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Among the many players the Mets took in last year's MLB Draft were promising pitchers Matthew Allan and Josh Wolf.
Allan is arguably the best pitching prospect in the Mets' system and Wolf has plenty of upside himself. Along with David Peterson, they could potentially combine to become the next wave of starting pitchers in the Mets' rotations of the future.
With the 2020 MLB Draft scheduled for June 10 and the Mets selecting at No. 19 in the first round, could they go for an arm?
Since taking Matt Harvey in the first round of the 2010 draft, the Mets have gone with a pitcher with their first round selection just twice in the last nine drafts, with the last one being Peterson in 2017. If they opt for a pitcher at No. 19 in June, here's five who could be perfect fits...
RHP Nick Bitsko, Central Bucks East High School (PA)
The No. 14 ranked prospect in the country, there's a solid chance Bitsko will be off the board by the time the Mets pick. But if he's there, he could be hard to pass up.
Just 17 years old, Bitsko has a fastball that already touches 97 mph and "has a hard breaking ball that shows plus shape," according to his scouting report on MLB Pipeline.
MLB Pipeline scouting report snippet: Bitsko isn't pure power, either, showing the ability to throw all three pitches for strikes with a chance for future plus command.
LHP Garrett Crochet, Tennessee
At 20 years old, Crochet should move through a system a lot faster than any of the prep arms in the draft. And his arsenal is tantalizing.
According to his MLB Pipeline scouting report, the 6-foot-6 lefty has a fastball that sat between 96 and 100 mph during the fall.
MLB Pipeline scouting report snippet: For a 6-foot-6 pitcher, Crochet does a nice job of keeping his long levers in sync and providing strikes. Scouts like his delivery and arm action, though he still needs to refine his command to make the most of his overpowering stuff.
RHP Carmen Mlodzinski, South Carolina
The 21-year-old Mlodzinksi's overall college numbers aren't eye-opening, but he was coming into his own this past season when he posted a 2.84 ERA in 25.1 innings over four starts.
Like Crochet, Mlodzinksi could be a relatively fast mover through the system.
MLB Pipeline scouting report snippet: The redshirt sophomore has smoothed out his three-quarters delivery since high school and did a much better job of repeating his mechanics during the summer. He's athletic and his arm works well, so there's no reason he shouldn't have good control.
RHP Cade Cavalli, Oklahoma
Cavalli has tons of upside, but a look at his numbers at Oklahoma -- including a lack of control that contributed to a 1.47 WHIP in his three seasons there -- is worrisome.
Also worrisome is Cavalli's injury history. But if he reaches his upside, the potential is huge.
MLB Pipeline scouting report snippet: Though he has a strong 6-foot-4 frame and clean mechanics, he doesn't have much track record of staying healthy or throwing strikes. His lack of command and deception also means that his premium stuff gets hit harder than it should.
RHP Bryce Jarvis, Duke
There's a strong chance Jarvis is available when the Mets pick at No. 19, and he could be a bit of a reach there. But he was overpowering during the season that was just cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, with a ridiculous 0.67 ERA and 0.48 WHIP in four starts over 27 innings.
MLB Pipeline scouting report snippet: Jarvis has improved his control along with his stuff, posting a 40-2 K-BB ratio in 27 innings while showing the ability to move his pitches around the strike zone. He repeats his delivery well and long has drawn praise for his competitiveness.
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