NY Mets prospect is doing everything he can to get a late-season call-up

The New York Mets made some major additions to their bullpen over the last few weeks. The trade deadline saw them add the likes of Gregory Soto, Ryan Helsley, and Tyler Rogers. While their pen is stronger than it was, the Mets still have a chance to improve their depth chart. Right-hander Dylan Ross has been mowing down minor league batters like it's nothing and is demanding a Major League promotion.

A 13th-round pick by the Mets in 2022, Ross wouldn't make his professional debut until 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in '22 and a revision surgery in 2023. Ross has finally gotten a chance to show the Mets what he's made of, and one couldn't ask for a better performance in his first chance at extended playing time.

Ross has tossed a total of 38.1 innings between High-A Brooklyn through Triple-A Syracuse. He has pitched to the tune of a 3.02 ERA, 3.28 FIP, and 1.27 WHIP. Ross may have a 13.1% walk rate, but his 37.5% K% helps offset that. His 24.4% K%-BB% is the 22nd best among all minor league pitchers who have appeared in at least 30 games. Ross is getting plenty of ground balls as well, with a 56.6% GB%. 

Dylan Ross is pitching his way closer to the Mets roster

There's no question Ross has the stuff to be a future reliever. He has a myriad of pitches at his disposal. His mid-to-upper 90s four-seam fastball is an elite offering. He uses his low-90s splitter about as often as his four-seamer. It has gotten a whiff 57.1% of the time at Syracuse this season. Ross's upper-80s slider has an even more insane whiff rate of 77.3% at Triple-A. He rounds his pitch arsenal out with a low-to-mid-80s curveball and a low-90s cutter. One thing that makes all of his pitches play up is his extension off the mound. At 6.9 feet, his average fastball velocity of 96.9 MPH looks more like a 98.4 MPH pitch to batters.

The Mets definitely have room to fit Ross on the Major League roster. Ryne Stanek has allowed 17 earned runs on 13 walks and 25 hits in 21.1 innings since the start of June. He is a free agent at the end of the year, and Ross likely serves as an upgrade over him at this point. Rostering both Frankie Montas and Paul Blackburn is redundant. The Mets could let one go by the end of the year to make room for a pitcher, especially for Ross. 

It's not as if the Mets can leave Ross off the 40-man roster for much longer. He is Rule 5 eligible this offseason. His stuff alone would make him one of the earliest picks by a rebuilding club willing to be patient with his development of his command on the mound. The Mets should add him to the 40-man roster sooner rather than later.

Sure, Ross isn't a completely finished product yet. He is in his first full season as a pro pitcher and needs to sharpen up his command. But he is already 24 and at Triple-A. His performance across the minor leagues this season is demanding that he gets at least a cameo in the Major Leagues before the end of the season. The Mets have room in their pen to give him an opportunity as well. Let's see what the flamethrowing right-hander can do in the big leagues.