ANGRY MIKE: “YOU FEELING LUCKY PUNK, THAN RANK MY METS PROSPECTS…”

 ANGRY MIKE 

‘Tis the season for Pre-season M.L.B. Top 100 Prospect Rankings, and despite an extraordinary number of breakout seasons by the Mets top prospects during the 2025 season, several players were ranked lower than they deserved and others snubbed altogether. For the past 20 years, I’ve enjoyed utilizing Top Prospect rankings as a road map for identifying which players in the minor leagues represent the next wave of impact talent making their way to the Majors. Quite frankly, over the past few years, they not only lack consistency in their assessment of prospects, they’ve blatantly favored prospects from certain organizations. 

As it stands these rankings are closer to “Amazon’s Best-Sellers”, where authors have the luxury of buying their way onto a preferred list, rather than earning a spot based on merit. It was great too see several Mets prospects receive the recognition they deserved, but based on how comparable prospects were ranked in previous Top 100  lists, we’ll go over some examples of why certain rankings for Mets prospects are consistent with historical trends.

<->  NOLAN MCLEAN  <->

Highest Ranking ->  #6  ||  Lowest Ranking ->  #11

Identifying potential #1 SP or “Future Ace” in the MiLB is extremely rare, and in the rare instances SP prospects warrant that level of projection is applicable, those prospects always ranked within the Top 5. There are on;y a handful of pitchers in the M.L.B. who have a 6-pitch arsenal as lethal as McLean’s, and when you consider his limited experience, it’s easy to speculate all of those pitches continuing to improve as he gains experience. McLean only pitched 57 IP during his entire collegiate career, he’s only scratched the surface of his future potential, which should also justify McLean receiving a higher ranking. McLean’s fastball velocity will also improving slightly, as he continues to build up his endurance and arm strength. 

Prospect Comp Rank: Pirates SP: Paul Skenes: (#3 Rank: 2024)

As good as Paul Skenes is, McLean has the potential to feature a much more diverse pitching arsenal, and he spent the entire 2025 season, proving he was the “Real Deal Holyfield”. Nobody is saying McLean has surpassed Skenes, but based on how McLean was able to dominate hitters across three different levels, in addition to setting records across his first handful of starts in the M.L.B., there is ZERO justification to rank McLean behind a bunch of  teenaged middle infielder prospects putting up modest numbers in Low-A Ball. McLean has secured a rotation spot for the upcoming season, is the frontrunner for 2026 N.L. R.O.Y., & might even earn some C.Y. Young votes.

ADJUSTED -> 2026 Top 100 Ranking:  #1 or #3

<->  JONAH TONG  <->

Highest Ranking ->  #23  ||  Lowest Ranking ->  #46

Tong didn’t just have a monster 2025 season, he had a HISTORIC 2025 season, becoming the first minor leaguer in history to lead the M.i.L.B. in E.R.A. and Strikeouts in the past 63 years. Tong also led starting pitchers in fewest earned runs allowed, fewest hits allowed, lowest W.H.I.P, K-RATE, and Batting Average Against.  Not to mention he also came within an out of a 13-K PERFECT GAME during his stint in Double-A. 

Tong’s numbers alone warrant a Top Ten ranking, but he also elevated his pitching arsenal to “ACE” caliber, increasing his average fastball velocity above 95 MPH and topping out at 99 MPH. He also dominated hitters with a new Vulcan Changeup that exhibited ELITE metrics, already garnering a 60+ scouting grade. Tong accomplished all of this in only his second full-season, turning 22 years old, but his ranking lower in 2026? Umm no...

Tong Ranked #44 by MLB Pipeline in 2025, than ranked him #46 for 2026, 

ARGUABLY THE DUMBEST THING I’VE EVER SEEN.

Prospect Rank Comp:

Orioles:  G. Rodriguez   (#6 Rank: 2022)

Pirates:  B. Chandler     (#5 Rank: 1st Half of 2025) 

ADJUSTED -> 2026 Top 100 Ranking:  #6 - #10

<->  CARSON BENGE  <-> 

Highest Ranking ->  #10  ||  Lowest Ranking ->  #16

Benge was David Stearns first official draft selection, selected in the first round of the 2024 Draft, 19th overall selection, signing for a slightly above slot bonus of $4 Million. Benge was widely regarded as a “Top 10” talent, but fell in the draft, because some teams were concerned about his ability to hit for power. Benge quickly established himself as one of the biggest steals of the 2024 Draft, flashing elite 5-tool talent, highlighted by elite plate discipline, pitch recognition, 60+ Hit Tool, and future 60+ grade power after he continues to get stronger and matures physically. Although, Benge didn’t hit for much power during his initial assignment at Brooklyn, he exploded after his promotion to Double-A, blasting impressive tape-measure homers all over the field. Benge amassed 8 homer in his first 32 games at Binghamton, in addition to batting over .300 and posting a OBP above .400, earning a quick promotion to AAA.

Benge quickly became one of the best hitters in the Minors and his meteoric rise through the minors and 5-Tool skillset reminds me of another recently drafted college bat that tore through the MiLB, Rangers OF, Wyatt Langford. Although, Benge didn’t continue his hot streak after his promotion to AAA, like Langford did, he quickly established himself as one of the most exciting all-around talents in the Minor Leagues. Benge has 25/25 potential, ability to hit plus batting averages, and post plus OBP’s. 

Prospect Rank Comp -> Rangers: W. Langford (#7 Rank -> 2024) 

ADJUSTED -> 2026 Top 100 Ranking:  #7 - #9

<->  JONATHAN SANTUCCI  <->

  UNRANKED

Santucci by far received the biggest snub of all, not even making a single Top 100 Ranking, despite having a stellar professional debut season. Santucci silenced the criticism that made him fall to the 2nd round of the 2024 Draft. Santucci was healthy all season, limited the walks, flashed electric stuff in his final 21 starts, and logged a career high in IP for a season. Mid 90s fastball, that tops out at 97-98 MPH and a wipeout slider, were his signature pitches at Duke, but he also flashed an improved changeup and a curveball.  Santucci’s case to be ranked among the MiLB’s best prospects can be easily made by comparing his numbers with the LHP prospects ranked among the Top 100.

J. SANTUCCI -> Final 21 Starts:

105.2 IP | 28 ER | 124 K | 36 BB | 76 H | 2.40 ERA | 1.07 WHIP

T. WHITE -> 2025 Stats:

89.2 IP | 23 ER | 145 K | 51 BB | 55 H | 2.31 ERA | 1.18 WHIP

P. TOLLE -> 2025 Stats:

91.2 IP | 31 ER | 133 K | 23 BB | 68 H | 3.04 ERA | 1.00 WHIP

What separates Santucci from these two highly ranked prospects, is the fact he pitched deeper into games on a consistent basis, while exhibiting the same type of dominance. A minor differential in fastball velocity is not enough to justify completely disregarding how dominant he was down the stretch, and helping Binghamton win a Championship.

Prospect Rank Comp: 

Marlins: T. White (#17 Rank: 2026) || RedSox: P. Tolle (#18 Rank: 2026)

Prospect Rank Comp: 

Marlins T. White (#22 Rank:2025) || Redsox: P. Tolle (#28 Rank: 2025)

ADJUSTED -> 2026 Top 100 Ranking:  #20 - #30

<->  JACOB REIMER   <-> 

Highest Rank -> #70   ||   Lowest Rank ->  UNRANKED 

Reimer was ranked #70 for Baseball Prospectus Top 101 Rankings, but was snubbed from several other mainstream rankings for whatever reason. He was arguably one of the best best hitters in the AA Eastern leagues down the stretch and took over as the primary run-producer after several other top prospects were promoted to Syracuse. Despite missing almost the entire 2024 season, Reimer improved every facet of his offensive game, posting career highs in several key statistics. Reimer also produced similar statistics to Kevin McGonigle, the #2 Overall Prospect in the MiLB, who was also playing in the Eastern League, and the same age as Reimer.

Regardless of his ranking by amongst the keyboard warriors of mainstream MLB Prospect Media, the Mets are extremely high on Reimer, and so are other prospect analysts. He dropped in the 2022 Draft because scouts felt his swing might not allow him to tap into his considerable raw power. After a few minor mechanical tweaks, Reimer was launching bombs foul-pole to foul-pole, and more importantly, he was providing those homers when they mattered most, clutch situations. 

J. REIMER  -> 2025 AA STATS: Age 21

.279 BA | .374 OBP | .853 OPS | 9 HR | 14 2B | 38 RBI | 36 Runs | 26 BB

K. MCGONIGLE -> AA Stats: Age 21: 

.254 BA | .369 OBP |.919 OPS | 12 HR | 10 2B | 41 RBI | 30 Runs | 33 BB

Prospect Rank Comp:

Reds S. Stewart (#32 Rank: 2025) | Pirates: T. Johnson (#44 Rank: 2024)

ADJUSTED -> 2026 Top 100 Ranking:  #35 - #40

<->  ZACH THORNTON  <-> 

UNRANKED 

Like Santucci, Thornton was also not included in any Top 100 Rankings, probably because an abdominal injury cut his season short, and they are good at using any minor excuse they can to snub Mets Prospects. Funny thing is, Thornton still finished with almost 73 IP, which is only 16 IP fewer than #17 Overall ranked prospect Thomas White. What ticks me off even more is the fact Thornton has comparable stuff to Robbie Snelling, who has been a resident of Top 100 Rankings ever since he was drafted. Unlike Snelling, Thornton was dominating AA prior to his injury, improved several key pitching metrics from a season ago, flashed higher average fastball velocity, and posted a 4% BB-Rate, which led all MILB SP.  

Thornton also has plus athleticism and a ton of projection left, so there is more than enough supporting evidence his arsenal will continue to improve as he builds strength and adds weight to his 6’3 frame. The primary difference between Thornton and those ranked ahead of him, was the fact he didn’t receive a multi-million dollar bonus. He continues to elevate his prospect profile, by improving his arsenal and how he attacks hitters. 

Z. THORNTON -> 2025 STATS:

72.2 IP | 16 ER | 78 K | 11 BB | 48 H | 1.98 ERA | 0.81 WHIP

29% K-RATE  |  4.0% BB-RATE 

136 IP |  38 ER  |  166 K  |  39 BB  |  112 H  |  2.51 ERA  |  1.11 WHIP

30% K-RATE  |  7.3% BB-RATE 

ROBBIE SNELLING -> 2025 STATS:

136 IP | 38 ER | 166 K | 39 BB | 112 H | 2.51 ERA | 1.11 WHIP

30% K-RATE  |  7.3% BB-RATE 

N. SCHULTZ -> 2025 Stats:

73 IP | 38 ER | 76 K | 45 BB | 77 H | 4.68 ERA | 1.67 WHIP

23% K-RATE  |  13.8% BB-RATE 

Prospect Rank Comp: Marlins: 

R. Snelling ->  (#36 Rank: 2024) || (#55: 2025)

N. Schultz  ->  (#44 Rank: 2024)

ADJUSTED -> 2026 Top 100 Ranking:  #35 - #45

Ryan Clifford found his way back onto at least one Top 100 Ranking, as he was #86 ranked player for Baseball Prospectus. Will Watson was also ranked among Baseball Prospectus Top 101 Prospects, checking in at #97, but neither player was mentioned on any other mainstream sites. Jack Wenninger was another player who was snubbed by every major site, despite being one of the best pitchers in the Eastern League during his breakout season, ranking among the league leaders in Wins, Strikeouts, and ERA, as well as continuing to improve his pitching arsenal. 

Unlike Top 100 Prospects lists in the past, recent rankings have placed a significant amount more emphasis on future projection and current Scouting Grades, which makes the collective snub of Elian Pena and Wandy Asigen even more baffling. This dynamic duo will out-muscle any 2 players in the MiLB, when it comes to future projection and elite "Scouting Grades", achieving multiple 60+ Grades that only a handful of prospects earned at their age over the past 10-12 years. 8,000+ teenagers entering the professional ranks and only a handful of prospects received the same grades as Pena & Asigen.

David Stearns and his “mad scientist” Kris Gross, have the personnel and infrastructure in place to continue stockpiling high-impact prospects, via the MLB Draft or through the International free agency.

Mets prospects should wear the “Ranking Snubs” as a badge of honor, 

because they are clearly caused by fear...