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3 NY Mets prospects fighting for a 40-man roster spot by the next Rule 5 Draft

The Mets' farm system has some notable prospects. Some could be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this year, and will make their case for a 40-man roster spot this year.
ByNoah Wright|
Feb 20, 2025; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets catcher Kevin Parada (95) poses for a photo during picture day at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Feb 20, 2025; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets catcher Kevin Parada (95) poses for a photo during picture day at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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2) Drew Gilbert

The Mets acquired Drew Gilbert as part of the trade that sent Justin Verlander back to Houston at the 2023 trade deadline. At the time, Gilbert was having a phenomenal 2023 season. He wrapped up the campaign, slashing .289/.381/.561 with a .389 wOBA and 139 wRC+ in 513 plate appearances. He smacked 18 home runs with an isolated slugging percentage falling just short of .200 at .199. Gilbert also walked at an 11.3% pace with a K% of 18.9%. He saw playing time at both High-A but mostly Double-A.

Gilbert entered 2024 with some high expectations. He was a consensus top 100 prospect, ranking as high as the 29th best by Baseball Prospectus. However, he came up well short of those rankings. Gilbert only received 269 plate appearances and batted a meager .205/.313/.371 with a .314 wOBA and 82 wRC+. Of the few positives to come from his 2024 campaign, Gilbert still carried a healthy 11.2% walk rate and 20.1% K%, but his power took a huge downturn. He only hit ten home runs with a .166 isolated slugging percentage.

Gilbert missed a large chunk of time from the first week of April until July 11th. He was sidelined with hamstring issues for most of the season. Unfortunately, he never was able to get things back on track. While a .222 batting average on balls in play was not doing Gilbert any favors, it was a lost season for the outfield prospect.

But Gilbert isn’t far removed from an extremely promising 2023 season. He also receives average or better grades on the 20-80 scale by Baseball America for his hit, run, field, and arm tools. His power comes in at a 45, however. MLB Pipeline also gives Gilbert similar grades, with his power projected as the only below-average part of his game. 

Another season like 2024 will likely lead Gilbert off the 40-man roster. If the Mets ultimately leave him available for the taking, a rebuilding team may see him as a low-risk 4th/platoon outfield option. But the Mets haven’t yet gotten a fully healthy season of him in their minor league system.

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