Mets Minor League Roundup: Drew Gilbert has solid week, Ryan Clifford continues home run tear

Plus, Blade Tidwell's nightmare season still not over

9/15/2024, 3:10 AM
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Here's the latest news and buzz on the Mets' top prospects...


OF Drew Gilbert, Triple-A Syracuse

Gilbert has quietly had a solid week, going 7-for-27 (.259 average) with three RBI and five runs scored over his last seven games which culminated with a 2-for-5 night on Saturday where he scored three runs and drove in another.

Ironically, during that stretch he hasn't hit a home run, but after seeing his average drop below the Mendoza line recently, the 23-year-old has raised it back up to .207.

His overall numbers in his first season with Triple-A don't look great, but the important thing is since his return from a hamstring injury, Gilbert has been in the lineup consistently. He's also coming off a run where he hit seven home runs in 15 games so the talent is clearly there.

SS/OF Jett Williams, Double-A Binghamton

Speaking of injuries, SNY's No. 1 Mets prospect has not had the type of season he or the organization was hoping for either.

Williams' struggles continued on Saturday after an 0-for-5 performance on the heels of an 0-for-3 night which has dropped his batting average to .181 in 21 games for the Rumble Ponies.

He did have a three-game span earlier in the week where he went 6-for-13 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored which was encouraging.

After a breakout season in 2023 which earned him the organization's Minor League Player of the Year honor, it's been a complete 180 for Williams who has battled back from a wrist injury that cost him four months this season and is still just 20 years old.

OF/1B Ryan Clifford, Double-A Binghamton

The slugging outfielder/first baseman continued his home run tear this week, smacking three more long balls to give him 18 in 97 games with the Rumble Ponies.

Clifford has been a run-producing machine lately, driving in nine runs over his last seven games. He's also walked five times as he continues to show a great eye at the plate, evidenced by his .358 OBP despite a .231 batting average.

The 21-year-old's Achilles heel so far in his career has been strikeouts as he struck out two more times on Saturday to give him 115 strikeouts in his first taste of Double-A.

C Kevin Parada, Double-A Binghamton

Drafted No. 11 overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Parada has mostly flown under the radar since becoming a pro. He broke out of the gates well, but since hitting Double-A, the 23-year-old has struggled offensively.

However, over his last three games Parada has gone 5-for-12 with two home runs, including one on Saturday, and five RBI.

He still strikes out way too much (152 times in 113 games) and is slashing just .213/.302/.352 with 12 home runs and 42 RBI, but he continues to catch most nights and works diligently to improve behind the plate.

RHP Blade Tidwell, Triple-A Syracuse

It continues to be a slog of a first season in Syracuse for the 23-year-old right-hander after another rough outing on Sept. 10.

In four innings, Tidwell allowed eight runs (six earned) on seven hits, including a home run, three walks and a hit by pitch while striking out four. His ERA rose to 6.57 and he now has a 1.69 WHIP to go along with a .256 opponent's batting average against.

This was also on the heels of a start where Tidwell managed to get just five outs while allowing seven earned runs on eight hits.

Since getting promoted to Triple-A this year, the 6-foot-4, 207-pounder is 0-9 in 17 games (16 starts) and has been decimated by walks (51) and home runs (17) in 74 innings.

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