Mets’ top prospect promoted to Syracuse for rest of season

Jett Williams was the first player in the dugout before the game. He fidgeted, first setting his water, batting helmet, and batting gloves on the dugout bench, then spinning his baseball glove around on his hand. He said he lays out all his gear before every game, a sort of superstitious thing.

The Mets promoted their No. 2 prospect, 20-year-old shortstop Williams, on Sunday. He will play the final six games of the season with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets. Tuesday’s matchup between the Syracuse Mets and Charlotte Knights, which the Mets won 15-7, was Williams’ first game with Syracuse. 

“It was awesome. I mean, it was basically like no other game,” Williams said. “Just coming out and playing and having fun is the ultimate goal.”

Williams struggled in his first three at-bats, with two strikeouts and a pop out. In the bottom of the sixth, with one out and men on first and second, he hit a double to left field off Knights pitcher Jordan Leasure. First baseman JT Schwartz scored the Mets’ eighth run of the night off Williams’ first RBI with the team.

Courtesy of Syracuse Mets

Despite playing in less than 40 games this summer, Williams is one step away from playing in the big leagues.

“I feel like I was on time for the heater but just a little bit off and just kind of chasing a little bit,” Williams said. “Probably had a little bit of adrenaline going. But honestly just kind of calmed down after my first bat and then just started seeing the ball a little bit better and just honestly tried to get a run in.”

Syracuse Mets outfielder Carlos Cortes is a veteran of the team. The 2024 season is his second full season with the team. He said Williams found his way as the game progressed, making adjustments with each at-bat. 

“It’s kind of the same game, just a little bit different competition,” Cortes said. The focus, at any level, should be on going out there and competing, Cortes said.

Syracuse Mets manager Dick Scott feels confident about Williams’ play after being injured most of the season. Williams, who was a first round draft pick for the Mets in 2022, suffered a wrist injury on April 21, for which he underwent surgery in June. The team activated him on August 30 and he played for the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies before his promotion Sunday.

Scott said Williams has a good strike zone and played great defense. Getting in front of Triple-A pitching and seeing what that is like is important for his development, Scott said.

“He handled himself well. He’s a very confident guy, and he’s just here to play baseball in his mind. Doesn’t matter where it is,” Scott said.

For Williams, the last few games of the season are about adjusting to Triple-A and preparing for next season. He aims to stay healthy, have fun and to try to help the team win their last five games of the season.

“It’s good for him to get up here just to see what it’s like, see the competition. Even simple things like just seeing the stadium, and seeing the clubhouse and getting the ins and outs of all that. It doesn’t sound like much, but I think it’s all important,” Scott said.

The Arizona Fall League season begins in October. Although rosters have not been officially announced, Williams said he will play for the Scottsdale Scorpions this fall. 

“I think it’ll be really fun just being able to play and finally playing the last couple months, especially not playing this whole season.”