Carson Benge is the most successful first-round pick for the Mets since [fill in the blank]? The answer is probably Pete Crow Armstrong, though it’s unfair to claim him since the Cubs did the majority of the development and not the Mets, plus his Mets tenure lasted six games in St. Lucie.

So then you go back to David Peterson, though the hope is that Benge will be more successful overall. The answer could also sway toward Michael Conforto in 2014, at least for Mets-specific impact.

Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

David Stearns’ first draft pick for the Mets is already manning right field every day after forcing his way onto the major league roster. He had a dreadful first month adjusting to the majors, but after cleaning up his swing at the start of May, Benge slashed .299/.363/.457/.820. He has a great glove and is a plus baserunner with 20-25 home run potential.

Second-round pick Jonathan Santucci has had some top 100 prospect buzz and made Lance Brozdowski’s top 50 pitching prospects list. Santucci has a true plus-plus pitch with his slider, and despite a slow start to the season, he pitched to a 3.57 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in Double-A this season, earning a promotion to Triple-A. It took him a few starts to adjust to the level, but his last four starts were strong and could earn a spot on the major league roster at some point in 2027.

Seventh-round pick Will Watson made Baseball Prospectus’s Top 101 list as the 96th best prospect in baseball but looked absolutely dreadful in 2026. After only six starts, he was put on the injured list, so he may have been trying to pitch through injury. He returned in August and threw only 17 innings to a 5.29 ERA. Five of those runs came in a single outing, and the remainder were mixed.

Fourth-rounder Eli Serrano started hot but cooled off significantly. Fifth-rounder Trey Snyder had a good season, earning a promotion to High-A, and has a plus contact tool and can play all over the diamond. Serrano, meanwhile, profiles as a power-over-hit corner bat.

Eighth rounder Ryan Lambert looked like he could be a breakout reliever in spring training while he was popping high velocities and discussing drinking raw eggs but he has struggled heavily with injuries in Triple-A to a 7.71 ERA and 1.80 WHIP. He has two plus pitches and could have a future in the bullpen if he can improve his control at all.

Third-round pick Nate Dohm was part of the trade package that sent Ryan Helsley to the Mets. Helsley struggled heavily with the Mets in 2025, while Nate Dohm has struggled heavily with the Cardinals’ High-A team this year.

Tenth-round pick Brendan Girton and thirteenth-round pick R.J. Gordon have shown flashes but have struggled as they have moved up to higher levels.

You can view the full draft here:

  1. Round 1 – Carson Benge – OF
  2. Round 2 – Jonathan Santucci – P
  3. Round 3 – Nate Dohm – P
  4. Round 4 – Eli Serrano – OF
  5. Round 5 – Trey Snyder – SS
  6. Round 6 – Corey Collins – 1B
  7. Round 7 – Will Watson – P
  8. Round 8 – Ryan Lambert – P
  9. Round 9 – Jaxon Jelkin – P
  10. Round 10 – Brendan Girton – P
  11. Round 11 – Nick Roselli – 2B
  12. Round 12 – Ethan Lanthier – P
  13. Round 13 – R.J. Gordon – P
  14. Round 14 – Tanner Witt – P
  15. Round 15 – Owen Woodward – P
  16. Round 16 – Josh Blum – P
  17. Round 17 – Jacoby Long – OF
  18. Round 18 – Jace Hampson – P
  19. Round 19 – Frank Elissalt – P
  20. Round 20 – Adam Haight – SS