Powerful NY Mets prospect hasn’t done enough to factor into any offseason decision

Finding a place for every prospect in the near future can prove difficult when your farm system is stacked at a particular position. There’s always a chance a major leaguer is signed at a position he plays well for multiple years thus making it impossible for anyone to ever grab the spot. It’s why every New York Mets prospect who plays shortstop needs to learn another position on the farm.

Far from a shortstop, Mets prospect Ryan Clifford is a stereotypical first baseman/corner outfielder. A unique prospect whose power has done the majority of the talking, he’s coming off of a successful 29 home run campaign which ended in Triple-A.

Heavy on strikeouts and walks, he profiles as a low average hitter with immense power potential. He batted .228 in 2024 and .237 this past year. Viewed as a possible first base option in lieu of Pete Alonso, what we’ve seen so far from him in the minors doesn’t seem to indicate one way or another that he is the solution. He’s selling himself well. It’s still hard to fully buy in.

The Mets can’t operate this offseason with Ryan Clifford in mind for anything

Unlike center field where the Mets have Carson Benge waiting and Jett Williams as a realistic alternative, the Mets can’t forego adding a top first baseman just because Clifford exists. Center field is a different breed. There isn’t anyone they absolutely must add in a sea of players who don’t feel like long-term solutions.

It’s different at first base. Beyond Alonso, we have Munetaka Murakami, Josh Naylor, and maybe even Cody Bellinger who can do a little bit of filling in before the arrival of Clifford at first base and Benge in center field. Whatever your preference, Clifford’s time in the minors for the Mets hasn’t been impressive enough to avoid long-term deals at the positions he plays. The DH spot is always one possibility

Not projected to be a top defensive player, Clifford feels like a more powerful version of Mark Vientos who should struggle to hit for much of an average; something Vientos at least did at times in the minors. The good thing is he swings from the left side, making him the heavier part of any potential platoon in the future. A left-handed power bat isn’t a bad thing to have on the bench especially when it’s more than a first baseman. Even if his defense in the corner outfield isn’t immaculate, it’s more justifiable to have him on the roster at any given point.