Welcome back to the Mets Beat newsletter! Anthony DiComo has covered the Mets for MLB.com since 2007, including the past 16 seasons full-time on the beat. Our Around the Horn series will resume next week, but today, Mark Feinsand pinch-hits from Port St. Lucie, while Sam Dykstra and the MLB Pipeline crew have a report on the state of the Mets’ farm system. |
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- For the second straight year, Brandon Sproat holds the No. 1 spot on MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 Mets prospects list, and after showing his stuff in big league camp, the right-hander is hoping to contribute in the Majors this season. The 24-year-old was reassigned to Minor League camp earlier in the week, but Sproat still made his scheduled start for the Mets on Thursday night, allowing two runs over two innings against the Astros. “This is a guy that, stuff-wise, is right there with anybody,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Now he's learning how to pitch, learning how to get through a lineup, not only once, but three times through an order, because hitters will adjust to it. “The fact that he's going to be in Triple-A, we could see him making an impact to this team at some point.” The hard-throwing Sproat continues to work on his new sinker, and while he called the pitch (and all of his pitches, for that matter) a “work in progress,” the right-hander’s mentality on the mound -- “I just throw it as hard as I can. If they hit it, great; if not, awesome,” he said -- will have to continue to evolve. “Be the controller and take ownership with what pitches I want to throw to whatever hitter it is, whatever count might be,” Sproat said. “If I go out there and I take control, throw every pitch I had with conviction and I'm on the attack, then I can leave the field that day with my head held high with whatever might happen.” |
Sproat dominated at High-A Brooklyn (1.07 ERA in 25 1/3 innings) and Double-A Binghamton (2.45 ERA in 62 1/3 innings) in 2024, but he got a harsh reality lesson at Triple-A Syracuse, where he posted a 7.53 ERA in 28 2/3 innings over seven starts. “He went through it last year when he got to Triple-A and he struggled [against] better hitters,” Mendoza said. “It’s easy to go out there and blow 97 or 99 for three or four batters, but when you have to go through 18, 21 batters, hitters will adjust at this level. He's going to have to learn how to pitch and get through those lineups.” To that end, Sproat spent much of his time in big league camp talking with veteran pitchers Sean Manaea and Clay Holmes, picking their brains about their prolonged success in the Majors. “That’s part of the messaging from Day 1,” Mendoza said. “When I'm addressing the team, I'm encouraging the younger players to pick their brains and watch them; how they go about their business, how they prepare, and just have those conversations in games. What do you see? What are some of the adjustments?” Sproat will continue to learn his craft in the Minors, but if the Mets call on him at some point this season, he’s prepared to contribute in any way he can. “I'm trying to continue to take it day by day,” Sproat said. “Whenever the team and the Mets need me, I'll be ready.” |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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Who was the first batter in Mets history?
A) Richie Ashburn
B) Jim Hickman
C) Félix Mantilla
D) Don Zimmer |
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Headlined by three Top 100 prospects in Sproat, Jett Williams and Carson Benge, the Mets still boast a deep Top 30 list, ranging from near-Major-League-ready types to big talents just starting their careers. Fans in Queens already saw what the farm system can produce when Luisangel Acuña (No. 7) provided a spark as a late-season callup during Francisco Lindor’s bout with back issues, and more like him are on the way. Sproat and Williams both saw Triple-A Syracuse last season, while Ryan Clifford (No. 4) was one of only five hitters aged 20 or younger to reach the qualifying standard in Double-A. Right-handers Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong -- armed with a plus-plus fastball and a four-seamer with special ride, respectively -- also spent time in Binghamton and could see Flushing in the second half, if they continue on their current trajectories. Even players farther down the list, Ronny Mauricio (No. 10) and Drew Gilbert (No. 11), are former Top 100 types who dropped due to injuries but could still be impactful hitters with healthy years in 2025. For those who take an even longer view, remember that the Mets signed shortstop Elian Peña (No. 9) in January for $5 million, the second-highest bonus given to an international player behind Roki Sasaki’s $6.5 million. The 17-year-old shortstop could be the future face of the farm with a plus hit tool and above-average power at a premium position. To see the Mets’ full Top 30 prospect list, click here. |
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Believe it or not, only eight home Spring Training games remain. That includes two this week, against the Red Sox on Thursday and the Cardinals on Friday. Here’s the full remaining schedule for games at Clover Park: March 13 vs. Red Sox, 1:10 p.m. March 14 vs. Cardinals, 6:10 p.m. March 16 vs. Astros, 1:10 p.m. March 17 (split squad) vs. Rays, 1:10 p.m. March 21 vs. Cardinals, 1:10 p.m. March 22 vs. Nationals, 1:10 p.m. March 23 vs. Marlins, 1:10 p.m. March 24 vs. Yankees, 1:10 p.m. Tickets for all Grapefruit League home games are available here. |
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A) Ashburn
Ashburn flew out to center field to open the first game in Mets history on April 11, 1962. |
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