The New York Mets could use all of the pitching they can get after trading away Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and David Robertson last season.
But some of that organizational depth is at risk during next Wednesday’s Rule 5 Draft in Nashville, which is part of MLB’s Winter Meetings.
One pitcher that the Mets risk losing is a Top 30 prospect in Coleman Crow.
Crow is at risk because the Mets didn’t move him to their 40-man roster at the tender deadline two weeks ago.
Crow qualifies for the Rule 5 Draft because he was drafted out of high school in 2019 by the Los Angeles Angels. Players that start their pro career at 18 or younger like Crow have to be on a team’s 40-man roster after five seasons or they can go through the Rule 5 Draft.
The Mets have other players exposed to the Rule 5 Draft. Some are high-rated prospects and some are minor league players that most fans haven’t heard of. But Crow, a 22-year-old right-hander, might be the most intriguing Mets player in the draft, per MLB.com:
New York acquired the 22-year-old right-hander from the Angels in the Eduardo Escobar deal, but he's yet to pitch for any Mets affiliate after undergoing Tommy John surgery in the summer. That rehab process likely left him off the 40-man for now, but a Rule 5 club that liked Crow — a four-pitch starter whose best pitch is his slider — could draft and stash the hurler with a more likely goal to stick in 2025.
For his minor-league career, Crow is 15-6 with a 4.33 ERA.
Stashing Crow is an interesting prospect for any team that drafts him, given the system. If Crow is selected, teams are required to move him immediately to their 26-man roster and pay the Mets $100,000.
If at any time next season Crow is released, that team must put him through outright waivers and offer him back to the Mets for $50,000.
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