David Stearns took plenty of heat in his second season running the New York Mets. Questionable trades, a poorly assembled rotation, and a roster that missed the playoffs had critics ready to pounce. Much of the team’s promising young talent—including but not limited to Nolan McLean—wasn’t drafted by him, highlighting why some of the criticism stung. Yet while many top prospects came from elsewhere, three pitchers Stearns drafted are rising fast, and by 2026, they could be making their mark in Queens, potentially giving him a comeback headline worth the hype.
SP Will Watson
Will Watson’s 2025 season was a whirlwind climb through the minors, ending with a taste of AA Binghamton.