New York Mets Minor-League Pitchers of the Month: July 2026

The New York Mets' 2026 campaign has not been defined by a lack of pitching. Through the trade deadline, the team ranked 12th in the league in ERA. While not exceptional, that looks pretty dang good when compared to what's happening with the bats.

New York hopes it addressed its future offensive concerns at the trade deadline (hello, Jefferson Rojas and others). Its future rotation and bullpen, though, feels like it's in great shape, even as the two most-heralded arms in their system struggle with their command. 

Monthly stats referenced are from milb.com at the player's listed level. Pitchers eligible for inclusion on this list must have pitched at least 10 innings. Prospect rankings are from Grand Central Mets.

Ranking Mets' Best MiLB Pitchers in July

4. Noah Hall - High-A (Brooklyn)

Hall posted a 2.72 ERA in 25 games (21 starts) for the Cyclones in 2025. The 2023 seventh-round pick failed to carry that momentum into 2026, posting monthly ERAs of 5.32, 7.84 and 5.24 to open the season. Then, in July, he locked in.

I'd be impressed if you put up those numbers pitching to your kids in the backyard, let alone at High-A. Opposing hitters batted just .115 against Hall last month. That, a 0.39 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 11.57 K/9 rate earned him a promotion to Double-A Binghamton on July 28.

3. Garrett Stratton - AA (Binghamton)

The third-to-last pick (No. 613 overall) in the 2025 MLB Draft has been dominant during his first full minor-league season. Stratton's lone MiLB frame post-draft was enough for him to open this year in Brooklyn. He went through the usual hiccups in April and May, but has been otherworldly from June onward, tallying 36 strikeouts to just two walks in 18 appearances.

Stratton's ERA (2.31 in July) was better in June (1.32). However, he lowered his batting average against more than 80 points (.245 to .163) month over month, giving him a minuscule 0.69 WHIP. Whether you believe his June or July was better, there's no disputing his credentials for placement on this list.

2. Jonathan Santucci - AA (Binghamton, No. 6 Prospect)

Santucci, the highest-ranked left-handed starter in New York's pipeline, made what he likely hopes are the final Double-A starts of his career in July. The 2024 second-round pick from Duke got two more outs last month than he did in June despite making one fewer start, and significantly improved his K/9 rate (10.23 to 14.69) in the same span.

Jonah Tong has not posted a BB/9 rate below 5.00 in any month of MiLB play this year. Jack Wenninger's lowest rate, 4.84, came in April. Santucci now has two months with a rate lower than 4.00 after July's 3.97 clip. Five walks across four innings in his Triple-A debut don't set him to repeat that effort, but at least he has shown he's capable. If he can rein in those free passes the rest of this month, it's possible he earns a look with the big-league club in September.

1. Nate Lavender - AAA (Syracuse)

The Mets drafted Lavender in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB Draft (No. 412 overall). He opened a couple games for Syracuse this summer, but is a reliever by trade, and a darn good one. Through August 1, his career MiLB K/9 rate was 13.84. He sat a shade lower than that in July, when he punched out 17 batters in 11 2/3 innings.

Opposing hitters can tag the ball hard when they touch Lavender's offerings, but they don't put bat to ball very often. His 41.4% strikeout percentage sits in the 98th percentile, per Prospect Savant. And unlike the other players on this list, we've seen this translate to the majors. Through two MLB outings, Lavender has three strikeouts and one walk -- his only baserunner allowed -- in 2 2/3 innings. For making a successful big-league debut after a strong July showing, he's our MiLB Pitcher of the Month.

Honorable Mentions: Carlus Guzman (AA-Binghamton), Elwis Mijares (A-St. Lucie), Conner Ware (A-St. Lucie)

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!