The first draft of the David Stearns and Kris Gross era is in the books. The Mets made 20 selections: seven hitters and 13 pitchers, with 17 coming from the college demographic and three coming from high school.

The class is highlighted by their top picks -- outfielder Carson Benge and left-handed pitcher Jonathan Santucci.

A couple of things stood out about this class. The hitters the Mets prioritized had bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline, and specifically had good data against fastballs. Pitchers were mostly traits and power stuff.

Below is a breakdown of all 20 picks, but it is always important to know that getting scouted and getting drafted -- while an amazing accomplishment that should be lauded due to everything that comes along with getting to this point -- is just when the work begins. The picks that elect to sign will enter the Mets player development system and work to adjust from amateur players to professionals.

Round 1, Pick No. 19: OF Carson Benge, Oklahoma State

Two-way player in college that was up to 96 mph on the mound. To be determined if he will get the chance to pitch professionally, but the arm plays in the outfield, where he projects as an above average right fielder defensively. He has an above average hit tool with strong pitch recognition skills and above average power, posting strong exit velocity numbers. Will need a couple swing tweaks and can stand to add some weight to his frame. Balance of a floor and upside pick.

Round 2, Pick No. 46: LHP Jonathan Santucci, Duke

A two-way player when he enrolled at Duke and was more regarded as a hitter. He got more physical in college and is an upside college arm. Coming into the spring, scouts believed he was headed for a first round selection in the 2024 draft.

His control backed up and he suffered a rib injury in May that knocked him down boards a bit. He possesses two current plus pitches in his fastball that will get up to 96-97 mph and a slider that generated an over 50 percent whiff rate. His changeup is a new pitch he started throwing this year that flashed plus at times and improved as the season wore on. He will need to continue to work on the changeup and command with the Mets player development department to reach his mid-rotation upside.

Round 3, Pick No. 82: RHP Nate Dohm, Mississippi State

Dohm was a Ball State transfer who pitched in the rotation for the first time in 2024 for Mississippi State. He got off to a hot start as their Friday starter and was creating buzz to be a Day 1 type of pick. But he suffered a forearm strain that wiped out almost all of his 2024 season, allowing him to just come back for a few shortened outings in May -- including two scoreless innings versus Texas A&M, a team that went on to the College World Series.

He finished with a 1.23 ERA in 29.1 innings and struck out 37 while only walking four. He has a starter’s body and delivery, with a mid-90s fastball up to 97 and two distinct above average breaking balls in his slider and curve. His changeup lags behind, but he has the ingredients of a potential big league starter.

Round 4, Pick No. 111: OF Eli Serrano III, North Carolina State

Serrano attended the Pro5 Academy at the same time as current Mets prospect Ryan Clifford, and at the time there were some in the scouting community who believed Serrano was a better prospect. Clifford went on to sign with the Astros and Serrano fulfilled his commitment to North Carolina State.

The power did not develop as expected in college for the 6-foot-5, 201-pound Serrano. He showed above average bat-to-ball skills and very rarely swung and missed, especially on in-zone fastballs. He flashes some power in batting practice but it has not translated in-game. He has room to add weight to his frame and can work on his swing in pro ball to potentially get to some power. His defensive profile long-term is likely limited to primarily left field, but he has some athleticism having played center field this year. Gross said after the draft that the Mets' intention is to start Serrano out playing center.

Round 5, Pick No. 144: SS Trey Snyder, Liberty North HS (MO)

Snyder won the Gatorade Player of the Year as the best high school player in the state of Missouri and has a commitment to attend the reigning College World Series champion Tennessee Volunteers. I don’t believe the Mets would've picked him here without a thought they could sign him, but would suspect this comes with an over-slot bonus if so.

Snyder stands out as more of a ball player than just a prospect with big, loud tools. At 6-1, 195 pounds he has some more room to fill out and he’s gotten stronger, so there is some belief there is more power to come in his bat. It is average-to-above average tools across the board with quick hands at the plate. If he continues to physically mature he could outgrow shortstop and end up at third base long-term, but this was the only high school player the Mets drafted in the top 15 rounds and they are excited about potentially adding him into the fold.

Round 6, Pick No. 173: 1B Corey Collins, Georgia

A 6-foot-3 236-pound senior who played all four seasons at Georgia. 2024 was his breakout season, where he hit .354/.574/.772 with 20 home runs and 59 RBI in 52 games. That .574 on-base percentage led all of Division I. He pummeled fastballs and had some issues with breaking balls at times. He played mostly first base and a little in the corner outfield this season. Most expect he is just a first baseman at the next level.

Round 7, Pick No. 203: RHP Will Watson, USC

6-foot-1, 180-pound right-hander who transitioned into more of a starting role during the 2024 season. In 16 appearances (nine starts) he posted a 3.93 ERA in 50.1 innings with 46 strikeouts and 27 walks. Three-pitch mix with a fastball that sits 92-94 mph and been up to 97, a sweeper and a changeup. He is expected to be sent out as a starter in pro ball.

Round 8, Pick No. 233: RHP Ryan Lambert, Oklahoma

Big, strong 6-foot-3, 222-pound reliever. In 23 relief appearances, he posted a 2.57 ERA in 21 innings striking out 19 and walking 12. He pitched six games in the MLB Draft League where he gave up one run over six innings with zero walks and 10 strikeouts. A bit raw as a pitcher, with only 56 innings in his collegiate career. Fastball sits mid-upper 90s and has been up to 102 with a mid-80s power sweeper.

Round 9, Pick No. 263: RHP Jaxon Jelkin, Houston

6-foot-5, 190-pound starter with some room to fill out. Started at Nebraska, but finished his college career at Houston, posting a 3.41 ERA in seven starts. He struck out 46 and walked 10 in 34.1 innings. He had Tommy John surgery, but when healthy his fastball is 93-94 mph and up to 97 with a good changeup and a breaking ball with inconsistent shape. He did a better job of missing bats and limiting walks and is a potentially exciting arm once he is healthy.

Round 10, Pick No. 293: RHP Brendan Girton, Oklahoma

Senior who transferred from Texas Tech to Oklahoma. He posted a 7.32 ERA in 16 games (10 starts). He gave up 44 hits and and 31 walks in 35.2 innings and struck out 47. He will need to iron out command, but he was up to 97 mph this spring with a mid-80s slider. It is likely he is sent out as a reliever in pro ball.

Popular in the Community