Ryan Lambert isn’t your typical relief prospect-and that’s exactly why he’s worth paying attention to.
Relievers don’t usually crack top prospect lists, and for good reason. The role is volatile, the sample sizes are small, and projecting bullpen arms has long felt like throwing darts blindfolded.
But every now and then, a guy comes along who forces you to take notice. For the Mets, that guy is Lambert.
Slotted at No. 19 on the organization’s top-25 prospects list this offseason, Lambert is one of just two relievers to make the cut. That alone says something. What really sets him apart, though, is the combination of eye-popping numbers and a fastball that quite simply overwhelms hitters.
Since being drafted in the 8th round out of Oklahoma back in 2024, Lambert hasn’t posted an ERA higher than 1.71 at any level. His strikeout-minus-walk rate has never dipped below 21.5%.
That’s not just good-it’s dominant. And if you’re wondering whether those stats are inflated by small samples or soft competition, consider this: when he opened the year in Brooklyn, he threw 8 innings, struck out 17, walked just one, and somehow posted a FIP of -0.48.
Yes, negative. That’s not a typo.
Now let’s talk stuff, because Lambert’s arsenal backs up the numbers. He’s a fastball-slider guy, but that fastball is something special.
Sitting at 95 mph, it comes with elite induced vertical break-meaning it stays on a flat plane longer than hitters expect. That makes it a nightmare at the top of the zone, especially when paired with Lambert’s aggressive over-the-top arm slot.
The Mets, as an organization, have leaned heavily into developing pitchers who can generate fastball whiffs, and Lambert fits that mold perfectly.
His slider is still a work in progress. It lives in that in-between space-not quite a power breaker, not quite a sweeper.
It usually sits in the mid-to-upper 80s, and while it hasn’t fully settled into a defined shape, there are flashes of something more. With more reps, there’s reason to believe it could evolve into a tighter, harder slider that complements his high-riding four-seamer.
A true sweeper might be too visually distinct from the fastball to be deceptive, but a firmer version could tunnel better and keep hitters guessing.
Of course, Lambert’s not a finished product. His command can be erratic, and it showed up in the numbers when his walk rate jumped to 14.7% in Double-A.
That’s a red flag, no doubt. His arm slot, while helping to sell the fastball, could also limit its effectiveness as he climbs the ladder-hitters at higher levels are more accustomed to that kind of vertical movement.
And like any relief prospect, there’s always the inherent risk: one bad stretch, one injury, and the path to the big leagues can get murky in a hurry.
But the foundation here is strong. Lambert’s fastball is a legitimate weapon, and in a Mets system that’s shown real success in developing pitchers, there’s reason to believe they can help him tighten up the rest of his game. If the slider sharpens and the command stabilizes, you’re looking at a guy who could pitch in high-leverage innings at the major league level.
Lambert is expected to open the 2026 season in Triple-A, and if he continues to miss bats the way he has, it won’t be long before he gets his shot in Queens. Late-inning arms don’t usually come with this kind of upside, but Lambert’s not your average bullpen piece.
Oh, and for what it’s worth? He’s a metalhead who loves steak. Just adds to the closer vibes.