Baseball
Add news
News

Which Level Each Of The MMO Top-50 Prospects Are Beginning

0 1

Every year MMO puts out our top-50 Mets prospects. With the minor leagues kicking off their seasons as well, let’s familiarize ourselves where each of these prospects are slated to begin their 2026 seasons.

New York Mets – Major Leagues

1. Nolan McLean, RHP – The Mets’ top prospect dominated across Double-A and Triple-A with a 2.45 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 113.2 innings before debuting on August 16, 2025 and somehow being even better, posting a 2.06 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 48 innings. He throws a six-pitch arsenal headlined by a sinker and has shown increased velocity so far in 2026.

2. Carson Benge, OF – The 2024 first-round pick earned a spot on the Mets’ 2026 Opening Day roster after slashing .281/.385/.472 with 15 homers, 25 doubles, and 22 steals across three levels in his first full professional season. A former two-way player, he possesses plus-plus hit and arm tools that make him a natural right fielder with the ability to play center field.

Ryan Lambert. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Syracuse Mets – Triple-A

3. Jonah Tong, RHP – The Canadian right-hander led all minor leaguers in strikeouts (179) and ERA (1.43) in 2025, earning Pitching Prospect of the Year honors before a rocky five-start MLB debut. He’ll begin 2026 in Syracuse working on his new cutter/slider to complement his four-seamer and Vulcan changeup, adding east-west movement to his predominantly vertical attack.

5. Ryan Clifford, 1B/OF – Acquired from Houston along with Drew Gilbert in the Justin Verlander trade, Clifford led all Eastern League hitters with 24 home runs and finished with 29 total across Double-A and Triple-A on the strength of an elite .257 ISO. His strikeout rate remains a concern at 25.6%, though that represents significant improvement from 36.4% in his first organizational stint in 2023. He significantly improved his contact rates in 2025 and has quelled some platoon concerns.

7. Jack Wenninger, RHP – Wenninger took a massive leap in 2025, posting a 2.92 ERA across 135 2/3 innings with 147 strikeouts at Double-A. He relies on a mid-90s fastball and an elite changeup/splitter while excelling at throwing strikes with his above average command.

15. Nick Morabito, OF – The 2024 Mets Minor League Player of the Year continued his ascent in 2025, batting .273 with 119 hits and 49 stolen bases at Double-A Binghamton, then slashing .362/.450/.464 with 16 more steals in 17 Arizona Fall League games. He’s on the 40-man roster with a 70-grade for speed and 108 stolen bases over the last two minor league seasons, making him a strong candidate if a Mets outfielder goes down.

18. Ryan Lambert, RHP – Lambert put together an electric 2025 season in his first full year of pro-ball, posting a 1.62 ERA across 50 innings with 81 strikeouts between Brooklyn (High-A) and Binghamton (Double-A). His mid-to-upper 90s four-seamer can touch 100 mph and pairs with a strong mid-to-high 80s slider, though his 4.9 walks per nine needs to come down.

20. Dylan Ross, RHP – Ross overcame two UCL surgeries to post a 2.17 ERA with 80 strikeouts across 54 innings and 49 appearances between three levels in 2025, earning a contract selection by the Mets in September. His four-seam fastball can exceed 100 mph and he pairs it with a splitter and slider, though his 5.5 walks per nine remains an area of concern.

30. Jonathan Pintaro, RHP – Pintaro went from indy ball with the Glacier Range Riders to the Mets’ 40-man roster after pitching across three levels, posting a 29.0 K% that ranked second among Mets minor leaguers with at least 70 innings in 2025. He sits 94-96 mph with his four-seamer and features a sinker, cutter, sweeper, and changeup, projecting as a Trevor Williams-type versatile arm for the big league staff.

44. Nate Lavender, LHP – The former Rule 5 pick by Tampa Bay missed all of 2025 following an internal brace procedure on his left elbow but was throwing again in Port St. Lucie, keeping his 2026 ETA alive. When healthy, the deceptive lefty sits 92-93 mph with plus extension and has struck out 174 batters in just 115.2 career minor league innings.

46. Joander Suarez, RHP – The strike-throwing right-hander posted a minuscule 4.0% walk rate across 93.1 innings — best among Eastern League pitchers with at least 70 innings — while handling 18 starts and five relief appearances between Binghamton and Syracuse. His fastball has ticked up to 93-95 mphand his six-pitch arsenal and repeatable delivery make him a strong 40-man roster candidate when injuries strike.

48. Alex Carrillo, RHP – After four seasons in independent ball, Carrillo jumped to Double-A and Triple-A in 2025, striking out 64 batters in 41.2 innings with a 36.2 K% that ranked fifth among Mets minor leaguers with at least 40 innings. He averaged 97.8mphon his four-seamer and was one of seven Mets minor leaguers to touch 100 mph, pairing it with a hard splitter that hitters never took for an extra-base hit in Triple-A.

Jacob Reimer. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Binghamton Rumble Ponies – Double-A

4. A.J. Ewing, OF/2B – The 21-year-old hitting machine slashed .315/.401/.429 across three levels with 70 stolen bases, which was fifth-most among all minor leaguers. He cut his strikeout rate by ten points to 18% while dramatically improving his zone contact rate. He transitioned seamlessly from second base to center field thanks to his elite speed and 60-plus fielding grade, and profiles as a dynamic leadoff hitter.

6. Jacob Reimer, 1B/3B – After missing a large portion of 2024 with a hamstring injury, Reimer broke out in 2025 with a combined .870 OPS, 17 homers, and 77 RBIs across High-A and Double-A. He’ll need to cut down on a 25% strikeout rate and defensive issues, but the power and on-base skills are legitimate.

10. Will Watson, RHP – Watson blazed through three levels in his first full professional season, posting a stellar 2.60 ERA across all levels. He recorded 142 strikeouts across 121 1/3 innings combined, though decreasing his walk rate remains a key developmental focus if he is going to be a starting pitcher in the majors.

11. Eli Serrano, OF – The 2024 fourth-round pick out of N.C. State didn’t put up eye-popping numbers in his first season with High-A Brooklyn, but posted 21 doubles and a .332 OBP while playing in one of the toughest parks for left-handed hitters. His biggest area for growth is pitch selection, as his long frame allows him to make contact on pitches below the zone, leading to a 40.6% ground ball rate that limits his plus exit velocity.

12. Jonathan Santucci, LHP – Santucci was a strikeout machine in his first full minor league season, racking up 138 strikeouts across 117 2/3 innings between Brooklyn (High-A) and Binghamton (Double-A) with an 11.3 K/9. He relies heavily on a fastball/slider combo and continued development of his changeup and curveball will determine whether he can stick as a starter.

13. Chris Suero, C/1B/RF – Suero is one of the system’s most intriguing prospects, swiping 35 bases in 2025 to lead all minor league catchers while also slugging 16 homers between High-A and Double-A. He has also worked on learning to defend across the outfield and infield. He maxed out at 112.5 mph exit velocity in the Arizona Fall League, though his power production dropped significantly after his promotion to Binghamton.

16. Zach Thornton, LHP – The 2023 fifth-round pick out of Grand Canyon posted a 1.98 ERA across 72 2/3 innings between Brooklyn and Binghamton in 2025 before an oblique injury ended his season in June. His 1.36 walks per nine was the lowest among all Mets minor leaguers who threw at least 10 innings, and his wide arsenal featuring a slider, cutter, curveball, and changeup gives him a high floor.

23. R.J. Gordon, RHP – The 13th-round pick in the 2024 draft turned heads in his first full season, posting a 3.36 ERA with 147 strikeouts across 128 2/3 innings between High-A and Double-A. He notably cut his walk rate from 10.6% in Brooklyn down to 6.1% after his promotion to Binghamton (Double-A), and his development of a kick changeup was a key driver of his success.

24. Marco Vargas, INF – Acquired from the Marlins in the David Robertson deal, Vargas rebounded from an injury-plagued 2024 to post a 12.5% walk rate and swipe 40 bases in 48 tries between Single-A and High-A in 2025. He recorded just 18 extra-base hits in 463 plate appearances, but his speed and defensive versatility at shortstop and second base give him a clear profile.

27. Brendan Girton, RHP – The 10th-round pick in 2024 dominated High-A Brooklyn with a 2.59 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings before earning a promotion to Double-A Binghamton. His mid-to-upper 90s fastball touching 99 mph pairs with a tight slider, though command consistency was an issue late in the year when he allowed seven runs over his final three starts.

33. Felipe De La Cruz, LHP – The hard-throwing lefty sits 94-96 mph and touched 99 in Triple-A, posting a 3.63 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 39.2 innings at Double-A Binghamton before struggling in his first Triple-A exposure. His slider generates plus chase rates against both hands and his 31.8 K% ranked second among Mets minor leaguers with at least 60 innings, making him a likely 2026 big league contributor out of the bullpen.

35. Saul García, RHP – The cousin of former Met Wilmer Flores had a breakout 2025, posting a combined 1.70 ERA and 37.6 K% across High-A and Double-A before adding 42 strikeouts in 35 Venezuelan Winter League innings. His 93-95, topping out at 97 mph, fastball plays up thanks to good extension and a low release. His slider is his best secondary and projects as a big league-caliber pitch.

39. Douglas Orellana, RHP – The former starter thrived in full-time relief in 2025, posting a 1.64 ERA and 35.7 K% at Double-A Binghamton before a tougher introduction to Triple-A. He uses an extreme overhand delivery with a mid-90s fastball touching 98 mph, and allowed just two home runs in 51 2/3 innings.

40. D’Andre Smith, UT – The 24-year-old utility man set career highs across the board in 2025, posting a 127 wRC+ with eight homers and 31 stolen bases across High-A and Double-A while playing five positions. His great baseball intelligence and hard-working reputation should help him continue to work his way up the ranks.

47. Ben Simon, RHP – The New Jersey native and lifelong Mets fan was dominant after his promotion to Double-A Binghamton, allowing just two earned runs in 17 innings with a 1.06 ERA before picking up a six-out save in the championship series. He touched 99 mph and consistently sat 96-97 in the playoffs, mixing a slider, changeup, and “splinker,” with a potential 2026 bullpen role in play.

Ronald Hernandez. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Brooklyn Cyclones – High-A

19. Boston Baro, INF – The Mets convinced Baro to forego his UCLA commitment with a $700,000 signing bonus, and he more than tripled his stolen base total in 2025, swiping 28 bags after stealing just nine in 2024. He struggled at the plate with a .602 OPS at High-A Brooklyn and was placed on the 60-day injured list heading into 2026, but his defensive versatility and speed give him a path forward.

36. Ronald Hernandez, C/1B – Another piece from Miami in the David Robertson trade, the switch-hitting 22-year-old had a down offensive year in 2025 with a .224/.318/.335 slash at High-A Brooklyn, though he swiped 23 bases after entering the season with just 17 in four prior professional seasons. His best path to the big leagues is as a strong defensive catcher, and his 23 stolen bases tied for fourth among all minor leaguers who played at least 100 innings behind the plate.

37. Irving Cota, RHP – The 6-foot-5 right-hander may have the best control in the Mets’ system, issuing more than one walk in only six of his 25 outings across three levels while posting a 5.7 BB% — fifth lowest among Mets minor leaguers with 50-plus innings. His four-pitch mix is led by a changeup with above-average arm-side fade that he deploys heavily against left-handed hitters.

50. Yonatan Henriquez, UT – The switch-hitting utility man can play six positions and stole a career-high 35 bases in 2025 while posting a 122 wRC+ across St. Lucie (Single-A) and Brooklyn (High-A). He also showed newfound pop with eight home runs after going homerless in 203 at-bats the prior season.

Elian Pena. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

St. Lucie Mets – Single-A

8. Elian Peña, SS – The Mets gave Peña a $5 million bonus, the largest for a Latin American during the 2025 signing period, and he delivered a .949 OPS with nine homers and 21 steals in the Dominican Summer League (DSL) despite starting 0-for-26. He twice hit three home runs in a single game in 2025, a feat no professional player had accomplished in their debut season since tracking began in 2005.

10. Mitch Voit, 2B – The 38th-overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Michigan had an explosive college career, slashing .346/.471/.668 with 14 homers and walking more than he struck out. He struggled initially at the plate in his professional debut with Single-A St. Lucie but finished strong. He impressed on the bases, stealing 20 bags with only one caught stealing across 99 plate appearances.

17. Randy Guzman, OF/1B – Signed for just $10,000 as an international free agent in 2022, Guzman broke out in 2025 with a .302/.375/.524 slash line, 10 homers, and 57 RBIs across 75 games in the Florida Complex League (FCL) and at Single-A. His 90th-percentile exit velocity of 108.5 mph at St. Lucie topped even the No. 1 overall prospect in the same league, though a 41.58% chase rate is a concern.

21. Antonio Jimenez, INF – The Mets’ second-round pick in the 2025 draft starred at UCF with a .329/.407/.575 slash line and 11 homers before signing and heading to Single-A St. Lucie. He posted just a .619 OPS in pro ball but showed a solid 10.9% walk rate and ranked in the 88th percentile of the Florida State League in sprint speed.

25. Daviel Hurtado, LHP – The 20-year-old southpaw had a breakout first full professional season, posting a 2.06 ERA across 65 2/3 innings between the FCL and Single-A St. Lucie with 75 strikeouts. His slider posted a 40% whiff rate and his curveball a 31.7% whiff rate, and he allowed just three home runs all season despite occasional control issues.

26. Daiverson Gutierrez, C – Gutierrez held his own in his first full stateside season at Single-A St. Lucie as a 19-year-old, posting a 14.7% strikeout rate — the third-lowest among qualified Florida State League hitters. His overall offensive numbers were modest with a .671 OPS, but his above-average arm strength and solid receiving skills behind the plate are the foundation of his prospect value.

15. Jeremy Rodriguez, UT – Acquired from San Francisco in the Tommy Pham trade, the 19-year-old had a tough offensive season at Single-A St. Lucie with a 61 wRC+, but his swinging strike rate ranked in the 99th percentile of the Florida State League and he rarely chased out of the zone. He plays shortstop, second, and third base, profiles best at second long-term, and his elite plate discipline gives reason for optimism despite the difficult year.

34. Cam Tilly, RHP – The Mets’ 2025 seventh-round pick out of Auburn received an above-slot $397,000 bonus for a four-pitch arsenal featuring a mid-90s fastball, above-average spin slider, curveball, and splitter. He hasn’t yet appeared in a professional game but participated in the Mets’ Top Guns development camp as a starting pitcher.

38. Trey Snyder, INF – The $1.3 million 2024 fifth-round pick struggled offensively in his first full season with Single-A St. Lucie, hitting .220 with an 85 wRC+, but walked 14.1% of the time and swiped 41 bases. His 8.5% swinging strike rate was among the lowest in the Florida State League, and center field could be his defensive home going forward.

49. Luis Alvarez, RHP – The 6-foot-5 Venezuelan hard thrower averaged 96-97 mph and touched 99.9 mph multiple times in 2025, holding hitters to a .163 average with a 55.6% whiff rate on his curveball. Control remains his biggest hurdle, issuing 17 walks in just 27 innings, though he did cut his walk rate from 21% to under 14%.

FCL Mets – Florida Complex League

22. Edward Lantigua, OF – Lantigua improved his OPS from .792 in 2024 to .832 in 2025 at the FCL level, drawing 33 walks against only 29 strikeouts across 194 plate appearances. He spent most of his time in center field and swiped 13 bases, showing a patient, contact-oriented approach for a 19-year-old.

28. Peter Kussow, RHP – The 19-year-old high schooler from Wisconsin received an $897,000 bonus in the 2025 MLB Draft, well over slot value, and brings a 6-foot-5 frame that already sits 92-95 mph with a top velocity of 97. His tight, late-breaking slider is his marquee pitch, and the Mets will likely start him in the Florida Complex League while he develops his changeup and curveball.

31. Camden Lohman, RHP – The Mets’ 2025 eighth-round pick received the third-highest signing bonus in the draft class at $797,500 for a 6-foot-4 frame currently sitting 90-92 and touching 95 mph with room to add velocity. He features a two-plane slider, curveball, and developing splitter out of a clean over-the-top delivery that keeps him in the strike zone consistently.

DSL Mets – Dominican Summer League

14. Wandy Asigen, SS – Asigen spurned a verbal agreement with the Yankees to sign with the Mets for $3.9 million, with many outlets ranking him the second-best international prospect in the 2026 class. The 16-year-old has already registered exit velocities of 110 mph, a 6.5-second 60-yard dash, and 60-grade tools in both power and speed.

29. Yovanny Rodriguez, C – Rodriguez earned a franchise-record $2.85 million signing bonus in January 2024 and took a significant step forward in his second DSL season, hitting .331/.446/.493 with a 147 wRC+ that ranked third among all qualified Mets minor leaguers. He still has significant defensive development ahead of him with only 59 professional games behind the plate, but his plate discipline and hard work are encouraging signs.

41. Josmir Reyes, C/1B – The 19-year-old switch-hitter posted a 139 wRC+ in 50 DSL games with a remarkably disciplined 17.9% walk rate and just 7.9% strikeout rate, giving him a 2.27 walk-to-strikeout ratio that ranked fifth in the league. His above-average arm is his carrying defensive tool behind the plate, though blocking and receiving remain works in progress.

42. Yunior Amparo, UT – The 19-year-old utility man was one of the biggest surprises of the DSL season, earning All-Star honors with a 138 wRC+ while playing all seven positions. He walked more than he struck out, showed pull-side power with a 67.3 pull% ranking third among 304 DSL hitters, and drew rave reviews from Mets scouts.

43. Cleiner Ramirez, OF – The Mets signed the 17-year-old for $1.372 million out of the 2026 International Free Agent (IFA) class, drawn to his athleticism, above-average speed and arm strength, and potential to stick long-term in center field. He is expected to make his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League later in 2026.

45. Yordan Rodriguez, RHP – Acquired from Oakland in the Jeff McNeil trade, the 18-year-old already tops out at 97 mph and features a breaking ball with plus spin in his DSL debut. His 31.7 K% would have ranked first among Mets DSL pitchers, giving him a strong foundation heading toward a 2030 ETA.

The post Which Level Each Of The MMO Top-50 Prospects Are Beginning appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Comments

Комментарии для сайта Cackle
Загрузка...

More news:

Read on Sportsweek.org:

Other sports

Sponsored