How this NY Mets top prospect is overcoming injury and re-establishing his stock

It took a minute to settle back into everyday play, but New York Mets fans should be seeking out Jesus Baez highlights as often as possible from now on. New York's No. 7 prospect (per MLB.com) has been playing out of his mind in May with High-A Brooklyn in his quest to re-establish his top-10 status within the Mets system after an unfortunately-timed knee injury in 2024.

Jesus Baez is on an encouraging trajectory Mets fans haven't seen in several years.

Baez, signed as an international free agent in 2022, was not a high-ranking prospect for the Mets, nor on many fans' radars, until a breakout start to the 2024 campaign with Single-A St. Lucie catapulted the young infielder into the Top 30.

Baez hit 10 home runs in 64 games with St. Lucie, with a near-.800 OPS as a 19-year-old. The hot start led to a promotion to High-A Brooklyn, which, at that age, is not very common. The most recent instance of such a quick trip to Brooklyn for a former international free agent was Francisco Alvarez in 2021, whom you may have noticed catching every day for the New York Mets for the better part of three years now.

Baez played all of eight games for the Cyclones before tearing the meniscus in his right knee, ending his eye-opening season in a flash.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound kid from Santo Domingo recovered quickly enough to be ready for the 2025 season, where he began back in St. Lucie for a handful of games before he rejoined Brooklyn the second week of April. His first few weeks back in the South Atlantic League were underwhelming, collecting just one extra-base hit (a home run) from April 15 to April 30, and slugging .200 in those 12 games.

Once the calendar flipped to May, Mets' Jesus Baez saw the sunshine through the clouds.

The slow start may have been discouraging to fans following the young SS/3B, but his recent stretch has been reassuring regarding his status as a top-ten prospect. Baez, since May 1, is slashing .377/.482/.594 with four long balls, three doubles, 13 walks, and 21 RBI with an OPS of 1.076.

Just as recently as Memorial Day Weekend, Baez had a two-homer game and a four-hit performance against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. He has a nine-game hitting streak going back to May 15. His defense has been encouraging as well, as Baez has a .923 fielding percentage in 145 innings played this season.

As far as young Mets infield prospects yet to debut in the big leagues go, Jesus Baez is unquestionably the most exciting behind Jett Williams, New York's top-ranked player.

Look out on your timeline for Jesus Baez highlights — you will not want to miss them.