3 former NY Mets prospects about to have a breakout season in the majors

3) J.T. Ginn

Those who’ve followed Mets prospects to other organizations might’ve been wondering when J.T. Ginn would ever get his chance in the majors. Often injured and even hurt at the time when the Mets drafted him in the second round in 2020, he’s an ex who finally got his first MLB licks in last year.

Ginn’s tenure with the Mets ended prior to the 2022 season when he was traded in a package for Chris Bassitt. He had a rough year in 2022 resulting in a 5.10 ERA. Things didn’t get better in 2023. Making only 8 starts, he had a 7.43 ERA.

Just a 4.68 ERA in 263.2 innings at the minor league level isn’t promising. However, Ginn managed to crawl his way onto the Oakland Athletics major league roster last year and actually put together a decent abbreviated rookie campaign. He was 1-1 in 6 starts and a pair of relief appearances with a 4.24 ERA. While certainly no sure thing to make the Athletics roster, Oakland should have vacancies at some point to allow him an opportunity to get some innings either as a starter or reliever this coming season.

Don’t let Ginn’s numbers in Triple-A deceive you. Las Vegas, once the Triple-A affiliate of the Mets not so long ago, is a notorious place for hitters. Ginn’s major league numbers are more of a precursor to what he might have in store for 2025 than anything else. First, he’ll need to actually make the team. It might be tougher this year given how the Athletics have actually improved their ball club via trades and free agency. Nevertheless, Ginn could be a sneaky-good part of their pitching staff in some capacity this year. Although struggling this spring, opportunities correcting things in the minors and seizing an opportunity later this season should provide Ginn with a chance to finally live up to the hype.