MACK - Current Hottest Pitchers - Camden Lohman, Joel Lara, Zach Peek

 

MACK - Current Hottest Pitchers - Camden Lohman, Joel Lara, Zach Peek

Period - 6/10 – 6/23

 

Camden Lohman -

5.1-IP, 8-K, 1-BB, 0.00

Camden Lohman is a 19-year-old right-handed pitching prospect in the New York Mets organization (born November 5, 2006, in O'Fallon, Missouri). He stands 6'4" and weighs 195 lbs.

The Mets drafted him in the 8th round (253rd overall) of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Fort Zumwalt North High School and signed him for $797,500 (well above slot).

Lohman was not a high-priority prospect entering his senior year—he sat in the upper 80s as a junior and attended few showcases. His velocity jumped in 2025 (senior season), reaching 95 mph. He posted a dominant 0.80 ERA in 44 innings, with 92 strikeouts, 21 hits allowed, and 15 walks. This breakout made him a notable late-round pick with significant upside due to his projectable frame.

Repertoire (Scouting Report)

Lohman throws from a high three-quarters/over-the-top slot with a long arm action and uses his size for downhill plane. His delivery is fairly clean but features a short stride.

Key pitches (per MLB Pipeline scouting grades around the draft, all ~50s with room to grow):

Fastball (91-95 mph, up to 95+): Primary pitch with downhill action. It plays better down in the zone (spin rates in the 2000s; not elite ride). Good velocity for his age and frame.

Slider (low-80s): Promising two-plane depth/slice; can be a strikeout pitch but needs consistency (sometimes slurvy).

Curveball (mid-70s): Similar shape to the slider with two-plane break.

Splitter/Changeup (low-80s): Developing change-of-pace offering; used as a third/fourth pitch.

He has shown feel for multiple pitches and average control for a young, lanky high school arm. There's projection left in his frame for added strength and velocity. Mets player development could help refine command and consistency.

He has flashed dominance (e.g., 5 Ks in a pro debut start) but is still adjusting to pro hitters.

Overall Profile:

Lohman is a high-upside, projectable starter with a four-pitch mix. Ranked around #25-30 in the Mets system, his ETA is likely 2029. Success depends on adding strength, sharpening command, and maintaining his breaking balls. The Mets' pitching development track record is a positive factor. He has the tools to develop into a mid-rotation arm or better if everything clicks.

 

Joel Lara –

7-IP, 9-K, 4-BB, 0.00

Joel Lara is a 19-year-old right-handed pitching prospect (born January 11, 2007) in the New York Mets organization.

He signed as an international free agent from San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic, in May 2024. He stands 6'2" and weighs 210 lbs.

Lara has pitched primarily in the low minors:

2024 (age 17, DSL): 4-2, 3.49 ERA in 15 games (2

2025 (age 18): Split between FCL Mets (Rk) and St. Lucie (A). Combined 5-2, 3.71 ERA in 17 games (1 start), 34 IP, 42 K but 33 BB. Showed swing-and-miss ability but struggled with command.

Overall minors (through mid-2026): 9-5, ~5.00 ERA, good K/9 (~10+), but elevated walks and WHIP.

He has starter potential but has mixed starting and relieving. He's viewed as a high-upside arm with stuff that can miss bats, though refinement is needed.

Repertoire

Fastball (primary pitch): Velocity in the low-90s (projections/sim reports around 90-92 mph, with potential to add more). It's his bread-and-butter.

Curveball: A key secondary offering with projection/upside. Often highlighted in ratings as having significant potential.

Changeup (including possible circle change): Used to complement the fastball, helping against opposite-handed hitters.

Some sources also suggest or simulate a slider in his arsenal. As a Mets prospect, he likely benefits from their pitching development emphasis on pitch shaping, tunneling, and expanded arsenals (the organization is known for helping young arms add/refine pitches).

Profile summary: Flyball tendency, projected starter role with average-to-better stuff potential. His game relies on strikeouts (strong SO rates in DSL/FCL) but he needs to improve command and consistency to handle higher levels.

Lara remains a raw but intriguing low-minors arm. Keep an eye on his performance in A-ball for signs of development

 

Zach Peek –

5.1-IP, 4-BB, 0.00

Zach Peek (full name: Zachary Allen Peek) is a right-handed pitcher in the New York Mets organization, currently pitching at the Triple-A level (Syracuse Mets) as of mid-2026.

He was born on May 6, 1998 (age 28), in Pineville, North Carolina, stands 6'3" and weighs 190 lbs.

Background and Career Path

Amateur: Played at Winthrop University. Drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 6th round (181st overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft. Traded to the Baltimore Orioles in December 2019 as part of the Dylan Bundy deal.

Professional Highlights: Made his pro debut in 2021 and showed promise as a starter/reliever with strong strikeout rates early on. His development was significantly interrupted by injuries, including Tommy John surgery (missed most of 2023) and a shoulder issue in 2024.

In 2025 with the Milwaukee Brewers organization (Rule 5 Minor League Draft selection in late 2024), he thrived in relief, posting an 11-3 record, 3.63 ERA, and 75 strikeouts in 69⅓ innings across High-A and Double-A. Became a minor league free agent and signed with the Mets in December 2025.

He has a solid track record when healthy (career minors ERA around 3.7–3.8 with good K/9), but durability and consistency have been challenges. The Mets signed him for bullpen/rotation depth in the upper minors.

Pitch Repertoire

Peek features a six-pitch mix, giving him versatility as a starter or reliever. His stuff has shown signs of improvement post-injuries. Key details (drawn from scouting reports, especially post-TJ samples):

Fastball(s): Primary offering sits in the low-90s mph (has touched mid-90s, up to ~95 mph). He throws a four-seamer (average shape, can miss bats up in the zone), two-seamer/sinker, and cutter. The cutter has graded well and may see increased usage. Fastball profile suits organizations that develop multi-fastball arms.

Curveball: Often considered his best pitch. High-spin 11-to-5 offering (~77 mph in samples) with good drop and sweep. He has shown feel for landing it for strikes and manipulating shape.

Changeup: Slower offering (~10 mph off fastball) with decent spin suppression and some depth. Solid third pitch with command helping it play up.

Slider: Shorter breaker with glove-side movement, usable as a putaway pitch (especially vs. righties). Complements his cutter.

Overall Profile: Clean delivery, projectable frame, and a deep arsenal that allows him to attack both sides of the plate. Not overpowering, but the mix (especially the curve and cutter) gives him a chance to get big-league outs if he stays healthy. Scouts have long liked his strike-throwing and secondary pitch quality.

Peek remains a depth arm with upside for a major-league bullpen or spot-start role. His 2026 performance with the Mets will be key to seeing if he can translate his minor-league success upward.