Mets' Superstar Prospect Could Debut in 2024

The New York Mets will look to put their disastrous 2023 season behind them after they finished 12 games below .500 and fourth in the NL East division.

With a massive payroll that resulted in them paying a record-setting luxury tax, their poor play forced the organization to start selling off some of their high-profile players to get promising pieces in return.

One of those coveted prospects was outfielder, Drew Gilbert, who came to the Mets from the Houston Astros in the Justin Verlander trade.

Gilbert is now ranked as their No. 2 overall prospect and is a consensus Top-100 prospect in the sport, being ranked 52nd by MLB Pipeline.

He was the Astros first round pick in 2022 and had a monster season in 2023 during his first full year of professional baseball.

Gilbert was even better when joining New York's organization, posting a slash line of .325/.423/.561 with six home runs and 21 RBI across 35 games. He also displayed elite defense, playing all three outfield positions and organizing the other players.

So, why might he make his MLB debut in 2024 when he's not projected to play in the Majors until 2025?

The Mets' new president of baseball operations, David Stearns, stated in November that he's looking to get their younger players some reps.

"We will construct a roster that provides enough flexibility that our young, talented players do get a chance over the course of a year," he said.

The 23-year-old will also be in close proximity to the Major League roster and could be an early candidate to be called-up based on his talent profile.

"Despite an aggressive swing, he does not strike out at an alarming rate (under 20 percent strikeout rate at the Double-A level) and has above-average plate discipline ... He is an above-average athlete and that translates into the outfield, where he can handle the responsibilities of center field while possessing an arm strong enough to play right field ... I fully expect Gilbert to begin the season with Triple-A Syracuse with the opportunity to potentially get a look at the big league level in the first half of 2024," writes Joe DeMayo of SNY.

With that in mind, don't be shocked if their superstar prospect gets plenty of opportunities to shine for New York next season.