Day 2 of the 2024 MLB draft has come to a close. The Mets took three right-handed pitchers with their 8th, 9th, and 10th round picks, two of which come as teammates from Oklahoma.
Ryan Lambert, Photo by Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Pick No. 233 – Ryan Lambert, RHP
With the 233rd overall pick (round eight) of the 2024 MLB Draft, the New York Mets selected right-handed pitcher Ryan Lambert from Oklahoma University.
The 6’3” 222 pounder had a 2.57 ERA in 21 innings while working exclusively as a relief pitcher for Oklahoma in 2024. He struck out 19 batters while finding his way to 4 wins (4-0). His D1 ‘heat sheet’ included numerous pitches that clocked over 100 mph, including a 102 mph fastball. He gave up just six earned runs on 14 hits and 12 walks, holding opposing batters to just a .184 average against him.
The 21-year old is a pure power reliever with a fastball that sits in the mid-to-upper 90’s and has touched 100+ mph. He has a short power cutter and slider with below average control.
In his June 15 draft league appearance with West Virginia Black Bears, he lit up the radar gun, hitting 89.4 mph on a slider, 98.1 mph and 99.4 mph respectively on his fastball. He also touched 102 mph during the draft league. Those numbers hold the MLB Draft League velocity record. While he needs work on command, his pitch speed and velocity is there and have impressed scouts.
Pick No. 263 – Jaxon Jelkin, RHP
With the 263rd pick (round 9) of the 2024 MLB Draft, the New York Mets selected right-handed pitcher Jaxon Jelkin from the University of Houston. He sits at 6’5,” 190lb and is from Omaha, Nebraska.
As a junior in 2024, Jelkin was named the opening day starter for Houston and struck out seven, giving up just one earned run. This would foreshadow the remainder of the season as he went on to strike out six or more in five of his seven starts, including recording a single-game team-high of 13 strikeouts against BYU on March 15. Jelkin threw only two quality starts; with one against BYU where he allowed one run over six innings pitched, and one against TCU when he allowed three earned runs over 6 1/3 innings pitched.
Jelkin has a fastball that touches 97 mph, along with a slider and a change-up. His slider sits low-to-mid 80’s with good sweeping action, and his changeup touches mid-80s as well.
Prior to attending Houston he was drafted in the 14th round of the 2023 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but chose to continue his collegiate career. As a fun note, Jelkin’s favorte player was Derek Jeter and his favorite movie is “Major League.”
Pick No. 298 – Brendan Girton, RHP
Another Oklahoma University Sooner is off the board and joining his teammate in New York. With the 298th overall pick (Round 10) in the 2024 MLB Draft, the New York Mets selected right-handed pitcher Brendan Girton out of Oklahoma University. He is a 6’7,” 227lb redshirt junior.
Girton is a Gage, Oklahoma native who previously attended Texas Tech University. As a transfer from Texas Tech, he made 15 appearances with seven starts as a redshirt sophomore. He threw 51 innings over the course of that time.
According to prospectslive.com, Girton is a stocky, right-handed pitcher with good pitch shapes, but overall struggles with command. Girton has a fastball that averages 92-94 mph, that has great carry with good deception due to a low release. He also has a mid-80’s sweeping slider that is sharp and has plus sweep potential. His repertoire also includes a mid-80’s changeup.
In 2024, Girton had a 7.32 ERA in 35 2/3 innings while striking out 47 batters and reaching as high as 98 mph on his fastball.
