Mets farm system offers the perfect positional variety they've been missing for years

One of the issues with the New York Mets farm system in recent years has been the lack of variety. They’ve been a salad bar with only iceberg lettuce and two dressings. Top outfield prospects Jarred Kelenic and Pete Crow-Armstrong were abruptly traded away shortly into their professional tenures. On the pitching front, they’ve had very few develop into major league arms.

The talent is now spread a little more evenly throughout. The Mets now suddenly have enough variety in their farm system to cover nearly every major roster hole on the verge of opening.

First Base – Ryan Clifford

First base should be occupied by Pete Alonso for the foreseeable future, but if that just doesn’t happen, the Mets at least have Ryan Clifford as someone in the pipeline. A little further behind than some of the other prospects, Clifford could even fall into becoming a solution at more than one spot. First base? A corner outfield spot? The everyday DH? Let’s see what he looks like in 2024 and find a place after.

Second Base – Luisangel Acuna

Second base seems like the most logical destination for Luisangel Acuna. Like many minor leaguers, he has spent his career at multiple minor league spots. Jeff McNeil has a club option for the 2027 season. His versatility will allow the Mets wiggle room. It should also keep McNeil as a potential trade chip if they decide to go younger at second base.

Center Field – Jett Williams

The move of Brandon Nimmo from center field to left field in 2024 for at least the games Harrison Bader plays suggests the Mets are serious about other center field candidates. Jett Williams is a converted shortstop who, like Acuna, should roam around a little more. However, center field feels like one of the better fits for him. Speedy with an eye at the plate anyone should be jealous of, the Mets may have accidentally drafted a future center fielder without realizing it.

Right Field – Drew Gilbert

Brought to us by the 2023 trade deadline, Drew Gilbert is high on everyone’s radar as a future right fielder for the Mets. The sooner the better in the opinion of most. He’s probably going to get some opportunity in 2024 at one of the outfield spots. Finding a starting role for him in 2025 may, however, be tricky. Not to worry. The Mets will clear out right field for him by 2026.

Pitchers – An abundance of options

Pitching is a bit of a question mark with the Mets. What else is new? They do have an abundance of options in the minors on the rise. From high draft picks like Blade Tidwell to the surprisingly talented Christian Scott, we can handpick several of these pitchers to fill the major league roster spots. The Mets can’t rely solely on these guys. Even the best of them may find a spot in the bullpen as a mid-level guy. Nevertheless, the Mets finally do have an army of arms with similar ETAs to the majors. The timing works out well with the free agent status of nearly every one of their MLB pitchers.

At the unnamed positions, catcher is occupied by Francisco Alvarez, shortstop by Francisco Lindor, and left field will become Brandon Nimmo’s playground. It’s only at third base where the Mets are awaiting an answer with Brett Baty. It’s a reminder that while variety and choices at each position are good to have, you do need some backup plans.