MLB.com’s Sam Dykstra made a prediction for every team on who would be their number one prospect by December 2026. For the New York Mets, he chose A.J. Ewing. A fast-rising prospect with speed as one of his best tools, Dykstra’s predictions assures us Ewing isn’t traded this offseason while also crediting others who are sure to lose their rookie eligibility in the coming year.
Ewing has a lot in common with Jett Williams who may be a candidate to get some serious big league action in 2026, if he’s not traded first. It’s a safe bet to believe Ewing becomes the top Mets prospect in the system. Who could challenge him?
1) Elian Pena
He’ll play all of next season at 18-years-old and coming off of such a strong 2025 season that began horribly, Elian Pena is a sure thing to rise up the Mets prospect rankings at the trajectory he’s on. Batting .292/.421/.528 with 9 home runs and 21 stolen bases in his first 55 professional games, Pena showed he is ready to take the next step toward the major leagues.
It should take a few years before Pena becomes MLB-ready, but it won’t stop him from becoming regarded as the best Mets prospect. Another year where he proves he is better than his peers should have this teenage prospect climbing up the subjective rankings and into the top slot.
Pena is number 10 on the MLB Pipeline list at the moment. Figuring that a few ahead of him get traded and others play enough to lose their rookie eligibility, he’s a sure thing to remain a prospect and someone with room to grow.
