Five Pitchers That Could Debut in 2024

Each spring, non-roster invitees and prospects are points of intrigue for fans hoping to become acquainted with new prospects and MLB depth pieces. While many of the arms that will back up in the MLB spring training games are just there to finish off innings, some of the names you haven’t heard of have a good chance to debut in Queens this season. Here are five names of pitchers that you may or may not have heard of that could debut in 2024. While all five might not debut this year, some on this list certainly will.

Nate Lavender

Lavender became a favorite of Buck Showalter during camp last year as he regularly backed up games despite only having experience at High-A Brooklyn. Lavender put up an impressive showing against the MLB hitters and went on to have a fabulous season–throwing ten innings with 19 strikeouts in Binghamton before a promotion to Syracuse. The strikeouts didn’t stop in Triple-A as the lefty finished with a 35% K-rate at the Minors’ highest level (67 K’s in 44 innings). At just 24 years old with gaudy strikeout totals thus far in his Minor League career, he is definitely a prospect.

While his 92 mph average fastball leaves something to be desired, his 7′ extension to the plate and low 5′ release height actually make the pitch appear much faster and at a flatter trajectory than most four seams. The uniqueness of his fastball makes it a plus pitch despite the velocity. His sweeper in the low 80s is a solid secondary- used well against lefties- and his change-up is not far behind, with good depth, and is an excellent weapon to righties to keep them off of the heater.

Mike Vasil

Vasil wow-ed Mets fans with a legitimate start in Spring training last year against the Braves’ starting lineup. However, he had an up-and-down season, which is why he didn’t end up debuting last year. He scuffled in Syracuse–seeing his walk rate rise from 4% to 12% upon his promotion to Triple-A. While his other batted ball statistics didn’t deteriorate upon the promotion (home run totals, strikeouts, exit velocity against), the walks were a point of concern. He could provide a similar support role to what Jose Butto did last year, and the Mets will be looking for consistency from Vasil more than anything.

Nolan Clenney

This is likely the name that fans have least heard of on the list, but Clenney shouldn’t be counted out in 2024. The former NC State Wildcat and Independent League pitcher had an interesting 2023 season, capped off by a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League.

While Clenney is advancing in age at 27, he showed serious promise in Syracuse in a 23-inning sample with 37 strikeouts. He throws hard–averaging 94 and touching 97 with his four-seamer, throwing a slider as his primary pitch at an average of 87 mph. His slider is his bread and butter and was a big reason why he allowed just one run in nine innings in the Fall League to go along with 13 K’s. Look for him to start in Syracuse again and potentially be one of the up-and-down relievers in the revolving door of call-ups.

Paul Gervase

Gervase is another unknown here, as he was a 12th-rounder out of LSU in the 2022 draft. He’s been rising quickly, however, and posted some of the top strikeout totals in the organization last year. He struck out 76 in just 47 innings in Brooklyn before a Double-A call up–although that came with an alarming 38 walks (good for 18% and nearly 7% above league walk totals). Upon his promotion, however, the walk numbers lowered, and strikeouts somehow increased. He fanned 22 in just 11 innings in Binghamton, and while it doesn’t make him quite on the cusp of MLB action, it is enough to make Mets brass think that he could get to Queens this year if the swing-and-miss trend continues.

Armed with a mid-90s fastball that touches 98, Gervase has some of the top extension in baseball at nearly 7.5′, using his 6’10” frame to his advantage. He has a good sweeper as a secondary and can keep vaulting up the system if he stays in the zone.

Christian Scott

Perhaps the most recognizable name on this list, Scott, is almost guaranteed to make his debut in 2024. He was recently ranked the No. 88 prospect in baseball by Baseball Prospectus. He was the Mets MiLB Pitcher of the Year and has a potent pitch mix (four-seam, splitter, slider, curveball) to accompany the all-world command. Mets fans need to be excited about Scott as he has mid-rotation potential and could be a workhorse with Logan Webb-type walk rates. Scott will get extensive run in major league camp and will begin the season in Triple-A.