The New York Mets have started the offseason by releasing a large number of minor leaguers. Right-handed pitcher Ryley Gilliam and infielder Kevin Kendall are two of the highest drafted players that were released. Gilliam was taken in the fifth round of the 2018 draft and expected to be an arm that raised to the majors quickly. Kendall was taken in the seventh round of the 2021 draft out of UCLA. Both have dealt with injuries over the past few seasons that have limited their time on the field.
Here is the list of players officially released on Wednesday:
Position Players
- C/UT Nick Meyer
- 3B Chase Estep
- OF Carlos Dominguez
- INF Luis Castillo
- OF Dyron Campos
- C Gregory Leal
- INF Yordis Perera
- OF Eric Santana
- INF Manuel Guance
- C Fernando Villalobos
- INF Kevin Kendall
- INF Cesar Berbesi
Meyer has been in the Mets farm system since being drafted in the sixth round in 2018. He played the entire 2023 season in Triple-A Syracuse, showing off his versatility with 36 games at catcher, 18 games at third base, eight at first base, six at second base, and one game a piece in the corner outfield spots.
Campos was one of the Mets DSL Players of the Year in 2022.
Ryley Gilliam, Photo by Ed Delany, MMO
Pitchers
- RHP Kolby Kubichek
- LHP Matt Minnick
- RHP Dylan Hall
- RHP Luis Montas
- RHP Luis A. Rodríguez
- RHP Sammy Tavarez
- RHP Joe Joe Rodríguez
- RHP Christopher Vasquez
- RHP Ramon Henriquez
- RHP Pedro Mercedes
- RHP Elliot Johnstone
- RHP Jonaiker Palacios
- RHP Ryley Gilliam
- RHP Mathieu Voros
Minnick, Hall, and Kubichek all pitched briefly out of the Triple-A Syracuse bullpen this season. Tavarez has been up to 100 mph, but had more walks (39) than innings pitched (26) this season.
