Boston Baro, Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
The Mets sent out some of their best prospects for their Spring Breakout game against the Washington Nationals with Jonah Tong getting the start. Tong looked good in his two innings of work, striking out three batters while walking two and allowing one hit. While he was a little bit out of control in the first inning, Jonah settled in for the second inning and put the breaks on the Nationals momentum.
Jonathan Pintaro, the surprise pitcher who rose through three levels in 2024 came out for both the third and fourth inning, and allowed three hits and struck out one batter. LHP Jonathan Santucci would make his first professional appearance in this game and after getting into some early trouble, including an ill-advised glove-throw to first base. Though he was able to induce a double-play ground ball to eliminate the threat. Dylan Ross pitched the sixth inning and allowed a hit and struck out a batter. Ryan Lambert had an uneven inning, allowing one run on one hit while walking and striking out two batters. His velocity was as advertised, but he struggled to land his breaking balls in the zone.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Mets managed to get some baserunners on, however, the Nationals tough lefty starter – Alex Clemmey – stifled two Mets rallies with runners on second base in the first and the third innings. Despite this, Boston Baro sent an absolute shot to left centerfield to open the scoring for the Mets, 1-0 in the third inning. What all the more impressive is lefties were 20-for-97 with 37 strikeouts last season against Alex Clemmey with 0 home runs.
Very impressive by Boston Baro off a tough lefty.
He’s continued to add muscle since being drafted in hopes of more power. He has an advanced approach at the plate.
I have the 20-year-old ranked as the Mets’ No. 13 prospect.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) March 16, 2025
Nick Morabito hit a two-RBI single in the fourth inning, scoring Kevin Parada and Boston Baro and bringing the game to 3-0. Ryan Clifford showed off his power stroke with an absolute tank to centerfield for a two-run home run.
That’s a serious home run by Ryan Clifford.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) March 16, 2025
The Mets did not manage a hit after the fifth inning. Colin Houck drew a walk, but was thrown out on the bases when he got caught leaning the wrong way. Jeremy Rodriguez went 0-for-1 with a walk, and its always impressive to see J.Rod perform this well while almost always being the youngest player in his league.
The game was called after seven and a half innings, with the Mets winning 5-1.
Hitters:
- CF Nick Morabito: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, SB
- RF Carson Benge: 1-for-2, 2B, BB
- SS Jett Williams: 0-for-2, R, BB, SB, K
- 3B Boston Baro: 2-for-3, 2 R, HR, 1 RBI
- 1B Ryan Clifford: 1-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K
Pitchers:
- RHP Jonah Tong: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K
- RHP Jonathan Pintaro: 2 IP, 3 H, 1 K
- LHP Jonathan Santucci: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB
- RHP Dylan Ross: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 K
- RHP Ryan Lambert: 1 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K
Player Of The Game:
Boston Baro went 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs and a home-run to left-center. The contact has always been there for Baro and the 2025 season will really show how far his prospect stock can rise if he can get into his power. Baro hit the homer against a very tough lefty and took it the opposite way. I am very bullish on Boston and feel he has the potential to be a top-5 Mets prospect for the 2026 season if he can tap into the power and keep up his strong batting eye.
