New York Mets News

Home

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

David Banks-Imagn Images

Top Mets Prospects Who Could Contribute in 2026

Originally posted on Just Baseball | Last updated Jan 15, 2026 11:50 AM ET

The New York Mets enter the 2026 season with a perfect situation to put their talented farm system on display.

After years of a system filled with mediocre prospects thanks to a handful of poor decisions in the annual MLB Draft, the Mets have quietly built one of the most lethal farm systems in the game.

When owner Steve Cohen purchased the team in late 2020, he made it clear that part of his vision was to build up the farm in an attempt to generate sustained success at the big league level. That vision has only been further built upon by president of baseball operations David Stearns, who was hired in late 2023.

The combination of the need at certain positions paired with talented prospects who are big league-ready to fill them has brewed the perfect storm for New York heading into 2026.

After years of building this system from the ground up, the time has come to put these pieces to the test. Let’s take a look at a handful of young prospects who are in line to make an MLB impact in the coming season.

Nolan McLean (RHP)

Nolan McLean is the top pitching prospect in all of baseball, according to Just Baseball’s latest rankings.

He dominated in his eight big league starts down the stretch for New York in 2025, posting a 2.06 ERA while striking out 30.3 percent of batters. McLean tossed just a shade under 50 innings, keeping his prospect status intact for 2026.

McLean also generated groundballs at a 61.1% clip, largely thanks to his primary sinker. The righty pairs the sinker with a wicked sweeper that averages just under 3,000 RPM. His ability to generate both groundballs and whiffs with the sweeper separates the pitch from the rest of his arsenal.

Not only does McLean’s stuff profile as elite, but he has shown the ability to perform when the lights are bright. His best start of 2025 came against the Philadelphia Phillies on August 27, where he tossed eight scoreless innings and struck out six. At the time, the Phillies and Mets were battling for first place in the National League East.

McLean is a surefire candidate to make the Mets’ Opening Day rotation. New York will lean tremendously on the 24-year-old to give them rotation stability, something they struggled mightily with a season ago.

Carson Benge (OF)

Similar to McLean, Carson Benge projects to be someone who will break camp with the Mets this spring. New York has a need in both left and center field, two positions that Benge could slot into as early as Opening Day.

The Oklahoma State product slashed .281/.385/.472 with 15 homers and 22 stolen bases across three levels of the minors in 2025. He displayed his all-around potential in his first, and likely only, full season in the minor leagues.

Carson Benge (@Mets No. 4 prospect) blasts it OUT OF SIGHT @MLBPipeline's No. 68 prospect demolishes his 5th HR over his last 6 games

It's Benge's 8th HR in 26 Double-A games

427 feet
107.3 mph

x #NeedForSteed x @MetsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/hstOFymNjv
— Binghamton Rumble Ponies (@RumblePoniesBB) August 3, 2025

Benge has the ability to field all three outfield spots, but primarily patrolled center in 2025. Scouts say that the 22-year-old has skill set to play center field at the major league level.

On paper, Benge struggled in twenty four games at the Triple-A level to end his 2025 campaign, slashing just .178/.272/.311 with three home runs.

However, underlying metric suggest that he simply ran into bad luck in Triple-A. A 96th-percentile 14.1% barrel rate, paired with a 97th-percentile hard-hit rate at 53.5% demonstrates that misfortune.

Whether or not the Mets add another outfielder, as reports suggest they would like to, Carson Benge is still someone to keep on eye on in 2026.

Jonah Tong (RHP)

Jonah Tong had an up-and-down cup of coffee with the Mets in 2025. He struggled in three of his five big league starts, which left a little bit of a bad taste in some fans’ mouths.

Despite those growing pains in the majors, Tong still looks primed to be a quality big league arm.

Across 113.2 minor league innings, Tong posted a sparkling 1.43 ERA while striking out 179 hitters. All around, he put together a ridiculously good season; one that forced New York’s hand in a premature call-up when they were in desperate need of starting pitching.

Tong primarily relies on his four-seam fastball which sits around 95mph. That average velocity is artificially elevated due to Tong’s wiry 6-foot-1 frame and 64-degree arm angle.

Tong uses his height to extend off the mound during his delivery, adding perceived velocity to his heater. Paired with his extremely over-the-top arm slot, the righty loves to pound the top of the zone and generate whiffs.

The 22-year-old’s arsenal also includes a unique changeup that he grips more like a splitter and a hammer curveball that is especially effective due to his aforementioned arm angle.

Jonah Tong's vulcan changeup grip helped him post a 1.43 ERA in the minors this year ‍ pic.twitter.com/QGPZKdTrDV
— MLB (@MLB) August 29, 2025

Tong is likely to start the 2026 season in Triple-A Syracuse. After making only two starts there last season, additional experience is key. Eventually, he should join the Mets’ big league staff and could be an impact arm in his rookie season.

Dylan Ross (RHP)

Dylan Ross is not a highly touted prospect in the Mets system, but he could emerge as an impact arm in 2026.

Ross was called up to the majors on the final day of the regular season in 2025, but did not take the hill for his big league debut. That can, and likely will, come in the coming season instead. The Mets are projected to have competition for roster spots in their bullpen to open the season, and Ross will be firmly in the mix.

The 25-year-old quickly rose through the Mets system last season. After tossing just one inning in the year prior, Ross logged 54 innings in 2025. He turned heads posting a 2.17 ERA and striking out 80 hitters over the course of the season.

The right hander’s arsenal contains an upper 90s fastball paired with a splitter that plays well off the heater.

Control remains as an area in need of improvement, as Ross walked 14.7% of hitters in 2025. If that issue can be cleaned up, there is no reason why he can’t be a plus arm in the Mets bullpen in 2026 and beyond.

This article first appeared on Just Baseball and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: