3 NY Mets players whose importance we need to rethink for the 2025 season

3) Brandon Sproat

When the Mets have needed an arm on short notice, they haven’t called upon Brandon Sproat this season. Blade Tidwell was the prospect who got a recent spot start. Justin Hageneman and Brandon Waddell each had their opportunities as long relievers. Left behind in the dust this year, the near-consensus once top Mets prospect doesn’t look on pace to join the Mets at all in 2025.

Through 8 starts, Sproat is 1-3 with a 5.85 ERA. His Triple-A struggles began last year. Now through 15 outings, which accounts for almost half of his 32 games as a professional, his Syracuse numbers include a 2-5 record and 6.64 ERA. Strikeouts have been hard to come by this year at 7.2 per 9. Walks are a little too frequent as well at 4.5 per 9.

Sproat’s acceleration through the minor leagues last year that had him pitching one level below the majors after only 17 games might have raised immediate expectations a little too high, too quickly. Still an impressive pitcher who hopefully needs tuning up rather than a reset of what he can become, it’s safe to completely eliminate him from the equation for this coming year.

A full year in Syracuse to learn, build confidence, and master his weaknesses can only benefit Sproat. This year’s Mets club wasn’t necessarily designed to rely on him to be an answer. We should be grateful the Mets have had so many pitchers step up this season. It has made Sproat’s struggles easier to digest.