9/12/26

MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHRP - Bryce Jenkins

 


MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHRP - Byrce Jenkins


Bryce Jenkins is a right-handed relief pitcher in the New York Mets organization, currently with the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Background
  • Born: April 3, 2001, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
  • Size: 5'11", 175 lbs; bats/throws right/right.
  • Path: Hardin Valley Academy (Knoxville) → Cleveland State Community College (three seasons as a starter) → University of Tennessee (2023, primarily as a reliever). At Tennessee he posted a 5.51 ERA over 16.1 IP with 24 strikeouts in 18 appearances. He also pitched well in the Cape Cod League.
  • Draft: Selected by the Mets in the 17th round (516th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft; signed for $180,000. The Mets were drawn to his high-spin breaking ball.
Professional Career and InjuryHe debuted in the minors late in 2023 (FCL Mets and Single-A St. Lucie). After the season he underwent Tommy John surgery, which cost him all of 2024 and most of 2025. He returned mid-2025 (rehab in FCL and St. Lucie) and appeared in the Arizona Fall League with the Scottsdale Scorpions. 

In 2026 he has broken out as a reliever: AA/Binghamton - 12-APPS, 4-0, 0.69, 1.15, 13-IP, 5-BB, 13-K

  • Strong numbers overall in the minors (roughly 1.89 ERA, 53 K in 47.2 IP across levels, with a very low WHIP and strong strikeout rate).
  • Dominant stretch with High-A Brooklyn Cyclones (around a 1.99 ERA in ~40 IP before promotion).
  • Promoted to Double-A Binghamton on August 4, 2026. 
He is a late-round, undersized arm who has shown improved command and velocity post-TJ and is climbing the system as a bullpen option.RepertoireJenkins primarily works as a reliever with a fastball-heavy mix plus high-spin breaking balls.Pre-Tommy John (2023):

  • Sinker and four-seam fastball averaging around 92 mph (topping higher at times).
  • Two distinct high-spin breaking balls (routinely 2,900+ rpm; slider reached as high as ~3,020 rpm in St. Lucie). The breakers were similar in velocity and sometimes blended together.
  • He had added a new slider just before the injury. Earlier in college/JUCO he also mixed in a curveball and changeup, but those were less featured once he moved to a bullpen role.

Post-Tommy John (2025 onward):

  • Fastball velocity has ticked up (topped 95.4 mph in the Florida State League in late 2025).
  • Continued work differentiating the two breakers. The slider is still a key pitch (used more frequently in relief), though spin has come in a bit lower in some samples (~2,770 rpm noted in the AFL).
  • Focus on refining the arsenal and command after the long layoff; walk rates were elevated during his limited 2025 return but improved significantly in 2026.

College/scouting notes (pre-pro): Fastball sat low-90s (topped ~94), slider in the high-70s to low-80s with sharp two-plane break and high spin. Mechanics are described as relatively simple and repeatable from a three-quarters slot with some effort. 

Overall profile: Undersized RHP with solid arm strength (now mid-90s), elite-spin breaking stuff that plays as a swing-and-miss weapon, and growing feel for a multi-pitch mix suited to relief work. 2026 has been a big step forward in results and control after the surgery recovery. He remains a developmental arm but is generating positive attention in the Mets system for his recent dominance.





1 comment:

Mack Ade said...

Jenkins will spend considerable time in Syracuse next season. Past that is all speculation