New York Mets 2026 Top Prospects Rankings: Nos. 16-20

The 2026 season has only just begun, but Grand Central Mets is here to officially publish our new top-20 prospect rankings for the New York Mets' farm system. We'll break this down into four pieces (five prospects per piece), starting with Nos. 16-20.

Note that these rankings were voted on by our front-page writing staff. In future iterations, we'll open up prospect voting to all of our members on the site.

No. 20: R.J. Gordon, SP (Double-A Binghamton)

2025 stats: 128 2/3 IP, 3.36 ERA, 3.72 FIP, 27.3 K%, 8.5 BB%, 1.24 WHIP

Gordon hasn't pitched this year due to a lat injury, which is expected to hold him out until early May. Upon his return, he should be a rotation fixture for the Rumble Ponies after he impressed in Double-A down the stretch in 2025.

He lacks upper-echelon stuff, but a 24-year-old starter with above-average command and two above-average secondaries (his changeup and his slider) is going to get a look in the big leagues at some point. He honestly reminds me a bit of longtime Cubs stalwart Kyle Hendricks, who thrived with pinpoint control and movement despite lacking any velocity of note. Gordon throws harder than Hendricks ever did (he's been sitting 92-93 mph consistently with his fastball), but he also doesn't have quite the same knack for pitch sequence as "The Professor."

A mid-2027 debut is firmly on the table if Gordon can get and stay healthy this year; at the very least a cup of coffee in Syracuse should be the expectation before 2026 is over.

No. 19: Antonio Jimenez, SS (High-A Brooklyn)

2025 stats: .263/.345/.274, 83 wRC+, 0 HR, 8 SB, 13.6 K%, 10.9 BB%

The Mets' third-round pick in the 2025 draft, Jimenez is known for his raw power despite failing to hit a home run last year. He's already hit two in 2026 with the Cyclones, and he possesses a tantalizing power-speed game that would play anywhere in a lineup.

There are questions about his fit at shortstop, but he's got a rocket arm that would look really good at third base or in right field if he can't stick at the six. More importantly, he'll need to evolve his hit tool and plate discipline to survive at the highest level of the minors; he's already running a 33.3% strikeout rate through his first 40 plate appearances in High-A.

A mid-2028 ETA is reasonable for the 21-year-old, who's a bit more raw than other college prospects, Still, the archetype he fits is the kind of player that could become Francisco Lindor's heir apparent at shortstop in Queens.

No. 18: Dylan Ross, RP (Triple-A Syracuse)

2025 stats: 54.0 IP, 2.17 ERA, 3.32 FIP, 35.7 K%, 14.7 BB%, 1.15 WHIP

There's no denying Ross' raw stuff out of the bullpen. He's got a triple-digit fastball, bitting splitter, and hard slider that allows him to work effectively against hitters on both sides of the plate. There's even a decent curveball in his mix, giving him four legitimate weapons that make him a menace to face in one-inning situations.

The problem, of course, is that he just doesn't know where the ball is going. His walk rate in Syracuse last year (17.3%) was calamitous and simply untenable for a leverage reliever. He aids his own cause by striking out heaps of batters and producing weak contact routinely; even as he struggled to find the strike zone in Triple-A in 2025, he still struck out 30.7% of the batters he faced and allowed a ridiculous .106 opponent's batting average.

The range of spectrums on Ross is enormous. At 25 years old, he's basically ready for the big leagues. If he ever finds consistency with his location, he could become a legitimate closing option at the MLB level. If not, he may never earn enough trust from his manager to tackle anything more than mop-up duty.

No. 17: Ryan Lambert, RP (Triple-A Syracuse)

2025 stats: 50.0 IP, 1.62 ERA, 2.13 FIP, 39.5 K%, 13.2 BB%, 1.16 WHIP

Another pure relief prospect, Lambert's fastball might be even better than thunderbolts that Ross hurls. He doesn't have quite the same upper-echelon velocity as his Syracuse teammate, but he produces absurd ride and spin on his heater and used it to generate a comical 38% whiff rate a year ago.

Lambert, who is two years Ross' junior, also struggles with command, though it's not quite as egregious. The bigger problem is that he only has two pitches -- his fastball and a slider -- which gives left-handed batters a big advantage, since he doesn't have any breakers that run away from them. Still, his two-pitch mix is as good as anyone's in the minors, and he's got less bust potential than Ross thanks to slightly better command and exceptional feel for his fastball up in the zone.

A 2026 debut isn't guaranteed, but if the Mets find themselves in need of high-upside bullpen reinforcements later in the year, Lambert should be the guy they call upon.

No. 16: Eli Serrano III, OF (Double-A Binghamton)

2025 stats: .222/.332/.358, 113 wRC+, 7 HR, 9 SB, 20.1 K%, 13.1 BB%

Serrano doesn't have any terribly loud tools, making him more of a jack of all trades and a master of none, hence why he's in the bottom quartile of our prospect rankings. That shouldn't blind anyone to his steady floor and impressive upside, though.

His hit tool will always be the big question since he stands at a lanky 6'5", but that frame is ripe for more power as he adds strength. He'll turn 23 in May, and he's got some solid plate discipline for someone in their second full pro season, even if he's striking out more in 2026 as he adjusts to the Double-A caliber of pitching.

After recording 10 outfield assists a year ago, calls for him to move to right field on a full-time basis will be loud. He's got more than enough speed to stick in center if his glove develops, but he'll have a home in the outfield regardless. He remains a ways off from the majors, and seeing as he isn't Rule 5 eligible until after the 2027 season, a 2028 debut feels like a reasonable estimate.

Interested in learning more about the New York Mets' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!