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A New York Mets prospect who almost went undrafted last year is quickly emerging as one of the most electrifying pitchers in their system. And he is on a path to potentially get a major role in their bullpen next season. Being a scout in professional sports isn’t easy. But baseball can be especially difficult because of the minor leagues. Every team has well over 100 youngsters they hope can make their way up through the different levels of their system to be a productive player or better in the big leagues. However, most don’t live up to expectations. The ability to find a diamond in the rough and then develop them into a shiny jewel is what separates a good organization from one that consistently struggles. The Mets may have done that very late in the 2025 MLB Draft when they selected Garrett Stratton with the 613th overall pick. Stratton is a name most Mets fans will be unfamiliar with. Especially since he isn’t ranked among their top 30 prospects on MLB.com. That is mostly because of when he was drafted and only making one appearance for their Single-A affiliate last year. However, in his first full season in the minors in 2026, the 23-year-old from Rice has been outstanding. NY Mets prospect has just one walk (and it was intentional) in 25 innings at Double-A According to a new report from minor league reporter Enest Dove, Stratton almost went undrafted last year because “there was a lot of good metrics, computer stats in college with bad overall numbers.” In his two seasons at Rice, the reliever made 32 appearances, posted two saves, and had an ERA of 6.67. However, a Mets minor league coach reportedly helped him work on his issues and to develop a new pitch that Stratton calls his “death ball.” Due to that pitch, Stratton has been really good this year. He earned a promotion from Single-A earlier this summer after going 4-1 with a 2.73 ERA in 21 games and has actually been better at Double-A. While he is 1-4 record in 19 appearances for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Stratton has posted a 1.78 ERA, three saves, and 32 strikeouts to just one walk in 25.1 innings. However, that one walk was intentional. Furthermore, batters are posting a .165 average against him this season. Garrett Stratton could get the big-league call next year The player that Dove calls “a human analytics computer” is doing this in his first full season of minor league baseball, when many talented prospects usually have ups and downs. Yes, it is still early, but the signs are nonetheless promising. Stratton is sure to rise in the Mets’ minor league rankings when they are updated later this year, and he will probably begin the 2027 season in Triple-A. If he continues to perform at this level next year, there is no reason to believe he won’t get a call to join the major league roster at some point in 2027. With Devin Williams having a disappointing debut season for the Mets — following a career-worst season with the New York Yankees — the pressure is on him to get his act together and back to being an All-Star-level closer again. Because if he doesn’t, Stratton could be a serious option to replace him in that role next year.