ANGRY MIKE: 2025 PROSPECT REPORT: RYAN CLIFFORD

ANGRY MIKE

Ryan Clifford has been one of the hardest prospects to analyze who is currently ranked among the Mets top prospects. The raw talent is elite, as he has arguably the best power bat among Mets prospects and at times he can flat out carry an offense. 

Unfortunately, prior to the 2025 season, Clifford simply hasn’t produced consistently enough to justify forecasting him as anything more than a platoon player. 

The 2025 season proved Clifford not only has the chance to be an impact regular, but a true thumper in the middle of the batting order. After his customary slow start to the season, Clifford strung together the best months of his minor league career, hammering Eastern League pitching for pretty much the entire summer. 

Mets brass re-assigned him to the Eastern League for the 2025 season, with one primary directive, attack earlier in the count. Mets coaches rave about Clifford’s mature approach at the plate, but they wondered if he was being too passive at times, which caused him to constantly fall behind in the count. Judging Clifford’s 2025 numbers, the Mets might have hit a bullseye with their assessment:

Clifford’s Stats -> Ahead in the Count: 218 PA

.308 BA | 16 HR | 1.295 OPS | .581 OBP | 85 BB

39% BB-Rate | 13% K-Rate 

Clifford’s Stats -> Behind in the Count: 197 PA

.194 BA | 6 HR | 576 OPS | .205 OPS | 0 BB  

14% BB-Rate | 37% K-Rate

Clifford’s production when “ahead in the count” are flat out eye-popping, providing a glimpse of Clifford’s future potential. Clifford showed flashes during the 2024 season, but it was great to see him produce consistently for months at time during the 2025 season. Clifford was also one of the more consistent hitters with RISP, which is sorely needed in Queens.

Clifford 2025 RISP Stats:

.260 BA | 8 HR | 69 RBI | .878 OPS | .391 OBP | 36 BB | 11 Doubles

Clifford 2025 Stats versus RHP: 443 Plate Appearances 

.247 BA | 24 HR | 69 RBI | .876 OPS | .379 OBP | 75 BB | 18 Doubles

Despite posting an impressive 17% BB-Rate versus righties, his 25% K-Rate is something he will have to improve if he wants to prevent getting exposed by MLB pitchers. Clifford hit an impressive .290 versus lefties in 2024, only to hit .204 during the 2025 season, but the sample size was small enough to not justify being overly concerned. 

Over the course of the last 2 seasons, he batted a respectable .236 across 182 at-bats versus lefties, with 7 homers and 10 doubles. Considering that was mostly against Double-A pitching and being well below the league average as far as age goes, there is optimism he can continue to improve his numbers against both righties and lefties.

2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

Led all Mets Prospect's Homers 2024 & 2025 -> 29 (Career High) 

Led all Mets Prospects RBI 2024 & 2025 -> 93 (Career High)

Led all Mets Prospects Walks 2024 & 2025 -> 85

Led all Mets Prospects -> 4 Multi-Homer games (Career High)

Led all Mets Prospects -> Reached Base at least once 107 Games 

Reached Base 77% of GP -> 107 / 139 Games 

32 Multi-hit games 

61 games -> reached base multiple times 44% of total games

63 games -> drew at least 1 walk 

21 Multi-RBI games 

7-RBI game -> Grandslam & 3-Run HR

May - July -> 261 AB

Clubbed 18 Homers during this stretch

Drove in 67 RBI 

Averaged 6 Homers & 20 RBI a month -> May - July 

Batted -> .264 

Respectable -> 24% K-Rate 

Above average -> 16% BB-Rate

Clifford had an outstanding 2025 season, flashing the type of all-around ability that has Mets fans and Mets brass very excited about his future potential. Alonso’s departure means fans will be asking, “can he replace Alonso?”, and the answer is, “No.” 

It is unreasonable to expect any of our young sluggers to replace Pete Alonso, who is arguably one of the best power hitters in the game. That’s not their job, nor should they be burdened with the expectations of having to replace Alonso. Their job is to continue developing into the best version of themselves, and if Clifford continues to improve, the best version of Clifford, will be a tremendous asset for the Mets lineup in the very near future. 

Clifford’s offers more than just power potential, arguably among the best in the minors, he also has the ability to draw walks, and .300+ batting average when ahead of the count shows the potential to be more of complete hitter with more experience. 

Clifford offers significantly more defensive upside than people think, because he has an ABSOLUTE CANNON for an arm, receiving a 70 scouting grade in 2024 by Baseball America. Carson Benge, Ronny Mauricio, and Luisangel Acuna are arguably the only players with the same caliber arm as Clifford, and it feels like a waste having him at 1B. That’s why the Mets have been giving him 50+ starts at corner outfield positions over the past 2 years, and he’s been more than serviceable at either RF or LF.

The 2026 season is going to be a pivotal year for the Mets as they try to rebound from a tough 2025, and their plan is to do so with a new nucleus of high-upside talent to pair their duo of stars, Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor. Clifford will start the season in Syracuse and will be among the first few players considered for a call-up at some point during the season. 

Fans want to sign every free agent available in order to replace Brandon Nimmo and Alonso; that’s not only unrealistic, it’s also exactly what the Dodgers want us to do, so they could accomplish their goal of adding Tarik Skubal and Mackenzie Gore to their starting rotation without any competition.

The more players the Mets integrate into their starting lineup who are making pre-arbitration salaries, the more payroll flexibility that is created. The misconception that the Mets cannot remain competitive by integrating more young talent into their lineup is comical, especially considering the Bluejays literally came within two outs of winning the World Series by deploying the same type of youth movement. 

Ryan Clifford remains one of the key pieces in a potential youth movement, his development continues to trend in the right direction. Providing hope of a finished product that gives the Mets an impact bat who can play first base or outfield.

Frankly, it’s time for the Mets to break their cycle of trying to use as many veterans as possible, and begin to start utilizing their impressive collection of prospects they have knocking on the door for a promotion.

Let the “Kids” play.

Let the “Kids” develop.

Watch the “Kids” finally end the World Series drought.

1B Ryan Clifford Named Eastern League Player of the Week

 

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Double-A Affiliate of the New York Mets, announced Monday that 1B Ryan Clifford was named the Eastern League (EL) Player of the Week for the week of July 21 – 27. 

Clifford, the Mets No. 7 ranked prospect, in six games this past week at Reading slashed .522 (12-23)/.645/1.130 with a 1.775 OPS with four home runs, 12 RBIs, 11 runs scored, eight walks, and six XBH. Clifford now leads all of Double-A in HR (21) and RBIs (66) and is tied for the fifth most home runs in Minor League Baseball. 

Clifford, 22, led MiLB (full season affiliates) this past week in OBP, OPS, RBIs, and runs scored. He finished second in the minors and first in Double-A in slugging percentage, and total bases (26). Clifford also finished tied for second in MiLB and tied for first in Double-A in hits, while finishing tied for second in MiLB and first in Double-A in XBH.

On Sunday, Clifford capped off his monster week finishing 3-for-4 with a career-high five runs scored. It is the most runs scored by an individual player in a game in franchise history. Carson Benge and Clifford also hit back-to-back home runs Sunday for the second time this week. It is the fifth time this season the Rumble Ponies have hit back-to-back homers, and Clifford has been a part of all of them. 

On Wednesday, Clifford was 3-for-4 with two home runs, his second multi-homer game this month. 

It is the second EL weekly award Clifford has received this year, as he also won the award for the week of May 6 – 11. This is the ninth EL award received by a member of the Rumble Ponies this season. 

Clifford, an 11th round pick by the Houston Astros in 2022 out of Pro5 Academy in Apex, North Carolina, joined the Mets organization with Drew Gilbert in August 2023 as part of the trade-deadline deal that sent Justin Verlander to Houston. 

Paul Articulates - Discussion with some of the AA prospects

During the Binghamton Rumble Ponies' media day, several local reporters were able to spend some time with three of the teams' top prospects and ask about their preparation for this coming season.  Many thanks go out to Binghamton media director Jacob Wilkins, Matt Levine, and the rest of the Ponies' staff for the opportunity.

I was fortunate to join in the fun and see what they are thinking about.  Of course, all the players that make it to this level have been well trained to avoid controversial or news-breaking statements, and these gentlemen did well with that training.  The transcript of these interviews follows:

Jett Williams interview – April 2025

Q: Healthwise, I know last year did not go like you wanted it to, but how are things this year coming in to the season?

A: Things are great.  I’m ready for a full healthy season.

Q: When you were down in Florida, what was it like spending time with the big league players?

A: It was great.  You talk to them, pick their brains about things. You learn a lot about what they do, and how they go about their business, what they do on an every-day basis.

Q: What have they told you about the positions you will play this year?  Infield/Outfield?  What do you want to do?

A: It doesn’t matter, as long as I’m on the field whether that is at short, second, or in center field?  They told me I am going to get more reps in center.

Q: Last year you played in the spring breakout game and they came to Binghamton.  This year you were able to do the same.  Are you going to approach anything differently this year?

A: I think it is going to be about staying healthy and working towards the big goals ahead.  Come in every day and try to get better.

Q: Anything in particular that the coach?

A: They have not specified.  Just getting more reps at all three positions, getting at-bats, staying healthy.

Q: Who is going to steal more bases this year, you or Nick Morabito?

A: I think we are going to bring out the best in each other.  I think we have a really good lineup.  It’s a great bunch of guys that will push each other and have a lot of fun.

Q: Do you plan to use one of the torpedo bats?

A: I don’t know.  The bat companies have asked me to use one, so I am sure that I will have one around to try out.  Either way, you still have to have a good approach and hit the ball.

Q: As someone who has been here at this level before, how do you plan to take a leadership role in your time here?

A: I have already been talking to some of the guys who will be spending their first year here about how to get through the cold, how the pitchers throw a little differently here and at AAA.  I’m trying to help everyone as much as I can with what I have experienced.

Ryan Clifford interview – April 2025

Q:  You hit that home run and win the MVP in the spring breakout game.  How did it feel to go out and compete with those guys?

A: Feels good.  There were a lot of names in those lineups that have been playing for a long time.  Some pretty good arms out there. I was glad we were able to put up the numbers we did and come away with a win.

Q:  You have been listed in the top prospects for the Mets along with five or six other guys that you have come up here to Binghamton with? What is it like being with these guys coming up together?

A: It is a good group.  I have been with some of them for a while now and we also have some new faces this year.  It is just a great group of guys looking to push each other to be our best.  It is going to be fun to compete out there with them.

Q: What are the things you have worked on in the spring that you think you will be a little better at this year?

A: For me, I think just working on hitting the top of the zone, especially trying to hit the fastballs up.  I think if I can cover that then everything else will just come naturally for me.

Q: What are your goals for this season in general?

A: I’m trying to pick up the ball better, trying to be more consistent in my hitting.  Defensively, I am going to play a lot of first base for the first month, then transition to the outfield from there and become more versatile.

Q: Following up on that, on the big club there are some positions locked up by the big stars and some aren’t.  Do you think there is an opportunity for you to get up there quicker in the infield or the outfield?

A: I think it is all subjective.  Sure, some of the stars are locked in but there will be days when they are not “feeling it” and there will be opportunities.  I’m trying to stay versatile – it doesn’t matter to me where I play – I just want to do the best that I can to get the opportunity to get on the field.

Q: Do you plan to use one of the torpedo bats?

A: I have seen them.  I am not sure it is the best fit for me but it is working for some guys, so down the road who knows what will happen?  I go to swinging a no-cut bat and I like having more weight at the end of the bat.  I want to be able to hit balls hard even if it is out at the end of the bat.

Nick Morabito interview – April 2025

Q: With you being a newcomer to Binghamton, what have you been told so far about competing here in AA?

A: I am very grateful for this opportunity to be here in Binghamton – it is a big jump from high to AA but I’m prepared to take it on.  It’s a little colder here; I haven't played in cold since high school, but I’m excited and ready to embrace it.

Q: Have you received any advice from the top prospects in the organization about making the jump from A to AA?

A: I am close with the guys here, so I have been able to talk with them. Obviously I know the competition is going to be a little better, but I’m ready to get started

Q: How are you feeling as you prepare to go into this season?

A: Most importantly I’m healthy, my spring training routine has been consistent, and I look forward to going out there every day and working hard, staying healthy.

Q: What were some of the things you have been working on in spring training?

A: I worked pretty hard on my defense in spring training.  I have been working center field, a lot on my first step reactions and my overall range getting to balls.  Defense has always been something I take pride in.

Q: When you were in St. Lucie, did you run into some of the big stars like Lindor and Soto?

A: Not a lot – only played in one big league game because I was dealing with a little “wrist thing” in spring which is all good now.  It was pretty cool just being around those guys.

Q: What do you think you can bring to the Rumble Ponies lineup this year?

A: Hopefully do well in center field, steal some bases.

Q: Who’s going to steal more bases this year, you or Jett?

A: I don’t know – I am going to get as many as I can.   Hopefully he will get many too.

Q: Many of today’s hitters focus on power hitting in the leadoff spot.  You bring speed to the game.  Does that give you an advantage?

A: Yeah, having guys that can steal bases in the top of your lineup is an exciting part of the game – fans love to see it.  That’s what I like to give to the fans.

This is going to be a fun group to watch this year.  There will be an exciting brand of baseball played in Binghamton with a combination of speed, power, and pitching.  If you can make it to the stadium, it will be well worth the price of admission.