New York Upstate of Mind: Road Trip Diary: Walk-Off Wonders, Young Arms, and Francisco Finding His Groove

Some folks like to get away, take a holiday from the neighborhood

Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood

But I'm taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River Line

I'm in a New York upstate of mind.

That about sums it up.

While others might jet off to the beach or head out to the Hamptons, I hit the road this week for a good old-fashioned baseball double-dip — a two-day minor league swing through upstate New York. First stop: NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse to catch the Triple-A Mets. Next up: Binghamton, home of the Rumble Ponies where I’m told they serve grilled meat on bread like it’s a religious experience

Day 1 brought me to the land of salt potatoes — that glorious, briny local specialty born from 19th-century Irish salt miners boiling small spuds in the stuff they knew best. Simple. Salty. Perfect. Just like the night I spent at NBT Bank Stadium, home of the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate. There, I got a first-hand look at some of the organization’s rising prospects, the former 2001 Mets Minor League player of the Year Francisco Alvarez still searching for his swing, and the kind of walk-off magic that makes minor league ball feel major. Final score: Syracuse 2, Lehigh Valley 1.

Let’s start at the end, because what’s better than a walk-off? Unless maybe it’s a walk-off paired with an electric pitching performance and a glimpse into the Mets’ future.

Joey Meneses yes, that Joey Meneses, the 33 year old WBC legend and king of who arrived late to spring training this year thanks to some pesky visa delays, but looks plenty locked in now and was the walk-off hero with a clean single to win it. But if you ask Syracuse skipper Dicky Scott (and I did), the unsung moment came in the at-bat before.

That was Drew Gilbert, the sparkplug outfielder acquired in the Justin Verlander trade and the kind of player who looks like he was born to hit in the middle of a rally. Gilbert was down to his last strike after getting fooled badly on a pitch that looked like a backup wiffle ball slider, and then here’s where it gets fun he made the adjustment. Next pitch, some pitch, same location, no fireworks, just a cue shot through the 3-4 hole — the kind that keeps a inning alive.

“People say it’s a game of adjustments, and it really is — pitch to pitch, at-bat to at-bat,” he told me pregame. “You can make all kinds of changes in the offseason that seem right, but they might not work once the season starts. It’s about constantly adjusting — how pitchers are coming at you, how your swing feels that day. Everyone’s trying to get to the big leagues, but the goal is to stay there.”

Gilbert also opened up about the mental grind of slumps and the pressure of performance. “Nobody would be honest if they said it wasn’t hard. You don’t really grow until you’re challenged,” he said. “It’s not always smooth sailing, even when you make it. It’s how you handle those struggles that matters.”

“Drew’s really made some strides,” Scott said postgame. “Even when he’s down 0-2, he doesn’t feel like he’s out of it anymore. That’s a huge mental shift.”

As someone who remembers when Jason Phillips was considered a high-upside bat, let me tell you: it’s refreshing to see a kid who’s not just chasing highlight-reel hacks but learning how to actually hit. Adjustment, approach, confidence and some grit. .

Also in the Syracuse dugout? None other than Francisco Alvarez, working to regain his early MLB form. Dicky Scott emphasized how important it is to give guys like Alvarez the time and space they need — not just physically, but mentally.

That’s where folks like Jimmy VanOstrand — or “VO,” the Mets organizational mental performance coach come in. He was on hand in Syracuse, and Scott raved about the value he brings.

“This is a really difficult game,” Scott said. “And it’s a hard pill to swallow for guys who’ve had success at every level. You need someone like VO around — calm presence, easy to talk to. It makes a difference.”

I also got a front-row seat (literally) to Norm McLean, who might be the most exciting arm in the Mets’ system. Last night, he threw a gem — six shutout innings, mowing through one of the better lineups in the league which included Carl Crawford's son Justin just like it was a Tuesday in the backyard.

McLean, a former two-way player, is still young in his pitching development, but you’d never know it by watching him.

“He’s calm, composed, and always attacking,” Scott said. “Even when he doesn’t have his best stuff, he finds a way to get us to the sixth inning. That’s hard to teach.”

Triple-A Chaos and the Art of Adjusting on the Fly

The Triple-A manager's life is no easy task. One day your ace is starting, the next he’s in Queens. Rehab guys show up, pitch three innings, and disappear again. You’re managing your own roster and half of David Stearns’ depth chart.

“It’s chaos,” Scott said with a laugh. “But it’s our chaos. And honestly, we’re proud of how many pitchers we’ve sent to the big leagues. Even if it’s just for 10 days — that matters.”

Case in point: veterans like Brooks Raley is here getting back to form — and they’re doing it the right way. After their outings, they didn’t head straight to the showers. They stuck around, talked to the younger guys, set an example.

“That stuff matters,” Scott said. “It shows the young arms like Tidwell, Sproat, McLean — this is how it’s done.”

Speaking of Brooks Raley ...

Raley shared some perspective on his own comeback from Tommy John surgery and the process of patience. “I don’t think you can rush TJ,” he said. “We had a long-term plan coming off it, and I think we’ve executed it well. It’s helped temper expectations and keep the focus through the All-Star break.” He added that being back in the minors brings a certain humility and appreciation. “It’s a reminder of the leagues you played in, the ballparks, the travel, the food — everything about the city you’re in. You learn to enjoy where your feet are, pour into the younger guys, and get back to what you know.”

On the pitching front, Raley noted the evolution of velocity in the game. “The stuff from a velocity standpoint is probably at its peak. Guys throwing 98-plus are more common now — I remember when 95 was special. But at the end of the day, you still have to get big leaguers out. Hitters have adjusted to velocity, so now it’s about sinkers, sliders, zone control, and creating opportunities to get on base.”

Looking ahead, Raley spoke highly of the young arms coming up through the Mets system. “These guys are flying through the minors — a credit to their work ethic and the development staff. They have great talent, and the key now is to get reps and experience. The game is getting younger, but experience still has value.”

With that in mind I closed my conversation with Dicky Scott with something close to my old-school baseball heart: guys who pitch instead of just throw. The sport has fallen in love with 98 mph heaters — and who can blame it? It’s electric, it’s fun, it’s sexy. But what about the Tom Glavines of the world? The Paul Blackburns? The guys who hit the black, change speeds, and make hitters look like they’re swinging a spaghetti noodle?

“There’s a place for them,” Scott said. “But it’s harder now. If you’re not lighting up the radar gun, you’ve got to earn your way up the old-fashioned way. Rookie ball, A ball, earn every inch.”

And I couldn’t help but nod, maybe a little wistfully. Because somewhere between the flashing velocity and highlight reels, there’s still something deeply beautiful about an 89 mph fastball on the outside black. Especially if it gets big-league outs.

So that was Day 1. A walk-off win, a glimpse of the future, a reminder of the grind. I’ve still got Binghamton ahead, where more prospects await (maybe even a Jonah Tong start)