3 surprising prospects with a chance to shine at Mets spring training

2) Eric Orze

Back in 2021, Eric Orze quickly rose up the minor league ranks from High-A to Syracuse. He got better at each level. In just his first professional season, Orze was one stop away from the major leagues.

Unfortunately, he hit some sort of a wall the following season. The 3.08 ERA he had in 2021 ballooned to 5.13 in 2022 at the Triple-A level. He wasn’t any better in 2023, pitching to a 5.31 ERA in 61 innings of work.

The Mets haven’t quit on Orze yet. The fifth round pick from 2020 was too good, too quickly for it to be fake news. He can still strike batters out at a high rate, averaging 12 per 9 in 2023. The problem was his control. Now the owner of a still acceptable 3.9 walks per 9 in his career, it rose up due to the 6 per 9 in 2023.

Walks were Orze’s main issue. The previous season, it was home runs. He served them up at a rate of 2.1 per 9 during his time in Triple-A.

Finding the balance between fewer walks and limiting the home runs will be the goal for Orze and the coaches in 2024. It can start in spring training when he’ll be able to make himself a future contender for a bullpen spot.