Two of the Mets High School picks from the 2023 MLB draft have indicated they will sign with the team. With the compensation pick in the fourth round ($483K slot value) for Jacob deGrom signing with the Rangers, the Mets selected shortstop A.J. Ewing from Springsboro High School in Ohio. With their 16th round pick, the Mets took third baseman Jake Zitella from St. Charles East High School in Illinois. Both are signing with the Mets, with their signing bonus unknown at the time.
Ewing, 18, was ranked as the 101st player in the draft by Prospects Live and was taken by the Mets with the 134th pick. Prospects Live noted that Ewing, “Ewing is an absolutely electric player on the field. He’s added some weight to his frame, but he still possesses quality athleticism and very quick hands at the dish. There’s burgeoning power with his sweet lefthanded swing, as well. His range and arm at shortstop suggest he can stick there long term.”
The three-time All-Conference First Team baseball player also played football at Springsboro. He was a University of Alamaba commit.
Zitella, 18, hit .484/.570/.945 slugging percentage with 13 doubles, nine home runs, and 39 RBIs this year. “The Mets] were [involved with me during the season]. I felt like there were a couple other teams that were more interested, but I’m happy with the Mets. I’m ready to get started,” Zitella told Shaw Local paper.
Zitella’s favorite player is Francisco Lindor and now they will be in the same organization.
The Mets also moved quickly to sign undrafted free agent right-handed pitcher Dakota Hawkins from Washington State University. According to Hawkins, he was talking to other teams when the Mets made an offer he couldn’t refuse. The Mets then rescinded the offer because they thought they had miscalculated and weren’t able to offer Hawkins that much. As Hawkins was talking to other teams, the Mets came back and said the initial six-figure offer was still on the table. Teams can give an undrafted player up to a $150,000 signing bonus without it counting toward their pool.
The 23-year-old had 92 strikeouts in 73 innings this year and allowed only four home runs in 14 starts. Hawkins was a two-time National Player of the Week in 2023.
The Mets’ overall bonus pool for the entire draft is $8,440,400 bonus pool.
