As the Mets head into the 2024 season, which will be partly about further evaluation of young players like Francisco Álvarez, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos, there is also an ascending farm system building behind those players.
The organization has been slowly building up this system by avoiding free agents attached to draft pick compensation, and being selective regarding which prospects they're willing to tradefor big league pieces.
It is an important year of evaluation for president of baseball operations David Stearns, with the big league payroll clearing significantly after this season --just in time for a very strong free agent class. And I’d expect to see a different-looking offseason than the one the Mets had in 2023-24.
Part of the above is allowing these young players runway at the big league level to assess where dollars need to be allocated, and where you can fill from within. The ideal build of a team that sustains success is a mix of inexpensive, homegrown talent and the ability tofind true impact players on the free agent and trade markets to supplement it.
Depending on which outlet you look at, the Mets have as many as six top 100 prospects. As far as organizational rankings, the Mets are basicallya top 10 overall system. While they may not have that No. 1 overall type of prospect they had with Álvarez, this system is probably as deep as it’s been in years.
For the first time and due to popular demand, I am expanding my top 20 list to a top 30. Enjoy!
1. INF/CF Jett Williams
Plus athlete with plus-plus plate discipline whostarted to show his promising bat-to-ball skills more as the 2023 season went on. Has underrated power, but will likely never be a big home run threat. His defensive home long-term is likely to be in center field or second base. Looks to be a dynamic, top-of-the-order type of player. Thinking about a future with Jett and Brandon Nimmo at the top of the Mets order is exciting.
MLB ETA: 2025
2. OF Drew Gilbert
While he may not have that true elite trait, he is average to above average across the board, and took off in a meaningful way after joining the Mets organization with a .325/.423/.561 slash line for Double-A Binghamton with 15 extra-base hits in 35 games in 2023. High energy player with enough range for center field and enough arm for right field. Should start with Triple-A Syracuse and could be up early in 2024.
MLB ETA: 2024
3. INF Luisangel Acuña
Showed Improved bat-to-ball skills in 2023. He will work a walk but does need to trim down the chase rate, especially on breaking balls. Shows power in batting practice, but simply has not translated to in-game power. High baseball IQ, plus athlete and a good defender with second base likely being his long-term home. Stole 57 bases in 2023 while only being caught 10 times. He is on the 40-man roster already and should start in Triple-A while being just a call and a fit away.
MLB ETA: 2024
4. 1B/OF Ryan Clifford
Clifford was the second piece acquired in the Justin Verlander trade, and some scouts like him more than Gilbert. This is the biggest power bat in the Mets' system with a chance to be a 30-homer player if he can make consistent contact as he elevates through the minor league system. He is a below-average athlete, and the Mets have split his time in the corner outfield spots as well as first base. Might be best long-term at first base, but could have the bat to play there as a potential middle-of-the-order thumper.
MLB ETA: 2026
5. INF Ronny Mauricio
It is unfortunate for Mauricio that he will miss most, if not all, of the 2024 season due to a torn ACL. He had a real opportunity to push Baty for the third base job. Mauricio combines exciting power potential with the ability to barrel the ball up and post elite exit velocities while elevating the ball. We will see how he bounces back athletically after the knee surgery. He is still a potential piece of the Mets' future.
MLB ETA: Already made it
6. RHP Christian Scott
The Mets' top pitching prospect has recently cracked a couple of top 100 prospect lists. He primarily throws three pitches, with a fastball that's around93-to-97 mph with special ride and life to it as well as a slider and split-change. He has plus command, only walking 12 batters in 87.2 innings in 2023. It has been a slow build-up of innings as he's gone from a college reliever to a professional starter, but this is feeling like a player development success story under director of pitching development Eric Jagers. Expect the innings to jump in 2024. I think Scott will be the first Mets pitching prospect to get called up to the big leagues this year. He is a potential mid-rotation starter.
MLB ETA: 2024
7. SS Colin Houck
The Mets' first pick (No. 32 overall) in the 2023 MLB Draft. Houck was a two-sport athlete who was also a three-star recruit as a quarterback at the powerhouse Parkview High School in Georgia that produced big leaguers Matt Olson and Jeff Francoeur. Shows plus power in batting practice. Defensively, he is likely a long-term third baseman with plenty of arm for the spot. Scouts believe he hasn’t scratched the surface yet and expect growth with him fully focused on baseball now.
MLB ETA: 2027
8. RHP Blade Tidwell
Tidwell had been my top pitching prospect in the system for the last year. He dips to second best --not because of anything he did wrong, but because ofwhat Scott has done right. Tidwell has high-level stuff with a fastball that can touch 98 mph. His main secondary pitch is a wipeout slider that garners plenty of swings and misses. He needs to refine his changeup and further develop his command to remain a long-term starter. If those things click, it could be a No. 2 or No. 3 starter. If not, he has future late-inning reliever written all over him.
MLB ETA: 2025
9. C Kevin Parada
There was some disappointment with Parada’s first pro season, as it was expected that he woulddominate the lower levels of the minors on the offensive side. Instead, he was just solid. Adjusting to pro ball as a catcher does take longer than other positions, and Mets fans have been a bit spoiled with the quick development of Álvarez. With that said, Parada needs a bounce-back year offensively. Defensively, he did make strides as a receiver as the season went on, but the throwing arm is well below average. Scouts believe he will be a big leaguer, it’s just a matter of whether he is an impactful one or not.
MLB ETA: 2025
10. RHP Mike Vasil
Vasil made it to Triple-A last season and had a bit of a tough time adjusting to the ABS (automated ball-strike) system. He did improve in his time in Triple-A, including taking a no-hitter into the ninth inning. He has a four-pitch mix, none of which appear to be true plus offerings, but he locates four average-to-above-average pitches well. His fastball will touch 96 with a gyro slider, changeup and curve. He may not have the ceiling of guys like Scott and Tidwell, but he looks every bit of a back-end starter. I expect him to make his big league debut this year.
MLB ETA: 2024
11. INF Marco Vargas
Vargas was the headlining piece of the David Robertson trade. His top trait is what has been described to me as elite pitch recognition skills. In 54 games between the Marlins and Mets complex league teams and Low-A St. Lucie in 2023, he had 53 walks against only 38 strikeouts. Power won’t be a big part of his game, but there is a belief he will hit for average and get on base. Defensively, he projects best at second base and has a chance to be an everyday player there.
MLB ETA: 2027
12. RHP Brandon Sproat
The Mets drafted Sproat in the second round of the 2023 draft out of Florida. He has the unteachable trait of being able to touch 100 mph while sitting 94-97. His changeup is his best secondary pitch. He also has a slider that flashes plus and a fringy curveball. The Mets will have to determine a preferred fastball type as his primary pitch, as it does not have ideal shape to it. If they can get there and refine his breaking balls, it’s a mid-rotation upside. If not, the bullpen could be his home.
MLB ETA: 2025
13. RHP Dominic Hamel
Hamel is a bit of an analytics darling. His fastball will sit 93-94 mph and top out at 96, but it will have upwards of 20 inches of induced vertical break, which gives it that rising look. He has four secondary pitches -- a slider, curveball, cutter and changeup. The slider is the best of them and has spin rates that will get to 3,000 rpm. I would keep an eye on his walk rate in Triple-A in 2024. Hamel had a reasonable 3.6 walks-per-nine in 2023, but I wonder how his stuff that moves a lot will play with the ABS. I am not a big fan of player comparisons, but his stuff profile is very reminiscent of former Met Seth Lugo.
MLB ETA: 2024
14. SS Jeremy Rodriguez
The return in theTommy Phamtrade was a prospect the Mets had looked at prior to him signing with the Diamondbacks as their top international signing in 2023 for $1.25 million. His best traits at 17years old are his advanced plate discipline and bat-to-ball skills. He will need to physically mature and impact the baseball more as he comes stateside and makes his way through the minor league system. Defensively, he has some actions to suggest he can handle shortstop. Recently, the Mets hadfrequently been on the other side of these types of trades. They are excited with what they have seen from Rodriguez since joining the organization.
MLB ETA: 2028
15. C Yovanny Rodriguez
Rodriguez was the Mets' top international signing in 2024 out of Venezuela for $2.85 million. He is being lauded as advanced for his age when it comes to barrel control with raw power. Defensively is where he stands out as a solid receiver, and one Mets scout told me he has a 70-grade arm. Some of his pop times at workouts have been better than what J.T. Realmuto has done at the big league level. He’s a long way away, but the Mets are as excited about Rodriguez as they have been about an international signing in a few years.
MLB ETA: 2029
16. RHP Calvin Ziegler
Ziegler missed almost all of the 2023 season due to a torn quad after working his way back from offseason bone spur surgery. He ended up getting into one game and struck out the side in one inning of work. He is healthy heading into spring training and I think he is a little forgotten about at times. He has a mid-90s fastball with plus ride and a hammer of a curve. He has been working on a split-change for over a year and the Mets are excited to see that develop more in 2024.
MLB ETA: 2026
17. 3B/1B Jacob Reimer
Reimer was the Mets' fourth-round pick in the 2023 Draft out of Yucaipa High School, which is the same school that produced former Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker. He is a strongly built third baseman who has raw power that hasn’t quite made it into games yet. What has immediately transitioned is strong plate discipline, as he had a .399 on-base percentage in 2023. It will be important for him to turn that batting practice power into game power. Defensively, he is good enough at third base to stick there, but he has also played a little first base, and the Mets may investigate some corner outfield versatility.
MLB ETA: 2026
18. OF Alex Ramirez
The Mets recently added Ramirez to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. He struggled offensively repeating High-A Brooklyn, and a couple of scouts who have seen him said his swing path is a problem that needs to be fixed. He is still a stand-out defensive player who can play center field and impact things on the base paths. 2024 is a big year for Ramirez as he may start the season inBrooklyn again. He has an opportunity to regain his prospect status in a meaningful way with some positive changes offensively.
MLB ETA: 2026
19. RHP José Butto
I place some extra value on someone who has appeared in the big leagues and shown some things. In nine games for the Mets in 2023, Butto posted a 3.64 ERA while striking out close to a batter per inning (38 strikeouts in 42 innings). His standout pitch is his plus changeup, and he now has both a four-and two-seam fastball and a developing slider. He looks like a No. 5 starter/swingman type, which will be valuable depth for the Mets in 2024 and beyond.
MLB ETA: Already made it
20. RHP Tyler Stuart
Stuart was a sixth-round pick as a college reliever in the 2022 MLB Draft, and the Mets sent him out as a starter in 2023. That experiment worked wonderfully as he posted a 2.20 ERA across 21 starts between High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton. He primarily focused on throwing a sinker that will touch the mid-90s and a slider which was his most often thrown pitch. He also began to mix in a changeup and a cutter. Stuart has since begun work on a four-seam fastball to give a different look. It remains to be seen how many of these five pitches in his arsenal will actually be utilized in 2024. Scouts are torn on whether he is a starter or reliever at the next level, but most believe he is a future big leaguer.
MLB ETA: 2025
21. INF Jesus Baez
Baez struggled a bit once he came stateside after being the Dominican Summer League Player of the Year for the Mets in 2022. He's a power-above-hit type of player with solid plate discipline. Baez's defensive future is likely as a third baseman, so the bat will have to improve.
MLB ETA: 2027
22. Two-way player Nolan McLean
The Mets will allow McLean to both pitch and hit to start his pro career. They will also send him out as a starter this year and try to build up his innings and arsenal. Most expect him to be a late-inning reliever long-term, and apossible closer with a fastball up to 98 mph with a wipeout slider. He has light-tower-power as a hitter, with massive swing-and-miss issues that need to be trimmed down to continue as a hitter in pro ball.
MLB ETA: 2026
23. RHP Kade Morris
Morris was the Mets' third-round pick in the 2023 draft out of University of Nevada. He pitched basically in the mountains elevation-wise and still showed the ability to spin the ball. He may not have a true elite pitch right now, but has four solid offerings that he can locate. Morris likely needs a year of pro nutrition/weight training, and there could be some more velocity to be had here. He has the basic profile of a back-end starter.
MLB ETA: 2026
24. C Ronald Hernandez
Hernandez follows the trend of plus plate discipline and pitch recognition skills that you have read about on this list. He led the complex league with a .476 on-base percentage in 2023. He also has solid bat-to-ball skills, but lacks power. Defensively, he is a leader who is already bilingual at 20 years old. He is a good receiver with some throwing arm strength.
MLB ETA: 2027
25. SS Boston Baro
Baro was the Mets' eighth-round pick in the 2023 draft, where they signed him for $700,000 ($500,000 over slot). He is already reportedly up to 190 pounds, which Is about 15 pounds higher than his listed weight when drafted. Currently has a line drive approach offensively with some hope of power if he continues to physically mature. He's a good athlete who should be able to play either middle infield position. The Mets' player development staff is excited about him.
MLB ETA: 2028
26. UTIL Wilfredo Lara
I was told by more than one Mets source that Lara might be the biggest sleeper prospect in the system. He posted an .814 OPS in 99 games for Low-A St. Lucie as a 19-year-old, with 35 extra-base hits -- including 14 home runs. He also appeared at every position except pitcher and catcher. Lara has physically matured more this offseason and is someone the Mets will look to make some noise in 2024.
MLB ETA: 2027
27. RHP Raimon Gomez
Coming off Tommy John surgery, Gomez should return around midseason. He's a pure reliever and when he is healthy sits 97-98 mph with his fastball, touching 101 with big ride on it. He also has an 88-90 mph slider that generates swings and misses. Control is an issue, but if he is healthy and can improve his command, he can be a quick-moving reliever.
MLB ETA: 2026
28. SS Branny De Oleo
De Oleo signed for $10,000 in 2023 as an 18-year-old international free agent. He showed strong contact skills with just a 9 percent strikeout rate in the Dominican summer league. Power is a question based on how much he can physically mature. A good athlete who should have enough arm to stick at shortstop and he should move stateside in 2024. If he continues on his trajectory, he could move up this list.
MLB ETA: 2028
29. SS A.J. Ewing
Ewing,out of Springboro High School in Ohio, was the fourth-round compensatory pick received for Jacob deGrom signing with the Rangers. Despite his smaller size, he has flashed exit velocities around 100 mph and certainly has room to grow. He tries to jump on pitches and pull them almost a little too much. Ewing is a good athlete with range, but might best profile at second base.
MLB ETA: 2028
30. RHP Austin Troesser
Troesser was the Mets' other fourth-round compensatory pick, this one for Chris Bassitt signing with the Blue Jays. He was mostly a reliever in college, though he has done some bulk innings work and will be sent out as a starter in 2024. Troesser found a big velocity jump, reportedly touching 98 mph in his last year of college, though he’s only been up to 95 in early bullpens for the Mets. That 95 does come with 20 inches of induced vertical break. He also throws a slider and changeup.
MLB ETA: 2026
