With Grapefruit League play in the books and Opening Day just days away, it’s time to choose our 2026 King of Spring Training! Let’s review our candidates and their final spring training numbers.
Cristian Pache – .419/.500/.710 in 31 ABs
Pache’s batting line has fallen a touch since our update last week because he’s gone hitless since then, but he still ended up tied with Bo Bichette for the second-most spring training hits on the team, behind only Opening Day right fielder Carson Benge. He also ended up with the highest OPS of anyone on the team with more
than a small handful of at-bats. He impressed on both sides of the ball this spring and while most know him for his defensive prowess, it’s unlikely anyone expected him to hit like this. He is the definition of a prime KoST candidate and the current favorite by my (admittedly arbitrary) KoST point tally, but my assessment is not what determines the KoST. It’s you, the lovely Amazin’ Avenue community, who determines the KoST.
KoST Points: 2
Total KoST Points: 14
Mike Tauchman – .241/.371/.448 in 29 ABs
What a terribly unfortunate ending to Mike Tauchman’s fabulous spring.
Based on his spring performance, he was a near lock to make the team, but he injured his knee in the penultimate Grapefruit League game and will now have to miss significant time. It’s a shame for Tauchman, who still has a strong KoST case despite the injury.
KoST Points: 1
Total KoST Points: 9
Vidal Bruján – .273/.400/.273 in 33 ABs
From a KoST perspective, Tachman’s loss may end up to be Bruján’s gain. Bruján was a late addition to the field, but he is making a last minute case, as he improved his batting line from our last update and may end up snatching that last bench spot due to the injury to Tauchman. His seven walks in Grapefruit League action lead the team.
KoST Points: 2
Total KoST Points: 7
MJ Melendez – .364/.364/1.000 in 11 ABs
MJ Melendez sprinted out of the gate with a fast start in our KoST contest, but then was away from Mets camp due to the World Baseball Classic and ended up with only 11 spring at-bats. Still, his brief KoST candidacy demonstrated his value as AAA depth and there’s a chance he could see some big league at-bats this season.
KoST Points: 0
Total KoST Points: 4
Austin Barnes – .313/.389/.500 in 16 ABs
Barnes did not appear in any of the Mets’ final few Grapefruit League games and was released by the Mets on Sunday, so he is now a free agent, which possibly disqualifies him as KoST. But for the sake of completeness, I will not allow his brief KoST campaign to be forgotten.
KoST Points: 0
Total KoST Points: 4
Tobias Myers – 2.31 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 14 Ks in 11 2/3 IP
I understand the argument that as a guy who was likely always going to make the team, Myers may not be KoST eligible in the eyes of some. But I believe his candidacy is deserved because heading into spring, he was sort of seen as the “throw in” to the Freddy Peralta trade and demonstrated this spring that he is far more than that. He led the pitching staff in strikeouts this spring, generated a ton of whiffs, and lit up the stuff models. I don’t think it would be all that surprising if Myers was a key contributor to the Mets’ rotation this season.
KoST Points: 2
Total KoST Points: 9
Matt Turner – 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 7 Ks in 6 IP
Unfortunately, Matt Turner’s scoreless streak ended in his final spring outing, which was his only bad one. But he still got a long look and distinguished himself from the pack, which is KoST-worthy in and of itself.
KoST Points: 1
Total KoST Points: 7
Austin Warren – 1.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 5 Ks in 5 IP
Austin Warren was one of the final cuts this spring; he was optioned to Triple-A following Friday’s game. Warren was one of a few pitchers vying for the final spot in the bullpen, but the fact that he has options remaining unfortunately probably worked against him, despite his strong spring that made him a KoST candidate. He will likely be one of the first pitchers called up should the Mets need bullpen reinforcements and I would be surprised if he doesn’t see big league innings this season.
KoST Points: 2
Total KoST Points: 5
Robert Stock – 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP, 6 Ks in 3 IP
Like Tauchman, Stock had his KoST candidacy cut short by injury and his injury came much earlier in spring before he really had a chance to build his case, unfortunately. But he’ll have that shiny 0.00 spring training ERA in the books forever.
KoST Points: 0
Total KoST Points: 3
