Examining the last 10 years of drafts by the Mets

Carson Benge could be quickest to majors in this group

The Mets drafted Michael Conforto in the first round in 2014 and the next year he was hitting home runs in the World Series. Conforto was an excellent draft pick for the Mets but how have they done drafting since then? Let’s look at their drafts over the past 10 years to find out.

2015 – The wacky decision to sign Michael Cuddyer cost the Mets their first-round pick in ’15. They drafted six players this season who eventually made the majors but five of them finished with a negative bWAR. The only one who finished in the black was Shane McClanahan, who was drafted in the 26th round and didn’t sign with the club.

2016 – This was a good year for the club, as the top three picks all made the majors. Justin Dunn and Anthony Kay were both used as trade chits, while Pete Alonso, drafted 64th overall, hit 53 HR in the majors as a rookie in 2019.

2017 – It was a top-heavy draft yet it has the potential to be excellent. David Peterson was selected in the first round and Mark Vientos was the Mets’ second-round pick. If that duo can produce the next five years like they did in 2024, we should be very happy.

2018 – Jarred Kelenic was the club’s first-rounder and Simeon Woods Richardson was picked next. The Mets traded both of them away, selling low on Kelenic – even if he was overhyped – and possibly the same with Woods Richardson, who still has a chance at a productive MLB career. In the eighth round they added Tylor Megill and in the ninth it was Bryce Montes de Oca, both of whom still have a shot.

2019 – The first draft under Brodie Van Wagenen saw the club put most of its dollars into the top three picks. Brett Baty hasn’t broken out yet but will certainly get additional chances. Josh Wolf went in the Francisco Lindor trade. And Matt Allan has been perpetually hurt. The Mets used their fourth-round pick on a player they drafted previously and were unable to sign in Jake Magnum. He had a bunch of supporters among the fan base but Mangum will be in his age-29 season next year and has yet to make his MLB debut.

2020 – Due to Covid, this year’s draft was limited to five rounds, with the Mets having just six picks. The first three picks all were dealt in separate deals, with first-rounder Pete Crow-Armstrong, having the potential to be a two-way star and J.T. Ginn making his MLB debut last season with the A’s.

2021 – The Mets changed their philosophy around drafting pitchers in this year. Their first pick was a bit of a fiasco, as they selected Kumar Rocker and then chose not to sign him over concerns about his medical condition. Rocker indeed underwent surgery but made his MLB debut this past season. Other pitchers selected in this draft were Calvin Ziegler, Dom Hamel, Christian Scott, Mike Vasil, Keyshawn Askew, Nate Lavender and Trey McLoughlin.

2022 – By not signing Rocker, the Mets had two first-round picks, which they used to draft Kevin Parada and Jett Williams. Parada has not set the world on fire but remains a potential asset and Williams is perhaps the club’s top prospect. The draft also brought in Blade Tidwell, Nick Morabito, Jacob Reimer, Tyler Stuart, Jonah Tong and Paul Gervase.

2023 – Because they exceeded the draft-pick threshold with their Luxury Tax payroll, the Mets had their top pick drop 10 spots. They seemed to catch a break when Colin Houck fell to their spot. But Houck had a dismal year in 2024 and his future is very much in doubt. The Mets re-drafted Brandon Sproat in the second round after they were unable to sign him in 2022. They came to agreement this time and Sproat had a very successful 2024. Nolan McLean showed glimpses last year, especially once he gave up hitting to focus exclusively on the mound. Kade Morris was dealt in the Paul Blackburn trade. Eighth-round pick Boston Baro looks like a sleeper.

2024 – First-round pick Carson Benge looks like a star and should be on the fast-track to the majors. Jonathan Santucci is a big lefty with an intriguing fastball-slider combination. The club gave a big over-slot deal to sign fifth-rounder Trey Snyder and keep him from going to college. Eighth-round pick Ryan Lambert throws 100 mph while Ethan Lanthier throws almost as hard and struck out five of the 10 batters he faced in Lo-A.

*****

In this 10-year sample, the only dud seems to be the 2015 class. Because of trades, injuries and the Rocker decision, we haven’t seen a bunch of these prospects shine in New York. But Williams, Sproat and Benge all have a good chance to help change the narrative. And who knows – maybe Allan and Ziegler can stay healthy and still contribute in the majors.