Angry Mike - ZACH THORNTON DOSSIER:

The Mets may not be shelling out big dollar bonuses for pitchers in recent drafts as other teams have, but they are becoming very skilled at finding high caliber raw talent that are capable of quickly being molded into a potential impact talent. Thanks to the effective collaborative efforts of their scouting department, developmental team, and their state-of-the-art “Pitching Lab”.

Zach Thornton – SP – 2022 Draft - 5^th RD. Grand Canyon University is one of the best examples of the Mets inter-departmental collaboration efforts.  

Jonah Tong has given “prospect experts” the biggest “F.U.” this year, that is undeniable. Thornton is easily the next pitching prospect to have earned that right, because of how “experts” continue to marginalize his tremendous potential, despite stellar production. 

Despite only having 1-year of experience at the D-1 level, Thornton was quickly promoted to Brooklyn during his 1^st professional season & he more then held his own. During his 2024 season, Thornton delivered five quality outings, and only two non-quality outings. 

 

5 - Quality Outings:    21.2 IP  | 1.27 ERA | 3 ER | 19 K | 15 H | 2 BB 

2 - Other Outings:       5.1   IP  | 8 ER | 15 H 

 

Only a superficial glance of Thornton’s numbers, over-reliance of analytics, & subscribing to the industry’s obsession of fastball velocity, could enable an “expert” to overlook Thornton’s seamless transition from the college ranks to facing advanced High-A lineups within a year of being drafted. 

Pitchers drafted out of college who make their debuts in High-A ball usually have at least 3 years of full-time experience at the D-1 level. Despite showing an ability to dominate advanced hitters with a quality 5-pitch arsenal, Thornton appeared on only one Mets Top 30 Prospects list, #29 { Baseball America }.

 You know how you can recognize whether you have a potential impact starting pitcher?  

When you see a young, inexperienced player, deemed as only having “average stuff” dominate higher levels of competition with relative ease, & flashing above average tools with a degree of regularity it makes previous underestimations of his abilities appear outright bizarre or mind-boggling. That’s how you know. Remind you of any other prospects? Tong? Mclean? Scott?  

Thornton is that caliber of prospect in his own right. Thornton isn’t just quickly establishing himself as a potential impact starting pitcher, he’s doing it in a manner that suggests the “experts” continually underestimating his abilities should contemplate a career change, or as Alec Baldwin says in the movie "The Departed": 

As impressive as Thornton was in 2024, he has elevated his game to new heights in 2025. Pitching with conviction, a high-level of confidence, and a tactical approach to attacking hitters that is downright lethal. He isn’t nibbling corners and hoping for weak contact or bad swings. Thornton is using his above-average 5-pitch arsenal to systematically dispose of hitters with extreme prejudice and surgical pitch efficiency. Christian Scott only other Mets prospect who has ever registered a 4% BB-rate. Remarkable. 

“He’s pitching like he’s mad at the grass…” 

Thornton was assigned to Brooklyn for the start of 2025, and quickly earned a promotion to Double-A after overpowering hitters in 3 of his 4 first 4 outings. After brief adjustment period to Double-A, Thornton then delivered the best start of his career, 6.1 perfect innings and 6 strike outs. Thornton was matching Tong start-for-start, accumulating stellar numbers for the Rumble Ponies before suffering a minor oblique injury that has since landed him on the IL. 

If not for his injury, Thornton  could have accomplished the rare feat of pitching for 3 minor league levels in the same season, a distinction usually ascertained by 1^st RD draft picks or pitchers with “elite stuff”, i.e. Brandon Sproat 2024.  

As important as scouting reports are, when a player produces the type of numbers Thornton has produced in 2024 & 2025, it signals the need to create a new scouting report from scratch. 

Thornton is a "Pitcher", not just a "Thrower", and he knows how to compete and win. In short order, he will soon become an impact pitcher for the Mets, I don't care what the rankings say. 

If you're a prospect expert who keeps marginalizing Thornton's exciting potential, all I have to say to you is, "I'll take a double Jameson. Neat."...

Zach Thornton Pitching Arsenal:  

Fastball:  50 Grade: deception & plus command: generates high whiff rates

-       averages 92-93 mph (up from 90-91 in 2024), tops out at 94 MPH

-       2200-2400 RPMs  ||  3.9” IVB  ||  7.3” horizontal break            

Slider:  55 Grade: 

-       mid-80s with sharp 2-plane break: 

-       2400-2500 RPMs  ||  3.9” IVB  || 7.3” horizontal break 

Curveball: 50 Grade: 

-       Mid-70s with an 11-5 shape and huge depth 

Changeup: 50 Grade: 

-       Mid-to-high 80s 

-       2400 RPMs  ||  6.4” of IVB  ||  3.3” of horizontal break

 Cutter: 50 grade| Mid-to-high 80s |2400 RPMs: 6.4” IVB:| 3.3” Horizontal break

2025 Split Statistics:  

Versus RHB:                                               Versus LHB:  

210          Batters faced                               65         Batters Faced       59            Strikeouts                                   19         Strikeouts 

8              Walks                                         3           Walks 

28%         K-Rate                                        30%      K-Rate 

3.8%        BB-Rate                                      4.7%     BB-Rate

0.75         WHIP                                          1.11      WHIP

|| 2025 Season Statistics  ||  14 Game Starts  || 

|| 6 Wins || 2 Losses || 72.2  IP || 28%  K-RATE || 4%  BB-RATE || 

|| 78 K || 48 H || 8 BB || 16 ER ||  

|| 1.98 ERA || .187 BAA || 0.81 WHIP || 

 

Links to Video Highlights: 

05.25.25 Perfect Outing

05.31.25 Outing 

04.13.25 Outing

09.03.25 Outing

THORNTON: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS TO FELLOW 2023 DRAFT PICKS:

Tom Brennan: How Are The Mets Looking At Today’s Trade Deadline? FCL Mets Season

CASEY STENGEL MOSTLY LIKES WHAT HE SEES - HOW ABOUT YOU?

Billy Crystal: “Darling, you look Mahvelous! Absolutely Mahvelous!”

The Darling referenced here is not Mets’ fans’ darling Ron Darling, but rather our darling (and fraying) 2025 Mets.

Trade deadline: Today at 6:00 PM sharp. 

“Trade now, or forever hold your peace.”

So…we got that lefty reliever Greg Soto in time him to lose Monday’s game. You can never have enough Sotos.

Who else?

Why Tyler Rogers the submariner, and rip-roaring Ryan Helsley, that’s who else.  The pen has been VASTLY improved. Thankfully.

Lost were Tidwell, Gilbert, Dohm, Baez, Butto, and Elissalt. The Mets, though, still have tons of quality in the farm system, and have vastly improved their odds of making the playoffs and winning the division.  

You’ve got to give to get…and the Mets got plenty. And gave up nothing I consider Pete Crow quality, thankfully.

Are they done? We will find out today.

Oh, and why was Gilbert included?  Because Carson Benge is already better. As in 23 AA games, .371/.472/.652.  He is ALREADY better than Tyrone Taylor (.201).  BUT…Jac Caglianone was a top draft pick last year and was called up at light speed this year - but is hitting just .147 in 150 at bats.  How would Benge do skipping AAA? My guess is .240. But that is just a guess.

With Lindor going from Mr. Wonderful in April to a .246 season tie with Mauricio, and Alonso greatly floundering, importing a professional caliber hitter may be vitally necessary today.

METS BIG BOYS FALTERING AT THE DISH

Soto (.210), Alonso (.146), and Lindor (.214) hitting weakly in July, thru Tuesday.  Lindor also hit .204 in June. Days off can help, fellas.  Would these 3 guys hit 25 points higher if they started just 150 games and pinch hit in the other 12?  

Meanwhile, Grand Slam Mark Vientos was at .277 in July. 

If you find yourself scratching your head, you are not alone.

I cannot resist in saying this: if Citi fences were 5-8 feet shorter, would the top hombres’ numbers be as saggy?  And when do saggy numbers become psychological?

The Mets are 29th in hitting in July at .225. After being 21st in batting in June at .239.  That screams: 

HITTING BOOST NEEDED!

Pham?  Bryan Reynolds for Jacob Reimer? Pittsburgh is not getting their $$ worth Or go even bigger. EVEN BIGGER.

Do a hitter trade - today. Tomorrow is too late.

FCL METS SEASON RECAP

I will be brief…

Hitting was in very short supply and several games were not made up.

The FCL Mets played just 53 games, while other teams played as many as 59.

They were last in scoring and 2nd lowest in batting average (.214).

Pitching-wise, they were 25-28, with a 4.28 ERA (7th out of 15).

No young Juan Soto’s on that team. 

Randy Guzman and Messrs. Lantigua and Zayas hit well. Guzman then got promoted to St Lucie. Pretty much no one else did hit. My guess is many won’t be back in 2026.

The good news is the Mets teams in the 5 leagues above the FCL (A, High A, AA, AAA, and the NY Mets) combined are nearly 100 games over .500. 

And THAT is good news!

YONATAN HERNANDEZ?  WHO?

A 20 year old switch hitting St Lucie outfielder, hitting .244. So?

Well, he started the season in April ice cold, 7 for his first 54 ABs, but he’s hit .272 since,and is hitting .300 in 20 July games, with 16 RBIs. 22 steals, too. 

Keep an eye on him.  Better yet…

Somebody here PLEASE do a “deep dive” on this lad!

Paul Articulates - Relief comes in many forms

The New York Mets, as expected, have landed some bullpen relief in the days leading up to the trade deadline.  David Stearns had promised to strengthen the bullpen, and he delivered as promised.  So far three talented relievers have been added to the team.

Greg Soto - Soto was an all-star pitcher with the Detroit Tigers in his 2021 and 2022 seasons.  He is a hard throwing 30 year old in his seventh MLB season.  He is primarily a sinker/slider pitcher who also throws some 4-seam fast balls and an occasional sweeper or splitter.  His high movement sinker causes very light contact, as witnessed by a 4% barrel rate by opposing hitters.  According to Baseball Savant, he ranks in the 96th percentile among MLB pitchers in this category.  With Baltimore this year, he recorded 10.9 K/9 and had a 2.44 K/BB ratio.  That control is very important to the Mets, who currently have a staff that struggles with walks.  The price for Soto was pretty mild, costing the Mets low-A pitcher Wellington Aracena and AA pitcher Cameron Foster.  Neither were on the Mets' top 30 prospect list at the beginning of this season.  Soto will hit the ground running with this club to spell some weary pitchers.  Soto has thrown only 38 innings to date.

Soto Pitches - Courtesy of Baseball Savant

Tyler Rogers - A veteran right handed reliver who is also in his seventh season, Rogers is a control pitcher who does not walk many batters.  He has spent his entire career with the San Francisco Giants, spanning 396 innings in 392 games.  This year he had an incredible 0.860 WHIP and a 9.50 K/BB ratio.  As a point of comparison, the Mets' staff to date has a 2.36 K/BB ratio which lands them in 24th place among 30 MLB teams.  The acquisition of Rogers came at a steeper price, sending Jose Butto, Blade Tidwell, and Drew Gilbert to the Orioles.  Butto has spent parts of four seasons with the Mets, pitching to a very respectable 2.55 ERA last season.  Tidwell was a highly rated prospect, soaring through the minors until he plateaued at AAA.  Gilbert, who was acquired in the Justin Verlander trade in 2023, had never reached the performance level that was initially expected, but had been hot recently in Syracuse.

Ryan Helsley -  This was the unexpected shocker that came down late Wednesday.  Helsley had been the closer for the St. Louis Cardinals who were on the edge of contention.  Few expected the Cards to become sellers to this extreme, and it puts an established closer in the same bullpen as Edwin Diaz.  Helsey has already recorded 21 saves this year in 26 opportunities.  To acquire him, the Mets had to part with valued prospects Jesus Baez (Mets #8), Nate Dohm (Mets #14), and Frank Elissalt.  Helsey has a triple digit fastball that rates in the 99th percentile for velocity.  He can play off secondary pitches slider, curve, and cutter to achieve a 94th percentile chase rate.  

Ryan Helsey ratings - Baseball Savant

The combination of Helsey and Diaz in the bullpen allows Carlos Mendoza plenty of options to finish games and eliminates the need to stress his closer with four-to-six out saves.

Mendoza also has a stronger stable of pitchers to get to the late innings, with the aforementioned Greg Soto, Ryne Stanek, and Reid Garrett all capable of providing shutdown innings to bridge from starter to closer.

The one thing that has not been addressed is the long inning reliever.  As mentioned in my prior post, the Mets have had difficulty getting quality starts from any of their starters other than David Peterson.  It would not make sense to burn five relievers per game when Senga or Manaea are pitching because it will stress the relief we just obtained.  

As I report this to you, there is still a day left before tonight's 6pm trade deadline.  Will Stearns deliver more?  Is there a long reliever in the works?  Are all the baby Mets safe?  Stay tuned to the news to find out where the Mets end up.  They are already stronger for the events of this week.

John From Albany: 10 Years Ago - Wilmer Walks It Off, 7/31/2015

 

Wilmer Flores, 2019 Topps Heritage Card

2015, the last year the Mets made the World Series.  This daily post will detail the game by game journey to the Fall Classic.  Click here for More Mets History and Calendar Classics.

Year: 2015; Game #103; Friday;  Jul 31, NYM 2  Vs. WSN; 1; 12 innings; boxscore; WP: Torres;  LP: Vazquez; Time: 03:59; NIGHT; Attendance: 36,164; Record: 53-50; Standings: 2; Games up/behind: 2; W-wo;  

Curtis Granderson RF: 1 for 5; CS; 3 Ks; Rubén Tejada SS: 2 for 5; 1 K; Daniel Murphy 1B-3B: 1 for 5; 2B; 1 K; Juan Uribe 3B: 0 for 2; 1 run; 2 walks; 1 K; Lucas Duda PH: 0 for 1; Travis d'Arnaud C: 0 for 4; 1 walk; 2 Ks; Wilmer Flores 2B: 2 for 5; HR; 1 run; 2 RBIs; 1 K; Juan Lagares CF: 0 for 3; 1 walk; Eric Campbell LF: 0 for 4; 2 Ks; Matt Harvey P: 0 for 3; 2 Ks; Kelly Johnson 1B: 0 for 1; Matt Harvey: 7.2 innings; 1 run; 1 ER; 5 hits; 9 Ks; Tyler Clippard: 0.2 inning; no runs; 2 walks; 1 K; Jeurys Familia: 1.2 innings; no runs; 1 K; Hansel Robles: 1 inning; no runs; 2 Ks; Carlos Torres, W (4-4): 1 inning; no runs; 3 Ks; 

NY Post: Unbelievable! Flores dries tears for walk-off HR in thriller. “Flores cleared the left-field fence on Felipe Rivero’s third pitch of the 12th inning, allowing the Mets to celebrate a 2-1 victory over the Nationals at Citi Field, culminating a day in which the club acquired slugger Yoenis Cespedes from the Tigers.” 

ESPN.com: Two nights after thinking he was traded, Wilmer Flores puts Mets by Nats. “Just a few minutes before the 4 p.m. trade deadline, the Mets gave their meager offense a major boost by obtaining slugger Yoenis Cespedes from Detroit for two minor league pitchers…Hours later, Flores drove in both Mets runs and made a spectacular defensive play at second base to back Matt Harvey…’I'm sitting here looking at some guys who are outstanding writers. Outstanding. You couldn't write that. You guys couldn't come up with that. And you're good. That's unbelievable,’ Mets Manager Terry Collins said.”

You can watch the game in it's entirety on YouTube by clicking here.

Highlights - 

The win pulls the Mets within 2 games of the 1st place Nationals.

NL East Standings 7/31/2015

Tm	W	L	W-L%	GB	RS	RA	pythW-L%
WSN	54	47	.535	--	420	388	.536
NYM	53	50	.515	2.0	365	371	.493
ATL	46	57	.447	9.0	377	437	.433
MIA	42	61	.408	13.0	367	403	.457
PHI	40	64	.385	15.5	374	509	.363

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/31/2015.

Steve Sica. - Ten Years Ago The Greatest Mets Run Since 1986 Began

Wilmer Flores sends the Mets to a 2-1 win with an inspiring walk-off HR right after “no trade”

This week, ten years ago, none of us could’ve ever imagined that we were about to witness one of the greatest rides in Met history, and arguably the best time to be a Met fan since 1986.

True, the 1999, 2000, and 2006 teams were better by record, and had plenty of dramatic moments of their own. Every game for the 1999 team from the last week of the season to game six of the NLCS was packed with drama, and produced the “Grand Slam Single” one of the most memorable playoff moments in Met history. The 2000 team, like the 2015 squad, made it to a World Series, and of course, 2006, was certainly the most dominant Met team from start to finish since 1986.

The Mets made the playoffs again three times in the decade that followed 2015. Last year’s team made it back to the NLCS for the first time since the 2015 squad, and had a very similar feeling to that year. Coming out of nowhere and going on a magical run from summer into October.

But 2015 was different. Not just because that team won the pennant, but because of how success starved the Mets were prior. It had been nine years since the Mets made the postseason heading into the 2015 season. They infamously collapsed in 2007 and 2008 to miss the playoffs on the season's final day. Then began seven years of going through the darkness of irrelevance. 

The Mets would have teams that for the first couple months of the season had you thinking they might be able to go on a run. I can still remember the 2012 team being just four games out of first place at the All-Star break and thinking they could at least chase a Wild Card spot. That team finished at 74-88. There were times where you’d just wish for meaningful games in September, because by the end of July, it was time to start watching preseason football and hope that some of those prospects the Mets had down on the farm would hurry up and get to the Big Leagues.

But for the first time in years, 2015 brought real reason for hope and optimism going into Spring Training. The Mets had spent years building a core in the Minor Leagues that looked like they were ready to contribute in Queens. Matt Harvey was coming back from Tommy John surgery, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz were set to make their Big League debuts.

But by late July, while the pitching was solid, their offense was abysmal. On July 29th the Mets seemingly made a trade with Milwaukee to send Carlos Gomez to the Mets for Wilmer Flores and Zack Wheeler. Word spread fast around Citi Field that night, and Wilmer Flores, as he was playing shortstop, was seen crying on the field. On top of that, later that night the trade fell through. The Mets weren’t getting their big bat in Gomez and had become a laughing stock yet again, after fumbling the news. 

The next day, the Mets built a 7-5 lead over San Diego, before Justin Upton ripped a three-run home run off Jeurys Familia in the rain, to give the Padres an 8-7 lead and the win. The Mets fell to 52-50 and no news of adding a marque bat. The first place Nationals were coming to town next. It seemed as if the Mets were just a good little team, but not quite ready to compete among the National League elite just yet.

July 31st was the trade deadline and 4pm was quickly approaching. At the last second the Mets made a deal with Detroit. Yoenis Céspedes was coming to New York. The Mets had got their superstar for the lineup. Immediately the vibe around the Mets changed. I was at Citi Field that night and there was a buzz in the air that I hadn’t felt at a Met game since I went to games at old Shea. 

Matt Harvey was on the mound for the Mets as they took on first place Washington. Harvey and Gio Gonzalez waged a classic pitchers duel. Harvey was perfect through five, as the Mets held onto a 1-0 lead, but Washington would tie it in the eighth.

The game moved into extra innings with both bullpens pitching lights out. In the eleventh, Nats star Bryce Harper was ejected by home plate umpire Jerry Meals, much to the delight of the Citi Field crowd. The game was still tied at one going into the 12th inning, approaching nearly four hours, when Wilmer Flores came up to the plate to lead off the inning.

Just 48 hours prior he had cried on this very field thinking he had been traded from the team that he had been a part of since he was 16-years-old. Now, he had a chance to win the game. 

Flores swung at a 1-1 pitch from Felipe Vazquez, and hit a line drive over the left field wall.The Mets won the game 2-1 to move two games out of first. But the moment seemed so much bigger than that. 

With Citi Field going into a frenzy, the Met players came racing out of the dugout waiting to greet their teammate, who everyone thought was on his way to Milwaukee just two nights ago. Wilmer Flores rounded third and grabbed his jersey at the Mets insignia and shook it as if to say, “I’m at Met!”

Leaving Citi Field that night was one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever been a part of. Fans chanted “Let’s go Mets” and “Wilmer Flores” as we headed down the stairs to the parking lots along with some NSFW work chants about Bryce Harper. Suddenly the team and the fans had new life and energy, and it was about to grow even bigger.

The next day, Lucas Duda hit two home runs as the Mets beat the Nats 3-2. It was August 1st and the Mets were just a game out of first place. It had been seven years since the Mets were this close to first place this late in the season. The next night, a National audience watched Sunday Night Baseball as the Mets pummeled the Nats for three home runs in the third inning. A sell out crowd rocked Citi Field as the Mets sent a message to the Nats and the rest of baseball that magic had returned to Queens. 

Fans chanted loud enough to be heard on ESPN, “we want first place!” After years of being a league doormat with minimal to cheer about, Met fans were reintroducing the country to just how loud and intimating of a home field advantage Citi Field could be. The Mets completed their sweep, moved into first place, and never looked back.

Over the next two months the Mets kept winning. They’d meet the Nats again in September, this time in Washington, and would sweep them again in dramatic fashion to all but wrap up the NL East title. Three weeks later, the Mets would officially win the National League Eastern Division crown for the first time in nine years.

They’d ride that momentum all the way through a thrilling five-game NLDS where they’d beat the Dodgers and then roared past the Cubs in a four-game sweep to send them to their first World Series in 15 years. 

While the team didn’t win it all that year, late Summer and Fall of 2015 will always hold a special place in Met fans hearts. In a year where just playing “meaningful games in September” would’ve felt like an accomplishment, this team rolled all the way to playing in November. It was a magical time for a franchise and a fanbase that had been stuck in baseball's abyss for nearly  a decade. Ten years later, fans still give Wilmer Flores a warm reception every time he comes back to Citi Field, now a member of the Giants.

The Flores walk-off was more than a baseball moment. It’s a story of redemption. It's about, for the Met fans that suffered through all the losing seasons prior, rediscovering what hope feels like after years without it. How sometimes in life, you can be at what seems like your lowest point and then bounce back to the most incredible of highs. I’ll never forget all the emotions that surrounded that week in July, ten years ago.

The 2015 Mets didn’t win it all, but they did give us a reason to believe again, and what a ride they took us on.

MACK - MY Wednesday Observations. - Sean Manaea, A.J. Saldago, Rotation Needs, Drew Gilbert, Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman, Zac Gallen, David Bednar, Tade Proposals

 

Pitch Profiler                                     @pitchprofiler

Sean Manaea:    big, lanky, and a certified stuff machine

Mets sign UDFA OF AJ Salgado, out of UCLA

                A deep dive…

                Aaron Jacob "AJ" Salgado is a redshirt senior outfielder for the UCLA Bruins baseball team, born on September 16, 2001, in San Dimas, California. Standing at 6'3" and weighing 220 lbs, he bats left-handed and throws right-handed.

Salgado has played multiple positions, including right field, center field, and third base, showcasing his versatility.

Career Highlights:

2025 Season: Earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors after appearing in 64 games (62 starts). On March 15, 2025, he hit two three-run homers in a single game against Nebraska, driving in six runs to secure an 11-3 UCLA victory, marking his first multi-homer game. Through 18 games that season, he matched his previous year's totals of three home runs and 20 RBIs.

2024 Season: Played in 48 games (43 starts) for UCLA, slashing .300/.362/.422 with 32 runs, 54 hits, five doubles, four triples, three home runs, and 20 RBIs over 180 at-bats. He led the team with 18 leadoff starts, had 14 multi-hit games, and hit safely in six straight games from April 2-14. Salgado excelled on the road (.321 average) and in midweek games (.357). Notable performances include a four-hit game against Pepperdine on April 30 and a 3-4 game with a homer and three RBIs at Washington on April 13. 

2023 Season: In his debut UCLA season, he played 26 games (21 starts) at first base and outfield, limited by injuries.

2022 Season (Cal State LA): As a freshman, Salgado started all 49 games for the Golden Eagles, leading the team with a .362/.462/.519 slash line, 67 hits, 32 walks, 36 RBIs, and a perfect 15-for-15 in stolen bases. He had 19 extra-base hits and 21 multi-hit games, earning CCAA Player of the Week honors (Feb. 14-20, 2022) after going 9-16 with a homer, double, and five RBIs. He went 5-5 with four RBIs against Biola on Feb. 17. 

Summer League: Played for the Conejo Oaks in the California Collegiate League (2022) and the State College Spikes in the MLB Draft League (2024). 

Background:High

School: A three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Glendora High School (Glendora, CA), Salgado also played two years of varsity football (wide receiver, defensive end, tight end), earning all-league honors as a junior and senior.

College Path: Attended Cal State LA (2022) before transferring to UCLA (2023-2025). He plans to major in sociology at UCLA.

Personal: Born to Pam and Al Salgado, he has five siblings (Brennen, Jordan, Ashlyn, Cailynn, Allie), all of whom competed in sports at Glendora High. His father, Al, a former baseball player and Disney animator, is known for sports photography in the San Gabriel Valley. Salgado admires Derek Jeter and Kobe Bryant, enjoys bodyboarding, cooking, and working out, and cites hitting his first home run as his greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill.

MLB Draft Prospects:

In 2024, Salgado was named an MLB Draft candidate by UCLA coach John Savage. Analysts projected him as a potential 17th-round pick, comparing him to Brendan Donovan (St. Louis Cardinals, 2018 7th-rounder). His .300 average and .784 OPS in 2024 were solid, though his walk rate dropped from 14.5% at Cal State LA to 7.4% in the Pac-12.

On July 24, 2025, Salgado announced via Instagram that he signed as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) with the New York Mets on a minor-league contract.

Career Highs (as of 2025):

At-Bats: 7 vs. Omaha (Feb. 18, 2023)

Runs: 3 (eight times)

Hits: 4 (twice)

RBIs: 6 vs. Nebraska (March 15, 2025)

Doubles: 2 vs. Michigan (March 4, 2025)

Home Runs: 2 vs. Nebraska (March 15, 2025)

Stolen Bases: 2 vs. Michigan State (Feb. 23, 2025)

Salgado’s combination of power, speed, and versatility makes him a notable prospect, now beginning his professional journey with the Mets.

                Me?

It’s hard to believe that none of the 30 teams drafted him this year. These are real numbers for a real team.

                Could be a real USFA steal.

How the Mets Should Approach the 2025 Trade Deadline

https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/how-mets-should-buy-2025-trade-deadline/

The Rotation: Do They Have Enough?

Stearns has indicated that he is not invested in the market for starting pitchers. With Manaea, Senga, Peterson, Holmes, and Montas all healthy at the moment, the Mets’ starting five is settled for now.

Additionally, top prospects Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean are both big league ready, or not far off, in case of emergency. Frankly, the Mets are once again finding an overabundance of starting options. Nonetheless, Stearns will explore all options, especially if an ace becomes available.

Three ace-type arms that could be moved are Dylan Cease, Zac Gallen, and Sandy Alcantara; however, all three have struggled this season.

Cease has especially been linked to the Mets in recent days. Jon Heyman of the New York Post listed the Mets as one of six potential landing spots for the free-agent-to-be. He owns a 4.59 ERA this season, but has struck out 144 batters in 113 ⅔ innings in San Diego. Cease has finished in the top five in Cy Young balloting twice in his career, which should raise his cost, but his rental status and subpar performance this year could change that.

Gallen and Alcantara have not been linked to New York as much. Gallen has a 5.58 ERA this year and will hit the open market at the end of this season, while Alcantara’s ERA sits at 6.66. Alcantara has team control through the end of the 2027 season.

A few of the other top rentals that could interest the Mets are Merrill Kelly and Seth Lugo. While they don’t carry the same name level as the Cease’s and Gallen’s on the market, Kelly and Lugo have been more effective pitchers this season.

Kelly has pitched like the D-Backs ace this year, with a 3.32 ERA across his first 21 starts. Lugo has a 2.95 ERA across his first 19 starts and has become one of the most consistent inning-eaters in the game.

Stearns has made every indication that he will not make a move for a starting pitcher, unless they are a clear-cut top-line arm that would automatically end up in a playoff rotation. The next tier of pitchers, such as Mitch Keller, seems less and less likely as fits for the Mets.

Takeaways: What Should They Do?

Despite their record and standing atop the division, the Mets need to upgrade, especially to match up with the NL goliaths in Los Angeles and Chicago in a potential playoff series.

It seems more likely than anything that they will stick to focusing on center field and the bullpen, unless Cease, Alcantara, or Gallen falls into their lap. Ideally, they will land either Bader or Robert Jr., while picking up a pair of relievers.

Mets mailbag

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6514282/2025/07/24/mets-trade-deadline-clay-holmes-mark-vientos-lineup/

Is there a world in which we see Drew Gilbert up after the trade deadline if the Mets don’t make a move for a center fielder? — Joshua E.

Will: In his news conference Monday, Stearns was asked about position-player prospects impacting the major-league team over the final two months. He didn’t mention Gilbert or anyone else as a possibility. While talking about the pitchers from Triple A who have made their bullpen, he called it “less likely” to see a position player make an impact.

About a month ago, a couple of scouts from other clubs I spoke with were down on Gilbert’s offensive ability. However, in 15 games and 64 plate appearances this month, he owns a 1.055 OPS with four home runs. He has mostly played center field this season for Triple-A Syracuse.

Top Rental Bats on the Bubble to Be Moved

https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/rental-arms-bats-mlb-trade-deadline-candidates/

Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays: Bichette’s relationship with the Blue Jays has gone back and forth over the past year. Not long ago it looked like there was no chance of him staying in Toronto but that since has changed, apparently. But, does Toronto want him?

The Blue Jays inked a number of deals and extensions since Bichette was rumored to want out and I wonder where they stand with a possible long term commitment. They are currently a playoff team (wild-card) and probably would not move him unless something dramatically changes.

Trade Targets

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6467560/2025/07/02/mlb-trade-deadline-predictions-alcantara-naylor/

 Alex Bregman, 3B, Red Sox

This was another shocking name to me, but some execs believe the Red Sox could move on from Bregman at the trade deadline if they can’t extend him by then. Bregman and his agent, Scott Boras, have told the Red Sox they are open to signing a long-term extension now. But if the two sides can’t work out a deal, don’t be surprised if Boston trades him to either the Tigers or Mariners at the trade deadline.

Bregman, 31, is on the IL with a strained right quad but has slashed .299/.385/.553 with 11 home runs in 197 at-bats this season. He has two $41.7 million options remaining on his contract but can opt out after this season or next. He would bring valuable postseason experience and production (19 homers in 99 playoff games) to an acquiring team.

What Kind of Haul Could Zac Gallen Get?

https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/zac-gallen-mock-trades-landing-spots-news/

New York Mets

The Mets likely aren’t giving up any of their vaunted pitching prospects, but they do have a prospect that likely fits Arizona in their No. 7 prospect, Ryan Clifford, who plays first base and outfield.

The D-Backs have a long-term void at first base. Clifford has elite power and is already in Double-A. He has an .830 OPS and 35 extra-base hits, including 19 home runs. He could be ready for the Majors by mid-season in 2026 and take over at first base.

The Mets could dangle a pitcher in the form of Dom Hamel, who is in Triple-A to get the deal done. Hamel can start or pitch in relief from the right side. So far in Triple-A, he has a 4.56 ERA over 49.1 innings, but has struck out 55 to just 15 walks.

 

Why adding a top set-up reliever at trade deadline still makes sense for Mets

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6517618/2025/07/26/mets-trade-deadline-bullpen/

The asking prices for other high-end relievers like the Pittsburgh Pirates’ David Bednar (not a free agent until after the 2026 season) appear high, according to officials from multiple rival clubs.

While the Mets are checking in on relievers with club control and rentals, Díaz’s ability to opt out next season is not something they are considering when looking for ways to improve before the trade deadline, people briefed on their plans said. Generally, they view such situations as offseason issues, and plenty can change over the next couple of months. Judging from Díaz’s outstanding numbers (1.55 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 62 strikeouts), it is something the Mets will need to face down the road.

 

Evaluating 21 MLB deadline trade proposals from readers: Who says no?

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6518481/2025/07/28/mlb-trade-deadline-scenarios-teams-targets/

9. Mets: 3B Eugenio Suárez

Diamondbacks: 3B Mark Vientos, OF Drew Gilbert and RHP Blade Tidwell — No name given

The Mets say no freaking way.

The Mets are not trading Vientos straight-up for a two-month rental of Suárez. That being said, I think I would consider Gilbert and Tidwell for Suárez.

 

10. Mets get: CF Luis Robert Jr.

White Sox get: RHP Nate Dohm and SS Marco Vargas — No name given

The White Sox say no.

In Robert talks, the Sox have been asking interested teams for two of their top 10 prospects, but they haven’t gotten any takers. However, they have been offered a top 10 prospect plus an add on from multiple teams. I think first base/outfield prospect Ryan Clifford and outfield prospect Nick Morabito, ranked No. 7 and 15, respectively in the Mets’ system by MLB Pipeline, would be closer to what the White Sox are seeking to get to “yes.”

 

11. Mets pick up Robert and cash for infielder A.J. Ewing? — Mike R.

The White Sox say no.

I think the White Sox initially say no and ask for a second player in the deal, but maybe a 20-30th-ranked prospect. With Ewing as the centerpiece, I do think there’s a good chance this deal could get done.

 

12. Mets get: righty reliever Braxton Ashcraft

Pirates get: outfield prospect Carson Benge — Brian R.

The Mets say no.

I like Ashcraft, but I’m not giving up Benge for a set-up reliever. That would be an extreme overpay in my view.