Mets' 2026 Draft Filled With Question Marks

The New York Mets have been met with tons of criticism this season, and that was no different after its outing in the 2026 Major League Baseball draft this past weekend.

The Mets made 19 selections – 12 pitchers, four outfielders, two catchers and a shortstop – but many people took to social media to complain about how well New York drafted in a particularly weak pitching class.

While some of their picks were seen as risky, all these players are talented, and you never know who will pan out. It’s always a gamble.

ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel put together an analysis for every team’s draft, picking their best value, quickest to the big leagues and sleeper picks as well as one big thought for the draft. McDaniel described New York’s first two draft picks as “risk-seeking.”

“The Mets were risk-seeking in their first two picks, with RHP Carson Wiggins (first round) not throwing a competitive pitch this season and Robbins sliding late due to his contact rates in the SEC,” McDaniel wrote Tuesday.

“Then, the Mets pivoted (as most every team does at some point in the draft) to steadier collegiates with Sdao, McNeillie, Petrovic and C Ryan Tayman (ninth round).”

New York is certainly taking a chance on Wiggins, who pitched just one collegiate season with the Arkansas Razorbacks. He made 14 appearances as a reliever, tossing 14 innings and posting a 3.21 ERA and three saves while striking out 20 batters.

Robbins was McDaniel’s pick for best value selection, citing he had some late-first-round buzz early in the college season.

“He's an outfield tweener with above-average in-game power and if you think he's a 45-grade hitter, that's an every-day player.”

McDaniel picked right-handed pitcher Alex Petrovic (sixth round) and left-hander Shane Sdao (fourth round) as players who fit the “quickest to the big leagues” bill.

He described Petrovic as having a great changeup with great command but his fastball is “fringy” and doesn’t have a good breaking ball, but if those improve, he could rise up the ranks quickly.

Sdao has solid stuff and “starter feel,” but had Tommy John surgery in college and was hit harder than expected this season. Both guys are 22-years-old and fill a position of need.

Right-hander Luke McNeillie (fifth round) is McDaniel’s sleeper pick to watch due to his decent pitch mix and command of those pitches. He believes McNeillie is a reliever who should become a starter in pro ball.

“I thought he'd go a round or two higher than he did. He has three above-average pitches and the traits for starter command despite just three starts this spring; adding more extension could help his shapes even more.”

Nobody truly knows how well a team drafted until a few years after, but the earlier we start hearing about these guys progressing in the system, the better.