Opening Day is just 63 days away. Pitchers and Catchers is a little less than a month away. As rosters take shape, free agents find their homes, and non-roster invites are getting ready to be sent out. Here are three Met prospects that'll open the spring as Minor Leaguers, but could end it as Major Leaguers.
1. OF Carson Benge:
The obvious choice not just to make the Opening Day roster but to be in the starting lineup. Benge is something the Mets don't have a lot of right now. An outfielder. He rocketed his way through the Minors in 2025, earning a spot in Triple-A Syracuse by season's end. He ranks as the Mets number two prospect per Pipeline but there certainly an argument for him to be number one.
A first round pick just two years ago, Benge finds himself in great position to be playing on March 26th in the Citi Field outfield. Benge tore the cover off the ball in Double-A Binghamton to the tune of a .317 AVG, an OPS of .978 and drove in 23 runs in just 32 games. He's proven himself at every level the Mets have promoted him to. The next logical step would be to get him up to the final level.
Benge doesn't just have the benefit of being a great player, but also some ideal circumstances. Right now, the Mets outfield depth is about as shallow as a puddle. With a great Spring Training, there's no question that the Mets almost need to put Benge on the Opening Day roster. They might not have a choice!
The only thing that might hold them back would be to let him have a bit more seasoning in Triple-A. Still at just 22-years-old, Benge did struggle for a bit in his short stint with Syracuse. If the Mets replenish their depleted outfield depth. Benge may just have to wait until summer to make his Citi Field debut.
Chances of making the Opening Day roster: 70%
2. INF/OF Jett Williams:
We've been hearing about Jett Williams since he was drafted in the first round back in 2022.
If not for an injury that robbed him of most of his 2024 season, he might've already made his MLB debut last year, and I don't think it's a stretch to say he might've been up for some ROY conversations if he came up early enough in the season.
Still, at just 22-years-old, Jett still has plenty of time to turn into a star at the Major League level. He enjoyed a stellar campaign in 2025. In 96 games with Double-A Binghamton, he batted .281 with 29 doubles, 10 home runs, 37 RBIs and an OPS of .868. His speed was also on display as he swiped 32 bases while only being caught seven times.
Drafted as an infielder, the Mets gave him some reps in the outfield in 2025, as he made 27 appearances in center field. A wise choice for both the organization and for Jett, in a system where infield depth is thick and outfield depth is thin.
If Jett makes it on the Opening Day roster, he'd likely be starting games in the outfield, either as a starter or perhaps platooning with another more veteran outfielder, depending on what the Mets decide to do in free agency.
Chance to make the Opening Day Roster: 55%
3. RHP Dylan Ross:
He technically was on the Major League roster last season, but never appeared in a game and was only on the roster for the final weekend of the season. So, I wouldn't even call it a "cup of coffee" yet.
Ross, standing at 6'5, was drafted by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2022 MLB draft. He didn't make his professional debut until 2024 and that was in only one inning of work with St. Lucie.
2025 is when Ross finally had his first full professional season, and he was well worth the wait. The 24-year-old rocketed up the MiLB ranks from High-A Brooklyn all the way to Triple-A Syracuse.
Across three MiLB levels, Ross had an ERA of 2.17 in 54 innings pitched, 80 strikeouts, and had a WHIP of 1.148. He spent the majority of the year with Triple-A Syracuse, where in 32 innings of work he had an excellent ERA of 1.62.
Ross, presents an intriguing bullpen option for the Mets in 2026. While most of the bullpen top dogs (setup and closer) are pretty much set, Ross could find himself with a bullpen slot in Queens by March.
Chance to make the Opening Day roster: 45%
5 comments:
Interesting, Steve. I agree on Benge at 70%. Ross, 50-50, but I see him being pulled up by May 1 the latest if he isn’t breaking with the team. Jett? 20% at Best his numbers in AA and AAA last year screamed to me that he needs more time in the minors. Perhaps Memorial Day if he starts the AAA season hot. I would only have them at 20%, assuming that could be another players spring traininginjury that would necessitate his being called up..
Me?
Benge - 100%
Ross - 100%
Jett - 0%
No place for Jett until mid season.
Ross: 90%
Benge: 50%
Williams: 10%
Dylan Ross comes in at #8 on Mack's top 30 prospects. That is a lofty position considering the competition in the development system. Check out the list in the top menu bar - you can see many different views on Ross as well as the others.
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