The Mets have invited eight players to big league Spring Training, including two of their top prospects, a fast-rising bullpen arm, and Tim Tebow.

The top prospects are left-handed starting pitchers David Peterson and Kevin Smith.

The fast-rising bullpen arm is right-hander Ryley Gilliam.

Peterson, Smith, and Gilliam could all potentially contribute to the big league team in 2020.

Aside from the above three players and Tebow -- who struggled badly in 2019 in Triple-A -- the Mets also invited right-handed pitchers Matt Blackham and Stephen Nogosek as well as catchers Austin Bossart (who was acquired from the Phillies last July in exchange for Jason Vargas) and Patrick Mazeika.

Peterson, 24, was the Mets' first-round pick (20th overall) in the 2017 MLB Draft. The big left-hander relies on guile more than velocity, and had a 4.19 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 122 strikeouts in 116 innings last season for Double-A Binghamton.

During his three-year minor league career, Peterson -- who will likely open the 2020 season with Triple-A Syracuse -- has a 3.63 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.

Smith, 22, had a strong season in 2019 between High-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton, posting a 3.15 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 130 strikeouts in 117 innings. He could open the season back in Double-A.

Matt Eddy of Baseball America recently wrote that Smith is one of the hardest workers and fiercest competitors' in the Mets' system.

Gilliam, 23, started the 2019 season with High-A St. Lucie and ended it with Triple-A Syracuse, combining to strike out 56 batters in 38.2 innings.

Gilliam struggled once he made the leap to Triple-A, so he'll almost certainly open back there this season with the possibility of receiving a call-up at some point during the season. With the way Gilliam has advanced since being drafted, that call up could come quickly.

METS ANNOUNCE MINOR LEAGUE DEALS

The Mets have reached minor league deals with outfielders Ryan Cordell and Johneshwy Fargas, infielder Jake Hager, right-handed pitchers Pedro Payano and Francisco Ríos, catcher David Rodríguez, and right-handed pitcher Adonis Uceta.

All seven players have been invited to major league Spring Training.

METS ANNOUNCE MINOR LEAGUE DEALS

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