Justin Dunn/Photo by Ed Delany

The 2018 season was an important one for Justin Dunn. He was coming off a tough year in what was his first full season as a starter. This year, Dunn has shown the Mets could not just start, but he could potentially be the top of the rotation starter they thought he could be when they make him their first round draft pick in the 2016 draft.

His performance would lead to him being given the Sterling Award for being the best pitcher in the Mets organization this season. It would also lead to him being invited to Queens to participate in a prospect development camp. Like he has done all season long, Dunn is impressing. Upon seeing his work during the camp, Mets manager Mickey Callaway would say:

He’s on our radar for sure. We brought him to that development camp knowing he might get close. We wanted to expose him to some things he might see at the major league level. If he continues to improve the way he’s done this year, you’re going to see him at some point in a Mets uniform next year.

It will help Dunn and the rest of the Mets pitching prospects that the Triple-A affiliate will be moving from Las Vegas to Syracuse. In a much more neutral environment, Dunn will not just get a chance to show what he is capable of doing, but the Mets will also get a better read on him. This is an environment ripe for a prospect like Dunn to take that next step Callaway and the Mets organization believes he can make.

When Dunn makes that next step, he may very well find himself in a Mets uniform and pitching for Callaway and Dave Eiland, two coaches who have the ability to help pitchers go past their perceived ceiling. All told, the future is very bright for Dunn.