Christian Scott, SP

Player Data: Age: 25 (06/15/1999), B/T: R/R

Primary Stats: 9 G (9 GS), 47 1/3 IP, 4.56 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 0-3, 39 SO, 12 BB
Advanced Stats: 87 ERA+, 19.8 K%, 6.1 BB%, 4.43 xERA, 4.60 FIP, 4.71 xFIP, 0.4 fWAR

2024 Salary: $740,000

Grade: C-

2024 Review

Christian Scott began 2024 as a Triple-A depth arm, positioned behind more experienced pitchers like Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, Jose Quintana, and Adrian Houser. Even some younger pitchers, such as Tylor Megill, David Peterson, and José Buttó, were considered by some to be higher in the pecking order than Scott.

But, he wasn’t one to be overlooked; the right-hander’s impressive 2.57 ERA and outstanding 8.92 SO/W rate led MMO’s Mike Mayer to rank him as the fourth-best prospect in the Mets’ farm system. FanGraphs was even more optimistic, ranking Scott first in the organization, and 47th in all of baseball.

All the hype around Scott didn’t faze him in the slightest. In his first big league spring training, he tossed five innings, allowing just two runs. As expected, he was sent down on March 29, but after posting a solid 3.20 ERA over 25 1/3 innings for Triple-A Syracuse, the Mets had seen enough.

On May 4, New York called up their hottest pitching prospect for a start in Tampa Bay. Not only was he serviceable; he commanded the strike zone and worked out of jams with poise. In his debut, he hurled 6 2/3 impressive innings, surrendering a run in the first, but nothing further.

Seeing Scott’s brilliance in his debut, the Mets opted to keep him in the majors. He delivered two more quality starts in May before being sent back to Triple-A alongside Brett Baty. Aside from one shaky outing, Scott was solid in May, pitching to a 3.90 ERA while striking out 25 over 27 2/3 innings.

Scott continued his dominance upon returning to Syracuse. A few scattered home runs led to four earned runs, but he remained strong overall. In June, he posted an impressive 2.12 ERA, although opposing batters hit .266 against him; nearly double the .136 average he allowed in April during his earlier Triple-A stint.

Scott was given another month to prove himself at the big-league level. His 3.90 ERA in his first stint with the team was solid but not spectacular, yet what the Mets needed at the time was simply another starter. With Houser and Megill already off the active roster due to struggles, the Mets called up Scott in early July for another stretch with the club.

Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

In a way, that second stint could not have gone worse. Even if he pitched well, the end result would have remained the same. Scott posted a below-average 5.49 ERA in July against teams all under .500. In a start against the Miami Marlins, Scott sprained his UCL and was immediately placed on the injured list the following day.

His UCL injury was reportedly similar to one he had dealt with in the minors the year before. Scott had been able to return with just rest and rehab back then, but this time it wasn’t effective. He attempted to rehab, but struggled to regain control of his velocity and breaking pitches. Ultimately, he opted to undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his 2024 season and likely keeping him out for all of 2025 as well.

Scott’s 2024 left some mixed feelings. As the Mets’ top pitching prospect, there were clear expectations for him entering the year, but it wasn’t even guaranteed that he would make his debut. He did, but his starts were marked by inconsistency. Still, what he brings to the table is clear. Scott has professionalism and control over his pitches, traits that are always valuable. His walk rate was 6.1%, which, if he were qualified, would rank around the 80th percentile, which is comparable to Corbin Burnes.

Overall, while his 2024 was filled with ups and downs, his potential is undeniable, and the experience gained this year will be crucial for his development down the road.

2025 Overview

Tommy John surgery typically requires 12-18 months of recovery time, and with Scott’s procedure taking place in late September this year, it’s hard to envision him returning in 2025. However, the Mets will absolutely monitor their former top pitching prospect closely, hoping that, with patience, he can eventually fulfill the potential he flashed briefly in 2024 and previously in the minors.