Top Prospect Trying To Leave Mets 'No Choice' But To Promote Him To Majors

The New York Mets are in need of starting pitching help this season and they are hoping that some of their top prospects will emerge as contributors.

One name to keep an eye out for is right-handed starter Dominic Hamel, who has been impressive in his minor league career so far, and appears to have a chip on his shoulder.

Hamel, 25, has the goal of reaching the major leagues as soon as possible, and he shared that with president of baseball operations David Stearns in a get to know you conversation during the offseason.

As Hamel told Mark Sanchez of The New York Post:

“I like to win. I like to compete. I like to pitch,” Hamel recalled of what he told Stearns during their chat. “And if I can, I’d like to help the team as soon as I can.

“I know you’ve got your own expectations for me, but I’ve got my own as well. I want to be up there [in the majors]. I want to be an immediate-impact guy. But that all comes by coming in here day by day, stacking days.”

Hamel, the No. 14 ranked prospect in the Mets' farm system, is getting close, but still needs some more development as he has just two full minor league seasons under his belt. He is also on the team's radar as an option, per Sanchez.

Hamel led all Mets minor leaguers with 160 strikeouts in 124 innings last season. He was a 2021 third-round pick out of Dallas Baptist before moving up quickly in the Mets' system. The righty spent last season with Double-A Binghamton, where he posted a 3.85 ERA.

The Mets will be without ace Kodai Senga, who has a posterior capsule strain behind his right shoulder, for at least the early part of the regular season. And Stearns has made it clear that he wants to see his pitching prospects perform in the minors before he considers calling any of them up, which includes Hamel.

As a result, Hamel was reassigned to minor league camp earlier in the week. But although Hamel won't make the big-league club out of spring training, he could be an option down the line this year if he handles his own business by performing on the mound.

“I know I bust my ass. I know I’ve made good jumps,” Hamel said. “If I keep doing that, it’s just a matter of time. I’m trying to leave [Stearns] no choice.”