Mets allegedly summoning pitching novice Brandon Sproat as New York revamps rotation with a view towards playoff drive

The New York Mets are shaking up their pitching rotation, with veteran starter Kodai Senga potentially sidelined for their next game. In a move that signals the team's faith in their younger talent, the Mets are set to call up Brandon Sproat for his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.

Sproat, who was drafted twice by the Mets, first in 2022 and then again in 2023, has impressed in Triple-A, particularly after a struggling start to the season. Despite a 6.69 ERA in his first nine starts, Sproat has significantly improved, boasting a 3.19 ERA in his last outings.

Sproat's arsenal of pitches, including a mid-90s fastball, a good changeup, and a sweeper, has proved effective in his professional debut, where he has recorded 86 strikeouts and 36 walks in 84 2⁄3 innings.

The Mets are turning to their top pitching prospects due to underperforming veterans and no starter addition at the trade deadline. Sproat enters this season as one of the top 50 prospects in baseball, and his call-up comes at a crucial time for the Mets, who are in the third wild card spot and four games up on a postseason berth.

Meanwhile, fellow pitching prospect Trevor Williams Tong made his MLB debut last week, allowing four runs (one earned) in five innings. Sean Manaea, another veteran starter, has struggled recently, posting a 5.60 ERA since making his season debut on July 13.

In a positive note, another prospect, Nick McLean, has been impressive, allowing only four runs in 27 1⁄3 innings in four starts. The Mets, with a 75-65 record, are hoping that these young talents can help propel them towards a postseason spot.

A preseason write-up predicted that Sproat would reach Citi Field sometime during the summer of 2025. However, the Mets have accelerated that timeline, giving Sproat the opportunity to make his MLB debut on September 7, 2022, rather than 2025 as initially expected.

As the Mets navigate the final stretch of the season, the call-up of Brandon Sproat marks a significant step in the team's strategy to bolster their pitching and secure a postseason berth. The young pitcher's debut against the Reds will be a closely watched event, as fans and analysts alike anticipate his impact on the team's fortunes.

Mets allegedly summoning pitching novice Brandon Sproat as New York revamps rotation with a view towards playoff drive