Mets Down On The Farm – Weekly Round-Up, April 15

For those who aren’t aware, a good rule of thumb with Minor League Baseball is that teams will play six straight games, against one opponent, typically playing Tuesday through Sunday. This helps cut down on the travel, especially for those longer road trips that Minor Leaguers know all too well. With that being said, let’s take a look at how the Minor League Teams fared over the past week, and how some of the New York Mets top prospects are playing.

Triple-A: Syracuse Mets

The Syracuse Mets had a series against the Worcester Red Sox this week, breaking the mold, playing Monday, then Wednesday-Sunday. This was for the total solar eclipse that happened in Central New York this past week, and the Syracuse Mets took advantage of it and had a “Total Eclipse of the Park” theme night. But in their six games with the Red Sox this past week, the Mets went 4-2, to boast their overall record to 8-6 for the season.

The Mets number 2 overall prospect, Drew Gilbert, hasn’t played a game since April 6. Gilbert suffered a hamstring injury while running the bases in a game against the New York Yankees Triple-A affiliate.

The Mets number 3 overall prospect, Luisangel Acuna, however has been healthy, and played in all 6 games over the past week. During that span Acuna went 7 for 24 (.292) with a triple, and 3 RBIs, while striking out 5 times, and stealing 4 out of 5 bases. For the season, Acuna has posted a slash line of .207/.233/.292.

The last top 10 prospect for the Mets currently in Syracuse, is the Mets number 5 overall prospect, Christian Scott. On April 10th, Scott recorded his first Triple-A win. Scott dominated the Red Sox for 5 innings, giving up just 2 hits and 1 run while striking out 10 batters and walking just one.

Up Next: The Syracuse Mets will travel to Charlotte to take on the Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies traveled to Erie this week, to play the SeaWolves, the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The Rumble Ponies didn’t fare too well, posting a 2-3 record, with one game getting cancelled due to rain, moving them to a 3-5 record in the young season.

Residing in Binghamton is the Mets number one overall prospect, Jett Williams. Williams is struggling to start the season, and this week was no different for the 20 year old. In 4 games Williams went 2 for 14 (.142) with a double and a triple, driving in one run, while striking out once, and drawing one walk. Over his 7 games this season, Williams has posted a .185/.290/.333 slash line. The kid isn’t striking out a ton, from what I can see, seems like this is more bad luck than anything. He’s also only played a total of 13 games at Double-A. Give the kid some time, he will come around.

The Mets number 9 overall prospect, Kevin Parada, played in 4 games this past week against the SeaWolves. In those 4 games, Parada went 3 for 12 (.250) with a home run and 3 RBIs, while striking out 5 times and walking twice. On the young season, Parada has posted a .294/.480/.471 slash line, starting off his first full season in Double-A pretty strong.

Also playing in Binghamton, is the Mets number 10 overall prospect, Blake Tidwell. In his first start of the season, Tidwell pitched a gem, despite getting the loss. Tidwell pitched 5.2 innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 unearned run, while striking out 5 and walking 2. Tidwell started 8 games for the Rumble Ponies last season, and he has learned a thing or two, and it seems like he is ready to give it his all this season.

Up Next: The Binghamton Rumble Ponies will come home to take on the Reading Fightin Phils, the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones

The Brooklyn Cyclones had their first homestand of the 2024 season, as they hosted the Asheville Tourists, the High-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. Like the Syracuse squad, the Cyclones posted a 4-2 record, giving them an overall record of 4-5 on the young season.

The Cyclones currently only have one of the Mets top 10 prospects, and that is their number 4 overall prospect, Ryan Clifford. Clifford played in all 6 of the Cyclones games this week, going 4 for 20 (.200) with 2 doubles and a home run, driving in one run, while striking out 8 times and walking 4 times. So far in the young season, Clifford has posted a .156/.289/.313 slash line. The 20 year old played 90 games in High-A last year (32 with the Cyclones) so this isn’t his first trip at this level, but its still very early in the season. Just like the case with Jett Williams, it is far too early to even think of worrying yet.

Up Next: The Brooklyn Cyclones will travel to the Jersey Shore (no GTL on this trip) to take on the BlueClaws, the High-A affiliate of the Philidelphia Phillies.

Single-A: St. Lucie Mets

The St. Lucie Mets were in Jupiter this week to take on the Hammerheads, the Single-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Mets went 2 and 4 against the Hammerheads this week, putting them at a 3-6 overall record so far this season. St. Lucie is home to two of the Mets top ten prospects.

The Mets number 7 overall prospect, Colin Houck, is getting his first crack at affiliated ball, after playing in the Rookie League last season. Like some of the other Mets top prospects, Houck is struggling to start the season. Houck was 2 for 19 (.105) with 2 RBIs, while striking out 8 times and walking 5. So far this season, Houck has posted a .156/.263/.219 slash line. Especially at this level, you’ve got to remember that this kid has a total of 8 games of affiliated ball under his belt, more times than not, there are going to be struggles before success.

Joining Houck in Single-A is the Mets number 8 overall prospect, Marco Vargas. Vargas only appeared in one game this week, and went 1 for 4 (.250) with a single, an RBI, and a run scored. This is only Vargas’ second game this season, and overall he is 2 for 8, which equates to a .250/.300/.250 slash line.

Up Next: The St. Lucie Mets will be traveling to Tampa this week to take on the Tarpons, the Single-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.

Looking Forward

This week is an exciting one for Mets fans, as SNY has announced that select Minor League games will be televised this season. This week the network will be broadcasting the Rumble Ponies game on Thursday as they take on the Reading Fightin Phils. This is a great opportunity for the Minor Leaguers to get some limelight without having to go through the hoops of subscribing to MiLB.tv, or utilizing the Bally Live Mobile App.

I’m excited to see what the future of Flushing gives us this week.

By Brian Handzel

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

If you would like to know what the NY Mets this past week read our recap article here.

We also recently published a NY Mets article on the team retiring the #16 of Doc Gooden. You can read that informative article here.