Although Blade Tidwell was a second-round pick in 2022, the buzz surrounding the New York Mets pitching prospect has been relatively subdued. His first full professional season in 2023 was solid, as he posted an 11-6 record with a 3.57 ERA. However, his struggles in Double-A—where he finished 3-3 with a 4.72 ERA over eight starts—tempered expectations.
A similar pattern emerged last year. After pitching well in Double-A, Tidwell faltered in Triple-A, recording a disappointing 1-9 record with a 5.93 ERA across 85 innings. He was one of several Mets pitching prospects who struggled at that level, joining Dom Hamel and Mike Vasil (now with the Rays). Yet, Tidwell never seemed to garner the same level of recognition in prospect rankings.
Regardless of where he ranks, he made a statement on Saturday. Against the Rays, Tidwell delivered two perfect innings, including an immaculate inning—striking out all three batters on just nine pitches. The performance was a reminder that he may be closer to the big leagues than Brandon Sproat.
Just a day after Sproat impressed, Tidwell raised the bar. Both pitchers are among the Mets’ most promising young arms, with Tidwell slightly ahead due to his Triple-A experience. Their MLB debuts will likely depend on performance and team needs during the season.
Tidwell’s strong outing was a welcome bounce-back after a rough previous appearance, where he allowed four hits, three earned runs, and a home run in two innings. His inconsistency has given fans glimpses of both his potential and his areas for improvement.
At 23, Tidwell is a year younger than Sproat despite being drafted earlier. While Sproat had the more meteoric rise last season, strong performances in Triple-A could put Tidwell on a faster track to the majors.
Spring training results can be deceiving, but Tidwell’s ability to rebound from a poor outing is a positive sign. After a disappointing 2024 season for him and other Mets prospects, his adjustments and resilience could be key to making an impact in the near future. He should get at least one more chance to prove himself before heading to minor league camp.
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