2 pitchers the NY Mets should trade their top prospects for, 1 who is almost worth it

3) Brandon Pfaadt is almost worth it

One valuable young pitcher who could be moved but might not just be there yet is Arizona Diamondbacks’ righty Brandon Pfaadt. The Arizona Diamondbacks have gotten some calls regarding their starting pitchers, and Pfaadt is quite talented. His ERA may not be great, but everything under the hood suggests a player who is on the verge of a breakout season.

First, let’s start with the negatives. Pfaadt had a 4.71 ERA in 181.1 innings pitched. He also had a below-average 89.4 MPH exit velocity. But that’s where the negatives come to an end. Pfaadt had a solid 24.3% strikeout rate and only walked 5.5% of opponents. Pfaadt’s 1.19 HR/9 rate was also roughly league average.

Stuff+ and Location+ also loved Pfaadt. In 2023, Pfaadt already put up a strong 103 Stuff+ mark but saw that rise to 107 this year, which was the 15th highest among qualified starters in 2024. Location+ put Pfaadt on George Kirby’s level at 106. Both were tied for the third-highest mark in baseball.

Nearly every ERA estimator suggests Pfaadt’s near-5.00 ERA is a complete fluke. Pfaadt had a 3.61 FIP, 3.75 xERA, 3.58 xFIP, and 3.65 SIERA. xwOBA also looks at Pfaadt in a favorable light at just .301. That was the 37th lowest opponent xwOBA in baseball and on par with standout Mets’ lefty Sean Manaea and even American League Cy Young finalist Seth Lugo. Both sat at .300.

Another thing that makes Pfaadt valuable is his contract. He is still two whole seasons away from arbitration. The Diamondbacks have gotten some calls on their starters, and Pfaadt could be one of the pitchers who has gotten brought up. The Mets should at least kick the tires on Pfaadt and see if the D-Backs are willing to move him.