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Christian Scott might not be the first from the Mets’ wave of young arms to receive a shot this year in the major leagues, but his ceiling could be the highest of any pitcher within the farm system.
A breakout season propelled the 24-year-old Scott to crack Baseball Prospectus’ list of top 101 prospects for 2024.
The right-hander was ranked No. 88 on a list that also included Mets farmhands Jett Williams (No. 23), Drew Gilbert (No. 29) Ryan Clifford (No. 76) and Luisangel Acuña (No. 77).
Gilbert, Clifford and Acuña arrived in the trades last summer that sent Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer to the Astros and Rangers, respectively. Williams, a shortstop, was a previously known commodity as a first-round pick by the Mets in the 2022 draft.
Scott’s stock rose thanks to a season in which he posted a 2.57 ERA in 19 appearances, mostly for High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton. In 87 ⅔ innings overall, he recorded 107 strikeouts.
Mets officials credited a delivery adjustment implemented by Scott early last season when he was on the injured list as a factor in his success. Instead of relying on rotation of his upper half, Scott began emphasizing his lower body to maximize fastball velocity.
The sinker Scott threw at the University of Florida has largely been replaced by a four-seam fastball that plays at 94-97 mph.
A scout who watched Scott last season with Binghamton said he could envision him helping the Mets this season if needed.
But, the scout added, it is Mike Vasil who is probably the closest to major-league-ready after starting 16 games last season for Triple-A Syracuse, albeit with mixed results that included a 5.30 ERA.
Notably, though, the International League implemented an automated strike zone last season to which many pitchers had a difficult time adjusting. Case in point was Jose Butto, who struggled last season at Syracuse, but was an effective pitcher for the Mets in a fill-in capacity.
“I like Vasil just because he’s tough — he competes really well,” the scout said. “But if I had to rank them I would say: Scott, Vasil and [Blade] Tidwell, in that order. Vasil projects as a fourth starter. Scott, if everything clicks, can be a little bit better than Vasil.”
The Mets also have Dominic Hamel — the organization’s Pitcher of the Year from 2022 — and right-hander Tyler Stuart in the mix. Hamel spent all of last season at Binghamton and Stuart was promoted at midseason.
Dwight Gooden is looking toward his number retirement ceremony on April 14 at Citi Field as closure on his Mets career.
The former Cy Young Award winner — who pitched for the Mets from 1984-94 — recalled on a Zoom call this week trying to return to the club at various points late in his career, but each time receiving a rejection from the front office.
Gooden pitched for the Yankees for two seasons, and said he spoke to Mets general manager Steve Phillips about potentially returning to Queens after the 1997 season, but was told there wasn’t a fit.
Gooden then went to Cleveland for two seasons before checking back with the Mets, but again wasn’t signed.
After getting released by Tampa Bay in 2000, the right-hander said he was willing to accept a Triple-A assignment if the Mets signed him, but for a third time was told no. Gooden returned to the Yankees and appeared in 18 games to finish his major league career.
“Now I get closure, one last day with the fans, going out there — that’s all I really wanted to do,” Gooden said. “Just make that one last appearance. It won’t be Shea Stadium, it will be Citi Field, but just be in front of the Mets [fans] and let them know how special they are.”
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Edgardo Alfonzo remembers the 1999 Mets as a team you had to hit a fly ball against — because grounders weren’t going to escape the infield.
It’s an infield that included Alfonzo, Rey Ordóñez, Robin Ventura and John Olerud. That quartet, which graced the cover of Sports Illustrated that season, will be honored at the New York Baseball Writers’ dinner on Jan. 27 with the “Willie, Mickey and the Duke” award.
Alfonzo recalled coming to the Mets as a middle infielder and then moving to play third following Bobby Bonilla’s departure from the team. Alfonzo later shifted back to second base with the arrival of Ventura in free agency.
A little more than a week before the festivities, Alfonzo offered some thoughts on his former infield-mates…
On Ordóñez: “He’s a guy who had tremendous instincts, playing shortstop. What really surprised me was how flexible he was. He could catch a ball behind him and at the same time throw it. He was a real quick step all the time. I liked that he was never afraid to make something happen.”
On Olerud: “He was quiet and liked to play — he was about business. He had great hands and was an excellent target at first base. My communication with him in the infield was tremendous. You don’t even notice that he’s playing next to you because he doesn’t talk, but he’s a great friend.”
On Ventura: “He won the Gold Glove with the White Sox, and when you see Robin Ventura on your side, it’s so cool because they got a superstar guy to come and play with you. … He would say what he meant in a joking manner, that way everybody gets it. He was amazing.”
Bobby Valentine, who managed that group to the NLCS, is scheduled to attend the event. Adam Ottavino will be honored with the “Good Guy” award for his dealings with the media.
Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr., are scheduled to attend to receive the AL and NL MVP awards, respectively. Gerrit Cole and Blake Snell will receive the AL and NL Cy Young awards. Tickets are available to the public. Information is available at NYBBWAA.com.