Austin Warren, RP
Position: RP B/T: R/R
Player Data: Age: 30 (02/05/1996)
2026 Traditional Stats: 50.1 IP (41 G, 2 GS), 4.11 ERA, 1.371 WHIP, 2-3, 0 SV, 55 SO, 24 BB
2026 Advanced Stats: 99 ERA+, 4.07 FIP, 3.87 xFIP, 4.64 xERA, 25.5% K%, 11.1% BB%, 0.3 bWAR, 0.1 fWAR
2026 Salary: $808,500 (arbitration-eligible)
Grade: C+
2026 Review
Warren’s campaign went from a pleasant surprise to suddenly disastrous, to solid — all in the span of a season.
Warren has had at least some MLB experience in every season since 2021, but that experience was very limited in 2023, ’24 and ’25. He wasn’t initially expected to be a major part of the Mets’ bullpen. But he simply forced the Mets’ hand by posting a 1.33 ERA in his first 15 appearances of the season. After being optioned twice in April, he solidified his spot on the big-league club.
All was going swimmingly until July 4. Warren gave up four runs in two innings, including a home run, to the Braves that day. He pitched three days later against the Royals and had an exponentially uglier outing, allowing five runs without recording an out. He gave up four hits and walked a batter.
Warren was then placed on the injured list with a right forearm strain. Given how abruptly his season turned around, it’s reasonable to think the injury had something to do with his rough outings.
Warren made it back to the field on Aug. 19 and was able to settle back in. He posted a 2.94 ERA over his final 15 1/3 innings. In between a three-run outing on Sept. 4 and a one-run appearance to close the season, he recorded seven consecutive scoreless showings.
So, altogether, the 4.11 ERA doesn’t quite tell the whole story. For much of the season, Warren was far better than that. A few eyesore stat lines buoyed his numbers. Even still, he bounced back well from the injury. And overall, he gave the Mets more than they likely expected coming into the season. His 50 1/3 innings more than doubled his career high at the MLB level.
2027 Outlook
Warren’s body of work in 2026 likely justifies getting another look to be a staple of the bullpen.
Metsmerized interviewed Warren in 2025, and he said his goal was to become a “key part of the bullpen.” At this point, Warren has done just that.
Warren isn’t necessarily a high-leverage arm — although he did memorably escape a bases-loaded, nobody-out jam in April, prompting “MVP” chants from Mets fans. But he is potentially somebody who can bridge the gap with an inning or two in the middle of the game.
Warren has earned a shot to stay in the mix.
