Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away.
“Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
In recent years, Mets officials have done well to reverse their reputation as an organization that struggles to develop relief pitchers. The recent emergences of José Buttó and Dedniel Núñez provided evidence to that end, while the Mets similarly jumpstarted the careers of relievers from outside the organization, like Reed Garrett and Danny Young.
In Lambert, they hope to take the express route toward developing another bullpen gem. During his college years, Lambert was exclusively a relief pitcher, averaging less than an inning per appearance. His fastball sat in the upper 90s at Oklahoma and ran as hot as 102 mph during a game against Wichita State. Lambert lives for that sort of thing.
“I’m an adrenaline guy,” he said before Sunday’s 5-1 Spring Breakout victory over a group of Nationals prospects. “I love big situations. I think that brings the best out of you when you feel really nervous. You harness that energy and you never know what can happen. So who knows what I’ll touch here in the future?”
Mets prospect Ryan Lambert once drank THIRTY raw eggs per day for a month as he worked to bulk up 🥚 @PSLtoFlushing @SteveGelbs @JimDuquetteGM pic.twitter.com/gpN0AhT1eo
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 16, 2025
Lambert’s actual performance in Spring Breakout showcased both his bigtime velocity -- he hit 97 mph on multiple occasions -- as well as his present-day flaws. In an admittedly small college sample size, Lambert walked 7.3 batters per nine innings. Big, hard-throwing pitchers like him can struggle to repeat their mechanics.
Since turning pro, Lambert has worked on fine-tuning his delivery, but he struggled Sunday in walking two batters, giving up three stolen bases and allowing one run.
“For him, it’s strikes,” Mets senior vice president of player development Andy Green said. “The heater really rides. It’s a unique pitch profile. He can spin it in the zone with a slider. It’s kind of a classic reliever, two-pitch mix that might turn into something a little bit more in time. But if he fills up the strike zone, his stuff is going to play.”
Mets prospect Ryan Lambert says that he threw a 102 MPH fastball last year at Oklahoma:
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 16, 2025
"I'm an adrenaline guy. I love big situations." pic.twitter.com/sIOetPzHDd
When teams draft college relievers, the first question tends to be how quickly they might arrive in the Majors. Such players tend to be older -- Lambert will turn 23 before this season ends -- and more physically mature than other draftees. They’re typically experienced against advanced competition and, because relievers don’t need robust pitch mixes to succeed at the highest level, they generally require less development time than starters.
Lambert checks all those boxes as a player who could reach the Majors soon -- perhaps even as soon as this season if everything goes right. Admittedly, Lambert sometimes allows his mind to wander to those places, though he understands how much work still stands between him and his debut.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about that stuff, but that’s where I just go one day at a time,” Lambert said. “I trust myself, and I trust the Mets, and I believe I’ll be up there sooner than later.”
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Back to Tobacco Road
Jonathan Santucci, the organization’s 13th-ranked prospect (per MLB Pipeline) and their top left-handed pitching prospect, returned to campus last autumn after the Mets selected him in the second round of the 2024 Draft. Back at Duke, Santucci was in the same documentary studies class as basketball star Cooper Flagg. He’s now one class shy of having enough credits to graduate.
Many elite college prospects like Santucci, who are drafted after their junior seasons, never earn their degrees. Santucci, who is majoring in sociology with a certificate in markets and management, plans to take an online course to complete his.
“Growing up, academics were just as important as baseball,” Santucci said. “I feel like I always worked just as hard in school as I did in sports, so I think that’s really important to finish that off -- the icing on the cake.”
Santucci threw a scoreless inning in Spring Breakout.
Muscling up
Another 2024 Mets draftee, 23rd-ranked prospect Eli Serrano III, packed 15 pounds of muscle onto his 6-foot-5 frame this winter, learning nutrition and weight training techniques at a team-sponsored strength camp. He’s up to around 210 pounds, which club officials believe will help him survive the grind of professional baseball.
“It’s almost another job, I’d say, just getting stronger,” Serrano said. “You’ve got to play baseball, but you’ve got to be able to go out there and be able to play 140 games every year, so you’ve got to be strong enough to do that.”
Drafted as a center fielder, Serrano is likely to end up in a corner, where his increased bulk would not be a hindrance. He started in left field in Spring Breakout.
My name is Jonah
Jonah Tong’s reward for a breakout 2024 season was a Spring Breakout start. The lanky right-hander, who has drawn Tim Lincecum comps, struck out three over two scoreless innings, hitting 97 mph on the stadium radar gun.
Last year, Tong jumped multiple Minor League levels from Single-A St. Lucie to Double-A Binghamton, going from unranked on MLB Pipeline to No. 6 on this year’s Mets list.
“Probably not how I originally imagined,” Tong said of his 2024 season, which included a 3.03 ERA across three levels. “I spent a lot of time in a lot of different places, but I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
More than a feeling
The early offensive star of Spring Breakout was Boston Baro, the Mets’ 14th-ranked prospect, who hit a left-on-left, opposite-field homer off Nationals starter Alex Clemmey.
Not to be outdone was fourth-ranked Ryan Clifford, who added a deep homer more than halfway up the batter’s eye in straightaway center. On the social media site X, the Mets’ official player development account estimated the home-run distance at 449 feet.
Senior Reporter Anthony DiComo has covered the Mets for MLB.com since 2007.
Tortugas Unveil Full 2025 Promotional Schedule
PRINTER-FRIENDLY SCHEDULE FULL SCHEDULE AND TICKETS DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—The Daytona Tortugas have unveiled their full promotional schedule for their tenth season of play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The season will be highlighted by the return of several popular theme nights and daily promotions from previous seasons, plus new and exciting
Tortugas Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—In conjunction with the Cincinnati Reds, the Daytona Tortugas announced their coaching and support staff for the 2025 season on Monday afternoon. Manager Willie Harris joins the Tortugas for his first season in Daytona and his first season back in the Reds organization. The 46-year-old most recently served
Daytona Tortugas Release 2025 Schedule
PRINTABLE VERSION DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—In conjunction with the Florida State League and Major League Baseball, the Daytona Tortugas have released their schedule for the 2025 season, the historic tenth season of Tortugas baseball. The Tortugas are scheduled to play 132 games: 66 home and 66 away. They will open the
Nestor Lorant Honored as Florida State League Pitcher of the Year
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—After an outstanding 2024 season, right-hand pitcher Nestor Lorant was named Florida State League Pitcher of the Year on Thursday. Lorant enjoyed a tremendous season on the mound, going 8-3 with a 1.44 ERA in 22 games (seven starts), with 99 strikeouts against just 22 walks over 87.2
Tortugas Bounced Out of Playoffs as Curtain Closes on 2024
JUPITER, Fla—The Palm Beach Cardinals blasted a tie game wide open with an eight-run fifth inning as the Daytona Tortugas were bounced from the Florida State League playoffs as they were routed 11-2 to bring the 2024 season to a close. Palm Beach (2-0, 83-47) punched their ticket to the
Palm Beach Pummels Daytona Early to Take Series Lead
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Yerlin Confidan doubled, homered, and scored twice, but the Palm Beach Cardinals scored five runs over the first innings and opened the Florida State playoffs by defeating the Daytona Tortugas 8-3 on Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Palm Beach (1-0, 83-47) stroked 11 hits and turned three
Tortugas Walk Into Postseason on Henley’s Walk-off Walk
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Kyle Henley’s walk-off walk capped off the 2024 regular season as the Daytona Tortugas finished their final contest before the playoffs with a 2-1 victory over the Bradenton Marauders at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Sunday night. Daytona overcame a season-high 16 runners left on base to finish the
Stovall’s Walk-Off Lifts Tortugas to Game Two Win in DH Split
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—The Daytona Tortugas were three outs away from being swept in a doubleheader, but Peyton Stovall’s walk-off sacrifice fly capped off a three-run seventh as the Daytona Tortugas bounced back from a 10-5 loss in a suspended game to take game two 5-4 over the Bradenton Marauders on
Tortugas Punch Playoff Ticket Amidst Suspended Game
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—The Bradenton Marauders stormed in front with a five-run third in what was scheduled to be a Friday night doubleheader, but the Daytona Tortugas were the ones celebrating as a Jupiter Hammerheads loss sent Daytona to the postseason amidst a rain-soaked night that saw game one suspended and
Daytona and Bradenton Washed Out on Thursday
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Thursday night’s contest between the Daytona Tortugas and the Bradenton Marauders has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader of two seven-inning games on Friday, September 6. The first game will start at 5:00 p.m. with the second contest
Stovall Stellar, But Comeback Bid Falls Short
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Peyton Stovall recorded the first three-hit game of his career, but the Daytona Tortugas came up just short in an attempt to erase a pair of five-run deficits as they fell 8-6 to the Bradenton Marauders on Wednesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Bradenton (24-38, 53-75) slugged four
Tortugas Start Final Week With a Bang; Win 7-2
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Peyton Stovall had two hits, two steals, and an RBI, while Yerlin Confidan and Esmith Pineda drove in two runs apiece as the Daytona Tortugas kicked off the final series of the regular season with a 7-2 victory over the Bradenton Marauders. Daytona (31-27, 62-62) stole a season-high
Tortugas and Cardinals Cancelled on Sunday
JUPITER, Fla—The Daytona Tortugas and Palm Beach Cardinals were cancelled on Sunday afternoon due to rain currently falling and an unfavorable forecast for the afternoon. As the game was the final regular season matchup between the two squads, the contest is officially cancelled and will not be made up. This
Tortugas Fall on Rain-Soaked Saturday
JUPITER, Fla—The Palm Beach Cardinals and Daytona Tortugas waited nearly two hours to throw the first pitch, but the Cardinals broke the game open with a seven-run fifth in a 12-1 rout over the Tortugas on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Palm Beach (41-17, 78-46) pounded out seven
Tortugas Tamed in 4-1 Setback
JUPITER, Fla—The Palm Beach Cardinals held the Daytona Tortugas to just one run on seven hits as the Tortugas fell for a second night in a row, dropping a 4-1 decision on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Palm Beach (39-17, 77-46) officially clinched the second half FSL East
Stafura’s Three Hits Can’t Overcome Early Hole
JUPITER, Fla—Sammy Stafura stroked three hits, but the Palm Beach Cardinals built a six-run cushion thanks to a five-run third inning and cruised to an 8-3 victory over the Daytona Tortugas on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Palm Beach (39-17, 76-46) evened the series behind the big third
Tortugas' Final Homestand of 2024 to Feature Elly De La Cruz Bobblehead, Copa de la Diversion, Fan Appreciation
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Daytona Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark Monday September 2nd, to begin their final homestand of the 2024 regular season against the Bradenton Marauders, the Single-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Among the highlights of the six contests are four college nights for Daytona-area
Brutti’s Hitless Start, Cabrera’s Homer Lead Game Two Win in DH Split
JUPITER, Fla—A late rally fell short in the first game, but Ben Brutti spun 5.0 hitless innings and Ricardo Cabrera crushed a tie-breaking homer as the Daytona Tortugas bounced back from a 4-3 defeat in game one with a 3-1 victory in the second contest over the Palm Beach Cardinals.
Dualvert Dazzles as Tortugas Out-Duel Cardinals 2-0
JUPITER, Fla—Dualvert Gutierrez spun 4.0 strong innings in relief and Luke Hayden finished it off with his first career save as the Daytona Tortugas edged the Palm Beach Cardinals 2-0 on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Daytona (29-23, 60-58) began a critical seven-game series on the right foot,
Series Ends on Sour Note in 6-0 Shutout
JUPITER, Fla—The Jupiter Hammerheads scored in each of the first four innings and the Daytona Tortugas were held to just three hits as Jupiter took the series final 6-0 on Sunday afternoon at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Jupiter (25-27, 61-57) stroked 11 hits and handed Daytona (28-23, 59-58) their first
Tortugas Can’t Overcome Early Big Inning in Saturday Setback
JUPITER, Fla—The Jupiter Hammerheads scored five runs in the bottom of the second and kept the Daytona Tortugas at arms length the rest of the way as the Tortugas saw their four-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Jupiter (24-27, 60-57) snapped
New Faces Come Up Clutch in Comeback 2-1 Win
JUPITER, Fla—Ryan McCrystal swatted an RBI double in his first career two-hit game and Trent Hodgdon nailed down a gritty six-out save in his professional debut as the Daytona Tortugas pulled in front in the eighth inning to defeat the Jupiter Hammerheads 2-1 on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet
Tortugas Score Twice in Ninth to Steal 2-1 Victory
JUPITER, Fla—After eight scoreless innings offensively, the Daytona Tortugas scratched across two runs in the top of the ninth inning to steal a 2-1 victory over the Jupiter Hammerheads on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Daytona (27-21, 58-56) won their third straight game in the series as Jupiter
Almonte’s Blast, Stovall’s Strong Debut Pace 7-1 Victory
JUPITER, Fla—Ariel Almonte crushed his 20th home run of the season while Peyton Stovall tripled and reached base three times in his professional debut as the Daytona Tortugas led wire-to-wire in a 7-1 victory over the Jupiter Hammerheads on Wednesday night. Daytona (26-21, 57-56) took advantage of five Jupiter (23-25,
Big Nights at the Plate, On the Mound Pace 12-1 Rout to Open Trip
JUPITER, Fla—Ricardo Cabrera, Yerlin Confidan, and Malvin Valdez all have multiple hits and RBIs, while Adrian Herrera spurned any chance of a comeback with 4.0 scoreless innings as the Daytona Tortugas routed the Jupiter Hammerheads 12-1 on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Daytona (25-21, 56-56) bounced back from