The Mets are lined up to do something they haven’t done in a while when the 2026 MLB Draft opens Saturday, July 11th: take a pitcher in the first round.
That’s the shape of the latest mock drafts, at least. Two of the final projections have New York going on the mound with its first pick, which would mark a notable shift for a team that has leaned hard toward outfielders in recent years.
The Mets would have been sitting at No. 17 in the 2026 MLB Draft, but because of excessive spending they were dropped 10 spots and now hold the 27th selection. Over the last decade, their first pick has ranged from as high as sixth overall to as low as 38th last year.
Jarred Kelenic in 2018 was their highest selection in that span, while Mitch Voit was their lowest first pick. In 2015, they didn’t even have a first-round pick.
The last time the Mets drafted a pitcher in the first round depends on how you want to count it. Kumar Rocker went 10th overall in 2021, but he didn’t sign with the team after the sides disagreed on the signing bonus amount following concerns over his medicals.
The Mets then received a pick the next year at No. 11 and used it on Kevin Parada. Before Rocker, you have to go back to 2017 and David Peterson.
FanSided has the Mets taking Arizona State left-hander Cole Carlon, whose 14.3 K/9 rate in college this past year stands out. Cody Williams wrote that Carlon can “almost” step into a big league bullpen. A quick path to the majors, whether as a starter or reliever within a year or two, would be a welcome outcome for a Mets system that has seen plenty of pitching prospects stall out in the minors.
ESPN’s mock sends right-hander Cade Townsend from the University of Mississippi to New York. His 12.4 K/9 rate is right there with Carlon’s, though the college settings are different, with Carlon pitching in the B12 and Townsend coming from the SEC.
Either way, a first-round pitcher would be a change of pace for a club that has kept leaning toward outfielders. And as always with late-first-round mock drafts, the Mets could still go another direction once the real thing gets underway.
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