3 NY Mets players Dylan Ross can replace on the playoff roster if we get a miracle

Okay, so the New York Mets haven’t clinched anything. But the team has been behaving like they’re playoff-bound for months. Their entire trade deadline approach had them seeking out bullpen help while trying to brush the obvious shortcomings in the rotation under the rug. Unfortunately, many of the relievers have struggled and now the team is turning to Dylan Ross for some help.

The flamethrowing Mets prospect has been spectacular at striking out batters in the minors this year. As you can expect, control has been a problem. Overall numbers from High-A up to Triple-A included 5.5 BB/9 and 13.3 K/9. As expected, the strikeouts fell as he rose up through the system but still ended with a steady 11 per 9 with Syracuse.

Ross is postseason eligible if he replaces an injured player (how you feelin’ Kodai Senga?) so there’s a way for him to do more than make a cameo in the big leagues. In the first round of the playoffs, these three Mets should be in the most danger of getting left behind.

1) Jonah Tong

Unusable as a starting pitcher any longer, Jonah Tong has a bright future ahead of him. Two stinkers on the mound, notably with Francisco Alvarez behind the plate for each, could have the Mets foregoing his inclusion on their playoff roster. Why mess with him? He’s not going to start. Putting him into a relief role that he hasn’t been used to is playing with a dangerous fire as it would be to simply call up Ross.

2) David Peterson

The kitchen sink should be available for the Mets on Sunday. David Peterson is a logical candidate to get a start out of necessity and not faith. If so, he doesn’t make much sense to carry into the first round of the playoffs. Many fans would rather not see him step on the mound again for the team this year. He faltered in the second half after a worthy All-Star selection. Maybe a candidate to rejoin the club further into the playoff run, he’s someone the Mets can brush aside for the time-being depending on his availability.

3) Huascar Brazoban

Before you throw out a name like Kevin Herget, remember he is the “extra” pitcher the Mets have on their roster due to the expansion from 26 to 28. The Mets will have to reduce their roster by two for the playoffs. This means one less pitcher which is manageable when you only need three starters. Sean Manaea and Clay Holmes are both candidates, however, one of them is probably going to get a start in a deciding game three if needed with Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat looking like the best choices to begin the series and not by a wide margin with the latter. This leaves Huascar Brazoban as an odd man out in favor of Ross. Brazoban’s ability to throw multiple innings is useful, but not so much in a short series. If you’re relying on him to eat up frames, you’ve probably already lost.