Mets' Christian Scott: Promotion likely not imminent
Rotowire
Scott gave up one run over five innings Wednesday for Triple-A Syracuse, striking out 10 batters while walking only one, but the Mets would prefer not to rush his promotion to the majors, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
The 24-year-old right-hander solidified his status as the organization's top pitching prospect during spring training, and Scott has dominated in his first two Triple-A starts, posting a 19:1 K:BB through nine innings. The Mets also have an opening in the big-league rotation after designating Julio Teheran for assignment Tuesday, but Jose Butto is expected to fill that spot this weekend against the Royals. Butto gave New York a quality start in his first outing with the big club this season, so he's likely to get at least a couple more turns, but if Scott continues to mow down Triple-A hitters, the Mets may have to accelerate the timeline they had in mind for him.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Christian Scott: Fans nine in Triple-A debut
Rotowire
Scott allowed three runs on five hits -- including two home runs -- over four innings against Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday. He struck out nine without issuing a walk.
Making his first career start at the Triple-A level, Scott cruised through three frames but was touched up for homers by Everson Pereira and Jeter Downs in the fourth inning. The 9:0 K:BB offers a glimpse at why scouts and prospect evaluators are high on the 24-year-old right-hander, especially on the heels of his strong showing in the Grapefruit League. There was some talk that Scott could get the call to Queens earlier than expected due to injuries in the Mets' rotation, but the team signed Julio Teheran to a one-year, major-league contract Wednesday, which likely pushes Scott's big-league debut to later this summer.
Scott is a candidate to replace Tylor Megill (shoulder) in the Mets' rotation, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
The Mets are scrambling to patch multiple holes on their pitching staff right now, but Megill's spot in the rotation -- which he only held due to Kodai Senga (shoulder) also being sidelined -- is the biggest. The team also plays 13 games in 13 days beginning Friday, so while they won't need to replace Megill until April 9, multiple arms might need to join the rotation during that stretch. Scott was New York's most impressive pitching prospect this spring, posting an 8:1 K:BB in five Grapefruit League innings, and an early promotion wouldn't be a shock if the organization feels he's ready. Mike Vasil, Jose Butto and Joey Lucchesi are other internal rotation options, and the Mets are also said to be interested in signing Julio Teheran, who opted out of his contract with the O's in late March.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Christian Scott: Turns heads Wednesday
Rotowire
Scott struck out seven batters without walking anyone over four innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.
Getting the start against a Miami lineup that included plenty of experienced major leaguers like Jon Berti, Avisail Garcia and Trey Mancini, Scott frustrated veterans and younger players alike by pounding the upper portion of the strike zone with a fastball that averaged 96.5 mph, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The only blemish on his line Wednesday was a third-inning solo homer by Jonah Bride. The 24-year-old right-hander finished last season at Double-A Binghamton, posting a 2.47 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 77:8 K:BB over 62 innings, and while he'll begin 2024 at Triple-A Syracuse, another strong performance to begin the season could put Scott in the big-league rotation some time this summer.
Scott will join big-league camp with the Mets to begin spring training, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.
The organization's top pitching prospect is coming off a breakout 2023 season in which he climbed up to Double-A and posted a 2.47 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and dazzling 77:8 K:BB over 12 starts and 62 innings for Binghamton. Scott isn't on the 40-man roster yet after being a fifth-round pick in 2021, but he's still a candidate to bolster the big-league rotation at some point in 2024 if last year's success carries forward into Triple-A.
Scott posted a 2.47 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and a 29.4 K-BB% in 62 innings across 12 starts for Double-A Binghamton.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound righty put up outstanding numbers while building up to a career-high 87.2 innings, primarily at High-A and Double-A. Scott missed almost four weeks in the second half with an undisclosed injury, but he was able to return Sept. 6 and struck out eight with zero walks in 4.2 innings across two September appearances. He is a little older than the typical Double-A pitching prospect, turning 25 in the first half of next season, but Scott has a legitimate mid-90s fastball and a plus slider. His changeup is a work in progress, but his excellent control could allow his whole arsenal to play up.
