Jan 23, 2026
3 min read
MLB Pipeline has completed the rankings of the top ten prospects at each position in anticipation of 2026.January 23
Five Mets made their respective positional rosters:
- Nolan McLean - Right Handed Pitchers - #1
- Jacob Reimer - Third Base - #2
- Carson Benge - Outfield - No.4
- Ryan Clifford - First Place - #5
- Jonas Tong - Right-handed bowler - No
McLean may be the best pitching prospect in baseball after his career ends in 2025, as he has thrown 48 innings and posted a 2.06 ERA during that time in the major leagues.According to Pipeline, he has a 70-degree slider, 60-degree fastball, 60-degree curveball, 55-degree cutter, and 50-degree changeup.
The site wrote that McLean, "said the athletic man to hold strikes comes at an average pace, and with the depth and overall quality of his mix, that should be enough to keep him near the top of the rotation in queens for years to come."
Reimer could end up at first base or left field, two positions he is starting to learn, but so far he has spent most of his time at third base.His big step forward in 2025 came when he started throwing the ball in the air at much higher speeds, and Pipeline ranks him with a 50-degree hitting tool, a 60-degree power, a 50-degree run, a 55-degree arm, and a 45-degree field.
"He's certainly back on the Mets' internal radar, and with his current bat projection, he'll paper over defensive deficiencies wherever he goes," they wrote.
Benz was President of Baseball Operations for David Stearns, who was the Mets' first draft pick in 2024 as the team's first-round pick, and lit up the minors in 2025. Outside of spring training, he'll have a chance to win the Opening Day left field spot, and he's reportedly already working on it in Port St. Lucie.Pipeline lists him as a five-tool player with a 50-grade hit tool, 55-grade power, 55-grade run, 60-grade arm and 55-grade field game.
"While many expected his arm strength to push him to a corner, his reads in center could improve enough that he could be above average there as well," they wrote.
Now that he can see the ball better, Clifford's contact rate has jumped to what it was when the Mets acquired him from the Houston Astros in 2023.He spent time at first and in the minors on the corner and may have the best pure power in the club's farm system.Piper has a 45-degree hitting weapon, 60-degree power, 45-degree run, 55-degree arm and 50-degree rating in the field.
"The North Carolina native has a strong lower body and uses light work in the box on the left side — an open stance, limited front leg movement to close and shoot," they wrote.
Tong dominated the minors in 2025, posting a 1.43 ERA over 113 2/3 innings before getting a cup of coffee in the majors.He throws with a unique 64-degree arm angle and his fastball has an elite run.Pipeline grades him with a 70-yard fastball, a 60-yard changeup, a 60-yard 50 curveball and a 45-yardage slider.
"As for Tong's engineer, there are concerns that the repetition of orders will become an issue in his work, even if he impresses others with his strength, and at the highest level he has become a suspect because of his reliance on heat and cambio," they wrote."However, Tong's development during his 22-year-old season is extraordinary, and that ability to grow (even after stumbling) strengthens the mid-round."
