On Friday evening MLB Pipeline revealed their Top 100 Prospects list for 2024. The New York Mets have four prospects in the top 100: Shortstop Jett Williams (No. 45) Drew Gilbert (No. 53), Luisangel Acuña (No. 66), and Ryan Clifford(No. 97).
Jett Williams, SS – No. 45:
Williams sits the highest out of all Mets players on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list. He was drafted by the Mets in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Rockwall-Heath High School in Texas. Since being drafted he has made a big name for himself and a strong early impression with the Mets’ ownership. The 20-year old split his first full professional season in 2023 between Low-A St. Lucie, High-A Brooklyn, before ending his season with Double-A Binghamton in what was a breakout year for the young shortstop.
Over the course of the season between the three levels he slashed .263/.425/.451 with an .876 OPS. Williams smacked 22 doubles, eight triples, 13 home runs, and drove in 55 RBIs. Williams walked to first base 104 times and had 45 steals with 81 runs scored. His 104 walks were the most in the Mets organization and ranked second among all minor leaguers.
Williams, who David Stearns has stated could make an impact at the big-league level in 2024, was named to the All-MiLB Prospect Second team in 2023 and was named the Mets’ 2023 MiLB.com organization all-star.
MLB.com described Williams’ maturity at the plate and his ability to keep the strike zone small while avoiding to swing at pitches out of the zone. As Williams continues to mature, some scouts believe he can continue to develop his power.
Drew Gilbert, OF – No. 53:
Gilbert (23-years old) was a 2022 first round draft pick by the Houston Astros out of the University of Tennessee.
The St. Paul, Minnesota native started his season with Low-A Asheville before being promoted to Double-A Corpus Christie in May. In August, he was traded to the Mets as part of the transaction that sent right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander back to the Astros for Gilbert and Ryan Clifford (also a top prospect on the MiLB Pipeline rankings). Upon being traded, Gilbert was assigned to Double-A Binghamton where he finished the season.
Between the three levels, Gilbert batted .289/.381/.487, with an .868 OPS while driving in 59 RBIs. Gilbert collected 47 extra-base hits including, 26 doubles, three triples, and 18 home runs. He walked 58 times and stole 12 bases.
Gilbert is known for being able to put the ball in play and for his above-average speed on the base paths. His aggressiveness and strong arm also make him a strong right-fielder, which if Gilbert continues to develop positively could put him in Queens sooner rather than later.
Luisangel Acuña, SS – No. 66:
Acuña is no strange name in the MLB industry. Luisangel is the brother of Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Braves.
The 21-year old shortstop was signed by the Rangers in 2018 where he developed for the next five years before being traded to the Mets on July 30 in the Max Scherzer trade. He finished out his 2023 season with Double-A Binghamton and is primed to make his AAA debut in Syracuse to start the 2024 season. If Acuña continues to progress as planned, he to may find himself helping out the big-league club this season.
Between AA Frisco and AA Binghamton, Acuña batted .294/.359/.410, with an .769 OPS. He hit 28 doubles two triples, nine home runs, and drove in 63 RBIs. He had 93 runs scored, walked 52 times and stole an impressive 57 bases this season as well.
While Acuña’s stance from the right side looks similar to that of his brother, he does not possess the same power. He has good bat-to-ball skills and plate coverage, however, he also tends to extend the strike zone more than he should.
Acuña isn’t afraid to show off his speed on the base paths as he has stolen at least 40 bases in three straight seasons. With Francisco Lindor at shortstop, Acuña could end up at second base, or the Mets could take advantage of his speed and arm-strength by using him in the outfield.
Ryan Clifford, OF/1B – No. 97:
Rounding out the top 100 prospects list for the Mets is the versatile outfielder/first baseman, Ryan Clifford.
Clifford was drafted by the Astros in 2022 in the eleventh round out of Pro5 Academy in Apex, North Carolina.
Clifford split the first half of the 2023 season between Low-A Fayetville (Astros) and High-A Asheville (Astros) before being traded to the Mets as part of the Verlander trade and finishing his season in Brooklyn with the Cyclones.
Between the three levels, the 20 year-old lefty slashed .262/.374/.480, with an .854 OPS. Clifford slugged 20 doubles, 24 home runs, drove in 81 RBIs, and had 70 runs scored. He walked 64 times and had five stolen bases. He has strong power at the plate and an ability to hit the ball to the opposite field. His 24 home runs were tied for second-most among minor league teenagers, and scouts believe that if he pulled the ball just a bit more he could become even more of a slugger. While he may have a lot of developing to do on the defensive side of the field, Clifford’s bat is what will get him to The Show.
Just Missing Out:
Missing out on the top-100 prospect list was Christian Scott. The Coconut-Creek, Florida native was a name that some thought would make the list. In 2023, Scott worked his way from Low-A St. Lucie to Double-A Binghamton.
He finished the season going 5-4 across 19 starts, with a 2.57 ERA. Over the course of 87 2/3 innings pitched he struck out 107 and walked only 12 batters leading to a WHIP of 0.86. In 12 Double-A starts, batters hit just .198 against Scott.
Despite the impressive numbers, the right-handed pitcher missed out on being named a Top 100 prospect in Friday’s rankings.
