With the 53rd pick, Mets Select Right-handed Pitcher Josh Wolf, double dipping into the Texas Prep ranks. Hailing from St. Thomas High School in Houston, Texas, Wolf boasts big upside, touching 97 with some projection. He is ranked 36th on MLB.com and 54th on Baseball America’s top 500 draft prospects.

What Baseball America said about Wolf:

After showing solid stuff but topping out in the low 90s for most of last summer, Wolf entered the spring solidly out of Day 1 consideration and behind a number of other Texas prep pitchers. That evaluation quickly changed, as Wolf came out this spring with added strength—he’s listed at 6-foot-2, 165 pounds but is likely heavier than that now—and started pitching consistently in the mid-90s and touched as high as 97 mph. In addition to his much-improved fastball velocity, Wolf spins a nasty curveball that looks like a big league breaking ball and is a surefire plus offering. The pitch settles in the mid- to upper 70s, while Wolf also throws a mid-80s changeup that could use some refinement. While there are still some command questions with Wolf, he has also improved in that regard. Those who know him are impressed with his dedication to his craft on the mound and his understanding of what he’s trying to accomplish when he’s on the rubber. Previously, Wolf would have been a safe bet to reach campus at Texas A&M, and he is expected to be a reasonably tough sign. But now, he’s pitching at a clip that might push him into Day 1 consideration and make jumping straight into pro ball more likely.

What MLB.com has said about him:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

San Jacinto JC’s Jackson Rutledge isn’t the only Houston-area pitcher who has vaulted into first-round consideration. Wolf was well known to scouts before this spring, but his projectability stood out more than his present stuff and most figured he wouldn’t get drafted early enough to divert him from a Texas A&M commitment. That changed when he hit 97 mph in his first appearance of the year, a February scrimmage against Magnolia West and highly touted right-hander Connor Phillips, and he hasn’t looked back since.

Wolf has gotten noticeably stronger, adding at least 10 pounds to his 6-foot-2 frame, and dropped his arm slot from high three-quarters to three-quarters. Those changes have increased the velocity and movement on his fastball, which previously sat around 90 mph but has ranged from 90-97 with armside run all spring. His curveball can overmatch hitters as well, residing in the low 80s with 12-6 break when he stays on top of it.

Though Wolf’s changeup isn’t as effective as his other two pitches, he’ll flash some solid ones with fade and tumble. He already shows the aptitude to work both sides of the plate and all four quadrants of the strike zone. He still has the room to add another 15 pounds and scouts rave about his makeup, so he could continue to get better.

It looks like the Mets are going for upside, with two talented Texas high school picks with quite a bit of talent and added projection for Wolf.

Video Provided by Perfect Game.

This is the Mets final pick on Day One. The team will return for the Third Round, which begins at 1 PM tomorrow, picking 89th overall, and then every 30 picks after that. MMO will give reactions and analysis for each pick over the next three days.