The New York Mets have had a rough stretch this month. Their struggles included an eight-game losing streak and a four-game sweep in Philadelphia. A lot of the blame has fallen on the pitching staff, which has not been performing like it did in the first half of the season.
Pitchers like Clay Holmes, Kodai Senga, David Peterson, and Sean Manaea have all struggled, prompting the Mets to make bold moves. They called up three young pitchers—Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, and Jonah Tong- this season. These were aggressive decisions that might not have happened if the veteran rotation had stayed healthy and consistent.
Each rookie has had a different start to their Major League career. McLean has been dominant, posting a 1.19 ERA in six starts and a 4-1 record. Sproat has made two starts, both solid, including a six-inning shutout against the Texas Rangers. Tong has had mixed results, with one strong outing and one rough game, but even his struggles show promise for the future.
Pedro Martinez, speaking ahead of the Mets’ alumni game, praised the team for calling up the rookies. He said, “But I think it’s great to see. That’s gonna feel great for these kids. It’s sooner than we expected, but it’s gonna build some grit.” He emphasised that early exposure to the Major Leagues can help young pitchers gain confidence, learn to handle failure, and enjoy success.
Even with some rough outings, Martinez believes these experiences will be valuable long-term. Tong’s struggles don’t erase his potential, and McLean and Sproat’s strong starts show that the Mets’ rotation has promising talent for the coming years.
Martinez added, “The good thing is, if they happen to have success right now as rookies, by the second year, they feel like they can be successful at a very early age. That’s what we want. We want to see the young players develop quickly and also build the grit to handle failure and enjoy success.”
The trio of rookies has already helped stabilise the Mets during a difficult season. With cheap contracts and high potential, McLean, Sproat, and Tong are expected to play key roles in 2026 and beyond. Martinez concluded that the Mets’ future looks bright, thanks in large part to these young pitchers gaining experience and building resilience in the Majors.