Mets phenoms will retain rookie status for 2026

2025 has proven to be a challenging season for the New York Mets. The club entered the campaign with enormous expectations and dreams of competing for a World Series title, but with just a handful of games remaining on the schedule, the team is clinging to the last wild card spot. 

Despite the team's struggles to play consistently, there have been several positives in New York this season. Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor have helped pace the offense, with both players joining the elusive 30/30 club (home runs/stolen bases). Pete Alonso has looked like his former self again. There have even been big steps forward on the pitching front with the emergence of several arms from the team's minor league ranks. 

The trio of right-handers -- Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat -- each made their debuts in New York this season and will retain their rookie eligibility for 2026. 

Nolan McLean's arrival 

McLean arrived first from the group, making his debut on Aug. 16. The 24-year-old made eight starts for the Mets down the stretch, posting a 5-1 record and 2.06 ERA over 48.0 IP, while striking out 57. The former third-round draft pick from Oklahoma State University pitched across two levels in the minors this year before getting the call to New York, and has looked like the best homegrown arm the Mets have developed since Jacob deGrom through his first few outings. 

Fortunately for New York, McLean just missed the cutoff to retain his rookie eligibility for next season. Pitchers need to throw 50.0 innings or spend 45 days on the active roster (McLean was on for 44) to exhaust their rookie eligibility. After seeing how he performed through those first eight starts, McLean will surely be a favorite to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award next season. 

Jonah Tong's dominance 

Tong dominated across two levels in the minor leagues, leading all pitchers in ERA (1.58) and strikeouts (179), and was invited to play in the All-Star Futures Game. He's a favorite to take home MiLB Pitching Prospect of the Year honors. 

The 22-year-old made his debut with the Mets on Aug. 29 and made five starts, posting a 9.74 ERA over 18.2 IP. 

Don't forget Brandon Sproat

Sproat might have been the most well-known of the trio entering the 2025 season, but he's since been eclipsed by his two teammates. The former University of Florida hurler pitched in the 2024 All-Star Futures Game and pitched at three levels in his first pro season last year. 

He's spent this season at Triple-A, posting a 4.24 ERA over 121.0 IP, before making his debut with the Mets on Sept. 7. He made three starts with the Mets, with a 3.94 ERA over 16.0 IP. 

Given their 2025 performances, all three pitchers will likely come to spring training with designs on winning a spot in the Mets' starting rotation next season. Regardless of what the team does this offseason, having depth and options on the pitching front is a good problem for an organization to have.