3 red hot NY Mets minor leaguers you won’t find on anyone’s top 30 list

2) LHP Zach Thornton

Zach Thornton was the Mets’ 5th-round pick in 2023. The left-hander was selected out of Grand Canyon University and was considered a top 200 prospect by both MLB Pipeline (#165) and Baseball America (#190). Both sites praised his ability to locate, as he put up just a 4.8% walk rate in 88.1 innings in his final college season.

Thornton’s ability to limit walks has continued into pro baseball. Last season, he had a respectable 4.10 ERA but had just a 6.1% walk rate in 68 innings between A-Ball St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn. He was used both as a starter and reliever, coming out of the bullpen eight times and making a dozen starts. Thornton also had a ground ball rate of just under 50% at 49.5%, which helped him keep up a strong 0.53 HR/9 ratio. The only downside is that he had just an 18.2% strikeout percentage.

Thornton has opened the year once again at Brooklyn but is off to a great start. Like De La Cruz, he has yet to allow an earned run, but in ten innings. Only two opponents have reached via walk, leading to a BB% of only 5.8%. But he has already struck out 14 batters. Last season, it took Thornton five in-game appearances for him to strikeout this many batters. 

Thornton is not a hard-throwing pitcher, sitting in the low 90s, so he’ll need to maintain his plus command. He’ll also throw a slider, curveball, and change-up. But he could be someone notable to watch within the next few years if he can induce more swings and misses, as well as strikeouts like he has thus far into the minor league season.