The Triple-A Syracuse Mets released their official roster on Thursday, and it features a host of notable prospects and intriguing players to watch this season. Their season will begin on Friday at home with a scheduled 2:05 p.m. ET first pitch.
Starting Rotation
The biggest strength is the rotation, which features the Mets’ No. 1, 3 and 5 pitching prospects, according to MLB Pipeline’s ranking. The pitchers are, in that order, Christian Scott, Mike Vasil and Dom Hamel. Vasil made 16 starts for Syracuse last year, while Scott and Hamel finished the 2023 season with Double-A Binghamton.
The rotation also features Jose Buttó and Joey Lucchesi, who should be the Mets’ first two rotation depth options in the short term if there’s an injury to the major league rotation.
Christian Scott, Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
Bullpen
The relief corps isn’t as top prospect-heavy as the rotation, but it still features an interesting array of options. The main prospect to watch in the bullpen is Nate Lavender, who posted a 2.98 ERA in 42 games last year and is the Mets’ No. 24 prospect per MLB Pipeline. He had an impressive spring as well.
Shintaro Fujinami didn’t make the big league team after signing a split-contract this offseason but he has plus stuff and could be a contributor to the Mets’ bullpen down the line. The bullpen is rounded out by some other arms who have made appearances in Queens such as Grant Hartwig, Reed Garrett and Josh Walker. Righties Jon Duplantier, Dedniel Núñez, Eric Orze, Yacksel Ríos and Cole Sulser finish the bullpen.
Infield
The big name here is Luisangel Acuña, brother of Ronald Jr. and ranked No. 3 in the Mets’ system by MLB Pipeline. The 22-year-old will be playing his first games above Double-A.
The infield is filled out by some players who just missed the big league roster, like Jiman Choi and Mark Vientos. Vientos didn’t make the team after the Mets’ late signing of J.D. Martinez, but he’ll have a chance to continue getting regular at-bats in Syracuse, where he’s performed well in the past.
Rylan Bannon, Jose Iglesias, Luke Ritter and Yolmer Sánchez are part of the Syracuse infield as well. The catchers will be Austin Allen, Matt O’Neill and Tomás Nido.
Outfield
The outfield features arguably the Mets’ best prospect: Drew Gilbert. He’s No. 1 or No. 2 depending on who you ask, but either way, he has some of the best upside in the whole system.
Gilbert will be making his Triple-A debut after posting a .984 OPS in 35 games for Binghamton last year. He was acquired midseason in the Justin Verlander deal. He should be a pivotal run producer in the heart of Syracuse’s order.
Longtime Mets prospect Carlos Cortes is on the roster as well. The outfield is completed by Trayce Thompson, Ben Gamel and Taylor Kohlwey, all three of whom have at least a taste of big league experience.
