Minors Weekly Report: Clifford, Wenninger Shine for Syracuse

It’s been a disastrous season not just for the Mets’ major league squad, but their minor league affiliates as well. Three of the four full-season affiliates have losing records, and each team is coming off a series loss. While things are bleak collectively, there are several players who have shined individually. Among those are Ryan Clifford and Jack Wenninger for Triple-A Syracuse.

For the latest news and updates in the Mets minor leagues, check out the Minors Weekly Report below.

Ryan Clifford
Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Triple-A Syracuse

The Syracuse Mets followed up their stellar series against Lehigh Valley with a dud against the Rochester Red Wings, losing four of six games, including the final three of the series. The Mets are still above .500 at 20-18, good for third place in the International League East division.

Ryan Clifford was a major bright spot on offense, going 9-for-22 with a pair of home runs. Clifford also added a double, a triple, two walks and a stolen base. After a slow start to the year, Clifford has his OPS at an even .800.

Jackson Cluff also hit a pair of home runs despite going just 3-for-17 in the series. Like Clifford, Cluff also walked twice and stole a base. It’s been a struggle, as he has just a .549 OPS this season.

Despite a week where he cooled off from his hot start, A.J. Ewing was quickly promoted to the majors and should be in the MLB team’s starting lineup Tuesday.

Jack Wenninger continued his Triple-A dominance with another fantastic start on the mound. Wenninger tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and three walks with five strikeouts. The 24-year-old has been sensational as he has a 1.27 ERA in six starts.

Jonah Tong also impressed on the mound, allowing two runs over five innings with eight strikeouts. Tong allowed two hits and four walks, and he now owns a 4.46 ERA in eight starts as he continues to find his footing.

Zach Thornton had a great Triple-A debut, allowing three runs over six innings in his start. He allowed five hits and two walks while striking out four. In six starts across Double-A and Triple-A, Thornton has a 3.77 ERA.

Chris Suero
Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Double-A Binghamton

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies’ dreadful start to the year continued with a five-loss series against the Hartford Yard Goats. Binghamton is now 11-22 and in last in the Eastern League Northeast division.

Chris Suero was the team’s only productive hitter in the series, as he was the only player to record an OPS over .700. He soared past that number, going 3-for-10 with two doubles, a home run, four walks and four stolen bases. Suero is hitting just .175 this year, but his eye and his power have his OPS at a solid .802.

Nick Lorusso and Kevin Parada both got on base five times in the series, but neither did much damage. Lorusso went 5-for-18 with a triple, not drawing any walks, while Parada went 4-for-14 with no extra base hits and one walk. Lorusso owns a .644 OPS for the year while Parada has struggled even more, sporting a .522 OPS.

Jonathan Santucci threw Binghamton’s best start of the year, allowing one run over 6 1/3 innings. He allowed four hits and no walks while striking out seven. He lowered his ERA after a rough start to the season to 4.64.

Jordan Geber also provided a decent start, allowing two runs over five innings. He allowed five hits and no walks while striking out three. Geber has a 4.58 ERA in seven appearances (four starts).

Douglas Orellana was the team’s star out of the bullpen, throwing four innings across two appearances. He allowed just one baserunner, a walk, while striking out three. Orellana has been solid this year, owning a 3.29 ERA in 11 appearances.

Channing Austin
Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

High-A Brooklyn

Just like Binghamton, the Brooklyn Cyclones’ fortunes have yet to reverse as they also dropped five games against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The Cyclones are just 8-24 and also in dead last in the South Atlantic League North division.

Despite the dreadful week and entire season, the Cyclones received some impressive offensive performances in this series. Ronald Hernandez led the way by going 5-for-18 with three homers. He drove in four runs and added a walk. Hernandez’s strong week propelled his OPS for the year to .803.

Vincent Perozo had a great week, going 7-for-15 with two home runs. Perozo’s seven hits led the team and he now has an even .700 OPS.

Sam Biller played in just four games, but he went 6-for-12 with a double, a walk and two stolen bases. Biller has mostly struggled this year, owning a .576 OPS.

Brady Miller, who the Mets signed to a minor league contract just days ago, looked solid in his start. Miller allowed two runs in five innings while striking out seven and walking no one. Miller’s ERA through his one start is 3.60.

Channing Austin allowed two runs in 4 1/3 innings, also allowing nine baserunners, but his swing-and-miss stuff led to 10 strikeouts out of the 13 outs he recorded. Austin has been sensational to begin the year, owning a 1.69 ERA in six starts.

Elian Pena. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Low-A St. Lucie

The St. Lucie Mets dropped four of six games in their series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers. The Mets are now 14-19 and in third place in the Florida State League East division.

JT Benson provided most, if not all, of the team’s power in this series. Benson went 6-for-19 with five extra-base hits (two doubles, two triples, one home run). He also walked twice and stole a base. Benson’s excellent start to the season has his OPS at .961.

Elian Peña had a solid week, only going 5-for-21 but recording a home run, three walks and a stolen base. Peña also drove in four runs, which led the team. His OPS for the year is at .833.

Chase Meggers looked good at the plate, going 6-for-19 just like JT Benson. Unlike Benson, Meggers only had one extra-base hit (a double). He drove in three runs and walked once, raising his OPS to .612.

Jose Chirinos had an excellent start on the mound, allowing one run in six innings. Chirinos allowed four hits, no walks and struck out two. In six appearances (five starts) for St. Lucie, he owns a 2.52 ERA.

Frank Camarillo also stood out, allowing two runs in five innings with five strikeouts. Camarillo has struggled more than Chirinos this year, owning a 4.44 ERA in six starts.

Daviel Hurtado made one start and one relief appearance, his first appearances of the year. He tossed four innings across the two games, allowing just a run on two hits and striking out eight. His ERA through two games is 2.25.

FCL Mets

The Florida Complex League season is underway, and the FCL Mets are 2-5 through their first seven games. They are in last place in the FCL East division.

Catcher Yovanny Rodriguez is off to a fantastic start to the season. Through seven games, he is 9-for-27 with four home runs and nine RBIs, as well as three walks and a stolen base. Rodriguez’s OPS in the early going is 1.108.

Pitcher Camden Lohman has looked great through two starts, allowing two unearned runs in 7 2/3 innings with 12 strikeouts. These two starts are the first two of Lohman’s professional career.

Organizational Leaders

Offense

AVG – A.J. Ewing (BNG/SYR) – .339
OPS – A.J. Ewing (BNG/SYR)/JT Benson (STL) – .961
HR – Ryan Clifford (SYR)/Randy Guzman (STL) – 7
SB – A.J. Ewing (BNG/SYR)/Sam Robertson (STL) – 17

Pitching (min. 10 innings)

ERA – Bryce Jenkins (BRK) – 0.79
SO – Jonah Tong (SYR) – 52
WHIP – Bryce Jenkins (BRK) – 0.71

Players of the Week

Offense – Ryan Clifford, 1B/LF/RF

Ryan Clifford’s status within the Mets organization became much more important when the team decided to let Pete Alonso walk. Clifford may be the team’s first baseman of the future, and he showcased this past week why the Mets might view him that way. Even with a slow start to the year, Clifford is tied for the Mets minor league lead in home runs.

Pitching – Jack Wenninger, P Syracuse

Jack Wenninger is a budding superstar, coming off a 2025 season in which he recorded a 2.92 ERA in 26 starts with Double-A Binghamton. He has a 1.27 ERA to start 2026 with Triple-A Syracuse, and it’s fair to say he’s pushing into the upper echelon of Mets pitching prospects that includes Jonah Tong.