4 Hidden Mets Prospects Poised to Break Out in 2026

The New York Mets’ farm system is about to hit a real test. Top prospects Nolan McLean and Carson Benge are graduating to the majors, so the organization needs to start finding impact from lesser-known players.

This piece highlights a handful of under-the-radar talents who could help cushion the transition. There’s a young power bat with a famous family connection, a multi-positional pitcher with tools to spare, and several versatile players already showing some real upside in the lower levels.

Mets Farm System Depth Tested as McLean and Benge Move Up

With those two likely to ascend this season, the Mets will have to lean more on minor-league contributors. Their scouting and development crew needs to show it can dig up late-round gems and affordable international signings who might help in 2026 and beyond.

The following players really represent the kind of high-upside, low-cost talent that keeps organizations competitive when top prospects leave for the majors.

Ronald Guzman’s Younger Brother: A Power-Profiling Prospect Emerges

The Mets have quietly gotten good at spotting international signs who blossom in their system. One example: Ronald Guzman’s younger brother.

He signed for just $10,000 in 2022. He struggled at first in the DSL but broke out in 2025, hitting .302 with a .898 OPS over 75 games in the Complex League and Low-A St. Lucie.

He racked up 22 doubles, 10 homers, and drove in 57 runs. That’s a pretty strong foundation for a possible breakout in 2026.

• Rank and power: No. 19 in the Mets’ system, with the team’s second-best power tool.
• Elite batted-ball metrics in the Florida State League—90th-percentile exit velocity at 108.8 mph, peak at 112 mph.
• Contact and approach: His 82.7% in-zone contact rate hints that a few approach tweaks could bring even more power without losing contact.
• Next steps: He’s got some swing-and-miss issues, especially chasing offspeed stuff. Development will focus on pitch recognition and not giving away his big raw pop.

Drew Lohman: The Mid-Round Project with a Live Arm

Drew Lohman, from Missouri, was an eighth-round pick in 2025. He signed for $797,500, which shows the Mets see real upside here.

He’s already packed on nearly 20 pounds to his 6’4” frame. That’s bumped his fastball into the mid-90s, and he’s working with a three-pitch mix: slider, curve, and a changeup that’s still coming along.

• Profile: Tall, projectable righty with velocity now and room to grow. Could move from bullpen to rotation if things click.
• Current arsenal: Fastball with life, a “show-me” changeup, and a pair of breaking balls that could develop into a legit third pitch.
• Organizational view: High-upside, mid-round project. The Mets are betting on his upside as they try to build pitching depth behind the arms heading to the majors.

Amparo: The Versatile International Sign with Plate Disciple

Amparo, a $10,000 international signing from August 2024, had a standout 2025 in the DSL. He hit .312 with a .903 OPS in 50 games.

He drew 26 walks to 24 strikeouts, showed some speed with 16 steals, and posted surprising exit velocities for his 6’0”, 170-pound build.

• Positional versatility: Played every spot except catcher and pitcher in 2025, which could fast-track him to higher levels in 2026.
• Path to stateside ball: The Mets will probably start him in the Complex League, but he could move up quickly as a multi-use contributor.
• Tools to watch: Speed, contact, and the ability to handle a bunch of positions make him a possible bench-impact type if he keeps developing.

Henriquez: Speed, Defense and Center-Field Projection

Henriquez signed in 2022. He finished 2025 strong at Low-A and even got a taste of High-A, putting up a .916 OPS overall in the minors.

He averaged 89.5 mph on exit velocity, with a max of 108 mph. He’s an above-average athlete with speed and defensive versatility, projecting mainly as a center fielder but also getting looks at second and third base. The Mets plan to start him at High-A Brooklyn in 2026.

• Toolset: Speed and range in center, plus a developing defensive game that could make him a high-floor, multi-positional contributor.
• ETA: He could move up fast if he stays consistent at the plate and in the field.
• Long-term fit: If his growth stays on track, he’s the kind of player who could patch a lot of holes for the big-league club.

What This Means for 2026 and Beyond

These players show the Mets have a real knack for finding low-cost, high-upside talent. They especially do well with international signings and mid-round picks, which feels like a bit of an art these days.

In a league where you need a steady pipeline to make a real impact, depth guys like Guzman’s brother, Lohman, Amparo, and Henriquez can quietly swing things in your favor. If these players keep developing, the Mets could handle losing McLean and Benge to the big leagues and still have a deeper, more flexible roster by 2026.

For Mets fans—and fantasy folks, too—these under-the-radar stories might just reshape the team’s climb. Who knows how fast these prospects will go from whispers to real tools at the major league level? Guess we’ll find out as the spring rolls on and summer assignments shake out.

 
Here is the source article for this story: 4 under-the-radar Mets prospects to watch in 2026