Minor League Mondays: How Ryan Clifford Fared At The All Star Futures Game

The All Star Break is here and the New York Mets don't have much to write home about. The Mets enter the break 17 games under .500 for the first time since 1995, which should set the stage for a potentially massive trade deadline sale. Outfielder Juan Soto will be the Mets' only representative at the All Star Game as he was elected a starter by the fans, but he isn't the only member of the organization who made his way to Philadelphia. Prospect Ryan Clifford was in town on Sunday as the Mets' representative at the Futures Game, making him the spotlight on this week's edition of Minor League Mondays.

Ryan Clifford represented the Mets at the All Star Futures Game.

Clifford was not tapped to start the game, but he did enter in the middle innings and drew a walk in his lone plate appearance. The box score didn't showcase a lot for Clifford, who got to play at first base defensively, but he did get to showcase some of his prestigious power during batting practice.

The Futures Game experience is more than just participation in the game for prospects, who get to learn a lot seeing how some of the best young talent in the sport hone their craft. Clifford told SNY's Michelle Margaux after the game that playing in the Futures Game was valuable for the chance to play in a big league ballpark and form connections with other young players in a similar position to him.

Now that the Futures Game has come and gone, Clifford should be back with Syracuse in the coming days to work on improving in the second half. The Mets' state as sellers means Clifford should be sticking around past the deadline, with the one exception being if they find a deal that will allow them to add a significant piece to help them in the next few years.

That kind of deal would likely require a prospect of Clifford's caliber to complete, but it is hard to see what specific player could fit that archetype yet. The main focus for Clifford will be continuing to work on cutting down his strikeouts and get hot to earn a shot at big league playing time in September.

First base is an open question for the Mets after Pete Alonso's departure, with intended replacement Jorge Polanco limited to DH duty thanks to Achilles issues. Jared Young will get a long look at first base in the coming weeks but if Clifford can get hot at Syracuse it would behoove the franchise to let Clifford take a look at big league pitching down the stretch.