3 young NY Mets players who need to do more before handing them an Opening Day roster spot

Youth has been a big part of the 2026 New York Mets season. It’s why, even as the team is playing for nothing more than to make the Miami Marlins go home right on time, we’re tuned in. The only thing that could have made sweeping the fish this week was if it was to end the year and officially eliminate them from postseason contention.

We can now look at the Mets with a sense of optimism with the way they’ve played over the last several weeks. More young players have joined Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing, Nolan McLean, etc. for a lengthier look. Next year’s club will surely have some several young players, rookies or ones with barely enough experience to no longer qualify as one.

Before the Mets go planning around certain young players making the team next year, they’ll need to see more. These three Mets have had moments, games, or even stretches of success. However, there mustn’t be a seat saved for them next year until we see a little more.

These Mets players still need to show more before earning a roster spot next season

1) Nick Morabito

Nick Morabito’s role next year is pretty clear, but he also has yet to win it. However you want to define it, a fourth or fifth outfielder, he’s the guy who gives the Mets an alternative at all three outfield positions from the right side of the plate. A platoon, perhaps, with A.J. Ewing in center field is one way to make good use of him.

While he had some big hits and flashy catches recently, the Mets can’t quite consider him the best option for their outfield next year. The biggest reason is because they have few, if any, outfield alternatives in the minor leagues. If Morabito did make the Mets out of camp, the alternatives would be random minor league free agent fliers. Morabito is a good safety net in case of injury. As a guy the Mets should depend on, he’s not quite there. Ignoring the .174 he has hit in the big leagues overall, the .333 batting average since getting recalled comes from such a limited amount of playing time. By not forcing him into games, it seems as if the Mets aren’t fully sold either.

2) Zac Thornton

Zac Thornton is a guy who can easily get overlooked because of the low strikeout numbers this season. There’s very little flashy about him. The 3.53 ERA is satisfying yet so much else about him is completely average. His exit velocity, ground ball rate, and surely a few more numbers are right in line with league average. There is enough of a reason to believe the Mets won’t consider him a top candidate to make next year’s roster, perhaps as a result of being stuck with a body like Sean Manaea.

Thornton isn’t someone to dismiss. Even without those monster numbers, he has managed to get the job done. Throwing strikes has led to more hits, but the damage has been limited. His 6 quality starts in 12 tries shouldn’t be ignored. However, if the choice is between him or someone more proven the Mets can add in the offseason, Thornton might have to wait his turn on the depth chart.

3) Jonah Tong

The Mets’ handling of Jonah Tong this year was unexpected. He made his first start of the year recently and only his fourth appearance in the majors all season. They were steadfast on making sure 2026 was all about development. An underwhelming year in Triple-A held him back. What does it mean for his future?

It would be unusual for the Mets to plan ahead for Tong to be in next year’s rotation right out of the gate. The only purpose it could serve is if they have the intent to make him a candidate for the PPI rewards if he wins Rookie of the Year or finishes in the top 3 of the Cy Young before hitting arbitration. The possibility of using him in a trade remains as well although that moment might not be here quite yet. After seeing how well Kodai Senga has done in a relief role, the Mets might want to punch that ticket with Tong before moving him for what would likely be a shorter-term asset.

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