Additionally,  JT Benson belted a grand slam in High-A Brooklyn’s 9-1 triumph over Jersey Shore Saturday for his third homer in four games. The 24-year-old outfielder also stole his 13th base in 19 tries.

Benson went undrafted after finishing his college career at Louisville in 2024. He hit 10 homers, posted an .889 OPS and stole 24 bases playing in the independent Frontier League last year. The Mets signed him to a minor-league contract in March.

Jorge Polanco. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Triple-A

Syracuse Mets (41-39) 6, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (37-43) 8

Box Score

• DH Jorge Polanco, 0-for-3, K (.231 OPS)
• LF Ji Hwan Bae, 2-for-4, 3B, 2 R, BB (.789 OPS)
• C Kevin Parada, 1-for-4, K (.798 OPS)
• RF Cristian Pache, 2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R (.687 OPS)
• 3B Yonny Hernandez, 3-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI, R (.777 OPS)

Polanco (Achilles) played his first rehab game since June 5 at Syracuse. He last played in the majors on April 14. President of baseball operations David Stearns said last week that the hope is he can return before the All-Star break, but that his injury is a “tricky one,” and it’s tough to say for sure when he will be back in the majors.

• RHP Xzavion Curry (4.50 ERA) 4 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
• RHP Parker Carlson (0.00 ERA) 1 2/3 IP, BB
• RHP Joey Gerber (6.75 ERA) IP, K

Carlson has thrown 3 2/3 scoreless innings for Syracuse after pitching to a 4.39 ERA in 26 2/3 innings at Brooklyn.

Jaylen Palmer. Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

Double-A

Binghamton Rumble Ponies (28-46) 1, Erie SeaWolves (40-33) 8

Box Score

• DH Chris Suero, 1-for-4 (.753 OPS)
• RF Jaylen Palmer, 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K (.737 OPS)
• CF Jose Ramos, 1-for-3, BB (.720 OPS)

Oddly enough, it was the second-straight game where the only Binghamton extra-base hit was a Palmer double. The 25-year-old born in Flushing and drafted in the 22nd round in 2018 out of Holy Cross High School in Flushing has 10 doubles in 28 games.

• RHP R.J. Gordon (7.81 ERA) 2 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K, L
• RHP Justin Armbruester (1.93 ERA) 1 1/3 IP, BB, K
• RHP Saul Garcia (3.56 ERA) 2 IP, 4 K

Garcia has fanned 44 and walked 10 in 30 1/3 innings.

Robert Stock Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

High-A

Jersey Shore BlueClaws (28-45) 1, Brooklyn Cyclones (29-44) 9

Box Score

• RF JT Benson, 2-for-3, HR (5), 4 RBI, SB, BB, K (.953 OPS)
• CF John Bay, 1-for-4, R, K (.791 OPS)
• SS Mitch Voit, 1-for-4, 2B, SB, 2 R, BB, 2 K (.749 OPS)
• LF Yohairo Cuevas, 1-for-4, HR (1), K (.441 OPS)
• C Daiverson Gutierrez, 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, R (.610 OPS)
• DH Ronald Hernandez, 0-for-3, SB, 2 R, 2 BB, K (.760 OPS)

Bay has five hits, including two homers and two doubles in his last four games. He also showed off his glove in center with a great catch you can see here.

• RHP Dakota Hawkins (1.74 ERA) 5 IP, 4 H, K, W
• RHP Robert Stock (4.76 ERA) 2 IP, 2 K

Hawkins didn’t allow a run for the third consecutive appearance covering 12 2/3 innings.

Single-A

St. Lucie Mets (35-37) at Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (42-30)

Postponed

The game was postponed due to rain and will be made up at St. Lucie next month.

Florida Complex League

FCL Mets (15-24) 5, FCL Nationals (22-16) 6

Box Score

• DH Bohan Adderley, 2-for-4, 2 R (.851 OPS)
• 1B Yeider Mindiola, 2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB (.753 OPS)
• C Yovanny Rodriguez, 1-for-2, 2 BB (.855 OPS)

Adderley extended his hitting streak to seven games and has been swinging a hot bat all month. The 19-year-old outfielder from the Bahamas is 19-for-57 in June with a home run and four doubles. He leads the team with 23 steals, which is tied for third in the league.

• RHP Jean Brito (3.57 ERA) 2 2/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER) 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K, L

Dominican Summer League

DSL Mets Blue (8-11) 7, DSL Mets Orange (13-7) 8

Box Score

Mets Blue

• 1B-C Adrian Silva, 1-for-1, HR (1), 4 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB (.836 OPS)
• RF Henry Manrique, 2-for-3, 2B, SB, CS, R, BB (.981 OPS)

Manrique, a 17-year-old from Venezuela, is slashing .344/.481/.500 with 10 doubles in 18 games.

• RHP Arnaldo Tejeda (13.94 ERA) 2 1/3 IP, R (0 ER), H, 2 BB, 4 K

Mets Orange

• 2B Cleiner Ramirez, 1-for-1, 2 R, BB (1.054 OPS)
• 1B Yadier Fuentes, 1-for-3, RBI, R, BB, K (.933 OPS)

Ramirez, 17, of Venezuela, leads the team in home runs (five) and runs (24). Jhonael Cuello walked it off with an RBI groundout.

• RHP Alsy Torres (4.76 ERA) IP, 2 K

The post Mets Minors Recap: Jorge Polanco Hitless In Rehab Appearance For Syracuse appeared first on Metsmerized.

Two of the best individual performances from this past week came in Brooklyn, with Christopher Suero and Dakota Hawkins really impressing. Suero has been great since his promotion from St. Lucie, while Hawkins has impressed all year in Brooklyn. They have been two of the more under-the-radar players in the Mets’ system this year, but both have been very productive.

Christopher Suero.

Triple-A

The Syracuse Mets fell behind in the series 2-0 to the St. Paul Saints, but four wins in a row to close out the series won it for the Mets, 4-2. The Mets just continue to win this year, and they now sit at 38-24 which puts them in first place in the International League East division.

Mike Brosseau continues to be a really productive veteran presence for Syracuse. In five games this past week, Brosseau recorded 10 hits including two home runs. He slugged .850 for the week and had a 1.374 OPS. On the season, Brosseau has a .909 OPS in Triple-A and a 1.057 OPS in Syracuse in over 100 plate appearances.

Trayce Thompson and Pablo Reyes also knocked two homers this past week, though Thompson had a much better week overall than Reyes. Despite striking out 10 times and not walking a single time, Thompson had an .850 OPS for the week and now has an .860 season OPS. Reyes only had a .643 OPS for the week and has an .845 OPS with Syracuse this year.

Two of the more consistently productive batters for Syracuse this year have been Rylan Bannon and Luke Ritter, and both had productive weeks against St. Paul. Bannon had three doubles and a home run, good for a .991 OPS. His OPS for the year is .885. Ritter also had three doubles and a home run, recording a .925 OPS for the week. His OPS for the year is .877. Both are great depth options just on the fringe of the 40-man roster.

The best start of the week came from Joey Lucchesi, who continues to look solid for Syracuse. He allowed just two runs in 6 2/3 innings pitched, striking out five. With the effort, Lucchesi lowered his season ERA to 3.86.

José Buttó also had a strong start for Syracuse this past week, allowing two runs in six innings. Buttó now also sports a 3.86 ERA on the year.

Out of the bullpen, Ty Adcock, Grant Hartwig, Matt Festa, Eric Orze, and Josh Walker all allowed no earned runs this week in what was a strong week for the bullpen. Six relievers pitched in a bullpen game on Sunday that resulted in a 7-4 Syracuse win.

Ryan Clifford. Photo by Bronson Harris of Binghamton Rumble Ponies

Double-A

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies got off to a slow start this past week, dropping the first three games of the series against the Bowie Baysox. After winning the next two, Binghamton got shutout in the series finale to lose the series 4-2. Binghamton is now just above .500 at 28-27 on the year, and they sit in third place in the Eastern League Northeast division.

Ryan Clifford only hit .211 this past week, but he had an on-base percentage of .400 and a slugging percentage of .684 to record an OPS over 1.000 for the week. That seems to be the Clifford way. He went 4-for-19 with three home runs and six walks. Clifford is only hitting .169 since getting promoted, but his spectacular eye and his recent power surge have his OPS at .767.

Jaylen Palmer and JT Schwartz both hit under .155 for the week, but they both smacked two homers to have an OPS over .800 for the week. Palmer is having a much better year thus far than Schwartz is, as Palmer holds an .891 OPS and Schwartz has a .755 OPS.

Cameron Foster had the best week of any pitcher for Binghamton this week. In two appearances including one start, Foster threw for 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out eight. Foster has been great for Binghamton this year, and he lowered his season ERA to 2.92.

Joander Suarez had a quality start this week, allowing two runs in 6 2/3 innings while striking out 10. Suarez has been up-and-down for the Rumble Ponies this year, and his latest effort lowers his ERA on the year to 4.12.

Luis Moreno was also great this week for Binghamton, throwing five scoreless innings in one long-relief appearance. He allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out seven. Moreno has, for the most part, not been productive for Binghamton this year as his ERA now sits at 5.08.

Wilkin Ramos, a reliever, only made one appearance this week that lasted just an inning, but what’s noteworthy about that is he has now thrown 18 innings this season without allowing a run. Ramos has a WHIP under 1.00 and has struck out as many batters as innings thrown this year.

High-A

The Brooklyn Cyclones split their series with the Aberdeen IronBirds this past week. After both teams experienced a shutout loss in the first two games of the series, Brooklyn won the next two games by a combined score of 26-10 before dropping the next two games by a combined score of 21-12. With the split, Brooklyn remains at three games above .500 at 30-27. That puts them in third place in the South Atlantic League North division.

The most productive week of any Mets minor leaguer was from Christopher Suero, who hit three home runs and drove in 11 runs in five games. Suero had a multi-home run game on Sunday and also walked more than he struck out for the week. His OPS on the week was an astounding 1.654 and his OPS since being promoted to Brooklyn is now .821.

Jefrey De Los Santos, Wilfredo Lara, and Junior Tilien also had an OPS over 1.000 for the week. De Los Santos went 9-for-21 with two triples and two home runs and now has a .762 OPS on the year. Lara didn’t have a home run, but he doubled and tripled while walking four times. His OPS for the year is now .674. Tilien connected for two home runs on the week, also doubling once. His OPS on the year is .688.

Stanley Consuegra wasn’t as productive on the week as his previously mentioned teammates, but he still had a good week for Brooklyn. Consuegra went 7-for-20 with two doubles, four walks, and six RBIs. His OPS for the week was .890 and his OPS for the year is .766.

Dakota Hawkins had a fantastic week for Brooklyn, making two starts and pitching a total of nine innings. He allowed three hits and two walks and only struck out three, but he allowed just one run. The 24-year-old was an undrafted free agent signing in 2023, but he has impressed since signing with the Mets and has a 3.35 ERA this year for Brooklyn in 14 outings.

The rest of the starters didn’t have as much luck as Hawkins this week, but there were some relievers who pitched well. Joshua Cornielly made two relief appearances and allowed just one run in five innings. Cornielly now has a 4.09 ERA on the year.

Jonathan Pintaro also had a solid week, allowing a run in a four-inning outing. It was his first outing for Brooklyn this year after starting the year in the Pioneer League.

A.J. Ewing, Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Low-A

The St. Lucie Mets have struggled mightily this year. They won the first two games of their series against the Daytona Tortugas but dropped the final four, losing the series 4-2. The final three games of the series were brutal with the Mets dropping those games by a combined score of 33-8. St. Lucie is now 19-38 and stil sits in last place in the Florida State League East division.

A.J. Ewing had a really good first week with the St. Lucie Mets. The 19-year-old went 6-for-20 with a double, a home run, and four walks. Ewing had a .917 OPS on the week and has a .975 OPS between the Florida Complex League and Low-A ball. Check out our interview with Ewing here.

Willy Fanas, who was recently promoted like Ewing, also had a productive week at the plate. Fanas went 6-for-19 with two doubles and a triple and had an .876 OPS for the week. Fanas’ OPS since his promotion is now .773 after recording a .943 OPS in the FCL.

Jesus Baez recorded an OPS over 1.000 against Daytona. He only went 3-for-15 but he had two home runs and four RBIs while also walking five times and striking out once. Baez has a .777 OPS on the year.

Joel Díaz had the best week of any starting pitcher, throwing four hitless innings. He only walked one batter and struck out five. Díaz has a 1.80 ERA in three appearances since being promoted from the Florida Complex League, where he had no runs allowed in 6 2/3 innings of work.

Alan Perdomo, who has struggled this year, had a really solid week in relief. He threw 4 2/3 scoreless inning across two appearances and now has a 5.79 ERA on the year.

Miguel Alfonseca and Gregori Louis also had scoreless weeks in relief for St. Lucie. Alfonseca made two appearances and threw three scoreless innings, while Louis made just one appearance but also threw three scoreless innings. Alfonseca has a brutal 6.92 ERA on the year while Louis has been much better with a 2.92 ERA.

Florida Complex League Mets

The FCL Mets went 1-4 this past week, dropping their record to 11-14 on the year which puts them in fourth place in the FCL East division.

The best week of any FCL Met was from Simon Juan, who recorded a .956 OPS for the week. His OPS for the year is .815. Julio Zayas and Francisco Toledo also had productive weeks. Zayas had an .888 OPS and has an .838 OPS on the year, while Toledo had an .826 OPS for the week and has a .602 OPS on the year. Jeremy Rodriguez has an .823 OPS for the year, a number that dropped due to his brutal week where he had a .286 OPS.

Irving Cota and Brayhans Barreto had the only two scoreless weeks for the FCL Mets. Cota started one game and went four innings while Barreto had a relief outing of 3 2/3 scoreless. Cota now has a 3.60 ERA on the year while Barreto has a 3.38 ERA on the year.

Dominican Summer League Mets

The DSL Mets Orange went 1-3 this past week, putting them at 2-3 on the year. They’re currently tied for third place in the DSL South division. Keiver Garcia (.958 OPS), Bohan Adderley (.804 OPS), Jesus Anton (3 1/3 IP, ER), and Yoralbert Cadiz (2 1/3 IP, 0 ER) were the highlights of the team.

The DSL Mets Blue got their seasons started this past week, and they went 1-4. They currently sit in last place in the DSL East division. Daiverson Gutierrez (.903 OPS), Randy Guzman (1.167 OPS), Jose Subero (.917 OPS), Jamdrick Cornelia (4 IP, 0 ER), Anthony Crespo (3 IP, 0 ER), and Jermayne Verdu (3 1/3 IP, 0 ER) were the highlights of the team.z

Organizational Leaders

Batting

AVG – Nick Morabito (STL/BRK) – .341

OPS – A.J. Ewing (FCL/STL) – .975

HR – Trayce Thompson (SYR) – 15

SB – Omar De Los Santos (BRK) – 25

Pitching

(Among Qualified Players)

ERA – Brandon Sproat (BRK/BNG) – 1.23

SO – Jonah Tong (STL/BRK) – 71

WHIP – Jack Wenninger (STL) – 1.07

Players of the Week

Offense – Chrstopher Suero, C/1B/LF Brooklyn

Christopher Suero has been a solid bat for the Mets since he joined the organization in 2022 as an 18-year-old. Now 20, Suero can play catcher, first base, and the corner outfield making him even more valuable. Since being promoted to Brooklyn, Suero has an .821 OPS with four home runs in 77 at-bats. For reference, he only had two home runs in 83 at-bats with St. Lucie to start the year. He’s also walked 18 times while striking out 24 times.

Suero has been on fire lately, hitting three of his four home runs with Brooklyn this past week. The Mets would love for him to keep raking while providing versatility on defense to boost his status as a prospect.

Pitching – Dakota Hawkins, P Brooklyn

Dakota Hawkins has come out of seemingly nowhere. He had a subpar college career, leading to him being undrafted. Since joining the Mets organization, though, he has a 2.76 ERA including a 3.35 ERA this year. He’s made 14 appearances this year, three of which have been starts, and could be a name to watch if he continues to pitch effectively.

Upcoming Schedule – June 11-16

• Triple-A Syracuse: vs. Lehigh Valley
• Double-A Binghamton: vs. Somerset
• High-A Brooklyn: @ Hudson Valley
• Low-A St. Lucie: @ Jupiter

The post Mets Minors Weekly Report: Christopher Suero, Dakota Hawkins Impress in Brooklyn appeared first on Metsmerized.

Triple-A

Syracuse Mets (34-22) 5, St. Paul Saints (25-31) POSTPONED

The Syracuse Mets/St. Paul Saints game was postponed and will be made up Thursday, June 9 beginning at 6:07 ET as part of a doubleheader.

Double-A

Binghamton Rumble Ponies (26-24) 1, Bowie Baysox (26-25) 5
BOX SCORE

• 1B JT Schwartz 1-for-4, R, HR (2), RBI (16), K (.762 OPS)
• CF Alex Ramirez 1-for-4 (.665 OPS)
• LF Ryan Clifford 0-for-3, BB, K (.626 OPS)
• DH Kevin Parada 0-for-3, BB, K (.638 OPS)

The Rumble Ponies offense struggled on the day only managing three hits and four walks. Matt Rudick had a rough day at the plate, going 0-for-3 with a walk and three strikeouts.

• RHP Nolan McLean (5.79 ERA) 5 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 8 K, 1 HR allowed (52 of 80 pitches for strikes)
• LHP Daniel Juarez (3.94 ERA) 2 IP, BB, 3 K
• RHP Cameron Foster (3.45 ERA) 1 IP, K

Nolan McLean has not had the same level of dominance in Double-A that he had in High-A, with his worst start of the season. Despite that, McLean did strike out eight batters and walked none.

Photo by Matt Kipp of the Brooklyn Cyclones

High-A

Aberdeen IronBirds (26-26) 0, Brooklyn Cyclones (28-24) 3
BOX SCORE

• CF Nick Morabito 1-for-4 (.825 OPS)
• *REHAB ALERT* C Francisco Alvarez 1-for-3, BB (.833 OPS)
• 1B Nick Lorusso 1-for-2, R, BB (.868 OPS)
• LF Christopher Suero 0-for-4, 2 K

The Cyclones managed three runs on seven hits, the biggest hit a Jefrey De Los Santos solo home run which was the only extra-base hit on Tuesday.

• RHP Dakota Hawkins (3.48 ERA) 5 IP, BB, 2 K (35 of 56 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Joey Lancellotti (5.25 ERA) 1 IP, BB, K
• RHP Joshua Cornielly (4.05 ERA) 3 IP, BB, 3 K

Three Cyclones pitchers combined for a no-hitter. Dakota Hawkins started the game and had one of his best outings of the season.

Low-A

St. Lucie Mets (18-34) 5, Daytona Tortugas (23-29) 3
BOX SCORE

• 2B Jesus Baez 1-for-3, R, HR (7), 2 RBI (31), HBP (.773 OPS)
• SS Colin Houck 2-for-3, R, 2 RBI (21), BB (.643 OPS)
• CF A.J. Ewing 0-for-2, R, 2 BB (.500 OPS)
• DH Ronald Hernandez 1-for-4, R, 2 K (.756 OPS)

Jesus Baez and Colin Houck provided almost all of the offense for St. Lucie on the day. Houck especially has seemed to begin to figure it out at the plate after a rough start to the season. Jeffry Rosa continues to struggle with his promotion, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts on the day.

Ewing was making his full-season debut.

• RHP Ernesto Mercedes (4.93 ERA) 4 2/3 IP, 1 ER, H, 5 BB, 6 K (49 of 91 pitches for strikes)
• LHP Jeremy Peguero (5.14 ERA) 2 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 4 BB, 3 K
• RHP Nick Bautista III (7.50 ERA) 1 IP, BB, 2 K
• LHP Ryan Ammons (2.55 ERA) 1 IP, 2 K

Ernesto Mercedes had his start cut short by his lack of control. Mercedes has an impressive 59 strikeouts over his 38 1/3 innings pitched – but paired with 36 walks and five hit batters.

Florida Coast League

FCL Mets (10-11) 2, FCL Marlins (14-6) 8
BOX SCORE

• SS Jeremy Rodriguez 0-for-4 (.915 OPS)
• RF Simon Juan 1-for-2, R, HR (4), RBI (14), 2 BB (.843 OPS)
• C Julio Zayas 0-for-2, 2 BB (.812 OPS)

The FCL Mets only mustered three hits on the day with Simon Juan accounting for a home run, his fourth of the season.

• LHP Daviel Hurtado (0.00) 1 IP, 2 ER, H, 2 BB

Daviel Hurtado started off well, but could not register an out in the second inning and left the outing with the bases loaded.

Dominican Summer League

DSL Mets Blue (0-1) 1, DSL Marlins (1-1) 7
BOX SCORE

• LF Vladi Guerrero 0-for-3, 2 K (.000 OPS)
• C Daiverson Gutierrez 1-for-3, 2B, RBI (1) (1.000 OPS)

The DSL Mets Blue managed five hits on the day and one walk. Daiverson Gutierrez, the big international free agent of the 2023 class hit an RBI double.

• RHP Jose Guevara (10.13 ERA) 2 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K

DSL Mets Orange (2-0) 8, DSL Twins (0-1) 5
BOX SCORE

• 3B Bohan Adderley 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI (2), 2 SB (2), K (1.286 OPS)
• LF Rocky Solano 2-for-4, 2 R(1.000 OPS)

DSL Mets Orange came out hitting, led behind prospect Bohan Adderley.

• RHP Jesus Anton (2.70 ERA) 3 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 4 K

Jesus Anton had a solid start allowing no hits on the day but hitting two batters.

The post Minors Recap: Brooklyn Cyclones Toss First 9-Inning No-Hitter appeared first on Metsmerized.

Photo by Matt Kipp/Brooklyn Cyclones

For Brooklyn, it took three pitchers to complete the no-hitter with a combined six-strikeout performance from Dakota Hawkins, Joey Lancellotti, and Joshua Cornielly. For Francisco Alvarez he has two rehab starts behind the plate with incredible pitching performances.

The other came on Sunday with Double-A Binghamton and Mets’ starter Brandon Sproat on the mound. In his outing, Sproat allowed one hit and struck out 10 in seven innings.

When Alvarez started his rehab assignment his goal was to catch 9 innings and see where he was at. In his first game catching 9 innings he was a part of history in Brooklyn.

The post Alvarez Catches Combined No-Hitter in Brooklyn appeared first on Metsmerized.

In St. Lucie, one of the Mets top draft picks from a year ago had a three-hit performance. Meanwhile, Brooklyn and the Florida Complex League saw players hit home runs for the second straight game. At Syracuse, one of the Mets top pitching prospects had a quality start in his second outing at the level.

Triple-A

Syracuse Mets (32-20) 5, Buffalo Bisons (28-25) 3

BOX SCORE

• 2B Luisangel Acuña: 1-for-3, 2 R, SB, BB (.681 OPS)
• DH Luke Ritter: 2-for-4, 2 RBIs (34), K (.869 OPS)
• SS Jose Iglesias: 0-for-3, RBI (29), K (.769 OPS)
• RF Trayce Thompson: 0-for-3, RBI (36), BB (.872 OPS)
• C Hayden Senger: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI (12), K (.645 OPS)

The Mets only had one extra-base hit on Wednesday and five hits total, but they managed to pick up the win. Ritter got the scoring started with an RBI single in the bottom of the first and his single in the eighth ended up breaking a 3-3 tie. Ritter has a hit in five of his last six games (three multi-hit games) and has 24 RBIs in May.

Don’t worry, Luke is still raking.

We’re back in front in the eighth! https://t.co/2gDceeZBic pic.twitter.com/Zxgz5VZJ27

— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) May 30, 2024

As for Acuña, his base hit gave him a hit in 12 of his last 13 games. His 32 hits this month are the second-most of any player in the International League.

• RHP Blade Tidwell (1.54 ERA): 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 2 K (47 of 85 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Drew Smith (1-0, 12.00): 1 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, K (15 of 22 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Grant Hartwig (2nd save, 2.45 ERA): 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, BB, K (10 of 17 pitches for strikes)

For the second consecutive start, Tidwell did end up walking four batters. However, the 22-year-old right-hander did not allow a single extra-base hit and he was able to get six groundball outs. According to Baseball Savant, he had eight swings-and-misses and had an average fastball velocity of 93.8 miles-per-hour.

Drew Smith continued his rehab assignment and allowed the only three runs of the game in the top of the eighth that allowed the Bisons to tie the game.

Double-A

Harrisburg Senators (28-19) 2, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (24-21) 0 in 7 Innings

BOX SCORE

• SS Wyatt Young: 1-for-3 (.849 OPS)
• DH Kevin Parada: 0-for-3, 2 K (.67o OPS)
• RF Ryan Clifford: 0-for-1, BB (.539 OPS)

On a rain-shortened afternoon, it was a rough day for the Binghamton offense. The only hit that they had was a one-out single by Young in the bottom of the third.

• RHP Nolan McLean (0-1, 5.00): 5 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K (48 of 76 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Cam Robinson (2.45): 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, K (11 of 17 pitches for strikes)

The one mistake McLean made came in the second inning when Harrisburg worked a two-out rally that was capped by a two-out single from Robert Hassell III. Three of the six hits that he allowed came in that inning. The 22-year-old right-hander went five innings in three of the five starts he made this month.

High-A

Brooklyn Cyclones (25-22) 5, Jersey Shore BlueClaws (26-21) 2

BOX SCORE

• CF Nick Morabito: 1-for-5, R, HR (2), RBI (5), 2 K (.886 OPS)
• LF Stanley Consuegra: 2-for-4, R, 2 2B, RBI (19), BB (.704 OPS)
• 1B Nick Lorusso: 1-for-5, R, HR (7), RBI (26), 2 K (.924 OPS)
• RF Wilfredo Lara: 2-for-2, R, RBI (13), BB (.571 OPS)
• SS William Lugo: 2-for-4, R, BB, K (.611 OPS)

For the second straight game, Morabito was able to hit a home run. This time, he started the game with a solo shot to left field. He has recorded at least one hit in five of the last six games.

Later in the game, Lorusso hit a solo shot of his own in the ninth for his seventh of the year and his fifth this month. As for Consuegra, his double in the fourth gave him 165 career hits for the Cyclones, which is a franchise record.

• RHP Dakota Hawkins (4.08): 4 IP, 2 ER< 4 H, BB, 5 K (38 of 54 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Jeffrey Colon (1-0, 6.89): 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, K (10 of 18 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Josh Hejka (1.89): 2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 K (17 of 24 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Brett Banks (1st save, 3.48): 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H (4 of 5 pitches for strikes)

On Wednesday, Hawkins made his first start of his professional career. Jersey Shore did put up a couple of runs in the first inning against the 24-year-old right-hander, but he was able to recover and minimize the damage. He retired 12 of the last 14 batters he faced with the last three coming via swinging strikeouts in the fourth. It is the third time this year he has struck out five batters in an outing (season-high).

Low-A

Dunedin Blue Jays (24-23) 6, St. Lucie Mets (14-33) 5

BOX SCORE

• 1B Ronald Hernandez: 4-for-5, 2 R, K (.758 OPS)
• SS Colin Houck: 3-for-4, R, 2B, 2 RBIs (13), BB, K (.584 OPS)
• LF Kellum Clark: 1-for-1, 2 RBIs (3) (.580 OPS)
• DH Jesus Baez: 1-for-5, 2 K (.800 OPS)

The St. Lucie offense had nine hits on Wednesday, but it only came from four players in the lineup and they had a total of 15 strikeouts against five Blue Jays pitchers. Houck had a pair of RBI singles in the first and sixth inning respectively. He had a double in the eighth that would have led to another RBI, but Hernandez was thrown out at the plate. Nevertheless, it was Houck’s second three-hit game of the year and his sixth multi-hit game this month.

As for Hernandez, it was his second four-hit game of the month. His 28 hits in the month of May are second on the team behind Baez (29) and the fourth-most in the Florida State League. Clark came off the bench and had a two-run single in the eighth that tied the game at four at the time.

• RHP Joel Díaz (3.00): 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 6 K (38 of 51 pitches for strikes)
• LHP Gregori Louis (4.91): 2.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K (26 of 45 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Alan Perdomo (7.56): 2 IP, 1 R, 0 H, 2 BB, K (13 of 25 pitches for strikes)
• LHP Ryan Ammons (1-3, 2.87): 0.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 2 K (11 of 20 pitches for strikes)

Díaz got the start for St. Lucie and he did give up a pair of solo home runs. However, his six strikeouts were the most he has had in the five outings this year combined with the Florida Complex League. Ammons ended up allowing the game-winning run to score on a walk-off triple in the bottom of the ninth.

A.J. Ewing, Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Florida Complex League

FCL Cardinals (10-10) 6, FCL Mets (9-8) 2

BOX SCORE

• CF A.J. Ewing: 1-for-3, R, HR (4), RBI (13), 2 BB (.916 OPS)
• C Julio Zayas: 2-for-3, R, 2B, BB (.767 OPS)
• 2B Jeremy Rodriguez: 1-for-5, K (.902 OPS)
• 3B Jake Zitella: 1-for-4, K (.799 OPS)
• LF Simon Juan: 0-for-4, BB, 3 K (.691 OPS)

For the second straight game, Ewing was able to hit a home run as his solo shot in the first put the Mets up 1-0. The 19-year-old has eight RBIs over the last six games.

The other run on the day came via an RBI single from Sebastian Castro in the fourth. Zayas had the only multi-hit game on a day where the Mets had a total of 11 strikeouts.

• RHP Wellington Aracena (1-1, 5.59): 1.2 IP, 5 R (3 ER), 4 H, 4 BB, K
• RHP Estarlin Escalante (1.69): 2.1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 3 K
• RHP Edgar Moreta (4.26): 4 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, BB, 4 K

It was a rough outing for Aracena as the 19-year-old right-hander had a season-high four walks (10 in his last four outings). The Cardinals made those walks pay by scoring five of their six runs in the first two innings. Moreta ended up keeping the team in the game with his strong relief outing. The four innings he threw were a season-high and he has 14 strikeouts to two walks in four appearances this month.

The post Minors Recap: A.J. Ewing, Nick Morabito Homer For Second Straight Day appeared first on Metsmerized.

Danny Mendick. Photo by Richard Nelson

Triple-A

Syracuse Mets (55-78) 2, Rochester Red Wings (61-72) 1 In 7 Innings

BOX SCORE

• 2B Wyatt Young: 3-for-4 (.607 OPS)
• SS Danny Mendick: 2-for-3, BB (.797 OPS)
• CF Brandon McIlwain: 1-for-2, BB, K (.902 OPS)
• RF Joe Suozzi: 1-for-2, 2 R, BB (.790 OPS)

In what was a rain-shortened game, the Mets did not have a single extra-base hit, but they got the runs that mattered. Jaylen Palmer had a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game. Then, a Nick Meyer double play put Syracuse up 2-1. Young led the way with three hits, which was his second three-hit performance of the year (July 5 at Double-A Binghamton).

• RHP Peyton Battenfield (1-5, 5.13 ERA): 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K. WP (59 of 93 pitches for strikes)
• RHP William Woods (8.71, first save): 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H

Battenfield was claimed by the Mets from the Cleveland Guardians on September 2. In his first start in the organization, the 26-year-old only allowed one extra-base hit and had his fourth longest outing of the season.

 Double-A

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (69-59) had their game against the Hartford Yard Goats (55-72) postponed due to rain. They will complete Friday’s suspended game as part of a doubleheader with the continuation of the game beginning at 11:00 am ET (Binghamton is up 7-0 in the top of the fourth).

Jett Williams. Photos by Matthew Kipp of Brooklyn Cyclones

High-A

Brooklyn Cyclones (66-64) 7, Wilmington Blue Rocks (54-75) 1

BOX SCORE

• SS Jett Williams: 2-for-4, 2 R, HR (7), RBI (18), BB, SB, K (1.033 OPS)
• RF Stanley Consuegra: 1-for-4, 2 R, HR (22), RBI (62) (.778 OPS)
• LF Ryan Clifford: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI (66), K, HBP (.834 OPS)
• 2B D’Andre Smith: 3-for-4, R, 2B, 2 RBIs (17), K (.672 OPS)
• CF Alex Ramírez: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB (.632 OPS)

Williams continued his impressive season on Saturday by not only hitting his seventh home run at High-A in the bottom of the third, but he also drew his 100th walk of the year, which makes him the second teenager to accomplish that milestone since 2005.

There was more history at Coney Island later in the inning when Consuegra hit his 22nd home run of the year, which tied a Cyclones record for the most home runs in a single-season.

With Jersey Shore splitting their doubleheader with Hudson Valley on Saturday, it means that all the Cyclones need to do Sunday is win or get a Jersey Shore loss to clinch a postseason berth.

• RHP Saul Garcia (3.46): 5 IP, 1 R, 2 H, BB, 5 K (50 of 79 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Joshua Cornielly (3.71): 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, BB, 2 K, HBP
• RHP Joe Joe Rodriguez (2.79): 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, K

The Blue Rocks scored their only run of the game on an RBI single in the second inning. As for Garcia, the 20-year-old picked up his first High-A win and he has gone five innings in two of his three outings with the Cyclones. The five strikeouts were the most he has had in an outing since August 18.

Calvin Ziegler. Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

 Low-A

St. Lucie Mets (44-83) 3, Daytona Tortugas (55-72) 2

BOX SCORE

• CF Nick Morabito: 2-for-4, R, 2B, RBI (7), K (.783 OPS)
• C Ronald Hernandez: 1-for-3, 2 RBIs (7), BB, K (.574 OPS)
• 2B Jefrey De Los Santos: 2-for-3, R, BB (.722 OPS)

The Mets scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. After back-to-back singles to begin the frame, Morabito tied the game with an RBI double and Hernandez had a two-run double that put St. Lucie ahead for good.

• RHP Calvin Ziegler (2023 Debut): 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 K (13 of 21 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Nolan McLean (2.70): 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, BB, K (15 of 24 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Douglas Orellana (4-4, 4.53): 4 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, BB, 8 K, WP (43 of 62 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Dakota Hawkins (0.00): 1 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 3 K (25 of 34 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Eric Foggo (4.70, 3rd save): 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H

The five St. Lucie pitchers who appeared in Saturday’s win combined to strike out 15 of the 33 batters they faced. Ziegler ended up making his 2023 debut after recovering from offseason surgery on his elbow and a torn right quad. The 20-year-old was impressive as he struck out all three hitters he faced.

McLean followed him up with his second outing of the year and the third rounder this year had his first scoreless outing of his career. Orellana was the bulk pitcher and ended up striking out eight batters for the second consecutive appearance.

Finally, Hawkins had another scoreless appearance to give the undrafted free agent out of Washington State five consecutive scoreless outings to start his career (8 innings pitched).

The post Mets Minors Recap: Calvin Ziegler Makes 2023 Debut appeared first on Metsmerized.

Mike Vasil. Photo by Rick Nelson

Triple-A

Syracuse Mets (52-70) 8, Buffalo Bisons (60-63) 7

BOX SCORE

• 2B Ronny Mauricio: 3-for-5, 2 R, 2B, HR (22), RBI (69), SB, K (.853 OPS)
• RF Joe Suozzi: 3-for-5, 2B, 3B, 3 RBIs (11) (.908 OPS)
• 3B Brett Baty: 1-for-4, R, HR (10), 2 RBIs (31), BB, K (1.098 OPS)
• CF Brandon McIlwain: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 2B, RBI (14), 2 BB (.952 OPS)
• SS Wyatt Young: 1-for-4, R, 2B, BB, 2 K (.559 OPS)

Syracuse found themselves trailing after having a 5-1 lead after five innings. Despite blowing a late lead, the Mets found a way to get themselves a win due to some ninth inning heroics. Suozzi was the provider of the heroics with a walk-off two-run triple in the bottom of the ninth, his first triple at the Triple-A level. It was also his first three-hit game at the Triple-A level.

It was another great game for Mauricio as he had his second three-hit game of the series and his third multi-hit game. This month, he has a slash line of .297/.360/.571 with six home runs and 13 RBIs. He had a solo shot in the eighth to cut the deficit to 7-6.

• RHP Mike Vasil (4.63 ERA): 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K, WP (65 of 95 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Jose Chacin (8.31): 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, BB, K
• LHP Nate Lavender (4-3. 3.34): 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H

Vasil put up a quality outing on Saturday night as he did not allow a single extra-base hit in six innings of work. He ended up retiring the last seven batters he faced. The 23-year-old has pitched into the sixth inning or later in each of the last four starts (5 runs allowed in 25 2/3 innings).

Luisangel Acuña. Photo by Anne-Marie Caruso of NorthJersey/USA TODAY NETWORK

Double-A

Binghamton Rumble Ponies (61-57) 9, New Hampshire Fishercats (54-62) 4

BOX SCORE

• 1B JT Schwartz: 3-for-5, R, 2 2B, 3 RBIs (40), K (.812 OPS)
• 2B Luisangel Acuña: 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI (5), BB (.620 OPS)
• CF Drew Gilbert: 1-for-4, R, RBI (16), 2 K (.963 OPS)
• SS Jeremiah Jackson: 2-for-4, 2 RBIs (17), 2 K (.777 OPS)
• RF Agustin Ruiz: 2-for-4, 2 R, HR (17), 2 RBIs (55), BB, K (.711 OPS)

The Rumble Ponies offense ended up scoring five of their nine runs in the first two innings, which allowed them to take a lead they never looked back from. Schwartz was the catalyst for most of those runs. He had an RBI single in the top of the first and a two-run single in the second. He has driven in eight runs in the last three games of this series.

Gilbert had an RBI single as well in the second to give him at least one hit and one RBI in each of the five games of this series. Jackson had a multi-hit game and extended his hit streak to 11 games (RBI single in the fourth). Finally, Ruiz picked up a two-run home run in the sixth for his 17th of the year (leads the team).

• RHP David Griffin (2-1, 4.74): 5 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 6 K (60 of 90 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Paul Gervase (9.00): 1 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, BB, 3 K
• RHP Daison Acosta (5.52): 2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, BB, 2 K

Of note, Gervase had a bounce back appearance after recording only two outs on August 23 as he made his third appearance with the Rumble Ponies. He ended up striking out three of the five batters he faced and the three Binghamton pitchers combined as a trio to strike out 13 Fishercats.

William Lugo. Photo by Ed Delaney, MMO

High-A

Brooklyn Cyclones (60-58) 8, Asheville Tourists (46-68) 5

BOX SCORE

• SS William Lugo: 2-for-5, 2 RBIs (48) (.694 OPS)
• RF Stanley Consuegra: 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI (53), BB, SB, K (.775 OPS)
• DH Kevin Parada: 2-for-5, R, RBI (42), 2 K (.787 OPS)
• 1B Ryan Clifford: 1-for-4, RBI (58), K (.843 OPS)
• CF Jett Williams: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB, 2 K (1.090 OPS)
• C Christian Pregent: 2-for-4, R, 2B, BB (.421 OPS)

While the Cyclones only had one extra-base hit (double by Pregent), they managed 13 hits in Saturday’s victory. The offense put up a four-spot in the top of the fifth on RBI singles by Pregent, Chase Estep, Parada, and Consuegra. Consuegra had at least one hit in each of the five games in this series (seven RBIs).

Clifford had a sacrifice fly in the seventh to give him five RBIs in the last three games against his former team. As for Williams, he did not record a hit, but he did have two walks to give him at least one walk in six of the last seven games (.480 OBP in August).

• RHP Jordan Geber (3-1, 4.59): 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 6 K (48 of 70 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Joe Joe Rodriguez (10.13): 2 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 5 K, 3 WP
• RHP Luis A. Rodriguez (1^st save, 0.00): 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H

Geber surrendered a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth, but that was the only mistake he made in the entire outing. The 24-year-old right-hander had his second-longest outing of the year (5 1/3 innings).

Both Rodriguez’s made their High-A debut with Luis picking up a 1-2-3 save in the bottom of the ninth. The 20-year-old has held opponents to a .156 batting average in 18 combined appearances at FCL, Low-A St. Lucie, and now High-A.

Low-A

Dunedin Blue Jays (57-62) 6, St. Lucie Mets (40-78) 5 in 11 Innings

BOX SCORE

• C Ronald Hernandez: 3-for-5, 2B, RBI (1) (1.400 OPS)
• 2B Wilfredo Lara: 2-for-4, BB, SB, K (.826 OPS)
• SS Marco Vargas: 1-for-6, R, SB, 4 K (.334 OPS)
• CF Nick Morabito: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K (.667 OPS)
• DH Yohairo Cuevas: 1-for-4, 2 R, HR (2), RBI (8), BB, SB, K (.639 OPS)

Saturday was the Low-A debuts of Vargas and Hernandez after the FCL season ended on Thursday. Hernandez had three hits, including an RBI single in the top of the fifth. Cuevas had a solo home run in the ninth and Lara had an RBI single as St. Lucie erased an early 5-1 deficit. As a team, the Mets struck out 16 times and were 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

• RHP Douglas Orellana (5.03): 5 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K, HBP (59 of 96 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Wilson Esterlin (0.00): 2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, K (14 of 31 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Dakota Hawkins (0.00: 2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 K (14 of 25 pitches for strikes)
• RHP Eric Foggo (0-2, 4.35): 1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 0 H, 2 BB, K

Orellana got himself into early trouble and Dunedin was able to steal four bases against him in the five innings he was in. Nevertheless, it was the 21-year-old’s longest outing since June 15 (10-start stretch).

Esterlin and Hawkins made their Low-A debuts in this game. Esterlin escaped trouble in the seventh thanks to an unassisted double play. As for Hawkins, he was able to shake off a catcher’s interference in the ninth by getting back-to-back strikeouts with the winning run in scoring position to force extras.

The post Mets Minors Recap: Mike Vasil, Ronny Mauricio Contribute Big Nights For Syracuse appeared first on Metsmerized.

In response to the team’s poor first half, Mets owner Steven Cohen met with the media in July. He expressed his frustrations with the team’s performance and also discussed the importance of what the Mets are doing in the farm system to develop players.

With the team putting more and more emphasis on building the farm system, this week’s MLB draft took on even more significance. The Mets continued to show their interest in developing pitchers by using 17 of their draft picks to pick up pitching. They drafted 13 right-handed pitchers, two left-handed pitchers, and a two-way player who will serve primarily as a pitcher.

The Mets’ other draft picks included three shortstops, two third basemen, a catcher, and an outfielder.

The Mets drafted mostly collegiate players, with 17 picks coming from colleges and six being drafted from high school prep schools. The age ranges of this year’s drafted players included six 18-year olds, one 20-year-old, nine 21-year-olds, and seven 22-year-olds.

Steve Martone, the Mets’ special assistant to the general manager, draft operations, spoke with Will Sammon of The Athletic upon the conclusion of the draft. Marton said the Mets focused on players they felt could get them closer to becoming a winning organization and that could impact the game.

“Our goal here is to build a sustainable winner and we like these players help us get closer to that goal … We targeted players that play up the middle, premium positions that are able to impact the game in the batter’s box, on the pitcher’s mound, on basepaths, and in the field,” said Marton.

The Mets’ 2023 draft selections rounded out as follows

• Round 1, Pick No. 32 – SS Colin Houck – Parkview HS (GA)
• Round 2, Pick No. 56 – RHP Brandon Sproat – University of FL (FL)
• Round 3, Pick No. 91 – Two-Way Player (RHP/OF) Nolan McLean – Oklahoma State (OK)
• Round 3, Pick No. 101 – RHP Kade Morris – Nevada (NV)
• Round 4, Pick No. 123 – RHP Wyatt Hudepohl – UNC Charlotte (NC)
• **Round 4C, Pick No. 134 – SS A.J. Ewing – Springboro HS (OH)
• Round 4C, Pick No. 135 – RHP Austin Troesser – Missouri (MO)
• Round 5, Pick No. 159 – LHP Zach Thornton – Grand Canyon University (AZ)
• Round 6, Pick No. 186 – RHP Jack Wenninger – Illinois (IL)
• Round 7, Pick No. 216 – RHP Noah Hall – South Carolina (SC)
• Round 8, Pick No. 246 – SS Boston Baro – Capistrano Valley HS (CA)
• Round 9, Pick No. 276 – 3B Nick Lorusso – Maryland (MD)
• Round 10, Pick No. 306 – RHP Christian Pregent – Stetson University (FL)
• Round 11, Pick No. 336 – RHP Brett Banks – UNC Wilmington (NC)
• Round 12, Pick No. 366 – RHP Brady Kirtner – Virginia Tech (VA)
• Round 13, Pick No. 396 – RHP Ben Simon – Elon University (NC)
• Round 14, Pick No. 426 – RHP John Valle – Jefferson HS (Tampa, FL)
• Round 15, Pick No. 456 – RHP Justin Lawson – NC State (NC)
• **Round 16, Pick No. 486 – 3B Jake Zitella – St. Charles East HS (IL)
• Round 17, Pick No. 516 – RHP Bryce Jenkins – Tennessee (TN)
• Round 18, Pick No. 546 – LHP Gavyn Jones – White Oak HS (TX)
• Round 19, Pick No. 576 – RHP Christian Little – LSU (LA)
• Round 20, Pick No. 606 – OF Kellum Clark – Mississippi State (MS)

    [** = Signed]

The Mets’ first three picks were notable selections. They drafted a prep shortstop, Colin Houck from Parkview High School (GA), who they’ve had their eyes on in round one. In round two, the Mets once again drafted a name fans may be familiar with Brandon Sproat from the University of Florida. The Mets drafted Sproat in 2022, but failed to sign him as Sproat decided to return to Florida to finish out his senior year. Now, Sproat finds himself with the option once again to become a Met.

The Mets’ third round pick was one that will be intriguing to watch in two-way RHP/OF Nolan McLean from Oklahoma State.

Round 1, Pick No. 32 – Shortstop Colin Houck

With their first round selection at No. 32 overall, the Mets drafted prep shortstop, Colin Houck from Parkview High School in Georgia. Houck is 18 years old and stands at six-foot-two and 190 pounds. He is a Mississippi State commit who Martone said the Mets had been looking at for a while.

“We scouted him heavily,” said Martone. “We think that there’s plus-athleticism there, body awareness. We’re not going to put a limit on him. We’re going to run him out there as a shortstop and let him develop as a shortstop,” he said.

Keith Law on the Mets getting Colin Houck with the 32nd overall pick:

"The Mets end up getting great value here in that regard, pouncing on a player who should never have gotten near them. Houck looks like he's really going to hit." https://t.co/r8lVFOYAXD

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) July 10, 2023

In 2023, Houck had a 1.446 OPS with Parkview. He was also a two-sport athlete who played football, and he was ranked by MLP Pipeline as the No. 12 best prospect in the 2023 MLB draft.

Houck spoke with the media upon being drafted in the first round and expressed his excitement to be a Met:

“I’m very excited that the Mets picked me up. I couldn’t be more excited, so it’s awesome.”

It is likely that Houck will  forego his commitment to Mississippi State and head to the Mets, explaining that the opportunity the Mets are giving him is one he will “need to take into account.”

“I do think there are benefits to getting into the system early with pro ball,” said Houck.

Colin Houck.

Round 2, Pick No. 56 – RHP Brandon Sproat

The Mets picked up a familiar name in the second round of the draft. The team previously drafted right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat from the University of Florida in the third round of the 2022 MLB draft, but Sproat and the Mets failed to come to an agreement and Sproat returned to the University of Florida for his senior year where he helped lead the Gators to a College World Series Championship matchup against LSU. When the second round came around this year, Sproat’s name was once again called by the Mets.

The Mets have been looking at Sproat for a while as a player who can impact the farm system and the team in big ways as a high-ceiling pitcher at the upper levels of the system.

“Obviously, he’s an extremely talented pitcher,” Mets special assistant to the general manager Steve Martone said. “We were impressed with him last year. He got even better this year. He showed improvement. … He bet on himself. It worked out for him, and we’re really excited for the future with him.”

Being selected by the Mets in 2023 was a decision that Sproat had to agree on. In order to be drafted by the same team a second year in a row, a player’s consent must be given, and Sproat gave the Mets that blessing.

Good morning, Mets fans! pic.twitter.com/kCB5kzvZKk

— MetsMinors.Net (@Mets_Minors) July 10, 2023

“It’s funny how the world works,” Sproat said after the Mets took him Sunday night at No. 56 overall. “I was in that same position last year and couldn’t work out a deal. But I went back, bet on myself and it works out for the better.”

In 2023, Sproat was 8-3 with a 4.66 ERA. He struck out 134 this season and gave up just 55 earned runs over the course of 106.1 innings. His performance in 2023 earned him a spot as a second-team All-SEC member. Now a UF graduate, Sproat said that now that he has his degree, he’s ready to move on.

“At this point, I’m ready to go,” Sproat said. “I got my degree. I’m done with college baseball. There’s really nothing left there for me, so I’m ready to move on, and blessed that the Mets were able to take me again.”

Round 3, Pick No. 91 –  RHP/OF Nolan McLean

In the third round of this year’s draft, the Mets selected a player that will be intriguing to watch: two-way RHP/OF Nolan McLean from Oklahoma State. Martone, the Mets’ special assistant to the general manager, was very pleased with their selection of McLean, and said that he believes the Mets got a special and rare player.

“He’s a premium athlete,” said Martone, who discussed the difficulty of being able to stay a two-way player professionally, but also stated that it’s something the organization is willing to let McLean attempt.  “If anybody were to attempt it and accomplish it, it would be somebody like that,” said Martone. “We’re really intrigued by the power in his game. He has some premium raw power and we’re going to see where it goes in professional baseball… If it’s something Nolan wants to attempt to do, we’re going to let him hit,” he said.

McLean is a player that can hit for power, as he hit 36 home runs over the course of three seasons for Oklahoma State.

So far in the organization’s franchise history, they have never had a “legitimate” two-way major leaguer and they currently have no players in the farm system attempting to do what Shohei Ohtani has mastered for the Los Angeles Angels. Martone stated that they are willing to let McLean attempt it because of the high caliber of his skills both as a pitcher and at the plate.

McLean is a three-pitch pitcher who has a fastball, slider, and curveball. His fastball has reached the upper 90s and his slider has touched the mid-80s. In 2023, he was 1-2 with 34 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched for Oklahoma State. He walked just 17 batters and gave up 11 earned runs.

At the plate, he had an average of .250 with six doubles, one triple, and nine home runs. He had 29 RBIs and 31 runs scored in 39 games started.

Nolan McLean was a semifinalist for the 2023 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award. https://t.co/F5BrbmVyjz

— Mathew Brownstein (@MBrownstein89) July 10, 2023

Mets director of scouting Drew Toussaint reiterated Matone’s comments about McLean, stating, “It takes the makeup of a player and the willingness to do it… Just from our meetings with him, I think he has the makeup and the drive,” he said.

Drafted Players who are Signing

With the draft now over, discussions of signings are beginning to take place. So far, the Mets’ fourth-round pick SS A.J. Ewing and 16th-round pick 3B Jake Zitella have stated they are foregoing collegiate baseball and signing with the Mets to begin their professional careers. Ewing was committed to Alabama and Zitella was committed to Illinois before agreeing to sign.

One of the sweetest swings you’ll see from a high schooler https://t.co/tmXA7ZgW0T pic.twitter.com/QHfHqz1xYQ

— Sal (@SalSmiling) July 12, 2023

Undrafted Free Agent Signing – RHP Dakota Hawkins – WSU

Along with the 23 players the Mets drafted during the draft, they also picked up an 18th pitcher in RHP Dakota Hawkins from Washington State University who signed as an undrafted free agent. Hawkins was signed for six figures.

Hawkins pitched three seasons at Washington State. He appeared in 43 games, 22 as a starter and had 13 wins and a save on his record. He had an ERA of 4.85 over the course of his WSU career and accumulated 157 strikeouts. He was named to All-Pac 12 Conference honorable mentions his senior year.

Mets have signed undrafted free agent Dakota Hawkins to a six-figure bonus.

The 23-year-old had 92 strikeouts in 73 innings this year. Only 4 homers allowed in 14 starts.

Hawkins was two-time National Player of the Week in 2023.

pic.twitter.com/EwW4x9Dp1g

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) July 12, 2023

In 2023, Hawkins was 5-3 with a 4.32 ERA. He struck out 92 batters, which was the ninth-most in a WSU single-season history and fourth in the Pac-12. He walked just 27 in 2023.

The Mets bolstered their farm system, especially their pitching in 2023 MLB Draft. As Steve Cohen mentioned earlier this month, developing pitchers in the farm system is a priority for the organization right now, and they’re hoping that this week’s draft was a significant step towards doing just that.

The post 2023 MLB Draft Review: Mets Focus on Pitchers, Shortstops appeared first on Metsmerized.