ARLINGTON, Texas — What if part of the Mets’ second-half bullpen solution can be added internally rather than at the trade deadline?
What if a starting pitcher with “electric stuff,” as Yankees top prospect Spencer Jones put it, can briefly transition back into a multi-inning reliever for a team desperate for any effective bullpen arm?
If that’s his clearest path toward the major leagues, Brandon Sproat welcomes the challenge.
“Whatever chance I can get to get to the big leagues as quick as possible, whether that’s starting or relieving, I’m definitely not going to complain about it,” the Mets’ No. 2 pitching prospect, behind only Christian Scott, said Saturday. “I’d figure out a way.”
So far, Sproat has figured out a way in a hurry.
The Mets chose the power arm from the University of Florida in the third round in 2022 — and couldn’t come to an agreement, forcing Sproat back to the Gators for his senior season.
The Mets liked the right-hander enough to draft him a second time, in last year’s second round, and Sproat’s first professional season has rewarded the organization’s persistence.
Sproat dominated in six games with High-A Brooklyn, was promoted in May and has continued dominating with Double-A Binghamton.
In 14 total games and 73 ²/₃ innings this year, the 23-year-old has pitched to a 1.71 ERA with 85 strikeouts and a 0.95 WHIP.
It was enough to bring the rising prospect to Saturday’s All-Star Futures Game at Globe Life Field, where Sproat entered in the third inning and pitched a scoreless, 12-pitch frame around an error.
His sinker touched 99.2 mph, one star prospect (the Rangers’ Sebastian Walcott) reached on a would-be ground out to shortstop before another star prospect (the Orioles’ Samuel Basallo) grounded into a double play.
“Legs kind of felt like jello,” Sproat said with a smile after the 6-1 National League win. “It was a really cool experience.”
His performance has generated questions about whether a part-time reliever in college, who hits triple-digits with his fastball and has better located his secondary stuff this season, could grow into the August or September answer out of the Mets’ bullpen — just one year removed from being drafted.
The Mets have not promoted a prospect to the majors one season after being drafted since Michael Conforto, their 2014 first-round pick, shot through the system and helped the 2015 Mets reach the World Series.
Sproat is hoping he will have as short a wait as Conforto did, setting his personal debut goal for “toward the end of this year.”
“Honestly, as soon as possible, that’s the obvious answer,” said Sproat, who consistently added that he tries not to look too far ahead. “My biggest goal is to be where my feet are, at the end of the day.”
the majors “as soon as possible,” he said. USA TODAY Sports
His arm is threatening to bring him other places.
Sproat’s 100-mph fastball is his calling card, but he might generate more foolish swings on his changeup.
New this year is a sweeper that he learned from Binghamton teammate Nolan McLean, a two-way prospect.
Sproat had issues figuring out a slider, tweaked the grip into a pitch with more horizontal kick and has found a significant weapon against righty hitters.
Going back to high school, Sproat’s velocity and movement turned heads but his command had lagged behind.
He walked 15 in 21 ²/₃ innings out of Florida’s bullpen in 2021.
With more experience, the fireballer has begun to harness the stuff and has walked a reasonable 3.4 batters per nine innings this season.
“[My command has] been night and day from what it was and how much it’s grown,” Sproat said.
A couple of weeks ago, Sproat faced Double-A Portland, a star-studded Red Sox affiliate, and threw six scoreless and efficient innings in which he struck out three and allowed five hits and two walks.
The Red Sox prospects in the lineup remember the game.
“You definitely remember when you face a guy like that,” shortstop Marcelo Mayer said. “He’s a great arm. He’s got electric stuff.
“He’s got that unique balance of throwing so hard and having such great secondaries. That’s literally what makes a great pitcher.”
Added catcher Kyle Teel: “He’s a really good arm, really knows what he’s doing with his pitches. I remember an electric fastball.”
There is a clock on when fans in Queens can begin seeing that fastball.