The New York Mets’ most major league-ready pitching prospect is one step closer to the highest level. According to Tim Healey of Newsday, the team is promoting Mike Vasil to Triple-A Syracuse.
Source: The Mets promoted Mike Vasil to Triple-A Syracuse.
He had a 3.71 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 10 starts with Double-A Binghamton. He struck out 57 and walked eight in 51 innings.
Vasil, 23, is the Mets' closest-to-the-majors starting pitcher prospect.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) June 12, 2023
Vasil, 23, is the Mets’ eighth-rated prospect according to MLB Pipeline and their fourth-rated pitching prospect. He was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Month in May after posting a 2.52 ERA in 25 innings during that span. Vasil has held opposing batters to a .187/.223/.364 line and has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 7.13-to-1. His improved walk rate is a big part of his success this season, as he walked just 1.41 batters per nine in Double-A compared to 3.28 across three levels in 2022.
Many have predicted that Vasil will make his major league debut this season. His promotion makes that seem more likely to happen, especially given the Mets’ starting pitching inconsistencies.
Alongside Vasil, the Mets also promoted infielder Luke Ritter from Binghamton to Syracuse. Ritter is not listed among the team’s top 30 prospects, but he has 11 homers in his last 15 games at Double-A. Most recently, Ritter hit three home runs on Sunday for the Rumble Ponies, his third multi-homer game in the last two weeks. He was third in the Eastern League in homers and fourth in OPS. Ritter has played all over the infield this year, as well, spending time at all three base positions.
With the Mets struggling so mightily this season, it’s encouraging to see some of their prospects making progress, at least.
