2024 MLB Draft Day 3 Wrap Up: Mets Load Up On Right-Handers
The 2024 MLB First-Year Player Draft is now in the books for the New York Mets. Day 3 (rounds 11-20) are where the area scouts can find those diamonds in the rough that end up being successful stories if those players make it to the big leagues. Out of the ten picks that the Mets […]
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The 2024 MLB First-Year Player Draft is now in the books for the New York Mets. Day 3 (rounds 11-20) are where the area scouts can find those diamonds in the rough that end up being successful stories if those players make it to the big leagues.
Out of the ten picks that the Mets made on Tuesday, seven were pitchers, and all were right-handed arms. They also returned to schools that they took on Days 1 and 2 when they selected players from Houston and USC.
The Mets began Day 3 by going with a New Yorker in Round 11 in Nick Roselli, a second baseman out of Binghamton University. Roselli is from Levittown, New York and is coming off a strong 2024 season with the Bearcats where he had a slash line of .388/.492/.738 with eight home runs, 21 RBIs, as many walks as strikeouts (21), and an .OPS of 1.230.
Roselli missed some time early in the season with a hand injury and he was still able to have an impressive season in the America East Conference. As Brian Recca from Prospects Live points out, the left-handed hitting second baseman shows a good approach at the plate and has good bat speed.
2B Nick Roselli ’24@BinghamtonBASE
5/16-5/17Some I/O + swings from Roselli. Strong, stout build w/ quick bat. Mature approach w/ the ability to impact the ball at the top/bottom of zone. Went 3-8, 1 BB, 1 2B; 3-5, 1 2B, 2 HR on 5/18. .398/.504/.765 on the year w/ strong data. pic.twitter.com/Ocazz2EWzs
— Brian Recca (@brian_recca) May 20, 2024
The pitching trend began for the Mets in round 12 with the selection of Kansas right-hander Ethan Lanthier. Lanthier transferred from St. Cloud State to Kansas for the 2024 season and the reliever had 42 strikeouts to 19 walks in 37 innings of work.
Kansas’s coach, Dan Fitzgerland, had some comments about Lanthier after the draft and mentioned how the key pitch to watch for him in terms of his offspeed stuff is going to be the slider.
“(Lanthier) has a huge fastball and great feel for a well-above-average slider. He’s a great competitor and an outstanding teammate.”
Mets 12-353: Ethan Lanthier, RHP, Kansas — tall/loose reliever, lively low/mid 90s FB, avg/abv sweepy SL, fair CH, phys/arsenal to start though blw-avg control and mechanics make for relief only outlook
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) July 16, 2024
In round 13, the Mets shifted their focus out west by selecting Oregon right-hander R.J. Gordon. Gordon missed the entire 2023 season and had his first year as a starter this past year (Opening Day starter). In 17 starts, the 22-year-old right-hander pitched to a 5.13 ERA and had 87 strikeouts to 46 walks in 93 2/3 innings.
Gordon was second in the Pac-12 in innings pitched and had the most starts of any pitcher.
Gordon sat out the 2023 season due to getting an internal brace repair in the UCL. He told the media before the season that it wasn’t torn. In addition to his fastball, changeup, and curveball, the right-hander mentioned adding a cutter into the arsenal this year.
In addition to learning the cutter, Prospects Live pointed out back in June that Gordon might have a sweeper to go-to as well.
“Well, it looks like before his March 15th start vs Cal, Gordon added a sweeper full-time and is throwing his cutter harder. Averaging 13 inches of sweep at 83 MPH, this sweeper has the makings of a true out pitch vs right-handed hitters.”
Tanner Witt, Photo by Aileen Vela of The Daily Texan
In Round 14, the Mets made an intriguing selection by picking Texas right-hander Tanner Witt. Witt had an excellent start to his collegiate career, but he had Tommy John surgery in 2022. He was picked by the Orioles in the 18th round last year, but decided to go back to the Longhorns.
Witt only appeared in five games this past season, and he had more walks (8) than strikeouts (6) and allowed four home runs over 9 1/3 innings of work. His fastball is around 90-94 mph, and his curveball is strong.
Witt also had a cleanup procedure for scar tissue in his elbow, which caused him not to pitch much this year. This is a pick where the Mets hope Witt shows some of the dominance he had when he was a hyped-up draft prospect in 2020. Hopefully, Witt’s loyalty to Texas won’t end up costing him a good professional career.
The Mets went back to Houston for Round 15 to take right-handed pitcher Owen Woodward. Woodward was mainly a reliever with the Cougars. In 10 outings (1 start), his command popped off the page with 36 strikeouts to only four walks in 23 1/3 innings.
His one start came against Texas on April 12. He pitched 4.2 innings, allowed one run on one hit, and struck out 10 on 71 pitches. However, Woodward left that game with an elbow injury and did not make another appearance the rest of the season.
Five ?s in a row! Six up, six down! @owenwoodward18 pic.twitter.com/HwQcvPHlg9
— Houston Baseball (@UHCougarBB) April 12, 2024
Unfortunately, Woodward’s headlines don’t just include his pitching. Back in 2022, when he was at Weatherford College, Woodward allowed a home run. As the player was rounding third base, he ended up tackling that player after Phillips said something to him before the tackle.
For Round 16, the Mets return to the West Coast to take USC right-hander Josh Blum. Unlike Will Watson from Day 2, Blum pitched out of the bullpen for the Trojans and had a 1.87 ERA in 27 games (10 saves). He had 45 strikeouts to 11 walks in 33 2/3 innings.
Blum was one of the better closers in the country. He was 14th in the NCAA in saves and held opponents to just a .154 batting average. In addition to a fastball that can reach the mid-90s in velocity, the tilt on some of his offspeed pitches can help him bring deception as a closer in pro ball.
Josh Blum (‘24 elig.) records a quick 1-2-3 inning to close it out. Heavy CU/SL usage. CU sat 87-88 mph with short, late bite. Creates late tilting action SL at 82-84 mph (2570 rpm). Attacks the zone and works quickly @USC_Baseball pic.twitter.com/CvX7mzzEDu
— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) May 22, 2024
The Mets took a brief break from the pitching in Round 17 by going with Miami (FL) outfielder Jacoby Long. Long mainly played left field and center field with the Hurricanes. In 53 games last year, he had a slash line of .303/.371/.446 with four home runs, 24 RBIs, and ten stolen bases in his first full season as the starter.
Long is a player who will be known more for his speed, which helped him make some fantastic catches in the ACC.
?️ Add this #SCTop10 snag to the Jacoby Long highlight reel!
?: https://t.co/i7JouIHHfQ pic.twitter.com/Vo31ThVWlL
— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) May 4, 2024
The Mets went the high school route for two of their last three picks. It started in round 18 with the selection of right-hander Jace Hampson from Lynwood High School (Washington). Hampson is an Oregon commit. When he was at the West Coast League last summer, he mentioned he grew up playing shortstop despite being recognized for his above-average skills at third base.
For round 19, the Mets went with North Southeastern University right-hander Frank Elissalt. Elissalt transferred from La Salle to Division II North Southeastern. This past season, he made 19 appearances (three starts) and had 62 strikeouts to 17 walks in 51 innings.
What stands out about Elissalt is going to be his fastball. While at the MLB Draft League in 2022, he had one of the best spin rates on his fastball of any pitcher in the league.
The Mets returned to a Washington high school player for shortstop Adam Haight from Cedar Park Christian High School for their final pick. Haight is a commit to Oregon State.
If he decides to sign a pro contract, he shows good potential with his approach at the plate.
The Mets have also signed the following undrafted players: RHP Hoss Brewer, RHP Chandler Marsh (fastball up to 99 mph) and RHP Hayden Cooper.
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