Mets’ prospect could make ‘significant impact’ in 2024

Ten pitchers made starts for the New York Mets last season.

As currently constructed, the Mets have four set starting pitchers — Kodai Senga, José Quintana, Luis Severino, Adrian Houser — in their rotation, with Tylor Megill the favorite for the fifth spot. Joey Lucchesi and José Butto loom as other options, neither of whom offers much to be excited about.

Even with Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns interested in Lucas Giolito, New York will dip into its depth because of injuries and performance. Plus, Senga operated for much of the season on an extra day’s rest. Hence, prospects have a chance to contribute, and one to watch, per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, is Mike Vasil, who reached Triple-A last season, because he has the pathway and experience.

For a team in need of all the pitching help it can get, Mike Vasil is of particular interest. The organization’s eighth-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Vasil thrived in his first taste of the upper Minors last season, producing a 3.71 ERA over 10 starts at Double-A Binghamton.

Although Vasil — the Mets’ No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline — struggled a bit following a midseason promotion to Triple-A Syracuse, he still profiles as the pitching prospect most likely to make a significant impact in 2024. With a strong spring, he could position himself to debut during the first half of the season.

Vasil was drafted by the Mets in the eighth round of the 2021 draft. The right-hander has amassed 202 1/3 minor-league innings with a 4.14 ERA and a 10.4 K/9. But the 23-year-old posted a 5.30 ERA in 73 innings (16 starts) in Triple-A last season, so it’s likely the Mets would want to see improvement at that level, and starting in spring training when he will likely face major-league hitters.

Baseball America ranked Vasil the Mets’ No. 9 prospect entering 2024, describing him as a four-pitch right-hander who can reach 95 mph with his fastball and is a “high-probably starter who might fit at No. 4 or…