Baro, Clifford Homer As Spring Breakout Mets Defeat Nationals

The New York Mets sent out some of their best prospects for their Spring Breakout game against the Washington Nationals on Sunday and Jonah Tong got the start. Tong looked good in his two innings of work, striking out three batters while walking two and allowing one hit. While he was a little bit out of control in the first inning, Tong settled in for the second inning and put the breaks on the Nationals momentum.

Jonathan Pintaro, the surprise pitcher who rose through three levels in 2024 came out for both the third and fourth inning, and allowed three hits and struck out one batter. Additionally, left-handed pitcher Jonathan Santucci made his first professional appearance in this game and after getting into some early trouble, including an ill-advised glove-throw to first base, induced a double-play ground ball to eliminate the threat.

Dylan Ross pitched the sixth inning and allowed a hit and struck out a batter. Ryan Lambert had an uneven inning, allowing one run on one hit while walking and striking out two batters. His velocity was as advertised, as he hit 101 mph, but he struggled to land his breaking balls in the zone.

On the offensive side, the Mets managed to get some baserunners on, but the Nationals tough left-handed starter Alex Clemmey stifled two Mets rallies with runners on second base in the first and the third innings. Despite this, Boston Baro sent a deep shot to left centerfield to open the scoring for the Mets, 1-0 in the third inning. What all the more impressive is left-handed hitters were 20-for-97 with 37 strikeouts and no homers last season against Clemmey.

Nick Morabito hit a two-RBI single in the fourth inning, scoring Kevin Parada and Baro, bringing the game to 3-0. Ryan Clifford showed off his power stroke with a massive shot to centerfield for a two-run home run. The homer was measured at 449 feet. The Mets did not manage a hit after the fifth inning

Colin Houck drew a walk, but was thrown out on the bases when he got caught leaning the wrong way. Jeremy Rodriguez, acquired in the Tommy Pham trade, went 0-for-1 with a walk. Meanwhile, first-round pick Carson Benge went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk.

The game was called after 7 1/2 innings, with the Mets winning 5-1.

Player of the Game: Boston Baro

Boston Baro went 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs and a home-run to left-center. The contact has always been there for Baro and the 2025 season will really show how far his prospect stock can rise if he can get into his power.

Baro hit the homer against a very tough lefty and took it the opposite way. As noted above, the pitcher he was facing had held left-handed batters to a 20-for-97 stat-line with 37 strikeouts and no homers last season.

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