The 5 best Mets prospects opening the season for AA Binghamton

The New York Mets have opened the season with many question marks surrounding their current roster. Of the 26 men who take the field every day, only a few are signed to long-term contracts. Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo will likely finish their careers as Mets while Edwin Diaz and Jeff McNeil are signed through the next few seasons. Aside from the core players, most of the veterans will become free agents in November.

Putting aside the aging players, the team's focus will be on developing and evaluating their younger talent. On the Mets currently, this only includes Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty. Since most of the prospects are yet to make their debuts, many fans will keep an extra eye on the team's farm system throughout 2024. With the minor league season set to begin, who are the best prospects on the AA Binghamton Rumble Ponies roster?

1. Jett Williams

The Mets have many intriguing prospects in AA Binghamton, but this one in particular is the apple of every evaluator's eye. Selected in the first round of the 2022 draft from Rockwall-Heath High School in Texas, 20-year-old Jett Williams is on the fast track to the major leagues. Through 121 games played in 2023 between Single-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn, Williams hit .263 with 15 home runs and 55 RBI. His standout statistics were his stellar OBP of .425 and 45 stolen bases.

Given his agility and plate discipline, Williams profiles to become the next leadoff hitter for the Mets. Carlos Mendoza acknowledged this during spring training when he alluded to utilizing Brandon Nimmo differently in the batting order this season. While the Mets' top prospect has primarily played shortstop as a professional, he has shown versatility in playing both center field and second base during the spring. Should the 20-year-old build off his 2023 performance in AA this season, evaluators believe Williams could debut as a September call-up.

2. Blade Tidwell

If there is one glaring hole on the Mets' roster, it certainly starts with their lack of youth in the rotation. Selected in the second round of the 2022 draft out of the University of Tennessee, right-hander Blade Tidwell seeks to become the next ace of the Mets' pitching staff. Through 116 innings pitched between High-A and AA last season, Tidwell posted a 3.57 ERA with 153 strikeouts. His upper 90s fastball and sinking changeup mix produced many swings and misses, earning Tidwell a promotion to Binghamton for their playoff stretch.

While these numbers are excellent, the one drawback of Tidwell is commanding his developing arsenal. The 23-year-old is still working on a slider with great vertical action as well as adding a curveball to better compliment his fastball and changeup's velocity. These enhancements produced 63 walks allowed in 2023, but the Mets believe Tidwell still profiles best as a starter. Should he better command the strike zone in 2024, Tidwell will be the next prospect we holler for come September.

3. Kevin Parada

The one area of the team nobody has questions about moving forward is the catching position. However, the Mets have another top-catching prospect waiting in the wings. Selected in the first round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia Tech, Kevin Parada looks to display his full potential at AA Binghamton this season. Through 105 games between St. Lucie and Binghamton last season, Parada hit .248 with 14 home runs and 54 RBI. While these numbers were disappointing for the offensive-minded catcher, he did also hit 23 doubles and 2 triples.

Parada has not lived up to his scouting report coming out of collegiate baseball where he hit .361 with 26 home runs and 88 RBI in 2022. However, there is no reason the 22-year-old cannot find success in 2024. By all measures, Parada has worked tirelessly to improve his defense, particularly pitch framing and throwing out base stealers. If he can gain confidence behind the plate, the Mets believe Parada can be set for a breakout at AA this season.