The New York Mets have called up right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat, their No. 5 organizational prospect on MLBPipeline.com, who will make his Major League debut Sunday, September 7, against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. EDT.
The Mets are calling up Brandon Sproat to make his MLB debut in a start on Sunday afternoon against the Reds pic.twitter.com/R3gcmJVJfm
Sproat, 24, was born in Pensacola, Fla., and played at the University of Florida before being selected by the Mets in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft. He signed with New York on July 14, 2023, after completing his senior season. He was first assigned to the Florida Complex League that August and did not debut professionally until 2024.
Sproat’s call-up also makes him the third rookie starter the Mets have used this season, joining fellow top prospects McLean and Tong who have already given the rotation a lift.
Senga, an All-Star in 2023 and runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year, was the Mets’ best starter early this season but has struggled since returning from a hamstring injury in July. He is 7-6 with a 3.02 ERA in 22 outings overall.
In a corresponding roster move, New York reinstated catcher Francisco Alvarez from the 10-day injured list. Alvarez, who fractured his left pinkie after being hit by a pitch during his rehab, will try to play through the injury and undergo surgery after the season. Luis Torrens and Hayden Senger filled in behind the plate during his absence, but Senger was optioned to Triple-A to open a roster spot.
The Mets also announced right-hander Wander Suero has joined the bullpen after being claimed off waivers from Atlanta, while Reed Garrett began a rehab assignment at Double-A Binghamton.
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal recently addressed Senga’s situation on Foul Territory, explaining that his consent to the demotion only makes sense if the Mets provide a detailed plan for how to fix his struggles. “My guess would be yes, if they have a detailed plan for him on what is wrong and what he needs to fix and if it can really help them,” Rosenthal said. He added that if the move was only about creating a roster spot, then Senga had every right to ask, “What are we doing here? What is the plan? When am I coming back?” Rosenthal pointed to command issues and lingering health concerns as possible explanations for Senga’s downturn.
Kodai Senga should only accept a demotion to the minors if the Mets have a detailed plan regarding what he needs to fix, says @Ken_Rosenthal. pic.twitter.com/9mkADjvm5a
This season with Triple-A Syracuse, Sproat made 26 appearances and 25 starts, posting an 8-6 record with a 4.24 ERA. Across 121 innings, he allowed 97 hits, 57 earned runs, nine home runs, 53 walks, and struck out 113, finishing with a 1.24 WHIP.
Minor League career
This season with Triple-A Syracuse, Sproat made 26 appearances and 25 starts, posting an 8-6 record with a 4.24 ERA. Across 121 innings, he allowed 97 hits, 57 earned runs, nine home runs, 53 walks, and struck out 113, finishing with a 1.24 WHIP.
In 2024, he advanced through High-A Brooklyn, Double-A Binghamton, and Triple-A Syracuse. Between the three levels, he went 7-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 24 games and 23 starts, logging 116.1 innings with 131 strikeouts. That season, Sproat was selected to the Futures Game in Arlington, Texas, earned Eastern League Pitcher of the Year honors with Binghamton, was named a postseason All-Star, and later picked up International League Pitcher of the Month with Syracuse.
In two professional seasons, he has pitched in 50 games and 48 starts, compiling a 15-10 record and a 3.83 ERA with 244 strikeouts in 237.1 innings.
College Career
At Florida from 2020–23, Sproat went 19-8 with a 4.27 ERA in 56 games and 37 starts. He threw two complete games and one shutout across 223.2 innings, striking out 242.
Check out this complete game shutout for Florida.
Scouting report
According to Baseball Savant, Sproat’s fastball can touch triple digits and typically sits 95–98 mph, though hitters at Triple-A hit .380 off it this season. He complements it with a sinker at similar velocity that generates ground balls, an upper-80s changeup effective against lefties, an 84–86 mph sweeper, an 88–90 mph slider, and a 79–81 mph curveball.
His scouting grades are fastball 55, curveball 45, slider 55, changeup 60, control 50, overall 50.
Standings outlook The Mets (75-65) begin a three-game series in Cincinnati on Friday night. They trail the first-place Philadelphia Phillies by six games in the National League East but currently hold the third NL Wild Card spot, four games ahead of the San Francisco Giants. The Reds (70-70) are five games behind the Mets in the Wild Card race.
18+ where permitted; availability varies by region. Prediction-market prices are for information only — not financial or betting advice. WBN may earn a referral reward when you join or trade on Polymarket through our links.
