ARLINGTON, Texas — What if the Mets could add some of their late-season bullpen defense from within rather than at the trade deadline?
What if a starting pitcher who can “throw lightning,” as Yankees top prospect Spencer Jones put it, could temporarily revert to being a multi-inning reliever for a team desperate for an effective reliever?
If that’s the clearest path to the major leagues, Brandon Sproat would welcome the challenge.
“If I get a chance to go to the big leagues as soon as possible, whether it’s as a starter or a reliever, I’m definitely not going to complain,” the Mets’ No. 2-ranked pitching prospect behind Christian Scott said Saturday. “I’ll find a way.”
So far, Sproat has found a way in a hurry.
The Mets selected the power pitcher out of the University of Florida in the third round in 2022, but were unable to come to an agreement and Sproat will spend his senior season with the Gators.
The Mets liked the right-hander enough to draft him in the second round last year, and Sproat’s first pro season has rewarded the team’s persistence.
Sproat appeared in six games for High-A Brooklyn before being promoted in May and is continuing to shine at Double-A Binghamton.
The 23-year-old has pitched a total of 14 games and 73 2/3 innings this year, posting a 1.71 ERA with 85 strikeouts and a 0.95 WHIP.
The performance was enough to send the rising star to Saturday’s All-Star Futures Game at Globe Life Field, where he pitched in the third inning and allowed no runs on 12 error-studded pitches.
His sinker reached 99.2 mph, getting one star prospect (Sebastian Walcott of the Rangers) on a grounder to shortstop and then getting another (Samuel Vassallo of the Orioles) out in a double play.
“My legs felt like jelly,” Sproat said with a smile after the team’s 6-1 victory over the National League. “It was just an amazing experience.”
His performance raises the question of whether the part-time reliever from college, who recorded triple-digit velocity with his fastball and has improved his secondary pitching form this season, can develop into an answer for the Mets’ relief corps come August or September just one year after being drafted.
The Mets have not promoted a prospect to the majors within one season of being drafted since 2014 first-round pick Michael Conforto came through the system and helped the Mets reach the World Series in 2015.
Like Conforto, Sproat is hoping the wait will be shorter, setting a personal debut goal of “sometime later this year.”
“Honestly, as soon as possible, that’s the obvious answer,” Sproat said, adding that he tries not to look too far ahead at any given time. “My biggest goal is just to be on my feet at the end of the day.”
He said he wants to return to the major leagues “as soon as possible.” USA Today Sports
His arms are threatening to take him elsewhere.
Sproat’s 100 mph fastball is his trademark, but his changeup might lead to some sillier swings.
New this year is a sweeper who learned from Binghamton teammate and promising two-way player Nolan McLean.
Sproat struggled with his slider, but after tweaking his grip to give it more horizontal kick, he found it to be a powerful weapon against right-handed hitters.
Looking back at his high school days, Sproat’s speed and movement drew attention, but his control lagged behind.
He pitched 21 ²/₃ innings out of Florida’s bullpen in 2021 and issued 15 walks.
As he gains experience, the fastball pitcher has begun to come into his own, walking 3.4 batters per nine innings this season.
“[My command has] “It’s like night and day compared to how it was before and how much it’s grown,” Sproat said.
A few weeks ago, Sproat faced the Red Sox’s star-studded Double-A affiliate Portland and pitched six scoreless, efficient innings, striking out three, allowing five hits and walking two.
Red Sox prospects remember that game.
“When you play against a guy like that, it definitely reminds you,” shortstop Marcelo Mayer said. “He’s got a great arm. He’s got electric power.”
“He has that unique balance of throwing a very fast ball and still playing great defense. That’s exactly what makes a great pitcher.”
Added catcher Kyle Teal: “He’s got a really good arm and he really knows his pitches. I remember that electric fastball.”
The time has come when fans in Queens will get to see that fastball.
