Two promising Mets prospects are advancing to the Double-A level with their promotion to Binghamton, as reported by SNY’s Joe DeMayo. Ryan Clifford, who plays first base and outfield, and right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat are making the move from High-A Brooklyn.
DeMayo had Clifford ranked as the Mets’ fourth prospect and Sproat as the twelfth before the season began. Clifford, acquired in the Justin Verlander trade, is touted for his power potential, with scouts seeing him as a possible 30-homer player if he can improve his contact consistency. Despite being less athletically inclined, he’s seen as a potential asset at first base or in the outfield due to his powerful bat.
Sproat, drafted in the second round in 2023 from Florida, has impressed with his ability to reach 100 mph with his fastball, typically sitting between 94-97 mph. His changeup is his strongest secondary pitch, though he also possesses a promising slider and a less reliable curveball. The Mets will work on refining his fastball and breaking pitches to unlock his mid-rotation potential, though a move to the bullpen is possible if those improvements don’t materialize.
Clifford, at 20 years old, was batting .216/.412/.304 with one home run and 10 RBIs in his time with Brooklyn. Meanwhile, Sproat, aged 23, displayed dominance with a 1.07 ERA and 33 strikeouts across 25.1 innings pitched over six games for the Cyclones this season.
