New York Mets: A closer look at the spring training non-roster invitees

Prospect Pitchers

Anthony Kay – The New York Mets selected this former UCONN pitcher in the first round (29th overall) of the 2016 draft. The lefty posses a mid 90’s fastball and his three-quarters delivery makes his curveball look different from the traditional over the top 12-6 variety. He struggled during his rookie season in the minors last year at Class-A ball, but the pieces are there for him to be a solid starter in the majors.

David Peterson – Peterson is a big boy at 6′ 4” and 220 pounds and as many of the pitchers on this list is a southpaw. The Mets 2017 first round pick out of Oregon, he has been steadily improving his control since his junior season at UO. Peterson’s fastball is in the low to mid-90s with good movement and also throws a nasty changeup. Like Kay, he is a work in progress and is still several seasons away from the majors.

Ryder Ryan – When the Mets traded away Jay Bruce, the first time (2017), they got hard-throwing Ryder Ryan back from the Indians. At only 23 years old he his a 97+ mile per hour fastball. Last year he struggled with his adjustment to AA. In a few years, he could be a top closer.

Corey Taylor – The Mets have their own strong-armed thrower from Texas Tech, but it isn’t Patrick Mahomes. Corey Taylor was drafted in the seventh round of 2015. Since he’s been with the organization, the Mets have been grooming him as a closer. Taylor had 20 saves at St. Lucie in 2016.

Joshua Torres – Torres was signed by the Mets after his release from the Milwaukee organization in 2016. He dazzled at Double-A Binghamton last year with a 1.19 ERA in 35 appearances.

Stephen Villines – The former Kansas Jayhawk was drafted by the Mets in 2017. So far he has excelled at the lower levels of the Mets organization with a 2.68 ERA the past two seasons. Villines has a subpar fastball but offsets it with a filthy slider and good changeup.