10/22/26

MACK – Let’s Revisit - Justin Armbruester

 


MACK – Let’s Revisit - Justin Armbruester

Justin Armbruester is a right-handed pitcher in the New York Mets organization (currently with Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies). Background and Path to the Mets
  • Born October 21, 1998 (age 27), in Bellevue, WA. 6'4", 235 lbs. Throws/bats right.
  • Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 12th round (347th overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of New Mexico (Mountain West Pitcher of the Year in 2021). Signed for $100,000. Earlier college time at Pacific Lutheran.
  • Progressed through the Orioles system (High-A Aberdeen, Double-A Bowie, Triple-A Norfolk). Was a mid-tier Orioles prospect (top ~20-30 at peaks) known for strike-throwing and a developing arsenal, but struggled in a full Triple-A season in 2024 (5-11, 7.54 ERA in 119.1 IP).
  • Underwent right lat surgery in April 2025 after a brief strong start in relief for Norfolk; missed most of 2025.
  • Selected by the Mets in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft on December 10, 2025, and assigned to Syracuse. Spent early 2026 on the IL recovering, then rehabbed through St. Lucie (A), Brooklyn (A+), and Binghamton before being assigned to Double-A Binghamton in mid-June 2026 (primarily in a relief role).
2026 - AA/Binghamton - 
  • 14-apps, 1-0, 0.59, 0.85, 15.1-IP, 3-BB, 20-K
Pitch Repertoire / ArsenalArmbruester has a multi-pitch mix that has evolved over time (four-seam heavy, with added cutters, sweepers/sliders, curve, and occasional changeup). Recent/tracking data and team notes highlight:

  • Primary: Four-seam fastball (typically 91–93 mph, can touch higher in short outings; rides with good vertical break/hop and plays up due to arm action/deception).
  • Cutter (mid-80s, ~85–87 mph range noted in team notes; effective vs. lefties).
  • Sweeper / slider variants (upper-70s to mid-80s; sweeper often ~78–83 mph with significant horizontal break; a tighter slider also appears in some tracking).
  • Curveball (mid-to-high 70s, ~76–78 mph).
  • Changeup (used less frequently, mid-80s).

Earlier scouting (Orioles years) graded the fastball and slider/cutter around average-to-plus potential (especially the slider), with the curve and change as developmental pieces for lefties. 

He has shown good spin aptitude and willingness to refine shapes (e.g., adding sweep, cutter, curve, and experimenting with splitter-like options in the past). Stuff+ metrics in tracking data have generally been around average or slightly above across the mix. 

He profiles more as a potential multi-inning reliever or back-end starter type depending on command and secondary consistency, with a history of filling the zone when healthy.


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