RATING THE MINI-METS
Top prospects may have the goods, if not the size
The Mets have relied heavily on aging veterans in recent seasons. It won’t be a whole lot different in 2024, but they are hoping that trend changes by 2025.
After an infusion of farm talent at the trade deadline last year, the Mets’ minor-league system is in a good place. The Mets have long been known for their ability to develop infielders and a few more of those are coming soon. But a group of pitchers is finally on the rise with a trio of right-handers headlining the group.
Some of the Mets’ top prospects will start spring with the big-league team, giving fans and the team a glimpse of the future. The Daily News talked to Andrew Christie, the Mets’ director of player development, about five of the club’s top young players.
OF/INF LUISANGEL ACUÑA
Acquired in the trade for Max Scherzer, the speedy infielder/ outfielder is athletic around the diamond, aggressive at the plate and even has some home run power for his size (5-foot-8). Acuña hit .294 with a .769 OPS, nine home runs and 57 stolen bases in his first full season in Double-A in 2023.
“His bat-to-ball skills are pretty top-end,” Christie said. “Those are the kind of ingredients you need to get to the (majors). The next step is developing some of his power and continuing to develop some of the swing decisions that are already pretty strong. There are a number of tools that stand out and just the effort and energy are really impressive.”
The 21-year-old Venezuelan did not play any outfield after the trade and the Mets plan to keep him in the infield this season. However, he may get center field reps in spring training games.
OF DREW GILBERT
Another key trade deadline acquisition in 2023, Gilbert put up gaudy numbers right away in Binghamton, hitting .325 with a .984 OPS. six home runs, seven doubles, two triples, 21 RBI and 19 walks in 35 games. It’s a small sample size, but it was enough to get the Mets excited about his future.
“You never want to overreact too much to a two-month sample size, but he was incredibly impressive,” Christie said. “He was unbelievable.”
Gilbert, 23, is defensively sound in center field but can play the corners as well. The Mets like his effort and intensity, with Christie saying he’s “pedaled in” right from the first pitch of the game. Another undersized prospect at 5-9, he hits the ball hard and the Mets believe it will translate to the Major Leagues.
“He’s not somebody like Pete Alonso who hits the ball 118-120 miles an hour, but he is somebody who can make a lot of contact,” Christie said. “He hit a lot of long drives and doubles and homers. He really maximizes his contact and makes a lot of it.”
SS/OF JETT WILLIAMS
The Mets’ three top prospects are all under 5-10, but Williams, listed at only 5-6, is the smallest of the mini Mets. Like Gilbert, Williams consistently barrels the ball.
“He makes a ton of contact and has elite-level swings,” Christie said. “He will not extend the strike zone. Similar to Drew Gilbert, he maximizes his contact. He doesn’t put the ball on the ground very often, he hits a lot of doubles and he’s going to hit a lot more homers moving forward.”
The organization’s 2023 Minor League Player of the Year, Williams has played center field and shortstop and can field both positions well. He arrived in Port St. Lucie early to get reps at second base. The Mets also have him working with baserunning coordinator Jemile Weeks. Williams, 20, swiped 45 bags last season playing three levels.
“He’s already really good, so if we can make him even better at that particular skill, it’s going to add another dimension to his game,” Christie said.
RHP CHRISTIAN SCOTT
Scott started the season with an oblique injury and went on to become the Mets’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2023,. He misses a lot of bats (10.98 strikeouts per nine innings in 2023) with a mid-90s fastball and strong control.
“We identified some skills there and some potential miscast pitch usage,” Christie said. “We said, ‘Hey, stop throwing your sinker, which isn’t that great. Throwing a fastball from a very unique release, it’s going to play up.’ And so he has done that since he’s been with us.”
Scott went 5-4 with a 2.57 ERA in 19 starts in three levels last season.
If the Mets can get Scott, Mike Vasil and Dominic Hamel to the majors within the next two years, they’ll be able to decrease the payroll. Kodai Senga is the only starting pitcher signed beyond 2025, paving the way for these three to join the big-league rotation.
LHP NATE LAVENDER
A left-hander with a funky delivery, Lavender impressed Mets officials last season when he dominated at Double-A and Triple-A. A 14th-round pick out of the University of Illinois, Lavender was one of the few pitchers who handled the controversial ABS challenge system with ease, posting a 3.27 ERA with 67 strikeouts (13.7 per nine innings).
Lavender, 24, might be the first of this group to get a big-league call-up this season. The Mets like his “unique” fastball and his ability to throw it where he wants to. They also see someone with the makeup to pitch in high-leverage situations.
“He’s an absolute bulldog,” Christie said. “When you see a relief pitcher, in terms of mindset, that’s the guy you think of. He is not intimidated by anything. I’m really looking forward to seeing him get in there throughout spring training and getting out some of these big hitters, and I think Mets fans will see it when they’re watching games and spring training.”