciting future potential

SECOND GENERATION “FRANKENSTEINS”:

ELIAN PENA -> SS

Pena received a franchise record signing bonus awarded to an I.F.A. prospect in 2025. Had a stellar professional debut season, flashing legit 5-tool upside. Has the rare ability to continue elevating his future ceiling to become a member of the exclusive 70/70 Club, which is a limited group of MLB players who ascertain 70 scouting grades for both their “Hit Tool” & “Power Tool”. 

- Juan Soto only Mets player -> member of “70/70 Grades Club”: 

-> 75 -> “Hit Tool” || 70 -> “Power Tool”

- Prior to Pena only ONE teenage prospect earned 65 scouting grade for “Hit Tool”

- Peña’s power has already being ranked 2nd only behind Ryan Clifford

- Scouts rave work ethic & maturity -> providing hope for accelerated development 

- Future #1 Overall Prospect in MILB, like Francisco Alvarez was.

WANDY ASIGEN -> SS

As talented as Pena is, Asigen has been touted by some as being even more talented. One of the rare instances of a teenage prospect receiving a 65 scouting grade “Hit Tool”, as well as 60 scouting grades for “Power” & “Speed”.  

- Considered by many as the best offensive talent in a historically deep 2026 I.F.A. Class

- Tons of projection + excellent work ethic -> another potential fast-riser through minors

- Similar to Elian Pena -> has the tools to join Soto among the “70/70 Grades Club”

- Mets stole him away from Yankees a couple weeks before “Signing Day” is ALWAYS worth highlighting 😂🤣

TREY SNYDER -> SS / CF

Snyder was a 5th round pick, but received the third highest signing bonus in the draft class. Ryan Clifford was the last draft pick Kris Gross awarded a second round bonus this late in the draft. Snyder offers a ton of upside & more than held his own as despite an aggressive assignment to full-season Low-A ball.

- Reminds me of a RHB-version of A.J. Ewing -> very comparable tools 

- Stole 40+ bases in his pro debut + more power on the way -> legit 5-tool upside

- Gritty, high energy motor -> offers a ton defensive versatility who can play IF & OF 

- Expecting Snyder to duplicate Ewing’s breakout is unfair -> anything close & Mets have another potential high-impact bat

PETER KUSSOW -> SP

it’s been noted by a couple pre-draft reports, Kussow has “Day 1 potential”, but dropped because he’s from a cold-weather state. The last time the Mets drafted a “cold-weather” high school pitching prospect, it was Jonah Tong. Kussow is considerably more advanced than Tong was at the same stage of development & he has unlimited projection, physical comps include J.J. Watt, “Ivan Drago”, or The X-Men character “Colossus”.

- PROJECTION, PROJECTION, PROJECTION…

- Already tops out at 97 MPH -> potential to become SP that holds triple digit velocity 

- Plus athleticism + smooth, repeatable mechanics 

- Already flashes 2 pitches that are future 65+ scouting grade offerings 

- Best case scenario -> looks like Jacob Misiorowski but cleaner mechanics

CAMDEN LOHMAN -> SP

Lohman was drafted in the 8th round, but V.P of Scouting, Kris Gross awarded Lohman the highest above slot bonus in the draft class. Similar to Kussow, Lohman offers tremendous upside, but isn’t quite as polished, and needs to add a considerable amount more weight to his 6’4 frame. Similar fastball velocity and potential for multiple plus off-speed pitches gives the development team a lot to work with. 

- PROJECTION, PROJECTION, PROJECTION

- Similar delivery & release point to Tong & Trey Yesavage, but higher velocity 

at the same stage of development

- Future fastball velocity has potential to be as high or even higher

- I trust Kris Gross, he’s a mad scientist 

- Gross only shells out big $$ bonuses to players with special potential.