The Mets aren’t by any means overflowing with prospects ready to jump in and compete for jobs next spring, but perceptions can change fast.
Last year at this time, Mark Vientos wasn’t regarded as an integral piece of the organization’s future. Now he’s a huge element.
The sample size is much smaller on Luisangel Acuña, but as recently as six weeks ago, there wasn’t much buzz regarding the infielder. Acuña got a chance with the Mets late in the season and during the playoffs, and he produced.
On the flip side, pitchers such as Dom Hamel and Mike Vasil were mentioned prominently heading into the season, but neither progressed beyond Triple-A Syracuse, keeping the Mets’ rotation stretched thin in the second half. Another rookie pitcher, Christian Scott, had early success and then had elbow issues that led to ligament reconstruction surgery that will keep him sidelined for 2025.