MACK - 2029 Mets Rotation: The Next Wave

 

The next wave of Mets starters seems to be developing right now on the Brooklyn Cyclone roster. Everyone that reads Mack’s Mets needs to become familiar with these three. They could all be part of the 2029 Mets rotation someday.

 

Nicolas Carreno is a 20-year-old left-handed pitching prospect in the New York Mets organization (born June 9, 2006, in Barcelona, Venezuela). He stands 5'10" and weighs 155 lbs. The Mets acquired him from the Pittsburgh Pirates in July 2024 in exchange for LHP Josh Walker.

Signed by the Pirates in 2023 as an international free agent. Split time in the DSL in 2024 before the trade.

Progressed through the Mets system: DSL → FCL (2025) → Low-A St. Lucie (2025–2026) → High-A Brooklyn Cyclones (promoted June 2026).

Key 2026 stats (through mid-June, across A and A+):  2–1 record, 1.89 ERA in 12 games (7 starts), 47.2 IP. 

67 strikeouts (12.7 K/9), 23 walks (4.3 BB/9), low home runs allowed. 

WHIP around 1.05, strong strikeout-to-walk rate, and low batting average against (~.160–.250 range). He has shown significant improvement in command and consistency since his high-walk early DSL days. In 2026, he has posted career-high strikeout numbers and performed well in a recent High-A debut (e.g., 6 IP, 9 K in one start).

Pitch Repertoire

Carreno throws from the left side with a three-pitch mix (primarily), showing good stuff for his age and size. Data from 2025 and scouting notes highlight:

4-Seam Fastball (primary, ~50% usage): Sits in the low-to-mid 90s (up to 96–98 mph in 2026). Good ride/vertical movement.

Slider (secondary, high-usage ~38%): His best pitch — hard (84–90 mph, up to low 90s), with strong whiff rates (e.g., 58%+ in samples; one report noted 43.8% whiff). Can be short or sweepy depending on grip/release. High spin and effectiveness against both sides.

Sinker (occasional, ~10–12%): Mid-90s velocity, used for ground balls or movement variation.

Some scouting/projection systems mention potential for a curveball or changeup (with future grades in the 30–50 range), but his current game mix centers on fastball/slider/sinker. He has solid extension and generates swings-and-misses, especially with the slider.

Profile summary: Carreno is a high-upside lefty starter prospect with strikeout stuff and improving command. At 20, he's still developing (especially control and secondary pitches), but his 2026 performance in full-season ball is encouraging. He's viewed as a lottery-ticket type with starter potential if he refines his arsenal and consistency. Keep an eye on his progress with Brooklyn in High-A.

 

José Chirinos is a 21-year-old right-handed pitching prospect (born October 16, 2004) in the New York Mets organization.

The Mets signed him as an international free agent from Venezuela in 2022. He stands 6'3" and 170 lbs with a lanky frame and a low three-quarters arm slot.

Chirinos has shown steady progress, especially in 2025–2026:2026 (St. Lucie, A): Strong results with a low-2s ERA, good strikeout numbers, and improved control (e.g., around 2.36–2.52 ERA in recent samples, ~10+ K/9, low WHIP ~1.05).

2025: Solid full-season debut in A-ball (3.20 ERA over 56+ IP) with better strike-throwing.

Earlier years (DSL/FCL) featured higher walk rates and inconsistency but promising strikeout stuff.

He projects as a starter with a chance to develop into a back-end rotation piece if command improves further.

Pitch Repertoire

Chirinos features a multi-pitch mix (typically 5–6 offerings), with data from 2025–2026 showing:

Sinker/Two-Seam Fastball (primary, ~25–50% usage): Averages ~92–93 mph (up to 94–95). It has decent velocity but average movement/spin; used more as a setup pitch for command and tunneling rather than a primary whiff pitch.

Slider (key secondary, ~15–20%+): His best swing-and-miss pitch. Sits high-70s to low-80s with slurvy shape, good horizontal sweep, and vertical break. High whiff rates (often 35–40%+ in samples).

Changeup (~20%): Mid-80s (wider velocity band, high-70s to high-80s). Arm-side fade; more effective at the lower end of the velo range. Decent whiff potential.

Cutter (~15–25%): Mid-to-high 80s. Limited movement on its own but helps tunnel with the fastball/slider. Often his least effective pitch by itself.

Four-Seamer and Curveball (occasional): Four-seam ~92–93 mph; curve in the high-70s with vertical shape. Used less frequently.

tjStuff+ metrics rate most of his pitches around average to slightly above (98–100+ range overall), with the slider and fastball variations showing promise.

Scouting Notes / Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths: Good feel for mixing pitches, solid strikeout ability (especially slider), improving command in recent seasons, and a projectable frame for velocity/stamina gains. He tunnels pitches well.

Areas to Improve: Fastball lacks elite movement at times; cutter can be hittable; overall command and consistency (walk rates have fluctuated). Needs to tighten secondaries as he climbs levels.

He's a developmental arm with upside—watch for continued polish in High-A and beyond. Stats and pitch data can vary by game, but the sinker-slider-changeup core defines him right now. For the latest, check MiLB.com or Baseball Savant game logs.

 

Daviel Hurtado is a left-handed pitching prospect in the New York Mets organization. Born January 26, 2005, in Havana, Cuba, he is 21 years old (as of mid-2026), listed at 6'1" and 166 lbs, and throws from a three-quarters arm slot. The Mets signed him as an international free agent in January 2023.

Hurtado missed 2023 with injury. His pro debut came in 2024 with the FCL Mets (Rookie ball), where he struggled with command and results (0-5, 6.32 ERA in 8 starts). He showed strong strikeout stuff (13.2 K/9) but walked too many.

In 2025, he improved dramatically: Strong showing in the FCL (1-0, 0.47 ERA in 5 starts).

Moved up to Single-A St. Lucie (0-2, 2.70 ERA in 13 games/7 starts).

Overall: 1-2, 2.06 ERA, 10.3 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 in 65.2 IP.

In 2026, he has split time between Single-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn Cyclones. He has posted strong results overall in limited action (including a 0.50 ERA at High-A) with excellent command and strikeouts, though he dealt with a brief IL stint. He was also selected for Cuba's roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Key strengths: High strikeout rates (often 10+ K/9), improving command and control, and a solid strike-throwing ability. He has shown the ability to miss bats while limiting hard contact when everything is working.

Pitch Repertoire

Hurtado features a multi-pitch mix typical for a young lefty starter, with a fastball that plays up due to velocity and movement.

Fastball (primary pitch, ~50% usage): Sits low-to-mid 90s (90-94 mph), topping out at 96 mph. It has good induced vertical break (around 15 inches, averaging ~2,200 RPM). It's thrown with a slingy arm action from a three-quarters slot. Command is generally solid in the zone, though hitters can square it up when they make contact.

Curveball (~30% usage): Big, loopy "lollipop" pitch in the high-70s to low-80s. It has massive vertical break (around 50+ inches). Primarily used as a chase pitch outside the zone to generate swings-and-misses or weak contact/ground balls. It tunnels differently from his fastball.

Slider (~15% usage): "Slurvy" breaking ball in the mid-to-high 80s. Similar shape to the curve but tighter/harder with good horizontal movement. It has been effective for strikeouts and swing-and-miss.

Changeup (occasional): Used sparingly but shows promise as a third offspeed option with fade/separation from the fastball. It could become a more significant part of his mix for better tunneling and vs. opposite-handed hitters.

His breaking balls are generally thrown for chases rather than strikes, complementing a fastball that he can locate reasonably well. The arsenal gives him good potential as a starter, though consistency, durability, and further refinement (especially the changeup and overall command) will determine how high he climbs.