New York Mets Top 15 Prospects For 2024

While the 2023 season was extremely disappointing for the New York Mets at the big league level, at least they used the down-year productively to bolster their farm system. Thanks to some creative accounting with Steve Cohen’s pocketbook, the Mets ate down contracts on their veterans in an aim to buy prospects and the strategy proved to be very beneficial.

Big trades of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer highlighted a deadline sell-off of seven players that netted the Mets a handful of prospects, including four that are going to be featured in our top 15.

When combining their deadline additions, with some breakout performances from their homegrown talent, the Mets farm system is in better shape than it has been in a long time.

1. Jett Williams – SS/2B – (Double-A)

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

HIT	PLATE DISC.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
50/55	70/70	35/45	60/60	40/50	55

Compact but explosive, Williams is a great athlete with more impact than his frame would suggest. His polish at the plate helped him make quick work of the lower levels.

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 makes elite swing decisions. He is one of the most patient hitters in the Minor Leagues, running a chase rate of just 12% in 2023.

Producing average exit velocities, Williams consistently drives the ball in the air with good carry (35% ground ball rate), giving him a chance to hit for average game power. Nothing jumps off of the page with Williams offensively, but he is solid across the board and gets the most out of his tools with his elite feel for the strike zone and overall knack for hitting.

Defense/Speed

An easy plus runner, Williams is a phenomenal athlete who the Mets have already played at shortstop, second base, and center field. He could become a passable defender at shortstop, having cleaned up his his footwork some since entering pro ball, but his actions still leave a bit to be desired.

Williams has the fall back of second base where he should be an above average defender, though he has also seen some action in centerfield where his great speed and good arm would profile well. Aggressive on the bases, Williams swiped 45 bags on 52 tries in the 2023 season.

Outlook

It’s easy to see why the Mets are so excited about their 2022 first round selection. He combines a high-floor offensive profile with dynamic athleticism and just enough impact to provide exciting upside.

A sure thing to be a consistent on-base threat, he and Termarr Johnson became the first teenagers since 2005 to walk 100 times in a Minor League season. Williams could provide value with the glove at second base or even in centerfield if he gets more reps out there. A well-rounded profile, he seems like a relatively safe bet to be a good big league regular.

2. Drew Gilbert – OF – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 5’9″, 195 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (28), 2022 (HOU) | ETA: 2025

HIT	PLATE DISC.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
50/55	55/55	40/50	60/60	50/55	55

Above average tools across the board and a fiery competitor, Gilbert has the makings of a really balanced, yet productive ballplayer.

Offense

Gilbert starts with a slightly wide stance and his weight shifted on his back side before using a toe tap for timing. He has above average bat speed paired with a knack for barreling baseballs. Despite his smaller frame, Gilbert uses his lower half well to produce average power with flashes of above average pop to his pull side and consistently elevates.

The athleticism is evident in the box for Gilbert showcasing plenty of adjustability both with the barrel and his body. The exit velocities are slightly above average, but there might be a bit more impact in the tank as Gilbert gets his best swings off more consistently.

He was challenged with a quick bump to Double-A where he started a tad slow before gaining his footing and mashing to an OPS right around 1.000 over his final 30 games of the season. Gilbert blends average contact rates with a patient approach.

Defense/Speed

A borderline-plus runner, Gilbert’s speed is better used in the outfield than on the base paths. He covers ground quickly in center with efficient routes and good reads. With a plus arm as well, Gilbert should not only stick in centerfield, but be an above average defender there.

His speed has not quite made its way to the base paths in the form of stolen bases yet, but Gilbert is still valuable when on base.

Outlook

Traded to the Mets at the 2023 Deadline for Justin Verlander, Gilbert instantly became the team’s best outfield prospect. It’s difficult to poke a hole in Gilbert’s game with above average tools everywhere you look and a motor that teams love. He is a high probability big leaguer with a great chance of sticking in centerfield.

3. Christian Scott – RHP – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 220 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 5th Round (142) – NYM (2021) | ETA: 2024

FASTBALL	CHANGEUP	SLIDER	COMMAND	FV
65/65	60/60	50/55	60/60	55

An improved fastball and a leap command wise helped Scott break out in 2023, posting one of the best K-BB figures in the Minor Leagues. The right-hander built on the success by adding a sweeper in the offseason that has yielded impressive results in the early going.

Arsenal

Scott has overpowered Double-A hitters with his 94-96 mph fastball, attacking the zone with plenty of confidence. The pitch is unique because he features a three quarters release, but is still able to maintain more ride than run on the fastball, creating an incredibly flat and unfamiliar approach angle for hitters.

The result was an opponent batting average below .200 and a ridiculous in zone whiff rate of 33% paired with a swinging strike rate of 19% on his fastball in Double-A. Scott’s ability to miss bats within the zone and plus command combined to give him a 73% strike rate on the pitch in 2023.

Working off of his fastball is a plus changeup with good arm side fade in the mid 80s. Scott sells it really well with his arm speed and release, making it extremely difficult for hitters to differentiate from his fastball. He also has an excellent feel for the pitch, landing it for a strike 67% of the time in 2023 while racking up a chase rate near 40%.

Scott made some tweaks to his slider, throwing two variations that are both improved from what we saw from him in 2023. He adding more of a true sweeper to the fold in the mid 80s which plays up from his more horizontal release, while also adding more vertical drop to his traditional slider at a higher velocity.

Outlook

Assuming the adjustments to his slider continue to translate, Scott boasts the pitch mix of a mid-rotation starter with the command to supplement it.

A late bloomer, Scott is a bit older than most of the top pitching prospects surrounding him on the top 100 list, however he only threw 121 collegiate innings at the University of Florida and is knocking on the door of his big league debut in his third pro season. Scott is the Mets best pitching prospect and should grab a spot in the rotation at some point 2024.

4. Luisangel Acuña – SS – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 5’10″, 180 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $425K – 2018 (TEX) | ETA: 2024

HIT	PLATE DISC.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
50/55	40/40	35/45	60/60	55/60	55

Traded to the Mets for Max Scherzer at last year’s Trade Deadline, Luisangel Acuña may not possess the superstar potential of his brother Ronald, but he is advanced for his age with intriguing tools on both sides of the ball.

Offense

A nearly identical setup to his brother, Acuña lacks the lower half coantrol and explosiveness of Ronald but still boasts a quick bat/hands and plenty of athleticism. He has looked much more under control with his base in 2023, and the results have been evident in his 5% jump in contact rate along with a 5% cut in his ground ball rate.

Previously a bit of a drifter, Acuña’s focus on keeping his weight back have helped him make massive gains against velocity. He registered just a .599 OPS against fastballs 94+ MPH last season, but has upped that figure to .763 in 2023.

Acuña’s hands are quick and adjustable and he uses the entire field well. Though he is somewhat of an aggressive hitter, Acuña still draws a decent amount of walks and kept his strikeout rate in check at Double-A.

If Acuña fills out a bit more and continues to improve with his ability to sync his upper and lower half, there is 20 homer upside with the ability to spray the ball all over the field. 

Defense/Speed

An above-average runner with great footwork, Acuña already looks like a strong defender at short. His actions are smooth and his arm grades as plus, providing plenty of optimism that he can develop into a plus defender at shortstop. A menace on the base paths, Acuña swiped 57 bases on 67 attempts in 2023.

Outlook

Acuña still has some developing to do at the plate, but his athleticism, advanced glove and above average production as a 21-year-old in Double-A helped solidify Acuña’s status as one of the better prospects in the Rangers system and a key piece for the Mets to target in the return for Max Scherzer.

While Acuña may lack the offensive impact to be an All Star, he provides a high floor with his bat to ball skills, defensive value and stolen base ability.

5. Ryan Clifford – OF – (High-A)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 210 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 11th Round (343), 2022 (HOU) | ETA: 2026

HIT	PLATE DISC.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
40/45	45/50	55/65	30/30	35/45	55

Drafted in the 11th round by the Astros, Clifford signed for second round money ($1.25 million) to forego his Vanderbilt commitment. He tapped into his big raw power in his age 19 season, joining first rounder Drew Gilbert in the Mets return for Justin Verlander.

Offense

A simple operation in the box, Clifford starts wide with his hands high, coiling into his back side in tandem with a small stride. His simple moves help him maintain his timing though he has the tendency to drift onto his front side, resulting in more weak contact and pop ups.

When he keeps his weight back, Clifford can do considerable damage, posting a 90th percentile exit velocity of 107 MPH and launching 24 home runs. Despite the hit tool projecting as fringy, Clifford did damage against all pitch types in 2023. He has struggled mightily left on left which is something to monitor.

A pretty good feel for the strike zone, Clifford walked at a 12.5% clip in 2023 and saw his swing decisions improve as he became more acclimated to High-A. There’s 30 home run upside for Clifford as he starts to lift the ball more consistently, especially to his pull side.

Defense/Speed

A below average runner, Clifford has seen action both in right field and first base. His plus arm could be more of an asset in right field, though his limited range and iffy reads could result in him winding up at first base.

Outlook

Clifford’s power potential is his calling card and he has already put it on display at the lower levels. While there may be minimal defensive value, Clifford could at least offer some versatility if he can develop into a passable defender in right field.

Ultimately, the Mets are focused on Clifford’s 30 home run upside which the lefty slugger is already well on his way to tapping into if he can sustain at least fringy contact rates at the upper levels.

6. Brandon Sproat – RHP – (High-A)

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

FASTBALL	Slider	CURVEBALL	CHANGEUP	COMMAND	FV
60/60	55/55	45/50	60/65	30/40	55

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. There’s risk and a wide range of outcomes, with the high-end being too tantalizing to overlook.

Arsenal

A four-pitch mix, Sproat boasts three above average offerings with his fastball and changeup being plus. Featuring a four-seamer and two-seamer at the University of Florida, Sproat has since cut down his usage of the latter in favor of his four-seam fastball with improved ride in the mid 90s. The vertical movement plays up from Sproat’s 5.6 foot release height.

His power changeup gets around 16 inches of horizontal run at 88-90 mph, making it a devastating weapon to lefties. The screwball type of action it features at such a high velocity makes it a strong right-on-right option as well.

Sproat has a pair of breaking balls, previously favoring his mid 80s gyro slider, but after tweaking his curveball to be shorter and sharper, he has upped the usage in 2024. Four average or better offerings with two sitting at comfortably plus gives Sproat an arsenal that is as impressive as any arm in the Mets system.

Outlook

Stuff wasn’t an issue for Sproat, but he emerged in 2024 with a more complete arsenal. The concern for the right-hander is his command, often struggling to time up his long arm action. When everything is in sync, Sproat’s stuff is explosive and sharp, but he pitches from behind far too often.

If he can cut down on the high number of non-competitive pitches, Sproat’s stuff is good enough to get away with a higher walk rate. He will get every opportunity to start, with middle-rotation upside to dream on, albeit with plenty of reliever risk. The good news is, if he moves to the bullpen, Sproat could be a strong high-leverage option.

7. Blade Tidwell – RHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 205 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (52) – NYM (2022) | ETA: 2025

FASTBALL	Slider	CUTTER	CURVEBALL	CHANGEUP	COMMAND	FV
60/60	60/60	50/50	45/45	40/50	40/40	50+

A diverse arsenal headlined by a good heater and great slider, Tidwell can attack hitters in several ways, but his inconsistent command can hold him back.

Arsenal

A five-pitch mix, Tidwell has no shortage of options on the mound. The challenge for him can be having all of his pitches working in a given start, particularly his curveball and changeup. The fastball has flashed plus at 94-96 mph when he is getting a little more vert.

He has the tendency to get on the side of his fastball a bit, giving it more run and less ride which is when it is more of an above average pitch than plus.

The preferred out pitch for Tidwell is a slider at 83-85 mph with tons of sweep. It is primarily a weapon against righties, but he has enough confidence with it to mix it in to lefties a fair amount.

Tidwell added an upper 80s cutter that he has started to use more than his changeup. It’s a good weapon to tie-up lefties when he locates it glove side. It’s also a nice bridge between his slider and fastball to righties.

Both inconsistent, Tidwell’s changeup and curveball have the potential to be average offerings, with the changeup having a stronger case. His low 80s changeup features enough arm side fade and vertical separation to be a quality pitch, but it has been a coin flip as to whether it will be a strike for Tidwell as a pro.

It’s probably a bit more of a reach that Tidwell’s slurvy curveball sits in the upper 70s with some late bite when he spins it well, but he mixes in too many non-competitive pitches at this point for it to be reliable.

Outlook

The addition of a cutter takes some pressure off of the development of Tidwell’s intriguing, but spotty changeup. The fastball, slider combination gives Tidwell the floor of a relief pitcher or swing man, a possible outcome if his iffy command does not continue to improve.

The good news is, he subtly trended in a positive direction command wise as the 2023 season progressed. Tidwell has the stuff to be a big league starter, it will just be about consistency.

8. Colin Houck – SS – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (29), 2023 (NYM) | ETA: 2026

HIT	PLATE DISC.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
40/50	40/50	40/50	55/55	45/55	50+

A two-sport athlete in high school who held power five offers as a quarterback, Houck possesses intriguing tools and a good frame. How the hit tool progresses along with the overall polish to his game as he shifts his focus entirely to baseball will be important to monitor.

Offense

Starting with a somewhat wide base and his hands rested just above his shoulder, Houck’s pre-swing moves are minimal, utilizing a small hand coil and stride to get to his launch position. His efficient moves and swing path path point towards what could be at least an average hit tool as he gains more comfort and rhythm in the box.

The swing is more geared for line drives at this point for Houck, but he hits the ball hard enough to dream on plenty of doubles and at least average game power. He demonstrated a good feel for the strike zone on the summer circuit and in the early stages of his pro career. There’s a chance for a well-rounded offensive profile with Houck with a frame that could welcome more power.

Defense/Speed

Houck’s a good athlete with an average or better arm, giving him a decent shot to stick at shortstop. He is comfortable making off-balance throws from different angles and already looks comfortable at the position with good actions. His footwork is a work in progress, with his range looking closer to average at this point, but he has a decent chance to stick at the position.

Outlook

It’s early for Houck, who sometimes looks like a player who was balancing two sports through his amateur years. That said, he has the potential for a well-rounded game and his simple swing components and athleticism bode well for his ability to make a relatively smooth transition in to pro ball. There’s a chance for average or better tools across the board with the ability to stick at shortstop, but there’s also a level of banking on development with Houck.

9. Jeremy Rodriguez – SS – (CPX)

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 170 | Bat/Throw: L/R | IFA: $1.25M, 2023 (ARI) | ETA: 2027

HIT	PLATE DISC.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
45/60	45/55	25/40	50/50	40/50	50+

Acquired from the Diamondbacks in exchange for Tommy Pham at the 2023 Trade Deadline, Rodriguez stood out as one of the most advanced hitters in the DSL despite being one of the youngest.

Offense

Starting open and stacked on his back side, Rodriguez utilizes a big leg, but controlled kick that he starts early. Already possessing impressive body control and a great feel for the barrel for a teenage hitter, Rodriguez posted elite contact rates in the DSL along with a chase rate below 20%.

A slender frame, Rodriguez does not provide much impact at this point, mostly spraying line drives and occasionally running into extra base hits to the pull side. Considering how young he is and the room for growth within his frame, there should be at least gap-to-gap pop in the tank for Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has the tendency to bail out left-on-left, a common theme with young bats and something that should improve as he compiles at bats. Way ahead of his years in the box, it will be about how much impact Rodriguez can add.

Defense/Speed

Good instincts and footwork give Rodriguez a chance of sticking at shortstop, reading hops well and covering plenty of ground laterally. Though his arm is a bit short at this point, he is comfortable throwing on the run and does a good job of getting his momentum behind his throws to get it across the diamond with enough zip. He’ll need to see his arm strength improve to stick at shortstop, but that should be attainable for the teenager. Rodriguez is an average runner.

Outlook

While it’s extremely early in Rodriguez’s development, he has the potential to climb the Minor League ranks relatively quickly. It’s much more palatable to bank on physical projection than leaps with hit tool or approach and it seems like the former could be the piece that puts Rodriguez over the top.

There’s enough ingredients to give Rodriguez a decent chance of sticking at short, but he could wind up a table-setting, sure-handed second baseman with great on base skills.

10. Dominic Hamel – RHP – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 205 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 3rd Round (81) – NYM (2022) | ETA: 2024

FASTBALL	Slider	Changeup	Cutter	Curveball	COMMAND	FV
55/55	50/50	50/55	40/45	45/45	40/45	50

Another Mets right-hander with an assortment of pitches, Hamel has back-end stuff with his fringy command likely determining whether he sticks as a starter.

Arsenal

A five pitch mix, Hamel has confidence in each of his offerings and will mix them in consistently. His fastball sits at 93-94 mph with above average carry that plays up from his flat VAA. While it plays pretty well at the top of the zone, the angle Hamel creates generates plenty of called strike threes at the bottom of the zone.

His low 80s sweepy slider was his most trusted secondary in 2023, landing it for a strike more than any of his other non-fastballs. The action on it makes it a pitch that could have some platoon splits that result in him continuing to go to his changeup more against lefties.

Sitting in the mid 80s, the pitch is tough to for hitters to pick up out of the hand with good arm side fade. He has upped his usage of the pitch at the higher levels and it could be his best secondary offering with a bit more consistency.

Hamel will also mix in a cutter and curveball, both looking like usable complementary pieces to his arsenal. The cutter touches the low 90s with just enough bite when he locates it to the bottom third of the zone. He can miss upstairs with the pitch where it can flatten out. His big curveball features plenty of depth and downward action in the mid 70s. While Hamel will mix it in more to lefties, it is a good strike stealing pitch early and counts or a trick out of the back pocket in a deep count battle.

Outlook

Hamel’s fastball, slider and changeup are good enough to make him a back-end starter, with the curveball and cutter only helping his case. Sporting a walk rate around 11% as a pro, he will need to cut that down some to reach closer to his No. 4 upside. A fiery competitor on the mound, there’s a lot to like with Hamel; he could join the Mets rotation by the end of 2024.

11. Yovanny Rodriguez – C – (DSL)

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 175 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $2.85M, 2023 (NYM) | ETA: 2027

HIT	PLATE DISC.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
40/55	45/55	35/55	45/40	45/55	50

I admittedly have not been able to see much of Rodriguez to this point, relying on limited video and scout testimony, but there’s a reason why the Mets shelled out more than half of 2023 IFA pool for the Venezuelan catcher.

Rodriguez earns rave reviews for his all-around polish, already showing off a good feel for the barrel, knowledge of the strike zone and pop times below 2.0 seconds.

His arm looks like it could be plus behind the dish. Already with a strong build for a teenager, there’s some more room for strength, providing optimism for above average power. He has a long ways to go, but the upside and relative polish to Rodriguez’s game is extremely intriguing.

12. Mike Vasil – RHP – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’5″, 205 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 8th Round (81) – NYM (2021) | ETA: 2024

FASTBALL	Slider	Cutter	Changeup	Curveball	COMMAND	FV
45/45	50/55	60/60	40/50	45/45	45/50	45+

Vasil’s feel to pitch and competitive fire help him get the most out of a decent arsenal. His plus cutter and adjusted sweeper give him enough teeth against righties, but with his changeup and curveball inconsistencies, there’s some concern about Vasil’s ability to consistently keep left-handed hitters at bay.

The changeup has flashed average and Vasil will still throw it to lefties more than any other secondary, though his strike rate on the pitch has only hovered around 50% since the start of 2023. The curveball is a good change of pace pitch, especially to lefties, but it is unlikely to be much more than that.

If Vasil’s feel for his changeup and curveball improve, he has the chance of settling into the back of a rotation. He projects as an average five starter and innings eater.

13. Alex Ramirez – OF – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 195 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $2.05M, 2019 (NYM) | ETA: 2025

HIT	PLATE DISC.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
30/35	45/45	40/50	60/60	55/60	45+

Athletic and projectable, Ramirez was a highly regarded international free agent and created plenty of buzz in the early going of his professional career. Unfortunately, the slack in his swing has resulted in struggles against velocity and offensive inconsistency.

After a rough second tour of duty in High-A last season, Ramirez spent all offseason at the Mets complex in the Dominican Republic where he worked hard to shorten his swing. Facing the upper levels at Double-A for the first time in 2024, we will soon learn if all of that work in the offseason pays off.

The Mets still clearly value Ramirez’s potential, as they made the surprising decision to add him to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect him from the Rule-5 Draft. Ramirez has plenty of speed, which he uses well in center field. He has also improved his base-stealing each season.

Best outcome for Ramirez is probably being a quality fourth outfielder in the big leagues, but he still has a lot to prove before he can even be considered for an MLB promotion, despite his 40-man roster status.

14. Calvin Ziegler – RHP – (High-A)

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (46) – NYM (2021) | ETA: 2026

FASTBALL	Curveball	Slider	Changeup	COMMAND	FV
60/65	55/60	40/45	30/40	30/40	45

Injuries have derailed Ziegler in the early parts of of his professional career, undergoing an elbow procedure to clean up lose fragments before tearing his quad in rehab. Ziegler possesses a lively fastball, bordering the mid 90s with plus ride. His power curveball is a plus pitch as well, featuring sharp 12-6 break, tunneling extremely well off of the heater.

His slider and changeup are far behind, with Ziegler seemingly more focused on the former at this point as a third offering. Still just 21 years old, Ziegler’s two plus pitches could make him a high leverage relief arm, though the Mets are hoping the Ontario, Canada native will become a more refined pitcher as he finally compiles more innings.

15. Jonah Tong – RHP – (Low-A)

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

FASTBALL	Curveball	Slider	Changeup	COMMAND	FV
60/60	50/55	40/50	30/35	35/45	45

Another possible Mets scouting success out of Canada, Tong was viewed as an upside pick for the Mets in the 7th round. Tong’s fastball characteristics stood out in his pro debut, averaging more than 20 inches of induced vertical break at just 90-92 mph. Tong showed up to camp in 2024 throwing nearly two ticks harder from a slightly adjusted release point which has helped him fill up the zone more with the fastball as well as pick up more whiff.

His mid 70s curveball stood out to scouts as an amateur with the downward bite playing up from his over-the-top release. His slider has flashed as well. It’s early for Tong, but if he can sustain this uptick in velocity and continue to refine his secondaries, there’s a lot to like.

Other Names to Watch

Nolan McLean – RHP – (High-A)

A two-way player at Oklahoma State, McLean slugged 36 homers in nearly 150 collegiate games, but profiles best as a pro on the mound. His fastball sits in the mid 90s with run and sneaky ride from his 5.3 foot release height. His 3,000+ RPM slider stands out as his best pitch, averaging 15 inches of sweep, diving away from the barrels of righties. He will mix in a harder cutter and changeup that are a work in progress.

The Mets are still letting McLean DH some, but mostly prioritizing pitching should be beneficial for his development, after predominantly working out of the bullpen college. His release and slider characteristics give him a good chance to be a strong relief option at the very least. Who knows, he could be a power-hitting pinch hit option as well.

Marco Vargas – 2B/SS – (Low-A): 

The headlining prospect the Mets got back in the David Robertson trade with the Marlins at last year’s deadline, Marco Vargas is a slick-fielding 18-year-old shortstop who impressed at the complex last year. Across 48 games split at the complex with the Marlins and Mets, as well as six games played in Low-A, Vargas hit .275/.432/.389, in 250 plate appearances. His walk rate was 21.2%.

Now slated to play next to Colin Houck in Low-A St. Lucie, Vargas will likely play more second than short this year, where he profiles to be well above average defensively.

Ronald Hernandez – C – (Low-A): 

The other prospect the Mets got in the David Robertson trade, Ronald Hernandez is a 20-year-old catcher who the Marlins signed out of Venezuela for $800K back in 2021. Across 53 games played last year, mostly at the complex, Hernandez hit .274/.452/.423, with a 23% walk rate.

Hernandez still has plenty of developing to do behind the plate to become an average defender, but his plate discipline and contact skills make him an intriguing catching prospect to watch.

Kevin Parada – C/1B – (Double-A):

Parada still possesses enough power potential to be a big league piece, however his swing and miss, aggressive approach and lack of defensive value behind the dish makes it difficult to envision an everyday big leaguer unless he makes a massive leap contact wise and or defensively.

Early looks of Parada in the spring were a bit better offensively than what we have seen in the past, though there’s still some ways to go. Still just 22 years old, Parada has some time to figure things out. Platoon power bat who can fill in at catcher could be the most realistic big league role.

Jesus Baez – SS/3B – (Low-A):

A 19-year-old infield prospect who the Mets signed back in 2022, Jesus Baez hit the ground running in the DSL where he hit seven home runs in 54 games. Last year, Baez struggled in his first season stateside, hitting just .210/.306/.333 with two home runs in 40 games.

This is a big year for Baez to see if his plus bat speed and raw power start to translate in games over a full season in Low-A. Originally signed as a shortstop, Baez is expected to move over to third base this season where he will be playing in a intriguing infield with Houck and Vargas.

Tyler Stuart – P – (Double-A):

Drafted in the sixth round back in 2022, Tyler Stuart led the minor leagues in ERA last season thanks to his dominant run of 14 starts with the Brooklyn Cyclones. Stuart pitched to a 1.55 ERA with 84 strikeouts across 75 2/3 innings pitched before being promoted to Double-A.

In Double-A, Stuart came down to earth a bit, pitching to a 3.60 ERA in seven starts, with a diminished strikeout rate (27.8% in High-A, 19.3% in Double-A). Standing at 6’9″, Stuart has a presence on the mound, and he often fills up the zone.

Sitting 93-95 with good extension on his fastball, Stuart had no problems attacking younger hitters in High-A, but now has to adjust to much better competition in Double-A. Work in the Mets new pitching lab could go a long way for Stuart, as he needs to find an arsenal that can compliment his heater if he wants to remain as a starting pitcher at the highest level.

Joander Suarez – P – (Double-A):

Signed by the Mets back in 2018, Joander Suarez has been wildly inconsistent throughout his professional career, but had a late breakout to close the 2023 season.

After pitching to a 5.08 ERA in 90 1/3 innings pitched in High-A Brooklyn, Suarez was promoted to Double-A where he did not allow a hit across his first two starts and 13 innings pitched (including a seven-inning no-hitter in a double-header game). He did finally give up three hits in his final start, but no runs, finishing the season with a perfect 0.00 ERA at the level.

Was it a flash in the pan, or something more? We will find out this year as the 24-year-old will get a full season in the Double-A rotation.

Kade Morris – P – (Low-A):

A third round pick out of the University of Nevada in 2023, Morris is a pitchability arm with a wide pitch mix. He has a four seamer that sits 92-94 mph along with a two-seamer that is a tick below that. He will also mix in a slider, curveball, changeup and an occasional cutter. Boasting above average command, Morris seems to be feeling out which of his mostly average offerings will play best professionally. He has a chance to be a back-end arm.

Jacob Reimer – 3B – (High-A):

Drafted by the Mets in the fourth round out of high school back in 2022, Jacob Reimer signed over slot to begin his professional career instead of heading to college. In his first full season last year, Reimer hit .280/.412/392 across 75 games played in Low-A, before earning a promotion up to Brooklyn.

In 25 games spent in High-A, Reimer struggled to hit, but still maintained a strong walk rate to post a .203/.354/.379 line. This was going to be a big season for the 20-year-old to make some adjustments and show what he can do in a full season in High-A, but a hamstring injury has him starting the season on the Injured List.

Hopefully, Reimer can make a return later this summer and continue his development, as he is one of the few promising prospects the Mets have in their system at the hot corner.