Mets 2026 Draft Picks Overview

Top of the Draft: Carson Wiggins

The Mets used the 27th overall pick on Arkansas right‑hander Carson Wiggins, a player labeled as “a home‑run swing type of pick.” Wiggins combines roaring stuff with a 102 mph fastball and a wipeout slider, giving the club potential frontline starter material or a high‑impact reliever. He becomes the first first‑round pitcher the Mets have signed since David Peterson in 2017, and the organization is betting its player‑development system can mold his arm into a major‑league force.

Wiggins’s upside lies in his raw velocity and advanced movement, traits the Mets have historically valued in pitching prospects. If his development hits the expected trajectory, he could join the rotation or a late‑inning setup role. The pick also signals a shift from the typical power‑focused approach, emphasizing a pitcher with both stuff and feel for the strike zone.

Day‑One Value: Aiden Robbins

The Mets secured Texas outfielder Aiden Robbins in the third round, 92nd overall, after he turned heads at the Cape Cod League with a .307 average, .545 slugging and a .936 OPS. His college career was divided: a contact‑heavy sophomore at Seton Hall and a power‑focused season with Texas, where he posted 24 home runs. Scouts note questions about his breaking‑ball work and defensive durability, but the Mets see enough raw power and a solid hitting tool to justify the selection.

Robbins’s background includes a transfer that transformed his approach, showing adaptability that could serve the Mets well in the minor leagues. The organization hopes his swing‑weight balance will translate to consistent extra‑base production. If he signs, he will add depth to a farm system that fell to No. 24 in Baseball America’s rankings.

Mid‑Round Arms: Shane Sdao and Luke McNeillie

Texas A&M left‑hander Shane Sdao, taken 120th overall, brings a fastball that touches 97 mph and a plus‑slider, despite a 7.03 ERA in 71.2 innings during his 2026 season. He missed the prior year recovering from Tommy John surgery, but his velocity and health trends have impressed Mets evaluators. Sdao is viewed as a back‑end starter who could refine into a reliable innings‑eater.

The Mets also grabbed Florida right‑hander Luke McNeillie in the fifth round, a former reliever who posted a 3.97 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 34 innings. His repertoire includes a 99 mph fastball, a mid‑80s slider and a changeup used primarily against lefties. McNeillie fits a pattern of Mets converting college relievers into starters, much like Christian Scott, another fifth‑round pick from Florida.

Depth Picks: Petrovic, Keenan and Koenig

Auburn righty Alex Petrovic, a sixth‑round selection, emerged as a Sunday starter in 2026 with a 3.21 ERA and a fastball peaking at 96 mph, complemented by a plus‑changeup, sweeper and cutter. After battling stress fractures in his arm, his 2026 health opened the door for this high‑floor, high‑ceiling arm. One scout described him as “a tough kid. I wouldn’t bet against him.”

The Mets also took Stanford’s Aidan Keenan, a right‑hander with 96‑99 mph velocity and 19 inches of induced vertical break on his fastball, plus a mid‑80s slider and low‑90s changeup. He missed much of the season with an oblique injury but impressed at the MLB Combine, showing the tools to become a reliever or a starter with proper development. He currently profiles as a reliever at the next level but could be tried in the rotation to accumulate innings.

Ole Miss righty Landon Koenig, selected in the eighth round, brings a 6‑foot‑6, 245‑pound frame and a 13.1 K/9 ratio after transferring from North Dakota State. His fastball sits 95‑96 mph with a hard slider and splitter that have touched 98 mph, marking him as a pure power reliever. TheMets view his physical presence and swing‑and‑miss potential as assets for their bullpen depth.

Catching and Position Play: Tayman and Madrid

Cal Poly catcher Ryan Tayman, taken in the ninth round, posted a .357/.447/.672 line with 18 home runs and was named Most Outstanding Player in the Los Angeles regionals. His offensive tools include dominant performance against high‑velocity pitching, but questions remain about his breaking‑ball handling and long‑term defensive viability behind the plate. Tayman could provide immediate power in the majors if his plate discipline improves.

High‑school catcher Jacob Madrid, a 13th‑round pick from Notre Dame High School in California, is considered one of the best defensive catchers in his class with a strong, accurate arm. Scouts have labeled him “if he hits at all, he’s a big leaguer,” highlighting his raw power and signability concerns. His deadline for signing is July 27 at 5 p.m. ET, and the Mets will need to allocate resources from their third‑smallest bonus pool to secure his contract.

Late‑Round Gems

Arkansas outfielder Kuhio Aloy, an 11th‑round pick, brings plus‑raw power and a reputation for swing‑and‑miss, highlighted by a 469‑foot blast off a 97 mph fastball. He is the younger brother of Orioles 2025 first‑rounder Wehiwa, and his Arkansas bio notes a 400‑yard golf drive, underscoring his athletic background. Aloy could become a rotational bat with proper refinement.

UC Santa Barbara right‑hander AJ Krodel, taken 12th overall, features a low‑90s fastball that reaches 96 mph with elite shape, a sweeper, changeup and occasional curveball. Baseball America labeled him a “player development opportunity,” suggesting the Mets see upside in his command and pitch‑mix completeness. He fits the club’s emphasis on developmental projects.

Dartmouth righty Nate Isler, selected near the end of the first ten rounds, posted a 4.85 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 65 innings, complemented by a four‑pitch mix that includes a 96 mph fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. At 6‑foot‑6 and 235 pounds, his size and stuff make him a potential back‑of‑the‑rotation starter. The Mets added him to build depth amid a smaller bonus pool.

Overall Assessment

The Mets earned a solid B‑to‑B+ grade for their 2026 draft, balancing high‑floor college arms with players slated for player‑development upside. With 19 total selections—12 pitchers and 7 position players—they reinforced a farm system that slipped to No. 24 nationally, addressing both immediate needs and long‑term roster construction. Their emphasis on pitchers aligns with a club that has built a reputation for developing arms over the past three years. The unpredictability of the draft means any of these prospects could become a future impact player, and the organization’s diligent scouting will determine which ones break through.