The calendar has barely turned to March and we’ve already had a Francisco Lindor hamate surgery, dominant early performances from Nolan McLean and Freddy Peralta, a chess club, and a Soto shuffle.
And now, in addition to all of that, we will be kicking off our annual King of Spring Training contest, in which we honor the less heralded players in camp—the non-roster invitees, the less touted prospects,
and the journeymen. This year’s contest will look a little different because a significant number of players are now missing from Mets camp due to the World Baseball Classic, but that may mean some more opportunities for potential KoST candidates.
Let’s meet the 2026 field, shall we?
Cristian Pache – .727/.750/1.182 in 11 ABs
The Mets signed Pache to a minor league deal in December before they brought on Luis Robert and also MJ Melendez and Mike Tauchman—both also KoST candidates themselves—which makes his path to making the team quite difficult. But the 27-year-old former top international prospect and NL East journeyman has led the team in hits this spring with eight, which is twice as many as anybody else.
Not known for his power, Pache has also already gone deep once this spring. Unexpectedly leading the team in hitting certainly rockets him to the top of the KoST leaderboard early.
KoST Points: 5
MJ Melendez – .364/.364/1.000 in 11 ABs
The battle for right field and the fourth outfield spot for the Mets is looking stiff this spring.
Melendez, much like Pache, is another player who once had quite the prospect pedigree, but he never lived up to his potential offensively. He is now trying to revive his career with the Mets. “I’ve had conversations with [the Mets] and saw that they definitely believe in me,” Melendez told NJ.com at Clover Park recently. “I definitely want somebody who has that same kind of thought process as me. I’m excited for a fresh start, excited for what’s to come and excited to get to learn here.” He also cited a great first impression from the Mets’ hitting and coaching staff. That two-home run performance on Friday was certainly a good start and has been the highlight of his spring so far. Those two long balls represent half of his four hits so far in Grapefruit League action. Though the outfield battle is crowded (and chock full of KoST candidates), Melendez’s defensive versatility may give him an edge.
KoST Points: 4
Austin Barnes – .500/.556/.875 in 8 ABs
The veteran third string catcher the Mets brought in as an NRI popping off in spring? Yeah. That’s the stuff KoST is made of, baby. Three of Barnes’ four hits in his first eight spring at-bats went for extra bases.
KoST Points: 3
Mike Tauchman – .286/.444/.857 in 7 ABs
Rounding out the hot right field battle this spring is Mike Tauchman, who has more of a track record of success at the big league level than either of our other KoST candidate outfielders Pache and Melendez. He was also signed most recently, shortly before spring training began. “I think I have a good opportunity to make the team out of camp and then also have a Spring Training that I think is going to allow me to prepare myself for a season regardless — just in terms of reps, at-bats, opportunities,” Tauchman said shortly after he was signed. Thus far this spring, he has been proven right in a very small sample size, demonstrating that he is absolutely a factor in this roster battle, along with Pache, Melendez, Carson Benge (who I felt was not KoST eligible being the Mets’ top position player prospect), and Tyrone Taylor (who I also felt was too established to be KoST eligible, even if his exact role is not guaranteed). Tauchman has the fewest at-bats of any of our position player KoST candidates so far, but he is certainly one to keep an eye on in this contest.
KoST Points: 3
Tobias Myers – 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 7 Ks in 5 1/3 IP
Though Tobias Myers has already had success in the big leagues and is probably close to a lock to make the team, I still feel he has a certain, shall we say, KoSTiness about him because I get the sense he is thought of as the throw-in in the Freddy Peralta trade. I don’t think that characterization does Myers justice and if he keeps pitching like he has early this spring, he might shoehorn his way into the rotation picture despite the presence of at least five or six other major league quality starting pitchers in camp. A crowded rotation is a good problem to have and I hope that at the end of the month, it’s a problem the Mets still have. Either way, don’t be surprised if Tobias Myers makes a huge contribution to the 2026 Mets—whether it’s in the rotation or as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen.
KoST Points: 4
Robert Stock – 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP, 6 Ks in 3 IP
I know the community is very divided on the idea of pitchers as KoST candidates, particularly relief pitchers, but Robert Stock would be one of the most fun success stories of the spring if he managed to make the bullpen. The 36-year-old journeyman tweeted the following after the Mets decided to bring him back on a minor league deal this offseason.
Stock is a student of his craft, always tinkering with his repertoire and diving into the data. He is the sabermetrics nerd’s pitcher. And this spring so far, he is getting results.
KoST Points: 3
Austin Warren – 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 2 Ks in 3 IP
Austin Warren got some big league innings for the Mets last season and he looks good again this spring, making him a dark horse to make the bullpen, which would certainly boost his KoST candidacy. But even if he does not make the team out of camp, he seems like a guy who is sure to see the big league mound again this season at some point or another.
KoST Points: 2
Matt Turner – 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 5 Ks in 3 IP
Matt Turner is arguably the KoSTiest type of KoST candidate of all: a minor league Rule 5 guy. The Mets clearly saw potential in him by claiming him from the Yankees and he has been lights out so far this spring. If he keeps it up, his stock in this race could rise very quickly (Robert Stock pun intended).
KoST Points: 2
