Forget the usual suspects, because when the Mets roll up to make their first pick at 27th overall in the 2026 MLB Draft, the cupboard's looking bare for exciting hitters. Seriously, President of Baseball Operations David Stearns and VP of Amateur Scouting Kris Gross are staring down a wall of guys who just don't fit their typical mold, and frankly, have some serious red flags. Their usual MO is all about younger, less experienced athletes with encouraging batted ball data from limited at-bats. That's a great strategy when the talent is there, but this year? Not so much.
Why the Usual Hitting Targets Are a Hard Pass
The batters likely available around the 27th pick have some serious "warts" that should concern anyone. We're talking about hitters with in-zone swing-and-miss issues, guys who have trouble lifting the ball, and players who are straight-up below-average athletes or can't hack it defensively anywhere but first base. Does that sound like a first-round talent to you? It's not just a gut feeling either. For years now, the Mets organization has struggled to actually improve players with these exact kinds of qualities throughout their minor league system. It's tough to have faith they can magically maximize these guys now, especially with such a critical pick. There's no indication Stearns and Gross are ready to change their approach, with connections to hitters still being floated, but a fan can dream of something different, right?It's a Pitcher's Class, Let's Get One!
Good news for anyone hoping for a different direction: the 2026 MLB Draft class is absolutely stacked with pitching talent. This is where Stearns and Gross need to pivot HARD from their usual strategy. When you look at the prep pitchers who should be reasonably available when the Mets make their pick, two names jump out with serious upside: Logan Schmidt and Coleman Borthwick. Schmidt, out of Ganesha High in Pomona, California, and Borthwick, from South Walton High in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, both bring plus fastballs that sit comfortably in the mid-to-high 90s. Schmidt complements his heat with an 80 MPH slurve and an upper-80s changeup, while Borthwick rocks a mid-80s slider and a mid-80s changeup. Schmidt's committed to LSU, Borthwick to Auburn. These are the kinds of arms that could be game-changers!The High Stakes of a Lone High Pick
Listen, this isn't just another draft pick. The Mets have no second-round pick and no fifth-round pick. Plus, they're sitting on the third-smallest bonus pool in the entire 2026 MLB Draft. This 27th overall pick isn't just important, it's CRITICAL. There's a steep, and I mean *steep*, drop-off in talent between that 27th spot and their next pick, which isn't until the 92nd overall selection in the third round. Historically, out of 61 players picked at 92nd overall, only 23 ever made it to the majors. And of those 23, only 12 managed to produce 1.0 WAR or better. Think J.A. Happ or Aaron Civale, but those are the exceptions, not the rule. This isn't the year to stick to the same old song and dance. Stearns and Gross need to see the writing on the wall and grab one of those high-upside pitchers. The future of the farm might just depend on it.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.