3 Mets prospects whose stock fell hard in 2023

2) Calvin Ziegler

The second-round pick of the Mets in 2021, Calvin Ziegler is starting to become a bit more forgotten. He went 0-6 with a 4.44 ERA in 2022 in his first 16 starts. This past year, he only tossed a single inning. Ziegler did strike out all 3 batters he faced, though. 

Ziegler wasn’t so lucky outside of the one frame he tossed. While recovering from elbow surgery, he tore his quad. It erased any chance of him returning in 2023.

The Mets have had some rotten luck when it comes to early draft picks. Matt Allan has pitched even less than Ziegler in his professional career. The first and third round draft picks from 2021 surrounding Ziegler have some curious stories, too. This was the year the Mets and first-round selection Kumar Rocker failed to come to an agreement. It looks to be the right choice with him suffering some health ailments as well. Third-rounder Dominic Hamel has stayed healthy yet he has slowly become more buried in the farm system.

Ziegler was the lone high school draft pick made by the Mets in the 2021 draft which, right now, looks like a strangely successful one. Christian Scott came in the fifth round with Mike Vasil getting taken in the eighth. Intriguing minor leaguers who had some solid seasons in 2023, Rowdey Jordan and Matt Rudick, came to the club with the 11th and 13th picks respectively. Then there was Nate Lavender taken in the 14th round.

Poor health is what has knocked Ziegler’s stock down. It’s the one thing every good player needs to remain relevant. So far, he hasn’t had it.