Jonathan Santucci, Mets Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Should Be Next Homegrown Star

Left-hander Jonathan Santucci, the New York Mets’ second-round pick back in 2024, had a year to remember. No, he wasn’t the minor leaguer with the lowest ERA in the organization, but he was named the Pitcher of the Year in the Mets' farm system for a reason.

The growth Santucci showed throughout 2026 was notable, and thus, we'll join the Player Development team in New York in announcing him as our pick for Mets’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2026. After mastering Double-A, he encountered some issues in the much tougher environment of Triple-A, but the potential is there for him to contribute at some point in 2027.

Between Binghamton and Syracuse, the southpaw made 27 starts and tossed 125 innings, with a 4.03 ERA and a 3.63 FIP. His 50.2 percent groundball rate is awfully promising, as is his 30.8 percent strikeout rate. That's a combination of weak and limited contact that will play at every level of affiliated ball.

Santucci did his best work in Double-A. There, he posted a 3.57 ERA and a 3.08 FIP in 90.2 frames, with 120 strikeouts. His 45 walks were a tad high, and it’s certainly something to keep an eye on, but the potential to miss bats at the highest level is exciting.

Santucci earned a summer promotion to Triple-A, where he struggled with a 5.24 ERA in eight outings. His walks went up, as did his home run rate (1.57 per nine innings, as opposed to just 0.40 in Double-A). He did, however, make some adjustments and earn better results in his last four starts at the level: a 3.54 ERA and 25 punchouts in 20.1 frames.

The left-hander was named a 2026 Double-A Eastern League All-Star during the season after his quality stint with the Rumble Ponies. His 163 Ks between the two levels led the organization's minor-league system.

Grand Central Mets 2026 MiLB Pitcher of the Year: Jonathan Santucci

Santucci is ranked as the Mets’ No. 7 prospect here at Grand Central Mets, and he's sure to jump into the top five once an offseason re-ranking is released. The organization loves his ability to get swings and misses, and it all starts with his incredible pure stuff.

The southpaw sits in the low-to-mid-90s range, mostly around 93 and 94 mph, but can touch 96 or even 97 if the situation demands it. He throws his fastball from a high release angle, which helps it generate a good amount of carry at the top of the zone.

His best offering might be his slider, which usually checks in between 86-89 mph and gives a true bat-missing weapon with two-plane break. He complements it with a curveball and a changeup.

In order to take the next step, Santucci needs to prove he can lower the 5.50 walks per nine innings he issued in Triple-A this year, as well as the elevated home run rate that began to plague him against the most advanced hitters in the minors. If he can do that, he can certainly be at least a mid-rotation starter at the MLB level someday.

There’s a non-zero chance that Santucci is given an opportunity to compete for a rotation spot next spring if there is one to be had. The most likely outcome, however, has him starting the year in Triple-A, proving that the gains he made in the last four starts of this year were no fluke, and earning a place in New York at some point later in 2027 with his performance in Syracuse.

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