Mets lose three talented pitchers but immediately replenish their farm system, snagging three promising arms in the Rule-5 minor league draft.
The New York Mets made no picks and had no players selected in the major league phase of Wednesday’s Rule-5 draft, but the same can’t be said in the minor league phase.
The minor-league phase differs from the major-league phase because teams are not required to keep the selected player on the major league roster all season. This means there’s more action in the minor-league phase, and that was certainly the case on Wednesday night for New York.
As soon as the minor league phase began, the Mets saw their minor league system take a hit. The Colorado Rockies selected pitcher TJ Shook with the first pick in Wednesday’s minor league phase, meaning he’s no longer a part of the Mets organization.
Shook, 27, is a right-handed pitcher who’s been in the Mets’ system since 2024. Despite his older age for a minor-leaguer, Shook forced the Rockies' hand after his impressive 2025 season across Double-A and Triple-A.
He posted an ERA of 2.41 in 56 innings on the year, easily his best season in the minor leagues since he signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2020. Shook will now join a Rockies organization that is always lacking in the pitching department, and he could even see his first MLB action with his new club.
The Mets also lost right-handed pitcher Trey McLoughlin to the Houston Astros in the draft. In his 26-year-old season, McLoughlin posted a 3.91 ERA in 23 innings across Single-A and Double-A.
The last Mets prospect to be taken on Wednesday came in the form of right-handed pitcher Dylan Tebrake. The Washington Nationals selected Tebrake with the 43rd pick, enticed by his potential he’s flashed over the years in the minors. He pitched just four innings in 2025, but in 2023, Tebrake posted a 2.62 ERA in 18 games.
New York didn’t just watch their players get taken; they also added some to their own farm system.
With the 15th pick in the minor league phase, the Mets grabbed right-handed pitcher Justin Armbruester from the Baltimore Orioles. In three seasons in Triple-A action, the 27-year-old has recorded an ERA of 6.40.
Next, the Mets added left-handed pitcher Aaron Rozek from the Minnesota Twins. At 30 years old, Rozek posted a 4.46 ERA in 32 games last season, split between Double-A and Triple-A.
Finally, the Mets closed out their night by selecting another left-handed pitcher, this time from the New York Yankees, in Matt Turner. Turner never pitched in the minors for the Yankees as they just recently added him, but the 26-year-old posted a 5.79 ERA in the Cleveland Guardians organization last season.
Wednesday’s moves aren’t likely to have any impact on the Mets’ 2026 season, in which they’re searching for a postseason berth after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Still, the minor leagues of the club have been shaken up after the minor league phase of the Rule-5 draft, an important area to keep an eye on.