3 NY Mets prospects drafted by David Stearns we could see pitching in MLB next year

David Stearns took plenty of heat in his second season running the New York Mets. Questionable trades, a poorly assembled rotation, and a roster that missed the playoffs had critics ready to pounce. Much of the team’s promising young talent—including but not limited to Nolan McLean—wasn’t drafted by him, highlighting why some of the criticism stung. Yet while many top prospects came from elsewhere, three pitchers Stearns drafted are rising fast, and by 2026, they could be making their mark in Queens, potentially giving him a comeback headline worth the hype.

SP Will Watson

Will Watson’s 2025 season was a whirlwind climb through the minors, ending with a taste of AA Binghamton. Drafted in the seventh round of 2024, the 22-year-old righty started in St. Lucie, moved to the Brooklyn Cyclones, and capped the year with four starts at AA. Across 28 appearances and 121.1 innings, Watson posted a 2.60 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and 142 strikeouts, showing a consistent ability to miss bats that puts him on the Mets’ radar for 2026.

Watson’s arsenal includes a mid-90s fastball topping out at 97, complemented by a slider, changeup, and a newly added cutter. His control, however, remains a work in progress—58 walks are a concern—but he’s holding hitters to a .203 average. If he continues refining command while leaning on his electric stuff, Watson could emerge as a weapon in the Mets’ rotation sooner rather than later.

RP Ryan Lambert

Ryan Lambert spent 2025 moving from High-A Brooklyn to AA Binghamton, establishing himself as a reliever to watch. The 23-year-old righty has the kind of arm that makes fans sit up: if Dylan Ross drew attention for his high-velocity fastball, Lambert should generate even more excitement. He attacks with a high-90s heater that has touched 102 mph, paired with a high-80s slider that keeps hitters off balance, giving him swing-and-miss potential in late-inning situations.

Across both levels, Lambert posted a 1.62 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 81 strikeouts in 50 innings. Walks remain an area for refinement—27 on the season—but he limited damage, holding hitters to a .178 average. With the Mets bullpen struggling in 2025, Lambert’s electric arm could be a major boost in 2026, giving New York a late-inning weapon that can change the game.

SP Jonathan Santucci

Jonathon Santucci spent 2025 moving steadily up the ladder, starting the year with High-A Brooklyn Cyclones and ending with 10 starts at AA Binghamton. The 22-year-old lefty, drafted in the second round of 2024, finished the season with a 3.06 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts in 117.2 innings. His ability to miss bats was evident across both levels, and his strikeout numbers alone make him a name to watch for the Mets in 2026.

Santucci relies on a low- to mid-90s fastball and a plus slider that generated swings and misses, with a changeup used sparingly. He improved as the season progressed, particularly in Binghamton, where he posted a 2.52 ERA and held hitters to a .189 average. Cleaning up home runs and walks showed growth, and while the numbers are just the start, they hint at a lefty who could make a meaningful impact in the Mets’ system next season.