Mets top pitching prospect set to make big league debut on Sunday

With the Mets in need of another spot starter on Sunday, top pitching prospect Blade Tidwell appears set to make his major league debut.

Mar 1, 2025; Port Charlotte, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Blade Tidwell (94) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning during spring training at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The New York Mets' plans to use a sixth starter at sporadic points during the season has required a bit more nimbleness from the organization due to injuries impacting the team's pitching depth. While most of the best laid offseason plans involved using Paul Blackburn or Tylor Megill in that role, the Mets have thus far needed Justin Hagenman and Brandon Waddell to fill in as the sixth man.

Read More: How Brandon Waddell fared in Mets debut

The normal rotation strategy would be to use the spot starter on Tuesday, when Kodai Senga is due to pitch again. However, the Mets don't have many ideal options for that game in Arizona, since Waddell has to remain in the minors for 15 days after being demoted and the team is hesitant to promote Brandon Sproat until he is ready.

As a result, the team is planning for a spot start on Sunday and it will go to top prospect Blade Tidwell.

Source confirms: Pitching prospect Blade Tidwell is joining the Mets this weekend in St. Louis.

Carlos Mendoza mentioned using a spot starter this weekend.

Tidwell has a 5.00 ERA, but 37 strikeouts in 27 innings this season for Triple-A Syracuse. @WexlerRules first

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) May 2, 2025

Daniel Wexler was the first to report the news on Tidwell, who was the Mets' second-round pick in 2022 out of Tennessee. Tidwell, who is currently rated as the organization's 15th-best prospect according to MLB.com, is 1-2 with a 5.00 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Syracuse this season, striking out 37 batters in 27 innings pitched.

Blade Tidwell gets the call!🔥

He’s a high-octane stuff monster with a 150 proStuff+ sweeper and four pitches grading 100+ by proStuff+. Big K rates, wicked movement, and filthy metrics under the hood. ERA lies—this dude is ready for The Show. pic.twitter.com/ltQrdxqbyh

— Pitch Profiler (@pitchprofiler) May 2, 2025

Advanced stats are more kind to the 23-year-old, who has walked only 10 batters in 27 innings pitched and has an intriguing pitch mix that could work well against major league hitters. Sunday is also when Tidwell was scheduled to start for Syracuse, so he will be on regular rest for the matchup with the Cardinals.

Right-hander Blade Tidwell with a fantastic start today for Double-A Binghamton:

8 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K. 94 pitches (72 strikes). 76.5% strike rate 🎯

Tidwell’s season ERA is down to 1.23. In 29.1 innings he has only allowed 15 hits and 10 walks while striking out 36 pic.twitter.com/r5CnNIzoku

— Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) May 4, 2024

With the Mets set to return to a more regular schedule after this week, Tidwell is likely headed back to Syracuse after this start so the Mets can add another reliever like Dedniel Núñez to the bullpen. This start is a big opportunity for Tidwell, however, to show he can be a valuable contributor to a 2025 team that has a chance to do something special.