Reese Kaplan -- Some Very Good Depth Pieces on the Farm

While the team going north is likely 99.44% already determined there are questions about who will be on the farm in the event injuries or performance demand changes need to be made.  There are some strong candidates in many places though the need for them might forced a bit sooner if the known roster members do not quite measure up as planned.

First Base

Ryan Clifford is arguably the strongest power hitting  bat to come up through the Mets system since Pete Alonso graduated from the minors.  Right now he’s working on cutting down his high strikeout numbers and improving his bat control to raise his average, but a 2025 season with 29 HRs and 93 RBIs in under 500 ABs looks extremely promising.

Infielders and Outfielders

A.J. Ewing is someone people are very excited to see developing into a multipositional asset.  Last season split between three levels he hit .315 and sole 70 bases.  It was that kind of development that likely made Jett Williams into a tradable asset. 

Jacob Reimer has played both infield corners and left field, though none of them particularly well.  As a 21 year old in 2025 he ht .282 with 17 HRs and 77 RBIs in less than 450 ABs.  While the defensive side of his game is kind of Vientos-like, the offensive numbers do get people somewhat excited.

Much further down the depth chart is middle infielder Elian Pena.  Not even age 18 yet he started off his pro career with a bang.  He finished the 2025 season with projected totals of over 20 HRs, over 40 SBs and hitting in the .280s.  He’s a long way from Citifield but folks are very stoked for his development and eventual arrival. 

While it is uncertain whether he’ll begin the 2026 season in Syracuse or in Queens, right fielder Carson Benge has shown strong offensive capability since giving up time devoted to pitching.  In two years in the minors he has less than 500 ABs while hitting .280 with 17 HRs and 81 RBIs while stealing 25 bases.  He’s surely a solid bet for the future but the big question is how soon that future will arrive. 

Finally, in this group you have Nick Morabito who is also exclusively an outfielder.  At age 22 playing for Binghamton he hit .273 with 49 SBs.  He’s another speedy guy who could help when he’s ready to make the big jump.   

Catchers

While the place behind the plate belongs to Francisco Alvarez, down on the farm are two catching prospects ready to advance up the ladder as they continue to fight for promotion to the majors.  AFL star Chris Suero who between two leagues in 2025 hit just .233 but hit 16 HRs and drove in 68 while stealing 35 bases.  He’s spent time in left field and at first base as well.

Former high draft pick Kevin Parada has never blossomed as expected during this slow trek up the ladder, but in the second half of 2025 he finally started showing that offense that seduced the scouts when he was selected.  In Binghamton in just over a half season’s worth of ABs he hit .254 with 10 HRs and 50 RBIs.  While those numbers don’t wow you, they suggest he’s a solid if lower level contender as a catching backup.

Starting Pitching

Rather than dwell on the specific numbers for each of the top most rated performers here, know that behind the six starters already in Queens the Mets have a pretty awesome set of backup contenders.  Christian Scott is back from injury.  Jonah Tong needs to see if he can regain his dominance from AA.  Other in the chain include Jonathan Santucci, Zach Thornton, Will Watson and Jack Wenninger.

Relief Pitching

Here’s it’s a bit murkier.  Dylan Ross and Jonathan Pintaro are the top contenders to support the starting pitchers but after that the numbers in most of the other contenders suggest they are not quite ready for prime time players.