The Mets have bolstered their roster this year with players who look like they might be major league ready, adding nine Division I college players to their first 10 picks in the 2024 MLB Draft.
That’s exactly how things got sour, Mets vice president of amateur scouting Chris Gross said on a Zoom conference call Monday.
The only high school player among the Mets’ first 10 picks was shortstop Trey Snyder, a Kansas City area product who was selected in the fifth round (144th overall).
He has verbally committed to play for Tennessee, the 2024 College World Series champions, next season.
“Trey is committed to Tennessee, but we’ve been really impressed with his ability … and are excited about the possibility of bringing him here and hopefully signing him,” Gross said. “The kid played multiple sports in high school and we’ve had him work out and his athletic ability is just off the charts.”
The Mets made two selections in the first two rounds on Sunday night, taking Oklahoma State outfielder/pitcher Carson Benge (19th overall) and Duke University pitcher Jonathan Santucci (46th).
In the third through tenth rounds, the Mets also selected Mississippi State pitcher Nate Dohme (third round), North Carolina State outfielder Eli Serrano III (fourth round), Georgia first baseman Corey Collins (sixth round), USC pitcher Will Watson (seventh round), Oklahoma pitcher Ryan Lambert (eighth round), Houston pitcher Jackson Jelkins (ninth round) and Oklahoma pitcher Brendan Garton (10th round).
The final 10 rounds of the draft will take place on Tuesday.
Dohm, a right-hander selected 82nd overall, pitched 29 1/3 innings with a 1.23 ERA as a junior at Mississippi State.
“The whole class is really excited,” Gross said.[Dohm] He will start as a pitcher on Friday and throws an explosive fastball from the low slot and a promising off-speed pitch.
“Serrano started as a first baseman and moved to center field this year, but he adapted quickly and I think he will be able to function well as a power-hitting outfielder.”
“So we’re excited to have those three guys in the starting rotation today and then we’ve got some strong hitters and some sluggers to help us close out some good games. I think overall we’re very excited about what we did today.”
Both Watson and Lambert were relief pitchers in college, but Mets scouts believe Watson could be a starter if he can hone his fastball and slider.
“He’s a very powerful pitcher and we’re excited to acquire him in the eighth round of the draft,” Gross said of Lambert.
