Some names to know for the Mets’ 2024 first-round pick

The MLB Draft begins Sunday night at 7 p.m. Eastern and the Mets have the 19th pick. There’s no consensus among the draft gurus on who the Mets might pick, which isn’t all that unusual given the spot they’re drafting. Of course, the Mets are drafting at that spot due to the 10-pick penalty for exceeding the initial luxury tax line by $40 million. Perhaps in the near future they can get under that threshold. Anyway, here’s some of the expert predictions for the Mets’ pick:

Kiley McDaniel, ESPN – Vance Honeycutt, CF, North Carolina

I’m hearing the Mets are looking at explosively athletic types here, with Honeycutt, Dakota Jordan and Tyson Lewis among the options.

Keith Law, The Athletic – Carson Benge, OF/RHP, Oklahoma State

The Mets and Benge have been linked for months, and I haven’t heard anything to make me think they’ve changed their minds on him.

Eric Longenhagen – FanGraphs – Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State

I suppose we’re getting into the area where some of the other top-tier high school pitchers are in play, but the tendency of David Stearns and co. in Milwaukee was to take guys who make contact like Benge does.

Mike Axisa – CBS Sports, Seaver King, 3B/OF, Wake Forest

Like more than a few teams picking in this range, the Mets are hoping Benge is on the board here, but he is not in our mock draft. I know there is some thought King is the best all-around talent among the second tier college hitters (Benge, Smith, Waldschmidt, the Moores, etc.), and he fits the M.O. of new POBO David Stearns and new scouting director Kris Goss. They targeted similarly explosive athletes during their time with the Brewers and Astros, respectively.

Jim Callis, MLB.com – Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina

And even more college bats: Benge, Honeycutt, King.

Edward Sutelan, The Sporting News – Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State

There’s a chance Smith could be off the board by this point, but if he’s not, the Mets could be a landing spot for him at No. 19. Smith has an advanced hit tool and standout defense at third, which could help him move quickly through the minors. New York has often been more apt to go prep players in recent years, but Smith’s high floor and solid upside could lead them to change that trend for him.

Now let’s here from our own David Groveman:

I wrote a pre-draft piece where I highlighted three players the Mets might be looking at in the first round of the Amateur Draft and came up with Carson Benge, Cam Caminiti and Brody Brecht. With the draft drawing closer, I’m going to highlight three more names I’d be happy with.

William Schmidt, RHSP – He’s tall, 6’4″ and he’s got a great arm. He doesn’t have the hardest fastball in the draft but he might have the best breaking pitch. His curveball grades at a 70 and has been compared to Adam Wainwright’s.

Konnor Griffin, SS/OF – This is a pipe dream and there would have to be something wrong with Griffin for him to drop to the Mets but a plus fielder who can play the highest leverage defensive roles. He also boasts good contact and great power to go with elite speed. He will not be a truly viable option when we’re picking though.

Ryan Sloan, RHSP – Another big pitcher but one with less bells and whistles than your typical first round pick. Sloan’s claim to fame is that he has an arsenal of pitches with no truly weak pitches. Based on his profile, Sloan might have a trajectory to the majors much closer to a college pitcher which is a great asset in and of itself.

Finally, here are a couple of guys that appeal to me who have yet to be mentioned.

Jurrangelo Cijntje, BHP, Mississippi St.

He throws with either hand and tops 90 regardless of which one he uses. Primarily a RHP, he has a special glove that he can switch hands with on the mound. Some might view it as twice as many parts that could break down. Or you can view it as he has less wear on him than most pitchers.

Tommy White, 3B, LSU

He’s got light-tower power, although he didn’t have a great junior season. But that’s the reason he’ll be available when the Mets pick. Whichever team selects White is going to have to work with him on his plate discipline and perhaps make some tweaks to his swing, too. The Mets might not be the best fit for him. But this is a guy who has top-10 potential, which has got to be at least a little appealing at pick #19.