The Mets Have An Ace In The Making In Their Own Farm System - Legends On Deck (2024)

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The New York Mets have struggled with their pitching throughout the 2024 season and literally for the last few seasons. They have not had a lights out pitcher since Jacob deGrom wore a Mets uniform from 2014-2022. Since then, they have searched through free agency and trades to bring in an Ace and its been one issue after another, but now they may have an Ace in the making in their own farm system.

In last summers MLB Draft, the Mets selected Brandon Sproat in the second round (56th overall pick) out of the University of Florida.

During his four seasons at Florida, Sproat was 19-8, with a 4.27 ERA, and 242 strikeouts through 223.2 innings pitched. His most dominate season was in 2023, when he struck out 134 batters in 106.1 innings, while recording an 8-3 record, spanning 19 starts.

Sproat made his professional baseball debut on April 9, 2024, with the Brooklyn Cyclones (High A), and in his first start, he lasted 2.2 shutout innings, allowing just one hit, walked five and struck out five.

The 6’3″ right hander earned his first professional win on April 27, after tossing five innings, and allowing two hits, one unearned run, one walk and five strikeouts. Then on May 3rd, he bested his last start by throwing five shutout innings, allowing one hit, four walks and struck out eight batters, lowering his season ERA to 0.92.

Sproat was promoted to Double A Binghamton on May 15th, and promptly tossed a a five inning shutout, with three hits, two walks and six strikeouts. After giving up three runs over seven innings in his next start, Sproat earned his first Double A victory, with a seven inning gem, allowing one run on four hits, two walks, and five strikeouts.

THE FUTURE IS NOW ⚡️

Congratulations to Rumble Ponies pitcher @BrandonSproat who has been selected as the representative for the @Mets in this year’s @MLB #FuturesGame in Arlington, TX on July 13! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/jOUbKXUbcw

— Binghamton Rumble Ponies (@RumblePoniesBB) July 2, 2024

The Month of June started even better for Sproat, as he tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just one hit, one walk and struck out a career high 10 batters. In this game, Sproat struck out the first five batters he faced, and retired 11 straight, before he gave up his only hit of his outing in the 4th inning. He didn’t earn the victory, as the Rumble Ponies came from behind for the victory in 11 innings.

In his next start on June 14th, Sproat only lasted 3.2 innings, but he struck out eight batters, while allowing one run on two hits. Sproat found himself back in the win column, after he tossed six innings on June 20th, but he allowed four runs on six hits, walking one and striking out two.

And just when the opponents thought they found the notch in his armor, the Mets #2 Top Pitching Prospect (MLB’s Top 100 Prospect), tosses a six inning shutout, allowing five hits, two walks and three strikeouts, to earn his third victory for the Rumble Ponies.

So far through 13 minor league appearances (12 starts) this season, Sproat is 5-1, with a 1.61 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP and and 76 strikeouts through 67 innings pitched.

On July 2, Sproat was announced that he would represent the Mets and the National League in the 2024 Futures Game, to be played on July 13th.

Sproat’s MLB debut ETA is forecasted to be during the 2025 season and the Mets are not an organization to rush the development of their pitchers. This is one arm that is looking like the Mets found themselves a gem, and with the organization starving for another Ace, Sproat looks like he is the Ace in the making.

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