The New York Mets are set to call up top pitching prospect Brandon Sproat, who is expected to make his major league debut on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds.
Chase Ford of MiLB Central first reported the news, while SNY’s Andy Martino had previously noted that Sproat was in “strong consideration” for a promotion.
Originally, struggling right-hander Kodai Senga was scheduled to start on Sunday, but the Mets have yet to make a firm decision on his role in the rotation. Sources suggest the team is weighing the possibility of sending Senga to the minors to help him regain form.
With the Senga situation unresolved, Sproat will take the mound in his place.
Sproat began the season as the Mets’ No. 1 prospect but fell to No. 5 after a rough start in Triple-A Syracuse. However, he has been dominant since July, earning International League Pitcher of the Month honors after allowing just two runs over five starts (27 innings).
For the season, Sproat posted a 4.24 ERA across 26 appearances (25 starts) with Syracuse. His promotion continues the Mets’ recent trend of aggressively calling up young pitching talent, joining the likes of Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong. Both McLean (4-0, 1.37 ERA) and Tong (1-0, 1.80 ERA) have shown strong promise in limited action, and the team is hoping Sproat can follow suit.
Meanwhile, other members of the rotation, including David Peterson, Clay Holmes, and Sean Manaea, have struggled, with starters failing to provide consistent innings since June.
With just 22 games remaining, the Mets hold a four-game lead over the San Francisco Giants for the final NL Wild Card spot and a five-game cushion over the Reds, whom they’ll face in a three-game series this weekend.
The recent call-ups of McLean and Tong have energized a Mets squad riding the hottest offense in baseball since August 12. With the offense firing on all cylinders, the team is counting on its pitching staff to carry them through the stretch run and into the postseason.
