MACK - HOT BATS - JOHN BAY, COREY COLLINS, TRACE WILLHOITE

 

MACK – Hot Bats –

 

Thanks to John From Albany for supplying the stats.

 

PERIOD:  7/16 – 7/25

 

John Bay/A+ Brooklyn - .455/.500/.818/1.318 – 1-RBI, 5-H

 

John Bay is a right-handed hitting and throwing outfielder (primarily right field/center) in the New York Mets organization. He is currently in the minor leagues (as of mid-2026).

Born: May 16, 2001 (age 25)

Hometown: Shattuck, Oklahoma

Height/Weight: 6'1", 217 lbs

Bats/Throws: R/R

Bay played at Oklahoma State (limited action, redshirted) before transferring to Austin Peay State University. He had strong seasons there:

In 2024, he hit .365 with 24 HR and 72 RBI.

In 2025 (his senior year), he batted .360 (5th in ASUN conference), led the league with 22 HR, scored a nation-leading 94 runs, and posted a .507 OBP / .769 SLG with strong All-America and All-Conference honors.

He also performed well in the Cape Cod League.

Undrafted in 2025, he signed as a nondrafted free agent with the Mets in July 2025.

He quickly stood out, earning praise for having one of the best pro debuts in the Mets system per Baseball America.

2025 (St. Lucie A and Brooklyn A+): Strong debut with a .253/.417/.458 slash line, 4 HR, good walk rates, and helped Brooklyn win a championship. He excelled initially at St. Lucie (.333 AVG, 1.057 OPS in 17 games).

He also participated in the Arizona Fall League (Scottsdale Scorpions) in 2025.

Bay is a toolsy, athletic outfielder with power, speed, and plate discipline who rose quickly after going undrafted. He’s viewed as an intriguing prospect for the Mets.

 

Corey Collins/AA-Binghamton - .400/.500/.700/1.200 – HR, 4-RBI, 4-H

Corey Collins (full name: Corey Joseph Collins) is a 24-year-old first baseman in the New York Mets organization.

Born: October 10, 2001 (Coatesville, PA); raised in Suwanee, GA.

6'3", 236 lbs; bats left, throws right.

He starred at North Gwinnett High School (set a school record with 26 HRs) and played college baseball at the University of Georgia (Georgia Bulldogs).

In his senior year (2024), he had a breakout season: .354/.574/.772 with 20 HRs, 58 RBI, and led NCAA in on-base percentage (.574).

He earned Second Team All-American honors (Baseball America) and was the Mets' 6th-round pick (173rd overall) in the 2024 MLB Draft. He signed for around $272,500–$275,000.

Collins is a power-hitting first baseman with strong plate discipline, though he has struggled with strikeouts at times in pro ball. He is primarily limited to 1B defensively.

2026 highlights: Strong showing at Double-A Binghamton

He has dealt with some injuries (e.g., IL stints in 2025) but has progressed steadily through the lower minors. As of early August 2026, he was performing well at AA, including multi-hit games and cleanup spot appearances.

Collins profiles as a power bat with patience (high walk rates in college and pro ball) and fly-ball tendencies. His main challenges are consistent contact against better pitching and proving he can handle advanced levels long-term. He is not yet on the 40-man roster and remains a prospect to watch in the Mets system, especially for his offensive upside at first base.

 

PERIOD:  7/18 – 7/27

 

Trace Willhoite/A+ Brooklyn - .385/.467/.769, 1.236 – 1-HR, 4-RBI, 5-H

 

Trace Willhoite (full name: Trace Terry Scott Willhoite) is a 25-year-old minor league infielder (primarily third base and first base) in the New York Mets organization.

Born: November 17, 2000 (Georgetown, Kentucky)

Height/Weight: 6'3", 200 lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

College: Lipscomb University (where he set the program's all-time home run record)

Willhoite went undrafted after a strong college career at Lipscomb.

In 2024, he played in the MLB Draft League and led it in home runs.

He quickly earned playing time and became one of the organization's more surprising success stories that year.

2025 Season (Breakout Year)Primarily with Single-A St. Lucie Mets (Florida State League): .265/.382/.470 with 14 HR, 66 RBI, 14 SB in 85 games. He led the FSL in homers and RBI at the time of his promotion.

Willhoite is a power-oriented right-handed hitter with good size and athleticism for his position. He has shown the ability to drive the ball (especially in the air to his pull side) and has surprising speed for his frame (evidenced by the stolen bases in 2025). Defensively, he has experience at first base, third base, and even some shortstop in college.