3 Mets prospects heading into a make-or-break year

2. Alex Ramirez

The Mets have a track record of signing immense talent out of the international market. At 16 years old, outfielder Alex Ramirez signed with the Mets out of the Dominican Republic in July of 2019 for $2.05 million. He is known as a solid defensive centerfielder with an above-average arm and great speed. With the lack of right-handed options for the outfield in 2024, Ramirez would have a solid chance of getting an opportunity in Queens later this season.

Ramirez broke out in 2022 playing 121 games between St. Lucie and Brooklyn. He hit a combined .281 with 11 home runs, 71 RBI, and 21 stolen bases. This result made Ramirez an MLB Pipeline top 100 prospect in all of baseball before the 2023 season. Since then, however, Ramirez only hit .221 with 7 home runs and 53 RBI for Brooklyn in 2023. He has fallen from a top-5 prospect in the Mets’ system down to 11.

David Stearns is taking a chance Ramirez will bounce back in 2024 having added the 21-year-old to the 40-man roster. This does not mean Ramirez will make his debut this season, Billy Eppler added Ronny Mauricio to the roster before 2022. Knowing the way Stearns values every 40-man roster spot, this was done to protect a still valuable asset from the Rule 5 Draft. However, if the Mets needed to clear space for another asset during the season, Ramirez could be a DFA candidate. This means the young outfielder must perform this season if he wants to remain in the organization.