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.
IOWA CUBS ANNOUNCE JASON KEMPF AS BROADCASTER
DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Cubs today announced Jason Kempf as the new Director of Broadcasting. Kempf brings 10 years of minor league broadcast experience to the I-Cubs, including stops in St. Paul, Wichita, Dayton, Quad Cities and Charleston, where he spent the last four seasons with the RiverDogs.
IOWA CUBS ANNOUNCE 2025 FIELD STAFF
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs, in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs, announced their field staff for the 2025 season. Marty Pevey returns as manager for the I-Cubs for the 13th-consecutive season, extending his franchise-record tenure. Pevey’s 748 wins are a franchise record and his 1,392 victories are sixth-most
IOWA CUBS RELEASE 2025 PROMOTION SCHEDULE
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs today unveiled the 2025 season promotional schedule, which includes 13 Friday night fireworks, specialty nights, decade nights and more. Single-game tickets are officially on sale at IowaCubs.com/tickets with the home opener set for Friday, March 28 vs. Omaha. Iowa’s opening weekend features Friday
IOWA CUBS IMPRESSING IN WINTER BALL
Following Moises Ballesteros’ impressive stint in the Arizona Fall League, a couple other players from the Iowa Cubs 2024 roster have been making some noise this winter. Also announced this offseason, former Cub and Iowa Cub Quintin Berry will join the Chicago Cubs to be their new third-base coach. Berry
SHAW, BALLESTEROS EXCELLING IN FALL BALL
Top Chicago Cubs prospects Matt Shaw and Moises Ballesteros are turning some heads in their respective fall ball seasons after stellar summers which included stints with the Iowa Cubs. Shaw is representing Team USA in the Premier12 Tournament and through three games, the Cubs No. 1 prospect is batting .727
BALLESTEROS SHINING IN ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
Chicago Cubs No. 4 prospect and baseball’s No. 44 prospect (MLB.com) Moises Ballesteros has continued his excellent summer into the fall with the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League. The backstop is slashing .373/.404/.725 (19-for-51) with five home runs and 14 RBI in 11 games with Mesa, including
BALLESTEROS AND BIRDSELL NAMED CUBS MINOR LEAGUE PLAYER AND PITCHER OF THE YEAR
The Chicago Cubs announced today that catcher Moises Ballesteros was named the Buck O’Neil Cubs Minor League Player of the Year and Brandon Birdsell the Vedie Himsl Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year. It marks the second time Ballesteros has won the award after having done so in 2023.
IOWA CUBS RELEASE 2025 SCHEDULE
DES MOINES, IA – In conjunction with Major League Baseball, the Iowa Cubs today announced the 2025 regular season schedule. The 2025 regular season will consist of 75 home games and 75 road games with Iowa opening the year with three home games against the Omaha Storm Chasers, March 28-30.
I-CUBS END SEASON WITH EXTRA-INNING VICTORY
ROCHESTER, NY – The Iowa Cubs (68-82) defeated the Rochester Red Wings (77-71) by a 3-2 tally in 11 innings Sunday at Innovative Field to end the 2024 season. Rochester jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on the back of back-to-back two-out RBI singles by Jake Alu
I-CUBS DROP EXTRA-INNING BATTLE TO RED WINGS
ROCHESTER, NY – The Iowa Cubs (66-82) were defeated by a 2-1 final in 10 innings Friday night in Game 4 of their series against the Rochester Red Wings (77-69) at Innovative Field. Iowa took the early lead in the top of the third, when Kevin Alcantara doubled, and Owen
I-CUBS DOWNED LATE BY RED WINGS
ROCHESTER, NY – The Iowa Cubs (66-80) were defeated by a 4-3 final Wednesday night in Game 2 of their series against the Rochester Red Wings (75-69) at Innovative Field. Iowa took the lead in the first when, after back-to-back walks to begin the night, Matt Shaw doubled in Owen
IOWA SHUTOUTS ROCHESTER
ROCHESTER, NY – The Iowa Cubs (66-79) blanked the Rochester Red Wings (74-69) by a 3-0 score tonight at Innovative Field. Hayden Wesneski (2.0 IP), Julian Merryweather (1.0 IP), Caleb Kilian (5.0 IP) and Colten Brewer (1.0 IP) combined for the shutout. Reivaj Garcia got Iowa on the board in
I-CUBS OVERPOWERED BY BATS IN HIGH-SCORING AFFAIR
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (65-79) dropped their last home game of the season to the Louisville Bats (64-79) by a 17-10 final Sunday afternoon at Principal Park. The Cubs’ bats were hot, tallying 18 hits, including five doubles, a triple, and four homers, but the Bats’ bats
I-CUBS MATCH LONGEST STREAK OF SEASON WITH FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN AGAINST BATS
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (65-78) defeated the Louisville Bats (63-79), 7-2, Saturday night at Principal Park, ending the night with seven unanswered runs to earn their fourth straight win. Louisville got on the board first with two in the first courtesy of back-to-back RBI doubles from Levi
HOWARD’S CLUTCH DOUBLE PROPELS I-CUBS IN THIRD STRAIGHT WIN
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (64-78) defeated the Louisville Bats (64-77), 6-4, Friday night at Principal Park, as Ed Howard’s sixth-inning three-run double was the difference in the I-Cubs’ third straight victory. Louisville got on the board first with two in the first from a two-run double by
I-CUBS WIN HOMER FEST IN WALK-OFF FASHION
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (63-78) defeated the Louisville Bats (63-77), 5-4, in 11 innings Thursday night at Principal Park, as Chase Strumpf's double was the walk-off winner for the home team. Louisville scored first in the first from a solo home run by @levi jor, but Iowa
LATE RALLY LEADS IOWA OVER LOUISVILLE
DES MOINES, IA – William Simoneit’s two-run double in the eighth inning broke a 3-3 tie to lead the Iowa Cubs (62-78) to a 5-3 win over the Louisville Bats (63-76) today at Principal Park. The I-Cubs took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on back-to-back run scoring singles
I-CUBS COMEBACK FALLS SHORT AGAINST LOUISVILLE
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (61-78) came up a run short in a valiant comeback effort against the Louisville Bats (63-75), dropping an 11-10 contest Tuesday night at Principal Park. Louisville jumper out to a 6-0 lead in the second inning behind a Bubba Thompson three-run double, a
SAINTS DOWN I-CUBS WITH LATE OFFENSE IN SERIES FINALE
PAUL, MN – The St. Paul Saints (67-70) defeated the Iowa Cubs (61-77) by a 9-3 final, scoring six runs in the seventh and eighth innings combined Sunday afternoon at CHS Field. Iowa got on the board first in the top of the third when Kevin Alcantara deposited a two-run
MERVIS, SHAW HOMER IN IOWA’S LOSS AT ST. PAUL
ST. PAUL, MN – Despite home runs from Matt Mervis and Matt Shaw, the Iowa Cubs (61-76) fell to the St. Paul Saints (66-70) by an 8-6 score tonight at CHS Field. St. Paul took a 6-0 lead in the second inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Emmanuel Rodriguez.
CAISSIE LEADS IOWA OVER ST. PAUL
ST. PAUL, MN – Owen Caissie hit two homers and drove in five runs to lead the Iowa Cubs (61-75) to an 8-4 victory over the St. Paul Saints (65-70) tonight at CHS Field. Trailing 4-0 in the fourth inning, Iowa put up six runs in the frame. The scoring
SAINTS DOWN I-CUBS WITH WALK OFF WIN
PAUL, MN – The St. Paul Saints (65-69) defeated the Iowa Cubs (60-75) by a 7-6 final with a walk off win in the bottom of the ninth Thursday night at CHS Field. The hosts took a 3-0 lead in the first with two RBI singles by Yunior Severino and
IOWA DROPS ONE-RUN GAME AT ST. PAUL
ST. PAUL, MN – Despite a gem from starting pitcher Brandon Birdsell, the Iowa Cubs (60-74) dropped a 2-1 decision to the St. Paul Saints (64-69) tonight at CHS Field. Birdsell tossed 6.0 innings and allowed one run on two hits with eight strikeouts in a no decision. The Saints
KNIGHT’S CAREER DAY LIFTS I-CUBS OVER SAINTS
ST. PAUL, MN – The only thing that was not remarkable about Caleb Knight's performance on Monday against the Saints was a fielding error in his second career start at third base. But at the plate, his 3-for-4 performance, which included his first career multi-homer game and a career-high 4
BALLESTEROS NAMED INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
DES MOINES, IA – Iowa Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros was tabbed the International League Player of the Week for the period of Aug. 26-Sept. 1 the league announced today. In five games vs. the Memphis Redbirds, Ballesteros batted .588 (10-for-17) with two doubles, one home run and five RBI. During