An expert in MLB player development explained this week why New York Mets fans shouldn’t be too concerned about the team not adding a big-name pitcher to their rotation this offseason.
This has not been the offseason NY Mets fans hoped for. The club has moved on from four major members of their core, including franchise home run king Pete Alonso, and the moves they have made in response haven’t blown supporters’ hair back.
Adding a big pitcher to the rotation was believed to be a priority this offseason. And it is why they have been linked to trade for Tarik Skubal and Freddy Peralta. Furthermore, they are allegedly still in the running for free agent starters Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez.
Nevertheless, landing any of those players seems to be 50/50 at best currently. Which means the team might go forward with the same group that played a major role in their September collapse. However, according to MLB player development analyst Lance Brozdowski, that may be okay because of the youth movement NY Mets fans saw in the final weeks of the season.
NY Mets Have MLB’s Best Pitching Development
In an appearance on the Foul Territory Show, Brozdowski explained how, due to major additions the organization made to their development personnel over the last few years, their pitching prospects have made a massive jump in production in that time.
“I really like what they are doing. To me, right now, they are the No. 1 team [in MLB] from a pitching development standpoint,” he said.
NY Mets fans saw the high potential of their young pitchers in September when Nolan McLean looked like a future ace for the franchise. Furthermore, Jonah Tong was the best pitching prospect in baseball last year in the eyes of many experts, and Brandon Sproat has the potential to be an impactful No. 2 or 3 starter in the league.
When Steve Cohen purchased the team in 2020, building through the minor leagues was a top priority. President David Stearns has also made that a top goal, and the fruits of their labor are showing because the Mets have one of the best farm systems in baseball currently. Meaning that they may end up addressing their pitching issues from within in 2026, instead of with expensive external options.
