Mets prospect Brandon Sproat on path to 2024 MLB All-Star Futures Game: 'It's definitely been a grind'

Mets pitching prospect Brandon Sproat, who is ranked by SNY's Joe DeMayo as the club's No. 7 overall prospect, has been dominant in the minors this season, but was "surprised" by being named to the National League roster for the 2024 MLB All-Star Futures Game.

"It was definitely a surprise," Sproat said prior to Saturday's game. "I try not to think of anything outside of what I'm doing. It's definitely a big accomplishment for me. Like I said, super happy to be here, just kind of take it all in."

Sproat has had what DeMayo calls a "meteoric rise" in the past few years, as he wasn't a pitcher until his junior year of high school and was then drafted twice before the Mets took him (for the second time) with the No. 56 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Now, the 23-year-old right-hander out of Florida is now a near-consensus top 100 prospect in baseball and will go up against some of the best young talent in the Futures Game.

Over 14 games (13 starts) with the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones and Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Sproat owns a 6-1 record with a 1.71 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 85 strikeouts in 73.2 innings. He told reporters that he's proud of his season so far, and credits his preparation and hard work to get to this position in his career.

"It's been really good, it's definitely been a grind," Sproat said. "Just kind of take it day in and day out, and be where my feet are. Enjoy it, just keep pushing forward no matter what happens."

He added: "I think it's from the amount of preparation I've put into it and the hard work I've put into all of this. I can only control what I can control. I can't control being at what level I'm at, I just go about my game and have the same plan of attack every time I go out there and see where it all takes me."

Sproat was asked if he ever looks around the league at the amount of young players who are moving up quick, and acknowledged that everyone wants it to be them, but said is goal for the season is to "stay present" and "not look into the future."

"You see a lot of guys, especially young guys, that move up pretty quick. And of course in the back of your head you're like, 'Oh, I wish it was me.' That's just human nature," Sproat said. "But that can kind of be where you get in trouble, kinda looking too far forward. That's my biggest goal this year, to stay present, stay where my feet are, and try my best to not look into the future. Just do what I do and see where it all takes me."

The starter went on to discuss how is pitching has been this year compared to last season at Florida, noting he's changed his slider to a cutter and added a sweeper in spring training with a little help from fellow Mets prospect Nolan McClean.

"I'd say it's better, like the fastball's got a little more life to it," Sproat said. "Had some little bit of adjustments mechanically in spring training, and then added a sweeper into the arsenal, so that's been really helpful."

He added: "I've always struggled throwing a slider, movement wise. So I actually turned my old slider into more of a cutter, and then added a sweeper in spring training for more of that big swing a miss. More of that bigger movement profile. It's been super helpful... Actually, my roommate now in Binghamton, Nolan McClean, he throws a really good sweeper. I was talking with him about it and how he threw his. He's the one who actually helped me with mine, so props to him for that."

Sproat also discussed the possibility of helping the Mets bullpen down the stretch if called upon, and is comfortable with whatever role the team needs if it means playing in the majors.

"Yeah, I mean of course," Sproat said. "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. I'd figure out a way.

While Sproat said his goal for the season is not looking too far into the future, he said "if he had to answer" that he'd like to make his debut toward the end of season, and if not then, by 2025. If the righty continues to impress like he has so far, then it's likely his prediction will come true sooner rather than later.