Mack's Mets

9/20/26

MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHSP - R.J. Gordon

R.J. (Robert Joseph) Gordon is a right-handed starting pitcher in the New York Mets’ organization, currently with their Double-A affiliate, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Background

Born: October 26, 2001 (age 24), in Thousand Oaks, California (hometown Santa Clarita area).
Height/Weight: 6’0”, 195 lbs.
Bats/Throws: Right/Right.
High school: Primarily Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) then West Ranch High School (Stevenson Ranch, CA).
College: University of Oregon. He missed the 2023 season after elbow surgery (internal brace procedure) and returned in 2024 as a redshirt junior/Friday night starter: 7-6, 5.13 ERA, 87 K in 94.2 IP over 17 starts. Career college marks were solid but not elite (around a 5.22 ERA overall).
en.wikipedia.org

The Mets selected him in the 13th round (pick 383) of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Oregon and signed him for a reported $150,000 bonus. He did not pitch professionally in 2024 (rest after a heavy college workload). Professional Career

2025 (debut season): Strong breakout. Started at High-A Brooklyn Cyclones (5-2, 3.06 ERA, 76 K in 67.2 IP over 15 G/11 GS), then promoted to Double-A Binghamton in July. With Binghamton: 6-1, 3.69 ERA, 71 K in 61 IP. Overall minors: 11-3, 3.36 ERA, 147 K in 128.2 IP. Named Eastern League Pitcher of the Month for August (4-0, 2.08 ERA, 42 K in 34.2 IP). Ranked as a mid-to-upper Mets prospect (e.g., around No. 16–25 on various lists; MLB Pipeline has had him as high as No. 18 and a top-6 starting pitching prospect in the system).
amazinavenue.com
2026: Dealt with a lat strain early, missed time (placed on IL in early April, rehabbed, activated in May). Struggled initially (high ERA through midseason, including a rough stretch with a cumulative ~8 ERA in early outings).
nypost.com

Career minors (through available 2026 data): roughly 15-12, 4.17 ERA, 230 K in 216 IP. He has shown good strikeout ability and improved command after mechanical tweaks post-college surgery.Pitch RepertoireGordon throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a drop-and-drive delivery. He uses a broad mix and succeeds by keeping hitters off-balance rather than relying on pure elite stuff from any single pitch. Typical arsenal (from game notes and scouting):

4-seam fastball: 91–94 mph (can touch 95–97). Features good induced vertical break, some natural cut, and a flatter approach angle that plays up, especially vs. lefties.
2-seam/sinker (sometimes listed): Similar velocity range.
Changeup (key secondary, often described as a “kick” change): Low-to-mid 80s (around 81–84). Low-spin with sharp downward action and limited traditional fade; generated high whiff rates (especially in High-A 2025) and was a major developmental focus.
Slider: Mid-to-high 80s (84–87). Gyro-style with solid command; he can also vary shape toward more sweep.
Sweeper: Around 82–84 mph (a more horizontal-breaking variant).
Curveball: Mid-to-upper 70s (75–78). Occasional 12-6 or 11-5 shape used as a change-of-pace.

He developed better separation between his breaking balls and refined the changeup after drafting, shifting toward a command-and-mix profile.

Scouts note he is most effective when sequencing the full mix unpredictably. Gordon is a classic late-round success story in the Mets’ deep pitching pipeline—strong 2025 performance put him on the map as a potential big-league contributor (ETA previously eyed for late 2026 or beyond), though 2026 has been a regression year due to injury and inconsistency. He remains a solid Double-A arm with starter traits. For the absolute latest stats or video, check MiLB.com or team notes, as minor-league seasons evolve quickly.

Tom Brennan - The Ultimate Transition is No Joke; Premature Write Offs

In AAA, MJ Melendez is Fearsome…

One of the questions that fans always have to ponder is how will a AAA hitter perform when he transitions to the major leagues? The answer?

The transition very often is like we entering the atmosphere from outer space without a heat shield.

Pretty nasty. Case in point:

As of Sept. 5, the Mets had two hitters in AAA that combined to do this:

470 at bats, 36 HRs, 89 RBIs.

Danged impressive. Call them up!

But…not so fast…

You see, in the case of those two gentlemen, we handily also have data on how they performed at the major league level this year.

Combined, the duo are 32 for 170 (.188) with 5 HRs, 13 RBIs, and 68 Ks.

One of them, MJ Melendez, walked 17 times to somewhat offset his 50 Ks.

The other, Ronny Mauricio, was up 50 times, and his Mets walk total? Zero.

His HR total? One. His RBI total? Two.

Danged unimpressive.

Why?

Every pitcher they face at the major league level is better than every pitcher they’ve faced at the minor league level. Collectively, so much better.

Hence, the drastic output difference.

I think the best position outside of AAA for the M&M Boys is….Japan or Korea.

Both are what they are…AAAA. Every organization has its AAAA dudes.

THAT TRANSITION TO THE MAJORS EXPOSES EVERYTHING.

THERE IS NOWHERE TO HIDE.

THE BEST PITCHERS ON EARTH WILL CHEW YOU UP, AND SPIT YOU OUT.

STATING THE OBVIOUS

One guy who wasn’t chewed up?

Carson “Clemente” Benge.

Juan Soto on Carson Benge: "He doesn't impress me anymore. He's a superstar. He's doing things that superstars do."

Boy, is Benge’s hitting great. 19 HRs, .276. Superstar, indeed.

Another such unchewed-up guy? AJ Ewing, who slumped, then rallied HARD and had 24 steals through Thursday.

One successful transitioner?

Jefry Yan (2-1, 4.24), who in his last two outings, 4.1 IP, 2 hits, no runs, no walks, 6 Ks. No complaints there.

Another? Zach Thornton…5-5, 3.40.

LIKE JEREMIAH JACKSON, YOU CAN BE WRITTEN OFF PREMATURELY

Jeremiah Jackson hit .205 in Mets AA, and I wrote him off. He headed to Baltimore where he has nearly 500 solid MLB plate appearances.

There is a Mets minor leaguer currently who has hit weakly in recent years, then compounded it by starting this minor league season going 12 for 73. Toast, right? A write-off?

Not so fast.

From May 4 through Thursday, a 4.5 month stretch, Kevin Parada has hit a solid .280 in AA and AAA.

Is it possible that Alvarez gets dealt this off season, and Senger slips in as # 2 catcher, with Parada as # 3? I don’t want to contemplate 40 man roster issues right now.

, so let’s assume both stay Mets inventory.

Senger, who I’ve written off for inability to hit, in AAA is hitting .240, with 12 HRs and 37 RBIs, which ain’t bad at all.

What that tells me?

Don’t be so quick to write folks off.

Tom Brennan - Walks Galore in the Mets Minors; Voit Looking Ahead; Cohen Bolstering F.O. Soon?

Walk Master Bryce Montes de Oca Was Simply A MetsTrend Setter

“ Oh, them bases on balls!” - Frankie Frisch.

Stats in the minors through September 1 had Frankie turning in his grave:

Syracuse in their first 132 games had allowed the lowest number of hits (965) in the 20 team league, but the third-most walks (622, 5.03 walks per 9). The median team in that league had a high 4.5 walks per 9.

Binghamton in 127 games had walked 533 batters (4.4 per 9), a little above league average, while allowing the second fewest hits (981 in 1,090 innings).

Brooklyn allowed a 4th worst 617 walks in 1,088 innings (5.1 per 9), while allowing the fewest hits in the 12 team league, 898 (only 406 of those allowed in stingy Cyclones park, where opposing hitters hit .210 and were always so glad to leave).

St Lucie was 2nd worst in his (525 in 535 innings), and 3rd worst in walks at 347 (5.9 per 9 innings). No wonder their ERA was a league-worst 5.82. The entire league averaged over 5 walks per 9.

In the Florida Complex league, the entire league averaged well over 6 walks per 9. The FCL Mets were 5th worst out of 15 teams, but still walked 314 in 392 innings (7.2 per 9). They were OK in hits allowed with 375 in 392 innings, and were 6th best out of 15 with a 6.24 ERA! They did hit 54 batters in 56 games. The walks range was wide, as the worst team walked 450, while the best team walked 201.

The DSL? Walks beyond comprehension.

The entire DSL averaged almost a walk per inning.

The art of throwing strikes in the minors is clearly a lost art.

Those who master their walks (like recently acquired minor league pitcher Gary Gill Hill) increase their chances of future MLB success.

P.S. One guy whose walks have dropped lately? Jefry Yan. Watch him go.

MITCH VOIT LOOKING AHEAD - I LIKE THE LAST PART

Mets uber prospect Mitch Voit was asked, “in your development in your mind, what's kind of the next step you have to take?”

His reply: “You never stop getting bigger, stronger and faster. That's, I mean, building that foundation.  But really, you know, I'm gonna come into this fall, I'm going down to Port St. Lucie. We're gonna have meetings with all of our coordinators, and we're gonna really just map out a way, what's your path to success next year?  And how we will be able to make an impact at the big league level.”

Hey…

Maybe the Mets will need a new shortstop some time soon.

The current occupant, Francisco Lindor, is hitting .227, 6 points lower than than the oft-questioned Zelmo Baty, and just 7 points higher than the oft-vilified Marcus Aurelius Semien. I guess time will tell.

COHEN READY TO BOLSTER FRONT OFFICE

EXCERPT FROM NY POST:

“Well, I’ve been working with the front office, and I’ve identified some things that we can do better,” Cohen said. ” I think they have really good processes up there, but I felt there were areas of improvement that we can work on. … We’re going to add certain voices into the front office that I think be helpful. And I’m thinking towards that. And I’m looking forward to when we make those decisions.”

“It doesn’t have to be a GM. It could be other ways to support David and the front office. And I think the whole point is getting more opinions in the front office and people who are pretty, pretty good at evaluating talent, or people who’ve been in those positions before in the front office, in a high position in the front office, and help David out and help the team out as far as getting different points of view.”

AMEN TO THAT.

9/19/26

MACK – Let’s Revisit - RHRP - Garrett Stratton

Garrett Stratton is a 23-year-old right-handed relief pitcher in the New York Mets’ minor-league system (born August 1, 2003, in Webster, TX; 6'2", 198 lbs; B/T: R/R). He was selected by the Mets in the 20th round (613th overall) of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Rice University and signed for a $150,000 bonus. Background and Path

Houston native who starred at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory (strong high-school numbers, including a 1.87 ERA and high strikeout totals as a senior).
At Rice (2023–2025), results were uneven: high walk rates and ERAs in the mid-to-high 5s/6s across limited innings as a freshman/sophomore, then a more productive but still elevated 6.25 ERA in 40.1 IP (mostly relief) as a junior in 2025. He earned his business degree in three years.
amazinavenue.com
Signed shortly after the draft, made a one-inning scoreless debut with Single-A St. Lucie in September 2025, then broke out in his first full pro season in 2026.

2026 Performance (Breakout Year)Stratton has dominated as a reliever and risen quickly:

High-A Brooklyn Cyclones: 4-1, 2.73 ERA, 1 save, 29.2 IP, 44 K, 15 BB.
Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies (promoted mid-June):

Stratton throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a primarily vertical pitch mix (up/down tunneling that works similarly vs. LHH and RHH). College scouting noted inconsistent release/command and a low-to-mid-90s fastball with a cutter, 12-6 curve, and changeup. Pro development (with Mets coaches, including work that overhauled his breaker) refined it into a tighter, higher-spin arsenal. Current reported mix (from team notes and his own comments):

Four-seam fastball: 94–96 mph (up from college low-to-mid-90s).
Cutter: 90–92 mph (glove-side movement off the fastball).
Breaking ball (“death ball”): ~85–87 mph. This is the key addition—a hard, high-spin, high-vertical-drop pitch (described as a short curveball / big vertical slider hybrid, or pure “downer”). Stratton and reports credit Mets coaches for reshaping his college breaker into this shape; it generates significant swing-and-miss and is a major driver of his strikeout dominance and improved results. He has referred to it internally as the “death ball.”
img.mlbstatic.com

He emphasizes the vertical nature of the arsenal and has shown dramatically improved command (especially the near-zero unintentional walk rate at Double-A). No prominent changeup usage is highlighted in recent pro notes.

Stratton remains a low-profile but rapidly rising prospect—still outside most top-30 organizational lists due to draft status and limited prior pro experience—but his 2026 numbers, metrics, and the “death ball” development have Mets followers excited about his bullpen upside.

MACK – Let’s Revisit - DH/SS/CF - Cleiner Ramirez

Cleiner Ramirez (full name: Cleiner Jesius Ramirez) is a 17-year-old Venezuelan outfielder/prospect in the New York Mets organization. Basic info

Born: December 1, 2008, in Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela.
Position: Primarily OF (has also played some infield/SS; viewed as potentially versatile/utility).
Bats/Throws: Right/Right.
Size: 5'9", 175 lbs.
Age: 17 (as of 2026).
baseballamerica.com

Signing and backgroundThe Mets signed him as an international free agent on January 15, 2026, for a bonus of about $1.3725 million.

He ranked No. 23 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 50 international prospects list for that class (one of the Mets’ bigger signings that period, behind their top target).

Scouts highlighted his balanced skill set and upside.

MLB.com noted a strong amateur showing in the Caracas Prospect League (.419 average in a small sample with solid plate discipline). One evaluator compared his projected filled-out build to Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett; others linked aspects of his profile to Luisangel Acuña. He has impressive bat speed, a repeatable swing path, an advanced approach for his age, developing power, above-average speed, and athleticism that could support multi-position play. 2026 performance (Dominican Summer League)He was assigned to the DSL Mets Orange and named a DSL Mid-Season All-Star (also selected for the DSL NL All-Stars). Approximate full-season DSL numbers (per FanGraphs/MiLB sources):

41 games, 145 AB / 171 PA
.241 AVG / .357 OBP / .462 SLG / .819 OPS
7 HR, 11 doubles, 22 RBI, 42 runs, 18 SB (1 CS)
18 BB, 27 SO, solid walk rate and low strikeout rate for the level.
fangraphs.com

Baseball America noted an early hot stretch with power (he was among DSL leaders in extra-base hits at one point) and graded him around a 50 Future Value with extreme risk in mid-season updates—typical for a very young international signee. He’s projected as a longer-term prospect (ETA around 2032 in some systems) still developing physically and refining tools. He’s a low-level minor-league prospect with intriguing tools and early pro production, but like most teenage international signees, there’s significant projection and risk involved as he moves up the system.

Reese Kaplan - Mets Relief Pitching in 2027

Here’s the potential inventory of Mets pen arms for 2027:

Nate Lavender has two big plusses in his evaluatory worksheet. With the departures of fellow southpaws Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter the fact he throws from the left side pushes him well ahead of many other prospective relief pitchers for the team. Equally important is his performance in that role. Thus far through his late starting rookie season he’s been in 17 games with 22 Ks in 17 IP, a WHIP of 0.882 and an ERA just recently compromised for the first time of just 1.59. You can write his name in ink for 2027 for sure.

Tobias Myers was part of the trade engaged that also brought since departed starter Freddy Peralta to the Mets. Myers has been frustrating and lost his spot on the major league roster during the cellar dwelling 2026 season. The 27 year old has a 3.70 ERA across parts of three major league seasons. His ability to switch between starting and relieving is good but the output is not always what you’d want it to be. He’s on the probable but not definite side of making the 2027 team’s bullpen.

Dedniel Nunez was frankly amazing after a less terrific minor league career when he arrived pre injury. He’s back but the numbers simply are not there. Still, over 49 big league games he still owns a 3.19 overall ERA which suggests there is something there that has not surfaced well in 2026. Consider him a contender but not a guaranteed reliever.

Jonathan Pintaro is going into his age 29 season with a career 4.99 ERA which didn’t even begin at the major league level until 2025. He’ll take up spring innings for sure but likely he’s on the outside looking it at this point of his development.

Kodai Senga is an amazing question mark for 2027. It is unclear if he is a closer, a setup guy, a starter or trade bait. He has one final year on his initial contract so the risk to an acquiring team would be fairly minimal but moving him out would mean he’s leaving the unsuccessful Devin Williams as the 9th inning in the pen. Could he turn into a latter day David Robertson to Williams to finish the games? Sure…but he could also spiral after succeeding and then having his unasked for role as closer yanked away from him

Austin Warren is going to be turning 31 next season and despite 80 games of MLB experience he is not regarded as full time closer material. His career ERA of just 3.48 does indeed suggest that when he is healthy he is a credible arm out there in the 5th through 7th innings. He’s likely making the team unless another injury happens.

Jefry Yan is fun man to watch when he celebrates his frequent strikeouts but his track record before and with the Mets suggests he’s filler at best. He walks way too many people and his current 29 year old rookie ERA of 4.60 is alarming. Many would advocate a reunion with free agent to be Brooks Raley as a better albeit more expensive choice for another lefty.

Daniel Duarte will turn 30 in 2027 and in parts of four major league seasons he boasts a 3.18 career ERA which has steadily improved last year with the Twins and this year with the Mets. Health is the big question, of course, but you’d figure he’s on the short list of returning relievers.

Jack Weisenberger is a 28 year old rookie who made his debut in the majors when roster needs forced the club’s hand. With a career 4.61 minor league ERA he didn’t stand out as a top prospect, so his thus far 5-game MLB earned run average of 2.61 is shocking to say the least. They’ll look at him but it’s an uphill battle for him to make the 2027 club.

Xzavion Curry made it back to start and give away a game this week. Expect he’s not in the future plans at all.

Tylor Megill doesn’t cost much but pitchers who deliver a career ERA of 4.46 with decent strikeout numbers and mediocre control really can’t say that his name is written in ink on the 2027 roster. He’s had five years to get it right and thus far hasn’t demonstrated enough ability to warrant security. However, people will be curious to see him post TJS and mixed long reliever/spot starters are sometimes needed.

Devin Williams owns a career ERA of just 2.70 which includes his horrific trial in the Bronx for 2025 and nearly as bad numbers in Queens this year. They’ll likely rush him back to pitch a game or two in 2026 as it closes out to see what he can do, to test the fit with Kodai Senga and to open trade interest from other ballclubs. His salary is high but if and when he rediscovers his Milwaukee success formula it’s more than reasonable.

Reed Garrett is due back from TJS for the 2027 season. There were times the Mets leaned heavily on his right arm as a late inning reliever. During his 2024 and 2025 seasons he kept the ERA under 4.00 but for his career over 142 games it stands at 4.76. He’ll get a long look in Port St. Lucie but at this point his probability to be on the roster is uncertain.

Dylan Ross is a big right hander with a single major league game on his resume. He’s been around since age 23 in the Mets organization but the numbers have never jumped off the page as someone destined for major league greatness. His minor league ERA is a moderate 3.95 with very strong strikeout numbers accompanied by an equally alarming tendency to give up bases on balls. He’ll be 26 and certainly in camp in Port St. Lucie but until he learns to control the ball better he’s a fringe candidate at best.

Kevin Herget is recovering from injury but his good control has not been enough to guarantee success in The Show. He can strike out about one per inning and yields just over 2 walks in the same interval but by age 35 as he is now his lack of established metrics and the likelihood he’s in the dwindling end of a long career suggests he’s another filler at best candidate. The 3.95 career ERA is not awful but not dominant either.

Justin Hagenman is another pitcher on the injury recovery pathline. Turning 30 and never having established himself as a reliever after his starting days ended, his career 4.10 ERA and moderate other numbers put him in the same category as Herget though a few years younger.

Gary Gill Hill became a Mets asset mid year as part of the flurry of trade deadline moves executed by the front office. The young right hander did just make it to Syracuse to land on the IL to finish the season and he’s got some raw potential but the thinking here is that he needs to establish himself both as healthy and capable before being taken seriously as part of the 2027 pen.

9/18/26

MACK - Let's Revisit - RHP - Peyton Prescott

MACK - Let's Revisit - P - Peyton Prescott

Peyton Prescott, age 22, has a high-velocity fastball-heavy repertoire featuring a mid-80s slider, mid-80s splitter, and a low-80s curveball.

He was the Mets’ 5th-round pick (163rd overall) in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Florida State (after transferring from Jacksonville University).

He signed for an under-slot bonus of $197,500 while recovering from Tommy John surgery (performed after an elbow injury in the 2025 Super Regionals). He is listed at 6'0", 200 lbs, throws from a high-three-quarter (or somewhat lower-release/short-arm) slot, and has primarily worked as a reliever, though some scouts see starter potential due to his athleticism and ability to throw strikes early in counts. Pitch repertoire (pre-injury, primarily 2025 at FSU)

Fastball: Averages ~96 mph and regularly touches 98–100 mph (high-octane, with reports of triple digits). It has brute force and plays best in the zone; it’s the clear strength of the arsenal.
amazinavenue.com
Slider: Mid-80s (reports of high-80s or 86–88 mph). Fringe-average to average; used as a key secondary.
metsmerizedonline.com
Splitter: Mid-80s (or high-80s in some notes). Solid/average offering that pairs with the fastball.
baseballamerica.com
Curveball: Low-80s “downer” type. Part of a wide assortment of secondaries, projected fringe-average to average.
amazinavenue.com

Scouting notes describe a “solid blend” or “wide assortment” of secondaries overall. Command can be inconsistent later in at-bats (he sometimes nibbles and walks batters), and the secondaries need tightening for more chase outside the zone. FanGraphs-style grades (from available reports) rate the fastball highly (e.g., 65/70), with slider ~45/55, changeup/splitter-type ~50/60, and command lower (~30/40). Earlier in his career (high school/JU), the fastball sat lower (into the low-to-mid 90s or below) with similar secondary shapes, and he has shown a changeup/splitter variant at times.

He threw one scoreless inning for St Lucie late in the season, fanning two. Headed to the Fall League.

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