Mets select Josh Wolf with 53rd overall pick in draft

With their second round selection in the 2019 MLB Draft—the 53rd pick overall—the New York Mets selected right-handed pitcher Josh Wolf, out of St. Thomas High School in Texas. Wolf was viewed by some as a potential late first round pick, and was ranked the 36th overall prospect by MLB.com, 54th overall by Baseball America.

Wolf has a commitment to Texas A&M, but it is believed that he could be bought out of it. Wolf improved mightily this year, with a fastball which previously sat around 90 mph bumping up to 92 and maxing out at 97 this year. Wolf already has a good 12-6 curveball, giving the prepster two projectable pitches to go along with a changeup in development. At 6’2” and 185 pounds, scouts believe he has room to grow.

Following the Mets’ first round selection of fellow Texas prep star Brett Baty, it would seem the team is focusing on going with more high risk, high reward options in an effort to build up a somewhat stripped farm system. The Baty selection could save a bit of money if the team needs to go overslot to buy out Wolf, or the team may revert to form and opt for safer picks in the next few rounds.