Why the Mets won't be replacing injured Frankie Montas with top prospect Brandon Sproat

As New York Mets players report to camp, Frankie Montas's sidelining with a high-grade lat strain injury casts a shadow over spring training. Montas' history of injury concerns makes this latest setback particularly worrisome, leaving the Mets searching for answers as they still intend to use a six-man rotation.

Naturally, Mets fans are clamoring for the exciting possibility of top pitching prospect Brandon Sproat stepping up to fill the void. However, despite the understandable enthusiasm, there are several compelling reasons why Sproat's arrival in Queens is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Montas injury opens door for starting pitcher debate, but don't expect Sproat

Sproat's recent struggles in his brief stint at Triple-A suggest he isn't quite ready for the bright lights of Major League Baseball. While Mets manager Carlos Mendoza offered a positive spin on Sproat's early adversity, stating, "You want those guys to struggle in the minor leagues, you want those guys to face some adversity and see how they respond. Because that’s part of it, being a big leaguer, the mental side and how you’re going to respond after a bad outing," the reality is that continued development at higher minor league levels is crucial for Sproat's long-term success.

The strategic management of MLB service time also plays a significant role. Teams prioritize maximizing control over their young players, aiming to keep them under team control for as long as possible during their prime years. Rushing Sproat to the majors now would start the clock ticking on his service time, potentially impacting his long-term value to the organization.  

Furthermore, recent Mets history suggests the team is hesitant to break camp with a rookie making his MLB debut. The last player to do so was Andres Gimenez during the shortened 2020 season, highlighting the rarity of such a move.

While Sproat's potential is undeniable, there's simply no need to rush him. The Mets have several internal options to consider for the final rotation spots, including Griffin Canning, Tylor Megill, and Paul Blackburn. Fellow pitching prospect Blade Tidwell could also enter the conversation but he has more to accomplish in Triple-A before becoming a serious contender.

Alternatively, the Mets could explore the free-agent market, with pitchers like José Quintana, Spencer Turnbull, or Kyle Gibson potentially available. A more aggressive approach could involve a trade for a high-impact arm like Dylan Cease.