Context:

The New York Mets, despite having one of the largest payrolls in baseball, are facing significant challenges due to injuries, particularly in their pitching staff. With key pitchers like Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas yet to play and relievers AJ Minter, Paul Blackburn, and Danny Young sidelined, the team is struggling to maintain a healthy roster. Joe DeMayo from SNY anticipates the Mets will call up their top prospect, Brandon Sproat, who although inconsistent in Triple-A, possesses the potential to make an impact. Sproat, known for his fastball that can reach triple digits, is seen as a long-term starter but may initially join the major league team as a reliever. The Mets drafted Sproat in both 2022 and 2023, with his current performance showing a 5.48 ERA, indicating room for growth and adaptation at the major league level.

Dive Deeper:

• The Mets, despite their substantial payroll, are dealing with a slew of injuries, particularly affecting their pitching staff, which has hindered their performance after a strong season start.

• Key pitchers such as Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas have yet to pitch this season, while relievers AJ Minter, Paul Blackburn, and Danny Young are out with injuries, exacerbating the Mets' pitching woes.

• Joe DeMayo from SNY suggests that the Mets are likely to call up Brandon Sproat, their top prospect, as they look to bolster their pitching lineup amidst these challenges.

• Sproat, who has faced inconsistencies at the Triple-A level, offers a promising pitch mix, including a fastball that can reach up to triple digits, making him a potential asset for short-term relief roles.

• Although Sproat is seen as a future long-term starter, his immediate contribution to the team could begin in the bullpen, which could be instrumental in his growth and adaptation to major league play.

• Drafted by the Mets in 2022 and again in 2023 after initially declining to sign, Sproat currently holds a 5.48 ERA in Triple-A, indicating the need for development but also showing potential for significant impact.

• The Mets are encouraged to remain adaptable and open-minded as the season progresses, with various unforeseen challenges likely to arise, especially concerning their pitching staff.

• The New York Mets have one of baseball’s largest payrolls but they could be looking to replace some of that veteran talent as the season goes on.

• The team got off to the best start in baseball but it’s possible that some persistent injuries are catching up with them, particularly in the pitching staff. The team has yet to see Sean Manaea or Frankie Montas take the mound. And the relief corps has lost AJ Minter, Paul Blackburn and Danny Young to injuries as well.

• As the marathon of the season wears on and the Mets struggle to field healthy arms, SNY’s Joe DeMayo expects them to call up an exciting young arm sooner or later. 

• “The organization’s No. 1 prospect, right-hander Brandon Sproat, has found inconsistencies at the Triple-A level, but he still comes equipped with a pitch mix that could play up in short spurts, including a fastball that can touch triple digits,” DeMayo wrote. “The Mets certainly view him as a long-term starter, and I do expect his big league debut to come this season, but could it start in the bullpen? I think that is possible.”

• The Mets drafted Sproat in both 2022 and, after he declined to sign, again in 2023. So far this season he has a concerning 5.48 ERA in six starts with Triple-A Syracuse but, as DeMayo noted, he has the stuff to make an impact in the big leagues. 

• A chance to attack some major league hitters out of the bullpen might be a compelling challenge for Sproat, who is ranked as the organization's number-one overall prospect by MLB.com, and the Mets seem pretty likely to have an opening in the bullpen.

• “There is plenty of season left with twists and turns to come, especially on the pitching side, so it’s important to keep an open mind,” DeMayo added.

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