4 pitchers with the best chance to make a climb on the depth chart during spring training

Spring training will offer a first look at some newcomers to the New York Mets organization as well as some returning ones. Several prospects have been invited to the MLB camp and while significant changes to the projected Opening Day roster are unlikely with the exception of an injury, there’s a chance for guys to move up or down the depth chart.

Looking at the pitching, there’s a lot of incentive to make a good first impression. Several of the starting pitcher options are about even with each other. The slew of minor league reliever signings plus those climbing up the farm system ranks need to use spring training as a time to separate themselves from the competition.

It’s these four pitchers who have the best chance at making a climb this spring.

1) Jose Butto

Until late last season, Jose Butto was not a personal favorite. Still doubtful he’ll amount to anything more than a fifth starter, Butto was strong enough at the end of 2023 to add some hope for the future. About to embark on his age 26 season, it could be a chance for him to climb up the depth chart and pass the likes of Joey Lucchesi and Tylor Megill as a starting pitching option.

Butto didn’t have a good year in Triple-A last season. In 19 starts he went 3-7 with a 5.93 ERA. He still managed to make it to the big leagues out of necessity. Overall, in 7 starts and a pair of relief appearances, Butto would go 1-4 with a 3.64 ERA.

There are aspects of his game Butto needs to improve. He walked almost 5 batters per 9 at the major and minor league level last season. His strikeout rate was identical at each at a very average 8.1 per 9.

An eventual transition to the bullpen seems the best course for the Mets to take when they deem Butto MLB-ready. He still has value as a starter, but envisioning him in a major league rotation on a competitive team is a bit of a stretch. Spring training will be his shot for at least this year to become the first pitcher the Mets turn to in case of an injury to a starter or maybe even a bullpen arm.

2) Danny Young

Lefty Danny Young is a non-roster invitee we’ll get a look at this spring. Just 14.2 innings of big league ball and a 2.45 ERA to show for it doesn’t exactly tell us much about him. He’s a guy beginning his Mets career with a clean slate and a chance to shine in spring training and move up the depth chart.

The obvious advantage Young has over some colleagues is throwing left-handed. This should keep him in the conversation for a 40-man roster addition all year and a promotion the moment the Mets bullpen loses one of their southpaws to an injury. The competition isn’t fierce. With the ability to option Young as well, the Mets should have little hesitation to call him up whenever needed.

How affective Young is against lefties in spring training can lead to where he falls on the depth chart to begin the year. Does he blend in with all of the other minor league free agents or set himself even mildly apart?

Young’s competition will include Josh Walker who didn’t exactly impress last season in the majors plus a younger lefty who can quickly make him irrelevant. This guy is next on our list.

3) Nate Lavender

Nate Lavender can quickly become one of the more important Mets prospects in 2024. A left-handed reliever, all of the some pluses for Danny Young apply here with a bunch of bonuses added on. Lavender will pitch all of this coming year at 24-years-old. He has been spectacular in his professional career which began back in 2021. This is the season when the Mets should reward him with some big league innings.

Lavender first caught attention when he pitched to a 1.70 ERA in 2022 in 47.2 innings of work at A-Ball and High-A. Last year, he followed it up with another impressive campaign. After just 10.1 innings in Double-A, he was promoted to Triple-A. The overall totals include a 4-3 record and 2.98 ERA in 54.1 innings of work.

Lavender has been a high strikeout pitcher, averaging 13.7 per 9. Control has been problematic, but not enough where he’ll fall out of contention for a major league opportunity. At 4.5 walks per 9, it’s something to work on but not a huge detriment at the moment. Consider some of those walks nothing more than singles he would have otherwise given up.

The Mets starting pitching prospects are the far more exciting ones heading into the year, but don’t sleep on Lavender. It takes a village of relief pitchers to get through a full season. Lavender should be one of those villagers they turn to as long as he doesn’t hit a wall at the start of this season. A strong spring will, at the very least, put him in contention for an early promotion.