Considering the Mets opened the year going 11-1, only to follow up by going 35-63, you could say things are pretty bleak.

However, for minor league junkies and fans who practice the mantra “maybe next year,” September call-ups are a bit of bright spot, as we get a glimpse of what we have been waiting for or what wehope will pan out in the future.

The Mets have already seen players like Jeff McNeil, Corey Oswalt, Tyler Bashlor, Drew Smith and several others debut, there are a few enticing names we could see be called up next month.

We will likely see some guys return who have been with the big squad earlier this year, and we will likely see a few more fresh faces.

Let’s dig in to five players who could receive a September promotion

Daniel Zamora, LHP

Acquired prior to Spring Training from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Josh Smoker, left-hander Daniel Zamora was an All-Star at Double-A Binghamton this year.

The 25-year-old owns a 3.56 ERA, 1.063 WHIP and 11.8 K/9 across 48.0 innings pitched for the Rumble Ponies this year.

While his numbers might not be extremely flashy, he has the stuff to play at the major league level.

The southpaw has enough on the fastball 91/92 and his slider is very good (2,800 spin rate), and it’s tough to pick up as well.

With Jerry Blevins potentially a trade candidate this month, it would be nice to have another lefty with the big squad as an audition for next year.

Bryce Brentz, OF

Bryce Brentz was picked up by the Mets in the March on a minor league pact and was a player who they thought perhaps could fight his way on to the MLB roster.

Unfortunately for the 29-year-old, he got injured and has missed a majority of the season, but is with Triple-A Las Vegas again and is fully healthy.

Overall, he has clubbed 11 homers in 37 games and has hit .267/.333/.578 across 135 at-bats.

In his career, Brentz has had a couple cups of coffee at the MLB level with the Red Sox and has also played in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Photo by Ed Delany/MMO

Eric Hanhold, RHP

Acquired as the PTBNL in the Neil Walker trade last year, Eric Hanhold had been sidelined since June before beginning a rehab assignment with Short-A Brooklyn a few days ago.

The right-hander has spent most of his time with Double-A Binghamton this year, where he has appeared in 17 games and has recorded eight saves in 10 tries.

In 25.1 innings with the Rumble Ponies, he has also registered a 2.84 ERA and has struck out 32 batters. Perhaps the most appealing strength Hanhold possesses is his downward plane which induces a ton of swings and misses.

The former sixth round pick, if healthy, could be another reliever call up that could make a case for himself for next season.

P.J. Conlon, LHP

It’s been a whirlwind of a season for P.J. Conlon, who debuted with the Mets earlier this season, was picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers on waivers and then was scooped back up by the Mets after L.A. waived him.

Conlon, 24, has primarily started in his career, but has more recently pitched in the bullpen, like he did recently with Triple-A Las Vegas.

While he doesn’t blow guys away with a 100 mph heater, he has the finesse to keep the other team’s offense at bay.

The move to the bullpen for Conlon is probably a necessary one, as he doesn’t have the longevity to pitch in a big league rotation long term. However, he could thrive as a lefty reliever.

Expect our Irish southpaw to be back up here soon.

Peter Alonso, 1B

Perhaps the Mets fans most clamored for prospect, we might finally get to see Peter Alonso in blue and orange before season’s end.

The hopeful first baseman of the future for New York has had a stellar season between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas, and appeared in the MLB Futures’ Game last month.

Cumulatively, the 24-year-old has appeared in 107 games this year, has clubbed 26 homers and driven in 95 runs while hitting at a .278/.397/.543 clip.

The Florida native has seen his name on top prospect lists all across baseball and his future is looking bright.

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Which players do you think will get MLB callups? Who else would you like to see?