3 Mets prospects the team needs to be ready most for Opening Day 2025

3) The Mets will need Nate Lavender as a bona fide MLB lefty reliever

Getting excited about a minor league reliever is more common than you may realize. Colin Holderman. Bryce Montes de Oca. Nate Lavender. It happens every preseason. Lavender is on the rise and while he’ll never quite get noted as one of the most elite Mets prospects because of his status as a relief pitcher, it does little to pour cold water on the excitement.

Mets fans haven’t been treated to all too many homegrown relievers in recent seasons. Seth Lugo, a failed starter with an asterisk, is the best one to come up through the system and have several successful years. For the most part, homegrown Mets relievers have flamed out quickly.

The 2025 Mets will need Lavender for a couple of reasons. Having minor league options is a huge plus. A league minimum salary, too, will allow them to spend elsewhere. With the team possibly losing lefty Brooks Raley in free agency if not beforehand at the trade deadline, the obvious roster need for a southpaw is present.

Bullpens are unique. On one hand, you don’t want to put together a staff of scrubs. On the other, if you can get away without paying them all that much, you’re in a great spot.

Lavender is another Mets prospect who should get his feet wet in 2024 on the big league roster. Hopefully he shows enough and there’s no debate he belongs on the 2025 team from game one onward.