New York Mets first-and-second round draft picks, third-baseman Brett Baty and right-hander Josh Wolf — both high schoolers drafted out of Texas — were in Flushing on Saturday.
Wolf, 18, is reportedly in town to sign his contract. As noted by MMO‘s Jacob Resnick, it’s likely the Houston native begins his professional career with the St. Lucie Mets in the Gulf Coast League.
Gianna Arantes of MMO gave a great idea of what type of skill set Wolf brings to the table in her exclusive interview with the 53rd overall pick in this year’s draft earlier this week.
The 6’2”, 165-pound hurler has shown impressive consistency and growth throughout the regular season. In his junior year, he owned a 1.06 ERA in 39 innings, striking out 53 batters. As a senior, he posted a 1.52 ERA in 69 innings, striking out 126.
Wolf exceeded expectations when he dominated through St. Thomas’ playoff run and helped send the team to the state title game. The righty threw a no-hitter in the TAPPS Division-I state playoff opener against Austin St. Dominic Savio, striking out 11. He then threw a two-hit shutout against Concordia Lutheran in the semifinals.
Wolf’s pitching repertoire features a fastball in the mid-90s that tops out as high as 97 MPH, along with a slider, and a curve to compliment his heater. His curveball sits in the high-70s-to-low-80s with a deep 12-6 break and flashes plus. His changeup sits in the low-80s.
Baty, 19, arrived with a bit more fanfare. After signing their first-rounder on Friday for $3.9 million — just under $500,000 under slot value for the 12th overall selection — the Lake Travis High alum took batting practice at Citi Field on Saturday.
“This is a great organization to be a part of and I’m so happy I’m a Met,” Baty told the media corps (video via SNY). “It’s been one amazing ride from the draft to getting out here and taking [batting practice]. It’s just an amazing atmosphere out there on the field […]. I’m just so happy right now.”
Via video from Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Baty put on quite the display.
Mets first-rounder Brett Baty is at Citi Field today, taking BP and putting on a show. He parked one onto the Shea Bridge, and another to the upper deck in right BEYOND the entire seating area. pic.twitter.com/cULHWWoUQl
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 15, 2019
Mets skipper Mickey Callaway seemed pleased with the organization’s newest addition, as per Tim Healey of Newsday., saying Baty “sets up like Aubrey Huff and finishes like Jay Bruce“.
“The power is obviously awesome,” Callaway said. “He hit balls that I haven’t seen left-handers hit in our field.”
Baty slashed an astounding .608/.737/1.319 with 19 homers and 50 RBI’s over his senior season and decided to forego his commitment to the University of Texas to sign with the Mets.
Baty will also start his professional career with St. Lucie, “for at least a couple of weeks to get his feet wet”, again via Healey.
