New York Mets Make Interesting Call-Up From Triple-A To Fill Open Bullpen Spot

Rather than bring one of their top five prospects from Syracuse, the Mets selected the contract of a player MLB Pipeline ranks No. 27 in the team's farm system.

New York Mets pitcher Dom Hamel pitches during a spring training workout at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Fla., on Feb 15, 2025. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Instead of selecting the contract of one of their higher-rated pitching prospects, the New York Mets made what some fans on social media considered a surprise call to the majors on Monday.

The Mets elevated right-hander Dom Hamel from Triple-A Syracuse. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the No. 27 prospect in the Mets’ farm system.

IT’S DOM HAMEL O’CLOCK https://t.co/ewUHnIhDNk pic.twitter.com/D73Qdid6Uq

— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) August 4, 2025

In choosing Hamel, who will pitch out of the bullpen, the Mets bypassed two right-handers, both also pitching at Syracuse, who are higher ranked. MLB Pipeline pegs Nolan McLean as the No. 3 prospect for the Mets – No. 65 in its Top 100 – and Brandon Sproat at No. 5. Both are starters.

Pitcher comparison

Here are the numbers for the trio of Triple-A Mets pitchers. None of the three has yet to pitch in the majors. Hamel did not pitch Monday night in New York’s 7-6 loss to the visiting Cleveland Guardians. in 10 innings.

	Age	Acquired	2025 Triple-A Stats
Dom Hamel	26	2021 draft, third round, No. 81 pick, Dallas Baptist	4-5, 4.73 ERA 22 games, 8 starts 53.1 IP, 59K, .254 BAA
Nolan McLean	24	2023 draft, third round, No. 91 pick, Oklahoma State	5-4, 3.01 ERA 14 games, 11 starts 77.2 IP, 83 K, .196 BAA
Brandon Sproat	24	2023 draft, second round, No. 56 pick, Florida	6-5, 4.07 ERA 21 games, 21 starts 53.1 IP, 59K, .254 BAA

Manager Carlos Mendoza's take

Hamel, 26, has transitioned from pitching as a starter to relief. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters Monday that Hamel has worked hard to do so.

"Obviously proud of him," Mendoza said, per a report from SNY. ""It’s not easy. This was a guy that as a prospect came up as a starter and then when you get the news that you’re not gonna start, we’re gonna put you in the bullpen – he understood and kept working and put himself in a position when there was a need at the big league level, his name came up and here he is. (He can) provide length, he’s got pitches, (can go) multiple innings so I’m excited to have him."

Dom Hamel's take

Hamel, for his part, told reporters Monday that he considers his conversion to the bullpen a potential reason as to why he got the nod to the majors over McLean and Sproat.

Mets leadership sold him on the idea, given McLean and Sproat also would be vying for starting jobs.

“I’ve thrown at least like, 115-120 innings the last four years of my career, and felt good handling that workload, so I was a little bitter at first just because I know I can handle that type of workload,” Hamel said at Citi Field.

“I believe in myself to do it at the next level, but there are really good guys up here, really good starters and relievers. One of the things we talked about with the office is that there might be more opportunity in this kind of role.”