Grading the first 3 NY Mets picks of the 2026 MLB Draft

Day one of the MLB Draft included three New York Mets picked. They selected in the first, third, and fourth rounds. A pair of pitchers and an outfielder, there was a running theme: risk with reward.

The MLB Draft resumes on Sunday with rounds 5-20. Plenty more to come for the Mets, it’s those first three selections from day one we’ll pay attention to most. They’ll be the ones who’ll define most immediately where the farm system ranks and how successful (or not) the team makes out in this year’s chances to improve the future.

Carson Wiggins 27th overall - B

This was a weird selection based on where the experts believed Carson Wiggins would get taken. Expected to go at the earliest as a mid-to-late second-round selection, the Mets moved him up as an underslot draft pick. The financial aspect of the Mets’ draft choices was certainly in play with him and their second pick of the day. Looking at it purely from the perspective of the player taken, this selection gets a B.

If Wiggins’ upside is he becomes a really good starter, this ages much better. However, the consensus seems to be that the alternative of having him become an elite closer is another way to make this a winning draft pick.

He goes pro with a 3.21 ERA in only 14 innings of work at Arkansas. His 5.8 BB/9 seems right up David Stearns’ alley as does the 12.9 K/9 rate. Wiggins says he is fully healthy and would prefer to be a starter. In the minor leagues, roles don't matter and if he manages to get into innings after officially signing, the Mets will be sure to ease him into action.

Aiden Robbins 92nd overall - A

Aiden Robbins coming to the Mets in the third round of the draft was…surprising. He was someone mentioned often as a potential first round selection by the Mets. What happened here and should we like it?

This isn’t a Kumar Rocker situation where injury is a concern. Luke Vlahos of Amazin Avenue provided a brilliant, well-worded explanation:

Robbins features a funky, steep swing that can at times appeared grooved, portending potential struggles with pro pitching. There’s also significant questions about his ability to recognize and hit spin. Put another way, there are some clear reasons why Robbins was available this late, suggesting that teams - who always have more info than us on the public side - were a bit less bullish on the profile.

After you’ve learned what the word “portending” means, you can come away a little more satisfied with this pick. Risky, sure. But everyone dumped on Munetaka Murakami this offseason as a guy who’d never make it in MLB. This isn’t a direct correlation. Consider it a reminder even the best of the best get things wrong. A risk in round one deserves some skiddishness. In round three, you’re absolutely right to take chances.

Shane Sdao 120th overall - B

The Mets are certainly banking on Shane Sdao to look more like his pre-Tommy John self. A 7.03 ERA at Texas A&M this past year after missing all of 2025 because of the injury, his stronger showing was enough to make him their fourth round choice.

The 22-year-old lefty was a victim of getting hit hard rather than walking a small nation. Control was far from his issue, issuing free passes at only a 2.5 BB/9 rate. Coming alongside a 10.4 K/9 rate, he’s different from Wiggins albeit he only had 14 innings of college sampling.

This pick gets the same B grade. The Mets either picked a guy who needs time to get right or damaged goods. Round four isn’t a bad time to find out.

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