New York Mets Farm System: The Mets’ system blends breakout arms, elite speed, and projection-heavy bats into a deep, upward-trending pipeline shaped by athleticism, versatility, and developmental upside.
Summary
The Mets’ farm system has taken a notable step forward in 2025, blending breakout performers with high-upside projection plays across all levels. Headlined by Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Jett Williams, the top of the system features fantasy-impact talent with elite athleticism, electric stuff, and category-winning potential. McLean’s transition to full-time pitching has been a revelation, while Tong’s deceptive delivery and swing-and-miss arsenal make him one of the most exciting arms in the minors. Williams, meanwhile, offers premium OBP and stolen base upside, anchoring the system’s positional depth.
Beyond the top tier, the Mets boast a strong middle class of contributors and role players. Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing bring polish and versatility, while Brandon Sproat and Jonathan Santucci offer rotation upside if command continues to trend. Jacob Reimer and Ryan Clifford provide corner power with OBP skills, and multi-positional athletes like Chris Suero and Nick Morabito add speed and fantasy intrigue.
Overall, the Mets’ system is trending upward—deep, athletic, and increasingly shaped by a player development group that’s maximizing velocity, swing decisions, and positional flexibility.
AI-Assisted Fantasy Tiers: Methodology and Observations
AI has made significant strides in all aspects of our lives. Over the past four years, I have compiled 500,000 words of personal scouting narratives, which have formed the foundation for training my own AI assistant. This assistant now evaluates prospects and assigns fantasy tiers exclusively based on the insights and observations contained in my write-ups.
After requesting that my AI assistant generate fantasy tiers using this year’s reports, I found that the AI’s rankings generally align with my own assessments. However, there are some cases where the AI’s evaluations differ from my personal rankings. I am sharing those differences here for your consideration.
🥇 Tier 1: Fantasy Impact Targets
- Jett Williams – 15 HR / 40 SB upside with elite OBP and positional versatility.
- Nolan McLean – Electric stuff and athleticism point to top-of-the-rotation ceiling.
- Jonah Tong – Arguably the top arm in the minors in 2025; volatile, but mid-rotation upside, maybe more, with elite deception.
🥈 Tier 2: Everyday-Upside Targets
- Carson Benge – Polished hitter with OBP skills, sneaky speed, and average power potential.
- Brandon Sproat – Power arsenal with mid-rotation upside if command clicks.
- A.J. Ewing – High OBP, elite speed, and potential for modest pop; Jaren Duran-type ceiling.
- Jacob Reimer – Batting average/OBP contributor with emerging 20+ HR power.
- Ryan Clifford – 30-HR upside with OBP skills; platoon risk and contact concerns remain.
🥉 Tier 3: Outside of the Impact/Everyday Targets
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2026 Player Profiles
1. Nolan McLean (RHP)
- Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 30 SP
- Last Updated: 11/14/2025
- Tools Summary: Electric stuff and athleticism point to top-of-the-rotation ceiling.
After spending his early pro years as a two-way player, Nolan McLean committed fully to pitching in 2025 — and the results were electric. He began the year in Double-A and finished it in the Majors, posting a dominant 1.27 ERA over eight big-league starts with a 9.7 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9. McLean features both a two-seam and four-seam fastball, each averaging 95.5 MPH and touching 97, with the two-seamer deployed strategically against glove-side hitters to offset a below-average changeup.
His most effective secondary is a high-spin sweeper (3000 RPM), which has emerged as a legitimate out pitch. As the season progressed, his command sharpened, and the walk rate improvement reflects a promising developmental trend. While platoon splits aren’t glaring, they’re worth monitoring as he refines his arsenal.
Fantasy managers should treat McLean as a breakout arm with top-of-the-rotation upside. The athleticism, fastball variants, and elite breaking ball give him a rare foundation, and if the command continues to improve, he could become one of the more impactful young starters in the game.
2. Jonah Tong (RHP)
- Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 SP with upside
- Last Updated: 11/14/2025
- Tools Summary: Arguably the top arm in the minors in 2025; volatile, but mid-rotation upside, maybe more, with elite deception.
Jonah Tong broke out in 2025 after pitching just 21 innings the year prior, showcasing a four-pitch mix that includes a rising fastball at 93–95 MPH (topping at 98), a cutter, a curveball, and a deceptive changeup that tunnels beautifully off the four-seamer. The fastball’s high spin makes it effective up in the zone, and the changeup stands out as his best secondary. The curveball remains a work in progress, and its development may ultimately determine whether he reaches his full potential.
Tong’s delivery is anything but conventional: a small frame paired with a big, overhead motion reminiscent of Tim Lincecum. The exaggerated extension and vertical arm slot limit horizontal movement and led him to favor the curve over a traditional slider. It’s a delivery designed for deception, but it’s difficult to repeat, contributing to ongoing control issues. He compensates for his lack of physicality with raw stuff and athleticism, but the mechanics and size introduce volatility.
Despite the risk, Tong dominated the minors in 2025 and held his own in his first taste of the Majors, striking out 21 over 16.2 innings. The 5.94 ERA reflects growing pains, but the underlying traits are compelling. If the curve sharpens and the command stabilizes, he could exceed his projected No. 3 starter ceiling. But if the delivery proves too erratic or the breaking ball never clicks, the floor could be lower than hoped.
3. Jett Williams (SS/OF/2B)
- Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 40 OF with upside
- Last Updated: 11/14/2025
- Tools Summary: 15 HR / 40 SB upside with elite OBP and positional versatility.
Fully recovered from the wrist injury that limited him in 2024, Jett Williams returned in 2025 with his trademark athleticism and elite strike-zone feel. Over 96 games at Double-A, he posted a 23% strikeout rate and a 14% walk rate before earning a promotion to Triple-A. Williams consistently makes solid contact, and his bat speed has begun to translate into emerging power, though his physical frame suggests he’ll never be a true slugger.
He’s a double-plus runner with instincts on the bases and the versatility to handle both shortstop and center field. The power may cap around 15 homers, but paired with 40-steal potential and premium OBP skills, that’s a fantasy-relevant profile in any format. His approach and athleticism give him a high floor, and the speed makes him a category-winner.
Fantasy managers should treat Williams as a future top-of-the-order contributor with impact across runs, steals, and OBP. Even without big power, his skill set is tailor-made for roto formats and real-world value.
4. Carson Benge (OF)
- Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF
- Last Updated: 11/14/2025
- Tools Summary: Polished hitter with OBP skills, sneaky speed, and average power potential.
Drafted out of Oklahoma State as a two-way player, Carson Benge has committed fully to the outfield, where his arm strength has quickly become a defensive asset. Offensively, he made significant strides in 2025, jumping straight to Double-A and posting a near-even 16% strikeout rate and 12.4% walk rate — a testament to his advanced approach. He also surprised with his speed, swiping 20 bases in 24 attempts.
Benge’s swing is contact-oriented and lacks leverage, almost slap-and-go in style, but the bat speed is real. He projects for plenty of doubles and could grow into 10–12 homer power with continued physical development. While he doesn’t have Jett Williams’ elite speed, Benge may be the more polished hitter and could ultimately prove to be the better all-around player.
Fantasy managers should treat Benge as a fast-moving, high-floor outfield prospect with OBP skills, sneaky speed, and a chance for average power. He could debut in New York by 2026 and contribute across multiple categories.
5. Brandon Sproat (RHP)
- Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 SP with upside
- Last Updated: 11/14/2025
- Tools Summary: Power arsenal with mid-rotation upside if command clicks.
Brandon Sproat emerged as one of the breakout arms in 2024, climbing three levels and finishing the year in Triple-A. Expectations were high entering 2025, but his season began with a stumble — strikeouts dipped, walks climbed, and his ERA ballooned above 5.00. Still, he rebounded over the summer and pitched meaningful innings in New York, posting a 3.94 ERA across three September starts.
Sproat features a power arsenal with clear upside, but command remains the final hurdle. His trajectory mirrors that of Hunter Brown — raw stuff with frontline traits that could click with refinement. Just as often, though, pitchers with similar profiles stall out, leaving evaluators chasing flashes. Sproat has the ingredients to be a mid-rotation starter or more, but consistency will determine whether he reaches that ceiling.
Fantasy managers should treat Sproat as a volatile upside play. If the command stabilizes, he could be a rotation fixture with strikeout potential. If not, he may settle into a swingman or bullpen role. The tools are there — now it’s about execution.
6. A.J. Ewing (OF)
- Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF
- Last Updated: 11/14/2025
- Tools Summary: High OBP, elite speed, and potential for modest pop; Jaren Duran-type ceiling.
A.J. Ewing began 2025 by repeating Low-A, but after hitting .400 over a three-week stretch, he earned promotions to High-A and then Double-A by mid-August. Across levels, he slashed .288 and stole 44 bases in 51 attempts, flashing true 70-grade speed and a consistent ability to get on base. His plate discipline remains a strength, with an 18.6% strikeout rate and 12% walk rate, and he makes frequent contact despite some zone expansion against spin.
Ewing’s swing is geared for contact over power, but the bat speed is present. With natural adjustments to add loft and leverage, he could unlock modest pop — enough to complement his speed and on-base skills. He’s an athletic, projectable player who could settle into a multi-positional role, with second base and center field both in play.
Fantasy managers should treat Ewing as a high-OBP, high-speed asset with breakout potential. If the power develops, he could resemble a Jaren Duran-type contributor — impactful across formats and valuable in both real life and fantasy.
7. Jacob Reimer (3B)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Corner Infielder
- Last Updated: 11/14/2025
- Tools Summary: Batting average/OBP contributor with emerging 20+ HR power.
Jacob Reimer flashed bat speed and contact skills in his 2023 debut, but a hamstring injury in Spring Training delayed his 2024 campaign until July. He rebounded in 2025, opening at High-A with an .852 OPS and earning a promotion to Double-A by late June. After initial struggles, he settled in and hit .279 over 61 games, showing signs of growth against advanced pitching.
Reimer has added more leverage to his swing, translating into increased power — though it’s come with a rise in strikeouts. He stole 15 bases, but his speed is modest and unlikely to be a major part of his game. The offensive profile leans toward batting average and on-base skills, with emerging 20+ homer potential if the swing adjustments hold.
Fantasy managers should treat Reimer as a quietly ascending corner bat with a chance to contribute in AVG, OBP, and moderate power. If the approach continues to refine, he could become a steady producer in deeper formats.
8. Ryan Clifford (1B)
- Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Corner Infielder with contact risk
- Last Updated: 11/14/2025
- Tools Summary: 30-HR upside with OBP skills; platoon risk and contact concerns remain.
Signed for $1.25 million — well above slot for an 11th-rounder — Ryan Clifford came to the Mets in the Justin Verlander trade and has continued to showcase his calling card: plus raw power. He returned to Double-A in 2025 and led the Eastern League with 24 home runs before earning a promotion to Triple-A in August. The swing-and-miss remains a concern, with a 26% strikeout rate that will likely suppress his batting average.
Clifford offsets some of the contact issues with strong walk rates, and a realistic line might settle around .230/.330 with 30-homer upside. His swing is geared for damage, and while the profile is common — big power, high K-rate, modest batting average — Clifford’s production and pedigree make him a legitimate candidate to fill a future role in New York. If Pete Alonso opts out, Clifford could be a natural successor at first base.
Fantasy managers should treat Clifford as a power-first bat with volatility. He’s unlikely to help in average, but the OBP and home run potential make him a viable corner option.
9. Elian Pena (SS/2B)
- Highest Level: DSL ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 3B
- Last Updated: 11/14/2025
- Tools Summary: Bat speed and zone feel suggest future impact bat; third base likely.
Signed for $5 million in January 2025, Elian Peña was one of the premier talents in his international class, and early DSL returns have backed up the hype. After a slow start, he found his rhythm and hit .289 with more walks than strikeouts and a .460 slugging percentage, including six home runs. Peña displays exceptional bat-to-ball skills and bat speed, accompanied by a mature feel for the strike zone that’s rare for his age.
Physically, Peña has a pronounced lower half, which raises questions about his long-term fit at shortstop. Conditioning will be key, and a move to third base seems likely. Fortunately, his value is rooted in the bat, and the offensive foundation is already in place. He combines emerging power with on-base ability and could grow into a middle-of-the-order threat if the body and swing continue to mature.
Fantasy managers should treat Peña as a high-upside offensive prospect with long-term impact potential. If the physical development stays on track, he could become a power-hitting third baseman with above-average AVG and OBP — a premium profile in dynasty formats.
10. Nick Morabito (OF)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF with platoon concerns
- Last Updated: 11/14/2025
- Tools Summary: 70-grade speed and improving contact; platoon splits could cap ceiling.
Nick Morabito entered 2025 as one of the youngest players in the Eastern League. Despite early swing-and-miss issues, he adjusted well, finishing with a 23.4% strikeout rate and showing improved pitch recognition. He’s a high-end athlete with plus bat speed and 70-grade speed, and his exit velocity ticked up this season, supporting projections of low double-digit home run power. On the basepaths, he’s aggressive and efficient, with a realistic ceiling of 40 stolen bases.
The biggest concern is his performance against left-handed pitching. His OPS split was nearly 200 points in 2024 and 150 points in 2025, suggesting a potential future platoon role. That said, his athleticism, contact gains, and on-base ability give him a path to everyday value if he can close that gap. The Mets have roster flexibility, but Morabito’s development will dictate how they deploy him.
Fantasy managers should treat Morabito as a speed-first prospect with OBP upside and platoon risk. If the bat continues to mature and he handles lefties better, he could become a dynamic everyday contributor. If not, he still profiles as a valuable part-time player with fantasy relevance in deeper formats.
