Mets invite thirteen minor leaguers to major league spring training

The Mets announced Thursday that they will be inviting thirteen players from the minors to join big league camp this spring, in addition to free agents whose minor league deals already included a spring training spot.

Tim Tebow is the headliner, joining for the second year in a row. He’s coming off a modestly improved 2018 season which was cut short by a broken hand. While a newly replenished group of minor league outfielders will probably keep him out of Flushing this year, he’s slated to start in Triple A and will draw some solid Floridian crowds in the early run of spring training games.

Mets fans will be excited to get a look at Peter Alonso, who will almost certainly be staking out first base in the majors sooner rather than later. Further down the line, but still worth watching is shortstop prospect Andres Gimenez, generally considered the team’s best prospect.

It’s going to be crowded at home plate as three catchers vie for an opportunity to back up the oft-injured Wilson Ramos and Travis d’Arnaud: Ali Sanchez, Patrick Mazeika, and Colton Plaia.

Pitching-wise, lefty prospects Anthony Kay and former first-round pick David Peterson will make appearances alongside P.J. Conlon, who appeared in three games for the Mets in 2018. From the right side, Ryder Ryan (acquired for Jay Bruce in 2017), Corey Taylor, Josh Torres, and Stephen Villines will get shots as well.

It’s going to be a packed clubhouse to start spring training, with Gregor Blanco, Rajai Davis, and Hector Sanchez joining as well. Between veteran depth, some quality prospects, and the circus that is Tim Tebow, there’s plenty worth watching.