Part 3 in a series on the Mets’ top prospects.
The Mets used the early rounds of last year’s draft to bring much-needed pitching talent into the organization.
At the top of that list was right-hander Matthew Allan, a projected top-15 pick who slid down in the draft because of concerns over whether he would sign. The Mets snatched Allan (who had contemplated accepting a scholarship to the University of Florida) in the third round and gave him an over-slot $2.5 million signing bonus, part of a strategy in which the organization subsequently selected college seniors with little negotiating leverage to balance the bonus pool allotment.
Allan’s very early returns were positive. In five appearances last season in the Rookie Gulf Coast League, he pitched to a 1.08 ERA and 1.080 WHIP. The Mets promoted him to Brooklyn during the Cyclones’ playoff run at the end of last season, and he allowed two runs in a two-inning appearance. In the playoffs, he fired five shutout innings over two relief appearances to help Brooklyn win the New York-Penn League championship.
“We promoted him to Brooklyn because he was throwing the ball well and we wanted him to get the taste of a playoff race,” Mets executive director of player development Jared Banner said in an email. “We knew he had the makeup to thrive under pressure and he did — helping us to a championship.”
Before selecting Allan, the Mets used their second-round pick on another high school pitcher, Josh Wolf. Both are widely regarded as Mets top-10 prospects, with Allan rated as the organization’s top pitching prospect. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Allan throws a plus-fastball and plus-curveball, generating much of his power from a developed lower-half.
“Matt understands the demands of being a starting pitcher, so he works hard in the gym to prepare his body,” Banner said. “His training also allows him to use his legs well in his delivery and get the most out of his arm.”
The early selection of the pitchers, Allan in particular, was important for the Mets after an offseason in which general manager Brodie Van Wagenen dealt top pitching prospect Justin Dunn to the Mariners as part of the trade for Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano. Two additional pitching prospects, Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods-Richardson, were subtracted from the organization last summer in the trade for Marcus Stroman.
More reinforcements will be necessary as the Mets prepare for the possibility Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz will depart through free agency after the 2021 season. Stroman, Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha are Mets rotation pieces who can all hit free agency this winter.
Allan probably doesn’t factor into the Mets’ equation before 2023, but for now team officials can dream they have another potential ace in the making.
“We’re impressed by how willing Matt is to accept information that can help him,” Banner said. “He takes his nutrition and meditation just as seriously as his mound work. He and our pitching coordinator, Ricky Meinhold, have developed a great relationship and Matt is not letting this time at home stop him from getting better.”