Mets Minors: Mets draft preview

Looking at whom the Mets might select in the upcoming draft.

The Mets do not select in this year’s draft until the 38th pick so the expectations should be tempered. The team also has some near MLB ready talent and might be able to be a little less focused. As always, I have a personal preference to pitching and will be addressing our two reasonably high picks with “By the book” (The player whose ranking matches the pick), “Aspirational” (A player whose ranking means they might be off the board) and “Reaching” (A player whose ranking is below the pick number but is intriguing for other reasons.

38th overall:

By the book: Riley Quick, RHP (21) - Out of Alabama, Quick is 6’6” with high 90’s power (sitting 97-99 throughout his inning) and solid breaking pitches (slider and changeup). His control isn’t great but he’s already graduated from the trial of Tommy John surgery. He profiles as a starter and looks like the prototypical model. He is not known as a high K-rate pitcher which likely indicates why someone with two “Plus-Plus” pitches is only ranked 38th. The control is concerning, especially as it was the bane of the pitchers who have graduated to AAA recently.

Aspirational: Xavier Neyens, 3B (18) - One of the absolute best power hitters available in the draft though, ranked 25th, one who is likely off the board for the Mets’ pick. Neyes has a lot of swing and miss in his profile but is an absolute monster of a hitter. His contact tool doesn’t rate as bad but it could be better. The other thing of note is that he can hurl a fastball 95 miles per hour making him a very good arm for the hot corner. He has been compared to Austin Riley (from the left side of the plate).

Reaching: Jack Bauer, LHP (18) - Very few pitchers can hit triple digits on the radar gun and fewer lefties. Bauer hit 103 last year, during the playoffs and that kind of power is Aroldis Chapman special. You are right to expect some control problems but they could be worse given the power. He has a fairly normal and repeatable delivery which is a very good sign and his breaking pitches (slider and changeup) both look like they could be serviceable. Back in 2024 he was only hitting 95 so his sudden jump in velocity has folks worried about injury.

102nd Overall:

By the book: Brian Curley, RHP (22) - I’m going to start by saying, I’d be thrilled with the Mets getting Curley here. He can hit 100 MPH on his fastball, has three serviceable breaking pitches (including a plus-plus slider) and he strikes batters out. His control, as is typical of all fireballers in the draft, is not great and scouts view him as a future reliever despite having multiple offerings. Why do scouts think this? Well, in the modern era, we have few starters who are under 6’1” and Curley is only 5’10”. Additionally he is a little older than most of the college arms. Frankly, I wouldn’t care.

Aspirational: Tatin Gray, C/OF (17) - No, the Mets don’t need another catcher, but Gray profiles as a corner OF as well and that’s where I’d want him. He’s a switch hitter who is better from the left and who knocks pitches back with impressive exit velocity. His defense is a work in progress but he’s fast for a 6’4” player and he has a solid arm. He’s ranked 92nd and could be off the board well before the Mets select at 102.

Reaching: Jared Spencer, LHP (22) - One of the types of reach players I look for are those who had been on track to be first rounders and fell off for some reason. Spencer was that with an extremely good slider and a fastball that reaches 98 MPH. He is ranked 113th overall because he was injured and missed the season. The Mets and/or whoever takes him would be making a gamble with tremendous upside.

133rd Overall:

By the book: Cooper Underwood, LHP (18) - Lefty with Low 90s power but a good break on his curveball and slider, Underwood has reasonably good control and could reach the majors as a middle or back of rotation starter.

Aspirational: Jayden Stroman, RHP (18) - He had been a two-way player but is looked at as a pure pitching prospect these days. Marcus Stroman’s kid brother hits the upper 90s with his fastball and similarly great athleticism that his big bro is also known for. He doesn’t have a ton of track record which has him ranked 130th but he has name recognition that could see him drafted much higher.

Reaching: Ryan Wideman, OF (21) - He’s one of the best pure athletes in the draft and has great speed. He is ranked low because he hits too many balls on the ground. He has mechanical defects like a big leg kick that hurt his contact and he’d be a project. He reminds me of a right-handed Brandon Nimmo.

163rd Overall:

By the book: Will Hynes, RHP (17) - Do I like Hynes? Sure! I just don’t think the Mets could draft him here and get him away from his commitment to Wake Forest. I think he’ll build on his draft potential and be back in a few years.

Aspirational: Reagan Ricken, RHP (18) - Is it a fun name to say? Yes! Is it the only reason I chose him? No. Ricken is a solid all around pitching option for this deep in the draft and could develop into a mid-rotation arm if he improves his control. Like the other names at this pick his commitment to Louisiana State is looming.

Reaching: Xavier Mitchell, LHP (18) - He’d have ranked higher if he didn’t suffer shoulder fatigue. He’s got a solid fastball for a lefty and has better control than a lot of other pitchers I’ve listed above him. He seems like a more woo-able pitcher than Hynes, who the Mets might be able to lure away from his Texas commitment.

AAA Syracuse Mets

The New York Mets are coming off a series victory against their cross-town rival Yankees and a loss that might have been avoided if our pitching staff was just a bit healthier and the reality is… the Mets have some additional help on the way. Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga could be back as soon as next weekend but the Mets are also going to get Brooks Raley back and their bullpen should rejoice in potentially getting a replacement to the early season loss of A.J. Minter. Raley has been absolutely perfect in the minors and looks fully ready to step back into a high leverage role with the Mets.

Notes:

• Nolan McLean, RHP (23) - The Mets have gone out of their way to avoid bringing McLean up. I think if there is another bout of injuries the time will come.

• Brandon Sproat, RHP (24) - That’s two very nice starts in a row and a tinge of optimism returning to this promising prospect.

• Drew Gilbert, OF (24) - The numbers have trended upward with a recent power surge. This is the best talent he’s played alongside all season.

• Luisangel Acuna, Util (23) - He hasn’t been bad since his demotion but he doesn’t walk enough or have enough power to project as anything more than a bench option.

• Pablo Reyes, 3B (31) - He’s not a prospect but his AAA numbers are very very good and he puts some pressure on Baty and Mauricio to perform.

• Francisco Alvarez, C (23) - Some days he’s been very good and some days he’s been very bad. Too many strikeouts.

• Jesse Winker, DH (31) - Should be ready to come back to the majors soon.

• Jared Young, DH (29) - He’s very similar to Jesse Winker but I don’t believe he’s the better player.

AA Binghamton Rumble Ponies

The Mets have a log jam. It’s as simple as that. There are too many pitchers hanging out in the AAA rotation and the Mets need to figure out what to do to get Jonah Tong and (frankly) Jack Wenninger up there. Both of these pitchers have dominated AA and don’t have much to prove where they are. Tong needs to see if he can continue to look like a superstar in AAA and perhaps become part of the plan for the 2026 rotation. Wenninger is more likely a injury reserve player for 2026 but also needs to start adjusting to higher level bats in the higher league.

Notes:

• Jett Williams, SS (21) - We can call it a mini-slump to begin the month of July. He’s still in AA and I can’t tell you why.

• Carson Benge, OF (22) - He’s finding his footing at the new level but he hasn’t looked like he’s in the wrong place.

• Ryan Clifford, 1B (21) - Look out! He’s on one of his power tears and is looking very good to begin his July.

• Jacob Reimer, 3B (21) - Not to be outdone, Reimer has been enjoying the power boost of being free from Brooklyn.

• Zach Thornton, LHP (23) - Injured (back soon)

• Ryan Lambert, RHP (22) - Looking polished and ready for AAA.

• Anthony Nunez, RHP (23) - Looking polished and ready for AAA.

• Kevin Parada, C (23) - He had a very good June but needs to keep it rolling to regain much prospect buzz.

• Nick Morabito, OF (22) - His June was very very good and I think he’s begin to look like a threat to Drew Gilbert (who is looking more like a fellow bench player).

A+ Brooklyn Cyclones

Should we issue an official Colin Houck apology? Maybe not yet… but it could be coming. Houck hasn’t lived up to his draft pick position but he came alive in May and earned a late June promotion to Brooklyn. Since that promotion he has looked like a star at the level. I can’t help but mention he strikes out too much and doesn’t walk enough but he hits a whole lot of extra base hits and that does make up for his shortcomings. This will become a tough home for him if that’s going to be the only tool in his tool chest but I think he’s going to spend the rest of his season in Brooklyn regardless.

Notes:

• Joel Diaz, RHP (21) - He looked really good, then he looked really bad and now he’s back to okay.

• Nate Dohm, RHP (22) - His July started very poorly but hoping he can bounce back in his next outing.

• Jonathan Santucci, LHP (22) - Santucci seems on track and could be Binghamton bound as soon as Tong and Wenninger head to Syracuse.

• Chris Suero, C (21) - He looked very good in June and definitely seems like the catcher begging for promotion.

• Jesus Baez, SS (20) - After a resurgent May he was only okay by the end of June. Hoping for more fireworks in July.

• A.J. Ewing, CF (20) - I got too excited and the fates took it out on Ewing who fell to earth in June. I think the Mets still have a core of young talent in Brooklyn for him to bounce back.

A Port St. Lucie Mets

The team is desperately waiting for the draft. The team itself has several pitchers playing well but all and all, this team looks poor. The Mets have a tremendous amount of talent in Brooklyn, Binghamton and Syracuse but the lower levels of the minors look depleted and need help. It’s the reason I expect the Mets to be a little less focused on collegiate players this year.

Notes:

• Daviel Hurtado, LHP (20) - I couldn’t focus on him again. He’s the best player at this level right now and looks like he’ll have a bright future.

• Christofer Gomez, RHP (22) - Should no longer be at this level. The Mets need to promote him.

• Franklin Gomez, RHP (19) - He’s been good but isn’t buzz-worthy right now.

• Jeremy Rodriguez, SS (18) - The bad year continues.

• Daiverson Gutierrez, C (19) - Solid offense and ready for promotion but no room until Chris Suero moves onto AA.

• Yohairo Cuvas, OF (22) - He’s been one of the offensive contributors but he’s too old for the level.

R FCL Mets

There is developing international talent here. I’d highlight Julio Zayas, Granny De Oleo, Bohan Adderley and Edward Lantigua but the overall team just isn’t very good and it’s starting to get ugly. The mediocre performances look like stars for the team.

R DSL Orange and Blue Mets

Tough league to write home about but some names you may wish to look in on:

• Yovanny Rodriguez, C (18) - He has started breaking out in a real way and is showing good power and a great eye.

• Jean Brito, RHP (19) - A WHIP of 1.07 is a solid number to focus on.

• Josmir Reyes, C (18) - The Mets seem to have too many hitting catchers on their hands.

• Yeider Mindiola, C (18) - He hasn’t slowed down from a good start.

• Roybert Herrera, 3B (17) - Spent some time injured but already back.

• Christopher Larez, SS (19) - Hasn’t played since June 24th.