Former Mets Friday: Week 1

Opening Day always brings hope. The day after? That’s when reality—and curiosity—set in.

Following this year’s opener, we posted a graphic on Kiner’s Korner highlighting several key players no longer with the Mets and how they performed in their first games elsewhere. What happened next surprised even us. The post took on a life of its own, racking up over 70,000 impressions and sparking plenty of conversation.

Some loved it. Some didn’t. Some wanted more. Some probably wanted to throw their phone across the room.

But here’s the thing: baseball is a game of numbers. Players are judged by them. General managers are judged by the players they keep—and the ones they let go.

So we figured… why not lean into it?

Each week, from Thursday to Thursday, we’ll track how a group of former Mets are performing with their new clubs. Some were fan favorites. Some were prospects. Some barely unpacked their bags in Queens.

All of them are now part of the great “what if?” that follows every roster move.

We’re not here to root against anyone. And we’re not here to second-guess every decision with the benefit of hindsight.

We’re just here to keep score.

Luisangel Acuña (White Sox)

Week: 5 G, 15 AB, 3 H, 3 R, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2 SB, 1 BB, 3 SO, .200/.250/.200

Season to Date: Early returns show speed (2 SB) but limited impact at the plate

The Take:

Not much damage this week, just three hits in fifteen at-bats and no extra-base pop. But the speed shows up, with two steals and the ability to create some activity on the bases. Still very much a work in progress offensively, with the tools there but the consistency not quite yet.

Pete Alonso (Orioles)

Week: 6 G, 23 AB, 7 H, 3 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 7 SO, .304/.385/.435

Season to Date: Off to a steady start with his first home run and a solid on-base presence

The Take:

A better-looking week when you zoom out—seven hits in twenty-three at-bats with a homer mixed in. Not quite a full “Pete goes nuclear” stretch, but more like a slow burn. The walks are there, the power showed up once, and you get the sense he’s just a hot streak away from putting up one of those weeks that breaks this column.

Paul Blackburn (Yankees)

Week: 1 G, 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO, 8 BF, 6.75 ERA

Season to Date: Limited relief appearance with one outing on the week

The Take:

A brief and somewhat crowded inning for Blackburn, who allowed three hits and a run while issuing a walk and failing to record a strikeout. He was under pressure almost immediately and had to work through traffic without much margin for error. In a small sample, it’s not something to overreact to, but it wasn’t the kind of outing that allows a pitcher to settle in and establish a rhythm.

Edwin Díaz (Dodgers)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju1IwASVPAc

Week: 3 G, 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO, 2 SV, 6 BF, 3.00 ERA

Season to Date: Perfect record (3 appearances), steady early workload in high-leverage spots

The Take:

A typical Díaz week in the sense that he was used often and asked to handle pressure situations. Across three appearances, he allowed just one hit and one run, while striking out four over three innings of work.

The one blemish came in his most recent outing, where he allowed a run, but overall the command and swing-and-miss stuff were present. The strikeouts continue to show up, and even when traffic appears, he’s still missing enough bats to limit damage.

It’s a small early sample, but the usage alone tells you he’s already being trusted in the kind of spots that matter most.

Drew Gilbert (Giants)

Week: Did not appear in the majors

Season to Date: Not on the Giants’ Opening Day roster; awaiting opportunity at the major league level

The Take:

No box score this week, which is its own kind of story. Gilbert begins the season on the outside looking in, waiting for an opportunity to break into the Giants’ lineup. For now, it’s a holding pattern—work, stay ready, and wait for the call. In a sport where roles can change quickly, his weekly stat line may still be empty, but the season is very much in progress behind the scenes.

Ryan Helsley (Orioles)

Week: 2 G, 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 BB, 4 SO, 2 SV, 9 BF, 0.00 ERA

Season to Date: Early appearances in a relief role, already showing swing-and-miss stuff in high-leverage spots

The Take:

A clean and efficient start to the week for Helsley, who worked two innings across two outings without allowing a run. He gave up a pair of hits, but that was it—no walks, no damage, and four strikeouts to show for his efforts.

The velocity and power stuff that define his game were on display, particularly in the strikeout totals, where he consistently missed bats when he needed to. Even with a couple of baserunners, he managed to work through traffic without letting it turn into anything meaningful.

A solid, workmanlike week that fits the profile—short bursts, high intensity, and results that keep him in late-inning conversations.

Starling Marte (Royals)

Week: 1 G, 3 AB, 0 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 SO, .000/.000/.000

Season to Date: Limited action so far with one game played

The Take:

A quiet start to the week for Marte, who went hitless in his lone appearance and didn’t reach base. It’s a very small sample—just three at-bats—but the box score reflects a game where he simply didn’t have much opportunity to get anything going. For now, it’s just one of those games that gets filed away, with more time needed before drawing any meaningful conclusions.

Jeff McNeil (Athletics)

Week: 5 G, 13 AB, 1 H, 1 R, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 5 SO, .077/.143/.077

Season to Date: Early struggles at the plate with limited production through his first handful of games

The Take:

A tough week for McNeil, who managed just one hit in thirteen at-bats and struck out five times while reaching base only once via a walk. The contact hasn’t quite been there, and the overall line reflects a player still searching for timing and consistency.

It’s a small sample, but the results point to a slow start offensively. For a hitter known for putting the ball in play, the lack of contact stands out, and the challenge now is simply getting into a rhythm as the season progresses.

Cedric Mullins (Rays)

Week: 6 G, 21 AB, 1 H, 0 R, 2 RBI, 0 BB, 8 SO, .048/.048/.095

Season to Date: Slow offensive start with limited contact and minimal on-base production

The Take:A tough stretch for Mullins at the plate, finishing the week with just one hit in twenty-one at-bats and eight strikeouts. The lone bright spot in the stat line is the extra-base hit and RBI from earlier in the week, but overall the contact just hasn’t been there.

He’s running into some swing-and-miss issues, and without much on-base presence, it’s been difficult to generate any consistent offensive rhythm. Defensively he remains a steady presence in center, but offensively this was a week where the numbers lagged behind expectations.

Brandon Nimmo (Rangers)

Week: 6 G, 25 AB, 9 H, 6 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 5 SO, .360/.407/.520

Season to Date: Strong start at the plate with consistent contact, on-base ability, and early run production

The Take:

This was the kind of week Nimmo is built for. Nine hits in twenty-five at-bats, steady on-base work, and a mix of extra-base impact—including a home run—helped him put together one of the more productive lines in this group.

He also chipped in across the board with runs scored and RBI, showing his typical ability to set the table and drive in runs when given the chance. The plate discipline is still there, the contact is consistent, and the overall approach looks very much in line with the player Mets fans remember.

In a week where several former Mets struggled to find their rhythm, Nimmo stood out as one of the more complete offensive performers.

Tyler Rogers (Blue Jays)

Week: 4 G, 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO

Season to Date: Scoreless across his appearances with two holds and steady late-inning work

The Take:

Rogers did what Rogers does—keep the ball on the ground, avoid damage, and quietly get outs without much drama. In four appearances covering four innings, he allowed just two hits, didn’t walk a batter, and didn’t give up a run.

The strikeout total wasn’t overwhelming, but that’s never really been his calling card. Instead, the effectiveness comes from contact management and limiting free passes, and both were on display here. He handled multiple leverage spots and helped bridge innings without letting games slip away.

For a pitcher whose value is often measured in subtle ways rather than flashy numbers, this was a clean, efficient stretch that fits his established profile.

Gregory Soto (Pirates)

Week: 4 G, 4.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO

Season to Date: Power lefty has been effective in short bursts with missed bats and minimal damage

The Take:

Soto showed exactly why teams keep giving him late-inning chances—pure stuff that can overpower hitters when he’s in rhythm. Over four appearances, he allowed just one hit across 4.1 scoreless innings, striking out eight while keeping runs off the board.

The walks (two in this stretch) are always part of the equation with Soto, but he managed to limit the damage and consistently worked out of pressure situations. The strikeout rate stood out, giving him the ability to escape jams and finish innings without relying on contact.

This was a solid, high-leverage-type week that leaned on swing-and-miss ability. When Soto is commanding enough to pair strikeouts with even modest control, he remains a difficult at-bat for opposing hitters.

Brandon Sproat (Brewers)

Week: 1 GS, 3.0 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO, 3 HR allowed

Season to Date: One rough outing in limited action with command issues and hard contact allowed

The Take:

Sproat’s line from this start tells the story before you even get to the details. In 3.0 innings, he was tagged for seven runs on six hits, including three home runs, while issuing four walks and only striking out three.

The big issue here was consistency in the zone. When hitters aren’t chasing and are getting into favorable counts, the margin for error shrinks quickly—and Sproat paid for it with elevated pitch counts and hard contact. The three home runs are especially telling, suggesting pitches caught too much of the plate and were left up where hitters could drive them.

On the positive side, this is a small sample, and young pitchers often have starts that look like this as they adjust to higher levels of competition. The raw stuff that earned him opportunities is still in the background, but this outing will likely serve as a learning moment focused on command, sequencing, and limiting damage when behind in the count.

Ryne Stanek (Cardinals)

Week: 4 G, 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO, 1 SV, 1 BS

Season to Date: High-leverage usage with mixed results, including both a save and a blown save

The Take:

Stanek’s week was a bit of a roller coaster, reflecting both his strikeout ability and the occasional control lapses that can put him in tight spots. Over four appearances totaling 4.0 innings, he allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while walking four and striking out five.

The swing factor here was command. When Stanek was in the zone, he was able to miss bats and work out of innings, but the four walks kept innings from being as clean as they could have been. That said, he was still trusted in high-leverage situations, picking up a save while also being charged with a blown save.

The strikeout total shows the stuff is playing, but the consistency within each outing will be the key moving forward. If he can tighten the command, his ability to handle late innings remains very much in play.

Blade Tidwell (Giants)

Week: 1 G, 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 1 SV

Season to Date: Recalled and delivered a dominant multi-inning relief appearance with a save

The Take:

Now this is a plot twist.

After starting the week on the outside looking in, Tidwell was recalled and didn’t just contribute—he slammed the door. Three scoreless innings, just two hits allowed, no walks, and a save to finish it off against the Mets made for an eye-opening debut line.

What stands out here is not just the effectiveness, but the length. This wasn’t a quick cameo—it was a three-inning effort that showed both efficiency and composure. No free passes, limited hard contact, and enough swing-and-miss to keep hitters honest.

It’s one outing, but it’s the kind that changes conversations quickly. From roster cut to trusted late-inning option in a matter of days, Tidwell just gave himself a very real foothold going forward.

Jett Williams (Brewers)

Status: Optioned in spring training cuts; begins season at Triple-A Nashville

The Take:

Williams was among the last round of roster cuts as the Brewers finalized their Opening Day roster and his assignment to Triple-A Nashville was not a surprise given the circumstances. After returning late in camp from a left quad injury that limited his spring, he simply didn’t have enough time to fully ramp up and make a push for the roster.

Not being on the 40-man roster also made his path to Opening Day more challenging, but that shouldn’t overshadow the long-term optimism surrounding his profile. At just 22 years old, Williams brings a rare combination of speed and developing power in a compact frame, and the organization clearly views him as a key piece for the future.

For now, Triple-A will provide the consistent reps he needs after the interrupted spring. If he performs and stays healthy, he’ll remain firmly on the radar for a call-up down the line. Brewers fans will have to wait a bit longer, but the anticipation around what he can become at the major league level is very much intact.

In a week that featured a broad mix of former Mets—many of whom suited up on the 2025 squad but did not return—Brandon Nimmo stood out as the clear choice for Former Met of the Week. His consistent contact, run production, and all-around offensive contribution separated him from the pack, while others either struggled to find rhythm or are still working their way into form. As we move forward, we’ll begin to narrow the focus and spotlight a more select group of players each week, rather than the wider pool featured here, but for this installment, Nimmo’s balanced and productive performance earns him the nod.

As always, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—whether it’s about Nimmo’s week or any of the other former Mets we followed—and if you want to keep the conversation going, join our Kiner’s Korner Facebook group.