Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick

[MFS62]

Thanks for the hint.
Eric Ludwick.

Later

[Cowtipper]

Eric Ludwick is correct!

Another hint:

This player is a former American right-handed relief pitcher known for his powerful arm and late-career success in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). After being drafted 72nd overall by the New York Mets in 1991, he was traded to the San Diego Padres, where he debuted in the majors in 1995. This player also played briefly for the Cincinnati Reds but struggled to make a lasting impact in MLB, eventually retiring due to elbow surgeries and missing the 2001 and 2002 seasons.

In 2005, This player resurrected his career in Japan with the Yokohama BayStars, where he quickly made headlines by breaking the NPB record for fastest pitch multiple times, becoming the first pitcher in league history to throw 100 mph. He recorded 26 saves that season and was seen as a surprise success story. Over the next two years, he continued to rank among the league’s top closers.

This player later joined the Yomiuri Giants, signing a lucrative deal and tying the Japanese record for saves by a foreign pitcher. In 2008, he led the Central League with 41 saves and continued to dominate through 2010. Despite saving 177 games in Japan, he was unable to land a contract for the 2011 season, which he attributed to reluctance from teams to allow a foreigner to surpass 200 career saves. He returned to the U.S. with a minor league deal from the San Francisco Giants and appeared in their Triple-A affiliate and in the Showtime series *The Franchise*, before retiring in 2012.

Off the field, This player’s son Matt is a professional baseball infielder in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

[MFS62]

I don't know who that is, but nobody has guessed my adoptee Brandon Sproat.
Later

[Cowtipper]

Brandon Sproat is correct!

Another hint:

This player is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played from 1991 to 2001 for the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Born in Austin, Texas, and raised in Falls Church, Virginia, he attended George C. Marshall High School before making his MLB debut in 1991. This player’s career highlight came in 1995 when he had an outstanding season with the Cincinnati Reds, finishing with an 18-7 record and a 3.22 ERA. He was dominant in the postseason with a 1.26 ERA over two starts, though he went 0-1. That year, he was the runner-up for the National League Cy Young Award, finishing behind Greg Maddux.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

I looked this one up becasue I didn;t believe the Reds went to the playoffs or had a Cy Young runner up in 1995 and was wrong on both. I also didn't recognize the photo or remember the guy enough

[Cowtipper]

Yeah, he is an astoundingly easily forgotten 1990s Mets pitcher, despite playing a few years with them (1991-1993 for those wondering).

[Frayed Knot]

It's Pistol Pete Schourek

[Cowtipper]

Pete Schourek is correct!

Another hint:

This player, born in 1967 in Wisconsin, is a former MLB catcher, manager, and currently a coach with the San Diego Padres. He played eleven seasons in the majors for teams including the Astros, Cubs, Giants, and Rockies. Before his pro career, he excelled with Team USA, earning a silver medal at the 1987 Pan American Games and participating in multiple international tournaments. Drafted by the Astros in 1988, he made his MLB debut in 1991 and played until 2001.

After retiring, this player transitioned to front office roles, working in player development for the Rangers and then as assistant GM for the Angels under Jerry Dipoto. In 2016, Dipoto—then Mariners GM—hired him as Seattle’s manager. Despite no prior managerial experience, this player led the Mariners for nearly nine seasons, overseeing their long-awaited return to the playoffs in 2022 and securing their first playoff series win in over two decades. However, he was unable to sustain that momentum. A late-season collapse in 2024, after holding a 10-game division lead, led to his dismissal in August, marking the end of his tenure in Seattle.

This player was known for his analytical approach and close alignment with Dipoto’s vision. His managerial record stands at 668–624 with one postseason appearance. He joined the Padres in early 2025 as a special assistant in player development. Off the field, he is married to his high school sweetheart, Jill, and is the nephew of Creighton University’s head baseball coach, Ed.

[MFS62]

That other clued player was Marc Kroon.

Later

[Cowtipper]

Marc Kroon is correct!

Another hint:

This player was a right-handed outfielder who played parts of four MLB seasons between 1984 and 1988, appearing in 132 games with a .234 career batting average. Though his on-field career was modest, he played a part in two significant trades that helped shape the 1986 World Series. Originally drafted by the California Angels out of Troy High School, he opted to attend Cal State Fullerton before being selected by the New York Mets in the second round of the 1981 draft. After a strong showing in Triple-A in 1984, he debuted with the Mets later that year.

Following a decline in performance in 1985, this player was included in a trade to the Boston Red Sox that brought Bobby Ojeda to New York—Ojeda would go on to play a key role in the Mets' 1986 championship. this player spent 1986 in the minors before being sent to Seattle as part of the deal that brought Dave Henderson and Spike Owen to Boston, both of whom played key postseason roles.

He had brief stints with the Mariners and Twins, showing flashes of success in the minors but limited impact at the major league level. He retired after the 1989 season, having last played for the Portland Beavers. His brother, Jim, was also a professional player in the Twins’ system.

[MFS62]

Keeping it in this decade- Blade Tidwell.
Later

[Cowtipper]

Blade Tidwell is correct!

Another hint:

This player is a professional baseball outfielder in the New York Mets organization, known for his speed and high-contact hitting profile. Born in 2003 in McLean, Virginia, he was a standout player at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., where he won Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2022. Drafted by the Mets in the second round that same year, he signed for $1 million, opting not to attend Virginia Tech.

After a brief and rough debut in the Florida Complex League in 2022, this player rebounded in 2023 by hitting .306 across Rookie and Low-A levels. In 2024, he dominated both Low-A and High-A, slashing .312/.403/.398 with 59 stolen bases and earning Mets Organizational Player of the Year honors. He led all Mets minor leaguers in batting average, on-base percentage, and steals, and broke single-season franchise records with Brooklyn for hits (110) and steals (48).

This player’s strength lies in his elite speed and solid bat-to-ball skills. While he makes good swing decisions and contact, he hits the ball on the ground too often, limiting his offensive ceiling. His power is minimal, with only six home runs across 189 games in his career so far. Defensively, This player transitioned from shortstop to center field and has shown good range and improving instincts, although his arm remains below average.

Concerns remain about his groundball tendencies, lack of power, and his struggles against left-handed pitching. However, his plus speed, strong plate discipline, and defensive potential keep him in the conversation as a future major leaguer, potentially as a speedy fourth outfielder. He opened 2025 with Double-A Binghamton and will aim to improve his performance against lefties and elevate the ball more consistently to enhance his value.

[Cowtipper]

Today's hint:

This player is an American professional baseball outfielder who became a free agent in 2025. A standout at Corona High School in California, this player was drafted by the New York Mets with the 69th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft and signed for $850,000, foregoing his commitment to the University of Missouri. However, he did not play that year due to the cancellation of the minor league season during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In January 2021, this player was traded to the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) as part of the deal that sent Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to the Mets. He made his professional debut that year in the Arizona Complex League, batting .289 with strong on-base skills. Over the next few seasons, this player's offensive production declined. In 2022, he hit .226 in Single-A with Lynchburg, followed by a .180 average in 2023 at High-A Lake County. He returned to Lake County in 2024, hitting .202 over 28 games. This player was released by the Guardians on March 28, 2025. His career to date has been marked by promising tools but inconsistent performance at the plate.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Desmond Lindsey?

[Cowtipper]

Desmond Lindsay is none of the guys above, but he is one of them!

Another hint:

This player is an American professional baseball pitcher currently in the San Francisco Giants organization. Born on September 1, 2000, in Bellaire, Texas, this player was a standout at St. Thomas High School in Houston, where he earned All-State honors and was recognized for his strong performances on the mound. Drafted by the New York Mets in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft, he signed for $2.15 million, forgoing a commitment to Texas A&M. He debuted with the GCL Mets, pitching eight innings with a 3.38 ERA before the 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In January 2021, this player was traded to the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) as part of the high-profile deal that sent Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to the Mets. As a Guardians prospect, he spent time across various minor league levels, including Low-A Lynchburg and High-A Lake County, but struggled with consistency and injuries. He also pitched for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. After being released by Cleveland in May 2024, this player signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants a few days later. Despite his challenges, this player remains a developing talent with a high-velocity fastball and a promising slider.



Also, here was a hint that was dropped a few days ago, but never got a response:

This player was a right-handed pitcher who appeared in the major leagues from 1978 to 1982, primarily with the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. A standout at Belmont University, where he still ranks among the program's all-time ERA leaders, he was drafted by the Mets in the second round of the 1974 MLB Draft. Initially a starter in the minors, he found success as a reliever, earning a call-up to the majors in 1978. He earned his first career win with the Mets but was traded to the Brewers after the 1979 season.

After a couple of years in the minors, he returned to the majors in 1981 and played a key bullpen role for the 1982 Brewers, contributing during their run to the World Series. That season marked his most productive year, including six saves and a strong performance in the postseason, where he did not allow a baserunner in either of his two appearances.

Following his release in 1983, he pitched in the farm systems of the Astros and Orioles before retiring in 1985 and transitioning into coaching. He has had an extensive coaching career spanning more than three decades, serving as a pitching coach and coordinator in several organizations, including the Twins, Brewers, Mariners, and Giants. As of 2019, he was the pitching coach for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in the Giants organization.



I'll add to it with this poem (crafted using the genius of ChatGPT):

From hardwood courts in Mount Vernon’s gym,
To the mound where dreams begin to brim,
He left Illinois with a pitch in his hand,
And found himself in Belmont land.

A Rebel in college, fierce and refined,
His ERA etched in stats left behind,
District's best in seventy-four—
He craved the game, and wanted more.

The Mets came calling in that year’s draft,
And through minor leagues he carved his craft.
From starter’s toil to reliever’s art,
He played each role with a lion’s heart.

In Tidewater's pen, he found his stride,
A 1.64, the call-up wide.
He faced the Bucs, his debut told,
A single run, his story bold.

That first win came in September’s light,
A Pirate silenced, a sweet respite.
But New York's tale would soon be done,
One win, seven losses, and he’d moved on.

To Milwaukee’s arms, a Brewer now,
He waited two years to again take a bow.
In ‘81, he pitched in fall,
No runners reached—he answered the call.

Then came '82, his peak so true,
Five saves, a steady ERA he grew.
In October’s stage, he faced the fray,
World Series lights, no hits gave way.

But spring was cruel in ‘83,
He left the Crew, and sought to be
A part once more of the show he loved—
With Tucson’s team, he rose above.

Houston’s hopes, and Orioles’ song,
Yet the big league path stayed quiet long.
So he turned to teach, to guide the flame,
And helped the next to chase the game.

From Macon’s fields to Tacoma’s rain,
Through every stop, through loss and gain,
He taught the fire behind each throw,
The game he loved from long ago.

In dugout shade and bullpen calls,
He walked the minors' dusty halls.
With every young arm shaped and starred,
He passed the torch—_____ _______.

[MFS62]

Back up a few posts to Nick Morabito.
Later

[Cowtipper]

Nick Morabito is correct!

I've dropped a handful of hints so I let what we have sit for a while.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Tthe guy with the fresh glasses doesn't look like Mike Bruhertbut I will guess Mike Bruhert

[MFS62]

Dwight Bernard.
Later

[Centerfield]

Isaiah Green

[MFS62]

My other adoptee who is perennially battling back from arm and control woes, Calvin Ziegler.

Later

[Cowtipper]

Isaiah Greene is correct!

Dwight Bernard is correct!

Mike Bruhert is a good guess, but he was an undrafted free agent.

Calvin Ziegler is correct, but was already guessed.

Here's another hint that went unanswered earlier. I have added a ChatGPT poem to hopefully help out:

This player was a right-handed pitcher whose professional baseball career spanned nine professional seasons, primarily as a starter. Drafted in the second round of the 1979 MLB Draft by the New York Mets, he spent several years in their farm system but never advanced beyond Double-A. He got his shot at the major leagues after being selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 1983 Rule 5 Draft.

He made his MLB debut on April 8, 1984, pitching three no-hit innings for a save against the Boston Red Sox. In total, he appeared in just three major league games, posting a 4.66 ERA across 9⅔ innings before being traded back to the Mets in May 1984. He did not return to the majors.

After suffering a serious elbow injury in 1986, he reinvented himself as a submarine-style reliever in 1987 with the Birmingham Barons, where he posted a 9–1 record and was named to the Southern League All-Star team. He retired after helping the Barons win the league championship. Over his minor league career, he earned five championship rings and three All-Star selections. Following baseball, he transitioned into a career in retail management.



From Lompoc’s hills to the diamond’s gleam,
A pitcher chased a childhood dream.
Drafted young in '79's bright light,
The Mets believed in his future bright.

A tall right-hander, six-foot-three,
He toiled in farms, far from TV.
Double-A’s dust on well-worn shoes,
He paid his dues, he paid his dues.

Then Oakland came with Rule Five's call,
A second chance to scale the wall.
April 8th, the Red Sox came,
Three scoreless frames—he staked his claim.

No hits, no runs, a save secured,
For a brief sweet spell, his spot assured.
But fate moved fast, and on May’s breath,
He was traded back like a whispered death.

To Jackson's mound he did descend,
Still chasing innings that never bend.
But arms aren't built for endless throws,
And pain arrived where passion goes.

In '86, the elbow screamed—
A tear, a break, the end it seemed.
But grit ran deep in this man’s soul,
And back he came with a brand-new role.

A submarine, from down below,
He changed his style, he changed his flow.
With Birmingham, he found his spark,
A 9–1 line, he left a mark.

Though ERA told a different tale,
The Barons won, he did not fail.
An All-Star nod, a ring once more,
And with that, he closed the door.

Five rings, three nods, a winding road,
The weight of dreams a heavy load.
Not many pitch where legends morph—
But one did once—____ __________.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Kelvin Dorff

[Cowtipper]

You got the Dorf part right.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Paul Orndorf