Mack's Mets: MACK - 2026 Top 30 Mets Prospects

MACK – TOP PROSPECTS

#1 - Jonah Tong

GROK -

Jonah Tong is a 22-year-old right-handed starting pitcher for the New York Mets.

Born on June 19, 2003, in Markham, Ontario, Canada, he was selected by the Mets in the seventh round (209th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Georgia Premier Academy, signing for $226,000 instead of attending North Dakota State University.

At 6'1" and 180 pounds, Tong features a high over-the-top arm slot (64° in 2025, the highest among MLB starters), drawing frequent comparisons to Tim Lincecum due to his deceptive delivery and slight frame.

He made his MLB debut on August 29, 2025, against the Miami Marlins, striking out six over five innings in a win.

Tong's rapid rise saw him dominate the minors in 2025:

10-5 with a 1.43 ERA and 160 strikeouts (34.2% K-rate, tops among Mets farmhands) over 113⅔ innings before his call-up.

He threw a combined perfect game (6⅔ innings) at Double-A Binghamton on May 10, 2025, and went 2-0 with 17 strikeouts in 11⅔ scoreless Triple-A innings after promotion on August 11.

Pitch Repertoire

Tong's arsenal emphasizes north-south movement (pitches that rise or drop vertically), optimized by the Mets to fit his elite arm angle. His fastball and curveball form the core, with off-speed pitches added for balance against lefties. Here's a breakdown based on scouting reports and 2025 usage:

Four-Seam Fastball

93-96 (touches 98)

~50%

Elite "rising" action (+18 inches induced vertical break, top 5% in MLB); explosive carry with max extension for deception. Primary weapon for swings-and-misses up in the zone.

Curveball

78-82

~25%

12-6 hammer with extreme drop (17+ inches induced vertical movement, comparable to Max Fried or Yoshinobu Yamamoto); high spin rate for wipeout potential.

Changeup

85-88

~15% (added in 2025)

Filthy fade and tumble; improved vs. left-handed hitters (his second-most used pitch); generates weak contact.

Slider

84-87

~10%

Sweeper-style with lateral break; less emphasized but provides variety; horizontal movement to complement his vertical-heavy mix.

Tong's control has improved (3.4:1 K:BB ratio in 2024 minors), but MLB adjustments have highlighted command issues (e.g., 7 walks in 11⅔ IP early).

The Mets tweaked his fastball grip to a two-seam orientation for added depth without changing his release, enhancing its effectiveness. Overall, his stuff grades out as plus, with projection as a mid-rotation starter or high-leverage reliever by 2026 if command refines further. He's ranked as the Mets' No. 4 prospect (No. 2 pitcher) and No. 21 overall in MLB Pipeline's 2025 rankings.

10-23-25

Angry Mike/MM

Jonah Tong had a historic season, becoming the first ever pitcher in the M.I.L.B. modern era to lead all levels in both ERA and Strikeouts, which began in 1963.

Tong began the year at Double-A, as a 21-year old and absolutely dominated AA hitters at level rarely seen before, and continued his dominance even after his promotion to AAA.

Tong came within 1 out of pitching a perfect game, recording thirteen strikeouts against the Phillies Double-A affiliate, if it wasn’t for the fact he was at 99 pitches thrown he would have been able to finish that perfect game easily.

Across 3 levels, including AA to the majors, Tong recorded more than a strikeout per inning during an astounding 25 of 28 outings.

Tong recorded 6 or more strikeouts in 25 of his starts, and his 201 strikeouts for the season made him the first prospect since Noah Syndergaard to record over 200 K’s for the season.

Tong’s K-Rate for the season including his starts with the Mets was a remarkable 38%, 529 total batters faced, if you only count his starts in the minors, his K-Rate was a RIDICULOUS 41%, 442 batters faced! To put that in perspective, Mason Miller boasted an incredible 44% K-Rate, 234 batters faced.

Tong allowed 3 earned runs in each of his first 2 starts of the season, only to then deliver 20 consecutive outings across AA and AAA where he didnt give up more than 2 earned runs in an outing. In 10 of those outings Tong allowed zero earned runs, 8 outings only 1 earned allowed, and 2 outings where he allowed 2 earned runs.

Regardless of Tong’s mixed results during his major league stint, which some will argue should’ve never happened, Tong’s 2025 season was one for the ages. It was an incredible campaign that produced statistics that might not be bested for years to come. Anyone whose seen him pitch understands, Tong will learn from his successes and his rough patches from the 2025 season to further his development and secure his spot in the Mets rotation at some point during the 2026 season for the next 10-12 years.

SCOUTING REPORT:

An uptick in Tong’s velocity was first noticed during the Spring Breakout Showcase in March, Tong flashed impressive upper 90s velocity which had not been seen before. His AAA debut was the first time I really noticed how much harder Tong was throwing, and what was really impressive was the fact the last 5 fastballs he threw had the same average velocity as the first 5 fastballs he threw, 96 MPH. Combining mid-high 90s velocity on his fastball with the elite I.V.B. will undoubtedly transform his 4-seamer from a 70 grade pitch into an 80 grade pitch in a year or two. As he continues to improve the ability to locate his 4-seamer, we will begin to see Tong duplicate the same dominant numbers from his 2025 minor league campaign, but this time wearing a Mets uniform.

As impressive as Tong’s fastball was during his 2025 season, his Vulcan changeup is what has most Tong supporters and baseball analysts truly on the edge of their seat. Prospect analysts who were tracking Tong’s starts noted his new Vulcan changeup had devastating potential, eerily similar to Devin Williams’ “Air Bender”, another Vulcan grip Changeup. His changeup was exhibiting elite traits, sharp fading action, elite metrics, and he was able to land it for strikes or use it to induce chance. The velocity range was 83-87 MPH, and it is a potential 65-70 scouting grade offering.

When a pitch generates ugly swings from a professional hitter, who don’t know it’s coming, that means it’s a nasty and a pitch hitters began to watch tape and prepare for. When a certain pitch produces ugly swings from professional hitters even though they have a good idea it’s coming, that means it deserves a nickname…

Tong still flashed the same above average curveball he used to dominate hitters during his 2024 campaign, that registered above average spin rates and over 60 inches of vertical break. He simply didn’t use his curveball as much as I thought he would during the 2025 season, and raising the pitch’s velocity will make it considerably harder for hitters to track its spin at the MLB level.

What I’d really like to see is Tong scrap his traditional slider for a sweeper. I think adding a pitch that offers sharp, horizontal break that is slightly slower than his changeup, and that has its on unique pitch shape that is loopier could be a devastating addition to his arsenal. Everything Tong throws for the most part attacks hitters on north to south trajectories, getting hitters to start worrying about pitches breaking east to west will make harder for them to anticipate what to expect and easier for them to guess wrong more often.

FUTURE OUTLOOK:

Tong and Nolan McLean represent one of the most electric duos you’ll find in baseball and the Mets have the luxury of veterans capable of letting Tong to further his development in AAA to start the season. He’ll begin the 2026 season as a 22-yr old, meaning he’s still 2-3 years ahead of schedule compared to McLean and Brandon Sproat, giving him plenty of time to further perfect his command and his secondary offerings. The Mets have the best collection of starting pitching prospects in baseball and dismantling that group would be a categorical failure in management. If Steve Cohen and David Stearns are serious about building a sustainable winner, they need to commit to developing the elite players they already have in-house, and not use them as trade chips for veterans who may or may not move the needle.

11-7-2025 - Just Baseball

3. Jonah Tong – RHP – (MLB)

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 180 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 7th Round (209), NYM (2022) | ETA: 2026

Tong was the breakout arm in the Mets system for 2024, riding a nearly two tick leap with his fastball to a 3.03 ERA in 113 IP with a ridiculous 34% strikeout rate across mostly Low and High-A. The stuff was even better in 2025, catapulting Tong into the conversation with some of the better pitching prospects in the upper minors.

Arsenal

A unique, over-the-top release and slight cross-fire delivery make Tong an uncomfortable at-bat for hitters. Tong enjoyed another uptick with his fastball in 2025, now averaging 95 MPH the pitch plays up further for Tong as he averages more than 19 inches of induced vertical break from a release height slightly above six feet.

With the carry and deception, Tong dominates within the zone, generating elite whiff rates, while also getting chase at the top. An even bigger development than the uptick in velocity has been Tong’s changeup in 2025. Sitting in the mid-80s, the pitch is difficult to pick up out of his hand. It averages roughly 20 inches of total separation from the fastball, one of the highest marks in MiLB.

Tong’s downer curve ball in the upper 70s flashes above average, but his inconsistent feel for it makes it difficult to rely on. When he is able to locate it, it’s a strong third offering.

Tong made progress with a mid 80s slider in 2024, mostly utilizing it against righties with success, but he will tend to tug it glove side too frequently. The development of his changeup and effectiveness of it right on right has cut into the usage further and much like his curveball, Tong has really struggled to land it consistently.

Outlook

Yet another fastball uptick paired with what now could be a double plus changeup has elevated Tong significantly. When he’s on, there’s few arms in the minor leagues more effective and overpowering. He will need to find more consistency with his spin and overall command to reach his potential as a starter, still fighting to stay above an overall strike rate of 60%. He has middle-rotation upside, but there’s still some reliever risk with the right-hander.

11-30-2025

MLB Prospects to Watch as Potential Centerpieces in Winter Meetings Trades

RHP Jonah Tong, New York Mets

B/R Prospect Rank: No. 3 NYM, No. 34 MLB

Stats (AA/AAA): 22 GS, 1.43 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 47 BB, 179 K, 113.2 IP

Scouting Report: Despite making his MLB debut on Aug. 29 and spending the rest of the season in the majors, Tong still led all minor league pitchers with 179 strikeouts.

He has an elite fastball, plus changeup and a high-spin curve, all delivered from an over-the-top arm slot that is reminiscent of Tim Lincecum.

Tong had a 7.71 ERA in 18.2 innings in the majors, but he flashed upside with 22 strikeouts and a more palatable 4.31 FIP.

Why He Could Be Traded: The Mets have three exciting young arms in Tong, Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat, but it's unlikely they will trust all three to hold down rotation spots in 2026.

With the front office clear in win-now mode, that could mean flipping one of those arms to address a need elsewhere, like center field.

12-5-2025

Angry Mike/MM

JONAH TONG -> Nobody’s worried Tong won’t pick up where left off, it’ll be interesting to see what the next stage of his development will entail. What is his ETA to re-join the #Mets?

-> Will he unleash any new pitches? Does the plan for 2026 involve further development of any of his current pitches?

12-6-2025

Angry Mike/MM

Mets phenom Jonah Tong’s delivery does resemble former #SFGiants Tim Lincecum’s delivery, but there are notable differences that will help Tong avoid the same medical issues that ultimately shortened Lincecum’s career:

Tong is bigger and a better athlete than Lincecum, standing 6’1 | 180+ lbs, compared to to Lincecum: 5’11 | 170 lbs.

Scouts noted Tong’s muscular lower half, enables natural power generation, without max effort, enhancing durability, reducing wear & tear, and allows for repeatable mechanics.

This is why Tong is able to deliver his 95-99 MPH fastball with relative ease and low effort.

A stark contrast to Lincecum’s max effort, explosive and whippy pitching motion that relied on an intense full-bodied twist & torque to generate peak velocity, which in turn increased strain on his hips, shoulders, and elbows.

Tong’s mechanics also has smoother sequencing, with a grounded foot rotation for better alignment, reducing effort and torque, lowering injury risk from overuse or misalignment.

Efficient sequencing allows Tong to ascertain elite extension, almost 7 feet, a repeatable load, leg lift, and torso tilt, that’s more sustainable & repeatable than Lincecum’s mechanics.

Tong’s mechanics reduce valgus stress (force applied to a joint, that pushes it inward) and external rotation risks, which were directly tied to Lincecum’s career-ending injuries.

Pitching carries an inherent risk that is unavoidable, but to declare Tong’s mechanics as a red flag simply because it resembles a previous pitcher’s mechanics, simply isn’t true.

That’s why trading a premier talent like Tong based on inaccurate research would be a colossal mistake.

12-11-2025

MACK/MM

Jonah Tong –

2025 – AA/AAA:

22-ST, 113.2-IP, 179-K, 10-5, 1.43, 0.92

Mets:

5-ST, 18.2-IP, 22-K, -0.8-WAR, 2-3, 7.71, 1.77-WHIP

You already know everything about this guy… pitched like Tom Seaver in the minors… pitched like Tom Brennan in Queens. I watched him when he hit Citi. I never saw a dear in headlights with a baseball in his hand before. It was such a shame coming off the 2-ST, 11.2-IP, 17-K, 2-0, 0.00, 0.94 masterpiece he put up in Syracuse prior to being called up. Look, he may dazzle us all in ST and wind up in the Mets rotation on OD, but I doubt it. Slow the journey down a little and let him build back his confidence.

1-17-2026

RVH/MM

Jonah Tong — The Breakout

Arrival: Early September

Role: Strikeout weapon, late-season jolt

Tong’s rise was the most dramatic.

2025 Minor League Dominance

MiLB Pitching Prospect of the Year

ERA: ~1.43 across 113+ innings

K Rate: At times exceeding 15 K/9

Fastball: ~95 mph with elite vertical break

Secondary: 12–6 curveball, improving changeup

Tong forced the issue. He wasn’t next on the depth chart. He was simply too good to ignore.

2. AJ Ewing

Turns 22 in August 5-11 160 CF/2B/LF LHH

2025 – A/A+/AA: 564-PA, 105-K, 68-BB, 70-SB, 315/.401/.429/.830

AA: 132-PA, 29-K, 7-BB, 12-SB, .339/.371/.430/.801

Overall Minors: .283 AVG, 13 HR, 107 RBI, 84 SB in 221 games.

GROK -

A.J. Ewing, whose full name is Andrew Joseph Ewing, is a highly regarded outfield prospect in the New York Mets organization.

He's already making waves in the minors with his speed, contact hitting, and improving power.

High School - Ewing graduated from Springboro High School in Springboro, Ohio, where he excelled as a shortstop. He was committed to play college baseball at the University of Alabama but opted to turn pro instead.

Draft Selection: The Mets selected him in the fourth round (134th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft as a compensatory pick for losing ace Jacob deGrom to free agency. He signed for an above-slot bonus of $675,000 and transitioned from shortstop to second base/outfield due to his athleticism and speed.

Strengths: Known for his "twitchy" athleticism, elite speed (he has 84 stolen bases in 221 minor league games), and plate discipline—he often walks more than he strikes out. Scouts praise his contact skills and gap power, with potential for more home runs as he adds strength this offseason. He's working on building muscle to boost his exit velocity and handle advanced pitching.

Minor League Career –

Ewing has progressed quickly through the Mets' farm system, starting in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League (FCL) and advancing steadily. His 2024 season was solid but marked by adjustment to pro ball; 2025 was a breakout year, where he dominated at Low-A and earned a promotion to Double-A.

ETA to MLB: Projected for 2028, though his rapid rise could accelerate that. He's seen as a potential everyday second baseman or versatile outfielder with 20-20 (HR-SB) upside if his power develops.

Ewing's quote to the Dayton Daily News in October 2025:

"My goal never was to be a college baseball player... I want to get to the bigs."

11-2-2025

Who are the next young studs for the Mets?

https://www.justmets.net/p/who-are-the-next-young-studs-pt-1

OF/2B A.J. Ewing (No. 7 prospect, Double-A BNG)

2025 MiLB Totals: 124 G, 564 PA, .315/.401/.429, 153 H, 3 HR, 26 2B, 10 3B, 87 R, 55 RBI, 70 SB, 18.6%-12.1% K-BB%, .113 ISO, .392 BABIP, .390 wOBA, 147 wRC+

Latest Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 / Power: 45 / Run: 60 / Arm: 50 / Field: 55 / Overall: 50

MLB Comp: Jacob Wilson (2024 Grades: 70 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 50 / Overall: 55)

Carson Benge wasn’t the only Mets prospect to fly through three minor league levels this season. Ewing just happened to post an OPS+ over 130 everywhere he went.

A.J. Ewing has been receiving praise since the moment he suited up in the orange and blue. A compensatory fourth-round draft pick in 2023 (received, funnily enough, as a result of the departure of Jacob deGrom), the course of Ewing’s development last season closely followed that of Reimer’s, with maybe even steeper odds attached at his journey’s outset.

When initially drafted, Ewing graded out far lower than his current projections. Seen as a ‘project’ with a ‘light’ arm that was destined for utility duties, Ewing’s development in his second year of action has significantly raised his initial ceiling.

Yet despite all the toolsy upside that Ewing’s already put on display, he has one particular skill (aside from his ability to make near-constant contact) that has established itself as a cornerstone to his overall game: base stealing.

Though slightly undersized, Ewing has already proven a threat on both sides of the ball, and his defensive development is showcasing a comfort in center field that scouts think will complement the likes of Carson Benge manning a full-time corner position. (That means Nimmo and/or Soto are likely destined for perma-DH duties eventually, but I think that’s a reality we all foresaw anyway.

Whether he pops in for a few games in September 2026 or breaks camp in April 2027, I don’t doubt Ewing will also be in Queens sooner than later.

11-7-2025 - Just Baseball

4. AJ Ewing – CF/2B – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 5’11″, 180 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 4th Round-C (134), 2023 (NYM) | ETA: 2027

A speedster with advanced abilities at the plate, Ewing broke out in a big way in 2025, looking like a high probability big leaguer with some versatility.

Hitting

A simple operation, Ewing starts with his feet a little more than shoulder-width apart and the bat rested just above his shoulder. He utilizes a moderate gather as he pulls his hands back slightly. His repeatable operation helps him be on time consistently, making posting above average contact rates with good plate discipline.

Ewing has a knack for finding the barrel, producing plenty of line drives and higher exit velocities than what may be expected from a hitter of his archetype, averaging 89 MPH in 2025 with a max of 112 MPH.

His swing path can flatten out at times, with an average launch angle on hard hit baseballs of just seven degrees, but his ability to consistently spray line drives to all fields helps hedge some of that concern. Ewing is comfortable in left-on-left matchups, actually producing slightly better contact rates against same-handed competition.

If Ewing can generate a bit more loft to the pull side, the exit velocities are there to produce more homers, but given his speed, production and ability to find the outfield gaps, it may be more of an “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” kind of thing.

As he currently stands, Ewing should still be able to mix in a hand full of homers with the ability to compile plenty of doubles and triples (he had 11 of the latter in 2025). His above average plate discipline and ability to hit lefties only helps solidify what is a strong floor for a hitter.

Defense/Speed

An elite runner, the Mets have continued to up Ewing’s reps in centerfield where his reads are improving, but his closing speed already compensates enough to get by.

While his routes can be indirect at times, Ewing’s ability to unlock another gear and athleticism to finish plays has him looking like a capable centerfielder, but with more refinement, he can grow into an above average defender out there. Ewing looks comfortable at second base, where he could also provide at least average defense.

One of five minor leaguers to steal at least 70 bags in 2025, Ewing was the second most efficient of that group and should be an elite base stealer at the highest level.

Outlook

Between the advanced offensive skill set, speed and defensive versatility, Ewing has a high floor as a player who should at least land in a utility role if the bat stalls. That said, his propensity for hitting line drives and solid exit velocities point towards what could be an everyday center fielder who can jump onto the dirt when needed. With a little bit more progress defensively up the middle, Ewing should be an above average regular who could be an intriguing table-setter at the top of the order.

11-11-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

8. OF A.J. Ewing

The 5’11” Ewing was, to me, the Mets minor league hitter of the year.

He is going to be a 21-year-old in 2026, and is a high-on-base, base-swiping super machine. In 2025, between St Lucie, Brooklyn, and Binghamton, he was .315/.401/.426. Swoosh!

He is a no-doubt top 5 player a year from now. His lone fault to date is low power, with just 3 blasts in 2025, but he had 36 other extra base hits, which is impressive, and SEVENTY STEALS in just 124 games, which is a 90+ steals pace over 162 games. Just 105 Ks in 564 PAs.

He was an over slot 134th pick in 2024.

I ask…why can’t he be a star infielder/OF in the majors?

SWOOSH!

11-30-2025

Running From The OPS @OPS_BASEBALL

Mets #7 prospect, A.J. Ewing, had himself an excellent 2025. The 21-year-old showed a balanced batted-ball profile, with a superb ability to go the other way. He had a SwStr% of under 9%, showed off his 70-grade speed with 70 SB, and still has some untapped raw power to find!

12-3-2025

Ben Yoel @Ben_Yoel

A.J. Ewing

Mets biggest prospect rise in 2025. He could be the CF of the future.

He stole 70 bases this year.

12-4-2025

Angry Mike/MM

Despite a record number of Mets prospects having breakout seasons in 2025, nobody created more buzz than A.J. Ewing to start the season, putting up video-game numbers right out of the gate. Ewing returned to St. Lucie to begin 2025, but quickly forced a promotion to Brooklyn, after posting an absurd .400 batting average and .506 OBP thru his first 18 games. High-A pitching didn’t slow Ewing down either, posting a .368 batting average & .440 OBP in his first month. If the hits and OBP don’t impress you, Ewing also recorded a ridiculous 50 stolen bases (56 attempts) thru his first 68 games of the 2025 season. Ewing’s approach highlighted getting on-base, slashing line drives all over the field. The only reason he didn’t rocket up Top 100 Rankings was because he simply didn’t produce the homers those lists are obsessed over, but his average exit velocity of 89 mph and maximum exit velocity of 112 mph, suggest there is plenty of untapped power potential that can be unlocked in the future.

Ewing’s 2025 season was one of the most consistent seasons ever produced by a Mets farmhand, leading all Mets prospects in batting average (.315), OBP (.401), and stolen bases (70), triples (10). Ewing’s 2025 season is an excellent example of why the Mets focus on challenging certain prospects early in their professional, hoping to accelerate their development as they face more advanced levels of competition. Ewing was a 4th round pick and like previously drafted high-profile HS PREP prospects, Ewing was aggressively assigned to full-season St. Lucie for his first professional season. Although Ewing struggled to put up numbers that jump off the page, it’s important to note that he more than held his own, finishing his first professional season with a respectable .233 batting average and an above average .361 OBP. Ewing also popped 10 homers, had an elite 17% BB-Rate, but only had 13 stolen bases for the entire 2024 season. During the 2025 season, Ewing recorded 12 or more stolen bases in 4 different months, clocking 70 grade run times to 1st base, and easily solidifying himself as one of the fastest players in the organization.

Regardless of what his HR total was for 2025 of his career total, Ewing exhibits legit 5-tool high-impact talent , and is one of the most electric athletes in the system. Ewing is described as an “athletic freak”, testing off the charts in pre-draft workouts, which is why the Mets insisted on paying him 3rd round money, despite being a 4th round pick, similar to what they did with Jacob Reimer the year before. Despite finally slowing down from his “Herculean” pace to start the season, Ewing finished the season strong after his promotion to Binghamton (.339 Batting Average & .371 OBP). Ewing teamed up with Morabito, Reimer, and Suero to help pick up the slack for Binghamton, after multiple top prospects were promoted to Syracuse.

2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

.400 Batting average & .506 OBP in 18 games at St. Lucie

.288 Batting average & .387 OBP in 78 games at Brooklyn

.339 Batting average & .371 OBP in 28 games at Binghamton

Maintained above average BB-Rate -> 12%

2025 K-Rate: (29% in 2024) -> 2025 19% (562 AB) vs. advanced pitching

Doubled his career high in doubles from 13 (2024) -> 26 (2025)

Tripled his career high in triples from 3 (2024) -> 10 (2025)

Increased stolen bases by over 500% -> 13 SB (2024) -> 70 SB (2025)

44 Multi-hit games -> 36% of total 124 GP

18 -> 3-HIT games also led all Mets Prospects

Posted .291 BA or better -> 5/6 months

|| (.378 BA) April || (.368 BA) April || (.291 BA) July ||

|| (.314 BA) August || (.306 BA) September ||

Hammered LHP -> (.313 BA & .380 OBP)

Hammered RHP -> (.316 BA & .408 OBP)

Bo Bichette caliber RISP #’s -> | .347 BA & 47 RBI | < 118 AB >

2026 OUTLOOK

Most people might not remember but Ewing was the draft pick compensation the Mets received when Jacob DeGrom left as a free agent. Despite having the pressure of that type of association, Ewing has proven he’s another draft steal, playing well above his draft capital and radically improving his prospect profile every season. Ewing is arguably the fastest man in the organization, only Luisangel Acuna or Nick Morabito could beat him in a foot race. He also exhibits some of the best contact skills in the organization, and with a couple mechanical tweaks, has the bat speed and athleticism to eventually develop the potential to generate 15+ homers, without hurting his batting average. It’ll be interesting to see where the Mets have Ewing begin 2026, as he certainly showed he can handle AA pitching and more importantly, exhibited the ability to make in-season adjustments after he cooled off in June. Ewing remains one of the most exciting prospects in the Mets system and arguably the entire minor leagues. Look for him to finally start adding some more loft to his swing for 2026, combined with another off-season adding strength, look for Ewing to unlock some of the power potential we saw in his first professional season.

Ewing remains one of the most underrated prospects in the minors, pay zero attention to what “Main Street” says, Ewing exudes “star potential” and is another high-energy grinder that perfectly complements the thumper-heavy Queens lineup.

The “player comp” I like to use for Ewing, is former Indians All-Star, Kenny Lofton. He offers the same type of old-school elite bat-to-bat skills, electric speed, sneaky power, and plus defensive skills all over the outfield.

I’ve been tracking Ewing’s box scores diligently ever since he was drafted, he remains one of my favorite Mets prospects, and I’m looking forward to seeing him produce a repeat monster performance for the 2026 season.

12-5-2025

Angry Mike/MM

A.J. EWING -> Arguably the system’s best hitter in 2025, everyone is gonna wanna see him start hitting for more power, but screw that noise. Let him continue hammering the ball into the gaps & focus on being a table-setter.

-> #Mets helped Reimer & Benge unlock their plus raw power, will they cut Ewing loose this year, and help him deploy the necessary mechanical tweaks needed to do the same?

12-29-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

A.J. EWING -> Full-Season MILB STATS:

Year 1 -> Low-A | HI-A -> 20 years old -> 29% K-Rate | 376 PA

| .233 BA | .361 OBP | .751 OPS | 10 HR | 13 2B | 3 3B | 13 SB | 49 RBI |

| 59 Runs | 63 BB |

Year 2 -> Low-A | HI-A | AA -> 21 years old -> 19% K-Rate | 553 PA

| .261 BA | .363 OBP | .828 OPS | 17 HR | 34 2B | 7 3B | 34 SB | 52 RBI |

| 91 Runs | 76 BB |

1-2-2026 –

MACK/MM

MLB.com

Now: Nolan McLean, RHP

Next Year: A.J. Ewing, OF/2B

New York’s current top five could all graduate by December 2026, and trading top talent can’t be ruled out either. The 134th overall pick in 2023, Ewing has put himself in potential No. 1 position down the line with his plus speed, improving contact and impressive range in center.

Ernest Dove @ernestdove

I can see a world where a few Mets top prospects graduate off the rankings list in 2026 in MLB and then AJ Ewing is anointed the new #1 ranked player in their system depending on outcomes for him and a couple others in 2026 is my opinion.

Not sure if an arm can overtake him.

MACK –

I don’t think anyone in the organization… even the owner and POBO, know where any of their top prospects will wind up next season. There are all sorts of teams out there considering either accepting a deal that the Mets are offering or are planning to make their own offer to the Mets for future talent that would slot in well on their boards. And remember… THERE ARE NO LEAKS so don’t believe a word you read unless it comes from the Mets

3. Carson Benge

RF/CF/P 6-1 185 LHH 23/yrs. old in January

1st round (1.19) 2024 – Oklahoma State

2025 – A+/AA/AAA – 519-PA, 92-K, 68-BB, 15-HR, 73-RBI, .281, .857-OPS

GROK -

Carson Grant Benge is a highly touted outfield prospect in the New York Mets organization.

Originally a two-way player in college (outfield and pitching), Benge signed a $4 million bonus with the Mets on July 23, 2024, and committed to focusing solely on outfield duties.

Oklahoma State - Benge starred for the Cowboys, earning All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2024 after slashing .335/.444/.665 with 24 doubles, seven home runs, 43 RBIs, and more walks (42) than strikeouts (32) in 304 plate appearances. His on-base skills and power potential stood out.

2024-2025 - Benge quickly adapted to pro ball, debuting with Single-A St. Lucie (.273/.420/.436 over 15 games, two HRs).

He represented the Mets in the 2025 All-Star Futures Game alongside pitcher Jonah Tong.

Mets president David Stearns has confirmed Benge will compete for the Opening Day center field job in 2026 Spring Training, potentially solving a long-term need after short-term fixes like Harrison Bader and Jose Siri.

While his defense (71 starts in CF since high school) draws some caution, his elite bat (.281 AVG, 15 HRs in 2025 minors) and speed (22 SBs) make him a strong in-house option. Analysts project an MLB ETA of 2026, with potential to contribute immediately if he refines his glove work.

Carson Benge -

No position is harder to fill in free agency than center field. Eight of the 10 best center fielders in baseball last season (by FanGraphs’ wins above replacement) made their big-league debut for their current team. (The exceptions were Trent Grisham and Jung Hoo Lee.) It was nine of 10 in 2024 (J.J. Bleday the exception), eight of 10 in 2023 (Cody Bellinger and Kevin Kiermaier), and nine of 10 in 2022 (George Springer) and 2021 (Starling Marte).

That means in the last five years, of roughly the 50 best center field seasons, 43 came from players either developed entirely in-house or acquired as minor-leaguers. Only four came from free-agent signings (Lee, Bellinger, Kiermaier and Springer).

Compare that to first base, where in the same time frame, just 21 of the best 50 seasons have come from in-house options (five of them by Pete Alonso).

There’s a reason why it’s so hard to add a center fielder in free agency

11-7-2025 - Just Baseball

2. Carson Benge – OF – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 185 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (19), 2024 (NYM) | ETA: 2026

HIT PLATE DISC. GAME POWER RUN FIELD FV

50/55 50/55 45/55 55/55 45/55 55+

Much like his OSU teammate Nolan McLean, Benge was a legitimate two-way talent for the Cowboys. After a big freshman season, Benge tapped into much more power in his draft-eligible sophomore year, making it clear his future was in the batter’s box and there might be room for even more impact.

Hitting

A noisy operation in the box, Benge starts with an open stance and rocks into his back side with a big leg kick and barrel tip. He starts it all very early with impressive lower half control and balance that likely spills over from his experience on the mound.

After struggling to elevate in 2023, Benge slashed his ground ball rate by more than 10%, more than doubling his home run total to 18 while increasing his slug by 130 points. Upon shifting his focus to the batters box, Benge has tapped into much more raw power, posting above average exit velocities in High-A.

Benge could still benefit from getting the ball in the air more frequently and his moves may be difficult to time up against upper-level pitching. He has great hand-eye with impressive swing variance to get to pitches in tough spots.

A patient hitter, Benge has continued to draw walks at a high clip as a pro and can be difficult to put away. With the added raw power, Benge’s ceiling has been pushed a bit higher, with 25+ home runs not completely out of the realm of possibility, but at least the chance to hit at least 20 with plenty of doubles.

Defense/Speed

He predominantly played right field in his collegiate career, but he looks like he can play up the middle. Though he’s closer to an average straight-line runner, Benge’s athleticism paired with the great reads he gets and efficient routes give him a good shot of becoming an average center fielder. If he moves off of the middle, he would grade as an easy plus defender in a corner where his plus arm would play well.

Outlook

Benge is a unique athlete who may just be scraping the surface of the player he can ultimately be. Early returns in 2025 have Benge on an upward trajectory as he has clearly added impact and made a seamless transition to High-A Brooklyn where some hitters can get frustrated by the ball flight.

He has a wiry build and could probably add some more strength without losing speed and It’s not uncommon for two-way players to add mass upon shifting their focus from the mound.

Added strength could also facilitate a simpler operation in the box. Benge has the potential to be an everyday center fielder with average or better tools across the board.

11-12-25

RVH/MM

Carson Benge, a 2024 first-round pick, was named as a real candidate to make the big-league roster out of spring training.

MetCast @MetCastPod

I’ve been saying this for months — multiple people inside the Mets organization have told me that Carson Benge is the apple of their eye and was considered “untouchable” at this year’s trade deadline. I also reported that he could be competing for a roster spot as early as this spring training.

MACK – If this was true, it will change everything immediately about the immediate future of the Mets outfield. Your starters out of cam could be Benge, Brandon Nimmo, and Juan Soto, moving Tyrone Taylor to a late inning defensive move in right

11-13-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

3. OF Carson Benge

Benge, the Mets’ 2024 first rounder, was incredible in High A and AA in his first full season. He struggled in his late call up in AAA, but finished 8 for 25. He feels to me like a May/June 2026 call up to the big leagues.

Of course, if the Mets go for a short rebuild in 2026 instead, Benge could be a Mets opening day outfielder.

Hits very well, good power, a solidly muted strikeout rate, good speed, and a truly great arm. What’s not to like? Future MLB All Star? I think so.

11-14-25

Carson Benge

Compare that to first base, where in the same time frame, just 21 of the best 50 seasons have come from in-house options (five of them by Pete Alonso).

There’s a reason why it’s so hard to add a center fielder in free agency

MACK - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE… don’t trade this guy!

11-21-2025

TJStats –

#12 - Carson Benge solidified himself as one of the most complete prospects in baseball with an excellent pro debut season where he posted a .857 OPS across 116 games. His profile is balanced with above average tools across the board while manning the outfield. A solid 20.1% Whiff rate paired with a strong 21.9% O-Swing rate helped him maintain a 17.7% strikeout rate while walking at an elite rate. His underlying power metrics indicate he has above-average to plus raw strength, however his flatter bat path and pray tendencies may limit his slugging potential. His above average speed, good route running, and cannon of an arm greatly helps his outlook as a CF. Benge is one of the safer bets to be a MLB regular and looks poised to join the Mets early in the 2026 season.

11-24-2025

Angry Mike/MM

Benge was the Mets 1st round pick of the 2024 draft, selected 19th overall, and was a legit 2-way player at Oklahoma State, but committed to being a position player after being drafted. The primary concern with Benge going into the draft was whether or not he’d be able to translate his considerable raw power into game power, but several pre-draft scouting reports noted a couple minor adjustments to his should allow him to tap into his power potential. Some analysts reported Benge as a top 15 talent heading into the draft, which is why the Mets were thrilled to see him fall to pick #19. Mets now have the true center fielder they have been searching for, a legit 5-tool talent, with one of the strongest arms in the system, he’s a plus athlete, logging reps at both CF & RF at every minor league level. Started 2025 at Brooklyn and quickly forced a promotion to Double-A Binghamton, pairing with Jett Williams, Nick Morabito, Ryan Clifford, and Jacob Reimer to create one of the most potent offenses in the minor leagues.

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

Power potential was on full display at Double-A, 8 homers in only 34 (126 AB), twice as many homers as he had at Brooklyn despite 99 fewer AB. He wasn’t just hitting homers either, he was an XBH machine, registering 24 doubles and 6 triples.

Registered batting averages over .300+ and OBP over .400 at Brooklyn & Binghamton, but stumbled a bit when he was quickly promoted to Syracuse. His overall numbers for the season were still strong for his first 1st full season, and he’ll most likely start at Syracuse in 2026.

Was an OBP monster recording 33 multi-hit games -> 116 GP for the season, an incredible 28% of the total games played.

Reached base multiple times in 59 games -> total 116 GP (51%) !!

Excellent plate discipline, posting stellar -> K-Rate 18% | BB-Rate 13%

Elite run-producer -> .339 batting average || 55 RBI -> 115 AB

Crushed Righties ->. .295 B.A. |.379 OBP | 14 HR | 21 2B | 6 3B |

Respectable versus Lefties -> .232 batting average | .407 OBP -> no reason he can’t improve as he gains experience.

Drafting college players always carries the risk of how quickly players can make the transition to wood bats, and Benge impressed many exhibiting a seamless transition, in addition to how quickly he adapted to advanced pitching. His ability to make in-season adjustments, not trying to do to much, and capitalizing on his strengths allowed us to see his best version on a nightly basis. He fits the mold of other recent draft picks who exude the blueprint of being highly skilled and bringing high-energy, with a focus on trying to impact the game on both sides of the ball every night. When you factor in this was his first season as a full-time position player, it’s easy to see why people within the organization rave about he has only begun to scratch the surface of his true potential. There was nobody more excited about the Mets drafting Benge, than former Oklahoma State teammate Nolan McLean, who raves about what Benge brings to the table as a ballplayer and an outstanding clubhouse presence. It will be great to see them both anchoring the Mets roster for years to come, but my money is on McLean if they ever square off in Spring Training for an impromptu home run derby.

Carson Benge is an explosive game-changer, with the qualities teams drool over. He’s one of the more exciting players we’ve ever drafted, and I look forward to seeing him establish himself as our “center fielder of the future”, next season…

11-28-2025

RVH/MM

Carson Benge — Rotational Athlete with MLB Traits

Cause: Strong lower-half mechanics and real bat speed, but inconsistent advanced off-speed recognition.

Effect: Tools outpace game-readiness — MLB-caliber flashes mixed with pitch-processing inconsistencies.

Corrective Lever: Improve offspeed recognition and inside-out plane stability to unlock 20–25 HR potential.

Takeaway: Master the offspeed.

11-28-2025

Baseball America @BaseballAmerica

Carson Benge's 150 wRC+ ranked 19th in the minors among batters with 400+ plate appearances.

Could he hit his way into the Mets' outfield mix early in 2026?

New scouting report:

https://t.co/OiStYYpxog https://t.co/m8HhnhEiMv

12-5-2025

Angry Mike/MM

CARSON BENGE -> Stearns set the bar high announcing he has a chance to make the Opening Day roster. Which will make him the most closely watched player this Spring.

-> Even if he starts in AAA, how long until we seem him in Queens? Is he going to get play everyday after he arrives or will they deploy a similar rotation with batters we saw in 2025?

12-9-2025

Steve Sica/MM

2024: OF Carson Benge (19th Overall Selection)

What more is there left to say about Carson Benge? After the season he had in 2025, he’s proven time and time again why the Mets made him their first round selection in 2024. The Oklahoma State University product tore apart High-A and Double-A pitching all season long. At just 22 years old, his OPS sat at .978 in Double-A, a league that has humbled many players in the past.

Benge is ranked as one of the Mets best prospects going into 2026, and often seen as one of the best outfield prospects in the sport. He made the Futures Game roster in 2025, and is projected to join the big club as early as the summer of 2026. Benge is one of the most exciting prospects in their system, and for a team that’s struck out on a lot of first round draft picks in the past, Benge looks to buck that trend.

12-20-2025

Reese/MM

In the case of Benge, he’s demonstrated he has good defensive skills though not exceptional while delivering solid numbers at the plate an on the base paths after transitioning from pitching. In AAA he combined between Brooklyn, Binghamton and Syracuse to hit .281 with 15 HRs, 73 RBIs and 22 SBs. Many consider him a corner outfielder but the Mets have vacancies both in left and in center so it’s still unclear where the left handed hitter would start when he makes his Citifield debut.

Given his brief introduction to the minor league level with just 24 games and 90 ABs in AAA it might be a little premature to pencil him into the the starting lineup. Everyone is hoping he will continue his evolution as a multi tool offensive threat but for now it’s probably premature to pencil him into coming north with the big club.

11-14-2025

Hagen Snell @HagenSnellBB

Seems inevitable that Carson Benge is on the Mets Opening Day roster or called up within 2 weeks. If so he’ll be PPI eligible & would net the Mets a draft pick if he wins the ROY award. Doing so would double the Mets odds with Nolan McLean eligible as well

1-4-2026

MLB.com

“When you have good players at the upper levels of the Minor Leagues,” Stearns said in November, “we have to find space for those players to play. Carson Benge is among them. He’s not the only one, but he’s among them. So as we build out our team, we have to ensure that, as we move forward, there is room for our young players to get to the Major Leagues when they deserve to get there -- and have a chance to really contribute to our Major League team.” – David Stearns

1-4-2026

MLB.com

OF Carson Benge (NYM No. 2 prospect, No. 21 overall)

From the beginning of this offseason, the Mets made it clear they wanted to leave space for Benge to contribute. Coming off a standout season that saw him dominate Double-A Binghamton as he climbed multiple levels in the farm system, Benge will compete for a job on the Opening Day roster. He may not win one. But even if that happens, Benge should get every opportunity to contribute to the Major League team at some point. So long as he continues producing at the plate, the 2024 first-round Draft pick is likely to run with it. -- Anthony DiComo

1-4-2026

SleeperMets @SleeperMets

Carson Benge- CF

Age: 22

Hit: 60 -Above Average

Power: 50 -Average

Run: 55 -Average

Arm: 60 -Above average

Field: 55 -Average

Overall: 55- Everyday MLB player, average production

1-4-2026

Eric Cross @EricCrossMLB

Prospects in Triple-A (Min 100 PA) with a 75+% contact and 50+% Hard-Hit rate in 2025.

Chase DeLauter (CLE) 81.1% Contact/51.9% HH

Carson Benge (NYM) 79.9%/53.5%

Jacob Melton (TBR) 79.3%/57.9%

Abimelec Ortiz (TEX) 77.5%/53.8%

Ryan Ward (LAD) 78.4%/50.2%

MACK –

Big fan, but I need to see more before I sign off on him as a starter in the majors.

Benge needs to pick up the hitting while he is in Syracuse. Has to hit consistently above .300 at that level.

I wouldn’t rush him and, I don’t care what Stearns says… he’s not ready and, at this stage, could easily never be ready to start in the majors.

1-7-2026

Reese Kaplan/MM

There’s not much else going on in the outfield. Some are advocating rushing Carson Benge to the majors to play one of the vacant outfield positions, but he’s only had 90 AAA at bats. His overall numbers working his way up as an offensive player are impressive. His minor league career batting average is .280 with 17 HRs, 81 RBIs and 25 SBs. Right now the Mets are tipping a bit on the left side where it comes to offense and Benge is another hitter who is a lefty. While it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see Benge advance mid year or even as late as September, he likely needs more time to face minor league pitching and to play a single outfield position to demonstrate defensive mastery of it.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

4. Brandon Sproat

GROK -

Brandon Sproat, a right-handed starting pitcher for the New York Mets (drafted in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Florida), features a five-pitch mix that emphasizes velocity and deception.

His arsenal is built around a high-octane fastball group, complemented by breaking balls and an off-speed offering that has become a staple against left-handed hitters.

Four-Seam Fastball

95-98 (touches 100)

~35-40%

Lacks elite ride but generates swing-and-miss when elevated; hitters batted .380 against it in Triple-A, highlighting command needs.

Sinker (Two-Seam Fastball)

94-97

~20-25%

Adds arm-side run for groundball induction (high GB rate); pairs well with four-seamer for tunneling.

Slider/Sweeper

84-86

~20%

Mid-80s sweeper with significant horizontal break (two-plane shape); plus potential, effective for stealing strikes and whiffs.

Cutter

87-89

~10-15%

Gyroscopic slider variant with less sweep, more cut; added in pro development to vary break against righties.

Changeup

87-89

~15-20%

Fading arm-side action with good velocity separation (~8-10 mph off fastball); leaned on more in 2025 to combat early-season struggles, strong vs. LHB.

Curveball

78-82

~5-10%

Fringy 12-6 depth but lower usage; more of a change-of-pace pitch, less refined than his slider.

Strengths:

Sproat's fastball/changeup combo creates deception, and his slider has flashed plus grades with improved shape post-2023 offseason tweaks by the Mets (adding sweep to his gyro slider). He posted a 28.8% K-rate in college and maintained solid whiff rates in the minors.

Areas for Growth:

Command over the plate (10.3% BB rate in 2023 college) and fastball elevation have been challenges, leading to hard contact at higher levels. His curve sees limited action as it's the weakest link.

11-7-2025

JUST BASEBALL

6. Brandon Sproat – RHP – (MLB)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (56) – NYM (2023) | ETA: 2025

Drafted by the Mets twice, (90th overall in 2022), it was dazzling stuff that made Sproat a first round candidate as the 2023 draft approached, however below average command dropped him to the second round.

Sproat exploded in 2024, looking like one of the more exciting pitching prospects in baseball before his stuff and command regressed in Triple-A at the end of the 2024 season, it was more of the same through the first half of 2025 before things clicked, earning a four big league starts to close the year out where he held his own.

Arsenal

At his best, Sproat boasts three above average offerings with his changeup being plus. Sproat will utilize both a four seamer and two seamer with the former sitting a tick higher. Through the first half of 2025, Sproat averaged 96 MPH with his fastball, but that climbed to 97 MPH over his final 15 starts.

Given the roughly dead zone shape of his four seamer, the velocity is important, making the return back to the upper 90s important for his success. The four seamer is more effective than the sinker, but his command of it is spotty.

The best pitch for Sproat is his changeup in the low 90s, averaging 16 inches of horizontal action and nearly zero inches of induced vertical break, giving it a late heaviness that facilitates high ground ball rates and plenty of whiff/chase at the bottom of the zone.

Sproat’s sweeper looked far improved in 2025, both from a command and shape perspective, giving him a swing and miss pitch for right-handed hitters as his shorter, harder slider lags behind. Though the results with the pitch were not great in his pro debut, Sproat’s curveball flashes at least average and should be a decent pitch to mix in to both lefties and righties.

Outlook

With his stuff ticking back up in the second half of the 2025 season, Sproat regained much of his prospect shine and looks like a potential rotation piece for the Mets in 2026. Though his control has improved as a pro, his execution can be inconsistent, making it more difficult to put hitters away at times while also leaving himself susceptible to more damage.

Sproat’s ability to get ground balls and mix six offerings gives him a back end starter’s floor, but the below average fastball shape and overall execution probably limits his ceiling, with the most likely outcome being a No. 4 starter.

11-20-2025

Angry Mike/MM

BRANDON SPROAT

Sproat had a successful stint in the major leagues, delivering consecutive quality starts against the Reds and Rangers to begin his Major League career. He basically dominated opponents for 16.2 innings, holding them scoreless, racking up strikeouts, and inducing weak contact. Unfortunately, in the three starts he surrendered multiple runs, he ran into trouble in each of those starts and simply couldn’t pitch his way out. Holding 4 tough opponents scoreless for 75% of the time is not an easy feat, and proved first-hand, Sproat has as much upside than as anyone we have. People who say they were unimpressed with Sproat or Tong are being unreasonable, and assuming everyone should perform as well as McLean did in his first 6 starts. McLean first 4-5 starts were HISTORIC, which means nobody matched what he did, not Paul Skenes, Doc Gooden. Bob Gibson, and not even Sandy Koufax. If those 4 legendary pitchers couldn’t replicate what McLean was able to do, I think we can afford to cut Sproat and Tong some slack.

Sproat flashed effortless upper-90s velocity, improved command, and multiple plus breaking pitches. What impressed me most about Sproat and McLean was their demeanor, and how they seem willing to take on any level challenge their team asks of them. Just like McLean had to do, Sproat was tasked with making his MLB debut, against one of the best pitchers in the MLB, and he was matched Hunter Greene inning for inning until the 6th. McLean was able to pitch in front of home crowd, with the luxury of feeding off their energy, whereas Sproat was asked to pitch in front of hostile Red’s crowd and he still didn’t look overwhelmed or intimidated.

12-1-2025

Angry Mike/MM

Brandon Sproat in my opinion has been the “Ronny Mauricio” of pitching prospects within the Mets system. Sproat has as much natural ability as anyone in the system, has had stretches where he’s looked like one of the most dominant pitching prospects in baseball. He’s also had stretches where the numbers did reflect his elite upside, and as a result the Mets fanbase and the media turned on him as if he was a bonafide “war criminal”, with total disregard of the fact Sproat might’ve been working on improving certain aspects of his game, as young pitchers are often asked to do at AAA.

Sproat rose to prominence among the “Top 100 Ranks” when he had a spectacular beginning to his professional career, dominating at Brooklyn and Binghamton. Unfortunately, he battled inconsistency after his promotion to Syracuse, erasing any chances of Sproat contributing at the MLB level in any capacity.

It was a crucial first impression, when you take into account, Sproat was the 1st player in MLB history to have been drafted twice by the same franchise in consecutive drafts. 2022, Sproat was one of only 2 players drafted in the first 10 rounds, to forgo signing and return to school. The other player? Nolan McLean. While McLean’s camp felt the Orioles were low-balling them based on an inaccurate diagnosis of customary MRI exam, Sproat returned to school hoping to perform well enough to further improve his draft stock. Ultimately, the Mets received permission from Sproat to draft him again in the second round, he signed for the recommended slot and the rest is history.

Oh yeah, Mets also drafted that Nolan McLean guy as well, in the third round, and he worked out pretty well too.

Once again, THANK YOU ORIOLES MEDICAL STAFF

Sproat’s 2025 season began similarly to how his 2024 season ended, inconsistent results, sinker being used more frequently than his 4-seamer, and his sweeper being used more often than his plus changeup. The Mets gave him clear instructions during Spring Training, “work on attacking hitters in the zone -> induced weak contact”. Makes perfect sense, even Paul Skenes doesn’t excel in the Majors, by averaging 12 strikeouts a game, which leads me to believe some of the inconsistent performances can be attributed to tinkering with pitches and approach.

Then Francisco Alvarez demoted, and as William Dafoe best described, “the worm definitely turned for you man…”

There’s a reason why Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander enjoyed having Alvarez as their catcher, he has an uncanny ability to bring out the best in his pitchers. Although, Alvarez was sent down to work on his swing and tighten up his defense, he also helped Sproat and McLean perform remarkably better after logging multiple starts with them. Sproat had begun to turn his season around prior to Alvarez’ arrival, twirling 5 solid outings, to only 3 rough outings, and a weird appearance out of the bullpen.

2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

After Alvarez’ arrival:

4 Outings <-> 23 IP | 0 ER | 27 K’s | 8 Hits | 6 BB |

Batting Average Against -> July: 27 IP | .152 BAA | -> August: 26 IP | .184 BAA |

9 of next 11 starts -> 6 ER total -> he did have 2 rough outings giving up 10 ER

4-seam Fastball velocity -> 96 MPH & Top-end velocity was back to 99-100 MPH

7 Quality Starts in Minors + 2 in Majors

3 IP -> accounted for 10 ER of 11 ER he surrendered

17.1 -> 1 ER

First 61 IP -> || 43 K || 63 Hits || 32 BB ||

Final 79.1 IP -> || 87 K || 52 Hits || 28 BB ||

11 outings of 5+ Strikeouts

12 outings of 3 or fewer Hits

8 scoreless outings

9 outings of 2 ER or less

9 outings accounted for 44 ER

20 outings <-> 1.73 ERA <-> 21 ER <-> 109 IP

2026 OUTLOOK

For whatever reason Sproat’s tremendous potential is unnecessarily marginalized by various circles, after historic McLean’s, if any player doesn’t duplicate the same numbers, he should be traded. Fact remains Sproat has the best velocity in the system, and it’s effortless plus-plus velocity. That same velocity has enabled him to develop a plus sinker, which can also become a lethal pitch with more experience. He still has his plus changeup, and his sweeper looked a lot more effective last year, and should also continue to improve.

Sproat’s arsenal gives the Mets a lot to work with, and if they exercise some patience, he has the mental makeup and natural ability to develop into a frontline starter. Any rookie SP, who can deliver the type of performance we saw against Hunter Greene during his MLB debut, is the type of player I’d provide further opportunities to develop.

Mets have several question marks in their rotation, but the time is now for McLean and Sproat to begin their seasons in the rotation, and for the Mets to provide them both with a long runway to develop properly at the MLB level. Sproat offers as much upside as anyone else we have in the organization, only costs the Mets the league minimum, and if he continues to develop, he has the ability to provide the Mets with a chance to win every time he takes the mound.

The fact the Mets were able to add Tong, Sproat, and McLean all of whom were originally members of the 2022 Draft Class is truly a gift from the “Baseball Gods”. Having the patience to wait an extra year, and target Sproat and McLean in the 2023 Draft, will pay off huge dividends for years to come.

1-17-2026

RVH/MM

Brandon Sproat — The Ceiling Play

Arrival: Late August

Role: Upside rotation injection

Sproat’s season was nonlinear — and that mattered.

2025 Minor League Arc

Early Triple-A: 6.69 ERA through May

Adjustment Phase: Velocity and movement gains

Finish: One of the best arms in the system by year’s end

Scouting Reality

Triple-digit fastball

Two distinct breaking balls

True top-of-rotation physical traits

Sproat was promoted not because he was “ready,” but because his ceiling mattered. With the rotation already fractured, the Mets needed arms that could change outcomes, not just absorb innings particularly in games already slipping toward high run totals.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

5. Elian Pena

GROK -

Elian Peña is a 17-year-old shortstop (born October 19, 2007, in Azua, Dominican Republic.

He's a left-handed batter and right-handed thrower, listed at 5'10" and 180 pounds, and is widely regarded as one of the Mets' top prospects following a blockbuster international signing.

On January 15, 2025—the opening day of the international signing period—Peña signed with the Mets for a record-breaking $5 million bonus, the largest ever given by the franchise to an international free agent (shattering the previous high of $2.85 million to Yovanny Rodriguez in 2024). This was the highest bonus for any Latin American prospect in the 2025 class and the second-highest overall (behind Rōki Sasaki's $6.5 million with the Dodgers). It consumed most of the Mets' $6.26 million international bonus pool.

Peña, who trained with La Alianza academy in the Dominican Republic, was ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 3 international prospect (behind Sasaki and Josuar De Jesus Gonzalez) and Baseball America's No. 2 (behind Sasaki).

David Stearns called him a "unique talent" with a left-handed swing, power, strike-zone awareness, and work ethic, noting he's already one of the top prospects on the island.

Peña is praised as a potential five-tool player with elite hitting ability for his age.

Hit tool: Plus-to-plus-plus bat speed, advanced plate discipline (rare for a teenager), excellent pitch recognition, and the ability to spray line drives to all fields. MLB Pipeline gave him a 65-grade hit tool.

Power: Projects for 25-30 HR potential as he adds strength to his lean, athletic frame (still growing physically).

Defense: Smooth actions at shortstop with soft hands, plus arm strength, good range, and instincts. He's expected to stick at SS long-term, though some project a future move to 3B or 2B for less demand on speed (which is average but playable).

Speed/Running: Above-average underway, 21 stolen bases in pro debut.

Overall: Baseball America grades him 55/Extreme risk, with high baseball IQ and leadership potential

2025 Performance (Pro Debut)

Assigned to the Dominican Summer League (DSL) Mets Orange (rookie level), Peña had a standout season despite starting 0-for-26:In ~55 games: .292/.423/.540 (.949 OPS), 9 HR (six in just two games—two separate three-HR games, making him one of only two pros in 2025 with multiple three-HR performances), 33 RBI, 46 runs, 35 walks, 21 SB (on 25 attempts).

ETA: Around 2030, given his youth. Likely starts 2026 in the Florida Complex League (stateside rookie ball), with potential for quick rises if he dominates.

11-3-2025

Angry Mike/MM

Elian Pena was the most highly touted prospect the Mets have ever signed from an International free agent standpoint and even from a MLB Draft standpoint. His $5 Million signing bonus was almost twice as much as the previous club record ($2.85 Million - Yovanny Rodriguez) and close to matching Kevin Parada’s record signing bonus from the 2022 Draft. Needless to say expectations were massive for the young phenom, who many scouts deemed as one of the most polished and talented prospects they’ve ever seen.

Scouts compared him to Juan Soto because of his advanced pitch recognition, plus bat to bat skills, and burgeoning power potential. Scouts raved about his work ethic and high baseball I.Q., which is about as rare for a prospect his age, as was the 65 scouting grade he received for his “Hit Tool”. Only 1 other teenager received a 65 scouting grade for his “Hit Tool” (TerMarr Johnson - 70 Grade - 2022 MLB Draft) out of the thousands of prospects entering the professional ranks as free agents or via the MLB Draft.

Vlad Guerrero Jr, Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., Wander Franco, and Julio Rodriguez rank among the teenaged greatest prospects ever to be procured from the South American talent pool, and not a single one received a unanimous 65 scouting grade for their “Hit Tool”, Elian Pena was the first prospect ever to receive that distinction.

11-7-2025

Just Baseball

11. Elian Peña – SS – (DSL)

Height/Weight: 5’10″, 185 | Bat/Throw: L/R | IFA: $5M, 2025 (NYM) | ETA: 2029

The centerpiece of the Mets 2025 IFA cycle, Peña accounted for more than 80% of the Mets bonus pool, selling David Stearns and co. on his above average tools across the board and advanced left-handed stroke.

After an 0-for-26 start to his pro career, Peña OPS’d north of 1.000 the rest of the way, launching nine homers and walking more than he struck out, generating plenty of buzz heading into his 2026 season.

Hitting

Peña syncs his upper and lower half well for a teenage prospect, helping him repeat his moves and create leverage. He starts upright with his hands rested just above his shoulder, getting into his back side with a moderate gather and smooth, rhythmic hand load.

Of course, it’s more difficult to maintain rhythm against more challenging pitching, but Peña has better control of his timing and mechanics than most hitters his age. As a result, he is able to pull the ball in the air at a high clip, translating into nine homers and 23 extra base hits over his final 44 games of the 2025 season with a 35% ground ball rate.

Peña recognized spin well in the DSL, walking more than he struck out while producing strong numbers in left on left matchups. It’s early in his development, but Peña’s 2025 campaign made it easy to see why he was the crown jewel of the Mets IFA class.

Defense/Speed

An above-average runner, Peña made gains with his straight-line speed and overall quickness, helping his chances of being able to fend off a move to third base. How Peña progresses physically will play a large part in his defensive outcome. His plus arm and good hands would profile well at third base if he does slow a bit.

Outlook

Steve Cohen and David Stearns have made it a point to improve the organization’s ability to acquire international talent and made the biggest splash of the 2025 period outside of Roki Sasaki. The Mets will give Peña every opportunity at shortstop, where he has enough going for him to have a chance at sticking.

In the more likely event that he moves over to the hot corner, Peña’s offensive upside is exciting enough to meet the higher offensive bar the position demands and then some. His advanced blend of hit, power and plate discipline in the DSL should ease his transition stateside in 2026 with a chance to hit his way off of the Complex to Low-A quickly in his age 18 season.

11-17-2025 –

Running From The OPS @OPS_BASEBALL

Elian Pena - New York Mets

Pena received the largest bonus ($5 million) for any Latin American prospect this season and showed exactly why. The 18-year-old posted a 144 wRC+ with 9 HR, 21 SB, and a 1:1 K/BB ratio. He had 2 3-HR games this season and has a fantastic toolset.

11-22-2025 –

MACK/MM

Elian Pena – Here he is. The 65-grade hitting tool-guy that signed in January 2025 for $5,000,000 (team total pool: $6.25mil) got off to a real, slow start this past season for the DSL Mets. Opened up 0-26. Send the check back! And then all the hype turned into reality. Finished the season at 9-HR, 33-RBI, 21-SB, .292/.421/.528/.949. It seems like there is nothing but up for this kid that will play 2016 as an 18-yr. old. There’s no reason to push him to St. Lucie on opening day. Jiminez is there. But, there is an outside chance he could. He definitely will finish there. My guess is he is FCL Mets bound for their opening day. Where is he going? I got people down there. They say they have never before seen someone this talented. They emphasized the word NEVER.

12-5-2025

Angry Mike/MM

ELIAN PENA -> Stateside arrival, all eyes will be on the young phenom to see if he can build on his impressive pro debut.

-> Where will he start? Will he be fast-tracked like Jett Williams, if he hits the ground running?

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

6. Jett Williams

GROK

Jett Michael Williams is a highly regarded shortstop and center fielder in the New York Mets organization, known for his elite speed, plate discipline, and potential as a versatile middle infielder. At just 22 years old, he's already climbed the minor league ladder quickly and is viewed as a cornerstone of the Mets' future lineup.

Born: November 3, 2003, in Dallas, Texas.

High School: Rockwall-Heath High School (Heath, TX), where he hit .347 with five home runs as a junior and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors from The Dallas Morning News.

College Commitment: Originally pledged to Texas A&M before switching to Mississippi State University.

Draft: Selected by the Mets in the first round (14th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft straight out of high school. He signed for a $4.5 million bonus and bypassed college to turn pro immediately.

Standing at 5'7" and 175 lbs, Williams is right-handed batting and throwing. His compact frame doesn't hinder his power—scouts praise his "sneaky pop"—but his 70-grade speed and ability to draw walks (17.98% career rate in the minors)

2022 – Rookie - Florida Complex League Mets

.250 AVG, 1 HR, 6 RBI in 10 G

2023 - A/High-A/Double-A

St. Lucie Mets / Brooklyn Cyclones / Binghamton Rumble Ponies

.276 AVG, .425 OBP, .451 SLG, 8 3B, 45 SB, 81 R in 104 G

led Mets minor leaguers in OBP, triples, runs, and steals

2024

A/High-A/Double-A

St. Lucie Mets / Brooklyn Cyclones / Binghamton Rumble Ponies

.190 AVG in 26 G

Wrist injury in April required surgery in June; missed most of the season.

2025

Double-A/Triple-A

Binghamton Rumble Ponies / Syracuse Mets

.281 AVG, .390 OBP, .477 SLG, 10 HR, 32 SB in 96 G (Binghamton); Promoted to Triple-A in August

Played SS (15 G), CF (2 G), 2B (1 G)

In 2025, Williams started at Double-A Binghamton before earning a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse in August, putting him just one step from the majors. He's blocked at shortstop by Francisco Lindor but has shown versatility in center field and second base, which could accelerate his big-league path—potentially as early as a 2026 everyday role or September call-up.

Strengths: Blazing speed (51 SB in 131 career minor league games), exceptional on-base skills (130 walks in 723 PA), and improving defense. He's drawn comparisons to athletic, high-OBP middle infielders like early-career Jose Altuve.

Tthe Mets seem committed to developing him as a core piece alongside prospects like Carson Benge and Nolan McLean.

11-5-2025 –

MACK/MM

Jett Williams – Williams is one of the big deal prospects on this team. I can’t see him being part of any trade (I also put Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Carson Benge in this category) and, though he can hold his own in center, I believe he fits better as the eventual 2026 second baseman. That is, if Francisco Lindor remains standing, otherwise Jett would fly over and fill in at short. Williams needs very little refinement right now. All he needs is more reps at this position, which is where I hope the Mets play him exclusively in next year’s Spring Training games.

11-6-2025

Angry Mike/MM

Jett Williams had an inordinate amount of pressure going into the 2025 season, after spending the majority of 2024 season on the I.L. His breakout professional debut in 2023 had Mets fans excited about adding a dynamic 5-tool talent into the mix after he made it all the way to AA in his first season. Expectations were he would be knocking on the door for an MLB promotion by the 2025 season, but since that was out of the question, regaining his status as a top hitting prospect last season was priority number one.

JETT answered any lingering doubts over his ability to bounce back from a lost season of development by hitting the ground running at Binghamton, posting a .290 batting average and an .862 OPS for the month of April. JETT continued his hot hitting for the remainder of his time with the Rumble Ponies, flashing all 5 tools like he did in 2023, and an improved power stroke that helped him set career highs in homers (17) & doubles (34).

Understandably, Carson Benge was getting all the headlines because of his banger start at Brooklyn, but for me JETT remains the highest upside hitter in the Mets system behind Elian Pena. I fully understand the argument about Benge and remain a huge believer of his upside, but for me the choice is easily still JETT over Benge. JETT checks all the same boxes Benge does, as well as offering more of a stolen base threat, & providing more defensive versatility by being able to play on the infield & outfield.

It’s an interesting debate, but at the end of the day, who cares, both players are exciting young talents, possessing the exact type of skillset that compliments our current nucleus perfectly.

Williams reminds me of a right-handed version of Corbin Carroll, he’s a high energy player, who’ll be a crowd favorite the minute he’s infused into the Mets lineup. He plays the game the right way, has a high baseball I.Q., and plays with a chip on his shoulder, itching to prove the people wrong who underestimated his talent based on his height.

Williams is a winner and the type of lightning rod the Mets need in the clubhouse to help get us to the next level during the 2026 season.

11-7-2025 - Just Baseball

5. Jett Williams – 2B/CF – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 5’8″, 180 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (14) – 2022 (NYM) | ETA: 2025

Compact but explosive, Williams is a great athlete with more impact than his frame would suggest. His polish at the plate helped him fly through the minor leagues, reaching Double-A in his age-19 season in 2023, before having most of his 2024 wiped out by wrist surgery. He returned to mashing at Double-A in 2025.

Offense

A relaxed, narrow setup, Williams uses a decent-sized leg kick to gather into his back hip, but controls his lower half well. Despite his smaller frame, Williams is strong with a powerful lower-half, using the ground well to create power.

Between his lower half control and minimal movement with his hand load, Williams is consistently on time and leverages his small strike zone well. One of the more patient hitters in Minor League Baseball, Williams has chased less than 15% of pitches as a pro, walking at an 18% clip.

Producing average exit velocities, Williams consistently drives the ball in the air consistently with good carry to the pull side, giving him a chance to hit for close to average game power.

The contact rates may be closer to average, but his hit tool is bolstered by what could be double plus plate discipline. Even if the home run total is closer to 10, he Williams’ ability to hit the ball decently hard in the air to all fields paired with his speed should make him a candidate to accumulate plenty of extra base hits.

Defense/Speed

Williams has slowed down some since being drafted, putting on some weight ahead of the 2024 season. It more effected his ability to get to his top speed than footwork at shortstop, which actually looked improved.

He works low to the ball with good hands and an above average arm that is capable of making throws from different angles. While he can make the tough throws, he has the tendency to sail a few too many relatively routine throws, especially when he sits back on the ball.

With the improved footwork and actions, Williams looks like he can be an average shortstop.

With how quickly Williams has climbed through the minors and the presence of Francisco Lindor at the highest level, the Mets have mixed in center field reps where he relies on his natural athleticism to get by, but has the closing speed and arm to be solid out there and has flashed the ability to track the ball well.

Williams has the fallback of second base where he should be an above-average defender as well. Aggressive on the bases, Williams swiped 45 bags on 52 tries in the 2023 season, and 34 bases on 43 tried in the 2025 season.

Outlook

Elite on base skills amplify an offensive profile that will likely feature average hit and average-at-best power. Williams and Termarr Johnson became the first teenagers since 2005 to walk 100 times in a Minor League season in 2023.

The defensive side of things will be important to monitor as Williams is clearly capable of providing versatility, but if he can take a step forward with more consistent reps in center field, he becomes significantly more valuable. Williams has the floor of a quality utility piece but has the offensive upside and speed to be an above-average regular.

11-8-2025

MetCast @MetCastPod

Jett Williams growing up, the focus was always on hitting—being able to play anywhere required it. Defense became important later, but the mindset of always wanting to improve hitting was constant

11-13-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

4. INF/CF Jett Williams

The Jett Man is (due to no fault on his part) short, at a listed 5’7”, and I therefore just found it hard to be effusive enough to rank him at #1, where some might have him. But he is my second highest ranked Mets hitting prospect, and that ain’t bad.

Jett the future Met showed excellent power with 34 doubles, 7 triples, and 17 HRs in 572 PAs, and while he hit just .263 and fanned 131 times, both a bit high, he played 2025 as a 21 year old and managed to get in 34 AAA games, a great kickstart going into 2026.

His walking 76 times in 130 games is impressive, and his 34 of 43 in steals was a real positive (I am glad he did not try to steal more, as he stayed healthy throughout 2025).

After an injury-riddled 2024, yes, indeed, he was healthy in 2025.

I expect him to make his MLB debut early in 2026, as the opportunity presents itself. Opening day is possible if the Mets feel comfortable accelerating him. More likely towards mid-season.

His 13 errors in 98 games at SS and 2B were a real improvement and he also got a bunch of games in CF, so I think that defensively, he is very close to “MLB-competent” at SS, 2B, and CF. A sure solid major leaguer, with perhaps a shot at an All Star game or two. But, I can’t help but imagine what he would be as a player if he was 5’11”.

I have him therefore at # 4.

11-21-2025 –

TJStats –

#42 - Jett Williams packs a mighty punch from his 5'7' frame. He smacked 17 HR this season and made his way to AAA thanks to one of the most patient approaches in MiLB. His 19.5% O-Swing rate led to an impressive 13.3% walk rate, and more importantly Williams rarely expands the zone with two strikes. His hit and power tools lean slightly below average which limits his offensive potential. To counteract this Williams keeps the ball in the air and utilizes his elite speed to leg out extra bases. He has the ability to man any position up the middle with his most likely home being second base.

11-28-2025

RVH/MM

Jett Williams — Compact Flow-Mover / Approach Savant

Cause: Elite discipline and adjustability paired with modest rotational force and limited exit-velocity ceiling.

Effect: A high-OBP foundation with contact quality that lags behind his decision-making engine.

Corrective Lever: Add rotational force while preserving elite swing decisions.

Takeaway: Add real impact.

11-28-2025

Mack/MM

The Marcus Semien trade does bring up a whole new question… exactly where does once Mets top prospect, Jett Williams fit in now? Let’s face it… Semien was not traded for to play second base until Williams was “ready”. No, he is now the Mets second baseman for the next three years. And, we know that centerfield has Carson Benge’s name already written in for. So, where does the Jetster play? My guess is either part of a trade for an established starter or the soon to be starting LEFT fielder for the Mets. This would push back AJ Ewing and Nick Morabito into utility roles or also becoming future trade bait. What a problem to have.

12-5-2025

How does Jett Williams factor into Mets plans?

The Mets and Rangers swapping of outfielder Brandon Nimmo and second baseman Marcus Semien may have been a one-for-one trade (with some cash going to Texas, too), but it set up a series of dominoes on both sides, particularly when it comes to prospects.

Top 30 overall prospect Jett Williams (NYM No. 3) may need to change lanes more permanently as a result of Semien’s addition to the Mets' roster.

The 14th overall pick in the 2022 Draft, Williams has been primarily a shortstop over his four seasons in the Mets' system, but with Francisco Lindor locked into the position for the foreseeable future, he has mixed in plenty of reps at second base and center field in recent years.

The reason is simple. Living up to his first name, Williams is an absolute burner on the basepaths. In only 34 games with Triple-A Syracuse last year, he registered 13 Bolts, which are measured as sprint speeds of 30 ft/sec or higher. Luisangel Acuña (24) was the only Mets Major Leaguer to register more, and you have to go back to Nimmo (30) in 2022 to find the latest New York speedster to beat Williams over the course of a full season.

It’s that type of rare athleticism you want up the middle in some capacity. Also standing at 5-foot-7, Williams lacks the size typically associated with corner spots, both on the dirt and grass.

But a big reason why the Mets acquired Semien was for his elite glovework at second base, where many thought Williams might end up long-term. Even during his age-34 season with the Rangers, Semien was worth 7 Outs Above Average (per Statcast), putting him in a tie for fifth among Major League second basemen, on his way to winning his second career American League Gold Glove Award.

It’s an easy call to slide the veteran atop New York’s depth chart at the keystone, ahead of Jeff McNeil, Ronny Mauricio and Acuña, each of whom got starts at second last season.

McNeil has seen time in the corner outfield, and David Stearns added he could be an occasional first-base option depending on how the rest of the offseason goes. Acuña and Mauricio have moved around the dirt plenty, with the former getting sparse looks in center, too.

But when it comes to the bat, none of the three have the long-term ceiling of Williams, who hit .261/.363/.465 with a career-high 17 homers in 130 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season.

Despite his size, the right-handed slugger does a good job of getting to his power by pulling and lifting the ball with regularity. Fifteen of his 17 homers came to left or left-center, and his 31.8 percent ground ball rate was sixth-lowest among the 209 Minor Leaguers with at least 500 plate appearances.

Plate discipline is Williams’ other offensive asset, as he rarely expands the zone against any pitch types. His walk rate dipped from 14.7 percent at Double-A to 9.3 at Triple-A, as pitchers with better command worked him better in the zone, but his overall mark of 13.3 was still sixth-best among Mets Minor League qualifiers, one spot ahead of Benge (13.1).

With Lindor and Semien penciled in as the Mets’ double-play tandem, Williams should adjust his Spring Training packing list for Port St. Lucie, putting his outfield glove right at the top.

12-5-2025

Angry Mike/MM

JETT WILLIAMS -> He’s ready for full-time MLB reps as any player in the system. With Nimmo gone & Stearns recently talking him up, is LF his to lose?

-> What is his ETA? After Jett gets acclimated to MLB pitching, will the #Mets utilize his plus OBP skills & electric table-setting abilities at the top-of-the lineup, giving Lindor more chances to function as a run-producer?

12-7-2025

Angry Mike @AngryMike24

Brandon Nimmo had a great career for the Mets, I thought he did a tremendous job last year as a true clubhouse leader, & was especially vocal talking up our younger players. You can’t replace players like Nimmo, you have to simply try to turn the page. If Stearns has any chance of doing that, he will commit to Jett Williams in left field sooner rather than later.

“JETT Force One” -> is the type of player #Mets fans will embrace, because he offers the same type of intangibles they appreciated from Nimmo. High-energy guy, incredible offensive potential, impacts the game in a number of different ways on both sides of the ball. Imagine having a scout tell your Dad -> “if your kid was 6 feet tall, he’d be a Top-5 pick…”

The kid is out for blood -> that’s the type of player we need.

Just be patient #Mets fans reinforcements are on the way…

12-9-2025

Steve Sica/MM

2022: SS Jett Williams (14th Overall Selection)

Kumar Rocker was drafted by the Mets in the first round in 2021 but didn’t sign. So the Mets received two first round picks in 2022. They spent it on Jett Williams and it’s paid off well so far.

Standing at just 5 '7, Williams makes up for his lack of height with a tremendous amount of solid contact, great plate discipline and speed on the bases. In four MiLB seasons, Williams has an OPS of .827, has drawn 206 walks to 290 strikeouts, and has stolen 90 bases while being caught just 19 times. In 2025, he passed the daunting test of Double-A ball with flying colors. In 96 games with Binghamton, Jett put up an OPS of .868 with 10 home runs, 32 stolen bases, and 37 RBIs.

Jett, like Benge, is in the Mets’ top-five prospects and is often seen as a key member of the Mets’ future plans. It’s likely that he could be the first of this group of recent draft picks to make his Citi Field debut.

The Mets haven’t had a position player drafted in the first round make a substantial impact at the Major League level since they drafted Michael Conforto in 2014. Jett has all the tools and potential to end that drought.

The draft lottery is the first step to finding out who the future of your Major League team will be. By tonight, the Mets will find out where they’ll be drafting and so will begin the seven months of scouting, analyzing, and predicting who the next big prospect will enter the Mets’ system.

12-20-2025

Reese/MM

Jett Williams is even more of a question. He's primarily been a middle infielder in the minors but has also logged time in center field. He hits for a decent average with high on base percentage and excellent stolen base numbers but in AAA he has not yet profiled as a star in the making. In 2025 split between two minor league teams he hit .261 with 34 SBs. Those are appealing numbers for sure but not the kind that suggest he's ready to face major league pitching.

12-29-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

J. WILLIAMS -> Full-Season MILB STATS:

Year 1 -> Low-A | HI-A -> 19 years old -> 23% K-Rate | 514 PA

| .263 BA | .425 OBP | .876 OPS | 13 HR | 22 2B | 8 3B | 45 SB | 55 RBI |

| 81 Runs | 104 BB |

Year 2 -> AA | AAA -> 21 years old -> 23% K-Rate | 562 PA

| .261 BA | .363 OBP | .828 OPS | 17 HR | 34 2B | 7 3B | 34 SB | 52 RBI |

| 91 Runs | 76 BB |

1-4-2026

Running From The OPS @OPS_BASEBALL

Jett Williams posted a 136 wRC+ while slugging 17 HR/34 2B and collecting 34 SB. We saw him increase his Pull% this season while posting an identical 9.9% SwStr% and a slightly lower K% (22.9%). The 22-year-old has proven he deserves MLB playing time in 2026.

MACK –

Frankly, I have no idea where to place this gem. Sources say that he has begun to take reps at first base this off-season. I would guess that this is a good idea, what with the Marcus Semien sign, but would you want to be an infielder across the basepaths throwing to a 5’6” first baseman?

No one has ever convinced me that this height, or lack of it, plays well in the outfield either.

I really don’t care how talented his projection is. There simply isn’t enough pop for a life as a designated hitter and his height only plays well as a middle infielder… and Semien and Francisco Lindor aren’t going anywhere.

I don’t believe you draft people as trade bait.

For these reasons, and nothing against Jett, I would not have drafted him.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

7. Chris Suero

Will play 2026 as a 22/yr. old also plays 1B & LF

2025 – A+/AA: 475-PA, 139-K, 70-BB, 16-HR, 68-RBI, 35-SB, .786-OPS

GROK -

Chris Suero (full name: Christopher Antonio Suero) is a 21-year-old catcher in the New York Mets' minor league system, known for his rare blend of power, speed, and versatility that makes him one of the more intriguing young backstops in baseball.

Born on January 27, 2004, in the Bronx, New York, Suero grew up in the Sedgwick Houses public housing project in the University Heights neighborhood, honing his skills on the city's gritty fields before pursuing his dream abroad.

At just 15 years old, he left the Bronx for the Dominican Republic, leveraging his Dominican heritage (through his parents) to qualify as an international free agent. He trained at the Academia Carlos Paulino in Nizao, impressing scouts despite not being a top headliner.

In March 2022, the Mets signed him to a modest $10,000 bonus—far below the multimillion-dollar deals for elite international teens—marking him as an undrafted gem rather than a blue-chip prospect.

5'11", 205 lbs; Bats and throws right-handed.

Positions: Primarily a catcher (60 games behind the plate in 2024), but his athleticism allows him to play first base (23 games in 2024), left field (28 games in 2024), and even contribute as a versatile utility player. Scouts compare him to Toronto's Daulton Varsho for his multi-positional upside.

Standout Traits: Suero's speed is elite for a catcher—he led all minor league catchers with 35 stolen bases in 2025 (25 in High-A, 10 across other levels). His swing features simple footwork, a short load, and an uphill path that generates power, though he can struggle with high pitches.

13.6% walk rate in 2024

With Francisco Alvarez entrenched as the Mets' top backstop, Suero adds valuable depth to a catcher-rich farm system. Fans and analysts see him as a "prospect nobody saw coming," with leadership traits already shining through (e.g., hyping teammates in Brooklyn). If he refines his defense and sustains the power-speed combo, a Citi Field homecoming for the Bronx kid isn't far-fetched.

ETA: 2026

MACK – look… Im love this guy, but he has to come up with a way to stop trying to be the home run leader, work on the ability to make hits other than homers, and let his God given strength take over. If he does this, he will hit around .250, smack 29-25 home runs, and make it to The Bigs.

10-28-2025

MACK/MM

Chris Suero – The Bronx born Suero put himself on the Mets map last season aster hitting 16 home runs at the A+/AA level. Also, offers tremendous versatility because he additionally holds his own in left and can also, if needed, can fill in at first. I expect him to get to know the city of Syracuse real well in 2026. Needs to work on his framing skills, cutting down the whiffs, and getting his overall BA/OBP up. My #2 catcher prospect.

10-28-2025

STEVE SICA/MM

C/LF Chris Suero:

Suero brought his power to the desert as he’s taken advantage of the thin air Arizona has to offer this time of year. He’s mashed three home runs in his first eight games of the season and leads all Met prospects in OPS at .851. While these numbers might give him a shot to compete in the AFL home run derby around season’s end, Suero has struggled with making contact. His average sits at .242 and his strikeout total is at 16, including a four-strikeout night on Sunday October 26th.

Suero swings hard and when he makes contact the ball does go far. He’s the perfect hitter for the Arizona Fall League as the dry and cool desert air helps balls travel far. However, he’s not able to play all his games in this environment. There’s a lot of potential around Suero as he’s progressed nicely this season through MiLB, but he’ll need to improve his strikeout radio, and start taking a few more pitches to reach the next level.

11-2-2025

Who are the next young studs for the Mets?

C Chris Suero (No. 15 prospect, Double-A BNG)

2025 MiLB Totals:

115 G, 475 PA, .233/.379/.407, 88 H, 16 HR, 16 2B, 1 3B, 78 R, 68 RBI, 35 SB, 29.3%-14.7% K-BB%, .175 ISO, .316 BABIP, .375 wOBA, 141 wRC+

Latest Scouting Grades:

Hit: 40 Power: Run: 60 Arm: 50 Field: 50 Overall: 45

MLB Comp: Daulton Varsho

Suero’s 35 steals last season reflected a near-doubling of his 2024 output (20), which itself was a major explosion from the seven he tallied across his 2022-2023 rookie ball campaigns. When you pair that with steady, year-over-year offensive improvements and legitimate defensive flexibility in the outfield, I don’t think the growing buzz is at all misplaced.

(Seriously, when’s the last time this franchise had a catcher who could hit for power, steal bases, and play the outfield? Have they ever?)

Now, unlike Reimer and Ewing, Suero’s raw hit tool still needs a bit of work. His 139 strikeouts ranked second-most in his group; his 29.3% K-rate was top of the class. He likes to swing, and he swings hard — his tendency to swing over fastballs is documented. He also hits the ball on the ground a lot: Suero had the worst line-drive rate among his class, alongside the second-most severe tendency to hit pull-side (55%). That pull power is great if you’re keeping the ball up, but hitting it on the ground to the same spot repeatedly can turn an otherwise dangerous hitter into a predictable one very quickly.

Still, Suero’s ~15% walk rate and 70 walks both ranked seventh in his group, and his HR/FB ratio ranked sixth, so the untapped power and plate discipline tools are clearly there. If he can learn to keep the ball in the air and start spreading it around the field a bit, I have no doubt his already-solid .317 BABIP will skyrocket.

All told, Suero is an incredibly promising prospect with excellent defensive skills to back up a developing bat and quietly freakish athletic tools. Looking at the numbers, he already seems to be the most complete catching prospect in the Mets’ system. It feels like we’ve barely started to scratch the surface with this guy, and I don’t doubt he’ll be sharing the MLB spotlight with Alvy before we know it.

11-7-2025

JUST BASEBALL

15. Chris Suero – C/1B/OF – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $10,000, 2022 (NYM) | ETA: 2026

A unique profile, Suero continues to see action behind the dish, in the outfield and at first base. He’s a plus runner with a good arm, inspiring the Mets to continue to move him around the diamond. He made a leap in the power department in 2025, launching 19 homers between High-A and Double-A with a career-best 35 stolen bases as well.

He is pull-happy, but successfully pulls the ball in the air at a high clip with above average exit velocities. Higher end pitching velocity could make Suero looked rushed at times, hedging with the ability to hammer mistakes far more consistently, OPSing north of 1.000 vs sliders.

While the hit tool will likely be fringy at best, his unique skill set could position him like a more athletic David Fry. His plus wheels, above average pop and defensive versatility helps his chances of sticking on a roster.

11-8-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

15. C/1B/OF Chris Suero

Bronx-born Suero has almost the whole package:

He has speed, power, clutch hitting, and versatility including catching, but capable in the outfield and first base, too.. Can he hit high caliber pitching? Probably eventually well enough.

But his Ks are high, and lefties so far have mystified him. In 2025, between High A and AA, he hit .233 with 16 HRs and 68 RBIs in 475 PAs AND stole 35 bases. But he fanned 139 times, and that has to come way down. Of course, he was just 21 this season, and clearly on the learning curve.

He walked at a very high rate (70 times), giving him a .379 OBP, and I think that my prescription of greater aggression on strike one may lower the K rate somewhat, but will help drive down the Ks. Get those Ks down, and he is Top 5.

At 5’11, 205, he seems to be built much like a former Met:

Yoenis Cespedes.

SUERO. He has such a high ceiling, if those Ks can only COME DOWN.

ATHLETE!

In the Arizona Fall League, Suero, through Thursday November 6, was hitting a potent .286/.359/.571, and was 2nd in AFL HRs with 5 bombs in 14 games, with 14 RBIs and 7 for 7 in steals. Dynamite!

11-13-2025 –

@The_CallUpPod

Chris Suero has continued his great 2025 season in the Arizona Fall League!

.920 OPS

5 HR

14 RBI

The 21-year-old catcher is one of only three players in the league to reach the five home run mark

11-28-2025 - MACK

12-1-2025

Paul/MM

Chris Suero, a talented prospect with more to offer than just a third backup catcher option. You see, he is not the typical catching prospect. He has defensive versatility and un-catcher-like speed. Suero can play left field and he can play first base. Not only that, but his scouting grades show plenty of talent in all five tools:

Suero Scouting Grades: Hit: 40; Power: 50; Run: 60; Arm: 50; Field: 50

Suero was an international signing in 2022 when he was only 18 years old. He spent two years in the Dominican Republic and Florida complex leagues, then moved to St. Lucie in 2024. After he compiled a 141 wRC+ there, he was moved to Brooklyn where he finished the season. He was then invited to the prestigious Arizona Fall League, where he continued on his tear, slashing .283/.353/.567 (.920 OPS). He also stole 8 bases in 15 games. Suero is currently listed as the #15 prospect in the Mets system.

Let’s be clear – I am not stating that he is ready for the majors in 2026, but I fully expect him to make the AA roster to start the season and if he handles that level of pitching he will see his trajectory continue to climb. I am not trying to jump over Parada yet, but Parada does not appear to be moving smoothly through the AA/AAA levels. His arm has been exposed as a weakness and except for a few surges his bat has been a disappointment.

If Suero survives the AA/AAA gauntlet better than Parada, he could become an option for a MLB roster as early as 2027. That would provide a bench option for 1B/LF/C/DH/PH that uses only one spot on the 26-man roster, which is something that not many MLB teams have at their disposal. We can only dream....

12-6-2025 –

Angry Mike/MM

CHRIS SUERO -> Dude has become a folk-hero of sorts in the #Mets Farm System. All he does is mash homers or walk & then steal bases. Possesses a rare skill-set for a catcher, he’ll start in AA, & spend the whole year there.

-> If Suero starts off hot, will he be fast-tracked to AAA, or is he on the Mauricio trajectory, where he’ll now move 1 level each season regardless of how he performs. Or do we get him to AAA as fast as possible anticipating a potential arrival in Queens for 2027, with Torrens most likely departing via FA?

1-8-2026

ANGRY MIKE/MM

Chris Suero is yet another Mets hitting prospect who enjoyed a successful 2025 season, that was capped off with a very productive stint in the Arizona Fall League. Suero has always been known for his high-energy motor, but in 2025, Suero delivered several clutch performances that not only helped to establish his potential as an impact bat, but also a player who has a knack for delivering clutch hits when the game is on the line. In at least 7 games Suero delivered either a game-tying hit or a go-ahead hit, that resulted in a win. He had several walk-off hits, and several big home runs that were directly responsible for putting a win on the board.

CHRIS SUERO AFL LEAGUE STATS:

Best way to show how productive Suero was in the AFL, is to compare his numbers to Kevin McGonigle, the #2 Overall prospect in the MLB:

C. SUERO

-> | 0.288 BA | 5 HR | 8 SB | 14 RBI | 14 R |

| 2 2B | 0.920 OPS |

K. MCGONIGLE -> 0.353 BA | 5 HR | 3 SB | 19 RBI | 22 R |

| 5 2B | 1.210 OPS |

I’m not trying to say Suero is a superior player or point out he out-performed one of the best prospects in the league, but it speaks volumes that Suero’s numbers are in the same ballpark in several key offensive categories. Combined with his regular season statistics, Suero became the first Mets catching prospect to join the exclusive club:

21 HR || 43 SB

What’s impressive about Suero’s 43 SB is that he was only caught, 8 times, giving him an 84% success rate, that’s better than Nick Morabito and second only to A.J. Ewing.

Not bad for a catcher…

Suero isn’t a normal catcher, he is a true “Swiss-Army Knife” on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he hits for power, draws a ton of walks (more than Benge), steals a ton of bases bases, and has a knack for coming up with the clutch-hit. Defensively, Suero continued to log the majority of starts as the team’s #1 catcher, but also logged 16 starts at 1B and 21 starts in LF, where he recorded 3 outfield assists, and didn’t record a single error at 1B or LF.

Suero also posted a 31% K-Rate, and led all Mets prospects with a 139 K’s, which is something he’ll have to work on cutting down, if he wants to have any chance of developing i to anything more than a utility player off of the bench. The raw tools are there to provide an exciting blend of athleticism and baseball skills, making him a prime candidate to serve as Alvarez’ backup and potentially utility player for the Mets as early as 2027, if Luis Torrens leaves as a free agent after the 2026 season as expected.

Here’s what we know about the man, the myth, the legend, Chris Suero:

-> The athleticism is real, he moves well in LF, has the reflexes and instincts to be a serviceable defender at 1B, and his defense behind the plate is improving.

-> The speed is real: the only other catcher to steal 35 SB in a season is Mariners top prospect Harry Ford.

-> The power is real: Suero has been seen hitting mammoth blasts all over the field.

-> His ability to draw walks is real: Suero had an incredible 16% BB rate in 2025 | 14% BB-Rate in 2024.

-> The “clutch gene” is legit: Suero has continued to come up big in clutch moments all season long.

Suero got off solid start and was quickly promoted to AA Binghamton, which might have been a tad aggressive, but he more than held his own. Despite flashing some exciting tools, he is still quite raw, but there is no reason to think he can’t improve in areas of need with more experience and the discipline that comes with it, to make himself a more complete player.

2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

23 Multi-Hit games

49 Games he was on-base multiple times

16 games he drew 2+ Walks

Mashed RHP -> 0.385 OBP | 0.812 OPS | 15 HR

1.056 OPS | 0.565 OBP | 0.273 BA -> when ahead in the count

0.243 BA | 0.383 OBP -> in August shows he has the ability to make adjustments against advanced pitching.

17 Multi-RBI games

RISP STATS -> were top-notch:

0.262 BA | 0.409 OBP | 0.886 OPS | 53 RBI | 7 HR

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Suero should be ticketed back to Binghamton for the 2026 season, and unlike in 2025, I expect him to spend the entire season there unless he he goes on a rampage offensively. We’ve seen the Mets accelerate a prospect’s arrival to the upper levels of the minors, only to then implement a more conservative approach from then on so that the player can continue to develop areas that need to be refined. Clifford is a great example, as he made his debut in AA as a 20-year old, only to spend 1.5 seasons there prior to his promotion to AAA in 2025. Suero would definitely benefit from a similar approach, giving him time to work on cutting down the strikeouts, improve his numbers against lefties, and continue improving his defense behind the plate.

Suero’s greatest value is as a #2 catcher, as the Mets would have an exciting duo of Alvarez and Suero capable of providing a considerable amount of thump over a 162 game schedule if he can continue developing a more patient approach at the plate. The fact he can play multiple positions gives the Mets increased roster flexibility, but having a backup catcher who can score from first on a double or steal a base and get into scoring position is quite rare and would be a true asset lte in games or for Alvarez off-days. Even being able to utilize Suero as a pinch runner for Alvarez late in games and being able to save Acuna or another speedster for a different situation also might come in handy.

Suero is an exciting talent and his development has made it easier on fans to help move past the fact former 1st round pick Kevin Parada has not shown any signs of ever turning the corner. Suero reminds me a little of Alvarez in that he is a clubhouse leader, he plays the game hard, will do the little things to help a team win, and he doesn’t take crap from anybody. His type of energy and flare would be a welcomed addition in Queens and I look forward to watching him form a dynamic duo with Alvarez for years to come after he finally arrives in Queens.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

8. Dylan Ross

2025: A+/AA/AAA –

49-APPS, 2-0, 2.17, 1.15, 19-GF, 7-SV, 54-IP, 80-K, 33-BB

GROK -

Dylan Ross is a 25-year-old right-handed relief pitcher for the New York Mets organization, known for his overpowering fastball and swing-and-miss breaking stuff.

Standing at an imposing 6'5" and weighing 251 pounds, he's a physical presence on the mound with a high-three-quarters arm slot that generates elite velocity.

Born on September 1, 2000, in Statesboro, Georgia, Ross has quickly risen through the Mets' farm system after a challenging path marked by injuries, culminating in his major league call-up in late September 2025.

Ross began pitching at Eastern Kentucky University in the 2020 season (shortened by COVID-19), where he made three relief appearances with a 2.25 ERA over four innings.

He transferred to Northwest Florida State College (a junior college) in 2021, posting a strong 6-2 record with a 3.88 ERA in 12 starts, including two complete games, 77 strikeouts, and just 28 walks in 60.1 innings. This performance earned him All-Panhandle Conference Second Team honors.

In 2022, Ross moved to the University of Georgia, where he went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for the rest of the year and the entire 2023 season (including a UCL revision).

Draft and Pro Debut:

Despite the injuries, the Mets selected him in the 13th round (389th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Georgia, signing him for $125,000. He didn't pitch professionally until a brief September 2024 debut in the minors.

2025 Breakout: Ross exploded onto the scene, starting in High-A Brooklyn (10 appearances, 23 strikeouts in 11⅔ innings, allowing just 5 hits), earning promotions to Double-A Binghamton (11 appearances, 18 strikeouts) and Triple-A Syracuse by June.

His pitches generate elite whiff rates, with opponents struggling to make contact (e.g., just 11 hits across his early 2025 minor league outings).

Four-Seam Fastball

Hard, explosive heater with significant ride and life up in the zone; his primary pitch for overpowering hitters.

97-102 mph (peaks at 102 mph in 2025)

High usage (~50-60%); generates weak contact and sets up breaking stuff. Flirts with triple-digit velocity, making it a true separator.

Splitter

Devastating off-speed pitch with sharp drop, variable movement (some cut, others with run/sink), and late tumble; mimics his fastball out of the hand for tunneling.

86-90 mph

Key swing-and-miss offering (49.4% whiff rate in minors); thrown ~25-30% of the time. Often described as his "best secondary" for inducing chases below the zone.

Slider

Tight, late-breaking slider with gyro spin for horizontal snap; complements the splitter by attacking right-handed hitters inside.

85-88 mph

~20% usage; elite 67.3% whiff rate at Triple-A Syracuse in 2025. High-spin version creates awkward angles and empty swings.

Ross occasionally mixes in a curveball or changeup in lower-leverage spots, but his core three pitches form a "fantastic arsenal" that has fueled his rapid ascent.

Scouts project him as a high-leverage reliever (think 7th/8th inning fireman).

David Stearns on Dylan Ross:

"Dylan's a guy who's going to come to camp with a chance to make our team. We would expect him to contribute throughout the season next year"

11-6-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

16. RHP Dylan Ross

Ross is a high power reliever. K Machine. In his first 3 pro years, in 2022-2024, the hulking fireballing righty threw one inning, total, and fanned the side. In 2025, he made up for lost time, finishing up in AAA. 54 innings, 80 Ks, 2.17 ERA. 7 of 9 in saves, 9 holds. Clocked at over 100 MPH.

Control needs tightening, but it is hard to envision him not being a major bullpen piece in 2026.

11-7-2025

Just Baseball

https://www.justbaseball.com/prospects/new-york-mets-top-15-prospects/

Dylan Ross – RHP – (MLB): A 13th round pick in 2022, Ross did not make his pro debut until the end of the 2024 season after requiring UCL revision surgery to rectify the initial Tommy John surgery he underwent just two starts into his 2022 season. After his brief cameo in 2024, Ross burst onto the scene in 2025, climbing from High-A to Triple-A, pitching to a 2.17 ERA in 54 innings with 80 strikeouts.

Ross’s fastball averages 98 MPH with a wipeout splitter working off of it in the low 90s. Across all three levels in 2025, opponents hit below .100 against Ross’s split. He’ll also mix in an above average slider. Ross has big league leverage stuff if the command can improve (he walked 15% of batters in 2025).

Needing to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft anyway, the Mets added Ross to the big-league roster at very the end of the season, but he never made it into a game. Now on the 40, Ross should be squarely in consideration for big league opportunities early in 2026.

1-12-2026

ANGRY MIKE/MM

DYLAN ROSS -> PHASE ONE

Ross is the closest to being MLB-ready and is one of the hardest throwers in the organization, with a 65-scouting grade, 4-seam Fastball that sits 96-99 MPH and tops out at 102 MPH. His best off-speed pitch is a 60-scouting grade Splitter, which he uses in conjunction with an above average slider (55-scouting grade). Ross’ command has been his Achilles’ heel, as he simply walks too many batters at times, which can get him into hot water rather quickly in the Majors. Ross worked extremely hard to resurrect his career from the injuries that plagued him early in his career, everyone knows the stuff is elite. Mets Brass’ are hoping he can maintain the consistency he exhibited during the 2025 season, outside of a rough June.

If he is able to limit the walks, maximize pitch count efficiency, he has the talent to secure a spot in the Mets bullpen sooner rather than later during the 2026 season, he represents phase 1, of the three-headed monster the Mets hope to develop in their bullpen.

1-17-26

MACK/MM

Dylan Ross – my particular favorite. Has a fastball that was clocked at 102. Every time I say that Brennan yells out a Whoop. Ross will open up 2026 as the Syracuse closer, waiting for the phone to ring in the manager’s office. Or, the manager’s cellphone. I’m not sure there even is a hard line there anymore. Anyway. It’s not a question of IF you will see Ross in Queens next season, just WHEN.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

9. Jack Wenninger

6-4 210 turns 24 in March 6th rd. 2023, Illinois-Champaign

2025 – 26-ST, 12-6, 2.92, 1.15, 135.2-IP, 147-K, 42-BB

GROK -

Jack Wenninger (full name: Jonathan Andrew Wenninger) is a promising right-handed starting pitcher in the New York Mets' minor league system. He signed for a $225,000 bonus and has quickly risen through the ranks.

Viewed as a potential mid-rotation starter with an estimated MLB debut in 2026.

Wenninger's path to pro ball was marked by steady improvement. He began at D-III Judson University before transferring to Murray State (D-I) for his freshman year in 2021, where he posted a 5.26 ERA over 51.1 innings with 42 strikeouts and 27 walks.

He then moved to the University of Illinois for his sophomore and junior seasons, anchoring their weekend rotation. In 2023, his draft year, he went 6-4 with a 4.59 ERA across 80.1 innings, striking out 76 while walking 28—showing command but room for swing-and-miss upside.

Scouts praised his athleticism, simple delivery (high-three-quarters arm slot with good extension), and physical projection, noting he added velocity and refined his secondaries during college.

Since signing with the Mets, Wenninger has progressed rapidly:

2023 (Short-Season): Limited action in the Florida Complex League and with High-A Brooklyn, focusing on adjustment.

2024 (Single-A St. Lucie / High-A Brooklyn): Appeared in 25 games (19 starts), logging 115 innings with a 4.30 ERA, 1.278 WHIP, 140 strikeouts, and 40 walks. His surface stats were solid, but advanced metrics (3.97 FIP, 3.02 xFIP) suggested even more potential, especially after a strong second half at High-A.

2025 (Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies): Breakout year! He tied for the minor-league lead in wins (12-6).

His command has improved markedly (low walk rates), and he's become a workhorse, eating innings while missing bats.

Mets farm director Andrew Christie has called him an "awesome worker" and athlete.

Pitching Repertoire

Wenninger's arsenal is a four-pitch mix emphasizing deception and north-south movement, thrown from an over-the-top slot that adds perceived velocity. He relies heavily on fastball-changeup (~90% usage in college), but has developed his breaking balls for better sequencing. Key pitches:Pitch

Four-Seam Fastball - 90-94 mph (touches 96-97 mph). Heavy ride (18 inches vertical break, 13.5 inches horizontal arm-side run). Plays up due to extension and slot. Primary pitch (40-50% usage); command can be spotty but improved in 2025. Low-to-mid 90s velo fits starter profile.

Splitter/Changeup 82-85 mph. His standout offering—tunnels seamlessly with the fastball, fades arm-side with sharp drop. Supreme feel; generates whiffs vs. LHB/RHB. Bread-and-butter putaway pitch (30-40% usage); "disgusting" fade seen in playoff at-bats. Best secondary, projects plus.

Curveball 77-80 mph. 12-6 shape with depth; still developing control but effective for stealing strikes. ~10% usage; pairs well with splitter for vertical plane attacks.

Slider 82-85 mph. Gyro spin for lateral sweep; sharper than curve, used for back-door calls and righty chases. Emerging (~10% usage); added bite in 2025, shown in sequences like two back-door sliders before a changeup KO shot.

Overall, his stuff grades average-to-above (fastball/slider 50-55, changeup 60, curve 45 on 20-80 scale), but the tunneling and sequencing make it play up. In 2025, he evolved into a strike-thrower who can dominate both sides of the plate, with the splitter as his separator.

Keep an eye on spring training 2026

MACK – seasoned readers here know I have been in on this guy for a couple of seasons now. First, he was my helium alert… now he has graduated to the next best thing that will become a major league Met. When? Well, a lot of this will be determined on how the current rotation pans out. McLean is in it. Sproat and Tong will follow. Then, here comes Jack…

11-7-2025

JUST BASEBALL

9. Jack Wenninger – RHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 230 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 6th Round (186) – NYM (2023) | ETA: 2026

A sixth round pick in 2023, Wenninger’s fastball jumped nearly three ticks in 2025, facilitating a breakout as he nearly halved his ERA in his first year at Double-A while tossing 135 2/3 innings.

Arsenal

After averaging roughly 92.5 MPH on his heater in 2024, Wenninger sat above 95 MPH in 2025, seeing his velocity continue to climb as the season progressed. Over his final 10 starts, Wenninger averaged 95.8 MPH with his four seamer and a half tick below that with his sinker.

Wenninger’s four seamer gets some run and ride, generating good whiff numbers within the zone and really crowding right-handed hitters on the inner half hitting just .170 against the pitch at Double-A.

His best pitch is his plus splitter in the mid 80s, getting plenty of vertical separation from the fastball, often looking like it runs out of gas just before home plate. While it is his preferred secondary to lefties, the way the pitch works off of his fastball makes it effective to righties as well, generating a chase rate north of 40% while going to more than 20% of the time.

Wenninger’s go-to secondary against righties is his mid 80s gyro slider. He’ll throw it nearly 30% of the time to same-handed hitters with far better results than when he mixes it in to lefties. It’s likely an average third offering that flashes above.

Outlook

Already comfortable filling up the zone with each of his offerings, Wenninger was able to maintain a walk rate south of 8% as his quality of stuff took a massive leap in 2025.

The strike throwing ability and pitch mix give him a great chance to sit in the back of a rotation as a sturdy innings eater. Wenninger has the upside of a No. 4 starter and reached closer to that with the way he closed out his season at Double-A, making him a candidate to see big league action with the Mets in 2026.

11-8-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

11. RHP Jack Wenninger

Wenninger has been terrific. Deservedly deserves # 11.

The 6’4” righty, drafted in the 6th round in 2023, went 12-6, in AA Binghamton, with a 2.92 ERA and 147 Ks in 136 innings, and a 1.15 WHIP.

And Jack was a post-season KILLER, going 2-0, 1.64 ERA in 11 innings, allowing just 4 hits and punching out TWENTY.

He has a terrific 311 pro Ks in 264 innings in 2024 and 2025.

He sometimes hits 96, but is not a flame thrower. However, he has an awesome change up and good slider.

AAA awaits, and my wish? May he crush it in 2026.

Jack could make his Mets debut some time during 2026.

12-13-2025

MACK/MM

Jack Wenninger –

2025 – AA Binghamton: 26-ST, 12-6, 2.92, 1.15, 135.2-IP, 147-K, 42-BB

Every organization has someone no one talks about. I call it “the quiet one”. Well, that’s Jack. Question? When was the last time you saw ink on this guy? All you every ready about is McLean, Tong, and Sproat. Sounds like a law firm specializing in accident recovery. Well, regular readers here will tell you how early I began touting Wenninger. 2026 should be the year he stands out in Syracuse and becomes a true 2027 starter option. I believe he has the potential to become the Don Drysdale on this team. Oh… youngins… look him up.

1-5-2025

ANGRY MILE/MM

Jack Wenninger is yet another Mets SP prospect who delivered an exciting breakout performance during the 2025 season, as a part of an absolutely STACKED Binghamton rotation. After finishing strong during the 2024 season, Wenninger earned the Opening Day start for the Rumble Ponies, firing five shutout innings of two-hit ball, with seven strikeouts, which became the blueprint for the majority of his starts all year. Wenninger exhibited a significant uptick in velocity towards the end of the 2024 season and he was able to carry that over into the 2025 season, while also flashing improved overall command, and improved secondary pitches.

Improved arsenal and improved command, was all he needed to finish among the Double-A Eastern League leaders in ERA, wins, innings pitched, strikeouts, K-Rate, and K/9, Wenninger finished behind Tong for the second consecutive season in strikeouts. As a member of the best rotation in the Minors, which included Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, Zach Thornton, and Jonathan Santucci at various points in the season, it’s not easy to deliver performances that help you stand out. Despite the tremendous star power taking the hill each night, Wenninger proved once again the Mets drafted an absolute bulldog in the 6th round of a stellar 2023 Draft Class.

Check out the other members of Wenninger’s Draft Class:

Pick #1 -> Colin Houck (1st Rd)

Pick #2 -> Brandon Sproat (2nd Rd)

Pick #3 -> Nolan McLean (3rd Rd)

Pick #6 -> A.J. Ewing (4th Rd)

Pick #8 -> Zach Thornton (5th Rd)

Pick #9 -> Jack Wenninger (6th Rd)

Pick #11 -> Boston Baro (7th Rd)

Pick #14 -> Brett Banks (11th Rd)

Pick #16 -> Ben Simon (13th Rd)

That is a lot of potential firepower to bring into a farm system, especially from a pitching standpoint, and that’s not even counting Kade Morris who was used in a 2024 trade. The Mets have absolutely dominated recent drafts, capitalizing on more selections throughout the draft than any other franchise. As we’ve pointed out in a previous article, the success rate the Mets had for draft selections after the sixth round in the final few years of the Wilpon regime was: an ASTONISHING:

ZERO PERCENT

That’s dozens of draft selections that collectively failed to produce even one significant player who developed into someone of consequence in regards to “Top Prospect status” or as a part of the MLB Roster.

ZERO PERCENT -> DOZENS OF SELECTIONS

Wenninger is another great example of how important it is for a scouting department and a development department need to have cross-functional collaborative efficiency when identifying prospects the franchise believes has the raw talent to elevate their prospect profile. Prior to Steve Cohen investing considerable financial resources designed at overhauling the Mets administrative infrastructure, there was a severe disconnect between departments that didn’t allow the Mets have the type of success we’ve recently seen, that’s quickly transformed high end raw talent into high end upside.

During the 2024 season Wenninger really only had 5 rough outings that accounted for an inordinate percentage of the total earned runs he allowed for the season:

2025 -> Game Log Analysis:

5 Rough Outings -> 25.1 IP || 24 ER

20 Other Outings -> 89.2 IP || 31 ER || 3.11 ERA

Season Statistics Ranks:

Innings -> 1st

ERA -> 2nd

Strikeouts -> 2nd

WHIP -> 3rd (Min. 100 IP)

B.A.A. -> 5th

2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

14 Outings of 5+ IP & 1 ER or fewer allowed

15 Outings -> 5+ Strikeouts

7 Outings -> 5+ IP | 2 ER or fewer | 5+ K

7 Quality Starts

11 Outings -> 7+ Strikeouts

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Wenninger has a lot of great things to take away from the 2025 season, such as improved consistency, improved command, maintained his above average K-r rate, and he had some of his best performances in August and September.

It’s always great to see young starting pitchers exhibit the ability to perform better as the season wears on and the exceed their career high in IP for a season, Wenninger saved his best for last, tossing an 8 IP gem in a critical playoff game. Wenninger has nothing left to prove in AA, but depending on what the Mets do with other players, there might not be room for him initially in the Syracuse rotation to open the 2026 season.

The Mets have 8 legit high upside SP prospects who deserve a chance to make starts for Syracuse, Tong, Scott, Santucci, Thornton, and Wenninger make the strongest claims to begin their seasons in AAA. Watson should headline the Binghamton rotation, and because Thornton is returning from an abdominal injury, he might spend the first month there as well, until a spot clears up for him in Syracuse. It would not be shocking to see Wenninger begin the year in the Binghamton rotation as well, in order to work on fine tuning a couple of his secondary offerings, and pitch count efficiency before being moved up to Syracuse. As good as Wenninger was, he could certainly utilize the additional time in Binghamton to become more adept at pitch deeper into games.

Wenninger’s raised his prospect profile significantly from a back-end SP, into a legit #3 SP or better if his velocity continues trending in the right direction and he is able to sharpen his curveball and slider to match the effectiveness of his splitter. He’s a hard worker, with a very dedicated, professional approach to improving himself, and he has the natural ability to continue improving his prospect profile. Even if his future is as a SP, Wenninger offers significant upside as a high-leverage RP, becuz of how effective his splits were against both RHB (0.237 BAA) and LHB (0.208 BAA).

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

10. Jack Thornton

LHSP 6-3 170 24/yrs in July

5th round pick 2023 – Grand Canyon U. (Guess Where?)

2025 – A+/AA: 14-ST, 6-2, 1.98, 0.81, 72.2-IP, 78-K, 11-BB

GROK -

Zach Thornton is a highly regarded left-handed starting pitcher in the New York Mets' minor league system.

At 23 years old (born January 17, 2002, in Winona, Minnesota), he's emerging as one of the organization's most promising arms, particularly noted for his elite command, control, and ability to dominate lineups without elite velocity.

Standing at 6'3" and 170 pounds, Thornton profiles as a potential back-of-the-rotation starter at the MLB level, with scouts praising his deceptive delivery.

Thornton grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, and honed his skills in summer collegiate leagues before transferring to Grand Canyon University (NCAA Division I) for his junior year in 2023. At Grand Canyon, he earned All-WAC second-team honors as a starter, posting a 3.87 ERA over 88.1 innings with 91 strikeouts and just 18 walks—showcasing the command that would define his pro career.

The Mets selected him in the fifth round (159th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft, signing him for $350,000. Prior to the draft, Thornton had a decorated JUCO career at Barton Community College, where he was named first-team all-conference, conference Pitcher of the Year runner-up, first-team all-region, and third-team All-American as a sophomore in 2022. He also pitched in the Appalachian League (Elizabethton River Riders) and MLB Draft League (Mahoning Valley Scrappers), boosting his stock with scouts.

Thornton's pro debut in 2023 was solid but unremarkable: he split time between the Florida Complex League Mets and Single-A St. Lucie, going 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 22 innings.

The real breakout came in 2025, where he dominated across High-A Brooklyn (South Atlantic League) and Double-A Binghamton (Eastern League).

Overall Stats (as of injury in August 2025): 8-2 record, 1.53 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 24.4% K-BB% rate (16th-best among minor leaguers with 12+ starts), and a sub-2.00 FIP. He ranked among the top 16 minor league pitchers with an ERA under 2.00.

High-A Brooklyn (April-May): 3-0, 0.44 ERA in four starts (20.2 IP), with 24 strikeouts and just 2 walks. Earned South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month for April.

Double-A Binghamton (May-August): 5-2, 2.13 ERA, including gems like 6.2 IP of one-run ball (8 K's, no walks) and a career-high 7 IP shutout (3 H, 6 K, 0 BB). Named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for May 19-25.

His 2025 season quietly placed him among the Mets' top pitching prospects, behind headliners like Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat but ahead of many in raw effectiveness.

Thornton's arsenal isn't built on velocity but on deception, location, and sequencing. His delivery—described as "all movement"—creates late life on his pitches, leading to high whiff rates despite modest speeds. He commands all four offerings well, rarely exceeding 90 pitches per start.

Fastball - Four-seam with significant induced vertical break (16.1 inches) and spin rates of 2,200-2,400 RPM for deception. Sits low-90s, tops out at 93-94 mph. Primary pitch (50-60% usage); plays up due to arm action and command. Generates swings-and-misses despite average velo.

Slider - Mid-80s sweeper with sharp horizontal break; his go-to out pitch against righties. 25-30% usage; above-average command allows him to bury it low-and-away. Complements fastball well.

Curveball - 12-6 breaker for depth and change of pace; used to steal strikes early in counts. 10-15% usage; effective for tunneling with fastball-slider.

Changeup - Fading action to jam lefties; developing but inconsistent. 5-10% usage; more of a show-me pitch, but improving

Cutter (emerging) - Hard horizontal slice added in 2025 for variety against contact hitters. Low usage (~5%); helps shorten plate appearances and set up other pitches.

Scouts note his fastball-slider combo as plus, with the full mix giving him a "crafty lefty" profile similar to a young Jamie Moyer but with better strikeout upside. Areas for growth: Adding velocity (he's young and projectable) and refining the changeup for same-handed matchups.

Outlook - Thornton embodies the Mets' emphasis on polished college arms under David Stearns. If he stays healthy, he's on track for a big-league debut by 2027, potentially as a reliable No. 4-5 starter.

Mack – this is another of those great Mets minor league starters that get little press, due to the emphasis on The Three Amigos (McLean, Tong, Sproat). Don’t be surprised if he sneaks into the open day 2027 roation as an SP4-5.

11-6-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

18. LHP Zach Thornton

He pitched great as a lefty in AA, until he badly strained his left oblique a la Manaea, and the LEFTY’S season abruptly ended in late June. His numbers to that point were dazzling: 6-2, 1.98, 78 Ks in 72 IP, and an 0.81 WHIP. WOW! I would have him higher, but let’s see how he returns from his injury in 2026 first. Yes, Gus, he is a quality lefty. Great control, can hit 95, but more of a Viola type crafty lefty. One to Watch In 2026.

11-7-2025

Just Baseball

https://www.justbaseball.com/prospects/new-york-mets-top-15-prospects/

Zach Thornton – LHP – (Double-A): Another Mets pitching prospect who took a leap in 2025, Thornton was drafted in the fifth round in 2023, turning in a decent first pro season before dominating to a 1.98 ERA in 72 2/3 innings at High-A and Double-A in 2025.

A pitchability southpaw, Thornton fills up the strike zone with his low 90s fastball that generates above average carry and extension. His slider is his best swing and miss pitch to both lefties and righties while mixing in a cutter, sinker and curveball as well.

Thornton’s breakout was cut short due to an oblique injury, but he is a high probability depth arm who could potentially miss enough bats to round out a rotation.

12-5-2025

Angry Mike/MM

ZACH THORNTON -> Breakout 2026 season has not gone unnoticed by Mets brass, ticketed to hit AAA early.

-> #Mets bullpen requires a complete overhaul, Thornton has the best command in the system, dominated RHB & LHB, & if we want to make a deep post-season run, we need at least 1-2 more reliable arms for the bullpen. Thornton would be perfect, while he waits for a rotation spot to open up for 2027.

12-11-2025

Angry Mike/MM

The Mets drafted Zach Thornton in the 5th round of the 2023 draft, and after a solid professional debut, they decided to challenge the young left-hander during the 2024 season. Thornton was credited for putting in a tremendous amount of hard work during the off-season, which is why he enjoyed a breakout 2025 season, posting numbers as dominant as any other pitcher in the system. If it wasn’t for an abdominal injury that forced him to miss the final month and half of the season, there is reason to believe Thornton would have not only finished the year in Syracuse, he might have even earned a couple starts at the MLB level.

Thornton posted exponentially better numbers across the board compared to his 2024 season, despite spending the majority of the season facing much more advanced competition. He exuded confidence and navigated through lineups with conviction, and his performances were on par with some of the best pitchers not only in the Mets system, but in the entire minor leagues. Unfortunately for him, the Mets have the deepest collection of high impact starting pitchers in the MLB and a record number of them posted breakout seasons at almost every minor league level. Despite Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and others gaining all of the media attention, Thornton quietly put together as dominant of a season as anybody prior to his injury.

Thornton threw 6 perfect innings in Double-AA, only to watch Tong throw 6.2 perfect frames. Thornton posted an ERA of 1.98 across 72.2 IP, only to watch Tong finish with an ERA (1.43). Thornton dominated hitters holding them to a .187 BAA, an astounding number for a starting pitcher in AA, only to watch Tong post a .146 BAA. Thornton also showed improved strikeout potential, posting a 29% K-Rate, only to be bested again by Tong’s 40% K-Rate.

Tong posted an incredible 0.92 WHIP, ranking second behind Thornton’s remarkable 0.81 WHIP. Thornton posted a 4% BB-rate which has only been seen one other time by a Mets prospect, Christian Scott, several years ago. The idea isn’t to make this article about Jonah Tong, the point is to show you that Thornton’s season was on par with Jonah Tong’s historic season, which was by far the most dominant season ever by minor league pitcher.

You like what we did there? That’s why Mack calls me a “writer”…

2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

14 GS | 72.2 IP | 1.98 ERA | 0.81 WHIP | .187 BAA | 48 H | 11 BB | 78 K

- 2025 K-Rate (29%) -> (‘24 18%), despite facing more advanced competition

- 4% BB-Rate was the lowest in MiLB among pitchers with at least 70 IP

- Only other pitcher in the system to throw 6 PERFECT INNINGS in 2025

- Only 1 outing allowed 4 ER -> 2nd lowest to Tong

- 13 Outings -> allowed 3 ER or fewer -> that’s 93% of his total outings

- 7 Outings -> ZERO ER allowed

- 2 Outings -> One ER allowed

- 2 outings -> Two ER allowed

- 9 Outings -> 5+ IP & 6+ strikeouts

- HALF of his outings for the season -> 5+ IP & 3 or fewer hits

- 6 Outings -> 2 or fewer hits

- He walked 11 batters total fir the ENTIRE season

- 5 Quality Starts -> 22 IP | 0.41 ERA | 0.50 WHIP | 36 K | 7 H | 4 BB

- 4 Outings -> 21.2 IP -> 8 BB

- 10 Outings -> 50 IP -> 3 BB

- 56.1 IP versus RHB -> 59 K | 34 H | 8 BB | .172 BAA | 0.75 WHIP

LHP versus RHB SPLITS:

Z. Thornton: Not Ranked -> 56.1 IP | .172 BAA | 0.75 WHIP

T. White: #22 | Top 100 -> 65.1 IP | .183 BAA | 1.26 WHIP

P. Tolle: #28 | Top 100 -> 72.1 IP | .216 BAA | 1.05 WHIP

N. Schultz: #40 | Top 100 -> 43.1 IP | .320 BAA | 2.03 WHIP

R. Snelling: #51 | Top 100 -> 84.2 IP | .203 BAA | 1.03 WHIP

2026 OUTLOOK:

Thornton has nothing left to prove in AA, and should spend the majority of his 2026 season as part of a formidable Syracuse rotation, that will feature several of the Mets Top Prospects. The only reason we might see Thornton begin the year in AA is if the Mets delay Sproat’s insertion into the MLB rotation for a couple weeks by starting him in Syracuse. It’ll be a house-keeping type move that has him begin the year in AA, it won’t be because he’s not ready to tackle the next level.

2025 highlighted Thornton’s continued evolution into an impact starting pitcher, his velocity spiked up consistently into the low-90s MPH, topping out at 95. Thornton featured a devastating cutter that he used to keep hitters off-balanced, while deploying his above average changeup and slider as his put-away pitches. Watching Thornton’s starts, you’ll notice how he challenges hitters in the zone, and knows how to induce chase to put them away. Thornton excels at using a tactical approach to locate his pitches, for setting hitters up for a potential strikeout or to induce weak contact.

He still has considerable projection left on his 6’4 frame, so there is reason to believe he’ll continue too add a couple more ticks of velocity as fills out and increases strength. Despite not throwing as hard as Top 100 ranked prospects, Thornton posted some of the best splits versus right-handed batters for the season. Four left-handed starters were ranked among the Top 51 Overall prospects and Thornton posted the lowest BAA & WHIP among them all. This might play a crucial role as to how we might potentially see Thornton deployed during the 2026 season, as it might expedite his arrival to Queens, as a potential high-leverage multi-inning reliever.

A.J. Minter’s health remains a question mark, Gregory Soto’s return seems unlikely, and Danny Young is out for the season because of TJ surgery. Even if the Mets add a lefty-reliever this winter, Thornton might be an option to consider for the bullpen when the pennant race heats up. Although Thornton’s future is going to be as a starter, having a dynamic multi-inning RP, with elite control and elite strikeout potential, could be the difference between making the playoffs or making reservations for Cancun.

The White Sox utilized Garrett Crochet the same way, and Stearns even deployed Burnes as a reliever during his initial stint in the MLB, so there is historical precedent to use him in this capacity if the need arises. I can tell you with confidence, Thornton will not pull a Frankie Montas, and start whining about having to pitch out of the bullpen, as he’s a competitor who will fill whatever role the Mets need him to, especially if it means competing for a World Series.

Just watch him pitch and you’ll understand.

Thornton is primed for a huge 2026 and will continue to be one of the more closely watched prospects in our farm system by the “House of Angry Mike”, because of the potential upside he offers and for the fact he has the rare potential to continue improving his future ceiling like our other Top Prospects.

12-20-2025 –

MACK/MM

Zach Thornton – a particular favorite of mine, my fandom had to take a pause when he went down last season when, on July7th, he suffered a “mild” oblique injury. Have you ever had one of them? Well, there is nothing mild about any level of them. Now, try to imagine having that and having to come off the rubber 80-100 times every five days? No, Zach was shut down for the remainder of the season, which prevented him from ending the season in AAA-Syracuse. I have him returning to AA-Binghamton and following the same path that Watson will be on. Two members of the next Three Amigos.

1-13-2026

Angry Mike/MM @AngryMike24

<-> Mets Zach Thornton -> Prior to IL Stint: Hi-A & AA:

-> 10 / 14 Outings went 5+ IP

-> 9 / 10 Outings of 5+ IP allowed 2 ER or fewer

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

-> 29% K-RATE | 4.0% BB-RATE

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

11. RHSP Will Watson

23/years old 6-1 180 7th rd. 2024 – USC

2025 – A/A+/AA: 28-G, 23-ST, 3-9, 2.60, 1.20, 121.1-IP, 142-K, 58-BB

GROK -

Will Watson is widely regarded as one of their breakout prospects in 2025.

He signed for $281,300, just under slot value.

Prior to USC, Watson attended California Lutheran University and San Joaquin Delta College, where he was drafted in the 20th round by the Seattle Mariners in 2023 but opted to return to school.

Watson's journey to pro ball included a solid college season at USC in 2024, where he appeared in 16 games (9 starts), posting a 3.93 ERA over 50.1 innings with 46 strikeouts, 27 walks, and a 1.411 WHIP.

Watson profiles primarily as a pitcher with starter potential but could transition to relief if command issues persist. He's praised for his competitiveness, athleticism, and ability to miss bats,

2025 Performance and Rise

Watson's first full professional season in 2025 has been a revelation, earning him spots on Mets top-prospect lists. He began at Single-A St. Lucie, where he dominated with a sub-3.00 ERA and high strikeout totals, including a career-high 7 Ks in 4.1 hitless innings in his debut on April 9.

Promoted to High-A Brooklyn in June, he continued excelling (e.g., 8 Ks in 4.2 scoreless innings on June 13), then reached Double-A Binghamton by late summer.

Scouts call him a "wildcard" arm with quick-rising potential, though his fringe-average control (walks remain a hurdle) could cap him as a mid-rotation starter or high-leverage reliever.

ETA to MLB: 2027, but aggressive promotions suggest 2026 is possible.

Pitch Repertoire

Watson's arsenal is deep and versatile, featuring a five-pitch mix that plays well against both lefties and righties. He's experienced a velocity spike in pro ball (up 2-3 mph across the board), crediting Mets development for better extension and spin. He throws from a low-three-quarters slot with a leg kick and long arm action, adding deception. His fastball-centric approach keeps hitters off-balance, and he's noted that opponents "haven't been comfortable" facing it.

Four-Seam Fastball

94-97 mph (avg. 95)

Rise/run profile with elite spin (up to 2,300 RPM); explosive life up in the zone for whiffs. Primary pitch (50-60% usage).

Plus grade; generates swing-and-miss (often his best offering). Peaks at 97 mph.

Slider

84-87 mph (mid-80s avg.)

Sharp, late break with two-plane movement; pairs well with fastball for righties.

Above-average; key for stealing strikes and Ks (recently "working really well"). 20-25% usage.

Cutter

88-91 mph (upper-80s avg.)

New addition in 2025; hard, late cut to tunnel with fastball/slider.

Fringe-average but improving; used as bridge pitch (10-15% usage). "Still finding the right spots," per Watson.

Changeup

87-90 mph (upper-80s avg.)

Tailing action with arm-side fade; firm but flashes plus potential vs. lefties.

Above-average; complements fastball for reverse splits. 10-15% usage.

Curveball

78-82 mph

Deeper, 12-6 break as change-of-pace; less used but adds depth.

Average; situational for early counts or stealing strikes. <10% usage.

Strengths: High-spin fastball and slider combo drives his 25-30% K-rate; athletic delivery aids repeatability. Areas for growth: Command (4+ BB/9) to unlock full potential—refining this could elevate all pitches to plus. Watson's meteoric 2025 rise—from seventh-rounder to Double-A playoff starter—marks him as a Mets system bonus. With the organization's pitching lab, he could emerge as a dark-horse rotation piece by 2027.

11-7-2025

Just Baseball

14. Will Watson – RHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 185 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 7th Round (203) – NYM (2024) | ETA: 2027

Initially a two-way player at California Lutheran, Watson shifted his focus to the mound full time before transferring to USC where he pitched his way from the bullpen to a starter’s role. His athleticism is evident, working down the mound well, releasing from a roughly 5 foot height with a long arm action that can make it difficult to consistently hit his spots.

Though his fastball averaged 95 MPH and is released from a low slot, it seemed to be relatively easy for hitters to stay on, with a 45% Hard Hit rate allowed and a swinging strike rate below 8%. His best pitch is his plus slider at 85-87 MPH that decimated right-handed hitters in 2025. His equalizer for lefties is an above average changeup, but he will mix in a fringy cutter as well.

Watson has big league stuff and the athleticism to dream on some more, but his command will need to improve to fend off a move to the bullpen.

11-8-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

13. RHP Will Watson

Very, very promising righty. I promise.

A 22 year old 6’1” righty, with a 60 rated FB, he threw 3 brief innings of toe-dipping in 2024, then went just 3-9 in 2025, but with a dazzling 2.60 ERA and 142 Ks in 121 IP. W/L records in the minors don’t mean a lot, as starters often get pulled after 4 innings or in the 5th, denying them the chance to pick up a W.

In the second half of 2025, Watson had a 2.10 ERA. Pitching at 3 levels, 18 of his 2025 innings were in his 3rd destination in Binghamton. Could very well be a 2027 Mets starter. A “Sherlock” for a rotation spot, some might say.

12-6-2025

Angry Mike/MM

WILL WATSON -> Watson is another SP who will draw a lot of attention, becuz of how his arsenal improved across the board & his strong finish. His stuff is electric & he has a future as a SP or RP, which is why the extra attention is based on what the Mets decide to do.

-> Will we see another uptick in VELO on all his pitches? Can Watson take another step forward with his command? If both these things happen you have a potential Top 100 Prospect by season’s end.

12-20-2025

MACK/MM

Will Watson – wow, did this guy come out of nowhere last season. It seemed like he just marched his way through the chain during his first professional season. I expect more of the same this season, but I do see a return to AA-Binghamton to start off as SP1. From there, AAA followed by a probably late call-up next season to help out in the pen.

12-15-2025

Angry Mike/MM

Will Watson was selected in the 7th Round of the 2024 Draft out of U.S.C., after spending a couple years of eligibility honing his skills on the JUCO circuit. Watson’s assignment St. Lucie started off very well, before battling control issues during his second month, allowing an uncharacteristic 18 walks for the month of May. The Mets still saw enough to promote him to Brooklyn in June, which is when Watson’s season really took off. Watson features an improving arsenal, that features 3 pitches above-average to plus, highlighted by a 4-seam fastball, that generates comparable I.V.B to Jonah Tong.

Watson’s entire arsenal exhibited an impressive bump in average velocity across the board, starting with his fastball which sat comfortably at 95 MPH, topping out at 97. There is reason to believe he might experience another incremental uptick in velocity as he continues to build up arm strength and physically mature. Both his changeup and slider experienced upticks in velocity, sitting in the mid-80s and high-80s respectively. Both pitches are capable of generating whiffs or inducing weak contact. Watson is still a bit inexperienced, and with continued and added experience, his arsenal has the potential to improve significantly.

It took one season for Watson to establish himself as another potential high-upside starting pitcher during his stint with Brooklyn, logging successful outings each and every time he took the mound.

The outings weren’t as long as you would see from typical starting pitching prospects, but the Mets were extremely conservative with his pitch counts while transitioning him into a starting pitcher.

Despite the conservative pitch counts, Watson regularly pitching into the 5th inning or longer. As he continues to gain experience as a starter and improve his command, there is no reason why he can’t develop into a reliable middle-of-the-rotation innings-eater or better. Despite the string of consecutive solid outings, his BB-Rate needs to improve, as does limiting the number of non-competitive pitches seen from game film. In seven of his outings he allowed 3 or more walks, and 12 other outings he allowed two walks, which is way too many, when you take into account, he only averaged slightly over four innings per outing.

As ugly as the walk-rate is, it actually shows you how electric his stuff is and the type of moxie he has to regularly pitch his way out of trouble. Unfortunately as he advances to the higher levels and eventually to the MLB, hitters become more adept at making you pay when you create unnecessary traffic on the base paths.

2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

- 14 outings allowed ZERO ER -> pitching into the 5th IP in 12 of them

- 18 outings allowed 3 hits or fewer -> 4 outings pitched fewer than 3 IP

- 8 outings pitched into the 5th IP or longer -> allowed 2 or fewer hits

- 21 outings he had 4+ strikeouts

- 9 of his final 10 outings he had 5 or more strikeouts

- 9 outings of 6+ strikeouts

- 7 outings of 7+ strikeouts

- Posted 4 months of with an ERA under 2.00 & 16+ IP

- Posted 3 months only allowing 3 or fewer runs across 16+ IP

- Only 2 outings -> allowed more than 3 earned runs

- 6 outings -> 23 ER | 23 IP -> 9.00 ERA

- 22 outings -> 12 ER | 98.1 IP -> 1.10 ERA

MAY 31st GS: 1st outing of season -> pitched a career-high 81 pitches

Fastball registered (95+) -> 6 times past the 65-pitch mark

JUNE - AUGUST 23rd OUTINGS -> Promoted to Hi-A: Brooklyn

Performed his best facing off against toughest competition of his career

Eclipsed previous career high in IP for a season

Showing ZERO signs of fatigue

Showed improved command

Fastball, Changeup, & Slider -> all flashed above-average

Mets increased pitch counts into the 65-87 pitches per start

1.70 ERA -> 14 outings | 63.2 IP

.199 BAA was the lowest of his professional career over longest stretch of his professional career

25 strikeouts -> 2 starts posted 8 strikeouts each

30% K-RATE & 11% BB-RATE | 63.2 IP career-best for longest stretch of IP

Allowed fewest homers per 9 IP

After his brilliant stretch of games at Brooklyn, the Mets promoted him to Double-A, an impressive feat for a young pitcher who was transitioning from a reliever to a starting pitcher during his first professional season. His AA debut was his worst outing of the season, surrendering 6 earned runs, in 4.1 innings, but that could be partially attributed to not following his normal routine.

Reed Garrett was rehabbing, and Watson entered the game after Garrett’s lone inning of work. Watson finished the season incredibly strong in his final 2 starts, surrendering only 2 hits across 9.2 scoreless innings, racking up 14 strikeouts, and most importantly surrendering only 2 walks.

Only a 150 innings prior to these two starts, Watson was facing off against JUCO hitters, only to now find himself pitching against some of the Red Sox AA-affiliate. Watson faced off against Boston’s top prospect, and the #24 overall ranked prospect in baseball, Franklin Arias, retiring him 4 straight times, before giving up an infield single.

Although it is a small sample set, the fact Watson had zero trouble retiring one of the more talented players in minor league baseball showed a glimpse of Watson’s exciting future potential. With continued development, a little more refinement, and experience, the Mets should be very excited at the possibility of adding another dynamic arm to an already loaded group of high-impact pitching prospects.

Watson might be a little further away than their other top pitching prospects, but the ceiling is extremely high as either a mid-rotation starter or as a high-leverage reliever. Watson absolutely dominated left-handed hitters during his professional debut, recording a .186 BAA, with 61 strikeouts across 52.2 IP. He was equally tough against right-handed hitters, recording a .216 BAA, 81 strikeouts across 65.1 IP.

These splits are important to note, because the Mets need to reconstruct their bullpen from scratch, and Watson has the type of electric stuff capable of filling a critical role in the Mets bullpen for the 2026 season. If he can limit the walks, he can provide the Mets with a dynamic multi-inning reliever, they have been missing since Dedniel Nunez was lost to Tommy John surgery.

12-18-2025 –

MACK/MM

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

12. Ryan Lambert

2025 – A+/AA: 46-G, 2-1, 1.62, 1.16-WHIP, 7-SV, 50-IP, 27-BB, 81-K

GROK -

Ryan Lambert is a highly promising right-handed relief pitcher in the New York Mets organization. Selected in the 8th round (233rd overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft out of the University of Oklahoma, he's quickly emerged as one of the system's most exciting bullpen arms due to his elite velocity and strikeout ability.

Viewed as a potential future closer or high-leverage reliever

Lambert's college journey involved transfers, starting at North Iowa Area Community College (NJCAA) in 2022, then Missouri State in 2023, before landing at Oklahoma in 2024. At Oklahoma, he appeared in 23 games as a closer/reliever, posting a 2.57 ERA over 21 innings with 19 strikeouts and a 4-0 record. His arm strength turned heads, including a 102 mph fastball against Wichita State in 2023—he's an admitted "adrenaline guy" who thrives in high-pressure spots.

Draft Appeal: Mets scout Skip Johnson (his Oklahoma coach) praised his fastball but emphasized secondary development. Lambert signed for $172,500 and debuted professionally in 2024, logging limited innings due to his low-mileage arm (just 56 total college innings since 2022).

Professional Performance

He's been used exclusively as a reliever, averaging under an inning per outing in college and continuing that trend in the minors.

Overall Projection:

Mets officials see him as a "classic two-pitch reliever" with upside for more. His mechanics (high-three-quarters slot, short arm action) generate power but can lead to walks (7.3 BB/9 in college). If he refines control, he could rocket through the system—Mets have a track record of fast-tracking relievers like José Buttó.

Pitch Repertoire

Lambert's arsenal is built for overpowering hitters, led by one of the hardest fastballs in the minors. It's a high-velocity, two-pitch mix right now, with room to expand.

Four-Seam Fastball - 97-102 (sits 98) - Elite "rising" action with +20 inches of induced vertical break (iVB), creating an optical illusion of upward movement. Set MLB Draft League records at 100.4 and 100.7 mph in 2024. 31.2% whiff rate (double NCAA average). Generates tons of groundballs (56% GB rate career). Primary pitch (60-70% usage est.); his "out" pitch for two-strike counts. Mets love its carry and deception.

Sinker (or Cutter-like variation) - 95-98 - Heavier, with more arm-side run and less vertical break when thrown harder. Can flatten out into a cutter profile. Secondary offering for inducing weak contact; pairs well with fastball for tunneling. Helps vs. righties.

Slider 84-88 - Developing sweeper-style breaker with horizontal movement; still raw but shows promise for whiffs. Early-career pitch (low usage); focus of Mets' development to complement his heat. Potential third pitch.

Lambert's stuff plays up in short bursts, making him ideal for late innings. He's expressed confidence in pushing his fastball even higher ("no limit to what I can do"), and his groundball tendencies (56% career) limit hard contact. Challenges include walk rate and adding a reliable off-speed pitch, but at 23 with minimal wear, his ceiling is a dominant closer

MACK – In my book, Lambert is show-in for the Mets pen in 2027. Maybe even as a closer. Just electric shite here and, when he is paired with Dylan Ross someday, is going to be one hellava nasty back-end portion of the Mets bullpen.

11-6-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

17. RHP Ryan Lambert

Lambert, another fireballing reliever with toughness, will be a real factor in the Mets pen in 2026. In his first full season, he had 81 Ks in 50 innings, and a 1.62 ERA between High A and AA. 7 of 9 in saves, and 12 holds. Typically sits in the high 90s.

Fearless. Hungry. 23 years old and 6’3” 225.

He has to start out in AAA, and most likely will be added to the Mets pen during 2026. It seems unlikely he will make the Mets opening day roster with no AAA innings to date. But I’d like to be wrong.

11-7-2025

Just Baseball

https://www.justbaseball.com/prospects/new-york-mets-top-15-prospects/

Ryan Lambert – RHP – (Double-A): An 8th round selection in 2024, Lambert bounced Northern Iowa Area Community College in 2022 to Missouri State in 2023 and Oklahoma in 2024.

His fastball and overall intensity on the mound caught the attention of big league clubs and translated into a dominant first full pro season, pitching to a 1.62 ERA in 50 innings, striking out 81. His 70 grade fastball averages 97 MPH and gets plus carry from a short arm delivery that results in big whiff within the zone and chase at the top. The slider is still a work in progress off of it, but the fastball alone makes him a high probability big league reliever.

1-12-2026

ANGRY MIKE/MM

RYAN LAMBERT -> PHASE TWO

Lambert is one of my favorite prospects in the Mets system, he’s an old-school power-pitcher, who excels at attacking hitters up in the zone, and then inducing chase with his wicked slider. Lambert’s best pitch is his 70-scouting grade fastball, that sits in the upper 90s, topping out at 102, with a ton of spin and carry, as well riding life. His slider sits in the mid 80s, and exhibits a power sweeping or gyro horizontal movement, which can be thrown for strikes or be used to induce chase. Lambert forced a quick promotion to Binghamton and dominated as their closer, posting 14.58 K/9, 1.71 ERA, and 0.190 BAA. Unlike Ross, Lambert was consistent every month, aside from a couple rough outings here and there, which are a result of his control being spotty at times resulting in more walks than we accustomed to seeing. Similar to Edwin Diaz, at times he’ll pitch himself into trouble, and then quickly pitch himself out of it. Lambert should be ticketed to start 2026 in Syracuse and I can’t imagine him being there that long if he exhibits the same premier stuff he flashed in 2025.

Ross and Lambert are older prospects and they need to be given a chance to earn roles in a Mets bullpen that no longer has any triple digit throwers we’re normally accustomed to seeing.

1-17-2026

MACK/MM

Ryan Lambert – Lambert is lagging behind Ross, but only time wise. He should cut his bones at Cuse’ for the entire season, but who knows what with the history of Mets injures with relief pitchers. I hope they leave him alone and only consider him as a late, playoff addition (did I say playoffs?).

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

13. Jacob Reimer

Turns 22 in February 6-0 2025

Plays 3B, 1B, LF RHH

2022 – 4th round pick – Yucaipa HS (SoCal) - $77.5K bonus

2025: A+/AA – 522-PA, 112-K, 58-BB, 17-HR, 77-RBI, .282/.379/.491/.870

He's emerged as one of the Mets' top hitting prospects.

Reimer had a breakout 2025 season at High-A Brooklyn, where he slashed .284/.388/.500 with 8 HR and 11 steals in 62 games, earning South Atlantic League Player of the Month for April (.318/.383/.659 with multiple multi-HR games, including a franchise-record three-homer game on April 30).

His scouting profile highlights plus raw power, an advanced approach (high walk rates, strong contact skills), and improved timing/rotation after tweaks in the Mets' hitting lab following a hamstring-limited 2024 (.218/.358/.282 in just 25 games).

Defensively, he has a strong arm for third base but questions about range and accuracy; the Mets have tested him in the outfield.

Many see him as a potential everyday corner infielder with power upside, and he's frequently mentioned as underrated or a rising star in the loaded Mets farm.

MACK –

I’ve never been a big Reimer fan because he doesn’t profile as a complete player. I love defense, and this guy is the poster child for a bad dream. However… his power does project him as a viable DH candidate for 2027.

10-31-2025

Who are the next young studs for the Mets?

3B Jacob Reimer (No. 6 prospect, Double-A BNG)

2025 MiLB Totals: 122 G, 522 PA, .282/.379/.491, 125 H, 17 HR, 32 2B, 5 3B, 88 R, 77 RBI, 15 SB, 21.5%-11.1% K-BB%, .209 ISO, .338 BABIP, .399 wOBA, 157 wRC+

Latest Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 / Power: 50 / Run: 40 / Arm: 50 / Field: 45 / Overall: 50

MLB Comp: Max Muncy (2015 Grades: 45 / 40 / 40 / 45 / 45 / Overall: 45)

Given his placement just outside the Top 5 on the Mets’ prospect list, I imagine everyone reading this is plenty familiar with Jacob Reimer’s name as well. That’s for good reason: Reimer had a scorching 2025 campaign.

After an initial struggle at High-A in 2023 and then an injury-shortened follow-up campaign in 2024, Reimer entered the 2025 season as the Mets’ 15th overall prospect. Though his skillset was apparent, there were some questions about whether they’d consistently translate to in-game results.

Safe to say those concerns have been largely put to rest.

But it’s not just the eye-popping slash line or the position-leading wRC+ that have my hype meter going crazy. This is what has me extra stoked about Reimer:

Among third basemen with at least 500 plate appearances, Reimer led all of Minor League Baseball in isolated power (ISO) and ranked third in Speed score (Spd). No other third base prospect offered a profile quite like that in 2025.

Though Reimer’s 15 stolen bases in 2025 were only good enough to tie for 20th among his MiLB peers, it reflected a 5x increase from his 2023 total of three (3) stolen bases. Couple that with a doubled homer output, and to say Reimer simply ‘bounced back’ from his hamstring injury would be putting it mildly.

Long story short, this kid’s fantastic, and he’s only going to get better. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get a cup of coffee in 2026.

11-7-2025

JUST BASEBALL

8. Jacob Reimer – 3B – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 205 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 4th Round (119), 2024 (NYM) | ETA: 2027

A California prep bat, Reimer was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 draft, turned in an impressive first pro season in 2023 before injuries limited him to just 21 regular season games in 2024. The Mets sent Reimer out to the Arizona Fall League to make up for lost reps, where he posted mostly average numbers, but started to make the mechanical adjustments that have him breaking out in 2025.

Hitting

Reimer previously started with his weight stacked on his back side and back knee bowed out towards home. Starting so stacked with his back knee at that angle likely made it more difficult to hold his weight back as he began his launch, resulting in some drift forward.

He now starts more upright, coiling into his back side with rhythm along with his barrel getting into a slot that is much easier to get on plane (he dropped his hands too low with the bat more vertical as he loaded before).

These improvements have Reimer’s barrel living in the zone much longer while putting him in a more powerful position to hit. He has cut his ground ball rate by 10% while his hard hit rate has jumped from 33% in 2023 and 2024 combined to a whopping 49% through his first 50 games in 2025.

While finding more barrel depth, Reimer has maintained solid contact rates while his pitch recognition skills and feel for the strike zone stand out. There’s above average power potential with the feel to hit and approach to get into it.

Defense/Speed

Not necessarily the fleetest of foot, Reimer’s range is fringy at third base, but he has an above average arm and is comfortable throwing on the run and from different angles. He may ultimately profile best at first base, but Reimer should be able to provide passable defense at third.

Outlook

Earning high marks for his work ethic and knowledge of his swing, Reimer followed an injury-riddled 2024 season with tangible adjustments in the box and added strength that have him breaking out offensively in 2025. Even if there is limited value beyond the bat, Reimer has the offensive ingredients to get on base at an above average clip and hit 20-25 homers.

11-11-2025 - Tom Brennan/MM

3B Jacob Reimer

By this time next season, we will know much better just how good the 21 year old former 119th overall pick is. His bad 2024 hammy injury essentially destroyed that year of development.

Strong bounce-back for Jacob in 2025, who struggled but then adjusted well to AA pitching. He may well have a better hit tool than Clifford long-term. I struggled to decide which of the 2 should go at #6, and which at #7. I went alphabetically.

Some say the 6’0”, 205 Reimer is a tad slow. If so, how did he steal 15 of 18 in just 122 games? He also raked 32 doubles, 2 triples, and 17 HRs, along with 77 RBIs, in those 122 games. And he hit .277 despite his fairly prolonged mid-season slump.

Project those power numbers over 162 games and you end up with 42 doubles, 23 HRs, and 102 RBIs. 20 steals, too. I’ll take it.

Ceiling? Close to David Wright. Floor? Close to Zach Lutz.

My prognosis is somewhere in the middle between the two, a good, solid major leaguer.

He has played first base well, and been error-prone at 3B. I expect real glove progress in 2026, and for him to force his way somewhere into the Mets line up in 2027.

11-20-2025 –

MACK/MM

Jacob Reimer – turns 22 in February. Plays 1B (!) and LF too. Now, this one is interesting. Hell of a bat but legs of cement and a glove made up of silly putty. 2022 A+/AA: 522-PA, 112-K, 58-BB, 17-HR, 77-RBI, .282/.379/.491/.870. I can’t find how many games he has played at first, nor can I find those stats, but I have been told by an insider that he plays better defense there than what he plays on third (that’s not saying much though). Still, his bat=first approach could lead him to a future DH role and a possible first baseman.

11-21-2025

TJStats

#50 - Jacob Reimer broke out in a big way during the 2025 season, making his way to AA while posting a 157 wRC+. Every aspect of his offensive profiles paints him as an above average bat with his most impressive traits being his excellent approach and silky-smooth swing geared for loft. His 11.1% walk rate was supported by a strong 22% O-Swing rate. He rarely expanded the zone with two strikes, allowing him to battle back into counts frequently. While his contact metrics hovered around average, he struggled to consistently connect with breaking balls. His defensive future remains a question moving forward; however, he looked more comfortable manning the hot corner this season and projects to be third baseman. Reimer is a well-rounded hitter with no discernible flaws at the dish who should find his way up to MLB soon.

11-25-2025

Angry Mike @AngryMike24

Mets Jacob Reimer remains unranked on Top 100 Prospect Lists, check out his AA stats compared to players who are ranked #2 (McGonigle #Tigers) & #5 (Weatherholt #Cardinals)

Jacob Reimer -> AA Stats: Age 21: 61 Games

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

Kevin McGonigle -> AA Stats: Age 21: 46 Games

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

J.J. Weatherholt -> AA Stats: Age 23: 62 Games

.300 BA | .425 OBP | .891 OPS | 7 HR | 10 2B | 34 RBI | 39 Runs | 28 BB

Keep in mind Reimer also missed almost an entire year of development and still produced as well as some of the highest ranked prospects in the MiLB.

11-27-2025

Angry Mike/MM

Jacob Reimer had a spectacular 2025 season, first and foremost\, it was great to see him start the season healthy and show zero ill-effects from the injuries that cost him almost the entire 2024 season. Reimer split the 2025 season, first 61 games at Brooklyn and the last 61 games with Binghamton. As impressive as his start in Brooklyn was, Reimer really turned heads with the way he finished his season at Binghamton.

After JETT, Benge, and Clifford were promoted to Syracuse for the last 30+ games of the season, Reimer went on an epic tear that lasted for the remainder of the season. It’s a great sign to see young hitters make adjustments after starting a new level with mixed results, and then finish the season strong. Reimer still had some quality hitters in the lineup around him like Nick Morabito and Chris Suero, but he became the primary threat, and it was great to see him embrace the challenge.

Reimer is a member of the stellar 2022 Draft class, taken in the 4th round, signing for above slot, and immediately proving he was a great investment by producing above average in his first full-season (2023). The primary knock on Reimer prior to the 2022 Draft, was some reports questioning whether his above average raw power would translate into game power. The bat-to-bat skills were always considered “plus”, which were on full display during the 2023 season, but in 2025, the Mets got to see a glimpse of his “plus” power potential as well.

The pinnacle of his power output was a 3-homer game at Brooklyn, finishing with a career high 17 homers for the year, more than doubling his 8 homers in 2023. He finished 2025 with 54 XBH, almost double what his career total was in the previous 3 seasons, adding 32 doubles and 5 triples, ranking second to Jett Williams for both doubles and XBH among all Mets prospects. Reimer’s .870 OPS was first among all Mets prospects in full-season, higher than JETT, Benge, and even Clifford, who have received considerably more hype throughout their minor league careers.

If you compare Reimer’s AA stats with the numbers produced by Tigers top prospect, Kevin McGonigle, the #2 overall ranked prospect in the MLB, you’ll see a lot of similarities in their production, as well as Reimer out-producing him in several key categories. Reimer is a great example of why Mets fans should take Top 100 rankings with a grain of salt; it’s fun to see our guys ranked highly on “Main Street”, but for them to ignore the achievements of guys like Reimer, Ewing, Santucci, Thornton, and Pena, indicates the rankings are still highly subjective and quite flawed.

2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Reimer & Elian Pena only recent Mets prospect -> 3-Homer games

54 XBH -> ranked 2nd behind Jett Williams in the Mets farm system

32 Doubles ranked 2nd behind Jett Williams in the Mets farm system

.870 OPS -> higher than Jett Williams and Carson Benge

-> JETT & Benge were both ranked as Top 30 prospects (Top 100)

Breakout season at age of 21 places development ahead of schedule

-> puts him on trajectory to be MLB ready during his age 22 season

Monster production in August ->| .345 BA | | .434 OBP |

-> | 5 HR | | 8 doubles | | 29 Runs | | 19 RBI |

Started AA batting <-> 23 for 96 | .239 BA |

-> finished AA stint batting <-> | .311 | over his final 119 AB

Above average BB-rate versus tougher pitching -> 58 BB | 12% BB-Rate

-> << 2023: 16% BB-Rate >>

22% K-rate above average despite missing a full year of development

2nd in OBP in the system -> | .379 | -> 2nd to Benge | .385 |

Equally potent against LHP & RHB & produced solid RISP numbers

2026 OUTLOOK

Prior to JETT’s power output, Reimer was the on track to be the only player in the Mets system that had accrued 15+ homers, 15 stolen bases, and 30+ doubles. It’s remarkable how a breakout season like he had doesn’t cement his place on the Top 100 ranks, based on his age and the fact he accomplished all of this coming off of a lost year of development. Reimer was able to make a seamless return from his lost 2024 season, and enough can’t be said about how was able to make the necessary adjustments to prevent prolonged dips in his production.

It’s not always about the kind of numbers a prospect finishes with in a season, teams covet players who show the ability to bounce back when hitting streaks cool off. The fact Reimer was able to show that type of ability against advanced competition across two different levels in the same season has convinced many that he is another legit high-impact bat quickly advancing through the Mets system.

Reimer should begin 2026 at Syracuse, as part of the greatest concentration of high-impact prospects the Mets will have playing for the same affiliate. Reimer offers the potential for an explosive bat who can produce above average batting averages, growing homer potential, and plus OBP’s.

Reimer offers the Mets considerable insurance in the event Vientos or Baty fail to continue progressing in their development, and his defensive versatility to fill in at LF, 1B, 3B also increases the overall value of his prospect profile. Reimer represents one of the best success stories for our development team, and has helped to more than make up for the slower development of a couple of early round draft picks that are taking longer to develop.

11-29-2025

Mack/MM

11-30-2025

Running From The OPS @OPS_BASEBALL

We saw a full season out of Jacob Reimer in 2025, and the 21-year-old certainly didn't disappoint. He slashed .282/.379/.491 with 17 HR, 32 2B, an .870 OPS, and a 157 wRC+. He has an advanced eye at the plate and pairs it with excellent swing decisions. This system is loaded!

12-5-2025

Angry Mike/MM

JACOB REIMER -> Finished 2025 as one of the hottest hitters in MILB, also ticketed for AAA, should spend all of ‘26 there.

-> If Reimer starts off hot & a need arises, is he the “Alert-5” high-upside hitter #Mets will call upon?

12-29-2025 –

Tom Brennan/MM

J. REIMER -> Full-Season MILB STATS:

Year 1 -> Low-A | HI-A -> 19 years old -> 21% K-Rate | 398 PA

| .265 BA | .399 OBP | .774 OPS | 8 HR | 13 2B | 0 3B | 3 SB | 49 RBI |

| 63 Runs | 62 BB |

Year 2 -> HI-A | AA -> 21 years old -> 22% K-Rate | 502 PA

| .282 BA | .379 OBP | .870 OPS | 17 HR | 32 2B | 5 3B | 15 SB | 77 RBI |

| 91 Runs | 58 BB |

1-16-2026 –

Tobey Schulman @tschulmanreport

Jacob Reimer should be a consensus top-100 prospect by the end of 2026. The 21-year-old generates a solid amount of pull-air contact, and excelled vs. AA pitching in 61 games.

.282/.379/.491 slash line between A+/AA in '25, with 17 HR, and a 157 wRC+..

MACK –

I too am a fan of Reimer… just not a BIG fan yet.

Also, let’s say Brett Baty doesn’t work out at third, the Mets stop trying to make Mark Vientos into a decent fielding third baseman, and Ronny Mauricio remains, well, Ronny Mauricio.

Is this guy talented enough to become the starting third baseman for the Mets, no less any other team in the league?

2026 is a critical year for him to prove it, at least, to me.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

14. Yovanny Rodriguez

2025: DSL TEAMS – 168-PA, 39-K, 2-HR, 26-RBI, .331/.446/.493/.939

GROK -

Yovanny Rodriguez is an 18-year-old catching prospect (born November 7, 2006, in Guarenas, Venezuela) in the New York Mets organization.

He stands 6'0" and weighs 175 pounds, batting and throwing right-handed.

Signed as an international free agent on January 15, 2024, for a franchise-record $2.85 million bonus, Rodriguez was ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 6 overall international prospect in the 2024 class and the top catcher available.

Scouts praised his advanced skills for his age, with early buzz comparing his arm strength to elite MLB catchers like J.T. Realmuto—pop times on throws to second base already at big-league levels.

The Mets saw him as a potential two-way star: strong defensively with offensive upside. He drew interest from multiple teams but committed to New York, where officials were immediately impressed by his bat control, contact skills, and projectable power as he adds strength.

moved stateside to the Florida Complex League (FCL) for the "bridge league" (extended instructional play).

Hit: 55 – Advanced bat-to-ball skills, consistent contact, and plate discipline. 47.8% pull rate.

Power: 50 – Present gap power; projects for more as he matures physically.

Run: 55 – Above-average speed for a catcher, shown in 4 SB.

Field: 40 – Raw

Arm: 60 – Elite strength, 70-grade by some scouts

Overall, he's a high-floor catcher with All-Star potential on both sides of the ball, often compared to Francisco Alvarez in his early Mets days (advanced for age, power/arm combo).

ETA: 2028-2029.

MACK –

IMO… this is your next Mets starter behind the plate. The key to his success is working on all factions of his defensive game. He has the arm strength. He just needs to find the target below right, going towards first, for his throws. Hitting? Don’t worry about the homes. Just get on base. If he does this, he can easily move Alvarez to a DH role.

10-28-2025 - MACK

Yovanny Rodriguez – okay, let’s get to my #1 Mets catching prospects. Signed in 2024 for a record breaking $2.85mil, Y-Rod played 2025 as an FCL-Metman, and stat lined at the rate of 136-AB, .331, 2-HR, 26-RBI, .939-OPS. Is this good? Normally, only 136 at-bats would warrant a come-back, but this uber-prospect is not going to wait until summer to play his first game. This is your RK-St. Lucie starter on opening day and could easily end the season in Kings County. Every team wants this guy in a package, but he’s not going anywhere. Could someday make Mets fans forget that other Francisco guy.

11-4-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

23. Yovanny Rodriguez

“Yo Rod” at age 18 hit better than Elian Pena in the DSL:

.331/.446/.493.

The catcher, like Elian, also got a huge bonus. Not just quite as huge.

I want to see him crush stateside ball in 2026 as a 19 year old.

Yo, Yo.

11-7-2025

Just Baseball

https://www.justbaseball.com/prospects/new-york-mets-top-15-prospects/

Yovanny Rodriguez – C – (DSL): A $2.85 million pay day and rave reviews from scouts created plenty of hype for the Venezuelan catcher, but he stumbled out of the gate in his pro debut. His impressive defensive skill set did not immediately translate while posting a .715 OPS at the DSL in 2024.

This had the Mets keep the 18-year-old in the DSL for another year before bring him stateside, and he produced much better results in 2025. Rodriguez hit .331/.446/.493, with a .939 OPS. Rodriguez has the defensive tools to be a big league catcher, and the improvements with the bat were encouraging.

12-6-2025

Angry Mike/MM

YOVANNY RODRIGUEZ -> He might not be as closely watched as the others listed above, but I have spent way too much time tracking his progress to quit now. I need to know if he is going to live up to his $2.8M signing bonus or not.

-> Can he accelerate his development to nullify requiring 2 years in the DSL? Will he be able to handle a full-season assignment like Pena? Can he continue improving his defense which initially was supposed to be an asset?

1-15-2026

Angry Mike/MM

Yovanny Rodriguez holds the distinction of being the I.F.A. acquisition with the third highest signing bonus ($2.8 Million) ever awarded and prior to Elian Pena and soon to be signed Wandy Asigen, Rodriguez was the highest ranked I.F.A prospect (#7 MLB Pipeline) the Mets had ever signed. Rodriguez produced mixed results during his first season in the D.S.L., but he finished last summer hitting for both power and average, providing a glimpse as to why he was such a highly ranked prospect in his class. Rodriguez was sent back to the D.S.L. in 2025, and looked like a completely different player entirely on both sides of the ball.

Rodriguez improved his batting average by over 100 points, in addition to significantly improving other key statistics such OBP and OPS as well. Rodriguez was among the league leaders for all three categories in the D.S.L for all hitters, while ranking first in all 3 categories for catchers. Rodriguez showed significant improvement at the plate, in regards to his overall approach, better swing decisions, and how he managed his at-bats based when facing different counts. Rodriguez really struggled in 2024 when he fell behind in the count, failing to record a single hit in that scenario across 34 at-bats.

2025 Situational Hitting Stats:

AHEAD IN THE COUNT -> 38 AB | 46 PA

0.342 BA | 1.021 OPS | 0.600 OBP -> 1 : 1 BB : K ratio

BEHIND IN THE COUNT -> 47 AB | 47 PA -> 16 K’s

0.298 BA | 0.668 OPS | 0.306 OBP -> 2024 STATS: 0-34 with 34 strikeouts

R.I.S.P. STATS:

0.405 BA | 1.041 OPS | 0.500 OBP | 23 RBI

Rodriguez also performed equally well against both LHP & RHP, posting .300+ batting averages, significantly better than his 2024 numbers, improving his batting average by a 110 points against both. It was great to see him hit for power against right-handed pitching, recording 13 doubles, a triple, and homer against righties in 2025. Rodriguez showed a marginal improvement in strikeout rate in 2025, but he’s young enough he should be able to continue improving as he gains experience and confidence in the batter’s box.

Defensively, Rodriguez looked like a different player entirely, which was very encouraging to see considering he was identified as a plus defender when he signed as an I.F.A. Rodriguez threw out twice as many baserunners in 2025, despite 25 fewer attempts, nabbing 41% of potential base stealers for the season. He can still improve in several areas defensively, but it was great to see him flash the above average arm strength, accuracy, and pop times needed to ascertain such a marked improvement from one season to the next.

2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

Hit safely in 31 of 43 games -> 72%

12 Multi-hit games

Reached base in 38 of 43 games -> 88%

Reached base multiple times in 21 of 43 games

Posted 0.320+ BA | 0.429+ OBP | 0.918+ OPS or higher in every month

Showed he was a “clutch performer” -> 0.368 BA & 10 RBI with 2-outs

0.358 BA -> hitting 2nd in the order

0.313 BA -> hitting 3rd in the order

2026 OUTLOOK:

Rodriguez repeating the D.S.L. is not ideal, but nor is it the end of the world in regards to him developing into the impact prospect the #Mets thought they were getting when they signed him to then franchise record $2.85 Million signing bonus.

He is still very young and has exciting potential on both sides of the ball. Catchers historically take longer to develop, especially players who turned pro at a young age. If Rodriguez continues developing his skills as a hitter, the Mets have the potential for an exciting offense-first duo at catcher, between him and Francisco Alvarez. If Rodriguez continues to develop on the defensive side, it could potentially allow the Mets to utilize Alvarez more as a designated hitter or first baseman, which might help to reduce wear and tear and allow Alvarez to focus more on offense.

That was the type of pairing the Mets envisioned when they had Alvarez progressing through the minors quickly, and then deciding to draft Kevin Parada with a first round pick. Unfortunately, Parada has not been able to develop into the type of prospect many envisioned from watching him excel at Georgia Tech.

The Mets also have Chris Suero quickly working his way up the organizational depth chart, and although he looks like the better prospect at the moment, Rodriguez still offers a considerably higher ceiling in the long run. He may not have Suero’s athleticism or plus raw power, but he’s expected to develop into 15-20 HR power and hit for higher batting averages, as well as provide superior defense.

Rodriguez is expected to make his stateside debut this season with the Florida Complex League squad, and depending on how quickly he adapts to the higher level of competition, he has an outside chance to finish his season with Port St. Lucie. The Mets will be much more conservative with Rodriguez compared to their other young phenom Elian Pena who will also be making his stateside debut this season. Rodriguez remains an exciting young talent, who represents the next wave of impact prospects playing in the lower levels of the minor leagues.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

15. Wandy Asigen

GROK –

Wandy Asigen is the big news for the New York Mets right now!

Today (January 15, 2026) marks the official start of the 2026 international free agent signing period, and the Mets are set to officially sign the 16-year-old Dominican shortstop, who's widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the class—often ranked No. 2 overall by MLB Pipeline and praised for having arguably the most advanced offensive profile among his peers.

He originally had a verbal agreement with the Yankees (common in IFA dealings, though technically not binding), but after New York parted ways with their international scouting director and reportedly declined to meet a higher price, Asigen backed out and flipped to the Mets.

The deal is reportedly worth around $3.9 million (up from an initial $3.8M expectation, with a last-minute bump confirmed by sources just hours before the period opened).

Scouting highlights on Asigen:

Left-handed hitter with excellent bat speed and plus power potential (consistent 110+ mph exit velocities reported).

Quick-burst athlete with plus speed (e.g., 6.5-second 60-yard dash) and solid arm.

Still refining his defense at shortstop (learning to slow the game down), but the tools suggest he could stick there long-term.

Very young for the class (turned 16 in August 2025), so high upside as he develops in the DSL and beyond.

This is a major coup for the Mets' farm system, especially after landing another high-end Dominican talent (Elian Peña) in the prior cycle. It bolsters their international pipeline significantly, even with the Mets having one of the smaller bonus pools this year (~$5.44M total).

1-11-2026

MLB – 2016 IFA Prospects – By Rank

#2 Wandy Asigen

AGE 16

BATS L

DOB 08/21/2009

THROWS R

HT 6' 0"

WT 175

Major League All-Stars Nelson Cruz and Tony Batista are some of the biggest names to call Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, home. Asigen, despite being one of the youngest players in the 2026 international signing class, already has the look of potentially being next in that lineage. A standout performer during game action despite consistently playing against some of the Dominican’s top talent from a young age, Asigen has been heralded as having arguably the most advanced offensive profile among his class. He trains with Jaime Ramos in the D.R., a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program.

The excitement around Asigen’s prospect profile stems primarily from his special left-handed swing. He has ripped off 110+ mph exit velocities and is repeatedly able to find the barrel during in-game action. Asigen has a knack for creating loft from his frame, something that should allow him to continue to tap into his above-average power as he continues to fill out. The quickness of his hands has evaluators excited about the future potential impact he can have with the bat.

Defensively, many of those same actions work in his favor. While his arm is merely average at this stage, he performs many of the quick-twitch movements that evaluators look for when projecting a young player’s ability to stick at shortstop. Asigen has a nose for the ball and his wheels – which have been clocked at 6.5 seconds on 60-yard dash times – allow him to cover tons of ground laterally.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

16. Noah Hall

25/yrs old in March 6-0 195 RHSP

2025: A+ – 25-G, 21-ST, 5-7, 2.72, 1.27, 112.2-IP, 63-BB, 115-K

GROK -

Noah Hall is a promising right-handed starting pitcher in the New York Mets' minor league system. At 24 years old (born March 30, 2001, in Charlotte, NC), he's 6'0" and 195 lbs, known for his command, plus changeup, and potential as a mid-rotation arm.

He's currently assigned to High-A Brooklyn Cyclones.

He’s shown significant improvement in 2025 after battling injuries, positioning him as one of the Mets' more intriguing pitching prospects.

Hall began his college career at Appalachian State University, where he spent two seasons (2019-2021) primarily as a reliever, posting a 4.15 ERA over 34.2 innings with 41 strikeouts. He transferred to the University of South Carolina for his junior year in 2022, transitioning into a starting role in the competitive SEC.

That season, he logged a 4.34 ERA in 76.2 innings across 16 starts, with 78 strikeouts and a solid walk rate (31 BB), earning him a 20th-round draft pick (612th overall) from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Hall returned to South Carolina for his senior year in 2023 to improve his stock

In 2023, he started hot, going 5-1 with a 3.29 ERA in seven starts (41 IP, 43 K, just 9 BB), earning SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week honors in February and Perfect Game National Pitcher of the Week on February 28. Unfortunately, a back injury sidelined him for the second half of the season. His performance and pedigree as a two-year Gamecock starter caught the Mets' eye, leading to his selection in the 7th round (216th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft.

Hall signed with the Mets for $176,250, slightly below slot value, and debuted in the Florida Complex League (FCL) Mets in 2023. Limited by his injury, he made just four starts, posting a 3.38 ERA in 13.1 innings with 13 strikeouts and excellent control (2 BB).

In 2024, he advanced to Low-A St. Lucie Mets, where he built on his command with a 3.45 ERA over 15 starts (72.1 IP, 78 K, 22 BB), though he dealt with minor setbacks that capped his innings.

Four-Seam Fastball

Straight with some ride; located up in the zone well.

92-95 mph (touches 96)

50-55 grade (primary pitch, ~50% usage)

Improved life in pro ball; pairs well with changeup for swing-and-miss.

Changeup

His best offering—tumble and arm-side fade; elite separation from fastball.

80-83 mph

60-70 grade (above-average to plus; ~30% usage)

Devastating vs. righties; generated whiffs in college and minors; Mets' development focus.

Slider

Shorter, tighter break with high spin (2,600+ RPM); horizontal sweep.

84-87 mph

45-50 grade (fringe-average; ~15-20% usage)

Shows promise but underutilized; added depth in 2024-25; potential third pitch.

Hall's strengths are his low walk rates (career ~2.5 BB/9 in college/pros) and ability to induce weak contact, but he could benefit from a curveball or refined slider for lefties.

His changeup is the carrying tool, often graded as his 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale.

Overall, Hall's trajectory is upward, and with the Mets' pitching lab, he could emerge as a reliable starter. Keep an eye on his Cyclones starts—he's one injury-free season from Mets contention chatter.

MACK –

I have Hall beginning the season back in AA-Binghamton, in a very crowded projected rotation (Watson, Thornton, Santucci, Diaz, Girton, Cota). His number one and number two objective this season is to, stay healthy and, stay healthy. If he accomplishes that, he will end the season in AAA-Syracuse and line himself for a major league rotation on opening day 2027 (somewhere).

12-27-2025 –

MACK/MM

Noah Hall – another 2022 pitching draft gem (we’ll try not to hold it against him that he was a Gamecock). RHP. Pitched all of 2025 for A+ Brooklyn: 25-G, 21-ST, 5-7, 2.72, 1.26, 112.2-IP, 115-K, 63-BB. Needs to work on his control. There’s nothing left for him to do at Coney, but the question is xan he squeeze into an already busy projected spring Rumble Ponies rotation.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

17. Ryan Clifford

2025: 481-AB, .237, 29-HR, 93-RBI, .826-OPS

GROK -

Ryan Clifford is a highly regarded prospect in the New York Mets organization, known for his left-handed power-hitting potential and plate discipline.

At just 22 years old (born July 20, 2003, in Raleigh, NC), he's positioned as a corner infielder/outfielder with first base as his primary spot, and he's emerging as a key piece of the Mets' future lineup—potentially stepping in at 1B if Pete Alonso leaves in free agency.

Clifford was a standout at Pro5 Academy (now Combine Academy) in North Carolina, where he committed to Vanderbilt University. Scouts praised his track record of hitting, but his age (slightly older for the class) and uneven junior/senior stats caused him to slip in the 2022 MLB Draft.

Drafted by Astros: Selected in the 11th round (No. 326 overall) by the Houston Astros. They signed him for an over-slot bonus of $1,256,530—equivalent to a second-round pick—to buy him out of his college commitment. This aggressive move highlighted his upside as a bat-first prospect.

Clifford's path to New York came via a blockbuster deadline deal on August 1, 2023:Traded from the Astros to the Mets along with outfielder Drew Gilbert in exchange for ace pitcher Justin Verlander (and cash considerations).

At the time, Clifford was tearing up High-A Asheville, slashing .271/.356/.547 with 16 HR in 58 games. The trade package was seen as a coup for the Mets, with Clifford as more than just a throw-in—he was already a top Astros prospect.

Clifford has rocketed through the minors since signing, showcasing plus power and elite walk rates, though strikeouts remain a work in progress.

Led all Double-A hitters with 23 HR total (including brief Triple-A stint); improved consistency.

Promoted late 2024; strong barrel rate (top MiLB prospect metric) suggests MLB readiness by mid-2026.

Power Profile: Clifford's swing generates elite exit velocities and barrel rates, projecting 25-30 HR potential at the MLB level. He's a fringe runner with adequate corner OF defense and solid arm strength, but 1B is his likely long-term home.

MLB ETA: Likely mid-2026, starting in Triple-A Syracuse. If Alonso departs after opting out of his contract, Clifford could compete for the 1B job outright. Fans and analysts see him as a "bat-first" cornerstone with 20-25 HR upside, though refining contact skills will be key.

10-31-2025

MACK/MM

Ryan Clifford – normally, you would be excited about a 22/year old coming off a combines AA/AAA season with 29 home runs and 93 runs batted in, but Clifford is also carrying the baggage of 148 strikeouts in 579 plate appearances and only a .237 batting average. He’s also bat-first with average at best defensive skills at first, limiting his future value even more. His LHH game lines up better as a platooned DH (24-HR, 69-RBI, .247-BA vs. RHP – 5-HR, 24-RBI, .204-BA vs. LHP) going forward.

11-7-2025

JUST BASEBALL

7. Ryan Clifford – 1B – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 210 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 11th Round (343), 2022 (HOU) | ETA: 2026

Drafted in the 11th round by the Astros, Clifford signed for second-round money ($1.25 million) to forego his Vanderbilt commitment before being traded alongside Drew Gilbert for Justin Verlander at the 2023 deadline. Clifford made some mechanical adjustments during the 2025 season which helped him cut down swing and miss.

Hitting

Clifford starts wide with his hands rested on his shoulder, before pushing his hands up and back to his slot with a pronounced coil as he loads. The emphasis on the coil is likely in an effort to mitigate his tendency to be heavy with his front foot, but during the 2025 season, he cut down his stride which in turn helped him hold his back side longer.

Now not pushing onto his frontside as early or heavily, Clifford’s barrel did not drag nearly as much, turning around velocity much more effectively. His contact rate on fastballs 93+ MPH jumped from 63% to 74% in 2025 with an OPS up roughly 200 points.

His improvements against velocity seemingly helped him control his at bats better as well. Now looking less rushed in the box, Clifford was much more effective against changeups as well, recognizing and staying back more easily.

Utilizing his lower half more effectively also translated into more consistently strong exit velocities. His hard hit rate jumped by 14% with a gaudy 90th percentile exit velocity of 108.5 MPH. His patience in the box can border on passivity at times, but Clifford’s swing decisions improved in 2025.

The contact rates are unlikely to be better than fringy at the highest level, though it is much easier to envision a quality power bat as he has rounded out some of the edges to his offensive profile while further tapping into his plus raw power in 2025.

He may ultimately be sheltered from left on left matchups, but Clifford has the offensive skill set to be a three true outcome hitter who can push north of 30 homers if he can maintain his contact gains at the highest level.

Defense/Speed

A below average runner, Clifford has seen action both in right field and first base. His easy plus arm could be more of an asset in right field, though his limited range and iffy reads could result in him playing most of his games at first base.

Outlook

Clifford’s easy plus power has always been his calling card, and with improved contact rates and approach, he is knocking on the door of the big leagues going into his age 22 season.

While his glove is not an asset, the ability to at least plug into the outfield corners in addition to first base helps his case. Ultimately, Clifford projects best as a bulk-platoon, three true outcome power bat, capable of launching 30+ homers.

11-11-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

6. 1B Ryan Clifford

The 22 year old lefty power hitting Clifford has accelerated, starting slowly in cold, pitchers park Binghamton in early 2025, hitting just .190 on May 4, with just 3 HRs and 9 RBIs, but heating up thereafter and getting promoted to AAA.

He hit just .237, but had an .356 OBP due to an high level of walks (85) that compensated for his 148 Ks.

He ended up with impressive numbers: 29 HRs and 93 RBIs in 139 games.

A strong 26 HRs and 84 RBIs over his last 115 games. Project THAT over 162 games. Go ahead, reader, I dare ya. That’s roughly about 40 / 112.

Part of those high RBIs, to be sure, was due to a plethora of fast base runners to for Ryan to drive in, named Jett, Morabito, D’Andre, and (briefly) Ewing.

Clifford is slow afoot, and will be a future DH/1B type, but can play in the OF.

My comp for Clifford is Lucas Duda, who like Clifford hit righties a lot better than lefties, but to Clifford, I would say:

”OK, you’ve proved you can walk a lot, now ATTACK!” Be aggressive.

Less walks, higher average, more HRs. Essentially:From here on out, please be the next Nick Kurtz. Attack.

I bring up his need to ATTACK, because others are already inferring it, but not saying it directly. Who are those “others”? The people who put together Baseball Top 100 lists, who do not include Clifford.

ATTACK!

11-18-2025

MACK/MM

11-21-2025

TJStats

#95 - Ryan Clifford continued to do what he typically does and posted a 136 wRC+ while making his way to AAA. His already impressive power took a large step this season compared to 2024 as he saw his 90th% EV increase from 105.3 to 108.6 MPH. This improvement caused his HardHit rate to spike from 41.2% to an otherworldly 56.8%, making him one of the most feared hitters in MiLB. Most impressive was that his contact rates improved across the board with his Z-Contact rate jumping from a poor 76% to a more average 81%. Clifford was more aggressive against in-zone offerings without sacrificing his already beneficial patience. These gains dragged Clifford away from a three-true outcome fate and paint him as a dynamic all-around slugger. He will likely not provide much defensive versatility, but he looks the part of a MLB hitter that could help the Mets out in 2026.

Angry Mike/MM @AngryMike24

Mets Brass encouraged Ryan Clifford to be more aggressive early in the count for the 2025 Season, in order to avoid from having to constantly hit being behind in the count.

Mets Brass hit a bullseye with their assessment:

2025 Season:

Clifford’s Stats: Ahead in the Count: 218 PA || 133 AB

133 AB | .308 BA | 16 HR | 1.295 OPS | .581 OBP | 85 BB |

39% BB-Rate || 13% K-Rate

Clifford’s Stats -> Behind in the Count: 197 PA || 170 AB

197 AB | .194 BA | 6 HR | 576 OPS | .205 OPS | 0 BB |

14% BB-Rate || 37% K-Rate

Clifford batted 104 points higher in 20 more plate appearances when he was aggressive earlier in counts.

39% BB-Rate & 85 BB shows elite plate discipline & pitch recognition. (I doubled checked the # of walks 5 times )

Pitchers rarely got him to chase after he got ahead, evidenced by his 13% K-Rate, almost 3x lower compared to when he fell behind in the count (37%)

Clifford’s one the more intriguing power bats in Mets system, with the departure of Pete Alonso, his arrival in Queens might be expedited & his power to all fields, a welcomed addition.

12-15-2025

LouisAnalysis @LouisAnalysis

It will be interesting to see what the Mets do with Ryan Clifford.

- 53.1% Hard-Hit%.

- 12.3% Barrel%.

- 111.0 MPH MaxEV.

- 107.4 MPH 90thEV.

- 23.09% Chase%.

Clifford has been young for all the levels he's played at and is a must-follow as 2026 Spring Training starts.

12-18-2025

ANGRY MIKE/MM

Ryan Clifford has been one of the hardest prospects to analyze who is currently ranked among the Mets top prospects. The raw talent is elite, as he has arguably the best power bat among Mets prospects and at times he can flat out carry an offense.

Unfortunately, prior to the 2025 season, Clifford simply hasn’t produced consistently enough to justify forecasting him as anything more than a platoon player.

The 2025 season proved Clifford not only has the chance to be an impact regular, but a true thumper in the middle of the batting order. After his customary slow start to the season, Clifford strung together the best months of his minor league career, hammering Eastern League pitching for pretty much the entire summer.

Mets brass re-assigned him to the Eastern League for the 2025 season, with one primary directive, attack earlier in the count. Mets coaches rave about Clifford’s mature approach at the plate, but they wondered if he was being too passive at times, which caused him to constantly fall behind in the count. Judging Clifford’s 2025 numbers, the Mets might have hit a bullseye with their assessment:

Clifford’s Stats -> Ahead in the Count: 218 PA

.308 BA | 16 HR | 1.295 OPS | .581 OBP | 85 BB

39% BB-Rate | 13% K-Rate

Clifford’s Stats -> Behind in the Count: 197 PA

.194 BA | 6 HR | 576 OPS | .205 OPS | 0 BB

14% BB-Rate | 37% K-Rate

Clifford’s production when “ahead in the count” are flat out eye-popping, providing a glimpse of Clifford’s future potential. Clifford showed flashes during the 2024 season, but it was great to see him produce consistently for months at time during the 2025 season. Clifford was also one of the more consistent hitters with RISP, which is sorely needed in Queens.

Clifford 2025 RISP Stats:

.260 BA | 8 HR | 69 RBI | .878 OPS | .391 OBP | 36 BB | 11 Doubles

Clifford 2025 Stats versus RHP: 443 Plate Appearances

.247 BA | 24 HR | 69 RBI | .876 OPS | .379 OBP | 75 BB | 18 Doubles

Despite posting an impressive 17% BB-Rate versus righties, his 25% K-Rate is something he will have to improve if he wants to prevent getting exposed by MLB pitchers. Clifford hit an impressive .290 versus lefties in 2024, only to hit .204 during the 2025 season, but the sample size was small enough to not justify being overly concerned.

Over the course of the last 2 seasons, he batted a respectable .236 across 182 at-bats versus lefties, with 7 homers and 10 doubles. Considering that was mostly against Double-A pitching and being well below the league average as far as age goes, there is optimism he can continue to improve his numbers against both righties and lefties.

2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

Led all Mets Prospect's Homers 2024 & 2025 -> 29 (Career High)

Led all Mets Prospects RBI 2024 & 2025 -> 93 (Career High)

Led all Mets Prospects Walks 2024 & 2025 -> 85

Led all Mets Prospects -> 4 Multi-Homer games (Career High)

Led all Mets Prospects -> Reached Base at least once 107 Games

Reached Base 77% of GP -> 107 / 139 Games

32 Multi-hit games

61 games -> reached base multiple times 44% of total games

63 games -> drew at least 1 walk

21 Multi-RBI games

7-RBI game -> Grandslam & 3-Run HR

May - July -> 261 AB

Clubbed 18 Homers during this stretch

Drove in 67 RBI

Averaged 6 Homers & 20 RBI a month -> May - July

Batted -> .264

Respectable -> 24% K-Rate

Above average -> 16% BB-Rate

Clifford had an outstanding 2025 season, flashing the type of all-around ability that has Mets fans and Mets brass very excited about his future potential. Alonso’s departure means fans will be asking, “can he replace Alonso?”, and the answer is, “No.”

It is unreasonable to expect any of our young sluggers to replace Pete Alonso, who is arguably one of the best power hitters in the game. That’s not their job, nor should they be burdened with the expectations of having to replace Alonso. Their job is to continue developing into the best version of themselves, and if Clifford continues to improve, the best version of Clifford, will be a tremendous asset for the Mets lineup in the very near future.

Clifford’s offers more than just power potential, arguably among the best in the minors, he also has the ability to draw walks, and .300+ batting average when ahead of the count shows the potential to be more of complete hitter with more experience.

Clifford offers significantly more defensive upside than people think, because he has an ABSOLUTE CANNON for an arm, receiving a 70 scouting grade in 2024 by Baseball America. Carson Benge, Ronny Mauricio, and Luisangel Acuna are arguably the only players with the same caliber arm as Clifford, and it feels like a waste having him at 1B. That’s why the Mets have been giving him 50+ starts at corner outfield positions over the past 2 years, and he’s been more than serviceable at either RF or LF.

The 2026 season is going to be a pivotal year for the Mets as they try to rebound from a tough 2025, and their plan is to do so with a new nucleus of high-upside talent to pair their duo of stars, Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor. Clifford will start the season in Syracuse and will be among the first few players considered for a call-up at some point during the season.

Fans want to sign every free agent available in order to replace Brandon Nimmo and Alonso; that’s not only unrealistic, it’s also exactly what the Dodgers want us to do, so they could accomplish their goal of adding Tarik Skubal and Mackenzie Gore to their starting rotation without any competition.

The more players the Mets integrate into their starting lineup who are making pre-arbitration salaries, the more payroll flexibility that is created. The misconception that the Mets cannot remain competitive by integrating more young talent into their lineup is comical, especially considering the Bluejays literally came within two outs of winning the World Series by deploying the same type of youth movement.

Ryan Clifford remains one of the key pieces in a potential youth movement, his development continues to trend in the right direction. Providing hope of a finished product that gives the Mets an impact bat who can play first base or outfield.

Frankly, it’s time for the Mets to break their cycle of trying to use as many veterans as possible, and begin to start utilizing their impressive collection of prospects they have knocking on the door for a promotion.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

18. Nick Morabito

Turning 23 in May RHH CF/RF/LF 5-10 185

2nd round 2022 Gonzaga College HS (DC)

2025 AA – 492-PA, 115-K, 47-BB, 49-SB, 6-HR, 59-RBI, .273, .734-OPS

GROK -

Nick Morabito is a 22-year-old outfielder in the New York Mets' farm system, known for his elite speed, plate discipline, and potential as a leadoff hitter or defensive specialist in center field.

He's a right-handed hitter and thrower, standing 5'10" and weighing 185 pounds.

Originally from McLean (no… not THAT McLean), Virginia, Morabito attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., where he exploded as a senior, batting .545 with 12 home runs and 52 stolen bases, earning D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year honors.

The Mets selected him in the second compensatory round (75th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft as compensation for losing Noah Syndergaard in free agency.

Morabito's game revolves around getting on base and disrupting defenses with his legs—he's graded as a 70 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale by MLB Pipeline. His compact swing and above-average bat speed help him spray line drives, but he's still developing power and pull-side approach against advanced pitching. Scouts compare him to a smaller Clint Frazier or a light-hitting version of Jeff McNeil: versatile, contact-oriented, and speedy, but potentially limited to a bench/platoon role unless he adds loft to his swing.

He's Rule 5 Draft-eligible this offseason, putting pressure on the Mets to add him to the 40-man roster or risk losing him.

Professional Career Highlights

Morabito has progressed quickly through the Mets' system, earning the organization's 2024 Minor League Player of the Year award for position players. He's led Mets minor leaguers in batting average, on-base percentage, and stolen bases multiple times.

In 2025, he spent the full season at Double-A Binghamton (Eastern League champions), showing solid but not explosive production while posting a career-high six home runs—though his 53.9% ground-ball rate limited extra-base power.

Stats via Baseball-Reference and MiLB.com.

2024 - He was the only minor leaguer with 50+ steals, 50+ runs, 50+ walks, and a .300+ average.

2025 - 7th in full-season MiLB steals

Outlook and Path to the Majors

Morabito is projected for a 2026 or 2027 MLB debut. He's expected to start 2026 at Triple-A Syracuse, focusing on elevating launch angle and handling lefties better (he's struggled slightly against them as a righty).

Defensively, his range and error-free play (zero errors in 2025) make him a plus center fielder, though his arm is average. In a crowded Mets outfield, he profiles as a fourth outfielder or pinch-runner, but his OBP skills (.350+ career) and speed could carve out a niche like Harrison Bader or a modern Jason Tyner.

@NickMorabito1

MACK – when I started compiling this list, I had Morabito in the 17th slot; however, what he did in the Arizona Fall League made me move him up to seventh. Now, I hope he’s still around by the time this prints out.

I still project Carson Benge in center. Left is a battle between this guy and AJ Ewing; however, no matter what he does in the AFL this off-season, he can’t make the arm throw faster than God intended it to be.

10-28-2025

STEVE SICA/MM

OF Nick Morabito:

After finishing off September with Double-A Binghamton on a bit of a hot streak. He batted .295 with an OPS of .756 in the last two weeks of the Eastern League regular season, Morabito then played a key role in winning the Rumble Ponies their first Eastern League title in over a decade. Three weeks later, he found himself in Scottsdale, where he’s continuing to tear the cover off the ball.

The Mets’ #16 prospect has been one of Scottdale’s best hitters so far this season. He’s batting .324 with an OPS of .824. He’s been patient at the plate, drawing six walks to eight strikeouts, and is showing off his speed with a team-leading eight stolen bases.

Their second round pick back in 2022, the Mets saw Morabito take the next step in 2025 with a successful season in Double-A. Now, he’s continuing to rake against some of the best MiLB pitchers in the game. Morabito has long been a dark horse prospect in the Mets’ system, but after the season he’s put together in Binghamton and now in Arizona, he could be a frontline prospect by the time Spring Training 2026 arrives.

10-16-2025 – John From Albany

OF Nick Morabito. Coming off a great stint in the Arizona Fall League, Nick has a good chance of being added to the 40-man roster to stay out of the draft. In Arizona Nick hit .362/.450/.464, 25 hits, 17 runs and 16 stolen bases in 17 games. It seemed like every time up he was beating out a grounder for an infield single, then stealing 2nd and later scoring. Beating out ground balls gave Nick an insane .453 Batting Average Balls in Play. Granted, it is a small sample size but he has had high BABIP numbers in the past - .390 in 119 games for Brooklyn and St. Lucie in 2024.

11-7-2025

JUST BASEBALL

12. Nick Morabito – OF – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 5’11″, 185 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round-C (75), 2022 (NYM) | ETA: 2026

Arguably the fastest runner in the Mets system, Morabito also led all Mets minor leaguers in hits and batting average in 2024 and followed up with a solid year at Double-A in 2025.

It’s a direct and rather flat swing, resulting in higher ground ball rates and an average launch angle of just three degrees. The good news is, Morabito has the speed to beat out weakly hit ground balls and choppers, but as defenders become better, those kinds of hits become less easily attainable.

Morabito has the ability to be an above average defender in center field, demonstrating good instincts and range with an above average arm. He is a major factor on the base paths, but could be a bit more efficient, swiping 59 bags on 74 tries in 2024 and 49 on 60 tries in 2025. Morabito has a great chance of at least landing as a fourth outfielder.

11-8-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

12. OF Nick Morabito

Morabito started 2025 frigidly in 2025 in the Frigidaire known as Binghamton in spring time, but then scorched for a few months, before heating back up. He has not hit many HRs, but surely knows that is a competitive negative and WILL add power, as he has the strength to do so. Steals bushels-full of bases.

In the Arizona Fall league, through Thursday November 6, he was simply smoking at .377/.472/.492, with 15 runs in 15 games along with 14 thefts. WOOSH!!

The righty hit .273 in AA, and hit just .239 in Bingo, while hitting .305 on the friendlier road. .291 career in 1,122 at bats for the 5’10” righty smacked, with a terrific 130 career steals. He hit just .136 in the post season.

He is my # 12, even though he got passed over for a promotion when Jett, Benge, Clifford, and Parada were jumped up to Syracuse. So, he stayed in Binghamton, where they won a championship instead. Future 4th outfielder for Mets, if not dealt away. If you want to take the 5th, Nick will raise his right hand.

ATHLETE!

11-28-2025

Mack/MM

And look who enters the 40 after the exiting on the guy mentioned above that I’m not allowed to mention again… OF Nick Morabito. Is he 40 materials? I think he proved in Arizona these past few months that he is, but I still don’t see a starting slot for him some day. Juan Soto is a fixture in right for, at least, three more seasons. Carson Benge will be a fixture in center into the next decade. Tyrone Taylor will hold down center until Benge is ready. Right now, Jared Young and Ji Hwan Bae are lined up to be the utility outfielders come OD. That’s five outfielders. The only change I see here, possibly on opening day, is Jeff McNeil not being traded, and replacing Benge, who stays in AAA-Syracuse for some more grooming. No. Morabito, AJ Ewing, and possibly Benge will have to wait until mid-season to possibly crack Queens.

1-1-2026

ANGRY MIKE/MM

Nick Morabito is a member of the stellar 2022 Draft class, a second round pick out of High School, Morabito to established himself as more of a complete hitter in 2025. I don’t care about his home run total, as much as I do about the fact Mets’ brass had him hitting third, and he’s a big reason why others in that lineup hitting before him and after him had career seasons. Morabito had solid RISP numbers and had a knack for being clutch, coming up with a big hit that helped put wins on the board pretty much all season.

Morabito is one of my favorite prospects in the Mets system, he represents the type of player the Mets need and currently don’t have enough of.

A. High-energy, hard-nosed grinder -> energizes teammates & fans.

B. Arguably one of the fastest players in MiLB, not just in the organization.

C. He’s got all 5 tools, but has currently only tapped into 4 of them.

D. OBP machine -> sprays hits all over the field & elite BB-rate

Morabito came up just short of his second consecutive 50 SB season, but he’s average 50+ SB over the last two seasons, only Jett Williams and Luisangel Acuna represent a greater SB threat. It’s pretty much automatic that if he’s on first base and his team needs him on 2nd, he’ll make it happen whether the defense expects him to run or not. That’s why hereminds me more of Acuna than he does Tyrone Taylor. Tyrone Taylor is an incredible athlete and one of the fastest players in the organization, but he doesn’t have the same level of confidence stealing bases as an Acuna or Morabito. It’s a rare talent and one that can always be useful late in games as we have seen when Acuna is inserted late into games on numerous occasions.

Morabito has two things he has to develop if he wants to assert himself as a full-time player, he’s got to improve his numbers against left-handed pitchers and he has to find a way to translate his raw power into game power. He’s far too talented to waste away as reserve player, some components of his game are flat out electric, and his defensive versatility makes him in asset in the outfield.

Morabito absolutely rakes against RHP -> career MiLB numbers are quite impressive:

Career versus RHP: 893 AB | 1,008 PA

| 9 HR | 10 3B | 44 2B | 115 BB | 0.318 BA | 0.396 OBP | 0.816 OPS |

2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

-> R.I.S.P. STATS:

| 1 HR | 1 3B | 10 2B | 50 RBI | 0.288 BA | 0.383 OBP | 0.791 OPS |

-> Excelled hitting out of the 2-Spot:

| 2 HR | 1 3B | 19 2B | 34 RBI | 0.298 BA | 0.364 OBP | 0.773 OPS |

-> Mr. Clutch - Excellent Stats with 2-Outs:

| 3 HR | 1 3B | 10 2B | 24 RBI | 0.288 BA | 0.369 OBP | 0.816 OPS |

33 Multi-hit games

52 games -> on-base multiple times

0.295 BA or better -> 3 Months

0.384 OBP or better -> 3 Months

-> May & June were his best months:

May ->. | 1 HR | 8 2B | 12 SB| 11 RBI | 14 R | 0.326 BA |

| 0.384 OBP | 0.833 OPS |

June -> | 10 2B | 12 SB | 19 RBI | 17 R | 0.322 BA |

| 0.413 OBP | 0.846 OPS |

23% K-Rate is respectable considering the Eastern League is loaded with premium pitching

10% BB-Rate is also above average -> MLB Avg. is 8%

49 Stolen bases -> 81% success rate

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Morabito had an excellent showing in the Arizona Fall League, making hard contact, stealing bases at will, and playing excellent defense, prompting Stearns to add him to the 40-man roster, so that he was protected from the upcoming Rule-V Draft. He also locked down a roster spot on loaded Syracuse roster for the 2026 season. Depending on what the Mets want to do with Jett Williams and Carson Benge, will dictate where he plays defensively. If the Mets want to get Benge ready for playing CF in Queens, we’ll probably see Morabito in LF. If the Mets want to get JETT ready for LF reps in Queens, we’ll probably might see Morabito start in RF.

When Morabito was hitting in between JETT and Clifford, they enjoyed their best months with the Rumble Ponies. After the Mets promoted both of them to Syracuse, Morabito batted in between youngsters A.J. Ewing and Jacob Reimer, and they enjoyed their best stretch during their brief AA stint. That’s the type of effect Morabito has on his teammates, which is why it is important for the Mets to figure out a role for him in some capacity going forward. I have a lot of respect for Tyrone Taylor, but he’s getting paid $4 million dollars this season to fill a role that Morabito can easily do for $800,000. Morabito is a much better hitter, provides the same type of defense, and is an exponentially better base-stealer threat.

If Morabito can continue developing he could be much more than a reserve OF, and he is young enough to improve his ability to hit lefties. Despite the limited number of homers Morabito has hit, when he does connect, they are legit bombs. I’m sure at some point the Mets will work with him to begin tapping into his raw power, which could considerably raise his prospect profile. Even if he is only 10-12 HR player, his ability to make consistent hard contact would be an asset even in a reserve role, especially against right-handed pitchers. Unless there is a dire need for Morabito in Queens, I expect he will get a full year in Syracuse to hone skills, and be given a chance to win a job in Queens for the 2027 season.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

19. Jonathan Santucci

2025: A+/AA: 25-G, 23-ST, 9-4, 3.06, 1.15, 117.2-IP, 41-BB, 138-K

GROK -

Jonathan Santucci is a highly regarded left-handed pitching prospect in the New York Mets organization, selected in the second round (46th overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Duke University.

Born on December 28, 2002, in Leominster, Massachusetts, the 6'2", 205-pound southpaw bats and throws left-handed.

Santucci signed for the full slot value of $2,031,700

Attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where he was Massachusetts' top prep pitching prospect in 2021. He also showed athleticism as a two-way player, occasionally playing center field and right field.

At Duke, he transitioned fully to pitching and earned a spot in the weekend rotation as a freshman in 2022, posting a 4.17 ERA over 41 innings with 58 strikeouts and 20 walks.

His sophomore year (2023) was abbreviated by a fractured elbow requiring surgery to remove bone chips, limiting him to 29.1 innings with 50 strikeouts but highlighting his strikeout prowess (13.9 K/9 career at Duke).

As a junior in 2024, he rebounded as Duke's Friday night ace, logging a 3.41 ERA in 58 innings across 13 starts with a 35% strikeout rate but a 14% walk rate—issues with control that contributed to high pitch counts and kept him out of the first round of the draft. A mid-season rib injury (non-throwing side) also sidelined him for three starts late in the year.

Professional Career

Santucci didn't pitch in the Florida Complex League (FCL) after signing in August 2024.

In 2025, his first full pro season, he advanced rapidly: starting in Low-A, moving to High-A, and reaching Double-A Binghamton by mid-year, where he was activated as of August.

Health remains a watch point, given his injury history, but his athleticism and mechanics suggest he could improve his below-average control (scouted at 45/80) to average levels with coaching.

Pitch Repertoire

Santucci's arsenal is built around swing-and-miss stuff, earning him a career 13.9 K/9 in college. He works from a high arm slot with a flat approach angle, generating carry and deception.

Scouting grades (on the 20-80 scale) include: Fastball 60, Slider 60, Changeup 55, Control 45, Overall 45.

Four-Seam Fastball

92-96 mph

Features impressive induced vertical break (carry) and armside run; elite against college hitters for whiffs due to flat plane and high slot. Effective to both sides of the plate.

Primary pitch (50-60% usage); challenges with command lead to walks and deep counts. Mets may add a sinker or cutter for early-contact outs.

Slider

82-85 mph (low-80s at times)

Wipeout breaking ball with sharp, two-plane break (lateral and vertical); platoon-neutral, devastating vs. right-handers (56% whiff rate in 2024). Snappy at best, but can flatten if overthrown.

Key secondary (30-40% usage); thrown with fastball arm speed for deception; equalizer for his control issues.

Changeup

Mid- to upper-80s

Shows arm-side fade and vertical tumble; above-average potential with good arm speed replication, but inconsistent command.

Tertiary pitch (9-10% usage); mostly vs. right-handers later in games; sparingly thrown but effective when located.

MACK –

Santucci had a wonderful year in 2025. He showed remarkable control for a pitcher not known for it. And he did the one thing necessary to become a great pitcher in the majors someday… he stayed healthy.

ETA – right now I show him blocked at AAA-Syracuse (Jonah Tong, Jack Wenninger, R.J. Gordon, Joander Suarez, Jonathan Pintaro), but that could change in a heartbeat. For now, back to the Bing.

11-7-2025

JUST BASEBALL

10. Jonathan Santucci – LHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 195 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 2nd Round (46) – NYM (2024) | ETA: 2027

A southpaw with an exciting fastball, slider combination Santucci had plenty of first round buzz heading into his draft year before a rib injury and command issues pushed him to the second round. Santucci looked like a first round talent in his first pro season, cutting down the walk rate and improving as the season progressed, dominating at Double-A in the second half.

Arsenal

Santucci gets above average carry on a 94-95 MPH fastball, generating above average whiff numbers within the zone. His gyro slider pairs well with his fastball with the vertical action to make it effective to both lefties and righties, with strong whiff and ground ball rates. He commands the slider better than any of his offerings, with a strike rate of nearly 70% in 2025.

The southpaw is still looking for a consistent third offering, with his low 80s curveball looking more reliable than his firm upper 80s changeup. The shape of his curveball is similar to that of Noah Cameron’s, flashing at least average, but without much consistency and less than 10% usage.

Outlook

Santucci’s 2025 season has him rising up the Mets ranks as the best left-handed pitching prospect in their system. Though the control improved mightily in his pro debut, Santucci’s command is still a work in progress, with a strike rate of just 61% on all offerings other than his slider.

The fastball, slider combination gives Santucci the floor of an effective left-handed reliever, but his improved ability to throw strikes and at least signs of a third offering have earned him plenty of runway as a starting pitching prospect where he could be a quality No. 4 starter if it comes together.

11-23-2025 –

Angry @AngryMike24

Mets Jonathan Santucci had 19 outings in 2025, allowing 3 ER or fewer for HI-A & AA:

97.2 IP | 23 ER | 52 Hits | 30 BB | 116 K | 2.13 ERA | 0.84 WHIP

29% K-Rate for ‘25

#’s on par or better than any LHP ranked among Top 100, but Santucci remains unranked. Absurd.

11-25-2025

Angry Mike @AngryMike24

<-> JONATHAN SANTUCCI: PLAYER COMP -> STEVE AVERY <->

Steve Avery, MLB phenom from early 90s for #Braves, posted 18 wins as a 21 year old, in 2nd pro season. Delivered 2 more excellent seasons in a row, until injuries and control issues ultimately derailed his career.

Most notably, he tossed 16 consecutive scoreless IP during a postseason stint.

- Both are tall, strong builds, possessing plus athleticism, allows them to employ high three-quarters to over-the top arm slots, creating downhill plane & deception.

- Plus athleticism allows for a smooth delivery, repeatable, & great extension & good tempo.

- Clean arm-action and momentum down the momentum

- Avery’s fastball was 90-94 MPH

- Santucci generates easy plus velocity, 93-96 MPH, & he’ll add a few more ticks onto the AVG Velo & Top-end Velo incrementally over next couple years.

- Avery used a wipe-out curveball that wasn’t a traditional 12-6 hammer like Kershaw’s, it actually looks similar to Santucci’s wipeout slider that is slurvy, with a sharp 2-plane break that is nightmare fuel for hitters.

- Santucci did start using a traditional curveball that has features more vertical movement than the slider, and thrown in 78-83 MPH range, but for now it’s more of a “get me over curveball”.

- Above-average changeups, mid-to-upper 80s, with fade and tumble, key difference is usage rates, as Santucci only used his around 10% in ‘25.

- Strikeout artists - Santucci recorded 5+ strikeouts in 18 outings, (72%) of the total outings for ‘25.

19 Outings -> allowed 3 ER or less

97.2 IP | 23 ER | 52 Hits | 30 BB | 116 K | 2.13 ERA | 0.84 WHIP

6 Outings -> 20 IP -> allowed 17 ER

17 ER allowed -> 43% of season total (40 ER) -> 20 IP or 17% of total IP (117.2 IP)

Like Avery, when Santucci

J. SANTUCCI -> 1st Full Season:

| 117.2 IP | 138 K | 95 H | 47 BB | 40 ER | 3.11 ERA | 1.16 WHIP | .216 BAA

29% K-Rate | 9% BB-Rate -> 478 Batters Faced

S. AVERY -> 1st Full Season: HI-A & AA: 27 Game Starts

| 171.2 IP | 165 K | 127 H | 54 BB | 40 ER | 2.11 ERA | 1.06 WHIP | .208 BAA

24% K-Rate | 8% BB-Rate -> 678 Batters Faced

Santucci -> 15 Outings -> 1 ER or fewer -> 9 scoreless outings

Santucci is ticketed for AAA Syracuse for 2026 & will be featured along with Tong, Thornton on a top-prospect heavy roster. He’ll continue to focus on improving pitch count efficiency and work on improving his other secondary pitches, but he looks more than ready to fill in if a need arises.

Santucci and Thornton are the primary reasons why Mets only gave Manaea a 3-year deal, & why Peterson hasn’t been extended. They both offer considerably more upside and will be counted on to fill both those slots when they become vacated.

12-20-2025 –

MACK/MM

Jonathan Santucci – thanks to Brennan, I didn’t miss on this guy. Big time Friday Night starter out of Duke. Started out with 15-G/13-ST with A+ Brooklyn (3.46), but ended strong with AA-Binghamton (10-ST, 2.52). Overall, a whopping 138-K in 117.2-IP. Could force his way into the opening day AAA-Syracuse rotation, but I have him first returning to AA-Binghamton to probably help create the strongest rotation n that league.

12-5-2025

Angry Mike/MM

JON SANTUCCI -> He’d be the #1 SP prospect for a lot of other franchises, he’s penciled for AAA.

-> What new pitches will he deploy in 2026? Will we see an increase in usage of his curveball and changeup in 2026? Any chance Santucci gets a look as a RP if the #Mets want to add another dynamic weapon for the bullpen?

12-8-2025

Angry Mike/MM

Jonathan Santucci was Stearns’ 2nd ever player drafted, signing for a bonus slightly over $2 Million. Santucci’s bonus ranks among the Top 10 in franchise history for starting pitchers, and is the third highest bonus awarded to pitchers drafted outside the first round, only J.T. Ginn and Matt Allan received higher bonuses. Santucci was the “ACE” of Duke’s staff and was widely seen as a first round talent, because of a plus fastball-slider combo that made him a premier strikeout artist among the college ranks. His fastball and slider were both considered 60+ scouting grade pitches, but he fell to the Mets in the second round because of his medical history and command issues stemming from high walk rates.

As is the case with most college pitchers, Santucci’s first assignment was at Brooklyn, where he struggled initially, but was quickly able to turn things around.

FIRST 6 STARTS:

21 IP | 19 ER | 33 Hits | 8 BB | 21 K | 8.14 ERA

NEXT 12 STARTS:

60 IP | 10 ER | 35 Hits | 22 BB | 70 K | 1.50 ERA | 0.95 WHIP

Those 12 starts including a stellar debut at Double-A Binghamton, tossing 6 dominant innings, allowing only 2 hits and 2 earned runs, to go with 8 strikeouts and only 1 walk.

Jonathan Santucci officially arrived.

Santucci’s quick ascension to Binghamton signaled the medical concerns and control issues that caused him to drop in the MLB Draft were behind him. Santucci and Zach Thornton are the best left-handed starters in the Mets system, and before Thornton’s abdominal injury, combined with Jonah Tong and Jack Wenninger to form the deepest rotation in the Minors. Outside of two rough outings, Santucci continued to dominate hitters, and flashed the elite potential that once rendered him a top 15 potential draft pick.

2025 HIGHLIGHTS:

-> 8 Starts -> surrendered 3 hits or fewer + 5+ IP + 5+ strikeouts

-> 18 outings recorded 5+ strikeouts

-> 14 outings recorded 6+ strikeouts

-> 16 of 19 final outings were successful performances

-> 4 Quality starts despite being on a very strict pitch count

-> Only allowed a total of 21 ER across his final 19 outings

-> 4 Outings allowed 3 ER

-> 6 Outings allowed 1 ER

-> 9 Outings allowed 0 ER

-> 3 so-so starts from final 19 starts:

11 IP | 10 ER | 13 Hits | 6 BB | 15 K | 8.18 ERA

-> Other 16 starts from final 19 starts:

85.2 IP | 11 ER | 39 Hits | 27 BB | 109 K | 1.16 ERA | 0.78 WHIP

That is Jonah Tong level dominance across 85+ innings at High-A and Double-A, which should more than justify Santucci’s place among the MLB’s Top 50 overall prospects.

-> 85.2 IP -> dominant 89% for the final 96.2 IP for the year.

-> 97.2 IP -> dominant 83% for a total of 117.2 IP of 2025

-> Statistics from 19 Outings -> allowed 3 ER or less

97.2 IP | 23 ER | 52 Hits | 30 BB | 116 K | 2.13 ERA | 0.84 WHIP

-> Statistics from So-So Outings:

20 IP | 17 ER | 43 Hits | 11 BB | 123 K | 2.13 ERA

These numbers are just as dominant as Payton Tolle’s Noah Schultz’, or Thomas White’s from last season, all of whom are ranked among MLB Top 100 Prospects lists. Tolle doesn’t even have a second pitch that is a legit 60-65 grade offering. Santucci’s exclusion from Top 100 lists, along with Ewing, Reimer, Pena, and Thornton shows how those lists have become closer to Amazon’s List of Bestsellers for books, where publishers simply pay to be ranked.

2026 OUTLOOK:

Santucci has nothing left to prove at AA, and should start 2026 in Syracuse, which could be the MiLB’s version of the “Dream Team”. He will be one of the “headliners” in a rotation full of “headliners”, probably slotting behind Jonah Tong & Zach Thornton, two starters who nearly threw perfect games last season. With the projected star-studded lineup, look for Santucci to have the benefit of pitching with a lead early and often. With a trio of power arms also projected to anchor the Syracuse bullpen, Santucci and others should rack up wins at a record pace.

Now that we know Santucci is an impact talent, the Mets will look to refine some of the rough edges and insert upgrades into his pitching arsenal. These two factors might be the only things that prevent Santucci from putting up dominant numbers again, because AAA is where you want prospects to harness their command and arsenal before jumping on that puddle-jumper to Queens.

Pitch count efficiency, inducing weak contact, and limiting non-competitive pitches are a few things all pitching prospects need to refine prior to hitting the MLB, and Santucci is no different. Adding a sweeper to compliment his nasty slider, a sinker, or a cutter would also be excellent complementary pitches to his mid 90s fastball that are adept at inducing weak contact. He’s got the lethal components of his arsenal established, now it’s time to upgrade the rest of his arsenal so he can navigate through MLB lineups three times, to do that, you have to be able to induce weak contact by attacking hitters in the zone.

The ceiling for Santucci remains extremely high, I could care less what “Main Street” says, had he been drafted by the Dodgers or Red Sox he’d already be ranked among the Top 50. Santucci continued to pitch better and didn’t show any ill effects from logging a career high in innings pitched. He’s another former 2-way player like Nolan McLean and Carson Benge, who has the potential to drastically improve his future value now that he’s logging multiple years fully committed to pitching.

The Mets have multiple starters potentially vacating rotation spots after next season, and Sean Manaea will be gone after the 2027 season, opening multiple vacancies for left-handed starters in the near future. As much as I would love to have Tarik Skubal head the rotation, it doesn’t hurt to have multiple high-upside lefties like Santucci and Thornton as a contingency plan.

12-18-2025

MACK/MM

Overall, a whopping 138-K in 117.2-IP. Could force his way into the opening day AAA-Syracuse rotation, but I have him first returning to AA-Binghamton to probably help create the strongest rotation n that league.

1-13-2026

Angry Mike/MM @AngryMike24

Mets Jonathan Santucci final 21 Outings & Z. Thornton 2025 Stats compared to MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 LHP:

<-> Mets J. Santucci -> Final 21 Outings in ‘25: Hi-A & AA:

-> 16 / 21 Outings of at least 5+ IP

-> 14 / 16 Outings of 5+ IP allowed 2 ER or fewer

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

-> 29% K-RATE | 8.5% BB-RATE

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

20. R.J. Gordon

23/years old 6-0 195 RHSP

2025: A +/AA - 26-G, 21-ST, 11-3, 3.36, 1.23, 128.2-IP, 46-BB, 147-K

GROK -

R.J. Gordon is a right-handed pitcher and a prospect in the New York Mets organization, currently ranked as their No. 25 prospect. Born on October 26, 2001, in Thousand Oaks, California, he stands at 6'0" and weighs 195 pounds. Gordon was selected by the Mets in the 13th round (383rd overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft out of the University of Oregon.

Gordon grew up in Santa Clarita, California, and attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks before transferring to West Ranch High School for his senior year. Initially a two-way player (outfielder and pitcher), he transitioned to full-time pitching at Oregon under coach Mark Wasikowski. His high school career was impacted by injuries, including a freshman-year setback, and his senior season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, he batted .414 in his abbreviated senior year and drew attention from college scouts, committing to Oregon.

At Oregon, Gordon had a notable college career, finishing with a 14-9 record and a 5.22 ERA over 51 appearances (28 starts) and 182.2 innings, with 155 strikeouts and 89 walks. In 2024, his redshirt junior season, he was named Honorable Mention All-Pac-12, starting 17 games with a 7-6 record, 5.13 ERA, 87 strikeouts, and 46 walks in 94.2 innings.

He missed the 2023 season due to a UCL injury requiring internal brace surgery but returned as Oregon’s opening day starter in 2024.

In his professional career, Gordon debuted with the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones in 2025, posting a 3.06 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 67.2 innings over 15 appearances.

Promoted to Double-A Binghamton in July 2025, he excelled, going 6-0 with a 3.00 ERA in nine appearances (eight starts).

Fastball: Gordon has expressed a goal of reaching 100 mph, a common aspiration among young pitchers. While he hasn’t hit that mark, his fastball velocity has been sufficient to compete effectively at the professional level.

Kick Change: Upon joining the Mets, Gordon began developing a kick change, a pitch popularized by pitchers like Clay Holmes. He noted that this pitch suits his post-surgery mechanics and has become one of his best offerings. The kick change likely provides deception and movement, helping him keep hitters off balance.

Gordon emphasizes unpredictability, stating that he aims to keep hitters guessing with no clear tendencies in his pitch selection. This suggests a varied arsenal, likely including additional pitches like a slider, curveball, or cutter, though specific details on these are not explicitly documented in the sources. His ability to mix pitches effectively has contributed to his success, particularly in Double-A.

Gordon’s first professional season showcased his potential. His 3.06 ERA in High-A and 3.00 ERA in Double-A reflect consistency and adaptability. His strikeout rate (10.1 K/9 in Double-A) and low walk totals demonstrate improving command.

Gordon’s rapid rise from a 13th-round pick to the Mets’ No. 25 prospect underscores his potential. He’s part of a strong Mets pitching prospect group, including Jonah Tong, Nolan McLean, and Jonathan Santucci.

Gordon’s journey from injury setbacks to a promising professional start highlights his resilience and talent. His ability to develop a new pitch like the kick change and his focus on unpredictability suggest a pitcher with room to grow. While not yet on the Mets’ 40-man roster, his 2025 performance positions him as a candidate for further promotions, potentially reaching Triple-A Syracuse or higher in 2026. His development will likely focus on refining his secondary pitches and increasing velocity to enhance his starter profile.

MACK – Gordon is seldomly written about; however, he truly is a dark horse for the 2027 Mets rotation.

10-30-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

28. RJ Gordon

The 23 year old 13th round righty had some heck of a heckuva year, spanning 2 levels up to AA, going 11-3, 3.36, with 147 Ks in 129 IP.

Keep that up! I hesitated a bit in putting him higher, due to his 13th round draft status. Next year, if he is strong again, he will RISE! Might he even debut with the Mets in relief in 2026? If so, call him Flash Gordon.

11-7-2025

Just Baseball

https://www.justbaseball.com/prospects/new-york-mets-top-15-prospects/

R.J. Gordon – RHP – (Double-A): A 13th rounder in 2024, Gordon impressed with his polish in his pro debut, compiling 128 2/3 innings between High-A and Double-A while pitching to a 3.36 ERA and striking out 27% of batters.

Gordon’s fastball only sits 92-94 MPH, but his ability to locate spin stands out. He landed his slider and curveball for a strike north of 70% of the time, mixing in a serviceable splitter to lefties as well. Gordon looks the part of a depth starter who could miss enough bats to be a back-end innings eater.

12-13-2025

MACK/MM

R.J. Gordon –

2025 – A+/AA: 26-G, 21-ST, 11-3, 3.36, 1.15, 128-2-IP, 147-K, 46-BB

Another quiet one. Just goes out there and does hisjob. Went 6-1 for Binghamton. Being pushed by the 7 qualified starters that are hitting Binghamton this spring, so look for him at a Cuse team near you

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

21. Jonathan Pintaro

GROG –

Jonathan Pintaro is a right-handed relief pitcher (primarily used in multi-inning or bullpen roles) for the New York Mets.

Born November 7, 1997 (he's 28 years old as of January 2026), he's a 6'2", 235 lb pitcher from Pelham, Alabama.

He had an unconventional path to the majors: undrafted out of Division II Shorter University, he pitched in independent ball (Pioneer League with the Glacier Range Riders) before signing a minor league deal with the Mets in June 2024.

He debuted in the MLB on June 25, 2025, against the Atlanta Braves, pitching in relief (got two outs but allowed two runs).

Scouts and reports highlight his cutter as his standout pitch—rated as plus by some, used effectively for strikeouts (e.g., his first MLB K came via cutter).

From scouting reports (e.g., Baseball America), his repertoire includes:

Fastball — graded around average (50), typically in the mid-90s.

Cutter — his best offering (graded 55), plus pitch with good movement.

Slider — average (50), potentially a sweeper variant in some contexts.

Changeup — average (50), helps against lefties but he's had some struggles vs. LHH overall (.305 AVG allowed in minors).

Control graded around average (50).

He's viewed as a depth arm or swingman type, ranked as high as the Mets' No. 22 prospect earlier but noted in recent prospect lists (e.g., Baseball America 2026 Mets top 30) around No. 23.

Struggles vs. left-handed hitters have been noted (.305 AVG, .929 OPS allowed across levels), while he dominates righties more effectively.

His story is one of perseverance—from indie ball to MLB call-up in under 13 months.

11-7-2025

Just Baseball

https://www.justbaseball.com/prospects/new-york-mets-top-15-prospects/

Jonathan Pintaro – RHP – (MLB): Pintaro went undrafted out of Division II Shorter University in 2022, pitching in the Pioneer League until he garnered the attention of the Mets.

Pintaro ripped through High-A and Double-A in his first affiliated season, making one start at the Triple-A level at the end of the year. Pintaro was utilized somewhat as a swingman between Double-A and Triple-A in 2025, regressing in the run prevention department, but continuing to strike out batters in droves (29% strikeout rate).

It’s a hard and harder approach with a fastball and sinker in the mid 90s and a cutter in the low 90s leading the way along with a changeup that he will mix in. Pintaro has the stuff to be a middle relief option if he can cut down on the free passes.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

22. Saul Garcia

2025 - A+ Brooklyn: 30-apps, 4-2, 1.85, 1.26, 6-SV, 34-IP, 22-BB, 59-K

AA Binghamton: 8-apps, 1-0, 1.32, 1.02, 0-SV, 13.2-IP, 6-BB, 17-K

GROG -

Saul García is a right-handed relief pitcher in the New York Mets minor league system.

Born on June 11, 2003, in Naguanagua, Venezuela, he stands at 6’0” and weighs 180 lbs. He will play 2026 as a 23/year old

García signed with the Mets as an international free agent around his 18th birthday and has since emerged as a promising prospect, ranking No. 29 on MLB Pipeline’s Mets Top 30 Prospects list in the 2024-2025 offseason

García is considered a late bloomer who has shown significant growth since signing with the Mets. In 2024, he pitched at High-A Brooklyn, where he demonstrated potential as a multi-inning reliever, though the Mets have plans to potentially stretch him out as a starter. His development has focused heavily on improving his command, as strike-throwing is a key area for growth at the lower levels. Mets director of player development Andrew Christie has highlighted García’s work ethic and potential, noting his connection to the Flores family and their shared dedication to the game.

In 2024, García’s performance included a 3.86 ERA over an unspecified number of innings, with a focus on refining his pitch arsenal and control. While his ultimate role may be in the bullpen due to his current skill set, the Mets are keeping him in a starter’s role for now to maximize his development.

Pitch Repertoire

García’s pitching arsenal consists of three primary pitches, with his fastball and slider being his standout offerings:

Fastball: Described as a “real interesting” pitch, García’s fastball sits in the mid-to-high 90s and is noted for its ability to “get above barrels very well,” indicating good life and deception. This pitch is considered Major League average or better when he’s at his best, making it a key weapon in his arsenal.

Slider: His slider, thrown in the low-80s, features a sweeping break and is also rated as a Major League average pitch. It complements his fastball well, generating swings and misses when executed properly. The slider’s movement and velocity make it a strong secondary pitch.

Changeup: García’s changeup is less developed compared to his fastball and slider. It’s described as a work in progress, but he’s been working to refine it, adding depth to his repertoire as he develops.

Outlook García’s current profile suggests a future as a high-leverage reliever, though the Mets are still exploring his potential as a starter. His ability to throw strikes consistently will be critical to his progression, as command issues are a common challenge for young pitchers. His fastball-slider combination gives him a solid foundation.

As of 2025, he’s likely to continue climbing the Mets’ minor league ladder, potentially reaching Triple-A Syracuse if he maintains his trajectory.

MACK – I’m a big fan of the reliever no one writes about. I expect Saul to be done with his minor league career by the end of next season and be ready to join the Mets pen come opening day 2027.

11-6-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

19. RHP Saul Garcia

Saul here was a hard throwing wild man pre-2025. Would he harness it in 2025? YES!

Still on the wild side, but improving, righty Saul Garcia was 5-2 in AA and High A, with a 1.70 ERA and a .173 BAA. He walked 28, but fanned 76 in 48 innings, and 6 of 7 in saves.

The 22 year old 6’0, 180 Garcia from Venezuela has fanned 325 in 236 career innings. The Mets always need pen arms, and he should debut with the Mets some time in 2026, one would think.

11-16-25 – John From Albany/MM

RHP Saul Garcia went 5-2 with a 1.70 ERA for Brooklyn and Binghamton in 2025, He had 76 Ks in 47.2 innings. In September, Baseball America had him on their list of 10 best performing fastballs in 2025. They noted: "Pitching from a lower release height, Garcia sits 94-96 mph with more than 2500 rpm of spin on average." If he doesn't get added to the 40-Man or the Syracuse Roster to keep him out of the minor league portion, there is a good chance he will be selected.

12-2-2025

Steve Sica/MM

RHP Saul García:

When looking at the entire Met system in 2025, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better season than the one that Saul García put together. Across High-A and Double-A, García made 38 appearances, pitched in 47 innings, and had an ERA of just 1.70. He faced a total of 202 batters and allowed a home run to just three of them. His 1.32 ERA for Binghamton helped the team win its first Eastern League title in over a decade.

This season was a revelation for García, who, up until 2025, had struggled in the Minors since joining the Mets system in 2021. However, this year, the Mets opted to use him as a reliever instead of a starter, and the experiment couldn’t have gone better. The Mets left him unprotected in next week’s draft, and now will have to wait and see if García’s turnaround continues in their organization, or if they will have to watch his next chapter on another franchise.

12-2-2025

Ernest Dove @ernestdove

My ongoing concern is losing RP Saul Garcia. I continue to see him as a Dedniel Nunez/Jerrys Familia type pen arm at his best. Command is the obvious concern.

1-17-2026

MACK/MM

Saul Garcia – a recent addition to the 40, I expect Garcia to mirror Lambert and be a mainstay at Syracuse in 2026, the difference being they should not a promotion at any time in 2026 to Queens. 2027 is the year of Garcia.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

23. Mitch Voit

GROK –

Mitch Voit is a highly regarded prospect in the New York Mets organization, selected with their first-round pick (No. 38 overall) in the 2025 MLB Draft from the University of Michigan.

He's a right-handed hitting and throwing infielder, primarily playing second base (2B), though he's shown versatility across the infield and even some outfield time in college.

Background and College Career

Born September 30, 2004, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Voit attended Whitefish Bay High School, where he was a standout two-way player (pitching and hitting) and earned accolades like Wisconsin Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year in 2022.At Michigan (2023–2025), he initially was a two-way player:Freshman year (2023): Hit .267 with 7 HR; pitched to a 3.25 ERA.

He dealt with right elbow issues, undergoing internal brace surgery in 2024, which largely ended his pitching career (he had a 5.49 ERA in 2024 on the mound).

In his junior year (2025), he shifted full-time to position player duties, mostly at second base, and exploded offensively: .346/.471/.668 slash line (1.140 OPS), 14 HR, 60 RBI, 14 SB in 56 games. He led the Wolverines in several categories, including OBP, SLG, and walks, while showing improved plate discipline (more walks than strikeouts, low chase rate).

Scouts noted his plus speed, hard contact (50% hard-hit rate, up to 111 mph exit velo), and power potential (projected 15-20 HR seasons). Comparisons have been drawn to former Michigan two-way player Jake Cronenworth.

Professional Career and Mets Acquisition

The Mets drafted him as a two-way player but quickly focused on his bat and infield defense, especially at 2B. He signed for $1.75 million (underslot, below the $2.57M slot value for pick 38), allowing the team to allocate savings elsewhere.

Voit began his pro career with the Single-A St. Lucie Mets. Early reports highlighted his surprising base-stealing prowess (beyond college numbers) and solid plate discipline (high walk rate, low strikeouts), though his batting average was still adjusting to pro pitching.

As of early 2026 rankings and updates:

He's viewed as one of the Mets' top prospects, often landing in their top 10–15 across various lists (e.g., No. 10 in one Baseball Prospectus update, No. 11 in another prospect ranking).

Strengths: Offensive upside (contact, power, speed), athleticism, range at 2B, and a "winner" mentality (he's described himself that way).

He's been praised in Mets player development contexts, including offseason camp feedback.

Overall, Voit addresses a need for the Mets at second base in their system and has the tools to rise quickly if his bat translates fully to pro ball. He's an exciting, athletic college bat with everyday potential at the keystone. Keep an eye on his progress in the minors this year!

1-2-2026

MACK/MM

Tobey Schulman @tschulmanreport

Mitch Voit might be the '25 draft prospect I'm most excited to watch play a full season in 2026. A .346/.471/.668 slash line for Michigan.

in '25, the 21-y/o walked more than he struck out, with 14 HR, 14 SB, and a 157 wRC+. Plus, arm & speed at second base.

Ernest Dove @ernestdove

I’m looking for Mitch Voit to get to AA level in 2026 and focus on his defensive position. Assume majority 2B

SleeperMets @SleeperMets

Mitch Voit- 2B

Age: 21

Hit: 55 -Average

Power: 50 -Average

Run: 60 -Above average

Arm: 60 -Above average

Field: 50 -Average

Overall: 50 -Average, everyday LB player

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

24. Ben Simon

GROG –

Ben Simon is a right-handed relief pitcher for the New York Mets organization, currently in the minor leagues.

Born on March 22, 2002, in Princeton, New Jersey, he stands at 5'11" and weighs 197 pounds.

Drafted by the Mets in the 13th round (396th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft from Elon University, Simon has been noted for his potential despite limited professional experience.

In 2025, he was a Brooklyn Cyclones (High-A) player with a background as a standout at Hightstown High School and Elon University, where he posted a 3.20 ERA with seven saves in 25.1 innings during his junior year.

Repertoire:

Fastball: Sits in the mid-90s, often touching the high-90s, with a high spin rate that gives it late life and makes it his primary pitch.

Power Curve: A low-to-mid-70s offering, used as a key secondary pitch to complement his fastball.

Slider: Thrown occasionally, adding variety to his arsenal.

Changeup: Also used sparingly, providing another option to keep hitters off balance.

Simon throws from a three-quarters arm slot with simple, repeatable mechanics and a loose, easy arm action. His fastball-curve combo is his bread and butter, with the slider and changeup as developing pitches.

In 2023, he made six appearances (two in the Florida Complex League and four with St. Lucie), showing promise as a reliever. He’s noted for mental toughness, having rebounded from a challenging freshman year at Elon (8.44 ERA) to earn All-Colonial Athletic Association second-team honors as a sophomore.

Simon has expressed enthusiasm for the Mets’ pitching lab in Port St. Lucie, which he’s used to refine his skills, though he values the organization’s approach of not forcing data-driven changes on players.

MACK – Simon is a perfect example of the success of the pitching lab. His story should be told to every pitcher that becomes a minor league Met so they know they can only get better.

I see Simon having a strong and long future with this team.

1-8-2026

MACK/MM

Ben Simon – was a 13th rounder in 2023. That’s about right for a relief pitcher. Will turn 24 in March. Err… 5-11, RHP. Pitched 2025 for both A+ Brooklyn and AA-Binghamton: 38-APPS, 5-1, 2.98, 1.14, 54.1-IP, 18-BB, 60-K. Like Brewer, chalk one up for the labs. He will return to AA ball come spring.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

25. OF Randy Guzman

2025 - FCL Mets: 178-PA, 7-HR, 33-RBI, .282/.371/.474/.845

St. Lucie: 105-PA, 3-HR, 24-RBI, .333/.381/.604/.985

GROK –

Randy Enmanuel Guzman is a 20-year-old outfielder in the New York Mets' minor league system, born on April 19, 2005, in Tenares, Dominican Republic.

Standing at 6'4" and weighing 215 pounds, he bats and throws right-handed.

Guzman has been noted for an impressive start to his first season stateside, particularly with the St. Lucie Mets. His recent performances have drawn attention, with reports indicating he was "on fire" after being promoted from the Florida Complex League (FCL).

Guzman has also played multiple positions, including first base, right field, and left field, showcasing versatility.

MACK – Guzman really burst on the scene this past season. Very little has been written about him so far, but those days will be quickly coming to an end. Wouldn’t it be nice if the Mets could develop a right-hand hitting outfielder?

There is a good chance he will start off the 2026 season in A+ Brooklyn.

ETA: 2028

10-30-2025

Tom Brennan/MM

27. OF Randy Guzman

The 6’4” Mets guy whose name is closest to Jerry Koosman?

“The Gooz” started out the season as a complete unknown (but not like a rolling stone) in the FCL, and ended the regular season with St Lucie.

How’d he do?

252 at bats, 22 doubles, 2 triples, 10 HRs, 57 RBI’s. Yes, he killed it.

I’d like to see those #s projected over 600 at bats. OK, so I did:

600 at bats, 52 doubles, 5 triples, 24 HRs, 137 RBIs. Sweet.

He hit .302/.375/.524 overall in 2025.

After his promotion to St Lucie, no adjustment period necessary - he demolished it at .333/.381/.604 in 26 games. DANG!

And just 54 Ks in 283 PAs. And he doesn’t turn 21 until April.

And, as Ernest Dove told us, he is a great clubhouse presence already.

I cautiously expect him to be a 2026 minors beast.

I simply had to get him in my top 30.

12-6-2025

MACK/MM

Randy Guzman – okay… here’s a live one. Turns 21 in April. Plays RF, LF, 1B (!). RHH. Arrived from the DR at the end of 2024 and played last season for the FCL Mets and St. Lucie. Did well at FCL (178-PA, 7-HR, .282), but really hit the peddle at Lucy (105-PA, 21-K, 6-BB, .3-HR, 24-RBI, .333/.381/.604/.985-OPS. That added up to 10-HR, 57-RBI, .302, .898-OPS. Breakout 2025 season. Elite raw power. 90th percentile exit velo (108.1). Plays solid corner and first. Most improved hitter in the chain. 20-25 HR potential. I’m sending him to Brooklyn, where I would play him a little more on first.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

26. Peter Kussow

GROG –

Peter Kussow is a right-handed pitching prospect in the New York Mets organization. The Mets selected him in the fourth round (133rd overall) of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin.

He was an 18-year-old (born December 8, 2006) high school standout who signed with the Mets for an overslot bonus of $897,500, skipping his commitment to the University of Louisville.

At 6'5" and around 205-215 lbs, Kussow has a projectable frame with significant upside, often described by analysts as having "legitimate ace potential" due to his athletic delivery, room for velocity gains, and strong pitch traits. He's considered one of the top prospects from the Mets' 2025 draft class—some call him the "crown jewel"—and MLB Pipeline named him their breakout Mets prospect for 2026.

Pitching Repertoire

Kussow's arsenal, based on scouting reports from his high school/pre-draft era (which remains the primary source as he's still early in pro development):

Fastball: Primary pitch, sitting 91-95 mph with a top-end of 96-97 mph. It features firm ride and armside run, plus above-average spin rates (2400-2600 RPM). Scouts note velocity gains over time and projection for more as he matures physically.

Slider: His best/standout pitch—high-spin (2500-2700 RPM), tight gyro shape in the mid-to-upper 80s (79-88 mph range), with late two-plane break and good command potential. Often called elite or plus-plus for a prep arm.

Curveball: Secondary breaking ball with 12-6 shape (downer action), thrown in the mid-80s or so in flashes.

Changeup: Developing third pitch in the high-80s, showing tumble and fade but still inconsistent and a work in progress.

Command has been noted as inconsistent due to his mechanics and limited innings (common for cold-weather high school pitchers from Wisconsin), but his delivery is clean and repeatable for his size. The Mets' pitching lab is expected to refine this mix, potentially adding velocity or sharpening secondary pitches.

He's a high-ceiling arm the Mets invested in heavily for a mid-round pick, with projections placing him as a potential future rotation piece (ETA around 2028-2029).

1-2-2026

MACK/MM

Peter Kussow

I want to lead off the first three reports with three pitchers the Mets drafted last year who have not pitched a single professional inning so far.

Peter Kussow is a 19-yr old, 6-5, 200-pound RHP , drafted out of Arrowhead HS (WI) last year in the 4th round.

Kussow was Wisconsin's top high school pitching prospect, known for a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts in his senior year and velocity gains leading into the draft.

His repertoire is:

Fastball: Sits 91-95 mph, touching up to 97 mph. It features sink and run from his low three-quarters to high three-quarters arm slot, with good command and deception, especially tough on right-handed hitters.

Slider: His best pitch — a high-spin, wipeout offering in the upper 80s (often low-80s to upper-80s) with late vertical slice, sharp break, and excellent command. Scouts call it potentially above-average or elite for a prep arm

Changeup: Developing third pitch in the high-80s to low-90s (often 87-90 mph), showing fade, tumble, and depth. It pairs well with his fastball but remains inconsistent as he refines it.

Curveball: Occasionally mentioned as a downer with 12-6 shape in the mid-to-upper 80s (around 2,600+ RPM in some reports); some sources blend it with or distinguish it from his primary slider.4

His arsenal profiles as a potential starter, with the fastball-slider combo as the foundation and room for growth in velocity and offspeed pitches as he adds strength.

For age reasons alone, I have him starting off 2026 as a member of the FCL Mets

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

27. Hoss Brewer

GROK –

Hoss Brewer is a right-handed pitching prospect in the New York Mets organization. His full name is John Halsten Brewer, but he's commonly known as "Hoss" (a fitting nickname for his sturdy build—he stands 6'4" and weighs around 205 lbs).

Born on February 20, 2001, in Dallas, Texas, he bats left-handed but throws right-handed.

He began his college career at Seminole State College before transferring to the University of Arkansas-Little Rock (Little Rock Trojans), where he showed strong strikeout stuff—in 2024, he had 101 strikeouts over 84.1 innings with a 3.95 ERA.

The Mets signed him as an undrafted free agent or late-round pick after that college performance (around 2024). He started his pro career with limited innings in Single-A late that year.

In 2025, he emerged as a standout in the Mets' minors:

He began the season at Single-A St. Lucie Mets, posting an excellent 0.72 ERA over 25 innings early on with 30 strikeouts (very low ERA and high K rate).

He was promoted to High-A Brooklyn Cyclones mid-season.

Across levels, he continued to dominate in relief roles, with reports of a sub-2.00 ERA in stretches (e.g., around 1.62–1.65 in some mid/late-season samples).

He played a key role in Brooklyn's South Atlantic League championship run in September 2025, recording the final out (a save) in the clinching game with efficient pitching (e.g., 11 pitches, 7 strikes in one appearance).

Viewed as a promising bullpen arm with potential for middle relief in the majors due to his strikeout ability and stuff.

He's generated buzz for his performance and that memorable name—fans often call him "Ol’ Hoss Brewer."

He's considered a bright spot in the Mets' farm system for 2026 and beyond—keep an eye on him if you're following Mets prospects! If more specific scouting updates emerge, his arsenal could solidify as fastball-slider dominant for relief work.

Mack –

Brewer got off to a killer start in 2025 at St. Lucie… 18-apps, 2-0, 1.00, 1.03, with 34-K in 27-IP. Nice.

He was then promoted to Brooklyn and found things a little tougher. 22-apperances later, his stat line was 3.10, 1.27, 29-IP, 24-K.

His combined A/A+ 2025 stats were: 40-apps, 3-0, 2.09, 1.16, 56-IP, 58-K

Trust me… this has earned him an invite this spring to join the AA-Binghamton bullpen. And it is well earned.

Brewer is showing all signs of someday being part of the Mets pen.

ETA: 2027

1-24-2026

MACK/MM

Hoss Brewer – old man turns 25 at Duffy’s during pitchers/catcher. 6-4 RHP. 2024 UFA. 2025 – St. Lucie/Brooklyn: 40-G, 1-ST, 3-0, 2.09, 1.16, 56-IP, 14-BB, 58-K. Just a real find and a success of the lab program. 22 of these appearances were at A+, so there is an outside chance he opens up for AA-Binghamton.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

28. Truman Pauley

GROK

Truman Pauley is a right-handed pitcher in the New York Mets organization.

He was selected by the Mets in the 12th round (373rd overall) of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Harvard University.

Born on December 26, 2003, in Los Angeles, CA (Pacific Palisades area), he's currently 22 years old (turning 22 late 2025, now in early 2026).

He stands 6'2" and weighs around 200 lbs, bats and throws right-handed.

Before Harvard, he attended Windward School in LA and was a strong student (top 10% of his class, interests in robotics and engineering—he studied biomedical engineering or similar at Harvard).

At Harvard, Pauley had a breakout sophomore season in 2025: He started most of his games, pitched 70.1 innings with a 4.61 ERA, allowed a very low .171 opponent batting average (led the Ivy League), struck out 91 batters (led the Ivy League, ~11.64 K/9, ranking high nationally), but issued 48 walks (command was an area for improvement).

He earned Honorable Mention All-Ivy honors, Ivy League Pitcher of the Week once, and was part of the Ivy League All-Tournament Team after a standout complete-game performance (13 strikeouts in a tournament game).

He helped Harvard make a surprising turnaround in the Ivy League.

He signed with the Mets for $400,000 (an over-slot bonus for that round, showing they liked his upside).

Repertoire

Pauley's stuff has drawn attention for its quality, especially from a mid-round college pick. Scouts and analysts highlight:

Fastball: 95-96 mph (touches 96), with exceptional induced vertical break (IVB)—described as one of the most ridiculous right-handed heaters in terms of ride/vertical movement (compared favorably to elite examples like Jeremiah Estrada's). It has late life and plays up due to the ride.

Slider: Low-80s (gyro slider, as he's called it), nasty and deceptive. Paired with the fastball, it creates tough at-bats—high spin/gyro characteristics make it hard to square up.

This combo contributed to his strong K rates (around 28-29% in college) and low batting averages against (.167-.171 range).

Command (especially walks) is the main development focus for him to project as a back-end starter, but the raw stuff gives him upside in the Mets system.

He's a developmental prospect with starter traits—poise on the mound, deception, and a "fun pitcher to watch" per some reports. Early pro results look promising, and he's someone Mets fans are keeping an eye on for 2026 progress in the minors.

Overall, a smart, high-upside arm from an unexpected Ivy League pipeline to the Mets!

12-31-2025

MACK/MM

Truman Pauley –

RHP 6-2 200 turns 22 next month

12th round 2025, Harvard University

Pitched in only three games last season, all starts:

0-0. 2.08, 0.92, 4.1-IP, 3-K, 4-BB

Not the worst start, but he’ll stay in Florida when others go north.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

30. CF Cleiner Ramirez

Cleiner Ramirez is a promising young outfielder prospect recently signed by the New York Mets as part of their 2026 international free agent class (the signing period opens January 15, 2026).

He's ranked as one of the top prospects in the 2026 international class. According to Baseball America, he was the #21 overall prospect in the class.

From recent discussions among prospect watchers and Mets insiders:

He's described as a smaller-built player but generates solid power despite his size.

He's solidly built and viewed as a solid to plus defender.

He transitioned from infield to center field (CF), which aligns with the Mets' needs for athletic outfield talent.

The Mets appear committed to him, even exploring trades for additional international bonus pool money after securing Asigen (who required shifting funds). This suggests Cleiner was a priority signing they wanted to protect and fund.

He's still very early in his pro career—likely debuting in the complex leagues or rookie ball in 2026—and hasn't played professional games yet under the Mets.

As an international signee from the Dominican Republic (common for top IFA talents), his development will be watched closely for his power-defense combo in center field.

For context, this is a fresh signing in the current offseason cycle, so detailed scouting reports and stats are limited until he starts playing in the system.

He's one to follow as part of the next wave of international talent joining guys like the recent draft picks and other prospects.

1-9-2026

Daniel Wexler @WexlerRules

As previously reported at Baseball America

Mets signing 2 of the top 50 players in the class

#3 SS Wandy Asigen

#21 OF Cleiner Ramirez when signings become official on 1/15

Cleiner Ramirez is a highly regarded international baseball prospect from Venezuela, projected as a top outfielder (OF) in the 2026 international free agent (IFA) class.

He's a 17-year-old right-handed hitter known for his excellent bat speed and potential as a power-hitting outfielder, with some sources also listing him as capable of playing infield positions (INF/OF).

As of early January 2026, multiple reports indicate that Cleiner Ramirez is set to officially sign with the New York Mets on January 15, 2026, when the 2026 international signing period opens.

He's considered one of the Mets' top targets in this class, with projections of a signing bonus around $1.3 million, and rankings place him around #23-24 in the overall 2026 international prospect list according to MLB Pipeline and Baseball America.

He's reportedly the brother of Leiner Ramirez, a shortstop who signed with the Mets in the 2024 international class but has been injury-plagued and hasn't played professionally yet.

Cleiner is often highlighted for his athleticism, bat-to-ball skills, and upside in the outfield, making him a promising addition to the Mets' farm system once the deal becomes official.

1-11-2026

MLB

#23 Cleiner Ramirez

AGE 17

BATS R

DOB 12/01/2008

THROWS R

HT 5' 9"

WT 175

Venezuela’s representatives among the Top 50 international prospects in 2026 is arguably the most impressive crop the country has produced since the list began in 2012. Ramirez is one of those players helping the nation’s stock as he displays a balanced skill set with tons of upside, a la fellow countryman Luisangel Acuña. One evaluator compared Ramirez’s build by the time he’s done filling out to something mirroring Kirby Puckett. He trains with ABC Baseball in his native Venezuela.

At just 5-foot-9, Ramirez uses his shorter stature to his advantage in the box. His right-handed swing has tons of bat speed as he displays a repeatable bat path and ability to square up a variety of pitches. During his time in the Caracas Prospect League, he hit .419 (13-for-31) and racked up 21 total bases in 10 games. His power is still blossoming, but he has shown an advanced eye at the dish with 14 walks to just eight strikeouts in that same sample size.

Ramirez has experience playing around the infield as an amateur but many scouts see his future on the grass. While he recorded a pair of outfield assists and went 3-for-3 on stolen-base attempts during his time in the Prospect League, he’s something of an unconventional runner with choppy strides. He could likely handle shortstop or center field, but with such a focus on the premium positions at the lower levels of the Minors, his ceiling will likely best be maximized by moving around the diamond and letting his loud offensive tools do the talking.

Pages

MACK - 2026 Top 30 Mets Prospects

No comments: