Ryan Clifford (left) and Jett Williams (right) –Photo by James Villani of Metsmerized
MLB Pipeline released their latest Top 100 Prospects list on Tuesday and the Mets have four players on the newest list including, No. 40, Brandon Sproat; No. 57, Jett Williams; No. 82, Drew Gilbert; and No. 83, Ryan Clifford.
Brandon Sproat. Photo by Kylie Richelle of Syracuse Mets
RHP, Brandon Sproat, No. 40
Sproat has quickly made a name for himself while working his way through the Mets’ farm system. Drafted in the second round of the 2023 MLB draft, the 23-year old Gator alumni found himself promoted to Triple-A Syracuse earlier this month, just five months after playing with Single-A Brooklyn.
So far this season between the three levels, Sproat is 6-3 with a 2.53 ERA. In 92 1/3 innings pitched he has given up just 26 earned runs on 58 hits and has struck out 114. He struggled in his Triple-A debut last week giving up a season-high six earned runs, but prior to being called up to Syracuse he had struck out a season high 13 batters over five innings for Double-A Binghamton. In his last start, Sproat was ejected after the third inning when he began to argue with the home plate umpire regarding a close play at home earlier in the inning. Prior to the ejection he struck out two batters and allowed one run on two hits, and one walk.
Sproat was selected to the 2024 Futures Game and named the August 4th EAS Pitcher of the Week as well.
Jett Williams, Photo by Bronson Harris of Binghamton Rumble Ponies
Shortstop, Jett Williams, No. 57
Williams split the 2023 season between Low-A St. Lucie, High-A Brooklyn, and Double-A Binghamton. Between the three levels he batted .263/.425/.451, with a .876 OPS. He had 22 doubles, eight triples, 13 home runs, walked 104 times, drove in 55 RBIs, and scored 81 runs. He also accrued 45 stolen bases and was only caught stealing seven times. Once he gets on base, the speedy 20-year old shortstop is hard to catch.
He was named to the All-MiLB Prospect Second Team in 2023 and was also named a Mets’ MiLB.com organization All-Star.
Williams has only appeared in 11 games this season for Double-A Binghamton and was batting .179/.360/.308, with a .668 OPS. He was placed on the seven-day injured list on April 29, 2024, before being moved to the 60-day injured list last week.
Drew Gilbert, Photo by Ed Delany of Mets Minors
Centerfielder, Drew Gilbert, No. 82
Gilbert is the third Met on the MLB Pipeline’s newest Top 100 Prospects list. The 23-year old centerfielder has also worked his way quickly from Double-A to Triple-A after being traded from Houston in the 2023 deal for Justin Verlander.
Gilbert was assigned to Triple-A Syracuse out of camp in the Spring, but was placed on the injured list in April. He was activated from the injured list on July 23rd.
So far over the course of the 2024 season he is batting .214/.321/.286, with a .607 OPS. He has two doubles, a home run and two RBIs. Unfortunately, he was forced out of the game on August 14th after taking a HBP in the groin, however, he did seem to want to try to stay in the game.
Ryan Clifford. Photo by Bronson Harris of Binghamton Rumble Ponies
First Baseman, Ryan Clifford, No. 83
First baseman Ryan Clifford rounds out the Mets’ prospects on the newest MLB Pipeline Top 100 rankings. He also came to the Mets in 2023 as part of the Verlander trade.
He has split the 2024 season between High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton. After initially struggling with one home run through 102 at-bats with Brooklyn, Clifford’s offensive production picked up in Binghamton where he has 13 home runs and 16 doubles though 233 at-bats. Overall, he has hit 22 doubles, 14 home runs, driven in 51 RBIs, walked 76 times and has 53 runs scored. However, Clifford’s swing and miss tendencies remain evident with his nearly 2:1 strike out to walk ratio in Binghamton.
Clifford is another player that, if the 21-year old can stay healthy, might find himself at the next level soon.
