With an off day for the Mets in Grapefruit League action today, there are just four days’ worth of games left before Opening Day next week. After spring training concludes, I will post a final poll with all of our candidates’ cumulative spring training stats and KoST point totals and we will determine a winner. In the meantime, let’s see where things stand with our field of KoST candidates as we approach the final stretch in the 2026 KoST contest.
Cristian Pache – .464/.516/.786 in 28 ABs
With just four days’ worth of spring training games
left to go before Opening Day, Pache shares the team lead in hits with Carson Benge with 13. One of the hits he amassed since our last update was a home run, his second one this spring.
“He’s an elite defender,” Carlos Mendoza said of Pache, who has impressed on both sides of the ball this spring. “Offensively, we’ve seen him hit the ball hard up the middle and run the bases. There are a lot of tools there. It’s good to see him getting results.”
He is not likely to make the team, but he is definitely a KoST favorite as a guy who perfectly embodies the spirit of the contest: someone who came out of nowhere and turned some heads. He will be useful depth for the Mets to have in Triple-A.
KoST Points: 4
Total KoST Points: 12
MJ Melendez – .364/.364/1.000 in 11 ABs
No updated stats for MJ Melendez, who was optioned to minor league camp yesterday in a flurry of cuts. His sample size is probably not large enough to be a serious KoST contender due in part to his participation in the World Baseball Classic, but he is a worthy mention for having made an impression during his brief time in camp.
KoST Points: 0
Total KoST Points: 4
Austin Barnes – .313/.389/.500 in 16 ABs
Barnes has logged just two at-bats since our last update, but he got a hit in one of them, which improves his already impressive overall Grapefruit League batting line slightly.
KoST Points: 1
Total KoST Points: 4
Mike Tauchman – .280/.419/.520 in 25 ABs
Mike Tauchman continues to be in the starting lineup most days for the Mets in Grapefruit League action and it’s becoming increasingly likely he may make the Opening Day roster even if Carson Benge also earns a spot. Something that is working in his favor is that he holds an opt out for March 25, so if he doesn’t make the roster, the Mets risk losing him altogether.
Tauchman has been productive this spring and although he has more of a major league track record than some of our other KoST candidates, he deserves a lot of consideration if he forces his way onto the roster with his spring performance—an outcome that was perhaps unexpected at the start of spring training. Of Tauchman’s seven hits in Grapefruit League play, four went for extra bases, including a home run. He also walked four times and drove in six runs.
KoST Points: 3
Total KoST Points: 8
Vidal Bruján – .231/.375/.231 in 26 ABs
Another player who continues to get looks is Vidal Bruján, who has an outside chance of making the team if the Mets decide they need an infielder instead of a fifth outfielder. But as Francisco Lindor continues to progress and remain on track for Opening Day, Bruján’s chances of making the roster decline. Also in decline is his statistical output since our last update when he was first added to the KoST field.
KoST Points: 1
Total KoST Points: 5
Tobias Myers – 1.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 12 Ks in 9 2/3 IP
Myers continues to be excellent overall this spring, even if his most recent outing against the Marlins wasn’t as stellar as his other appearances. His 12 strikeouts are tied with Freddy Peralta for the second-most on the team behind Clay Holmes. The Mets are tinkering with Myers’ arm angle and his repertoire and the results have spoken for themselves so far, particularly when it comes to the induced vertical break on his fastball. Myers is a lock to make the bullpen as the Mets’ long man, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up in the rotation at some point if he continues pitching well.
Myers is prepared for whatever role the Mets have for him. “To be DFA’d three times when you’re still starting your career really opens your eyes and makes you realize you need to go out there and get it,” Myers recently said to the New York Post. “I learned you’ve got to be good when called upon. You’ve got to commit and be available.”
KoST Points: 3
Total KoST Points: 7
Robert Stock – 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP, 6 Ks in 3 IP
Obviously no new updates on Robert Stock, who is dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome. We will always remember his brief, shining KoST campaign.
KoST Points: 0
Total KoST Points: 3
Austin Warren – 2.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 2 Ks in 4 IP
Warren has not made any appearances since last week’s update, but remains in big league camp for now.
KoST Points: 0
Total KoST Points: 3
Matt Turner – 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 6 Ks in 5 IP
Matt Turner was reassigned to minor league camp at the beginning of the month and while he still logged some appearances in Grapefruit League action after that, he hasn’t appeared in any games since our update last week. He ends his KoST campaign with a perfect 0.00 ERA and has an intriguing KoST case if you want to get a little weird with it.
KoST Points: 0
Total KoST Points: 6
