Khalil Lee, Photo by James Farrance
Earlier, it was reported top prospects Mike Vasil and Carson Seymour have been promoted from Low-A St. Lucie to High-A Brooklyn. With Vasil and Seymour going to Brooklyn, it was also announced right-handed pitcher Nick MacDonald will be moved from Brooklyn to St. Lucie.
MacDonald, 23, has not appeared in a game this season for Brooklyn as he was listed on the seven day IL. The Mets 2019 23rd round pick made six relief appearances for Brooklyn last season. Over 10 2/3 innings, he allowed six earned on 13 hits and two walks while striking out 14.
Joining MacDonald in St. Lucie will be right-handed pitchers Joel Diaz and Robert Colina as well as left-handed pitcher Javier Atencio.
Diaz, 18, is the big name here as he was ranked as MMN‘s 14th best Mets prospect entering the season. Diaz was ranked so high despite not having previously played stateside due to a three pitch mix which includes a low to mid 90s fastball and a high spin curveball. Diaz made 15 appearances in the Dominican Summer League last season. He was 0-2 with a 0.54 ERA, 0.755 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9, and an 11. 3 K/9.
For Colina, this will be his second stint with St. Lucie this season. After he had made two starts, he was assigned to the FCL Mets. In those two starts, he pitched 6 2/3 innings allowing one earned on six hits and one walk while striking out eight.
Atencio, 20, will be making his stateside debut as well. In 2019 and 2021, the pitched in the Dominican Summer League. Last season, he made 14 starts and one relief appearance totaling 48 innings. Overall, he was 1-3 with a 2.44 ERA, 0.979 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9, and a 14.3 K/9.
In addition to the aforementioned moves, the Mets announced outfielder Khalil Lee will be rejoining Triple-A Syracuse after an eight game stint with St. Lucie. After a slow start with Syracuse, Lee seemed to get back on track hitting .241/.371/.414 with three doubles, a triple, and two RBI.
Lee will now join a Syracuse outfield which includes Johneshwy Fargas, Nick Plummer, and the recently promoted Jake Mangum.
