MACK - TWO MORE UDFA METS

 

7-14  -  The Mets have signed UDFA 1B/OF Reed Stallman –

Reed Stallman (full name: Reed Joseph Stallman) is a college baseball first baseman/outfielder for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He is a left-handed batter and thrower, standing 6'3" and weighing 220 lbs.

He was born on March 4, 2003, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is from Robins, Iowa.

High School: Alburnett HS (Iowa). He had a standout senior year in 2021 (.491 AVG, .877 SLG, 62 RBI) and was a multi-sport athlete (also played football, basketball, and track).

Junior College: Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), where he hit well (.370 AVG, strong power and RBI numbers over two seasons) before moving to Division I.

First D1 Stop: Campbell University (2024). He started all 47 games at first base, hitting 15 HR with a .239/.441/.560 slash line, leading the team in walks (47), and posting strong defense (.992 fielding %).

He transferred to Mississippi State in 2024 after Campbell's coach left for Ohio State.

2025 Season (Senior year): Played in 44 games (32 starts, mostly in the outfield due to competition at 1B). He hit .265 with 11 HR, 34 RBI, and a .376 OBP/.615 SLG. He showed power but struck out quite a bit (42 times in 117 AB).

2026 Season (Graduate year): Breakout performance as the starting first baseman under new head coach Brian O'Connor. He hit .318 with 13 HR, 55 RBI, and a .410 OBP/.624 SLG through 57 games. He improved his contact rate, clutch hitting (especially with runners in scoring position), and played excellent defense at his natural position.

Stallman was initially nervous about his role after the coaching change but earned praise for his buy-in and has become a key middle-of-the-order bat and reliable defender.

Strengths

Power and Production: Consistent home run threat (39 career HR in college) with good plate discipline (strong walk rates early on).

Defense: Highly regarded at first base with excellent fielding percentages and the ability to make highlight plays.

Clutch Performance: Notable improvements in situational hitting during his 2026 breakout.

He played in the Cape Cod League (Chatham Anglers) in summer 2025 and has been a solid contributor in the competitive SEC.

Overall, Stallman is a late-blooming power hitter and defender who has carved out a significant role at a major program after starting at the JUCO level.

MACK – very surprised some team didn’t draft him to help bring in their bonus distribution. Could develop into power bat. Excellent first base defense. 2026 wound up 51-K/173-AB. Not Clifford numbers.

Rating -  B+

 

7-14  -  The Mets have signed UDFA SS Danny Melendez (TNXL Academy) –

Danny Melendez is a high school shortstop/infielder (Class of 2026) who recently signed with the New York Mets as an undrafted free agent (UDFA).

Position: Primarily SS/2B (also some OF).

School: TNXL Academy (FL).

Physical: 6'0", 185 lbs, R/R.

Tools and Performance (from showcases/scout days)Strong measurables: 105.1 mph max exit velocity, 6.85 60-yard dash, 87 mph infield velocity.

Solid contact and power upside for a high school player, with good bat speed and hard-hit rates.

MACK – To me, an organizational fill.

Rating  -  C

MACK - STRIKE NEWS - UPDATE

 

Two things of strike interest happened on July 14^th.

First, MLBPA Honcho, Bruce Mayer, said that the players are working on a response to the last owner’s proposal and  will make their own “amateur entry proposal” soon.

(I know most people think this is going to be a long strike… and I still do too… but I am excited at the progress made by both sides. In my opinion, they really are trying to get closer on this thing).

The other thing is the fact that Commissioner Rob Manfred said that he viewed the possible incursion of an International Draft as an attempt to clean up issues in the current international process. He singled out the removal of drafting high school players, saying it represented “the changing environment of the current amateur landscape” (whatever that means).

It seems to me that Manfield is trying to place both the domestic and International sides of baseball under the same set of rules.

(Again… in my opinion… you can’t be paying a 23/year old, three-year college star three million dollars and, at the same time, pay a 16/year old Latin child who is still learning the game, twice as much. Makes no sense).

Commissioner Rob Manfred and interim union head Bruce Meyer each hold press conferences on the day of the All-Star Game in Philadelphia. "I think that I have an ownership group that is more united than any group in my entire time of baseball," Manfred says, referring at least obliquely to the league's push for a salary cap. "They are a group that believes in what I am arguing for."

Bob Nightengale - 

Lockout or not, MLB showing their optimism (or is it arrogance) in labor negotiations that the 2027 season will start on time by announcing that Opening Day will be on March 25, the earliest in MLB history, with the regular season concluding Sept. 26

MACK - Third Base Prospects

 

Yesterday, we took a look at some possible first baseman that the Mets could trade for before the trade deadline… well, dies.

Today, we more to the slim pickings at third.

Remember... we are dealing with AAA or AA players only.

 

Caleb Bonemer – Chicago White Sox (AA, ETA 2028) - versatile 3B/SS with strong defensive skills and solid offensive tools. Expected to be a long-term prospect with high upside MLB.

2026:  A+ -  223-AB, 18-HR, 43-RBI, 38-BB, 81-K, .238/.381.556/.937

            AA -    78-AB,  4-HR, 12-RBI, 13-BB, 22-K, .269/.380/.449/.829

 

Jett Williams – Milwaukee Brewers (AAA, ETA 2026) - 3B/SS/OF combo prospect with speed and defensive flexibility. Already showing MLB-level tools MLB.

2026:  AAA -  304-AB, 9-HR, 41-RBI, 47-BB, 78-K, .234/.341/.385/.726

 

Andrew Fischer – Milwaukee Brewers (AA, ETA 2027) - Left-handed power threat with solid defensive skills. Projected to be a high-upside prospect MLB.

2026:  A+ -  191-AB, 20-HR, 50-RBI, 45-BB, 82-K, .298/.443/.675/1.118

            AA -    73-AB,  9-HR, 16-RBI, 17-BB, 31-K, .274/.424/.753/1.177

 

Sebastian Walcott – Texas Rangers (A, ETA, 2027) – injured this season, currently rehabbing at the rookie level.

2025:  AA –    474-AB, 13-HR, 59-RBI, 70-BB, 108-K, .255/.355/.386/.741 

2026:  Rehab -  6-AB, 0-HR, 1-RBI, 1-BB, 1-K, .500/.571/1.167/1.738

Tom Brennan - “How Was I Supposed to Know?”; Elian! DSL Wacky Wildness; Ron Hunt RIP

Stearns might be thinking…

“How was I supposed to know THIS MUCH could go wrong? 

Every sports team faces a range of future outcomes when building a team for a season.

David Stearns no doubt feared the length of deals to Alonso and Nimmo from an age perspective. He must have feared the long term negative potential of future outcomes. We all know one thing:

Baseball players can most assuredly go to bed one night at the top of their game, sleep soundly, but wake up the next morning in steep decline.

Every roster player has a range of outcomes. And every team will experience setbacks each season. 

Too many bad ones can kill ya.

Having said that….

Stearns may have planned for 10 negative outcomes.

But how was Stearns possibly supposed to know the following 17 adverse things would happen before the ASB:

1. Lindor would miss 2 months because he had Forrest Gump Syndrome, and when he felt his leg muscle pull heading into 2nd, instead of stopping, he foolishly kept “right on running”? He has all of 12 RBIs and a .210 average as of July 16? Bad outcome.
2. Jorge Polanco, who was not iron man, but played 138 games in 2025, and drove in 82 runs, would unravel, and have 3 RBIs at the ASB? 
3. Indispensable Iron Man Soto would miss weeks with a pulled muscle?
4. Sean Manaea would come back this spring with the velocity of Randy Jones for several ineffective weeks?
5. Rockin’ Clay Holmes would get a 111 MPH liner off his fibula, costing him half a season? Two inches to the right or left…
6. Senga would go from ace to an absurd foreign mystery novel?
7. Peterson could pitch great from June 2024 thru July 2025, then suck?
8. Francisco Alvarez would miss 4 weeks with another injury?
9. Baty and Vientos would largely flop in replacing Alonso’s at bats?
10. Semien would be worse than expected, even at his age?
11. Robert would be as fragile as late-career Cespedes?
12. Peralta was traded for to be a SP 1, but pitched as a SP 5.
13. Tong was MILB pitcher of the year in 2025, but flop in 2026?
14. Wenninger would get stuck in wildness quicksand?
15. Relievers Lambert and Ross would flop due to extreme wildness?
16. Ryan Clifford would strike out so much he would be his own FAN club?
17. Reimer would flop (and get hurt again) after a strong 2025 in AA?

And Mendoza managing skills not being up to overcoming much adversity.

This team missed the lower end of its range of possible outcomes by roughly 2 standard deviations from the mean.

Now, he has to fix the mess. Good luck, buddy. 

And…An easy one…Move the fences in.

ELIAN PEÑA IS A STRONGER PROSPECT THAN WE THINK

He is only 18 and playing, not in the FCL, but already up in A ball St Lucie.

At season’s end he will still be 18.

What has he accomplished in his jump straight from the DSL in 2025 to his playing every day in A ball with St. Lucie?

Plenty.

A .387 OBP? Excellent. 

SEVENTH BEST OBP IN HIS LEAGUE!

26 steals in 74 games? Nothing to sneeze at. 9th most in his league.

His 2026 DSL HR power has not shown up in Lucie yet, but it will. Why?

He is facing vastly better pitching than the insanely weak pitching in the DSL. So, he is smart. Do not try to do too much.

And he is getting on base ever so frequently.

He has fanned just 67 times in 341 PAs, a rate less than half that of Whiff Guru Colin Houck. 

So that, given Peña’s jump past the FCL to A ball at age 18, is super impressive.

His defense is error-prone so far. 

- What 18 year old shortstop doesn’t make a lot of errors?

My prediction? Set your watch:

He will be a New York Met by two years from today.

My comparison? 

He will be far better than Ryan Clifford by this time in 2027. 

He is far better than Colin Houck right now.

Clifford, by default, is the Mets’ current #2 prospect.

Pena could easily be # 2 next year, behind the great Mitch Voit.

HEADING OUT OF THE BREAK, WILDLY

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENED WITH MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. 

So many walks in the minor leagues. 

Syracuse, for example, is averaging a crazy high 5.2 walks per 9 innings, with Lambert and Ross the chief culprits. That duo’s combined walks and HBPs somehow implausibly exceed one per inning. 

Two IL AAA teams nevertheless have walked even more batters!

In the DSL:

5 teams are allowing over a walk per frame this year.

A Braves squad has walked an insane 274 batters in 224 IP.

The Mets’ two DSL teams are “control freaks” - at least  by comparison. 

“Just” 434 walks in 486 IP. 

A mere bag o’ shells. A bunch of Weisenheimers.

Why so incredibly wild? I won’t even hazard a WILD guess.

To cap it off, I looked at pitchers walking more than a man per inning in the DSL. 

Trust me, there are ever-so-many. The list is quite lengthy.

But the not-coveted “Four Wild Hombres” award winners for THE WILDEST DSL PITCHERS (all non-Mets) are:

 Hector Aguilar, Wilmer Duarte, Luis Acevedo, and Jesus Febles.

Combined, the four have thrown 54 innings.

AND remarkably walked 118, hit 27 batters, and fanned just 39. 

Mind-blowing. 24.2 walks and HBP per 9 innings.

Hitting 4.5 batters per 9 innings!

Professionals? Not where I come from.

CLEINER RAMIREZ, BONUS BABY

Thru 31 DSL games, .265/.358/.479.

 

Is that good? Not terrible, but not great. Why? 

There are many poor hitters in the DSL, yet the median team has surrendered 6.3 runs per game.

The median team’s OBP is .401.

So one would expect a bib bonus baby to be destroying the DSL.

It is early, but so far, not so impressive.

FINALLY - R.I.P:

“Ron Hunt, the combative second baseman who became the first Met to start in an All-Star Game, was runner-up to Pete Rose for the 1963 NL Rookie of the Year Award and who as an Expo set the astonishing Modern Era record of 50 hit-by-pitches in a single season, has died. He was 85.”

Fond memories of former Met Ron Hunt.

Hunt had a fine .402 OBP in that 50 HBP season, a .418 OBP in another high-HBP season, and averaged a .390+ OBP from 1970-73, in which he was plunked 126 times.

Someone should tell that to Brett Baty. 

Baty has been hit a scant 9 times in his MLB career, once every 152 career PAs, with a paltry .296 OBP.  

APPARENTLY NOT REALIZING THAT “BOO BOOS” CAN BOOST OBP.

Hunt got hit once every 25 times up in his long and successful 33 WAR career.

Tom Brennan: 1) Kevin Parada: Are His Changes Working? 2) Baseball is a Joke; 3) Nate

 

Smiling Kevin Parada, probably pictured after his $5MM Signing Bonus

IS KEVIN PARADA TRYING TO BE ANOTHER JERRY GROTE?

 I wrote in the past about how Jerry Grote transformed himself from a lousy hitter to a decent, low power, contact one with the Mets, after significantly altering his batting approach.

It appears Kevin Parada (Mr. 11th Overall) changed something significantly this year. 

How so? Two things:

1) he fanned a high 113 times in 371 PAs last year (1 every 3.28 PAs)

   - but an improved 60 in 240 PAs this year (1 every 4 PAs).

   - 1:4 is not good, yet, but the improvement over 2025 is notable.

2) His power has evaporated. One HR in 240 PAs? He averaged 13 in 2023-25.

 - THAT has to be something no one could envision on draft day.

 - When they drafted a POWER HITTING CATCHER.

They also went first round with power hitter Brett Baty, who has just 4 HRs in 290 PAs this year. SMH.

I am not sure Parada’s changes (apparently surrendering power for lower Ks) are for the better. 

Defense? 

He has low passed balls and low errors this year, but allowed 45 of 55 (82%) in base stealers, so he is no Grote in that regard, either.

KP turns 25 soon.  He seems to be a bust. But he has two months to refute that. He did hit nearly .260 in May and June. 

Better? Perhaps. But he has to DO EVEN BETTER.

He is, however, just 6 for 38 with 6 walks in July. 

He’s turned back into a pumpkin. Just call him Pumpkin Parada.

(BAD) TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Last year, the Mets had Pete. No one else at 1B needed. 

1B Joey Meneses packed his AAA bags and headed to AAA Vegas this year, playing in the As system.

Here are his AAA stats - compare to Rye Toast Clifford: 

Vegas Joey: .346/.396/.546 in 74 games, 80 RBIs. Just 39 Ks. Wow. 

He did get a brief call up by the As this year:  on base 7 of 25 times.

My guess is, had he stayed with the Mets this year, he gets a longer look.

BASEBALL IS A JOKE

On Sunday, July 12, Zach Thornton was a masterful Met. 7 shutout innings.

Did he pick up his first career win? No.

Christian Scott on that date had 12 starts this year, Thornton has 3.

In the old days, if you had 15 starts and an ERA of 3.00, you’d probably be 7-4.

These two guys had a combined record of 2-2. 

What a joke.

Remember when you were excited that guys could win 300 career games?

Then 200 career games?

Nowadays, winning even 100 career games will be eye-popping.

Unless you are a relief pitcher, perhaps. 

After all, some relievers won or lost those 11 starter no-decisions.

Mets relievers thru Friday were 21-19 (.550). The starters? 20-38 (.345).

Maybe, on the other hand, the relievers should get all 162 decisions. 

The Mets after all would win 89 games with a .550 winning percentage.

NATE LAVENDER HAS TO BE AN IMMINENT MET; YAN, TOO

To become a MLB pitcher, you need:

1) for there to be openings, and 

2) to be better than the other possible farmhand call-ups.

Enter Nate Lavender.

60 Ks in 36 IP in AAA. That’s 15 per 9.

And his ERA since May 1 is sub 4.00. 

Control? Good enough.  HRs? Low.

Best Mets prospect reliever in AAA, hands down.

And he is a lefty, and lefties Raley and Minter are likely be traded.

Perfect alignment, except for one thing:

If Raley and Minter both go, as expected, the Mets need TWO Lavenders.

Jefry Yan, 29, is another lefty with stock strikeout #s.

In AAA, 25 Ks in 10.1 IP, with 4 hits allowed.

In AAA, 26.2 IP, 45 Ks, 19 hits allowed.

His problem has always been walks, with 26 walks in 37 innings this year.

He played overseas in 2024, but in 2023 and 2025, had a crazy high 70 walks in 86 minor league innings, vs. 147 Ks.

He seems to be the left handed clone of Wild righties Lambert and Ross - except he is pitching much better than either (3.41 ERA).

Here is a video of him wildly celebrating fanning the side in AAA in late June: 

Jefry Yan Ks the Side With Flair

About Yan, I say? 

He throws around 100, has a sharp slider, is 6’3” and looks much like Aroldis Chapman physically. And VERY animated.

When lefties Minter and Raley get traded, bring lefties Lavender and Yan up.

74 combined innings, 131 Ks. Fight fire - WITH WILD FIRE!

MACK - THREE METS UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS

 

UDFA – RHP Sam Carlisle – Western Michigan

Sam Carlisle is a right-handed pitcher (RHP) from Portage, Michigan, who signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Mets in July 2026 after his redshirt junior season at Western Michigan University (WMU).

6'2", 210 lbs, R/R; born March 12, 2004 (age 22).

He played high school ball at Portage Northern, started at Purdue Northwest (NCAA Division II) in 2023, then transferred to WMU. He missed 2024 (redshirt due to injury) and 2025 (did not pitch due to injury).

In 2026 at WMU (MAC Conference), he made 15 appearances (14 starts) and pitched 60 innings: 4-5 record, 4.95 ERA, 61 hits, 34 runs (33 ER), 32 walks, and 67 strikeouts (10.05 K/9, leading the team and ranking 3rd in the MAC). Opponents hit .242 against him in conference play.

Highlights included a five-start MAC stretch with 7+ strikeouts each (including a 13-K, one-hit shutout over 7 innings vs. UMass). He also earned academic honors (CSC Academic All-District, Academic All-MAC).

Earlier, in 2023 at Purdue Northwest: 3.73 ERA in 31.1 IP with 39 K (strong 11.2 K/9). He also had success in the Northwoods League (Kalamazoo Growlers) with a 2.40 ERA and high strikeouts.

Repertoire

Fastball: 83–88 mph (touched 88), with spin around 2,100–2,200+ rpm in sessions. It was his primary pitch with room to add velocity.

Curveball: 66–71 mph, a breaking ball with solid spin (around 1,750 rpm average in reports).

Changeup: 74–77 mph, offering velocity separation from the fastball.

As a college starter who posted strong strikeout numbers (especially in stretches), he likely relies on fastball command/location and mixing his off-speed pitches to generate swings-and-misses. He showed the ability to dominate at times (e.g., low-hit outings with high Ks) but had control challenges (WHIP around 1.55 in his main WMU season with 32 walks in 60 IP).

Carlisle is a developmental signing for the Mets. At 22, he has size and a history of missing bats, but durability (injury history) and consistency/command will be key focuses in pro ball. He was viewed as one of the better MAC prospects heading into the 2026 draft cycle.

MACK – A 22/year old senior with a fastball below 89.

Rating  -  F

 

UDFA – SS – Dylan Carey - Nebraska

Dylan Carey is a senior shortstop (and infielder) for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers.

He had an outstanding college career, highlighted by winning the 2026 Brooks Wallace Award as the nation’s top shortstop.

Position: Shortstop (primarily), infielder

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Height/Weight: 6-2, 210 lbs

Hometown: Castle Rock, Colorado (Ponderosa HS)

2026 Senior Season Highlights (at Nebraska) Carey delivered a breakout year: Batting: .353 AVG, 16 doubles, 2 triples, 15 HR, 65 RBI, 53 runs scored in 59 games.

Defense: Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year; .981 fielding percentage (just 4 errors in 216 chances), 29 double plays turned.

Awards: Brooks Wallace Award winner (nation’s top shortstop), third-team All-American (Perfect Game), first-team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Defensive Team, Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist, and more.

He became Nebraska’s all-time leader in career doubles (63) and ranked highly in other program records (e.g., top 10 in hits, at-bats, RBI, etc.). He was one of the ninth Huskers to reach 200 career hits, 150 runs, and 150 RBI.

Career: .294 AVG, 34 HR, 167 RBI, 63 doubles in 235 games.

He played in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League (Falmouth Commodores) in summer 2024, hitting .304 with strong defense.

MLB Draft: Went undrafted in 2026 despite his senior-year dominance and awards. Scouts apparently viewed him differently than his statistical production suggested, and as a senior with no college eligibility left, he wasn’t a candidate for over-slot bonuses.

Carey is widely regarded as one of the top college shortstops of his era, known for a strong combination of hitting power/contact, leadership, and reliable defense. As of mid-2026, he had just wrapped up his decorated college career.

MACK – a head scratcher. How does the nation’s top shortstop go undrafted? Great bat, better glove. An absolute steal as an undrafted free agent.

Rating  -  A+

 

UDFA – SS - Jake Ogden – Miami (FL)

Jake Ogden is a recent signee with the New York Mets organization as an undrafted free agent (announced around July 13, 2026).

He is a 6'0", 189–195 lb. right-handed hitting and throwing infielder (primarily shortstop, also played third base and second base) from Homestead, Florida.

Ogden had a strong, consistent career across multiple schools:

2023 (Freshman, Barry University - DII): Hit .322 with 8 HRs; named Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year. He started nearly every game.

2024 (Sophomore, UNC Greensboro): Started all 54 games, batted .313 with 8 HRs, 10 doubles, and 16 stolen bases (on 18 attempts).

2025–2026 (Miami Hurricanes): Transferred to Miami and became a key player.

In 2025 (junior year), he started all 62 games (mostly at SS), led the team in hits (84), runs (63), and steals (13-for-13), and posted a .336/.402/.500 slash line with 9 HRs and 14 doubles. He was a Brooks Wallace Award semifinalist (top collegiate shortstops) and earned ACC Player of the Week honors in 2026.

In 2026 (senior year), he continued producing, hitting .315 with extra-base power and speed while playing infield positions. He was known for durability (starting nearly every game in recent seasons), multi-hit games, and solid defense (e.g., .973 fielding % in 2025).

High school: Coral Reef (lettered four years; .372 senior batting average, also pitched).

Overcame Type 1 diabetes (diagnosed at age 5) without letting it limit him.

Described as a high-motor, consistent player who "does everything right" and was somewhat overlooked coming out of high school (no initial D-I offers).

Ogden brings a well-rounded offensive profile (contact, gap power, speed) and defensive versatility to the organization. Keep an eye on him in the lower minors as he begins his professional journey! For the latest, check MLB.com or the University of Miami athletics site.

MACK – Durability. There’s a word you don’t see often in Mets a draft analysis. Another great, cheap shortstop sign. Looks like the Mets have found the solution to organizational middle fielders for this season.

Rating  -  A+

MACK - 2026 DRAFT - Pick 20.600 – SS – Kooper Schulte – Iowa - UDFA - LHP AJ Colarusso – Boston College

 

Pick 20.600 – SS – Kooper Schulte – Iowa

Kooper Schulte is a right-handed hitting and throwing shortstop (primarily) from New London, Iowa, born December 8, 2003. He stands 6-1 and weighs around 198 lbs. He played college baseball at the University of Iowa (Hawkeyes) and was selected by the New York Mets in the 20th round (600th overall) of the 2026 MLB Draft.

High School: New London HS. He was a First Team All-State selection in 2022 and helped lead his team to the state championship. He showed strong defensive tools as a SS/2B with good range, hands, and arm strength (up to 89 mph IF velo in showcases).

JUCO Path: 2023: Central Arizona College (.242 AVG, limited power).

2024: Southeastern Community College (played for his father, head coach Justin Schulte). He hit .317 with 8 HR, 45 RBI, .986 OPS, and was a First Team All-Region selection. The team reached the NJCAA DII World Series.

Iowa Hawkeyes (2025–2026): Transferred to Iowa and played two seasons. He started at third base in 2025 before moving to shortstop in 2026.

Key 2025 stats (Iowa): .268/.321/.390 in 41 GP, 3 HR, 25 RBI.

Key 2026 stats (Iowa): .274/.355/.484 in 56 GP (started all), 9 HR (team leader), 18 doubles (team leader), 39 RBI, .840 OPS, 11 SB. Defensively solid with a .975+ fielding % at SS.

He was a Brooks Wallace Award semifinalist (top shortstop in college baseball) in 2026, recognized for his offensive and defensive production.

He played in summer leagues like the Prospect League (Burlington Bees: strong .341/.424/.519 in 2025 with power and speed) and Northwoods League (Waterloo Bucks).

Known as a competitive, high-motor player with good defensive instincts at shortstop and developing power from the right side. His path involved multiple transfers but he thrived at Iowa.

As a later-round draftee, he'll likely head to the Mets' minor league system to continue developing. He's a classic "son of a coach" grinder with Big Ten experience and tools that could translate to pro ball with refinement.

MACK - not the worst pick, but looks to me an AAAA player

Rating - C-

 

UDFA – LHP AJ Colarusso – Boston College

A.J. (Antonio James) Colarusso is a senior left-handed pitcher (LHP) for the Boston College Eagles (ACC).

He stands 6'0" and weighs 205 lbs, from Leominster, Massachusetts, and attended Groton School.

As of mid-to-late 2026, he is a durable, experienced starter known for his consistency, competitiveness, and significant program records at BC.

Colarusso has been a key part of BC baseball since 2023, evolving from a midweek/freshman contributor into the team's ace and a program legend for workload and durability:

Program Records: He set the Boston College record for career starts (44+ by April 2026, later more) and ranks high in career innings pitched. He also threw his first career complete game in a standout outing.

2026 (Senior): 5-4 record, 4.45-ERA in 16. Stronger command and effectiveness, with a career-high wins and lower ERA. Named Third Team All-ACC.

2025 (Junior): 1-6, 4.89 ERA in 19 appearances (15 GS), 73.2 IP, 58 K. Showed improvement with more strikeouts.

2024 (Sophomore): 3-8, 7.20 ERA in 14 starts, 65 IP, 63 K. Solid strikeout stuff but higher ERA and walks.

2023 (Freshman): Limited innings (21.1 IP) with a higher ERA but showed promise.

He has performed better with runners on base in some splits and has improved year-over-year through development.

He has also had limited summer league action (e.g., Cape Cod League/Wareham and Ocean State).

Pitching Style and Repertoire

Colarusso is not a high-velocity power pitcher—he sits in the upper 80s to low 90s (e.g., touched 90 mph in games; sat 87-89 in some reports)—but succeeds with pitchability, deception, command, and a well-developed four-pitch mix. He has a simple, compact delivery with a three-quarters arm slot, good repeatability, and body control.

Key pitches (based on his own comments and coaching descriptions):

Fastball: Primary pitch with sinking/run life. He has always liked it and uses it to attack both sides of the plate. Not overpowering but effective when located well.

Cutter (or hybrid cutter-slider): A key development. He converted a slower slider into a harder, sharper cutter. It became a "bread-and-butter" secondary option for getting outs and disrupting timing.

Changeup: Added/improved significantly; he is now most confident in it. Good fading action, complements the fastball well for off-speed deception.

Curveball: Big, overhand/slow "12-6" type he's had since high school. Used for strikes and to change eye levels.

His arsenal emphasizes mixing and unpredictability rather than raw stuff. Coaches note he can now throw four pitches for strikes, making him hard to square up. Development focused on pitch shapes, off-speed velocity, and command. He compares stylistically to situational lefties like Jon Lester or Tom Glavine.

Colarusso exemplifies player development and "pitcher-first" mentality at Boston College, turning steady improvement into a record-setting career.

MACK - another 10K bonus, if that

Rating:   D

MACK - 2026 DRAFT - Pick 18.540 – P - Marcus Ward – King’s Ridge Christian HS (GA) - Pick 19.570 – OF – John Smith – Central Florida

 

Pick 18.540 – P -  Marcus Ward – King’s Ridge Christian HS (GA)

Marcus Ward (born ~2008, class of 2026) is a high school outfielder from Kings Ridge Christian in Alpharetta, GA, who was selected by the New York Mets in the 18th round (540th overall) of the 2026 MLB Draft.

He had committed to Western Carolina but signed with the Mets. He is a left-handed hitter and thrower, listed around 6-0 / 170-175 lbs with an athletic frame.

Primary position: Outfielder (projects as a plus runner who can handle center field). Scouts note good range, routes, and speed (plus runner with 60-yard times in the 6.49 range).

Hitting: Left-handed bat with a line-drive oriented swing, gap power, and improving strength. He has posted exit velocities in the low-to-mid 90s (up to 90+ mph in showcases) with good bat speed and on-plane efficiency. Tools suggest he can develop into a solid hitter with some power.

Defense/Athleticism: Strong runner (high percentile 60 times and splits) with an improving arm (OF velo in the low-to-mid 80s, up to 84 mph tracked). Good defensive tools in the outfield.

He is a toolsy, athletic outfielder with speed and emerging hitting ability—typical mid-to-late round high school pick with upside.

Pitching Repertoire / UsageWard is not a primary pitcher—he is overwhelmingly an outfield prospect. However, like many two-way high school players, he has pitched in showcases, travel ball, or limited situations.

Fastball: Tops out in the 85-89 mph range (recent tracked max around 89 mph). It’s his main pitch when he does throw.

Other pitches: No public detailed breakdown or advanced scouting reports on secondary offerings (e.g., specific breaking balls or changeup). Limited innings mean he hasn’t needed a deep repertoire. Pitching stats are sparse and mostly from youth/travel events (e.g., occasional strikeouts, low-volume appearances).

In pro ball, he is expected to focus on position playing (OF), with pitching likely de-emphasized or used only in emergencies.

MACK –

Finally (you know what I’m talking about). Sounds like a prospect top of the lineup hitter. They sure are stocking up on outfielders, aren’t they?

Rating – B+

 

Pick 19.570 – OF – John Smith – Central Florida

John Smith III is a college baseball outfielder, most recently playing for the University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights. He is a right-handed hitting and throwing outfielder (primarily left field) standing 6'1" and around 200 lbs.

2026 (Senior at UCF): He earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors. In 49 games (47 starts in LF), he hit .322/.383/.574 with 12 HR, 13 doubles, 49 RBI (team leader), 65 hits, 40 runs, and strong multi-hit/multi-RBI production. He showed a solid approach with a long reached-base streak.

Prior seasons at South Alabama (and Pensacola State): He posted strong numbers, including a .382/.452/.688 slash with 12 HR as a sophomore and consistent production as a junior (.314 average, power, and on-base skills). He has a track record of high contact, extra-base hits, and run production.

He transferred to UCF for his senior year and performed well in a competitive conference.

Hometown: Apollo Beach, Florida (Lennard HS).

Born: November 19, 2003.

MACK – Intriguing senior who doesn’t seem to have produced a bad season. Why wasn’t he drafted as a junior? The Mets 10K gain.

Rating – B+

Ernest Dove Reports: "They're baaaack!"

Ernest Dove reports on a couple of prospects that we have not heard from in a while due to injury rehab.

See the interview here.

As always, if you want to stay current on Mets prospects, read about them at Mack's Mets or hear about them on the Dove Report.