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Undrafted NY Mets free agent signing from March has been an under-the-radar success

He has been one of the best power hitters in the minors for the Mets this season.
ByTim Boyle|
May 10, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) prepares his bat on deck during the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
May 10, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) prepares his bat on deck during the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

He’s not on anyone’s top prospect list for a reason. That’s because he was never actually drafted. But that didn’t stop the New York Mets from giving him an opportunity. Back in March, a 24-year-old infielder from Lipscomb University in Nashville signed a minor league contract with the team. Even the most ardent fans of Mets prospects probably won’t recognize the name.

Trace Willhoite is the man who apparently impressed the Mets enough to earn himself a professional baseball contract. He hit well in college and in two different summer leagues. This season in St. Lucie, he is quietly putting together a solid campaign worth wondering if maybe there’s something there.

How Trace Willhoite is quietly becoming a Mets prospect to keep an eye on

Through 68 games and 275 plate appearances, Willhoite is slashing .260/.371/.472 with 11 home runs. It may not seem like a whole lot of power. Consider this, only 16 players within the entire organization went into the day on Thursday with double-digit home runs. Willhoite is undoubtedly the one name you won’t recognize.

Willhoite actually led the MLB Draft League with 10 home runs in 2024. A dinger once every 4 games, he has kept up with making power a main part of his game.

The trouble Willhoite faces is he has played nothing but first base and DH since being signed by the Mets. He was a third baseman in the MLB Draft League. He must not have been very good if he hasn’t even been able to log an inning there at all this season. At 6’3 and 200 lbs, we can see why first base makes sense solely based on his size.

Willhoite has spent the full season in St. Lucie thus far, ratcheting up the production in July. He has hit .283/.415/.472 this month. He has drawn 10 walks versus 12 strikeouts.

Undrafted free agents have been surprisingly successful for the Mets. Alex Carrillo might not have been impressive in the major leagues so far, but he got there. Last year, we saw Grant Hartwig make his ascent. Chris Suero, another undrafted player, is one of the handful of minor leaguers who’ve hit for more home run power than Willhoite has.

Willhoite has a long way to go before a script is commissioned by Disney about his life. The start to his professional career has been as promising as the Mets could have ever hoped.

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