A bold prediction for Mets pitching prospect Brandon Sproat

The New York Mets have made no mistakes in their 2024 intentions. From the outset, fans and media personnel have been well aware that this season is about building for the future. To show this, David Stearns has been more aggressive recently in evaluating younger talent at the major league level. For instance, Jose Butto and Christian Scott have each gotten an extended look in the rotation while Mark Vientos was just recently recalled to replace Joey Wendle.

Aside from the major league team, the Mets have made a plethora of minor league transactions over the past week. Rhylan Thomas and Blade Tidwell were both promoted to AAA Syracuse while Ryan Clifford and Nolan MacLean will now report to AA Binghamton. Drew Gilbert and Jett Williams will also soon return from the 7-day injured list. However, there is one prospect not getting enough accolades for his recent promotion.

Brandon Sproat will be in the starting rotation by Memorial Day 2025

Brandon Sproat has opened everyone's eyes at Maimonides Park in Brooklyn this season. Selected in the second round of the 2023 draft from the University of Florida, Sproat has the arsenal to become a top-end starter. In 5 games started, the 23-year-old has allowed just 3 earned runs in 25.1 innings pitched. He also allowed just 12 hits and struck out 33 batters.

Last week, the Mets rewarded Sproat for his dominance by promoting him to AA Binghamton. In his first start at Mirabito Stadium, he pitched 5 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts and allowed just 5 batters to reach base. Suffice it to say, that AA Binghamton will be rocking when he pitches this season.

Sproat has enough experience for the Mets to be aggressive with his development. Already 23 years old, Sproat pitched 4 seasons in collegiate baseball. He threw 89.1 innings in 2022 and 106.1 in 2023, meaning his inning progression is not far off from a full major league season.

Given pitch count should not be a problem, Sproat only has one more box to check before he is ticketed to AAA Syracuse. As with the major league club, Sproats' challenge is the base on balls. In those 25 innings pitched for the Cyclones, Sproat allowed 16 walks. This statistic coupled with 48 walks allowed for Florida University last year shows there is still work to be done before we get too excited.

The command issues Sproat has shown are not uncommon for a young starter and can easily be corrected. Tidwell had the same issue at AA Binghamton last season but improved as the season went along. The same goes for Scott, who has already endeared himself to the fanbase.

With innings not being an issue, Mets fans should fully expect an early promotion for Sproat in 2025. Can you imagine a homegrown rotation with Sproat, Scott, and Tidwell leading the way? Add in a healthy Kodai Senga, and Citi Field will finally be buzzing with pitching talent once more. Maybe all of that is being aggressive, but fans all agree on one thing: the Mets win when they have young homegrown starting pitching.