Syracuse Mets Media Day

You bet it felt great to be back in a ballpark.  Thursday, the Syracuse Mets held their annual media day.  Before heading to Massachusetts, for Friday's AAA opener against Worcester, the Mets top affiliate held a workout and made several players and manager Dick Scott available for interviews.  Despite the chill of a 44-degree day, there were plenty of good vibrations just a day before the first cry of "Play Ball!"

After 2-1/2 years with the Nationals (and a strong season in winter ball, where he said he "fixed his mechanics"), Joey Menesses will be the Triple A Mets veteran at 1st base to start 2025.  He told me his priority is to "hit the ball hard, like [I did] in '22."  Reflecting on his time in spring training with Juan Soto, Joey calls him, "A really nice guy... with a superstar, you'd don't expect [that he'd pay] attention" to guys trying to fight for a roster spot. "He was joking around with us."  Menesses felt he'd made a friend.

(Below:) Despite a difficult 2024, balanced by an encouraging 2025 pre-season performance Blade Tidwell remains one of the Mets top pitching prospects -- and will start the opener.  Seeking to achieve "more consistency," the Tennessee product looks forward to being tested by more experienced AAA hitters.

Another young Mets arm to watch is Brandon Sproat.  Drafted in 2023's second round, the Florida-born righty won games at three levels last year (A+, AA and AAA) and is rated the organization's top prospect -- who might have a chance to reach the majors.   

(Below:) Infielder Luke Ritter is a late bloomer.  Now 28, he's coming off 27 and 26-homer years with Mets farm clubs, but stands behind Luisangel Acuna, Ronny Mauricio and Bretty Baty in the Mets pecking order.





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